Mo Ran reported every commotion outside to the Empress.
The Empress suddenly smiled.
"Tell me, why is it that she can repeatedly order and instruct her maternal family? Even before the Emperor has made a move, she has already dealt with them? Isn't she afraid of airing her family's dirty laundry in public, isn't she afraid of offending the Emperor, and isn't she afraid of being treated coldly by her clan..."
Mo Ran's lips moved but he didn't say anything.
“A powerful maternal family allows a woman to stand tall—no, wait, wasn’t the Nian family also favored? Yet they still met a tragic end! Ah, he was a good emperor, but unfortunately, not a good husband!”
The Empress chuckled sadly, then fell into a deep sleep.
On October 29, 1731 (the 9th year of the Yongzheng Emperor's reign), the Empress passed away, and the whole country mourned.
Whether Emperor Yongzheng knew those words or not is unclear, but for several months in a row, Emperor Yongzheng's face was solemn!
Even the young ladies in the palace dared not frolic or play around!
Sherry and the children always dressed simply, and Yongzheng didn't say anything when he saw them.
However, the power of the palace was transferred to her.
Sherry arranged for Consort Qi, Consort Yu, Consort Ning, and Consort Ji to assist her.
At the end of the year, Prince Yi, Yunxiang, passed away.
He had suffered health problems due to being imprisoned in his early years, and later he was busy following Emperor Yongzheng around.
In fact, Yunxiang passed away in the eighth year of the Yongzheng Emperor's reign.
It seems that he was forced into Jia Shifang's case, and feeling ashamed and unhappy, he died in depression!
He held on for over a year, but eventually passed away.
Yongzheng held his younger brother's hand and tears streamed down his face. He was saddened for a long time after that!
In the spring of the 10th year of the Yongzheng Emperor's reign (1732), the emperor ordered Prince Zhuang to launch a campaign against Japan and Ryukyu.
They also arranged for people to cultivate superior varieties and change the river course to avoid drought.
Sydney's second brother and his cronies developed an instrument for finding water sources, making it easier to drill wells.
He was granted a minor official position and a residence by Emperor Yongzheng, and most importantly, he used this opportunity to start a research institute.
The research institute has a clear division of labor!
It mainly covers daily necessities and the needs of the people.
As for military industry, it's all in remote mountain valleys.
In the same year, the Swedish East India Company's first large ocean-going ship arrived in port.
The Swedish East India Company's first ocean liner, the "Friedrichs of Sweden," arrived in Guangzhou that year to conduct trade, with Chen Tingguan, a merchant from the Chongyi Company, an important trading firm in Guangzhou, acting as its guarantor.
This event is recorded in detail in the book "The Tenth Year of Yongzheng: The Story of That Swedish Ship".
Meanwhile, the corruption of officials was exposed, and Yongzheng dealt with them one by one with iron-fisted ruthlessness!
This led to an increase in the welfare benefits of ministers, but also a crackdown on corruption and bribery!
In early October, Sydney became pregnant again!
After thinking about it, Sherry realized that this was probably the historical figure Hongzhan.
Emperor Yongzheng was very happy. The two little ones were lively and active at the moment, jumping and skipping around, and Emperor Yongzheng doted on them very much.
They even stick to each other wherever they go; whatever the brother looks at, the sister wants too.
The younger sister must wear the same color clothes as her brother.
The older brother went to the study, and the younger sister cried and begged for it too.
Yongzheng was helpless, and he really couldn't bear to look at those teary eyes.
There was no other way but to agree!
As a result, Khalkhaci later became obsessed with vying for power and profit.
There's nothing we can do about it; she received the same education as Hongjun.
Emperor Yongzheng let her be, and Xue Li didn't interfere much either!
So much so that the next generation of princesses took the art of imperial power to its extreme!
The successor whom Yongzheng carefully cultivated was extremely lazy; he was intelligent, but he didn't use it.
Of course, no one knew what would happen in the future.
While Shirley was pregnant, Changjae Jang also became pregnant.
