On the fifteenth of July, Yongqi's wife, Lady Suozhuoluo, gave birth to her unborn son at the Yuanmingyuan Garden after a difficult delivery.
The young prince was born prematurely, on an unfavorable day, and his condition was poor. More importantly, he did not live more than a few days and died young.
A series of dizzying developments left Hongli feeling extremely frustrated.
"Is Yongqi's wife unlucky? How could she have been chosen? Consort Yu is truly a good mother to Yongqi!"
It was a time of great news from the frontier, and as long as the child was born safely, Hongli insisted on personally organizing a celebration for this little grandson.
And what was the result?
The opportunity was given but it was useless; not only did he fail to achieve anything, it also made Hongli feel unhappy.
Turning to Chen Yuwei, she complained that Consort Yu was bad at choosing people. There were so many candidates for the imperial concubine selection, but in the end, it all fell to Lady Suozhuoluo.
It wasn't that Hongli looked down on this family; they did have one or two capable officials, but the family's foundation was insufficient, and its future potential was limited.
What exactly is Consort Yu thinking? "I still think that we should choose a few good concubines and princesses for Yongqi."
This matter of the Fujin (wife's husband) is ultimately Consort Yu's own decision; let Consort Yu worry about it herself.
Hongli spoke very bluntly, and did not expect Chen Yuwei to chime in with any advice.
When he came over for a meal and to stay overnight, he chatted casually with Chen Yuwei for a few minutes, and the conversation drifted to Yongqi's wife.
Chen Yuwei: ...
Chen Yuwei perfectly played the role of a background character, responding to whatever the emperor said without uttering a single word of her own opinion.
Originally, this matter was not her responsibility. Back when Yongqi was choosing his consort, she even handed over the position of the Imperial Household Department servant in charge of this matter to Consort Yu herself.
Consort Yu has shot herself in the foot. In any case, none of the concubines in the palace who are on good terms with Consort Yu are satisfied with Yongqi's wife.
Especially after Yongqi's wife gave birth to a son and then caused such a huge mess.
...
"Mother, if there's nothing else, I'll head back now."
Yongqi reached out and pinched the tip of his straight nose, and he sounded a little aggrieved when he spoke.
Consort Yu summoned Yongqi to her residence at this time to discuss matters to come.
Seeing Yongqi's bad attitude, Consort Yu's pent-up anger immediately exploded.
"Yongqi, what kind of attitude is this? Did your mother call you here to harm you?"
I finally made it to her place, but I don't want to stay even a moment longer. Why is that?
Yongqi: ...
"Mother, I really have something to do," so please don't make a fuss.
Yongqi didn't finish his sentence, but the look in his eyes really made Consort Yu lose her guard.
Consort Yu's mood worsened further. "You have something to say? Such a big thing has happened to Lady Suozhuoluo, and you still have something to say?"
With a slight pursing of her lips, Consort Yu spoke in a tone that was rather irritating, like rubbing salt into a wound.
Yongqi and Suozhuoluo's relationship was passable, and Suozhuoluo's people in the court were relatively obedient.
Both Yongqi and Suozhuoluo were devastated by the loss of their child.
But Consort Yu, as the child's grandmother, went a bit too far with those words.
His fingers were gripped tightly, and Yongqi tried his best to endure it, but in the end it was no use.
"What exactly is Mother trying to say? Sozhuoluo feels more guilty than anyone else."
Some of his words were hoarse and desperate, others were warnings and reminders. Yongqi's voice wasn't loud, but it was full of emotion.
Unfortunately, Consort Yu didn't care; she had long been driven mad by the mess she was in.
What good is Suo Zhuoluo's guilt? She chose this day to give birth, and she's not going to praise the other party for being capable.
"The Emperor is very dissatisfied and plans to select several new concubines and princesses for you to enter the palace."
Yongqi, you are the Emperor's son, you should know the Emperor's attitude even more.
"What I say doesn't matter; what matters is what you want."
Consort Yu looked at Yongqi with cold eyes, secretly anticipating the various choices her son would make.
Should they continue to show their deep affection for Lady Suozhuoluo and her husband, or should they obey the Emperor's wishes and treat the concubines who are about to enter the palace well?
Like her, Consort Yu always believed that her son was also someone who pursued profit and power and was concerned with gains and losses.
The mother and son had a long-standing feud over the fact that Lady Suozhuoluo had become a Fujin (a high-ranking official's wife).
The decision to appoint Lady Suozhuoluo was initially made by Consort Yu, but later it turned out that Consort Yu was the one who disliked her the most.
It must be said that things always turn out in unexpected ways.
Yongqi: ...
Yongqi was surprised, "Mother, where did you hear that? Suozhuoluo is still in her second month of pregnancy."
Consort Yu pointed out the window, "This is not something I heard from somewhere, but something the Imperial Noble Consort said herself."
The list of personnel will be delivered to me in a few days.
The reason I called you here today is also to discuss the selection of personnel.
When Yongqi arrived, he was completely absurd.
Consort Yu wasn't someone who enjoyed hardship, so there was no need for her to go out of her way to curry favor with someone who wouldn't listen.
Since Yongqi was so impatient, Consort Yu simply didn't mention these things.
In the end, Yongqi will still come to her for help anyway.
Yongqi understood Consort Yu just as Consort Yu understood Yongqi; the two of them knew each other's character all too well.
Some things don't need to be said; they speak louder than a thousand words.
Yongqi looked at his mother, who had sat down on the couch, and moved his dry lips. "Mother, have you chosen someone?"
Consort Yu nodded, "Several of them come from good families, several times better than the Suozhuoluo clan."
An inexplicable emotion welled up within her. Consort Yu thought to herself that, given the current situation, it would be even better if Lady Suozhuoluo went directly there.
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