The night in the northwest was cool and still. A fast horse and a figure galloped across the grassland, heading straight towards the Forbidden City.
Hongli watched him leave, then returned to the imperial tent to meet the Fourth Prince.
"Father, the messenger has already set off and will soon bring news of the Qing Dynasty's victory to the capital," Hongli said to the Fourth Prince, kneeling on one knee.
The Thirteenth Prince and his entourage crossed the Jiagu Pass, stopping and starting along the way, before entering the Forbidden City through the misty morning fog. There were only one or two pedestrians on the streets, which was good news for both the Thirteenth Prince and Hongshi. No one suspected that the Second Prince had returned in a prison cart.
The news of the Thirteenth Prince's return to the capital had already been reported to Lady Zhaojia. Lady Zhaojia had been waiting for the Thirteenth Prince's return for a long time. As soon as the Thirteenth Prince stepped across the threshold, his eyes met those of the lady he had been looking forward to day and night.
"Sir, you're back."
Lady Zhao choked up a little. The Thirteenth Prince reached out to support her, but Lady Zhao stopped him instead. Lady Zhao composed herself and said gently and kindly, "Your Highness, you've lost so much weight since you went out. You need to replenish your body quickly, but it's not something that can be done in a day or two; it takes time..."
The Thirteenth Prince knew what she was asking, and he tactfully placed her hand in his own, saying, "Alright, she needs to be properly nourished, and the Princess Consort should also be nourished by me."
Zhao Jia lifted her glasses with her hand, and when she heard the second half of the Thirteenth Prince's sentence, her face turned red. She bit her lower lip and said to the servants, "What are you all standing here for? Can't you see that the master has returned? Hurry up and give the order to prepare hot water for the master!"
After the Thirteenth Prince finished bathing and changing, Lady Zhaojia came in from outside. She had the servants behind her place the bird's nest soup on the table and said to the Thirteenth Prince, "Your Highness, this is bird's nest soup that I specially prepared for you. It is the best for nourishing the body, gentle, and effective."
"Alright." The Thirteenth Prince sat down cross-legged on one side of the soft couch, reached out and opened the lid of the bird's nest soup, and immediately the aroma filled the air. He nodded, and seeing that Madam Zhao was still standing, he said, "Sit down."
Following his words, Lady Zhaojia sat down and watched the Thirteenth Prince drink bird's nest porridge. Her eyebrows were raised, her eyes were slightly curved, and she smiled very reservedly.
The Thirteenth Prince recounted his experiences along the way to Lady Zhaojia, and the conversation eventually turned to Hongshi.
"My lord, what's wrong with Hongshi? Is it something you can't tell me?"
"It's not that I can't tell you," the Thirteenth Prince shook his head, and still told Lady Zhaojia about all the mistakes Hongshi had made. Hongshi's mistakes this time were too outrageous; his crimes could not be hidden.
Lady Zhao covered her mouth with a handkerchief, looked at the Thirteenth Prince, and leaned back slightly: "This..."
“How could Hongshi have committed such a mistake?” Lady Zhao sighed silently. “This time, I’m afraid even the Emperor won’t let him off easily.”
"As a descendant of the Aisin Gioro family, how can His Majesty forgive such a mistake?" The Thirteenth Prince sighed and picked up the jade bowl to drink all the soup.
"The war in the Northwest is nearing its end, and Hongli has performed exceptionally well in the army. I believe His Majesty has already made his decision regarding Hongshi's actions," said the Thirteenth Prince.
“You mean…” Madam Zhao Jia raised her eyes to meet his gaze.
The two smiled at each other, and the Thirteenth Prince stroked her cheek: "You don't need to worry about Hongshi's affairs."
"I believe that Hongli can be a good crown prince of the Qing Dynasty."
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