Chapter 32 Meeting Consort Hua
It's unclear what Nian Gengyao and Yongzheng discussed later. In any case, when Yongzheng summoned Hongli for the next time, he instructed him to visit Consort Hua whenever he had time.
"You're always visiting the Empress Dowager and Consort Hua, why is Father Emperor only ordering around Fourth Brother?"
In Hongli's study, Hongzhou nestled in Hongli's comfortable chair, petting the cat and playing with the dog, while also making some sarcastic remarks.
Hongli straightened his clothes, preparing to visit Yikun Palace, when he heard this and asked with a smile, "Why don't you come with me?"
Hongzhou quickly shook his head, "No, no, I can't stand Consort Hua's temper. And Father Emperor is the same. He's already made Consort Jing his foster mother, yet he still insists on having him visit Yikun Palace more often. Isn't that putting him in a difficult position? What will Consort Jing think?"
"I can't refuse Father's orders," Hongli said with a helpless smile. "I already told Mother beforehand, but I still have to trouble Fifth Brother to ask Consort Geng to visit Xianfu Palace more often, so as not to upset Mother."
"Don't worry, Fourth Brother, I've got it covered."
Hongzhou readily agreed; he was more than happy to help his dear fourth brother.
"Alright, I'm leaving." Before leaving, Hongli glanced at the cat and dog in Hongzhou's arms and instructed, "If you like them, pet them gently. Don't pet Shuanghua and Shuangju until they're bald."
"Okay, okay, Fourth Brother, don't worry, I'll take good care of them."
Hongli shook his head and left, while Hongzhou immediately buried his face in the fur of the two little guys and let out a strange yet satisfied "hehehe" laugh.
If someone were to come in at this moment, they would see a prince who has gone mad, and two cats and dogs with human-like expressions of utter despair.
...
"Hongli greets Consort Hua."
"Get up quickly." Nian Shilan called to him with a smile. Although she was unable to become the Fourth Prince's foster mother, she was still happy to see Hongli.
"Thank you, Your Highness," Hongli said, rising and handing over a scroll. "Your Highness has always taken good care of me, but unfortunately I have nothing of value. So I made a painting for you, Your Highness. My skills are rudimentary, and I don't know if it will meet your approval."
"It's good that you have the intention. You should be studying now, why waste your time painting for me?"
Upon hearing this, Nian Shilan smiled broadly, but couldn't help but offer some words of advice, showing a motherly heart.
"How can painting a portrait of the Empress be considered a waste of time?"
Hongli chuckled and retorted. At this moment, Songzhi carefully took the scroll and slowly unfurled it in front of Nian Shilan. A woman dressed in a red cheongsam, with a bright smile, appeared on the paper.
Nian Shilan looked at the painting in surprise, gazing at herself who appeared exceptionally vibrant and energetic in it, and exclaimed, "Fourth Prince, you're too modest! You call this a bad painting?"
"It's just a little trick, I'm glad Your Majesty likes it."
Hongli acted with exceptional humility. Nian Shilan looked at the painting, then at him, unable to hide the smile on her face. She quickly instructed Songzhi, "Hang this painting by the Fourth Prince in my bedroom. The Fourth Prince painted me so beautifully, I will naturally admire it every day."
After saying that, she got up and pulled Hongli to sit at the table, instructing the palace servants to serve the meal, "Come on, eat more, it's all made by the small kitchen, see if there's anything you like."
After setting the painting down and standing behind Consort Hua again, Songzhi, who was serving food to the two of them, quickly said, "Fourth Prince, ever since Her Majesty knew you were coming, she instructed the kitchen to use all their best skills to prepare a huge feast—"
"Your Majesty, I am very grateful for your concern."
Hearing Hongli address himself as such, Nian Shilan's smile widened. "Since you're coming, I naturally won't let you down. If you come to my Yikun Palace and can't even enjoy your meal, then that's my incompetence."
"Why go to such lengths, Your Majesty? This grand gesture is almost like entertaining guests," Hongli said, his attitude clearly showing his affection. "It makes me wonder whether I should come or not in the future."
Having understood Hongli's meaning, Nian Shilan glanced at him lightly and laughed, "What a rascal, Fourth Prince! You're always up to something. Today is your first time visiting Yikun Palace, so I'll naturally make it a grand occasion. If you come again in the future, who knows what I'll use to fob you off."
