Half a month has passed in the blink of an eye.
As early April arrives, while the flowers of April have faded in the human world, the peach blossoms in the mountain temple begin to bloom.
The peach blossoms in the Imperial Garden have already faded, and tender green shoots are sprouting from the branches. If you look closely, you can see peaches the size of soybeans or fingers among the green leaves.
The trees are lush and green, creating a thriving and prosperous scene.
"Your Majesty, the sky looks like it's going to rain today. Shall we head back to the palace soon?"
Xu Lejin strolled leisurely along the long street, pausing from time to time to gaze into the distance.
Lianzhi and Ruhua followed behind, looking up at the gloomy sky, and spoke softly.
Xu Lejin nodded slightly and murmured to herself.
"The rain falls in torrents on Qingming Festival, and travelers on the road are heartbroken. Tomorrow is Qingming Festival, but the weather is not cooperating and has turned gloomy."
"Does Your Highness have someone you miss?"
Lianzhi lowered her head and pondered for a moment before cautiously asking.
Xu Lejin paused slightly, lost in thought.
After a long while, she spoke with a bitter smile, "I am not alone and destitute. Although my parents are still alive, my grandparents passed away many years ago."
“When my grandparents were alive, they loved me very much.”
Lianzhi said respectfully, "Your Majesty is so filial. The old master and madam, if they could see you now bringing glory to your family and honor to your ancestors, they would surely be gratified."
Xu Lejin nodded slightly.
The following day was the annual Qingming Festival.
Early in the morning, a light drizzle began to fall from the sky.
As the saying goes, spring rain is as precious as oil, nourishing things silently. However, the rain during the Qingming Festival can make people feel melancholy and sad.
In the evening, Emperor Kangxi arrived at Yikun Palace and dined with Xu Lejin.
After dinner
Kangxi looked at Xu Lejin, who seemed absent-minded and often lost in thought, and asked in a deep voice, "My beloved consort, are you in a bad mood today?"
"But I miss home, I miss my father who used to herd horses at the Shengjing Mulan Hunting Ground."
"Your Majesty, I am simply lamenting that one may wish to care for one's parents, but they are no longer there. My grandparents passed away when I was young. They loved me dearly and gave me everything that my sisters in the family did not have."
"Now that I am serving Your Majesty and have been granted the title of Consort, and have given birth to Bao Shou, Wu Xiha and Wu Na Xi, I have come to truly understand the kindness of my parents in raising me."
Xu Lejin forced a smile and replied in a soft voice.
Upon hearing this, Emperor Kangxi also fell into deep thought.
Although he was an emperor, above all others, he was raised in the princes' quarters during his childhood.
He ascended the throne as emperor when he was a little older, and spent little time with his birth mother, Empress Xiaokangzhang.
The year after he ascended the throne, his birth mother passed away in Jingren Palace.
The son wished to care for his parents, but they were no longer there. He ascended the throne, but his birth mother had passed away early. In the past few years, his cousin, Consort Tongjia, accompanied him in the palace to express his longing for his mother.
Now, my cousin, Consort Tongjia, has passed away.
After a long while, Kangxi opened his eyes, his gaze filled with emotion. "My beloved consort, please rest early. I'm returning to the Qianqing Palace!"
"Yes, Your Majesty, I respectfully see you off."
Xu Lejin personally escorted Kangxi away from Yikun Palace. She stood outside Yikun Palace for a long time before Lianzhi and Ruhua helped her back into the main hall.
Ru Hua glanced at Xu Lejin discreetly and said softly, "Your Majesty, this servant does not understand why you mentioned the regret of 'wanting to care for one's parents but they are no longer there' in front of the Emperor?"
Xu Lejin smiled but remained silent.
Ru Hua glanced at Lian Zhi out of the corner of her eye, lowered her voice, and spoke again in a low voice. "Your Majesty, Empress Xiaokangzhang, although she is the Emperor's biological mother, was only a concubine during the reign of the late Emperor. It was only after the Emperor ascended the throne that she was granted the title of Empress Xiaokangzhang."
"Moreover, there is still the Empress Dowager and the Empress Dowager in the palace. The Empress Dowager is the Emperor's legitimate mother. If Your Highness mentions the regret of not being able to care for your parents in front of the Emperor, the Empress Dowager and the Empress Dowager will probably dislike you if they find out."
Xu Lejin pursed her lips and turned her head to glance at Lianzhi.
He picked up the digestive tea beside him, took a sip, and said calmly, "The deceased is gone. Empress Xiaokangzhang has been gone for many years. The Empress Dowager and the Empress Dowager have long since let go of any resentment."
"When I spoke to His Majesty about the regret of not being able to care for one's parents in old age, I was advising him that although court affairs are important, one should also visit the Empress Dowager and the Empress Dowager in Cining Palace more often."
"Throughout history, the country has been governed by the principle of filial piety, and the emperor is no exception."
After pondering for a long time, Ru Hua, though still deeply worried, appeared relieved and said with a smile, "Your Majesty is wise. I hope the Emperor and the Empress Dowager can understand my intentions."
After the Qingming Festival, Xu Lejin spent three days in a state of anxiety.
For the next three days, Consort Zhao would tease and ridicule Xu Lejin every day, but Xu Lejin endured it all without arguing back.
The impression that Consort Zhao and the other concubines in the harem was that Xu Lejin had calmed down.
Inside Yikun Palace, the palace servants held their breath and served with utmost care.
"Your Majesty, Su Ma, the old maidservant from the Empress Dowager's side, has arrived and requests that Your Majesty go to Cining Palace immediately?" Zi Wu entered from outside the hall with a solemn expression and respectfully reported to Xu Lejin.
Xu Lejin's tense heart finally relaxed for the time being.
She nodded slightly and said in a deep voice, "I understand."
"Ruhua will stay at Yikun Palace to look after things. Lianzhi and Ziwu, you will come with me to Cining Palace to pay your respects to the Empress Dowager."
“Zhu Lan went to the prince’s residence and instructed Aunt Chunhua and Aunt Qiuyan to take good care of the princes and princesses.”
After giving some instructions, Xu Lejin left Yikun Palace and followed Su Mala Gu towards Cining Palace.
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