Chapter 247 The Four Great Vajras
Because she was in mourning, Hongjin, who usually liked bright colors, dressed more elegantly. She wore a jade-colored cheongsam and her hair was adorned with a few pearl flowers, which made her look somewhat like the Empress Dowager when she first entered the palace.
Even so, her simple attire paled in comparison to Huiyi's crescent-white dress.
Logically speaking, there is no reason for a mother to wear mourning clothes when her daughter dies. Huiyi is just using the excuse of mourning for her father, the Emperor, so no one will hold her accountable.
The three gathered at Jingren Palace. Hongjin and Empress Fucha, whom he knew better, looked at each other, not knowing where to begin to comfort their third sister-in-law, whose face was pale and eyes were red.
Fucha Yingjun had said all the advice she could think of these past few days. Now, she could only helplessly watch her once carefree and even somewhat magnanimous third sister-in-law silently weep.
In the end, Hongjin, with her impatient nature, couldn't hold back any longer and went over to say bluntly, "Now that Consort Jiang is about to give birth, and you are Third Brother's wife, his child will call you Mother. Logically speaking, Consort Jiang shouldn't raise this child on her own. It's only natural that she should take the child to Third Sister-in-law's side to raise while she's still young."
It is rare for royal children to be raised by their own mothers. If it weren't for the fact that the Empress Dowager was only thinking about the eldest prince who died young, my brother and I might not have been able to grow up by her side. Later, when the Empress Dowager entered the palace, she was immediately granted the title of Consort, so we didn't have to worry about the fate of my two younger brothers.
She glanced at the Empress at the head of the table and said directly, "Just like in the Emperor's harem, whoever gives birth to a child has to call Yingjun 'Empress Mother.' I know that you miss Hua'er, Third Sister-in-law, and Third Brother must also be sad. But if you continue like this, your own health will collapse first, and you will have nothing to say to Third Brother and your relationship will weaken. You still have to live in the Prince's Mansion for decades to come."
"Let's not talk about anything far away. Just take my third brother's mother, Lady Jing. For quite some time before, Father Emperor didn't visit often, and he didn't have any children. He would just count the floor tiles every day to pass the time. After my third brother was born, my siblings and I started visiting more often, and that's when it became lively."
Huiyi lowered her head, pinched her handkerchief and silently touched her eyes—"That's what they say, but every time I close my eyes, I hear Hua'er crying in my ear. I can't close my eyes all night long. The child's cries are not loud, just like a kitten, so pitiful. I really can't go down and hold someone else's child to deceive myself."
Hongjin didn't have children yet. In the palace, she was pampered by her father and mother. Even after she got married, Amur still treated her with utmost care, afraid of neglecting her in any way. She herself was still a child. Although she knew that her third sister-in-law was sad, she didn't truly understand and therefore didn't fully comprehend it. But Fucha Yingjun did understand.
If it were so easy to get over it, then Empress Ulanara, the deposed empress of the late emperor, wouldn't have made so many mistakes.
"Third Sister-in-law, don't worry." She looked up and gestured for Xuexin to replace the tea in front of Third Sister-in-law with a cup of hot milk. She gently comforted her, "The Emperor said that Hua'er is his own niece and the only grandchild the late Emperor ever saw. He was very fond of her and decided to posthumously confer the title of County Princess on Hua'er. In the future, if any of the younger generation's children are adopted into her family, Hua'er's lineage will not be cut off."
"Thank you, Your Majesty, thank you...Your Majesty!" At this, Huiyi could no longer hold back the tears that were already welling up in her eyes, and her voice trembled with sobs as she spoke.
Fucha waved his hand to indicate that she didn't need to, "Third Sister-in-law is still young, and there may be such a chance in the future. The princess is right. Whether or not Jiang Gege is adopted and raised, she will still call Third Sister-in-law 'Mother' and will still have to fulfill her filial duties in front of you."
"Sigh." Huiyi sighed softly.
