Chapter 103 Over the Wall
Changing the imperial genealogy was a major event, and naturally, the news spread throughout the harem in no time... although there weren't many people left now.
The one with the strongest reaction was Consort Cao. Her daughter, Wenyi, whom she had carried for ten months and given birth to with great difficulty, had become someone else's daughter. How could she be willing to accept this? Upon receiving the news, she immediately stumbled and ran to the gate of the Hall of Mental Cultivation to request an audience. She went for many days but was not granted an audience with the Emperor. When she went to the Yikun Palace to see the child, she was also turned away by Nian Shilan.
She slumped into a chair, already hesitant to dress properly due to Nian Shilan's intimidating presence. Now, the recent turmoil and distress had left her looking ashen, with only her eyes appearing sinister and frightening. She muttered nervously, her eyes still wet with tears.
"The Emperor used my child to compensate Lady Nian, but my Wenyi... who else can she turn to? Who else can she..."
She mumbled blankly for a while, then suddenly sat up abruptly, her eyes flashing with madness as she gripped Yinxiu's hand tightly, her nails almost digging into her flesh. She repeated with unwavering conviction, "Yes... there's still someone, there's still someone who can help me, help me get Wenyi back!"
"I'm not afraid of being a knife in someone else's hand, I just want my Wenyi."
...
Lu Jiaying was busy packing things for her four children when the Emperor's sudden visit caught her off guard.
Unlike his usual self, Yinzhen dismissed everyone after entering the room, his expression formal and devoid of any smile. Lü Jiaying also felt anxious and quietly waited for what would happen next.
Looking at the somewhat uneasy expression on the person opposite him in the silence, Yinzhen took a breath and said, "Nian Gengyao has repeatedly offended me, and I have reached my limit. I really cannot let him live. Now, Prince Dun is constantly making small moves in private, repeatedly testing my bottom line. If we want to get rid of Nian Gengyao, we must first get rid of Prince Dun."
He used Yongshou Palace as a place where he could relax and rest for a while. He rarely discussed court affairs with Lü Jiaying, and this was one of the few times he could be said to have come.
Lu Jiayingfeng naturally knew that this matter was of utmost importance, and her expression also became tense. She frowned slightly as she looked at the Emperor.
"These past two days I've been thinking that I shouldn't have asked you to go to the Yuanmingyuan with me. Prince Dun and Nian Gengyao are in cahoots. I'm not entirely sure I can keep you in the palace with the Empress Dowager and our children. It's much safer that way."
He spoke in a deep, earnest voice, his gaze serious and seemingly genuine, but Lü Jiayingfeng dared not believe him.
She knew exactly how much she meant to the Emperor: a good-natured woman with a simple mind, whose family had been personally promoted by the Emperor and posed no threat whatsoever. If the Emperor truly wanted to keep her, he would have done so long ago; he certainly wouldn't have said such things to her.
She leaned closer nervously, lowered her voice, and resolutely refused, "No, Your Majesty, I cannot stay in the palace."
"Your Majesty, I will not ask what your plans are. However, though I am foolish, I know that the court and the harem are closely connected. Moreover, there is Consort Nian in the palace. If I were here, I could at least help Your Majesty keep the people in the harem at ease, so that you could have more peace of mind without any worries."
Her beautiful eyes revealed anxiety, and her hands unconsciously reached out to tightly grasp the Emperor's outstretched hand; the cold fingertips testified to her inner emotions.
Yinzhen didn't say anything, only nodded, but the emotion in his eyes still betrayed his feelings. He tightened his grip on the Imperial Noble Consort's hand and nodded gently—"I know that my Ying'er is the most considerate person."
"I can't say much else, but I'll tell you that there are some things we'll have to endure once we get there. You'll have to be patient with me."
Lü Jiaying nodded heavily.
Yinzhen continued, "I was thinking that since it's the third month of spring, I'll take our You'er to the Yuanmingyuan Garden. It's too hot to stay in the Forbidden City."
He mentioned that Hongzhao's expression was much more sincere, and he was almost counting on his fingers the preparations he had been painstakingly making for his son these past few days.
"Since I ascended the throne, I have been busy with state affairs and have not been able to properly handle the Mulan Autumn Hunt. Every autumn, I have asked my thirteenth brother to go to the Mulan Hunting Ground to appease the leaders of the various Mongolian tribes. I thought that this time I would ask You'er to go in my place, and ask the thirteenth brother to accompany him. We will set off in June or July."
