The next day, after having breakfast with Lanqin, the Fourth Prince returned to the Hall of Supreme Harmony. The matter of succeeding to the throne could not be taken lightly. Although the Fourth Prince was thinking that he could leave the palace as soon as possible and travel with Lanqin to see all the landscapes of the Qing Dynasty, the time for the succession ceremony had to be chosen on an auspicious day.
"Su Peisheng, go and summon Ji Changming, the head of the Imperial Censorate," Fourth Master instructed Su Peisheng.
"Yes, this old servant will go and fetch the warden immediately."
After speaking, Su Peisheng slowly pushed the order out, leaving the Fourth Prince alone in the hall to drink tea. Since the morning court session had just ended, Su Peisheng soon brought Ji Changming to the Hall of Supreme Harmony.
"Your humble servant greets Your Majesty. Long live the Emperor!"
"Get up." Fourth Master waved his hand, signaling Ji Changming to stand up, and pointed to the chair next to him for him to sit down.
Ji Changming quickly expressed his gratitude, then looked at the Fourth Prince and asked, "I wonder what Your Majesty has summoned me for?"
"During the palace banquet during the Spring Festival, I decided that Hongli would succeed to the throne. I have invited you here today to calculate the auspicious day. I will also set the date for Hongli's ascension to the throne and the date for my abdication." The Fourth Prince picked up the cup on the table, took a small sip, and said slowly.
"Your subject obeys the decree." Upon hearing the Fourth Prince's order, Ji Changming quickly agreed. His words revealed both excitement and nervousness. As the head of the Imperial Censorate, being able to predict the emperor's succession and abdication was a testament to his lifelong learning. He seemed to be the only one with such a privilege, hence his great excitement.
After instructing Ji Changming on this matter, Fourth Master did not want to talk to him any further, so he ordered him to leave, "You may leave."
"Yes, Your Majesty, I shall take my leave."
After Ji Changming left the Hall of Supreme Harmony, the Fourth Prince got up and went to the Changchun Palace. Perhaps the Fourth Prince was used to being with Lanqin, or perhaps the Fourth Prince always had a slight worry that Lanqin would suddenly disappear and travel back in time, so the Fourth Prince wanted to stay by Lanqin's side at all times and not let Lanqin leave his sight.
Zheng of Changchun Palace
"After I abdicate, let us move to the Yuanmingyuan Garden and leave this palace."
"Very good." Lanqin agreed without hesitation. She also didn't want to stay in the palace. Now she just wanted to abandon all her troubles and spend the rest of her life peacefully with the Fourth Prince.
She didn't want to concern herself with anything anymore. If she stayed in this Forbidden City, she would constantly think about Hongli's fate, Hongzhou's fate, and the fates of all her other children. Let them be. Lanqin knew this would only cause her more trouble; she couldn't change anything.
Having lived most of her life, Lanqin had been bound by the anxieties of knowing her destiny, always wanting to change things she didn't want to see. But now, Lanqin was determined to live out the rest of her life well with Fourth Master and stop thinking about other things.
After the Fourth Master and Lanqin had lunch, Lanqin told the Fourth Master to rest. Lanqin then called over several maids, Chunxi, Nianxia, Lianqiu, and Dongfu, who had been serving him for a long time.
Later, after Lanqin and the Fourth Prince left the palace, it was no longer appropriate for them to take them with them. So Lanqin ordered them to leave the palace and get married. Lanqin gave each of them five thousand taels of silver, plus some dowry that she had prepared for them in advance, so that they could find a good husband after leaving the palace.
The four maids were moved to tears and knelt down to express their gratitude.
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