Autumn goes and winter comes; the chariot of time keeps moving forward without ever stopping.
Since the Fourth Prince and Lanqin went on their travels to Jiangnan, Hongli, without the Fourth Prince's guidance, has become increasingly adept at handling court affairs. He's no longer as bewildered as before, and he's more skilled at dealing with those senior, arrogant ministers. Although the Fourth Prince and Lanqin's absence from the Mid-Autumn Festival family banquet naturally aroused some suspicion, they didn't find anything amiss and let it go. Therefore, they didn't realize that the Fourth Prince and Lanqin were no longer at the Yuanmingyuan.
However, the Spring Festival was approaching, and it would be difficult to explain if the Fourth Prince and Lanqin were not in the palace by then. Hongli was worried that the Fourth Prince and Lanqin's affairs in Huizhou would be leaked, so he sent someone to deliver an urgent message to the Fourth Prince and Lanqin early on.
Meanwhile, Fourth Prince and Lanqin naturally received Hongli's letter. Fourth Prince and Lanqin had just returned to the inn to rest after their trip.
"Your Majesty, what did Hongli say in his letter?" Lanqin asked curiously from the side.
"Mingyu has given birth to a daughter."
Upon hearing the Fourth Prince's words, Mingyu was very happy and said with a smile, "Time really flies. Last time at my birthday banquet, Mingyu wasn't showing any signs of pregnancy. I never imagined that the child would already be born."
"Did Hongli mention anything else?"
"Hongli wants the two of us to return as soon as possible, because if I don't show up during the Spring Festival, he's afraid the court officials will start gossiping." The Fourth Prince said, shaking the letter in his hand.
"What does Your Majesty think? When should we prepare to send the emperor back to the capital?"
"Let's stay here for a while longer. It's still early. Let's stay in Huizhou for a while longer."
Therefore, after receiving Hongli's letter, the Fourth Prince and Lanqin did not rush to return to the capital. They continued to live in Huangshan, from early summer to deep winter, and enjoyed the beautiful scenery of Huangshan in every season.
This carefree time always seems to pass too quickly. The Fourth Prince and Lanqin enjoyed the beautiful scenery of Huangshan Mountain amidst the water towns of Jiangnan, strolled through the streets and alleys, and experienced the local customs and culture. But the Spring Festival was fast approaching, and the Fourth Prince and Lanqin were preparing to return to the capital.
Looking at Huangshan in winter, the Fourth Prince sighed to Lanqin with some reluctance, "I really don't want to go back. I've gotten used to the scenery of the North, and now I really want to see the scenery of the South."
Although Lanqin was also reluctant to part with this leisurely and free time, she also wanted to go back to see the princess that Mingyu had just given birth to. She was also very worried that if the Fourth Prince did not return to the capital, Hongli would have a hard time explaining himself. So she asked with some concern, "What about the Spring Festival?"
After a moment's thought, the Fourth Prince said to Lanqin, "I will immediately pass the throne to Hongli, relieve myself of this burden, and enjoy traveling the Qing Dynasty with you."
"Your Majesty, please remember what you said to me today," Lanqin said with a smile upon hearing the Fourth Prince's words.
Upon hearing Lanqin's words, the Fourth Prince reached out and touched Lanqin's temple, saying softly, "Of course, my mind is made up."
Lanqin saw the determination in Fourth Master's eyes, and that was exactly what she wanted. Lanqin had always wanted Fourth Master to fall in love with this so-called "unproductive, pleasure-seeking" lifestyle, so that his illness could improve. So Lanqin nodded without saying anything more.
So the two discussed the date of their return to the capital. The Fourth Prince planned to abdicate in favor of Hongli after returning.
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