With Emperor Hongli gone, the Yuanmingyuan should have been able to rest for quite some time.
After all, the main character of the opera is not here, so who can the concubines in the harem entertain with their antics?
On the first day after Hongli left, the Empress used the excuse that Yongcheng needed to recuperate and closed the doors of Changchun Xianguan to receive no visitors.
Following closely behind were the statements from Consort Xian and Consort Gao, and then Consort Hui joined in. The high-ranking concubines began to behave themselves, catching the other lower-ranking concubines who still had their own ideas off guard.
The Empress Dowager, who had come along with him, also announced that she would take care of Yonghuang and not get involved in these disputes.
Wow, is this the tacit understanding that should exist between us?
Yeah, right! That's just an excuse they came up with.
The Empress wanted to recuperate, the Empress Dowager wanted to wait for an opportunity, Consort Xian and Consort Gao each had their own purposes, but perhaps the most innocent was Consort Hui.
Consort Hui had a good surname, and her simplicity gave her confidence. No one dared to cause trouble for her. What could they do but live a quiet life?
Chen Yuwei, who had just left the Old Summer Palace, was unaware that since they left, the Old Summer Palace had become completely peaceful.
Because the journey to Mulan Qiumi would pass by several imperial palaces, Chen Yuwei took on the responsibilities that originally belonged to the Empress. At each palace, she would greet the officials and their families who came to pay their respects with a smile.
They were all local officials stationed in the region for many years, and their marriage relationships were complex and intertwined.
Perhaps it has little to do with the capital, but locally, he has basically become a local tyrant.
As usual, they would ask questions first, then chat, and then personally present the prepared reward.
After the two had finished their pleasant conversation, Xia He saw the person out.
Chen Yuwei turned her head and rubbed the tip of her nose, thinking to herself that she was already annoyed by this kind of life, which had just begun.
No wonder the Empress entrusted her with this task with such confidence; given her lazy nature over the years, she would eventually give in.
The Empress has figured out her thoughts perfectly; no wonder she relinquished power so easily.
Tsk tsk
It must be said that, apart from dying young, the Empress was truly a qualified empress.
She was decisive in dealing with those who posed a threat to her, yet generous in showing kindness to those who posed no threat to her. Everyone said the Empress was intelligent.
Her short life was a drawback, but the fact that she didn't live to see the Empress when the Fucha clan declined was also a good thing.
When I have free time, these random thoughts always get on my mind and affect me.
All Chen Yuwei could do was try to relax and cheer herself up to deal with what was to come.
"Your Highness, it's not necessary for you to handle everything. If there are any more people who are so inconsiderate, I will stop them for you."
Xia He felt sorry for her master, whose fatigue and exhaustion were clearly visible to the naked eye.
But these local officials simply couldn't refuse to give them face.
Even the emperor had to lower himself to govern a region, let alone the empress.
Chen Yuwei waved her hand and helped Xia He to her feet, saying, "I am fine."
It's time to leave after a day or two; there's no need to offend those people.
Besides, I'd also like to chat with them," otherwise how would I deal with the Emperor?
Every night, the emperor would come to her bedchamber to sleep.
It wasn't about engaging in any sexual activity; he was simply trying to find out information from Chen Yuwei.
Women have their own ways of gathering information, and they are generally considered more trustworthy.
Xia He: ...It seems so too.
"But can your body, Master, withstand the strain?"
Xia He was a little suspicious, though she didn't say it, her eyes betrayed her true feelings.
Chen Yuwei nodded, "Don't worry, it's not a big problem."
Part of it is true and part of it is false; some of it is just playing the victim while some of it is genuine. Chen Yuwei has to show some of her efforts, otherwise Hongli will think that Chen Yuwei is taking money but not doing anything, and he will be dissatisfied.
Xia He looked at her master's forced smile, and although she didn't quite believe it, she still nodded respectfully.
Anyway, I'm still here for my master. At worst, I'll find a way to help him recover and make up for it before the main force arrives at Mulan Qiumi, even if it's my master who suffers the damage.
...
Strictly speaking, the route from Yuanmingyuan to Mulan Qiumi is not very long.
However, Hongli would stop and rest for two or three days at each place he passed through.
This would be troublesome for the local officials, but Hongli believed that the benefits outweighed the trouble, so he chose to go with the flow and take the opportunity to inspect the areas governed by the officials.
During this period, Hongli also dealt with several man-made disasters that went a bit too far.
Chen Yuwei made a significant contribution by digging deep into the root of the problem from a minor injustice in the inner quarters.
For this, Hongli rewarded Chen Yuwei handsomely, bestowing upon her a considerable sum to replenish her private treasury.
The carriage creaked along the road. Chen Yuwei sat in the carriage, and even though she was covered with a thick blanket, she still couldn't withstand the bumpy ride.
I feel nauseous; my stomach is churning, and I have an indescribable discomfort.
Chen Yuwei frowned, with Xia He constantly patting her back beside her.
Unfortunately, despite trying various methods, Chen Yuwei was still in excruciating pain.
Chen Yuwei gestured for Xia He to bring over the spittoon, and then spat twice, rinsing her mouth with warm water before catching her breath.
The smell in the carriage was a bit unpleasant, so Xia He could only open the window and light some light fruitwood incense to try to dispel the odor.
Leaning against the wall behind her, Chen Yuwei gently touched her chest and adjusted her breathing.
Xia He didn't disturb her until she had cleaned up the filth in the carriage before taking a thin blanket and covering Chen Yuwei with it.
Although it was very hot at this time, there were several bowls of ice in the carriage, and the air conditioning was blowing up, making it a bit cold to the hands and feet.
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