After the Empress Dowager returned to Cining Palace, Qingyin, having finished her postpartum confinement, had to pay her respects to the Empress and now had to attend to the Empress Dowager.
Although this powerful figure from the Qing Dynasty wasn't Emperor Qianlong's biological mother, she played a significant role in the emperor's ascension to the throne. Qingyin wasn't nervous; she was very adept at pleasing elders. Looking at the four chubby, white babies waving their little hands and swaying on the bed, a slight smile appeared on her lips. With these four babies, what elder could possibly refuse?
In Cining Palace, "Your Majesty, do you think Consort Yu's four sons all look alike?" Although Qinggege was usually calm, her curiosity about the quadruplets was truly at its peak.
Looking at the curious girl, the Empress Dowager was also curious. In all the years in the palace, Consort Yu was indeed the first person to give birth to quadruplets. She was quite interested in this rare auspicious event in the palace.
The Empress Dowager said, "I've heard that twins are often similar. Perhaps the four little princes also look alike."
"I heard that Consort Yu is also very beautiful, so the young princes must be extremely handsome as well."
Hearing Qinggege's playful words, the Empress Dowager also smiled and said, "It's alright if Qing'er is curious. Consort Yu will come to pay her respects with the Empress later, and it will be a good opportunity for you to see your new sister-in-law."
Qingyin's group had many children, making it appear quite large and causing quite a commotion. Anyone could tell who it was at a glance. The Empress Dowager and others in Cining Palace heard the commotion and prepared accordingly.
The Empress, who entered first, was carrying a baby swaddled in a blue blanket. When Qinggege saw the familiar Empress and the infant in her arms, she knew that this must be Consort Yu's child. Although she was amazed by the good relationship between the Empress and Consort Yu, Qinggege did not act impolitely. Instead, she stood gracefully behind the Empress Dowager, smiling gently.
When Qingyin walked in, she noticed that this Qinggege, who had run away with her lover in the end, was different from Ziwei's beautiful appearance. Qinggege clearly had the typical appearance of someone who was blessed with good fortune. She had a round face, curved eyes, rosy lips, and a slight upturn at the corners of her mouth, which made her look pleasing and approachable. Every move she made reflected the word "proper" and she was the kind of well-bred young lady who had been raised in a prestigious family.
Upon seeing her, Qingyin suddenly understood why Princess Qing ultimately abandoned her familiar family, identity, and Xiao Jian, who roamed the world with his sword, and flew away. The more bound by rules one is, the more one yearns for freedom. Therefore, she could not help but be attracted to the free and unrestrained Xiao Jian.
Qinggege had no idea what Qingyin was thinking. She was completely stunned by the appearance of Consort Yu. Consort Yu was the kind of beauty that you couldn't help but be attracted to. Consort Yu's appearance was the perfect embodiment of captivating charm. She now understood why her cousin, the Emperor, liked Consort Yu so much.
The Empress Dowager was no stranger to Qing Gege's surprise. Although she had listened to what Granny Gui had said, she had seen countless people, and all her deceased rivals were undeniably beautiful. Even she herself was considered exceptionally beautiful in her youth. Yet, she never imagined that Consort Yu would look like this.
Seeing that the Empress Dowager lingered on Consort Yu for too long, the Empress Dowager worried that Li Meimei's face might have displeased the Empress Dowager. The Empress Dowager secretly winked at Qingyin and said with a smile, "Empress Dowager, you have no idea how energetic our little princes are. They drink two more bowls of milk than normal babies every day, which has caused our original wet nurses to run out of supplies!"
Seeing the Empress's hint, Qingyin understood her good intentions. She then instructed several wet nurses holding children to step forward and approach the Empress Dowager.
The Empress Dowager, being shrewd and experienced, understood what the Empress was worried about. She never believed in the idea that beautiful women were the cause of trouble, and she deeply resented blaming women for everything that happened to the Emperor. However, she was too lazy to explain to the Empress, and besides, the bright-eyed Consort Yu didn't think so.
Looking at the chubby babies laid out in front of her, the Empress Dowager's smile widened. She happily picked up Yonghui, the one closest to her, and gently teased his chubby little face as he blew bubbles and showed no fear of strangers.
"It's good that the little princes eat a lot so they can grow up strong and healthy. They'll all be our Great Qing's warriors in the future, okay!"
Seeing the Empress Dowager playing with the children, Princess Qing behind her couldn't stand still either. The children resembled their mother, each one was incredibly cute, and they were all radiating adorable smiles. Princess Qing's eyes lit up at the sight of them. The Empress Dowager noticed this as well. Having raised Princess Qing since she was a child, she considered her like her own daughter. With a slight reluctance, she handed the little dumpling Yonghui, who never fussed no matter how much she teased him, into Princess Qing's arms.
"You should hold the little prince too, and share in your sister-in-law's good fortune." Qinggege looked at the little Yonghui who was suddenly handed to her, and smiled contentedly as she smelled the unique milky scent of the baby.
For a time, the Cining Palace was filled with laughter and joy.
When the Fifth Prince Yongqi arrived, this was a scene of happiness and bliss.
Seeing the Empress Dowager, who had always doted on him, holding his beloved's children—his younger brothers—he ignored the pain in his heart and greeted her with a smile, "Empress Dowager, your children and grandchildren have come to see you."
The Empress Dowager was delighted to see the child she had raised. "Oh, Yongqi, you've come at the right time. Your stepmother Yu is playing with her younger brother here, blowing bubbles. You used to do that when you were little too."
Hearing the Empress Dowager's words, Yongqi blushed. Why was the Empress Dowager talking about his childhood? He glanced at Qingyin's reaction and saw that she was completely still. He felt a mix of nervousness and disappointment.
Ever since he discovered his feelings for Qingyin, he had avoided her in the palace, afraid to let anyone discover his secret. This time, however, he only thought of coming to see her because the Empress Dowager, who had always doted on him, had returned, and he was prepared to run into Consort Yu. The feeling of not seeing Consort Yu for so long seemed somewhat fulfilling, but it also brought with it more covetousness and longing.
Seeing Yongqi blushing, the Empress Dowager assumed it was because she had talked about her embarrassing past and didn't think of anything else.
Qingyin naturally noticed the prince's gaze, but since she had no intention of becoming a seductive concubine, she naturally wouldn't respond to him.
She couldn't be bothered with that dishonest Imperial Physician Lin. Let him look at her if he wants; as long as he doesn't cause trouble, she won't bother with them.
Yongqi was extremely reluctant to leave the small gathering at Cining Palace, but as time went by, he still had to go.
This also made Qinggege develop a very good impression of Qingyin, and Qingyin also had a good impression of this little girl. Now that the Empress Dowager has returned, she brings several children to sit there for several hours every day, which makes the Empress Dowager's good impression of Qingyin even more.
If there were a favorability chart, you'd see that Qingyin practically uses the Empress Dowager as a daily grind, gaining +10 favorability points every day...
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