"Princess, we've arrived! This is the Yuanmingyuan!" The maid Zidai helped Fucha Mingyu down from the carriage, supporting her hand.
It turned out that Hongli had specially asked Biechuke to write a letter to his cousin Yaertan, inviting Fucha Mingyu to stay at the Yuanmingyuan for a while.
After careful consideration, the Fucha family still sent Fucha Mingyu over. Although both Fucha Mingyu and Hongli were of marriageable age, they were still young, so there wasn't much to worry about them being together. Fucha Mingyu had been raised as a lady and would naturally not overstep any boundaries, while Hongli was a year younger than her and hadn't really learned about matters of the heart, but he was always somewhat pleased to see her. Besides, it would be good for them to get to know each other.
Having received the news, Hongli was already waiting for Fucha Mingyu at the gatehouse.
When he heard a commotion outside, he went to the door himself and instructed the gatekeeper to open it.
The girl stood at the doorway, wearing a cotton cloak adorned with countless butterflies and flowers, and holding a low-profile gilded hand warmer in her hand, which trembled slightly in the cold wind like a lily.
"Mingyu!" Hongli was dressed in a caramel-colored cotton robe, with a moon-white belt embroidered with unicorns around his waist and a warm jade pendant hanging at his side, which further accentuated his elegant demeanor and handsome features.
Fucha Mingyu slightly raised her chin and bowed to Hongli. Zidai, supporting Mingyu's hand, walked towards him.
Inside the gate, the tall poplar trees on both sides of the bluestone bricks had all turned yellow, but there were no fallen leaves on the ground. Early in the morning, servants responsible for cleaning the garden had cleaned the roads spotlessly.
Fucha Mingyu had long heard of the fame of the Yuanmingyuan Garden. It was said that there was a scenic view every ten steps and a bridge every hundred steps. Now, looking at the garden with its craggy rocks, shady trees, and all kinds of flowers and plants, it was indeed a magnificent sight that made people feel refreshed and happy.
As Hongli walked, he introduced the garden to Mingyu. He had lived in Changchun Garden of Yuanmingyuan for a period of time with Emperor Kangxi, and he would also stay here for a short time every year, so he was already very familiar with the rocks, water features and pavilions in the garden.
"If you come in spring, this place will be a riot of colors, with hundreds of flowers in full bloom," Hongli said, leading Mingyu toward a garden.
"Then next spring, will the Fourth Prince invite our princess to come and visit again?" Zi Dai teased.
"Zidai!" Mingyu said coquettishly, glancing shyly at her maid.
“Alright, I’ll definitely invite you to come and see it next spring. This place is called Hundred Scenery Garden, and it’s filled with all kinds of flowers. When the flowers bloom, they will be in full bloom and create a magnificent sight.” Hongli said without any hesitation.
"Thank you, Fourth Prince," Mingyu said, feeling even more amazed and longing for the Yuanmingyuan Garden.
Because Fucha Mingyu was also going to Changchun Immortal Hall to stay with Biechuke and the others, Hongli escorted them, mistress and servant, all the way to Changchun Immortal Hall.
"Sister Mingyu!" Biechuk was already standing at the entrance of the Immortal Hall. He saw Hongli coming with two women from afar, glanced at them, and called out loudly.
"Bie Chuke!" Mingyu replied immediately, and the two of them quickened their pace to meet her. They got along well and had endless things to talk about.
"Fourth brother, why don't you come in and sit down with me?" Bie Chuke said, holding Fucha Mingyu's hand.
"No, thank you. Mingyu just arrived, and her belongings have already been brought here. You should go and arrange for them to stay quickly," Hongli said.
After Hongli left, Biechuk took Mingyu's hand and said, "Sister Mingyu, Wuxiha and Xueying are staying in the east wing, so let's stay in the west wing. This Changchun Immortal Pavilion is symmetrical, and all the houses are built symmetrically."
When Fucha Mingyu heard that Biechuk and Ulanara Xueying had moved to the east side, while she and Biechuk were moving to the west side, she was slightly taken aback, but then said, "Good. This place is truly like a fairyland. The houses are built on the water, just like Penglai Fairyland."
Seeing Fucha Mingyu's reaction, Bechuk quickly laughed and said, "Yes, the lotus flowers blooming all over the place in summer are truly beautiful. When they bloom, there are white buds and red buds everywhere, and egrets and wild ducks playing in the water. That's a real sight. It's just a pity that it's already early winter now, and the lotus leaves here have withered. Otherwise, we could take a boat and go to the lotus fields to catch wild ducks. That would be absolutely wonderful."
Fucha Mingyu found Biechuke's description so interesting that she couldn't help but feel a little longing for it, and said, "That's really wonderful."
So, hand in hand, the two walked along the winding path into the Immortal Pavilion. The maids behind them looked around, praising the scenery of the Everlasting Spring Immortal Pavilion. The Immortal Pavilion was surrounded by water on all sides, and was connected to other scenic areas by wooden bridges. The island consisted of four courtyards, with the east courtyard being the main courtyard, a complete small courtyard house consisting of a rear building, a hanging flower gate, east and west wing rooms, and the main building. Although it was early winter and the vegetation was withered, the buildings were uniquely designed. Surrounded by the water and illuminated by the early winter sun, the entire building still looked like the abode of immortals, hence the name "Everlasting Spring Immortal Pavilion".
“Ushiha and Xueying aren’t here right now; they must have gone to the Western-style building. Come on, I’ll lead you to your lodgings.” Biechuke took Fucha Mingyu’s hand and led her inside.
Biechuk first led Fucha Mingyu around the main room, telling her who had lived there before, and then led her through the hanging flower gate to the inner courtyard of Changchun Immortal Hall.
The inner courtyard is divided into left and right sides, both built symmetrically. There are red walls, green pillars, and diamond-shaped windows. Inside, two old women are sweeping the courtyard. When they see Biechuk and Mingyu arrive, they both greet them.
“There are three rooms on the west side. I’m staying in Green Shade Pavilion, and there are also Beautiful View Pavilion and Spring Good Pavilion. Which one would you like to stay in?” Bechuk asked.
After a moment's thought, Fucha Mingyu said, "Then I'll stay at Chunhao Pavilion; it sounds auspicious."
Bie Chuke then took her hand and led her to Chunhao Pavilion. When they entered Chunhao Pavilion, they saw that there were three rooms inside, with the main hall in the middle and two side rooms on the left and right. Two maids were already standing inside, and the rooms were all cleaned very thoroughly.
“Sister Mingyu, these two maids will be temporarily assigned to you. In addition to the maid you brought, there will also be porters. The maids will live in the row of lower houses outside, while the male servants will live in the duty rooms outside,” said Biechuk.
“Alright, Biechuk, you should go back and rest. I’ll come over to visit you after I’ve settled things down,” Fucha Mingyu said.
Bechuk nodded, then gave instructions to the two maids, telling them to take good care of Mingyu, before finally leaving with her maid's help. Her residence, Green Shade Pavilion, was right next door; the two lived side-by-side.
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