Chapter 101 First Meeting with Yu Rao
The matter caused quite a stir for several days, and in the end, the only one who was surprised and suspicious was Zhen Huan, who was living in the inner palace and feeling uneasy.
That day in the Hall of Mental Cultivation, she believed that her method was correct, so she volunteered to persuade the wife of Prince Dun, because she could still speak up about these trivial matters between sisters-in-law. However, she did not expect that the emperor would not summon the wife of Prince Dun to the palace, and Prince Dun had already apologized in front of everyone.
Looking at the Empress's less-than-pleasant expression, Xiao Yunzi blurted out all the information he had gathered: "The Crown Prince, as the heir apparent, personally led Prince Hongxuan out of the palace to apologize to Lord Zhang Lin. I heard that Lord Zhang Lin was so moved that he kowtowed to the ground. For some reason, the next day, Prince Dun went to court and personally apologized to the Emperor, abandoning his usual arrogant demeanor, and apologized to Lord Zhang Lin in the court."
"Crown Prince..." She rubbed her cheek and frowned slightly. Did the Emperor think her idea was bad, or...? But the Emperor had been favoring her as much as ever these past few days, only he had stopped mentioning the matter of Prince Dun. She didn't dare to ask him rashly.
The power dynamics within the harem can be roughly divided into three factions. Zhen Huan is undoubtedly the most powerful, commanding more than half of the Emperor's attention during his ten-day stays in the harem. The third faction is the Imperial Noble Consort. Despite having given birth to three sons and a daughter, she shows no signs of aging or fatigue. On the contrary, the passage of time has only enhanced her noble and serene demeanor.
However, it's possible that having too many children has taken up too much of the Imperial Noble Consort's attention, and she no longer cares much about competing for favor. She's too busy taking care of the children every day. Even so, the Emperor still likes to visit Yongshou Palace when he has nothing to do, even if it's just for dinner.
Another small group consists of Consort Rou, An Lingrong. After the fire in the Cold Palace, she moved back to Yongshou Palace for several months. Until the Imperial Noble Consort gave birth smoothly, and seeing that there were more and more children and not enough rooms, she moved back to Zhongcui Palace. Now she can get a share every ten days.
The other concubines, Consort Jing and Noble Lady Cao, were never favored by the Emperor. Nian Shilan, after being demoted, spent half a year alone in the lonely Yikun Palace, with only Wenyi for company.
Just a month into the peaceful reign, Hongzhao was practicing calligraphy when Xiazi rushed in and handed a memorial to the emperor's desk.
"The other day, an envoy from the Dzungar Khanate visited and said that the Dzungar Khan, Inge, had died suddenly. They now want to ask me for permission to marry the princess to the new Khan, Moge." Yinzhen flipped through the memorial, his voice somewhat somber.
After flipping through the document for a while, he threw it on the table, raised his hand and rubbed his temples—"The Dzungar Khanate is currently in a period of internal turmoil due to the transition between the old and new regimes, which has stirred up trouble in the Northwest as well. We are now truly besieged on all sides. Prince Dun and Nian Gengyao actually took advantage of this time to launch an attack on me. Do they think I dare not touch them?!"
After delivering the memorial, Xiazi withdrew. At this moment, there was no one else in the hall except Hongzhao, so these words must have been spoken to him.
Hongzhao stood up and looked at the memorial—"Your subject wishes to hear the details."
Yinzhen leaned back against the chair, his face so dark it looked like it could drip water, like a storm was brewing. He spoke slowly, his voice filled with anger: "Nian Gengyao has been behaving himself for so long, and today he submitted a memorial requesting a title for Consort Wenxi, the birth mother of Prince Dun. What a scoundrel!"
The matter is actually quite simple. It boils down to Nian Gengyao's deep-seated resentment. He was dissatisfied that his sister remained a lowly concubine and had never been favored, and he was also dissatisfied that he had not been promoted for a long time after being demoted. Taking advantage of the chaos in the Northwest, he joined forces with Prince Dun to put pressure on the emperor.
Hongzhao thought for a moment and was about to speak when he heard Su Peisheng's cautious voice from outside—"Your Majesty, Consort Wan requests an audience outside the palace."
Hongzhao looked back, and after a moment when his father stopped speaking, he understood what he meant. "Father, Uncle Thirteen said that I should finish my homework and then go to him. I'll take my leave now."
