Yongzheng looked at Qingyin and asked with concern, "How is Xian'er feeling now? I'll have the imperial physician come and take another look."
Qingyin said gently, "Your Majesty, it's alright. Consort Ling brought the imperial physician to see you just now. Just take good care of yourself."
Seeing that Qingyin looked normal, Yongzheng relaxed slightly. Seeing that Yongzheng seemed to want to have some private words with Qingyin, the others consciously withdrew.
After the two left, Yongzheng hugged Qingyin and said, "Xian'er, you should really stay in Yuehua Palace and rest well from now on. After the baby is born, I will take you out to have some fun. How about that?"
For the first time, Yongzheng felt afraid when facing the pregnant Qingyin. He was indeed the emperor, and even though he had secretly built a mountain around Qingyin's protection, he was still afraid that some bold person might risk harming Xian'er in an unnoticed place. Yongzheng dared not think about the crazy scene of losing Xian'er again.
In this lifetime, he truly fell in love with Xian'er at first sight. It began with her looks, but he remained loyal because of her talent and character. After spending so much time together, he realized how precious his treasure was, a dazzling soul that touched the heart, more than just a glittering exterior.
Qingyin also sensed Yongzheng's rare vulnerability, and she hugged him back, proving her thoughts through her actions.
— — — — — — — — —
Zhen Huan in Yongshou Palace naturally knew about the lotus pond incident. When she heard that it involved Consort Kang, Consort Zhen, and the cat, she knew that the Empress was behind it. Looking at the familiar situation, her face turned cold, and she felt a little regretful. Ha, the Empress loves to engage in these kinds of schemes! However, she would not remind Meng Jingxian. She did not believe that An Lingrong was sincere in trying to please Meng Jingxian. An Lingrong was a venomous snake that would seize any opportunity to spit venom at those she had bewitched.
The matter was thoroughly investigated by Emperor Yongzheng, who directly banished the two to the Cold Palace. Although the clues ended with the eunuch who released the cat, he did not believe it was solely the plan of these two. The Empress was becoming increasingly audacious. In the Qianqing Palace, Emperor Yongzheng displayed the danger unique to him as an emperor, freely circulating air conditioning everywhere. This startled Su Peisheng, who lowered his head tightly and dared not utter a sound.
"Divide the Empress's power between Consort Jing and Consort Duan." The situation is turbulent now, and it is not advisable for him to touch the Empress. He will deal with her properly when the time is right.
"Yes, Your Majesty." Su Peisheng lowered his head. The Empress had made too many underhanded moves, even targeting Consort Xian. Tsk tsk, the Empress was really courting death.
Upon receiving this news, both the Empress and Zhen Huan were furious. One was aware of the Emperor's warning, while the other was puzzled as to why the Emperor had bypassed her and distributed power to Consort Duan and Consort Jing. Zhen Huan felt even more panicked. Recalling her recent attentiveness to the Emperor and his indifferent attitude, she angrily smashed the ceramic vase that had been arranged.
She used to be proud, and the emperor's favor was just a matter of beckoning her with a finger. With a little effort, the emperor would come to her palace. She never thought that favor was anything special. But now she suddenly understands the feelings of those unfavored concubines.
So, Princess Longyue, my good daughter, should help her mother one more time.
In Xianfu Palace, Consort Jing looked at the Fourth Prince, who had come to play with Princess Longyue, with a dark undercurrent in her eyes. She forced a smile as she watched the Fourth Prince lead Princess Longyue away. "Does Consort Xi intend to take Princess Longyue away from her?"
Huanzhu (Consort Jing's head maid) comforted her mistress, "Your Majesty, Princess Longyue was raised by you since she was a child. Consort Xi would not do such a thing."
"No? That's because she didn't find it strange to use a princess to compete for favor before, but now that the two babies are still young and there's the Virtuous Consort, how can she not be worried?"
Consort Jing smiled wryly. Huanzhu didn't know how to comfort her mistress. She stood silently and foolishly to the side, but fortunately, Consort Jing didn't need her comfort.
In Yongshou Palace, Zhen Huan watched Princess Longyue, the Fourth Prince, and her own twin children who were playing in the palace. She smiled from the bottom of her heart; this was a rare moment of happiness for her after so many days.
In fact, her move did attract the Emperor's attention. Today, she was dressed quite elegantly and gently, completely embodying the image of a gentle mother. When Yongzheng saw her like this, he was indeed not so angry.
Emperor Yongzheng, who treated Zhen Huan as if she were invisible, spent some time with the children. He was a child lover, and although he had fallen in love with Xian'er, he still loved his own children.
Watching the twins walk so cautiously and unsteadily, he frowned slightly: "Why are Hongzhan and Lingxi still walking so unsteadily? Hongche can walk very steadily now!"
Upon hearing this, Zhen Huan's expression stiffened almost imperceptibly. "Really? Hongche can walk already?" Thinking of Hongche, who was openly and legitimately recognized as a prince, a sense of imbalance rose in her heart.
"Yes, Hongche is such a good-natured and obedient child. The second word he knows when he talks about his mother is 'Father Emperor.' He's so smart, and he even knows how to untangle the four-linked rings..."
As Emperor Yongzheng talked on and on about Hongche, Zhen Huan's face grew increasingly stiff. Only after being reminded by the Fourth Prince did she manage to regain her composure and smile as she praised Hongche.
Meanwhile, Longyue and Hongli, who were playing nearby, were also feeling resentful. Hongli was alright; he hadn't been favored since childhood, and only gained some recognition in Yongzheng's eyes after acknowledging Zhen Huan. But Longyue was different. She had been loved by everyone since childhood, including her father, the Emperor. Yet today, her father had praised Hongche, whom she had never met before, in front of her. She felt resentful, but as a child raised in the palace by shrewd people, she knew what to say and what not to say. She smiled and said:
"Then, Father Emperor, can Longyue play with her younger brother Hongche?"
"Of course!"
Yongzheng was pleasantly surprised. He had few children, so he was naturally pleased that one of them took the initiative to be close to Hongche. Sometimes, seeing little Hongche playing alone all by himself, he couldn't help but feel a little sorry for him. Although this child was not his biological child, he looked about five-tenths like Xian'er and was extremely cute. He was also affectionate towards him. Yongzheng often felt that he had been born into the wrong family because the child was too spoiled. He would tilt his head at you with his bright, sparkling eyes whenever he liked something. Even when he was wronged, he wouldn't cry, but would just blink his big, watery eyes and look at you with a pitiful expression. Yongzheng was extremely helpless with him.
Seeing the happy Yongzheng, Hongli naturally agreed to see his younger brother as well. Yongzheng readily agreed. The two toddlers, listening to their older siblings, babbled, "See your younger brother, see your younger brother."
Emperor Yongzheng was delighted by the sight, but Zhen Huan was not so pleased, though she knew she couldn't show it in front of the Emperor.
Seeing that the Emperor was about to leave after only looking at a few children, Zhen Huan tried to persuade him to stay, but was met with a firm refusal from Yongzheng.
Hongli saw everything.
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