"Xueying came specifically to tell me that the person who poisoned you wasn't the Empress, and even asked me to investigate Yikun Palace. That's how I bought you time to get an antidote. Although I don't know how Xueying found out, she's truly sincere towards you..." Lanqin knew that Hongli had feelings for Mingyu, and also understood that Hongli's marriage to Xueying was a setup. But the fact was already there, and marrying Xueying couldn't be changed. She could only hope that Hongli would treat Xueying well.
Hongli pondered for a long time before speaking: "I understand, Mother, rest assured, I will not mistreat her! It's just that the one I love is not Xueying..."
Lanqin interrupted Hongli, looked at him seriously, and said, "How could your mother not know what you're thinking? But sometimes things don't go as planned, and we have to change things. Perhaps if you look at it from a different perspective, you'll find that Xueying also has her merits and is quite adorable!"
Hongli nodded and smiled at Lanqin, "Yes, I will handle it well. Mother, what I worry about most is you..."
Lanqin was taken aback. Hongli frowned and said in a low voice, "I heard that Father Emperor hasn't visited Mother Emperor for a long time. Is it because of me that you and Father Emperor have developed a rift?"
Lanqin smiled casually and said, "I thought you were going to say something? This is an adult matter, you don't understand! The Emperor and I are not only husband and wife, but also ruler and subject. Although we can't just make up like ordinary couples after a quarrel, it's not as serious as you think."
Hongli wanted to ask more, but Lanqin pushed him out: "Alright, it's getting late, Mother should have someone prepare a meal."
Hongli turned around and looked at Lanqin with reluctance. Lanqin smiled and waved her hand: "Don't act like a child. You'll be building your own residence when you go out into the world! Just come to the palace to visit your mother more often..."
Hongli is gone.
Lanqin lost her appetite and lay alone on the cool couch. She couldn't help but think that the Fourth Prince might be with Consort Nian in Yikun Palace right now. Her heart ached and her head started to ache. Lanqin shook her head and told herself not to think nonsense.
"If only I had been born a man when I transmigrated, maybe I could have galloped across the battlefield and lived a carefree life. At the very least, I could have married three wives and four concubines, instead of ending up like this," Lanqin muttered to herself. Then she added, "Oh well, never mind. Things will work themselves out. Anyway, I have a long life ahead of me." As she spoke, Lanqin drifted off to sleep…
The Hall of Mental Cultivation.
At this moment, the Fourth Prince was sulking in the Hall of Mental Cultivation. In fact, he needed to mentally prepare himself every time he went to Yikun Palace, otherwise he was afraid that he might do something he couldn't help but do.
Su Peisheng noticed that it was getting late and the Fourth Prince hadn't mentioned which palace he would rest in. He wondered if he would have to spend the night in the Hall of Mental Cultivation again. Although people outside were saying that the Fourth Prince no longer liked Consort Xi and that Changchun Palace was being neglected, it was all actually the Fourth Prince's doing.
Su Peisheng brought the refreshing herbal tea to the Fourth Prince and asked in a low voice, "Your Majesty, are you going to Yikun Palace or to one of the other concubines tonight?"
The Fourth Prince picked up his iced tea and drank it all in one gulp. He waved his hand and said, "I can't go to Chang... I'll stay here... I still have many memorials to read. By the way, go to Yikun Palace and inform them, so that Consort Nian won't have to send someone to invite me again."
Besides favoring Yikun Palace, the Fourth Prince would occasionally visit other palaces as well. Now, unlike in the Prince's Mansion, if he only went to one place, ministers would come out to advise the Emperor to extend his favor more evenly.
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