Chapter 142 The Envoy's Audience
"Your Majesty, Consort Zhen...said something inappropriate before the Emperor and has been punished by being confined to her quarters."
Inside Yongshou Palace, Lü Jiaying was holding an embroidery frame and studying patterns with An Lingrong when she suddenly heard this question and looked up in surprise—"What's going on?"
An Lingrong tilted her head thoughtfully—"Could it be... that news of Lord Zhen's affair has reached Sister Zhen's ears?"
“But shouldn’t she be even less likely to argue with the Emperor at this time? If she is already disliked by the Emperor, who can protect her family?” Lu Jiaying frowned in disapproval, while Xuexin beside her also looked puzzled. “Yes, I heard that the Emperor was so angry that he even smashed the bowls and cups. It was only after the Crown Prince went in that he was able to calm him down.”
Hearing her son Lü Jiaying's increased nervousness, she pulled Xuexin aside and asked carefully, "Has the Emperor taken his anger out on You'er?"
"No, no, Your Majesty, don't you know that His Majesty is reluctant to part with the Crown Prince?" Xuexin quickly patted the Empress's hand to comfort her. Seeing this, An Lingrong also spoke up to comfort her, "Your Majesty, don't worry. Even if His Majesty is angry with anyone else, he will never be angry with the Crown Prince. His Majesty loves his son very much."
She was stating a fact that was practically common knowledge in the palace, and hearing both of them say the same thing, Lü Jiaying felt somewhat relieved. There was no way around it; serving the emperor was like walking on thin ice, and the emperor was a suspicious man. The higher one's position and the more power one wielded, the more careful one had to be. She had simply been too concerned to think straight.
She composed herself, turned around, and patted An Lingrong's hand beside her. "Lingrong, I know there's some unresolved issue between you and Consort Zhen, but given her current state..."
“Your Majesty, Lingrong understands.” She turned around and smiled serenely, the stray hairs hanging in front of her eyes making her look even more beautiful. Her eyes were more peaceful than in the past few years. “Life is peaceful and comfortable now, and Lingrong will definitely not disrupt it. The past seems like a distant memory now, and we will not mention it again.”
"That's good, that's good." Lü Jiaying nodded repeatedly. "That's a good girl. When she's recovered and has a child of her own, whether it's a boy or a girl, then life will truly have something to look forward to."
An Lingrong held the Empress's hand, her cheeks flushed as she lowered her head.
——
Hongzhao handed his memorial to his father, the Emperor, his eyes shining as he looked at him. To Yinzhen, it was like a tail wagging behind him, spiraling upwards. His mood, which had been as fragmented and complicated as a teacup, instantly improved.
He pointed to the empty space next to him, indicating that he should sit down, and opened the folded book with a smile that he himself did not realize.
Seeing that the Emperor had finally calmed down for no apparent reason, Su Peisheng breathed a deep sigh of relief and his expression relaxed a bit.
It must be said that Hongzhao's ability to write memorials has been honed by the Emperor over the years. His handwriting is beautiful and neat, his words are meaningful, and every stroke of his pen accurately hits the points that his father likes the most.
The document detailed the various procedures on the day the Dzungar envoys entered the palace, and even mentioned Princess Chaogui's wedding. Yinzhen was extremely satisfied as he read the document. Who in the world could have such a blessed son?
Seeing his father's expression, Hongzhao also celebrated, thinking that the matter could be accomplished. "If Father thinks it is feasible, your son is already prepared and can start at any time."
Yinzhen casually put down the memorial, pulled Hongzhao in front of him, and looked him up and down with loving eyes—"After working hard for a month, I think you've lost some weight. You're still young, and it's not time for you to work day and night. You still need to rest, understand?"
"Yes, son remembers!"
Seeing Hongzhao obediently respond, Yinzhen felt even more pleased. "Since our You'er is all ready, I will issue an edict ordering the Dzungar envoy to come to court in two days. Go and make your preparations."
"Yes, Your Majesty, thank you!"
Watching Hongzhao's light and quick figure walk away, Yinzhen, seeing out of the corner of his eye that the person had gone far away, suddenly stood up straight, abandoning his previous confident demeanor, and picked up the memorial that Hongzhao had handed him earlier, examining it carefully again and again.
This wasn't the first time the Dzungar envoy had visited the palace, but as he walked further and further into the remote area, his heart tightened with anxiety.
Has the Qing Dynasty ever had a precedent of executing envoys? Isn't it said that envoys are not killed in war? Besides, he didn't come to declare war; he came to ask for a marriage alliance... At most, he had some mission to gather intelligence, but it's still too much...
The guides were all people whom Hongzhao had instructed in advance, so they certainly wouldn't reveal anything. As they walked further and further into the remote area, their destination finally appeared before them.
A vast and expansive training ground.
"Your subject, Buhe, the envoy of the Dzungar Khanate, pays respects to the Emperor of the Great Qing Dynasty. Long live the Emperor!"
Seeing the bright yellow figure standing at the head of the martial arts arena, he knelt down on one knee and bowed before even getting close.
"Rise." Although Yinzhen had seen the memorials presented by Hongzhao, he had not personally witnessed the extent of the trouble Hongzhao had caused. The indescribable feeling in his heart at this moment was truly a first for him.
"Is the inn comfortable enough? Today happens to be the fifteenth day of the first lunar month. The Qing Dynasty has a long-standing tradition of military drills. I specially chose today to invite the envoy to the palace. Let's take a look together."
Regardless of whether this custom existed before, it has been established this year.
Buhe responded and walked to the Emperor's side. The group was standing on a high platform on one side of the martial arts arena, with several rows of railings in front of them. The vast area below could be seen from this position. Several men in brocade robes stood beside the Emperor. They should be princes of the Qing Dynasty. However, it was said that the Qing Emperor had a young son who was extremely favored, but he could not be seen in the crowd.
As he was wondering, a loud shout rang out from afar. Instantly, the silent training ground seemed to be filled with the roar of a thousand horses galloping into the distance.
A group of people dressed in tall hats and ceremonial robes, all looking heroic and tall from above, were divided into several square formations according to the color of their clothes. They rode their horses and shouted slogans. After galloping around the training ground several times to the beat of drums, they took up their weapons in the center and began to fight, simulating a battle between two armies.
Every thrust and slash was executed with the precision of a single person, their identical stature, similar expressions, and perfectly synchronized movements. Not only was Buhe dumbfounded, but even Yinzhen was stirred with excitement. Truly worthy of being called the Eight Banners' descendants! Truly worthy of being called the Iron Cavalry of the Great Qing!
But that wasn't the end of it. After the competition, the cavalrymen rode off one by one, followed by the rumbling of wheels. Just from the sound, you could tell it was a big machine. Buhe stared wide-eyed and craned his neck to look down. He saw several soldiers in uniform pushing the magnificent "Wucheng Yonggu General Cannon" into the arena.
The artillerymen waved and changed small flags to signal, and the crowd pushed the "General" gun towards the high platform, showing its heroic appearance from all angles.
Yinzhen glanced at Buhe beside him with a smile. Seeing Buhe's tightly furrowed brows, his already cheerful mood improved even more. Pointing to the changing formation below, he spoke seemingly casually, "What do you think, Dzungar envoy? This was all done by my youngest son himself. I think it's quite good."
"Yes...yes...not bad..." Buhe's eyes never left the field, and he responded in a slurred and indistinct manner.
Little did he know that something even better was yet to come.
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