Chapter 52
He Rui pondered her conversation with her third brother for a long time. In truth, he had been asking her if she had a clear conscience. Returning to the capital, He Rui felt no anticipation. If she had a choice, she would rather live a free life here, far from the strife. But these were not matters of her choice. The journey back to the capital was not as fast as expected, punctuated by a winter blizzard. Wearing clothes made of raw fur, the cold of the snow was unbearable for He Rui, and she fell ill. The imperial physicians who had accompanied her busied themselves caring for her, and fortunately, they had all the necessary medicines.
They arrived in Shengjing after a difficult journey, and the New Year had already passed. After settling down in Shengjing and finding warm accommodations, He Rui's mind began to wander. He Rui couldn't understand why her seemingly frail third brother hadn't fallen ill, while she, who appeared healthy, was the one who was now bedridden.
After learning what the princess was thinking, Harichagai earnestly told He Rui that Prince Xun was not as simple as he appeared on the surface.
After careful consideration, He Rui agreed. She remembered that Yongzhang was buried in the imperial mausoleum commonly known as the Crown Prince's Mausoleum, the tomb of Emperor Qianlong's eldest son, Prince An Ding Yonghuang, his third son, Prince Xun Yongzhang, and his fifth son, Prince Rongchun Yongqi. It was a location with excellent feng shui, the only tomb in the Qing Dynasty to contain the remains of three adult princes. One could imagine Yongzhang's status in Qianlong's heart, even though historical records about this prince were scarce.
Upon arriving in Shengjing, they were almost home. This year's snow was exceptionally heavy; not only was it snowing incessantly in Mongolia, but a thick layer of snow had also accumulated on the route from Shengjing to the capital. He Rui intended to wait until spring to return, but one imperial edict after another urged He Rui and Yongzhang to set off for the capital.
The year 24 was destined to be turbulent. Just after the first month of the year, the Empress Dowager set off for Mount Wutai to pray for blessings. When He Rui and Yong Zhang returned to the capital, the Empress Dowager had already departed. When Emperor Qianlong summoned He Rui, seeing her pale face, he immediately ordered her to go to Yongshou Palace so the Empress could give her some nourishing medicine. He then summoned Harichagai and the imperial physician. The physician reported on the princess's condition. After seeing the physician off, Harichagai reported to the Emperor on matters concerning Mongolia.
Emperor Qianlong's admiration for Haricagai wasn't solely due to him being the consort of his beloved daughter; Haricagai wouldn't have caught Qianlong's eye if he lacked ability. After returning from Mongolia, Haricagai became very busy, and the intrigues of the inner palace left He Rui, who was left behind, completely bewildered. However, He Rui did understand one thing: those who seemed favored weren't necessarily those truly valued by the Emperor.
A new prince and a new princess were added to the harem. Consort Ling had indeed given birth to a prince, and the Emperor and Empress bestowed many gifts upon him. The sixteenth prince, Yonglu, greatly surprised He Rui. The Empress, however, paid little attention to the addition of a prince to the harem and continued with her own affairs. Consort Ling, when she came to pay her respects each day, always carried an air of superiority.
Consort Yu looked haggard. Lately, the Emperor had been visiting her less and less. Seeing Consort Ling's smug expression, Consort Yu felt incredibly distressed. Unable to understand the power struggles within the harem, He Rui chose to remain silent. Power in the harem still rested in the Empress's hands. Consort Ling's maidservants had gained another girl named Dongxue. He Rui couldn't understand why Consort Ling insisted on creating another "Dongxue."
After staying in the palace for a month, He Rui returned to the princess's residence. It wasn't that the emperor was merciful and couldn't bear to see the young couple separated, but rather that Haricha was going to Aksu with Prince Xun to deliver provisions to the soldiers fighting there. The emperor wanted the princess and Haricha to have a short reunion, and Haricha would return to the palace after he left the capital.
He Rui only learned upon returning to the princess's residence that Harichagai would be setting off the next day to protect Prince Xun on his journey to Aksu. He Rui gritted his teeth, unable to bring himself to tell Harichagai not to go. That night, He Rui, unusually, took the initiative to seduce Harichagai, and when Harichagai left in the early morning, He Rui was still fast asleep.
News of the pacification of the Khoja brothers arrived in July. Prince Xun led the grain transport team back to the capital first to report the great victory to the Emperor. General Zhao Hui and his troops would not return to the capital until the pacification was complete. Emperor Qianlong personally stood at the Taihe Gate to welcome Prince Xun and his son-in-law Harichagai back.
He Rui sat in Yongshou Palace, wringing out his handkerchief, feeling anxious, wondering if Harichagai was injured. The Empress, seeing He Rui's worried expression, found it amusing and told Rong Mama to go check on him. If the important matter was settled, she would summon the Prince Consort for questioning. Rong Mama agreed and left. Hearing the Empress's words, He Rui's face flushed even more.
Harichai arrived quickly and greeted the Empress in the courtyard of Yongshou Palace. He Rui, seeing from inside the house that Harichai had no injuries, was relieved. That evening, Qianlong held a banquet—not quite a family banquet—in Jianfu Palace. A delighted Qianlong announced his decision to go hunting.