With the Emperor's tacit approval, he took two steps back, turned around, and walked out of the inner palace. He happened to run into Consort Wan, who was about to walk in. Both of them were stunned for a moment. After a moment, Hongzhao spoke first, "Consort Wan."
Zhen Huan lowered her eyes and gave a slight curtsy—"Greetings, Your Highness."
——
Consort Wan did not leave the Hall of Mental Cultivation all day, but the Emperor's decree was issued long ago.
Consort Wenxi was indeed posthumously honored, but the posthumous honors also included all the concubines who served the late emperor, and even Consort Shu, who was practicing at Ganlu Temple, received an honorific title.
Hongzhao felt that his father had been giving Zhen Yuandao extra importance lately, probably to have him secretly gather evidence of Nian Gengyao's crimes.
The next day, Hongzhao heard that Consort Nian had been promoted to Imperial Concubine Nian and had regained the Emperor's favor.
Based on his understanding of his own father, he knew that Nian Gengyao and Prince Dun wouldn't be able to cause trouble for long.
He walked along the palace path, lost in thought about the unfolding events. If he remembered correctly, next would be the summer retreat at the Yuanmingyuan, followed by refuge at Penglai Island, and then...
"Ah!" A short scream escaped the little girl's lips. Hongzhao clutched his head, almost losing his usual calm and composed demeanor, squinting his eyes as he endured the pain.
These pieces of jewelry worn by girls are indeed sharp weapons; a single bump on them looks like someone's skull has been cracked open.
"Your Highness, are you alright?" Xiao Dezi anxiously tried to see how badly Hongzhao's forehead was injured through his tightly covered hand.
The girl who had just run out from around the corner stood there dumbfounded, unable to even remember to bow. She took a step forward with concern and said, "Are you...are you alright? I'm so sorry."
Hearing the girl's voice, a noblewoman wearing a large winged hat hurriedly caught up and asked anxiously in a low voice, "Yu Rao, what's wrong?"
After turning the corner, I first saw Yu Rao standing there dumbfounded, not knowing what to do. Looking further ahead, I saw a boy of about the same age covering his head and frowning.
Looking at the apricot-yellow robe with gold trim, and then glancing at the golden bells that were faintly visible at the ends of her hair, there was no one else in the world dressed like this. Mother Zhen's eyes narrowed, and she pulled Yu Rao down to kneel down quickly, saying repeatedly, "Greetings, Your Highness the Crown Prince. My daughter and I are new to the palace and do not know the rules. We have offended Your Highness and hope you will forgive us."
Hongzhao had recovered from the pain and finally had time to open his eyes and take a good look at the two people in front of him.
The noblewoman, bringing her young daughter into the palace, was obviously someone to Hongzhao. Both Zhen's mother and Yu Rao bowed their heads before her, but if he looked closely now, he could still vaguely see a resemblance to Wan Pin in her eyes and brows. Zhen's mother, being older, had a more dignified and graceful demeanor, while Yu Rao, though young, had more delicate features than Wan Pin.
No wonder Fatty Orange, who's over fifty, could still be so moved. The maid in green robes following behind her, bowing, is... Huanbi!
His gaze didn't linger on her for long, but he was certain he wouldn't mistake her. Huanbi had made a mistake a few years ago and was sent out of the palace by Zhen Huan. Today, she came to the palace with Zhen's mother to visit. Looking at her still soft and smooth face and the shiny fabric of her clothes, he figured she was doing quite well in the mansion.
He gently shook his head. "It's alright, Madam, don't worry, I'm fine." He then gestured for Xiao Dezi to help the mother and daughter up.
"Thank you, Your Highness." Madam Zhen pulled Yu Rao to her feet, and upon seeing Hong Zhao in full, she was even more certain that Zhen Huan's words, "I have a younger sister who is a beauty that can be described as the best in the country," were not empty words.
He took a step back and instructed, "It is not allowed to rush in the palace. It is understandable that Madam Zhen is not familiar with this since she is new here." After saying that, he turned to the two eunuchs following behind him and said, "Take good care of Madam and Miss. I have other matters to attend to and will not keep you company any longer."
"Respectfully seeing off His Highness the Crown Prince."
As Zhen's mother, Yun, watched the Crown Prince's departing figure, she tightened her grip on Yu Rao's hand, thinking to herself that this Crown Prince was indeed as intelligent as rumored. It seemed that Consort Wan would have to be even more careful in the palace.
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