"Where are the children?" Mrs. Meng asked.
"They're all sleeping in the side courtyard. They always fall asleep on their own at this time," Qingyin replied with a smile.
"That's really worry-free. The little prince and princesses are so lucky. Xian'er, you just need to take good care of them now. Let your brother and father earn their own future. Don't worry about them."
Looking at Madam Meng, who was speaking earnestly and patiently on her behalf, Qingyin nodded obediently, listening to her mother's patient and meticulous nagging.
During this time, Madam Meng moved into the palace, so Qingyin could no longer hide in the system space to watch movies or play games. However, she was not bored with her mother, Ye Lanyi, and the others.
The birth of quintuplets by the Imperial Noble Consort was a joyous occasion from the palace to the common people. Emperor Yongzheng exempted the people from taxes for two years in the name of the quintuplets, further increasing public goodwill towards the Imperial Noble Consort. In reality, the common people didn't care which concubine the emperor had taken, or which battle he had won or lost. What they cared about most was simply their families eating and drinking well; their greatest wish was to live a peaceful and ordinary life.
The joy of the palace couldn't penetrate the cold and solemn Prince Guo's residence. Watching the palace's lively celebrations, Prince Guo felt a deep bitterness. He, who hadn't dreamt in a long time, dreamt again of the day he first met Meng Jingxian. The shy young girl hid behind her father and brothers, curiously observing him. At first, he didn't pay much attention, only teasing the charming girl a few times. Then came the long years. He married her, but he still didn't care. When did it all begin? "Xian'er, my wife…"
Prince Guo awoke with a start, touching the corner of his eye. He looked at his wet hand, and the darkness in his eyes deepened. "Xian'er..."
— — — — — — — — —
Lady Meng stayed in the palace for three months before she was forced to leave, and Qingyin returned to her previous life, except that she now had several adorable little babies who could make noise and fuss.
In the fifty-second year of Yongzheng's reign, Yongzheng protected Qingyin with one hand and pulled Hongche with the other, retreating into the Qianqing Palace. He stared sharply at Prince Guo, who was leading a group of private soldiers in full armor.
"Do you know what you're doing, Yunli?!"
Prince Guo looked at Yongzheng, who was holding Qingyin and pulling Hongche back. He was almost blinded by the sight of the close-knit family. He said with a sad but firm voice, "Of course I know that my brother stole my wife and my child. What's wrong with me just wanting to take back my wife and child?"
Looking at Hongche hiding in Yongzheng's arms, he exclaimed, "Che'er, I am your father!"
Hongche was a little scared. He was smart from a young age and had a good memory, but he knew that the person in front of him was his biological father. He said bravely, "I know, but Father was not good to me before, and he was not good to Mother either. When others called, Father, you would leave. But Father Emperor was very good to Mother and me. I like Father Emperor."
The child's innocent voice rang out, piercing Prince Guo's regretful heart. He was speechless. Looking at Xian'er, who kept avoiding his gaze, he felt as if his heart had been torn into pieces, making it hard for him to breathe.
Qingyin was held in Yongzheng's arms. She really didn't expect that Prince Guo would be so bold as to break into the palace and force the emperor to abdicate. With Yongzheng's gentle "Close your eyes", Qingyin subconsciously closed her eyes, and Hongche's eyes were also covered by Yongzheng's big hand.
In the blink of an eye, a strong, pungent smell of blood rushed toward Qingyin, who had her eyes closed. The smell made Qingyin feel nauseous, but she was then stopped by the familiar scent of ambergris.
"Take the Imperial Noble Consort and Hongche back to Yuehua Palace."
Yongzheng ordered Su Peisheng to take Qingyin and Hongche back. The large, broad hands that were in front of Hongche's eyes were replaced by Qingyin's fair and delicate hands. Qingyin did not look in the direction of the blood, but there was an unusually bright red in the corner of her eye that she could not get rid of.
After Qingyin and Hongche had gone far away, Yongzheng walked to his younger brother, who was still panting and covered in blood, and said, "I regret meeting Xian'er so late. If only she hadn't met you."
Prince Guo swallowed a mouthful of bloody saliva and said, "Heh, Your Majesty is really addicted to raising your younger brother's children, hahaha, Hongzhan and Lingxi... Your Majesty was happy for a long time back then, wasn't he?"
Seeing what Prince Guo had revealed before his death, Yongzheng felt no anger, because he already possessed his most precious treasure, and he was unmoved by the emotions Prince Guo was venting.
Without a word, without a laugh, Yongzheng simply vanished from Prince Guo's bloodshot eyes.
Back at Yuehua Palace, Yongzheng embraced Qingyin as they sat on the chaise longue. "Don't be afraid, it's alright now. I will never let Xian'er be in danger."
"I'm not afraid. I know the Emperor will protect me," Qingyin whispered, resting against Yongzheng's broad chest and listening to his vibrant heartbeat.
Despite saying she wasn't afraid, Qingyin had a dream that night.
Yongzheng hurriedly got up and lit the candles, only to find that Xian'er's cheeks were full of tears. He felt a deep pain in his heart. He blamed himself. He had clearly noticed that Prince Guo was acting strangely, but he had not taken it seriously. Xian'er, who happened to come to deliver soup, saw this scene. He held her in his arms with heartache, not daring to wake her. He patted her gently until Qingyin's unconsciously furrowed brows gradually relaxed.
When Qingyin woke up, she realized that she was nestled in Yongzheng's arms, and Yongzheng did not go to court at that moment.
Why isn't the Emperor attending court?
Yongzheng gently rubbed Qingyin's reddened eyes from crying last night and said softly, "Nothing much has happened these past few days, so I've let them rest for a few days as well. I also want to spend a few days with you."
Despite having no ill intentions, Yongzheng spent the entire night in a side hall of Yuehua Palace handling state affairs (which Qingyin discovered when she woke up in the middle of the night).
Qingyin nodded. Yulan and Granny Ma, who were helping Qingyin get dressed, acted as if they hadn't seen what happened last night, and quietly continued to help Qingyin wash up and get dressed as usual.
Yesterday's events were quite significant. With the passing of Consort Xi and the twins Hongzhan and Lingxi, the entire palace was unusually quiet.
In the afternoon, Yongzheng returned to the underground chamber of the Qianqing Palace, where the Prince Guo, who should have died, lay weakly on a wooden bed. Beside him were Hongzhan and Lingxi, who had changed into simple clothes. They looked timidly at their former father, the Emperor. They already knew from the events of the past few days that they were the son/daughter of the Emperor's uncle.
Yongzheng ignored the two children and looked at Prince Guo, who had his eyes closed. "After you recover, take them with you. I hope I will never see you again in the capital."
Prince Guo did not answer, nor did Emperor Yongzheng need his answer.
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