"As long as Your Majesty doesn't mind that I eat too much, and is willing to let Hongli in again in the future, that would be fine."
"You won't go hungry." Nian Shilan personally placed a piece of food on Hongli's plate. "Eat, eat."
The two enjoyed a harmonious lunch together, getting along extremely well. In particular, Consort Hua was constantly amused by Hongli, and Songzhi, who was standing next to her, liked the Fourth Prince even more.
After finishing his meal, Hongli didn't rush to leave. The two sat together drinking tea, and Nian Shilan, like a mother, inquired about his studies.
"Your Majesty, I have been studying the history of the Song Dynasty these past few days, and I just happened to come across the story of Emperor Taizu of Song, Zhao Kuangyin, releasing his military power over a cup of wine."
Since it was Consort Hua who brought up the topic of learning first, it wasn't abrupt for Hongli to mention these things. Although Nian Shilan hadn't read many books, she had indeed heard her father and brothers talk about these famous historical events.
"I've heard of that before, but I don't know much about it."
"Then let me tell Your Majesty this story," Hongli smiled slightly. "The 'banquet to release military power' is a famous anecdote about Emperor Taizu of Song, Zhao Kuangyin, who, in order to reclaim military power, held a banquet to coerce and entice high-ranking generals, ultimately regaining their authority. In my opinion, Emperor Taizu was indeed an honest emperor. During the banquet, he frankly told the generals that he was constantly worried about being usurped by those with military power, indicating that even if the generals didn't want to be emperor themselves, they might one day be forced to become emperor by their subordinates..."
Hongli recounted the story slowly and deliberately, like a storyteller, adding many details and psychological descriptions, making it sound like a theatrical excerpt, yet it was a true historical story, so much so that Consort Hua and Songzhi were completely captivated.
"The subsequent impact on the Song Dynasty was both positive and negative, but at least those generals all died peacefully in the present."
After telling the story, Hongli abruptly changed the subject, "Your Majesty has heard that Father Emperor, in gratitude for General Nian's meritorious service, has bestowed upon him a pair of peacock feathers, a robe with four dragon motifs, a yellow belt and purple reins, and a thousand taels of gold, which can be described as extremely generous."
"Indeed, the Emperor has always valued my brother. He has made great contributions, so he should be rewarded."
Nian Shilan answered with great pride, but Hongli smiled calmly and continued, "General Nian is as brave as Bai Qi, one of the four great generals of the Warring States period, and has won many battles. I naturally admire him. Now that the Northwest has achieved a great victory, General Nian can be said to have no more titles to bestow. I can't even think of how Father Emperor should reward him if he makes any more contributions in the future."
Nian Shilan frowned slightly, as if deep in thought.
At this moment, Hongli stood up to take his leave, saying, "It's getting late, and I need to go back to study, so I won't disturb Consort Hua any longer."
"You're leaving already?"
When Nian Shilan heard that Hongli was leaving, she reluctantly got up, unable to think of anything else.
Hongli smiled apologetically, "Although I am young, I am still a man. It is getting late, and it is not appropriate for me to stay in the inner palace any longer. Your Majesty has a kind and loving heart, and I am grateful for it. If I have free time in the future, I will definitely come to pay my respects to Your Majesty often."
Nian Shilan nodded repeatedly, "Alright, come often in the future. The gates of Yikun Palace will always be open for you."
"Thank you, Your Majesty," Hongli bowed to Nian Shilan. Before leaving, he seemed to suddenly remember something and asked in confusion, "By the way, Your Majesty, aren't you Wenyi's foster mother? Why don't I see Wenyi here?"
Nian Shilan was taken aback, and Songzhi, who was standing beside her, added, "Her Majesty is kind-hearted and does not want Princess Wenyi to be separated from her birth mother for a long time, so she has Consort Xiang taking care of the princess for now."
Hongli suddenly realized and exclaimed, "Your Majesty is so kind; I imagine Consort Xiang is also very grateful for Your Majesty's kindness."
"Hongli takes his leave. Your Majesty need not see him off."
"Take it easy, Zhou Ninghai, you escort the Fourth Prince back."
"Thank you, Your Majesty."
After bidding farewell to Nian Shilan, Hongli left Yikun Palace.
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