Chapter 51 Treatment
Hongzhao couldn't say a bad word about his Haha Beads. Putting aside how illustrious the Fucha family of the Manchu Bordered Yellow Banner was, his father had chosen two cousins from this family to be his study companions. Whether it was to win over Ma Qi and Li Rongbao was another matter.
It should be noted that the companions to the princes grew up together from childhood, eating, living, and going to school together; such a bond was unmatched by others.
Now it may seem like just a friendship between children, but in a few years he will be a prince who could be considered for the crown prince position. His status as a study companion will naturally give his family more favor.
Although I had never met my maternal cousin, he was still family, and I was sure he had given me a lot of instructions before sending him in, so I didn't need to worry about him.
This cousin from Mongolia is someone I should get to know better.
The Emperor issued an edict, and the matter was carried out extremely quickly. In less than half a month, Hongzhao met his eight companions in the Imperial Study. The four of them lined up in two rows and bowed to Hongzhao at the head of the table.
"This servant greets the Fifth Prince."
"Rise." Hongzhao stood up from the stool and took two steps forward, getting closer to them.
Standing at the front was Amur, who was very easy to recognize. He was the oldest among these people, and his skin was darker than others because he had been in the northern desert for many years. Most importantly, he had a pair of phoenix eyes that were unique to the royal family, which made Hongzhao know who he was at a glance.
"Aunt, are you well? Cousin, you've come from afar. Have you seen Grandmother?" Hongzhao was not yet four years old. Although he was stronger than his peers, he was still somewhat inferior to Amur. Even so, his innate noble air did not diminish with age. Ordinary people could only bow their heads and reply in front of him.
Amur smiled, the two rosy blushes on his face making him look even more honest and simple. He opened his mouth and spoke in broken Mandarin, “Reporting to...Fifth Prince, Mother is doing well. She went to the palace to pay her respects to the Emperor...but she hasn’t met...the Empress Dowager yet.”
Hongzhao listened attentively and then patted his arm—"It's alright, I'll go with you after school. Grandmother will be happy to see you."
Hongzhao took two steps to the side, where he saw two boys who looked somewhat similar in appearance. One was about his age, and the other looked a couple of years older.
"Greetings, Fifth Prince." As he approached, Fu Yu cleverly led her younger brother Fu Liang to bow.
Hongzhao waved his hand to signal them to stand up—"Father often mentions the two Lords Fucha, who were pillars of the previous dynasty. I suppose Fu Yu and Fu Liang are also quite knowledgeable. I have much to learn from you."
He said this with a smile, but Fu Yu replied somewhat nervously, "Fifth Prince, what are you saying? We only had a little education at home, and Fu Liang has hardly read anything. We don't deserve such praise from you, Your Highness."
Seeing his nervousness, Hongzhao stopped teasing him and only said to observe how they get along in the future.
He then walked up to his cousin, who was the fairest-skinned among the group. Upon closer inspection, his bright, watery eyes did indeed resemble his mother's. Hongzhao felt an instant sense of familiarity upon seeing him.
“Although I’ve never met my cousin, he looks familiar to me, so we can be considered old acquaintances,” Hongzhao said, tilting his head and looking into his eyes.
Before Lü Jiusi left, his father, mother, grandparents and other family members repeatedly told him to support the Fifth Prince, accompany him and take care of him. His aunt was helpless in the palace, and even if the family could not help, they must not hold him back.
He was more lively, and his eyes crinkled when he smiled, making him even more like the Fifth Prince. "Your Highness, I am also happy to see you. Perhaps I have indeed met you before."
Hongzhao smiled, not wanting to be too enthusiastic towards anyone. After greeting the remaining four people one by one and exchanging a few words, it was almost time. He then went to the Imperial Study in a grand procession, surrounded by a group of people.
Because he needed to see someone today, Yinzhen specifically contacted the Imperial Study and granted Hongzhao two hours of leave. Therefore, as he walked towards the Imperial Study with his entourage, he happened to run into the Empress, who was strolling and chatting with her concubines in the Imperial Garden.
A group of people watched from afar, and Consort Qi was the first to speak up – “Look at this, what a grand spectacle! Seven or eight people accompany her to school, and I heard that Consort Xin’s nephew was chosen as her study companion. Hong Shi didn’t receive such treatment back then.” The bitterness in her tone was obvious.
Lu Yingfeng was preparing a small banquet for her eight children, the first one since they entered the palace, so she took leave and did not come.
Consort Hua was in a terrible mood these days. The Emperor had been angry and hadn't come to Yikun Palace for a long time. Now she wanted to curse at everyone she saw—"Hongshi also wants his nephew from his maternal family to be his study companion? Does the Emperor expect him to be brought out of prison?"
He chuckled deliberately, looking at Consort Qi with a defiant gaze.
Consort Qi's father was a disgraced official, but out of consideration for Consort Qi being the eldest son of the emperor, the emperor showed leniency and did not actually imprison him. Consort Hua's words were entirely intended to upset him.
"You! Consort Hua, don't push your luck!" Consort Qi shouted angrily, raising her voice as she pointed at her.
Consort Hua met his gaze without flinching—"What? Did I say something wrong? Is it because the Emperor is going to so much trouble for Hongshi these days, that he hasn't hired enough companions?"
"Enough!" Seeing that a heated argument was about to break out again, the Empress interrupted sharply.
“When Hongshi was choosing his study companions, he was still in the Prince’s mansion. The standards were naturally different. What’s there to compare?” Her voice carried a righteous rebuke, but she couldn’t help thinking to herself. Not to mention Hongshi, even his Honghui had never enjoyed such treatment.
If Honghui were still alive, he would be the legitimate prince and the eldest son, his status would be incredibly noble.
Consort Qi gave a heavy snort, flicked her sleeves, and said no more.
Lu Yingfeng was unaware of their argument; she was busy changing the strings on the harp bestowed upon her by the Emperor.
During the tuning, she inevitably plucked the strings a few times. Xuexin, squinting her eyes, praised, "These silk strings are truly excellent. Such fine silk strings paired with the zither bestowed by the Emperor are a perfect match for Your Majesty's skill."
“This string is of course good.” Lü Yingfeng didn’t look up, concentrating on tying it—“This silk is unique to Jeju. It looks unremarkable but is extremely difficult to make and is also quite resilient.”
As she spoke, she couldn't help but exclaim, "Consort Hui truly has a wonderful father."
This thing came from Jeju Island, so it could only be that Hye-bin's father had some connections. He must have heard that his daughter was suffering in the palace and wanted to seek protection.
"Then..." Xuexin hesitated, "Your Majesty, would you please speak up for Consort Hui?"
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