On this day, Hongli came to Changchun Palace to pay his respects to Lanqin, and Lanqin specially invited Hongli to stay for lunch.
Lanqin personally served Hongli a bowl of nourishing soup, watching him drink it all up before smiling and asking, "How are the Gao and Su women that your mother sent you?"
Hongli almost choked on his drink. Baoqin quickly handed him a towel and teased, "What's wrong, Fourth Prince? The Empress specially prepared this nourishing soup for you, worried that your body couldn't handle it..."
Hongli glared at her, and Lanqin quickly scolded Baoqin, "Don't listen to her nonsense. It's all because of Mother's spoiling. She's becoming more and more disrespectful." After saying that, she looked at Hongli with heartache and asked with concern, "Your wedding is just around the corner, you still need to take care of your health..." Hongli's face turned even redder, and he put down his chopsticks and remained silent.
Lanqin noticed Hongli's embarrassment and a bad feeling flashed through her mind. She waved her hand to remove the food and told Baoqin to lead the maids away. Only when they were alone did she speak.
"Hongli, tell your mother honestly, do you have any complaints about Lady Gao and Lady Su?"
Hongli shook his head violently, and Lanqin became even more anxious: "Then...then you and them..." Hongli's face flushed red, and he understood what Lanqin meant. He answered in a voice barely above a whisper: "Your subject has never consummated his marriage with them..."
It seems that Hongli is somewhat resistant to these things. Lanqin stroked Hongli's forehead with heartache and said earnestly, "Your mother did not mean to force you. As a prince, it is only right that you continue the lineage of the Qing Dynasty."
Hongli felt guilty and lowered his head, saying, "Your subject knows, but your subject feels sorry for Mingyu..."
Lanqin knew that Hongli was a devoted lover, and in this era of polygamy, his deep affection seemed out of place. Seeing her son's loyalty and restraint in his feelings, Lanqin felt both joy and heartache.
Hongli was destined to be the future emperor, and his life would never be limited to just one woman. Lanqin didn't know how to explain this to Hongli, so she could only smile and say, "You're about to get married, so you should practice your wedding night more. Although matters between men and women aren't difficult, they are key to marital harmony and family peace. Besides, you're not young anymore, and Mingyu will understand your good intentions..."
Hongli kept his head down, and Lanqin sighed, "Whether it's Xueying, Gao Shi, or Song Shi, now that they've entered your household, they're your people. They have no one else but you. A woman's entire life depends on you. If you mistreat them, it will be their lifelong misfortune..."
Hongli looked up at Lanqin blankly. Lanqin took Hongli's hand and said, "Mother knows you're a good child and don't want to let anyone down, but they are all your people, and you have a responsibility to protect them. Whether you truly accept them or not, you must treat them well..."
Hongli nodded silently, feeling an even heavier burden on his shoulders. On the way back, Lanqin's words kept echoing in his mind, and Hongli seemed to understand what Lanqin meant.
Neither Xueying nor the Gao or Song families were of their own volition, yet they entered the household because of him. Neither of them was at fault; Hongli was fully aware of the expectant looks in the Gao and Song families' eyes. Suddenly, Hongli seemed to have matured considerably. He understood that some things were beyond his control, and some things were simply unavoidable…
Just as he hadn't understood why his father loved his mother so much and still wanted to hold a selection of concubines, now that he was in the same situation, Hongli felt a sense of relief. He returned to his residence and asked an old woman to inform Qiushui Pavilion that he would be there.
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
