Chapter Forty-Seven
In the autumn of the twenty-first year of the Qianlong Emperor's reign, the imperial concubine selection was in full swing. Consort Chun was very focused; one of her two sons needed a wife, and the other needed to be sent to a concubine's quarters. For Yongzhang's wife, Consort Chun had her eye on the attendant of Herui. The Xilin Gioro clan had a very high social standing, and considering Herui's status as a Princess Gulun, Consort Chun was quite satisfied. Her status was not bad, but there were also many problems. The Xilin Gioro clan was the niece of Princess Heya's husband. Consort Chun hesitated, wondering how to bring it up with the Emperor.
Originally, the imperial selection had nothing to do with Consort Ling, but the Emperor's word was law, and he granted Consort Ling permission to participate in the selection alongside the Empress and the Noble Consort.
Upon hearing this news, He Rui was playing chess with the Empress Dowager. The Empress Dowager was very displeased with Consort Ling's outrageous behavior and immediately summoned the Imperial Household Department, asking where the Emperor had been sleeping lately. Seeing that the Emperor had been sleeping with Consort Ling repeatedly, and that Consort Ling was subtly gaining exclusive favor, the Empress Dowager was uneasy. He Rui, however, focused intently on the chess game. Consort Ling was a very shrewd person; she had managed to rise and fall in the Emperor's favor several times. This illiterate woman was not to be underestimated. After commenting on Consort Ling, He Rui wondered what the Empress Dowager's intentions were. By mentioning Consort Ling's exclusive favor in front of her, a princess under the Empress's jurisdiction, was she trying to get her to report to the Empress? Or was she testing whether He Rui was a talkative person?
The Empress Dowager, observing He Rui's focused expression on the chessboard, noticed that his thoughts were very similar to those of the late Emperor. The Empress Dowager sighed, her voice somewhat loud. He Rui looked up at her, "Grandma, are you feeling unwell?" He Rui stood up and helped the Empress Dowager, gesturing for the maids to clear away the chessboard. Lan Xin also hurried forward to help the Empress Dowager to her feet and towards the soft couch.
"I'm fine." It's always her granddaughter who's so considerate. Daughters are always a mother's warm little cotton-padded jacket. She didn't give birth to a princess. Although the emperor is a filial son, he can't compare to a daughter who understands her heart.
"Granny Gui, order someone to fetch the imperial physician." Seeing that the Empress Dowager's complexion was not good, He Rui ordered the imperial physician to be summoned.
"This old woman is too frail for anything to do," the Empress Dowager said, but she did not stop him. "He Rui is of marriageable age."
"I won't marry, I'll stay with my maternal grandmother." He Rui said coquettishly, sitting next to the Empress Dowager.
"Don't talk such silly things. After He Rui gets married, I will take Lan Xin to Mount Wutai to pray for blessings." The Empress Dowager looked at He Rui carefully, truly reluctant to part with him.
Going to Mount Wutai? No way! Didn't she already acknowledge her father? How come there's still talk of the Empress Dowager going to Mount Wutai? But it's Lan Xin who's going with the Empress Dowager, not Qing'er, so maybe nothing will go wrong.
The imperial physician arrived quickly, and after respectfully paying his respects, he promptly took the Empress Dowager's pulse.
The Empress Dowager's summons of the imperial physician would inevitably alarm the Emperor. Hearing that the Empress Dowager was unwell, Qianlong quickly finished reviewing the memorials and headed towards the Cining Palace. The Emperor and Empress met at the palace gates. The Empress was accompanied by Consort Chun and Consort Yu, while Consort Ling, who was to participate in the imperial concubine selection, was cultivating her connections in the Chuxiu Palace. If Consort Ling knew that the Emperor had once again held a grudge against her for this, she would probably be filled with remorse.
The Emperor, accompanied by the Empress and the Imperial Concubine, entered the Cining Palace. The imperial physician had just finished examining the pulses and prescribed a formula to replenish Qi. He Rui and Lan Xin sat on either side of the Empress Dowager, telling jokes to amuse her.