"Firstly, it was to imitate Prince Dun's wicked intentions, and secondly, it was to let those Mongolians see the crown prince of our Great Qing."
Lu Jiaying paused, about to speak, but was interrupted by the Emperor's gesture—"Ying'er, I know what you're going to say. You'er is the Crown Prince of the Great Qing. But he is also my most beloved son. I will personally teach him the way of being a ruler, step by step. Right now, I only want to be a loving father and don't want my son to suffer any harm."
These words were far more sincere than when he initially wanted to keep her in the palace. Lü Jiayingfeng could tell that this wasn't a test; the Emperor genuinely meant it. Over the years, Lü Jiayingfeng had come to understand that the Emperor's love for Hongzhao only grew stronger. While she tried to ensure that all four of her children received equal maternal love, the Emperor so clearly reserved his meager paternal affection for Hongzhao alone.
She didn't say anything more, but nodded with tears of emotion glistening in her eyes and her lips pursed.
——
Once you start packing, the days fly by, and before you know it, it's time for everyone to set off.
Everything seemed to be the same as it had been two years ago, except that the Imperial Noble Consort had another child by her side. Previously, it was the Sixth Prince Hongzhou who was in swaddling clothes, and now it was the Seventh Prince Hongyan.
Then there's the matter of... Aunt Songzhi, who always followed Consort Nian, is gone. In her place is a little palace maid who was previously unknown, named Ying'er. It is said that she used to be a maid who swept and cleaned in Yimei Garden. For some reason, Consort Nian took a liking to her and brought her to her side.
If we were to ask who was the happiest person on this trip, it would undoubtedly be the Fourth Prince Hongli, who had been living in the Yuanmingyuan Garden.
He had been eagerly anticipating this day and night, and finally, his father, the Emperor, had returned to the Yuanmingyuan. If he missed this opportunity, who knew when he would ever be able to leave and be seen by his father again?
He had heard that Consort Wan was the Emperor's favorite concubine. He had met her once two years ago, and this time he was determined to try to speak with her again.
He had already inquired about it. The Imperial Noble Consort lived in Louyue Yunkai, while this Consort Wan lived in Bitong Academy. This waterside pavilion was a necessary stop on her way back from paying her respects in the morning. He stood by the waterside pavilion, holding a book, and pretended to be casual as he waited patiently.
"Haha, who are you? What are you doing?"
The sudden sound from behind startled him so much that he almost dropped the book in his hand. He steadied himself and quickly turned around, only to find no one behind him.
He looked around in confusion, then followed the sound of laughter upwards, where he saw a little girl leaning halfway out from the artificial rock by the waterside pavilion, cupping her face in her hands and smiling at him.
"I am the Fourth Prince. And who are you? What are you doing here?" he asked, looking up. He was born and raised in the Yuanmingyuan Garden and knew every mountain and stone there like the back of his hand, but he couldn't quite distinguish the people in the palace.
"I am Ulanara Qingying. My great-aunt sent me here. This palace is really boring. I don't want to go into the palace. It's much more fun outside the palace." She raised her eyebrows, rested her chin on her hand with boredom, and looked at the people below with curiosity.
"You say you're the Fourth Prince, but I've never seen you before!"
It's ridiculous. People outside the palace are racking their brains to get in, while those who can get in complain that it's not fun and want to leave.
Hongli looked at her with self-deprecation, still immersed in her words. Ulanara... great-aunt... that must be the Empress Dowager.
Why would the Empress Dowager summon Ulanara's daughter to the palace? He lowered his eyes in deep thought. Although he was in the Yuanmingyuan, he had heard that the Empress had been deposed and imprisoned in Jingren Palace. If the Empress Dowager was summoning her daughter to the palace now, it must be... the next Empress!
Yes! That must be it!
The Empress Dowager will surely make her own daughter the Empress, but what if... I were to marry a daughter of the Ulanara clan...?
He closed his eyes tightly, concealing the scheming in his gaze, but in a moment he reverted to his usual excellent demeanor, took two steps closer to the artificial hill, and stretched out his hand high.
"Can you still get down? I'm familiar with the Old Summer Palace, I'll show you around in the future."
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