Chapter 203 Rumors, Father and Daughter in Harmony
The mornings in Jingren Palace were always a bit colder than elsewhere. A thin layer of frost coated the bronze cranes in the corridors, and the chill wind rustled the dead leaves on the ground. Concubine Gao, draped in a silver fox cloak, stood at the window, watching the maids and eunuchs passing by on the palace path, her face gloomy enough to drip water.
"Your Majesty, the rumors in the palace have spread. They say that Princess Mingzhu is a fake." Li Ma came in with a bowl of ginseng soup and whispered, "Yesterday I heard the eunuchs in the imperial kitchen say that Princess Huanzhu was so angry that she wanted to go to the emperor to complain."
Concubine Gao took the ginseng soup but didn't drink it. She just stirred it with a silver spoon. "Complain? The emperor only has eyes for those two little bitches right now. What's the point of her complaining?" She sneered. "I just want to let them have a taste of being stabbed in the back, to let them know that they can't do whatever they want in this harem."
Nanny Li stepped closer. "Madam, do you want to add fuel to the fire? Let the officials outside know about this?"
Concubine Gao's eyes lit up: "Do you have a solution?"
"I know a few people around Lord Chen. I can ask them to raise the issue in the court, saying that the emperor shouldn't recognize the princess just based on a jade pendant. He must verify her identity." Nanny Li lowered her voice, a sinister light flashing in her eyes.
Concubine Gao nodded with satisfaction: "Do it secretly, don't let anyone catch you."
"That's not necessary." Nanny Li bowed and retreated with brisk steps, as if she had already seen how Xiaoyanzi and Ziwei had fallen out of favor.
At this moment, the Shufangzhai was a completely different scene. Sunlight streamed in through the window lattices, illuminating the folding screen Ziwei was embroidering. The phoenix woven with golden thread seemed to come alive, spreading its wings in the light and shadow, ready to take flight. In the courtyard, Xiaoyanzi practiced swordplay. The gleam of her sword swirled, stirring up fallen leaves. The red silk ribbon around her waist fluttered in the wind, and the bronze bells jingled.
"Xiaoyanzi, take a break. You've been practicing all morning." Ziwei put down the embroidery needle, picked up the tea on the table and shouted.
Xiaoyanzi put her sword back into its sheath, walked to the stone table, picked up the teacup and drank it all in one gulp, then wiped her mouth: "I'm so angry! When I think of those people saying bad things about you behind your back, I feel uncomfortable all over!" She was wearing a neat royal blue suit, with sweat on her forehead and her cheeks flushed.
Ziwei picked up a handkerchief to wipe her sweat: "Don't be angry, the mouths are on other people's bodies, let them say whatever they want. As long as we behave uprightly, the emperor will know it." Her movements were gentle and her eyes were full of worry.
Xiaoyanzi held her hand and said, "But I just can't stand them bullying you! Don't worry, I will find out who is behind this and seek justice for you!"
"Princess Huanzhu, the Fifth Prince and Uncle Fu are here!" Xiaodeng's voice sounded at the door.
Yongqi and Erkang walked in, Yongqi holding a food box and Erkang holding a few books. "I heard from the eunuch that there are rumors in the palace?" Yongqi put down the food box and looked at Xiaoyanzi and asked, his eyes full of concern.
Xiaoyanzi nodded. "Yes, they said Ziwei wasn't the Emperor's daughter. It was me and the Fang family who colluded to deceive the Emperor." She slammed the table in anger. "I think someone is jealous of us and deliberately spread rumors!"
Erkang walked over to Ziwei and whispered, "Don't worry, I've asked the people in the mansion to investigate and see who is spreading the rumors behind this." He took out a hand warmer from his pocket and handed it to Ziwei, "It's getting cold, warm your hands with it."
Yongqi opened the food box, revealing several exquisite snacks. "I asked the imperial kitchen to make these. They include your favorite osmanthus cake and Ziwei's favorite almond pastry." He pushed the snacks in front of the two of them, "Eat something. Don't let those irrelevant people get in the way."
Xiaoyanzi picked up a piece of osmanthus cake and stuffed it into her mouth, mumbling, "You're still good to me." Her eyes rolled and she moved closer to Yongqi, "Yongqi, can you do me a favor?"
Yongqi raised an eyebrow: "What help? What do you want to do?"
"Please help me find out who's been the most active in the palace lately, and who's most against us." Xiaoyanzi lowered her voice, "I think Concubine Gao is definitely involved in this!"
Yongqi nodded. "I understand. I'll keep an eye on it. But don't be impulsive. Don't go and cause trouble on your own." He reached out and scratched Xiaoyanzi's nose. "If you get into trouble, I can't save you."
Xiaoyanzi slapped his hand away: "I know! I'm not that stupid!"
As they were talking, Eunuch Su's voice rang out at the door: "The Emperor has arrived—"
Everyone hurriedly stood up to greet them. Qianlong, dressed in a bright yellow casual attire, walked in with a steady gait, followed by the empress. "Are you all here?" Qianlong said with a smile. "I just left court and came to see you."
The empress walked over to Ziwei, picked up the folding screen she had embroidered, and examined it. "Ziwei's craftsmanship is getting better and better. This phoenix is so lifelike." She turned to Qianlong and said, "Your Majesty, look at how well the gold thread is used. You can tell a lot of thought went into it."
Qianlong nodded: "Not bad, not bad. Ziwei is clever and skillful, and what about Xiaoyanzi? Has she studied hard recently?" He looked at Xiaoyanzi with a smile in his eyes.
