"If you don't want to talk about it, then don't. It's quite a rare thing for the Emperor to seek me out."
It could be another test with ulterior motives, after all, Hongli has often done this kind of thing over the years.
Hongli was afraid. He was afraid that the Yikun Palace faction would seize power, that the Yikun Palace faction would harbor ulterior motives, and that the Yikun Palace faction would become uncontrollable.
But apart from the Yikun Palace lineage, he really couldn't find any other pawns that could rival the previous dynasty and not be at a disadvantage.
In order to maintain balance, Hongli thought long and hard and simply promoted Yongrong and Yongqi.
As it turned out, the fact that these two had accomplished nothing in the court for many years was not because they wanted to hide their talents, but because they were simply too stupid and incompetent to be of any use.
Having won the favor of their own father, the two were determined to perform well.
Then Hongli was dumbfounded, and finally, with great helplessness, he pressed the two of them down again, pretending that nothing had happened.
With the two older princes gone and the princes of the Yikun Palace lineage untouchable, Hongli could only turn his attention to Yongyan, the son of Consort Ling, after overlooking Yongxing (son of Consort Qing) and Yongyue (son of Consort Ning), whom he disliked.
However, Yongyan is only fourteen years old this year, neither good nor bad, and his background is not much better than that of Consort Ling. This makes Hongli extremely conflicted and he doesn't know what to do.
When Hongli is conflicted, he likes to cause trouble for Chen Yuwei.
Various tests and hints kept coming, and Chen Yuwei even suspected that Hongli was sick, otherwise why would he be looking for her so often?
Fortunately, Hongli behaved himself much later, otherwise Chen Yuwei's plan would have had to be brought forward.
Xingkui inserted the tassel hairpin into her hair to secure it, then reached out to help her mistress up, respectfully escorting her out of the main hall of Yikun Palace.
Gao Yu arrived in a sedan chair. Upon seeing Chen Yuwei dressed in elegant and luxurious attire, he hurriedly invited her to get into the sedan chair and rest.
Chen Yuwei nodded slightly at Gao Yu, "Eunuch Gao has been a rare guest at Yikun Palace lately. Why didn't you send someone to greet him in advance? The servants of Yikun Palace are crude and stupid. Please forgive any shortcomings in our hospitality."
Chen Yuwei's words were witty and eloquent, and all Gao Yu could do was listen while trying to suppress her laughter.
He secretly lamented that he should never offend a woman, no matter who he offends in the future.
The Imperial Noble Consort's aura was so strong that she silenced him with just a few words, leaving him speechless.
With a smile, Gao Yu had the eunuchs who had followed her carry the sedan chair away. She carefully apologized, but she still couldn't say what she shouldn't say.
Chen Yuwei: ...
Chen Yuwei glanced at Gao Yu and said, "Gao Yu is truly an impenetrable fortress; most people can't pry open his mouth."
Gao Yu sighed helplessly, “I was just lucky to be assigned to serve my master.”
"Your Majesty's words I dare not disobey," but he dared not disobey the Emperor's orders.
Talking to smart people is effortless, because you don't need to explain yourself too clearly for them to understand.
Chen Yuwei knew that Gao Yu's caution stemmed from Hongli's unpredictable moods and capricious nature.
After all, Hongli had done far too many things like turning his back on someone.
"You truly deserve to be called the Grand Eunuch of the Imperial Household. It is all thanks to your own abilities that you have been able to serve the Emperor for so many years."
The people in front of the emperor changed several times, but Gao Yu was able to stand firm in his position, which was enough to show Gao Yu's skill and ability.
"Your Majesty thinks too highly of me, this servant dares not presume."
Although Gao Yu was pleased to receive praise from the Imperial Noble Consort, she dared not show it.
Turning around, Gao Yu urged the eunuchs carrying the sedan chair to hurry on their way, keeping a straight face and trying not to show any emotional change.
Seeing that Gao Yu refused to say anything, Chen Yuwei naturally gave up on asking further questions.
Sitting obediently in the sedan chair as the eunuchs carried her to the Hall of Mental Cultivation, Chen Yuwei pondered the possible purpose for Hongli's summons.
A test?
What kind of probing?
Nowadays, the only thing that can make the emperor call out to him is the spot under his buttocks.
The Emperor intends to designate an heir? Then he should do so secretly and place the imperial edict behind the "Upright and Bright" plaque in the Hall of Supreme Harmony.
Why call her over? We can't exactly ask her for her opinion on the new emperor.
...
In fact, there are all sorts of Murphy's Laws in this world.
Chen Yuwei did not believe that, given her current relationship with Hongli, he would still ask her about the selection of the new emperor.
But Hongli, right in front of Chen Yuwei, directly brought up the issue of the new emperor.
Emperor Qianlong's original words were, "My body is already old and frail."
A country cannot be without a ruler for a day, and the Qing Dynasty would eventually be handed over to the next emperor.
Consort, you are the concubine who has been by my side the longest.
"I'd like to hear your thoughts on this matter."
Chen Yuwei: ...
Chen Yuwei felt she had no opinion, because she had no say in the selection process.
When the Emperor spoke those words back then, it was more of a test.
To test whether the Yikun Palace faction is truly honest and doesn't covet the Emperor's position.
With various speculations in mind, Chen Yuwei expressed her full support for the Emperor's actions.
"Regardless of who the candidate is, His Majesty must have given it careful consideration."
Although I am currently the one who has served His Majesty the longest, as a woman of the harem, I dare not speak rashly regarding matters concerning the succession to the throne.
You should know that the Empress Dowager was still alive in Cining Palace. Although her health was no longer robust, she could still call Chen Yuwei over and reprimand her a few times.
Moreover, the words "The women of the inner palace must not interfere in politics" were inscribed on the passageway leading into the inner palace.
Chen Yuwei is in charge of palace affairs, yet she knowingly breaks the law; wouldn't that leave others with ammunition against her?
No way!
She's already persevered this far; in a few more years, the storm will pass and the sun will shine through. Why rush in and expose herself?
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