Five years later, in the thirteenth year of the Yongzheng Emperor's reign.
In the vast main hall of Changchun Palace, Lanqin, dressed in a purple qipao, sat and gave instructions to several nannies.
"His Majesty's fifty-seventh birthday celebration must be handled properly. The food in the kitchen should not be too greasy. His Majesty is getting old and his stomach is not good, so please make it as light as possible."
"As for the other guests, you can serve more desserts. His Majesty loves children the most, so make more hibiscus cake, glutinous rice balls, osmanthus cake, and so on... Also, be sure to add plenty of fruit juice so the children can have a taste." Lanqin instructed with a smile. She had invented many fruit drinks for later generations, which were very popular with children.
"Now that the seventeenth prince's children have grown up, and the prince's children have also grown up, the banquet His Majesty is holding this year must be even more grand than in recent years."
"Your Highness, please make sure there is enough wine for the banquet," one of the maids asked.
"Drinking is bad for your health. Keep an eye on the Emperor and try not to let him drink too much. As for the rest, just drink as much as you want."
"And all the musical instruments, the guqin and pipa, are ready. Be sure to check for any damage."
After giving instructions to the several maids, Lanqin said, "You may all leave now."
"Your Majesty, Princess Wuxiha and Princess Bechuk, along with their husbands, have arrived and request an audience," Cui Niang reported.
Lanqin nodded. A moment later, Wuxiha, Suhar, Bechuk, and Qin Mo came in to greet Lanqin.
"Please have a seat."
After everyone took their seats, Lanqin noticed that her grandson, Green, was not there and asked in confusion, "Why didn't you bring Green?"
“Green has gone out and is not in the capital. Sasar is seven years old now and is quite a troublemaker. She will come to the palace on Father’s birthday,” Ushiha said.
“Sasar is quite mischievous, but the more stubborn a girl is at that age, the better she will grow up to be,” Lanqin said, then looked at Bechuk, “Where are Bechuk’s two sisters? Why aren’t they here today?”
Bechuk quickly replied, "My twin daughters have recently caught a cold, and I'm afraid they might bring their illness into the palace and affect the Empress Dowager. They're only two years old now, so it's best if they don't come to the palace."
Lanqin nodded, looking at her two daughters and sons-in-law with satisfaction. "Well, there will be plenty of time to see them again."
Bechuk asked with concern, "How has Your Majesty been lately? Is she feeling unwell?"
"Silly girl, your Empress Mother is in good health." Lanqin smiled and added, "But you're becoming more and more sensible."
"Your Majesty, you flatter me. I was just asking out of concern."
As if remembering something, Wuxiha asked again, "Empress Mother, has Hongli come to pay his respects?"
Lanqin shook her head and said, "That child hasn't come to pay his respects today. He's probably visiting your father, the Emperor." Then she sighed, "Yonglian has grown up. He's five years old now, and he's both handsome and well-behaved."
Bechuk said happily, "I like Yonglian very much. He is not only handsome and well-behaved, but also sensible. As soon as Sasaer arrived at Hongli's residence, she followed him. The two of them played very happily."
Suhar and Qin Mo laughed out loud and nodded in agreement.
Suhar said, "She is indeed very likable."
Lanqin was overjoyed when she thought of Yonglian, but she was also saddened, as the child was facing the prospect of dying young.
Thinking of this, he asked again, "How has the child been lately?"
"He's doing well. Hongli should be bringing him over," Ushiha said with a smile.
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