Xiaoyanzi stuck out her tongue and said, "I've learned it! I've been practicing the sword techniques Yongqi taught me lately, and I've made great progress!"
Qianlong smiled and shook his head: "You, all you know is brandishing swords and guns." He changed the subject, his eyes becoming deep, "I heard there are some rumors in the palace?"
Xiaoyanzi immediately perked up: "Yes, Father Emperor! Some people say Ziwei is not your daughter and that we colluded to deceive you! This is sheer nonsense!"
Qianlong's face darkened. "I understand. Don't take these rumors to heart. Ziwei's background is known by her mother's keepsake and my verification. No one can shake it." He looked at Ziwei and said gently, "Ziwei, don't worry. With me here, no one can bully you."
Ziwei's eyes welled up and she knelt down to salute: "Thank you, Father Emperor."
The Queen also chimed in, "Yes, Ziwei is a good child, we all see that. Those who spread rumors must have ulterior motives."
Qianlong nodded: "The Queen is right. Su Peisheng!"
"I'm here!" Eunuch Su hurried forward.
"Pass on my decree, no one in the palace is allowed to discuss Mingzhu Gege's life experience anymore. Anyone who violates the decree will be severely punished!" Qianlong's voice was majestic and carried an unquestionable power.
"I obey your order!" Eunuch Su bowed and retreated.
Xiaoyanzi jumped up with joy. "You are so kind, Father Emperor!" She ran to Qianlong and pulled his sleeve. "I knew you would believe us!"
Qianlong looked at her lively appearance, and the seriousness on his face eased a lot. He reached out and patted her head: "You are still so impulsive. If you encounter such things in the future, don't hold it in yourself, and don't be impulsive. Tell me and I will handle it."
Xiaoyanzi nodded heavily: "I know!"
The Queen looked at the harmonious relationship between father and daughter and smiled with satisfaction: "Your Majesty, it's getting late. It's time to go to the Queen Mother's palace to pay your respects."
Qianlong nodded and said, "Let's go. Xiaoyanzi, Ziwei, you should come too, so that the Empress Dowager can see you too, so that she won't worry about you."
The group walked toward the Cining Palace. Sunlight filtered through the leaves, casting dappled shadows on the palace path. Little Swallow walked beside Emperor Qianlong, chirping about recent anecdotes, with the emperor occasionally responding. The atmosphere was warm and harmonious. Ziwei, Erkang, and Yongqi followed behind. Looking at the father and daughter in front of them, they smiled at each other, and the haze in their hearts dissipated a lot.
In the warm room of the Cining Palace, the Empress Dowager was drinking tea with Qing'er. Seeing Qianlong and others come in, the Empress Dowager smiled and put down her teacup: "You are here? Is it cold outside?"
"Mother, I'm not cold." Qianlong walked over to sit next to the Empress Dowager. "I was just in Shufangzhai and heard that there were some rumors in the palace that scared the children."
The Queen Mother frowned: "What rumors?"
"Some people say Ziwei is not the emperor's daughter," the queen explained softly, "and the emperor has issued an order forbidding discussion."
The Queen Mother looked at Ziwei with a gentle look in her eyes. "Ziwei is a good girl. I trust the Emperor's judgment. Those who gossip about her deserve to be punished." She waved to Ziwei, "Ziwei, come here and let me see you."
Ziwei walked to the Queen Mother and knelt down to salute: "Greetings to the Queen Mother."
The Queen Mother took her hand and looked her over carefully. "What a pretty girl! Her features bear some resemblance to your mother." She sighed. "Your mother was also a miserable person. Fortunately, you have found the Emperor. From now on, you will live well in the palace. No one will dare to bully you."
Ziwei's eyes were filled with tears: "Thank you, Queen Mother."
Qing'er also smiled and said, "The Queen Mother has been talking about you recently, saying that the screen you embroidered is beautiful and she wants you to embroider one for her too."
Ziwei quickly said, "It is my honor to be able to share the Queen Mother's worries."
Xiaoyanzi also came over and said, "Queen Mother, I can help Ziwei embroider too! Although I'm not as good as her, I can help thread the needle!"
The Queen Mother was amused by her. "You are so kind. Now, you young people can go and have fun. I will talk to the Emperor."
Xiaoyanzi took Ziwei's hand and said, "Then we will go back first. Queen Mother, you should have a good rest."
Looking at the backs of Xiaoyanzi and Ziwei leaving, the Queen Mother said to Qianlong: "These two children are very good. You must treat them well."
Qianlong nodded and said, "Don't worry, mother. I understand."
The sun was shining brightly in the courtyard outside the warm room. Xiaoyanzi took Ziwei's hand and skipped forward, "See, I told you it's okay! With the Emperor and the Queen Mother backing us up, no one can bully us!"
Ziwei smiled and nodded: "Well, thanks to you, and also thanks to the Emperor and the Queen Mother." She looked up at the sky, the sun was warm, and the last trace of uneasiness in her heart disappeared.
Yongqi and Erkang followed behind, looking at the two sisters in front and smiling at each other. Yongqi said softly, "It seems we don't have to worry anymore."
Erkang nodded: "Yes, with the Emperor and the Queen Mother protecting us, those rumors will never take off."
The wind blew through the wintersweets in the courtyard, bringing with it bursts of fragrance. From the direction of Shufangzhai came the laughter and chatter of young eunuchs, full of life and energy. The gloom of Jingren Palace seemed to be dispelled by the sunshine and laughter, leaving behind warmth and hope.
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