The Imperial Observatory? Who bribed them?
As soon as Hongli finished speaking, Chen Yuwei immediately pictured Consort Qing peeking around and Consort Ling acting suspiciously.
In fact, Chen Yuwei had wronged both of them.
No one tried to bribe the Imperial Observatory, which was, after all, a department exclusively for the royal family. Neither Consort Qing nor Consort Ling had the audacity to do so.
This was simply a series of unfortunate coincidences; the Imperial Astronomical Bureau only came up with this lame excuse when they panicked.
They had no one to blame but themselves; it was because Hongli and Yongyue's illnesses kept recurring after they came to the Yuanmingyuan.
Unable to withstand the onslaught of rumors, Emperor Qianlong personally summoned the Imperial Observatory for questioning.
Those in the Imperial Observatory who were truly talented couldn't climb up from the bottom, and those who did climb up didn't have any real skills.
How could they keep their official positions? They had to say it was true, otherwise the Imperial Observatory would be nothing but useless bums.
What happens to those who serve the emperor but are of no use? Over the years, everyone has come to see and remember what has become of them.
How could the Imperial Astronomical Bureau staff, who were always looking up at the night sky to observe celestial phenomena, not panic?
What was said casually has escalated into what it is now, fueled by rumors.
However, Chen Yuwei is unaware of these inside details for the time being, mainly because she has been lazy and focused on herself and hasn't paid much attention to them.
Hearing the unspoken meaning behind Hongli's words, Chen Yuwei felt a surge of resentment. The Emperor really intended to take this opportunity to throw Yongyue, an ignorant child, out.
Good heavens, that's his own son, the offspring of a concubine from a prominent Manchu family.
“Wei’er, you are naturally intelligent and understand me best. Consort Ning came here on her own, but she insisted on abandoning Yongyue. I am in a real dilemma.”
Hongli began to complain, blaming all the problems on Consort Ning.
Consort Ning came here for her son's sake, driven by a genuine maternal love. She worried that he might not survive if he stayed at the Yuanmingyuan. However, in Hongli's eyes, this appeared as Consort Ning wanting to get rid of Yongyue, a burden, and protect herself.
Chen Yuwei: ...Hongli's understanding here is quite accurate.
"Your Majesty, do you have any candidates in mind? Or perhaps you could send the young prince to the summer palace in the suburbs on his own?"
Given Yongyue's age, leaving her biological mother means her future life may not be easy.
Chen Yuwei rubbed her wrist, pondered for a moment, and then asked Hongli for his thoughts.
It would be a crime to send someone away without a clear destination.
Hongli still had a little bit of fatherly tenderness towards Yongyue, after all, he had a good relationship with Consort Ning before.
At that time, Yongyue rarely left Consort Ning's side, and Hongli, out of love for Consort Ning, also cared for Yongyue quite a bit.
However, things are different now. Hongli doesn't hate Yongyue, but he is also a little afraid of her.
It's better to be safe than sorry. What if he really does bring bad luck to you?
It would be best to send her away from you. This would not only dispel the rumors, but also allow Yongyue to focus on her recovery.
I didn't see Consort Ning running over crying and saying that Yongyue was always lying in bed talking nonsense, so it must be because he was sick.
"There's no one else at the summer palace. Won't Yongyue be too lonely there, all alone?"
Moreover, Hongli didn't usually enjoy living in the summer palaces. He would only think of the other summer palaces around the Yuanmingyuan when he got tired of living there.
Yongyue tossed it over dryly, and Hongli was worried that he would never see this son again.
Hongli (Emperor Hongli) knew all too well how lawless a servant could be without a master's supervision.
Chen Yuwei understood the implication; she realized that Hongli was somewhat reluctant to send Yongyue to the summer palace. What other place could they possibly place her? Perhaps the backyards of some of the court officials?
Before Chen Yuwei could express what was on her mind, Hongli spoke up, mentioning his favorite twelfth imperial uncle, Prince Lü, Yin Tao.
“The Imperial Uncle is a good choice. Besides, the Imperial Uncle has no legitimate children. It would be beneficial for them to raise Yongyue by his side.”
Chen Yuwei: ...
Chen Yuwei listened with surprise as Hongli lay on the bed talking eloquently, thinking to herself that this man was really something, that he shouldn't speak so bluntly just because Yintao always lost his sons.
Besides, Yin Tao only had no sons, but he did have two daughters, the eldest of whom married into Mongolia and became a grandmother.
"Your Majesty, the Lüqin Dynasty is busy with state affairs. Would sending Yongyue to the residence delay his work?"
Chen Yuwei thought to herself, "We just appointed him as a Councilor of State in the first month of this year. Is he so eager to receive benefits? Doesn't that seem a bit too hasty?"
After listening to Chen Yuwei's words, Hongli looked up at the woman sitting by the bed and asked, "What does my beloved concubine mean?"
Chen Yuwei smiled sheepishly, trying not to create any problems for herself, "I think it would be better to send Prince Yongyue to Consort Ning's maternal family for care."
This would reassure both Consort Ning and the Emperor; otherwise, Consort Ning would be distressed if the young prince fell ill and caused trouble.
But sending her to Consort Ning's family home is a different story. Does Consort Ning dare to cause trouble for her own parents?
To take it a step further, what if Yongyue is unlucky and the person she sent away dies?
But the gift was sent to Consort Ning's own home. Would Consort Ning resent Hongli for this?
After listening to Chen Yuwei's suggestion, Hongli thought to himself that this arrangement was indeed good.
At least, Consort Ning definitely trusts her own family more than Prince Lü.
Then he wouldn't have to be the bad guy. He could follow Consort Ning's wishes, send Yongyue out of the Yuanmingyuan, and find her a place that was theoretically the safest place.
"Wei'er, I entrust the matter of Consort Ning to you."
"Of all the concubines in the harem, you are the one I trust the most," Hongli said, reaching out to take Chen Yuwei's hand and gently patting it.
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