"The Emperor has arrived!" the eunuch announced loudly. Then, another eunuch ran into the main hall and reported to the Empress Dowager that the Empress and two imperial concubines were waiting outside.
"Summon them!" The Empress Dowager's bad mood had vanished because of the jokes told by He Rui and Lan Xin.
After entering, Emperor Qianlong first bowed to the Empress Dowager, then carefully inquired of the imperial physician about her health. The physician cautiously replied, using professional medical terminology that Qianlong couldn't understand. After some back and forth, the physician concluded that the Empress Dowager was furious.
Upon hearing the imperial physician's words, Qianlong's face darkened. Who in the palace dared to anger the Empress Dowager? His expression hardened, and his sharp gaze swept over He Rui and Lan Xin. The two of them? No, just now in the courtyard, he had heard He Rui and Lan Xin chatting and joking with the Empress Dowager. Then the Empress? That didn't seem likely either; everyone knew the Empress was the most proper and disciplined. How could she have angered the Empress Dowager? Consort Chun? Consort Yu?
"Emperor!" The Empress Dowager interrupted Qianlong's thoughts as he was trying to guess who had angered her.
"Your Majesty, which good-for-nothing has angered Your Majesty? I will punish him." Qianlong walked towards the Empress Dowager. He Rui and Lan Xin had already taken the opportunity to pay their respects and stood to the side. Qianlong sat firmly next to the Empress Dowager.
"It's all because of you, you good-for-nothing." Although the Empress Dowager wanted to scold the Emperor immediately, she knew she had to save face for him in front of the Empress, the Imperial Concubine, and the Princess.
The Empress, being quite perceptive, came out. The Empress Dowager had something to say to the Emperor, but after exchanging pleasantries, she used an excuse to lead everyone out. Once the door closed, the Empress Dowager's face hardened again. "Emperor, I heard you've approved Consort Ling's participation in the imperial concubine selection?"
"Hehe, Consort Ling has been saying she wants to share the Empress's burdens, and seeing how earnest she is, I agreed." The Emperor's expression grew increasingly uneasy as he spoke. Share the burdens! Consort Ling's intentions are truly astounding. Is she implying the palace's ineffective management of the harem, or is she plotting to seize power? The minds of those in power are unpredictable; one wrong thought, and the entire person is dismissed. Recalling these recent encounters with Consort Ling, Qianlong's eyes narrowed. "I have caused my Empress Dowager much worry."
Seeing that the Emperor understood, the Empress Dowager said no more. "Emperor, Heya is already married. How long do you intend to keep Herui? I am thinking that after Herui gets married, I will go to Mount Wutai to pray for the Qing Dynasty and for the Emperor's longevity."
"Your Majesty," Emperor Qianlong said, trying to dissuade the Empress Dowager from going to Mount Wutai to pray for blessings. The Empress Dowager shook her head and said, "I have already made up my mind. Your Majesty need not persuade me. I will take Lanxin with me and some other capable people."
"Heya has just married, and it will take some time to prepare the princess's residence. At the earliest, it will be next year." Knowing the Empress Dowager's thoughts, Qianlong felt conflicted. He knew that the Empress Dowager's decision was irreversible; once she said she would go to Mount Wutai, she would go no matter how many years it took. But as her son, Qianlong still didn't want the Empress Dowager to go. He hesitated, thinking that the time spent building the princess's residence would be a good opportunity to find a reason to persuade his mother not to go.
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After returning to Yongshou Palace from Cining Palace, the Empress looked at He Rui. He Rui sighed inwardly and recounted how Consort Ling had offended the Empress Dowager. The Empress didn't ask any further questions and told He Rui to take the Seventh Princess to play. Just as the Empress was pondering how the Emperor would deal with Consort Ling, the Emperor arrived, looking utterly dejected.
The Empress was startled by the Emperor's expression, but dared not ask any questions. She simply ordered that tea be served to the Emperor.
After taking a few sips of tea, the Emperor looked at the Empress and said, "My mother-in-law just told me that she wants to go to Mount Wutai to pray for blessings after He Rui marries out of the palace. Does Your Majesty have any way to prevent my mother-in-law from going on this long journey?"
