Chen Yuwei stayed at the Old Summer Palace for three months, directly enduring the hottest period of summer.
With Chen Yuwei present, the late emperor's concubines, the new emperor's children, and some of his concubines all lived well in the Yuanmingyuan.
However, the new emperor's concubines and children were to return to the palace. After receiving the message from the palace, they packed their bags and left.
Thus, only Chen Yuwei and a group of imperial concubines remained in the Yuanmingyuan.
Oh, and we should also include Consort Qing, who has been ill all along.
Not long after Chen Yuwei released the news, Consort Qing sent a maid to deliver confirmation.
Similar to what Consort Ning mentioned, Consort Qing did not want to return to the palace or stay in the Yuanmingyuan. She wanted to move out and live with her own son, Yongxing.
Chen Yuwei naturally chose to grant Consort Qing's wish, and even wrote a letter to the new emperor.
Unfortunately, the problem ultimately stemmed from Consort Qing's health. Her condition did not improve, and she was unable to leave the palace to recuperate due to her illness. She could only patiently stay in the Yuanmingyuan Garden to recover.
"Her illness has not improved after several months of recuperation. What exactly is the condition of the Dowager Consort Qing? What did the imperial physicians who treated her say?"
Chen Yuwei held Xingkui's hand, and the two of them were taking a walk in the garden.
Although many of the flowers in the garden have faded, new varieties have been blooming and transplanted one after another.
There were more gardeners and workers in the Yuanmingyuan than in the palace. Moreover, to show his filial piety, the new emperor even issued a special decree to the palace servants of the Yuanmingyuan, instructing them to serve Chen Yuwei well.
For multiple reasons, Chen Yuwei lived a very good life in the Yuanmingyuan.
"Your Majesty, Consort Qing's ailment is chronic, and the imperial physician who treated her said that she needs to be treated slowly to recover."
After Xingkui finished speaking, she added that the reason why Consort Qing's illness had been recurring was because she was too eager to leave the palace, and this time she was unable to recover her health.
"Haste makes waste; Consort Qing has never changed her ways."
"Let her be. From now on, you need not mention her affairs to me."
Chen Yuwei didn't care much about Consort Qing. She only asked about her casually today, and who knows when the next time will be.
Xingkui smiled and nodded, then helped Chen Yuwei continue walking forward.
Chen Yuwei's life is now very regular. Every day, she gets up early, has breakfast, goes out for a walk, and when she comes back, she doesn't forget to chat with the concubines who come to pay their respects. After lunch, she goes back to her room for a short rest, and in the afternoon, she continues to hold tea parties in the garden. After dinner, she goes to bed early to rest.
Occasionally, a few of her children who had left would come to visit Chen Yuwei.
However, the previous dynasty was busy with affairs, and everyone had a large family behind them, so it was definitely unrealistic to frequently visit the Yuanmingyuan. Besides, Chen Yuwei didn't want them to come too often and disturb her.
As Chen Yuwei said, "Distance makes things fragrant, and close proximity makes them smell bad; a gentleman's friendship should be as light as water."
She barely cared for the three daughters she had brought with her to the Old Summer Palace.
As a result, He Zhuo and her group became completely self-reliant after arriving at the Yuanmingyuan.
How you came and how you left are entirely up to your own plans.
However, after indulging in a stroll around the Yuanmingyuan, the three of them looked much better.
I heard that after they went back, the three of them wanted to do even bigger business. They had already discussed where to sell their products. Their enthusiasm was so great that Chen Yuwei had to admire them.
Instead of being defeated by the business deal, they were able to find a new way out and move forward.
With this mindset, Chen Yuwei was not worried about their future lives after she left.
Whether a person is doing well or not sometimes depends entirely on their mindset.
Chen Yuwei's children all have good mindsets; at least they are not the kind of people who are completely beyond redemption.
"Yonghu will be here in two days, right?"
"Yes, Your Highness. The Prince said he would come three to five times a month, but you thought that was too many times, so it was changed to the beginning and end of each month."
"Twice a month is enough. There are others too. I get a headache every time I see them."
Perhaps it was because his children's personalities had changed, but Yonghu's sons became increasingly talkative. When they met Chen Yuwei, they would only say three sentences before hoping that she could return to the palace to recuperate, so that it would be convenient for them to pay their respects to her daily.
Pooh!
Chen Yuwei couldn't help but want to spit in their faces; she had no desire to return to the palace.
"Xingkui, find out the books I've been reading lately."
I think they're just too idle on weekdays, worrying about this and that.
Go back and practice calligraphy in seclusion to calm your mind, and you won't have these messy worries anymore.
As she spoke, Chen Yuwei finished her daily walk and turned to walk back.
Xingkui switched arms to support her, responding with "uh-huh" and "ah-ah" sounds.
She thought to herself that her master had been enjoying reading quite a few novels lately, so she should take out a few. However, if she wanted to take them back to practice calligraphy, she should choose those with more characters.
The master and servant returned to their room and saw the concubines who had come over sitting in the main hall chatting.
Upon seeing Chen Yuwei enter, everyone hurriedly greeted her and mentioned with smiles that they had just been telling jokes.
joke?
Chen Yuwei waved her hand, "Tell me quickly so I can have a laugh too."
I know you; you're always so restless. I bet you're going to learn to sing opera again in a few days. Your place is the liveliest in the whole park.”
The concubine pointed at by Chen Yuwei cried out in pain and tried to defend herself.
She doesn't like performing traditional operas; she actually studied Huangmei Opera.
The laughter and chatter never stopped, and Chen Yuwei invited everyone to stay for a meal.
Sometimes, a large group of people makes things more lively, especially as people get older and become more afraid of loneliness.
Chen Yuwei lived in the Yuanmingyuan Garden for more than 20 years.
During this period, except for holidays when Chen Yuwei had to return to the Forbidden City as the Empress Dowager to act as a mascot, she avoided returning whenever possible.
Over the years, she has seen off Consort Qing, Consort Ning, and others.
He alone remained healthy and happy in the Yuanmingyuan.
"Your Majesty, the imperial concubines are preparing a banquet at the Peony Pavilion and would like to invite you to attend."
Xingkui left the palace two years ago, and now Xingyue is the one serving Chen Yuwei.
Despite her young age and lively personality, Chen Yuwei still likes to keep her by her side, even though she can be a bit clumsy at times.
"Help me over there. I wonder what kind of scheme they'll come up with this time?"
Every day brings new surprises, and Chen Yuwei is really looking forward to this kind of banquet.
Xingyue helped Chen Yuwei up and asked softly if she wanted to take a sedan chair to get there.
Chen Yuwei smiled and shook her head. Although her hair was completely white, she was still full of energy.
"No need. Although I am old and frail, I can still walk."
At least before leaving this world, Chen Yuwei wanted to enjoy this time as much as possible.
Xingyue revealed her porcelain-white face, her skin smooth and translucent, like a peeled egg.
"Your Majesty is not old at all. The imperial physicians all say that your body is still young."
"Hahahaha, you can only listen to the imperial physician's words, but I'm really not going to make it..."
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