Emperor Yongzheng disliked Na Changzai's constant chatter, so Na Shi had long since become a thing of the past.
To facilitate administration, Emperor Yongzheng also sent troops to Goryeo.
The various Mongol tribes were somewhat uneasy because of the Qing Dynasty's actions.
They tentatively sent a Mongolian concubine into the palace.
Emperor Yongzheng accepted the offer, bestowed upon her the title of Consort Jing, and granted her residence in Changchun Palace.
In the 11th year of the Yongzheng Emperor's reign (1733), the Qing court adjusted the official post system, which involved the distribution of power between central and local officials and was an important change within the political system.
In the same year, he continued to implement various economic policies from the Yongzheng era, such as strengthening agricultural production, adjusting land reclamation policies, implementing the system of returning surplus tax to the public treasury and the system of allowances for maintaining integrity, in order to consolidate the country's economic foundation.
Furthermore, a series of measures have been taken, such as combating crime and strengthening public security.
Arranging for people to compile historical books, etc.
On June 11 of the same year, Sydney went into labor.
However, the two midwives were taken away during the delivery, and Shirley successfully gave birth to a son.
Emperor Yongzheng burst into laughter with delight upon seeing the pink and white baby.
"Rewards! Hahaha, rewards for everyone!"
After saying that, he suddenly remembered the two wet nurses.
Emperor Yongzheng, annoyed by the confession presented by Su Peisheng, ordered it to be sent away.
"Consort Shen disregarded palace rules and plotted against the imperial concubines and imperial heirs. She has been banished to the Cold Palace! The Fifth Princess has been moved to Changchun Palace and registered under Consort Jing's name in the imperial genealogy."
After speaking, he glanced at Consort Yu as if he were not paying attention.
Consort Yu turned pale instantly, clutching her handkerchief and daring not to say another word.
However, within two days, Hongzhou was reprimanded by Yongzheng for "idling around, being dissolute and unruly, neglecting his duties, spending his days associating with all sorts of scoundrels, wasting his time, and returning home to reflect on his actions!"
When the news reached the palace, it barely made a ripple.
Apart from Consort Yu, no one else cared.
Hongzhou felt extremely wronged!
It was a servant from Consort Yu's side who visited him, and the tone of their conversation made Hongzhou realize that something was wrong.
"What did Mother do?" Hongzhou stared at Gu Ruo, the old woman, with a serious expression.
Granny Gu Ruo forced a smile: "No, Your Highness did nothing. She just wanted the Fifth Prince to share the Emperor's burdens!"
"Really?! I've been playing for so long, why was I reprimanded by Father Emperor today? Could it be because..."
Hongzhou spoke very slowly.
You could see that Gu Ruo's forehead was covered in sweat.
Hongzhou narrowed his eyes and didn't say anything more, but simply arranged for the palace's informants to investigate!
The only recent thing he could think of was that Consort Shun had given birth to a younger brother for him.
Yes, Consort Shen has been banished to the Cold Palace!
So, is someone using his name to swindle and deceive, or did Mother do something?
Hongzhou's face turned extremely ugly!
I started to be a good student and practice reading and calligraphy.
After his confinement was lifted, he paid his respects to Consort Yu.
Consort Yu looked her up and down with heartache.
After finishing his meal, Hongzhou still said, "Mother, we're doing quite well now. Father has never favored his son! And I'm not capable enough to shoulder such a heavy responsibility. Let's not get involved in other things anymore! Don't you understand, Fourth Brother?"
Upon hearing this, Consort Yu was stunned.
She wanted to say something, but when she saw her son's eyes, she swallowed it back.
Hongzhou left Zhongcui Palace and went directly to Yangxin Hall.
He never imagined that the flattery of the court ladies and the sycophancy of the palace servants would ignite such a great ambition in his mother's heart!
If it weren't for the fact that he was tormented by his fourth brother a few years ago, he almost wouldn't have made it back.
He might also feel resentful!
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