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Ever since the Emperor made the decision to go to the hunting grounds, He Rui had a feeling that something might happen. During his stay in the palace, He Rui had clearly noticed that the Fifth Prince and Consort Ling were getting closer, and the Fifth Prince, who was supposed to leave the palace to establish his own residence, was still living in the Southern Third Palace. He Rui was somewhat uneasy, and his tightly furrowed brows remained furrowed the entire time he sat in the carriage on his way to the hunting grounds.
Looking at her sister, He Ya teased, "What's bothering you, sister?"
“Heya, I always have this strange feeling, like something’s about to happen.” He Rui looked at Heya. “Heya, isn’t this your 24th year?”
"It's been twenty-four years. What happened to my sister?"
Twenty-four years have passed, the year the Huanzhu storyline should have officially begun. However, Ziwei is already married, Fu Erkang is no longer a palace guard, the Fifth Prince is close to Consort Ling, and Fu Ertai is still the Fifth Prince's tutor... Xia Yuhe is currently in the palace, so the Huanzhu storyline shouldn't be happening. But why do I feel so uneasy?
"What are you thinking about, sister?" He Ya asked curiously, looking at He Rui who was deep in thought.
"I was wondering how you got pregnant again." He Rui looked at He Ya's slightly protruding belly. Hadn't he told her not to have children so early? The first one was one thing, but now she's pregnant again.
"I want a boy like my husband. Aren't you and my brother-in-law in a hurry?" Heya looked at her sister's belly. She already had two children, but her sister was still pregnant. Last time she went to the palace, the Empress Dowager had told her to ask her sister about it.
The two sisters chatted idly along the way. Upon arriving at the hunting grounds, they, along with the Empress and Consort Yu, entered the hunting tent. In high spirits, Emperor Qianlong led his sons directly to the hunting grounds. The Eleventh and Twelfth Princes were also in the hunting party, following E Yue from afar, only able to hunt animals that were easy to catch.
Emperor Qianlong, looking at his sons with great pride, shouted, "Show me your skills! Being a skilled rider and archer is the true nature of the Manchus. Each of you, show me your abilities! Whoever hunts the most today will be richly rewarded!" No sooner had Qianlong finished speaking than someone responded. It was none other than Fu'erkang, whom He Rui had deemed no longer a palace guard. Several years ago, Fu'erkang had been severely beaten with fifty strokes of the cane and spent years recovering. Now, Consort Ling had regained favor and put in a good word for him with the Emperor, securing him a position as a guard at the hunting grounds. Although it was far from the capital and he wouldn't become a favorite of the Emperor, it was still a job, and he could take it one step at a time. Hearing the Emperor's boastful voice at the hunting grounds, Fu'erkang thought he had his chance to prove himself, and perhaps the Emperor would reward him handsomely. "Yes, Your Majesty, I won't stand on ceremony!"
Upon hearing the words of a guard from the hunting grounds, everyone's expression changed, and they addressed the emperor as "I".
Perhaps the Emperor was in a genuinely good mood and didn't hold a servant's insubordination against him, or perhaps he was suppressing his displeasure. No one knows what the Emperor was thinking, but he still said, "Who's being polite to you? Look at the deer ahead."
The princes, nobles, and military officers who came with the emperor did not look too good. What did the emperor mean by this?
Furen was covered in cold sweat, frightened by his son.
"This deer is mine!" Fu Erkang spurred his horse forward, shouting, "Fifth Prince, Ertai, I want to race you two and see who can hunt the first prey."
"Furen, this deer belongs to your son." The Emperor said in a sinister voice.
Fu Lun immediately fell off his horse and kowtowed to the emperor.
The Fifth Prince, who had few friends and little popularity, followed Fu Erkang's instructions and sent them off. Fu Ertai dutifully followed, and neither of them noticed Fu Lun, who was constantly kowtowing behind them.
Emperor Qianlong merely snorted coldly at Fu Lun, who was kowtowing, and reined in his horse, charging forward. His entourage followed the Emperor, paying no heed to whether Fu Lun's head was bleeding from the kowtowing. Fu Lun was filled with remorse; how could he have such a brainless son? Did he think he was a prince? Even a prince shouldn't speak to the Emperor like that.
On the other side of the enclosure, a girl was climbing uphill carrying a package on her back.
He Rui helped He Ya to the edge of the hunting grounds, admiring the scenery. This wasn't their first time visiting the hunting grounds. Every time they came, He Rui wondered how Xiao Yanzi had managed to happen to enter the hunting area in such a large area.
"Sister, what is Mongolia like?"
"There are many grasslands, many cattle and sheep, and many hospitable and simple people there."
"Sister, you've said it. I want to go see it too," He Ya said enviously. The two chatted, with some palace maids and eunuchs following them at a distance. No one would have thought that someone would climb up to the heavily guarded hunting grounds.
He Rui was the first to notice, but before he could even shout, the girl met his eyes and, without any instinct, attacked He Rui and He Ya. He Rui was knocked down while protecting He Ya.
The eunuchs were startled by the sudden turn of events and rushed forward. They ran into the bushes, but left a few men to guard the two princesses. Some chased after them, while others ran into the hunting grounds to report to the emperor.
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