Yongcong's funeral was very grand. Although he died young, he was not buried casually because of his status and because he was a child that Hongli had been looking forward to for a long time.
However, because Yongcong was a child who died young, he did not have a mausoleum. Therefore, Hongli buried him in the mausoleum of his older brother, so that the two brothers could be reunited in this way.
After the Ninth Prince's funeral, Lady Fucha's health did not improve for a long time, and she was unable to handle the palace affairs. After consideration, Hongli wanted Yunyi to help manage the palace affairs.
This move was met with strong opposition from Empress Dowager Niohuru, who would not allow Lady Gao to get involved in palace affairs while she was around.
Niohuru thought to herself, "Gao is already a Noble Consort, and she's raising the eldest prince. If she also manages palace affairs, this harem will be hers."
That won't do; we can't let this happen. So Niohuru strongly opposed and tried her best to stop it.
Since this matter concerned her own plans, Yunyi would not allow Niohuru to hinder her, so she arranged for Granny Liang to increase her dosage of medicine, making her drowsy for longer periods.
Without the Empress Dowager's interference, and with Empress Fucha not objecting, it was only natural for Yunyi to take charge of palace affairs as a Noble Consort.
Having served as empress for so many years, managing palace affairs was not difficult for Yunyi. She didn't need to adapt; she took charge easily as soon as she got started, without having to put in any effort.
Having earned this power to manage official affairs, Yunyi knew that her current situation was sensitive, so she did nothing, remaining respectful to the Empress and very kind to the concubines below.
Consort Hui had a fairly good reputation in the harem. She treated the servants in the palace well and was also kind to the other concubines. She was not arrogant or domineering because of her high position.
Although the Gao family was favored in the previous dynasty, they did not do anything to oppress the people. Gao Bin was focused on water management and lived almost entirely in office, rarely returning to the capital.
Gao Heng, the eldest son of the Gao family, worked diligently in the Hanlin Academy. After accumulating enough seniority, he was transferred to the Ministry of Revenue and remained very low-key.
At this time, whispers were circulating in the court that the eldest prince was of noble character, skilled in both literature and martial arts, and had a legitimate son by his side, making him the only choice for crown prince.
Yunyi constantly reminded her son not to be arrogant or complacent, and that until things were settled, he was just the eldest prince, just the son of Emperor Qianlong.
Therefore, Yongjie did not change anything because of the rumors. He was still the son who respected his father, not the prince who might inherit the throne in the eyes of the court officials.
Hongli was very satisfied with this. Yongjie's humble and composed demeanor pleased him greatly, as this was how a royal prince should behave.
In contrast, Yonghuang was truly despicable. Yongcong was his younger brother, and after his ninth brother died young, he showed no grief whatsoever, instead indulging in pleasure all day long.
Shaking his head inwardly, Hongli could only suppress his desire and reconsider Yongjie as his successor.
Regarding this incident, there are many rumors that Consort Hui, née Gao, was behind it, but Hongli believed in Consort Gao's character and thought she would not do such a thing.
Therefore, when the Empress fell ill and the Empress Dowager targeted Lady Gao, Hongli appointed Consort Hui to manage palace affairs, which was also to testify for her.
Hongli was truly disappointed. He had always longed for his eldest son to succeed him, but in the end, both of his sons died young, leaving his wish unfulfilled.
Fortunately, Yongjie was also a good person, meeting all the requirements for an heir, so Hongli wasn't too disappointed.
After Yongcong passed away, Niohuru began pressuring Consort Shen to give birth to a prince.
In order to achieve her goal, she even sought out many folk remedies, all in order to fulfill her wish and make Consort Shen pregnant as soon as possible.
Persistence pays off, and she did find the remedy, but the medicine was insidious and required almost a life-or-death exchange to bring the child into the world.
Niohuru no longer cared about such things; her family had plenty of daughters.
Since Consort Shen is useless and has been unable to bear children for so many years, it would be a blessing for her to exchange her life for that of her eldest grandson.
Niohuru ordered someone to prepare the medicine and send it to Consort Shen as a tonic. Fearing that Consort Shen might not drink it secretly, she instructed the nanny to make sure that Consort Shen drank it.
Consort Shen was unaware that the tonic the Empress Dowager had given her was problematic; she was kept in the dark and drank the fertility-enhancing drug.
It must be said that this medicine did have some effect. Consort Shen had been in the palace for a long time without any signs of pregnancy, but not long after taking this medicine, good news came out.
Given the previous incident of Consort Xilin Gioro faking her pregnancy, when Consort Shen was pregnant this time, Empress Dowager Niohuru sent several imperial physicians to examine her pulse and only felt at ease after confirming that she was truly pregnant.
Another stream of gifts flowed into Consort Shen's palace, and because she was her own niece, the gifts bestowed by Consort Niohuru this time were even more precious.
Consort Shen felt overwhelmed with gratitude and felt she could not accept such a generous gift. However, the nannies who had been given to her by the Empress Dowager persuaded her to accept it, so Consort Shen obediently accepted it.
While the Empress was grieving and recuperating, Yunyi took charge of palace affairs. Niohuru, fearing that Gao might secretly harm Consort Shen's child, was very protective of this pregnancy.
Impatient with dealing with Niohuru, Yunyi simply reported to Hongli that the Empress Dowager should take responsibility for Consort Shen's child.
Hongli knew his mother's personality. At this time, she wouldn't feel at ease letting anyone else take care of Consort Shen, let alone Lady Gao. It was better to let her take responsibility herself to save herself other troubles.
With the support of Emperor Hongli, Yunyi was happy to be a hands-off manager.
This arrangement was indeed very good; both Niohuru and Yunyi were satisfied.
Yongcong died at the end of December, so Consort Shen became pregnant in the thirteenth year of Qianlong's reign.
Just after the New Year, Hongli ordered an eastern tour. Consort Shen was pregnant and did not go on this trip. The Empress Dowager also refused her son's request and stayed in the palace to take care of the pregnant Consort Shen.
Empress Fucha did not want to go either. She was still ill and the eastern tour was tiring. Her body was not suitable for long journeys.
But Hongli didn't think so. He believed that since the Empress was ill, she should go out for a walk to relax.
Yongcong died young in the palace, leaving the Empress in the capital. She would probably be reminded of him by seeing familiar things, so it would be better for her to go out and see other scenery so that she could get over the pain of losing her son more quickly.
Unable to dissuade her husband, Empress Fucha agreed to go with him. Once she agreed, the selection was quickly finalized.
The eastern tour was for political affairs, not simply for leisure, so Hongli brought only a few people with him, including Empress Fucha and two or three high-ranking concubines.
Yunyi did not go with them. This year is the thirteenth year of Qianlong's reign, a special year in history. She would rather stay in the palace and face the Empress Dowager than get involved in the mess.
Although Niohuru was annoying, with Granny Liang around, Yunyi wouldn't mind letting her sleep a few more days if she wanted to cause trouble for her.
Furthermore, Niohuru's reign won't last much longer; just wait a while, and she'll...
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