After discussing their return to the capital, the Fourth Prince and Lanqin, accompanied by their maids and guards, set off for the capital. The journey was smooth, and the Fourth Prince and Lanqin did not linger on the scenery along the way. They finally arrived back in the capital before the Spring Festival and returned to the Yuanmingyuan Garden.
When Hongli, who was handling state affairs in the palace, learned that the Fourth Prince and Lanqin had returned to the Yuanmingyuan, he immediately put down his work and went to the Yuanmingyuan to see the Fourth Prince.
At the Yuanmingyuan, the Fourth Prince and Lanqin had just arrived and were drinking tea at the Jiuzhou Qingyan banquet when Hongli, riding at full speed, also arrived at the Yuanmingyuan.
As soon as Hongli entered the Jiuzhou Qingyan banquet, he quickly bowed to the Fourth Prince and Lanqin, saying, "Greetings, Father Emperor, greetings, Mother Emperor."
Seeing Hongli bow deeply to the two of them, Lanqin quickly told Hongli to stand up and sit down. After not seeing him for more than half a year, Lanqin looked at Hongli for a long time before slowly sighing, "Hongli, you have really grown up these days."
"In the past, you were always under your father's wing. Now you can handle these court affairs with ease. Your mother is very pleased," Lanqin said to Hongli with satisfaction.
Hongli hurriedly asked the Fourth Prince and Lanqin, "How have Father and Mother been enjoying yourselves these past six months? I've been very worried about you."
"Your father and I are living a very carefree and happy life, so you don't need to worry." Lanqin glanced at the Fourth Prince who was drinking tea beside her, and raised the corners of her mouth to comfort the worried Hongli.
"That's good." Hongli was relieved to see that the Fourth Prince and Lanqin had returned safely, and that the Fourth Prince was in much better spirits. Moreover, the fact that the Fourth Prince and Lanqin could return during the Spring Festival put Hongli's mind at ease.
But before Hongli could fully calm down, Lanqin's next words caught him off guard: "Your father has come back this time with responsibilities for you to shoulder."
Upon hearing Lanqin's words, Hongli was completely bewildered. Before he could ask Lanqin what she meant, the Fourth Prince, who was sitting to the side drinking tea, put down his cup and slowly said, "I intend to abdicate in your favor. From now on, you can accompany your Empress Mother whenever you want and have no more worries."
Hongli was shocked. He had not expected his father to abdicate. He quickly said, "Absolutely not! Your son is still young and cannot shoulder this great responsibility."
Although Hongli had been handling court affairs for the past six months, being a regent was completely different from inheriting the throne. Although Hongli was somewhat worried while acting as regent, he knew that the Fourth Prince was always behind him, so although he was worried, he was not afraid.
However, when the Fourth Prince abdicated in his favor, Hongli was filled with astonishment. The Fourth Prince's abdication meant that the future prosperity and decline of the Aisin Gioro family would fall on his shoulders, which surprised Hongli.
Upon hearing Hongli's words, the Fourth Prince naturally knew what Hongli was worried about, but the Fourth Prince had already made up his mind. He also believed that Hongli was capable of shouldering the great cause of the Aisin Gioro family. So the Fourth Prince slowly said, "I have been busy for most of my life. It is time for me to spend time with your mother."
"but……"
Before Hongli could finish speaking, the Fourth Prince interrupted him, saying, "You are my son. Among my children, you are the most like me. I believe you have the ability to shoulder the great cause of the Aisin Gioro family."
Lanqin, who was standing nearby, said to Hongli, "You have become familiar with the affairs of the court during the past six months as regent. There is no need to worry. You also have your seventeenth uncle and others to assist you."
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