Perhaps it's true that you can't talk about someone behind their back. Before they could even give a proper explanation, Jixiang, who was by the side of the Noble Consort Jing, hurriedly stepped forward to report.
"Your Majesty, Princess Jinghua, Third Princess Consort, Consort Jiang is about to give birth."
...
The Imperial Study.
In the past, only important officials could come here to discuss matters, but today there was a change. There were four young men and a silly third brother standing below the steps waiting for the emperor's orders.
Hongzhao sat upright above, looking down at the four people below. These were none of the outsiders; they were his most trusted companions, and also the closest to him in terms of kinship.
Amur—his cousin and brother-in-law; Lü Jiusi—his cousin; Fu Yu and Fu Liang—his wife's brothers.
These four men were all in their prime, having grown up alongside the Emperor. Now, they were naturally eager to make a name for themselves, with Amur being the most eager of them all.
Hongzhao lightly tapped the table with his fingers, the rhythmic thumping keeping everyone below on high alert. He asked with a serious expression, "Amur, do you understand what I mean?"
Amur stepped forward, clasped his hands in greeting, and said, "Understood, Your Majesty, I will certainly reclaim our Great Qing's lands!"
Hongzhao pursed his lips, seemingly still not understanding.
He rested his forehead on his hand and looked at him, then spoke again—"Those Mongol Khanates are of the same lineage as us. Although they don't provoke us as often as the Dzungars, we can't let our land always be lost abroad and coveted by Tsarist Russia. You are going to war for me and for the Qing Dynasty, but even more so for my sister."
"Princess?" A crack appeared on Amur's resolute expression, his face showing bewildered surprise.
Seeing him like this, Hongzhao couldn't bear to look any longer and looked away. He was a very smart person, but once he got involved with the Empress, it was as if all the brain muscles had been pulled out, leaving only one. Just a moment ago, he was a tiger poised to pounce, but when he heard that the Empress had been mentioned, his claws retracted and his eyes widened.
"Green tea bitch, love-struck"—Hongzhao's sharp commentary.
“My elder sister, like me and my third brother, belongs to the Hong generation. Father Emperor has also said that my elder sister should be treated as a prince, plus more. When those Khanates are recovered, someone will have to take over the education and management. This person must be of noble birth, be able to represent the royal family, and have the ability and courage. There is no one more suitable than my elder sister.”
As Hongzhao spoke, he glanced at his third brother, who was itching to make a move, and almost burst out laughing.
It must be said that the third brother was self-aware. When he heard that his family represented the royal family, he was about to step out, but when he heard that the third brother had the courage and skill, he immediately withdrew his foot, as if nothing had happened.
Amur had always known that the Emperor and the Princess had a good relationship, but he never expected it to have come to this. Without saying a word, he threw off his robes and knelt down. The heavy thud of his knees hitting the ground showed his determination: "Your Majesty, rest assured, I will not fail Your Majesty's trust, nor will I fail the Princess!"
"Yes, I believe you." Hongzhao's gaze swept over him and landed on the Fu brothers, Fu Yu and Fu Liang, who looked similar to each other.
"Fu Yu, I have one more thing to entrust to you."
Fu Yu stepped forward and stood beside Amur, waiting with his hands at his sides for the emperor to continue.
"This time, you will take Fu Liang with you. I want you to go to sea again. This time it is different from the last time, I will explain to you in detail later. There is also another matter that needs your attention."
Fu Yu's dark complexion, which he had never quite recovered from, was already intimidating. Now, his expressionless face added to his serious and cold demeanor—"Your Majesty, please give your orders, and I will not hesitate to comply."
He spoke in such a short sentence that it sounded like he was going through fire and water, which made Hongzhao laugh for no apparent reason.
"You don't need to bother. I remember you have a younger brother named Fuheng. He should be... thirteen years old this year, right? Bring him into the palace so I can take a look. If he's good, he can stay by my side and learn from me. Your children are always good."
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