Upon hearing the Emperor's words, the Empress was stunned. The Empress Dowager wanted to go to Mount Wutai to pray for blessings. What was going on? "Why would my mother have such thoughts?" What had Consort Ling done to make my mother go to pray for blessings?
"Recently, one thing after another has happened in the harem. I'm afraid the Empress Dowager is worried about my health." Emperor Qianlong sighed. He was also afraid that he would favor his concubine over his wife! Recently, he had been too fond of Consort Ling. Consort Ling's ambitions had also grown. He had just come from Chuxiu Palace, and he saw that Consort Ling's carriage was still parked there.
"It is my fault for not managing the inner palace properly. I beg Your Majesty to grant me permission to go to Mount Wutai to pray for blessings on behalf of my mother."
"Substitute? The Empress is truly wise. How come I didn't think of this method?" The Emperor's face was no longer troubled. "Let Yongqi go to Mount Wutai to pray for the Empress Mother and also recite scriptures for her."
That night, the Emperor slept in Yongshou Palace, while Consort Ling in Yanxi Palace tore her handkerchief.
The next day, Emperor Qianlong issued an edict ordering the Fifth Prince to go to Mount Wutai to pray for the Qing Dynasty and for the longevity of his elders. Yongqi was stunned for a long time upon receiving the edict. Did his father abandon him? Yongqi rushed to the Hall of Mental Cultivation with the edict in hand and knelt outside Qianlong's office. Wu Shulai came out and tried to persuade him several times, but Yongqi wouldn't get up. Wu Shulai went inside and reported to the Emperor again that the Fifth Prince was kneeling outside the hall, requesting an audience.
Emperor Qianlong's feelings towards Yongqi were quite complex. Yongqi was someone he had always valued, but Yongqi's recent performance had made Qianlong doubt whether he could truly shoulder heavy responsibilities. This imperial edict was also an opportunity for Qianlong to test Yongqi, but Yongqi's performance disappointed him. Qianlong didn't want to see his son disappoint him, and he ignored Wu Shulai's reports several times. When Wu Shulai reported again, Qianlong became angry, throwing his pen at Wu Shulai, shouting, "Don't you understand what I'm saying?"
Wu Shulai was so angered by Qianlong's shout that he immediately knelt on the ground, slapping his own mouth repeatedly while muttering, "This servant is guilty."
"I see you've committed a grave offense. Don't think I'm unaware of your underhanded tactics." Emperor Qianlong had long considered replacing him, but he also considered that even if he replaced him, the next person could easily be bribed by those in the harem. Besides, he was used to Wu Shulai, which was why he hadn't moved him. Today, Wu Shulai had repeatedly tested Qianlong's patience, greatly angering him. "Since you're so devoted to Yongqi, I'll bestow you upon Yongqi's side."
"Your Majesty!" Wu Shulai was stunned; the reward was given to the Fifth Prince...
"Li Yu, from now on you will take over Wu Shulai's duties." After scanning the eunuchs, Qianlong's gaze fell on Li Yu.
"Thank you for your great favor, Your Majesty!" Li Yu knelt before the Emperor, his heart filled with trepidation.
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In late autumn, the Fifth Prince embarked on his journey to Mount Wutai. He knelt outside the Hall of Mental Cultivation for a day and a night without seeing the Emperor, and was then escorted back to Jingyang Palace. When the Fifth Prince opened his eyes and saw Wu Shulai, he was deeply moved, believing the Emperor had sent him to visit. Hearing that Wu Shulai had followed him, the Fifth Prince was even more moved, thinking it was a form of comfort from his father. Even as he rode in the carriage to Mount Wutai, the Fifth Prince remained oblivious to the Emperor's indifference towards him.
Looking at the Fifth Prince, Wu Shulai was filled with regret; he couldn't help Consort Ling. The experience Wu Shulai had summarized was immediately put to use by the newly appointed Li Yu. Faced with Consort Ling's overtures, Li Yu smiled and accepted them, then handed them all over to the Emperor.
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