If Hongli finds out about this, regardless of whether it's right or wrong, Yonghuang will definitely be reprimanded, and might even be punished.
The bond between brothers is the most precious thing. Yonglian had already promised Yonghuang that he would no longer associate with him, and the lotus pod he gave him was just a keepsake. Moreover, Yonghuang cherished this lotus pod very much. Su Yushan couldn't bear to shatter the purest feelings in her son's heart, so she made a decision on her own.
"Since you like it, then keep it!"
Upon hearing this, Yonghuang's dim eyes lit up, and he looked up at his mother in disbelief, "Really? Can I really keep it?"
Nodding, Su Yushan smiled warmly, "Okay, but you must promise not to tell anyone about this, not even your younger siblings. You must keep it safe, and if anyone asks, just say it was given to you by your mother."
Still worried, Yonghuang asked again, "Then you won't tell Father Emperor, will you?"
That's definitely something I can't tell anyone. If I do, it'll only lead to another conflict. So Su Yushan shook her head. "I won't tell anyone. It's a little secret between my son and me, and I won't tell anyone."
Only after receiving his mother's assurance did Yonghuang feel at ease, and he extended his little finger to make a pinky promise with his mother.
With the matter resolved, a smile finally appeared on his troubled face. He felt relieved and cherished the lotus seedpod as a gift.
Su Yushan understood the brotherly bond between them, but there was something she had to say beforehand: "You can keep this lotus pod, but you can't think of giving him anything in return. Once someone finds out, you won't be able to explain yourself. You have to promise your mother that you will never have any contact with him again, and that you will each live your own lives peacefully."
Yonghuang did intend to reciprocate, but his mother's words were like a bucket of cold water poured over his head. However, he knew very well that his mother's words were all for his own good, and that she would never harm him.
Thinking of this, he suppressed his inner thoughts and nodded, "Your subject will remember Mother's teachings and will never associate with Yonglian again."
Patting his little head, Su Yushan gently comforted him, "Good child, I'm sorry you had to suffer. But things in this world are rarely as we wish, so just take it easy."
There are some truths that Yonghuang cannot yet understand, but he will definitely listen to his mother and try his best not to make things difficult for her.
After the mother and son had a heart-to-heart talk, Yonghuang shook off the gloom in his heart and began to play with his younger siblings.
In the following days, Su Yushan spent her time playing in the villa. Aunt Xia took her to the Lotus Viewing Pavilion, Canglang Island, and the Misty Rain Pavilion, where she enjoyed the beautiful scenery.
When Hongli was busy, she would travel alone, sometimes strolling around with Gao Xiuwen.
As she went to bed that night, she happily recounted her day's experiences to Hongli. Hongli had worried that she would be disappointed because he hadn't had time to spend with her, but judging from her expression, she seemed completely unaffected.
"You seem very happy? Don't you feel bored without me around?"
"With so many beautiful sights at the Summer Palace, how could it be boring? Besides you, I have the children and Consort Gao to keep me company. How could I be bored?" To prevent him from blaming himself, Su Yushan added a special note.
"You go about your business, don't worry about me."
In reality, Hongli was not blaming himself, but suddenly felt that he was somewhat dispensable to her. Even if he was not by her side, she would not care and could still live a good life.
Realizing this, Hongli felt a pang of melancholy. "Alas! It seems I am not important to you."
His focus was rather peculiar, which Su Yushan found quite amusing. "Well, I can't just not live without you, can I? You're so busy, I can't bother you! I can only go have fun by myself."
She was understanding and wouldn't cling to him, but Hongli still longed for the feeling of being needed by her. It seemed he really needed to make time for her, otherwise she would easily overlook him.
"Since I've just arrived at the Summer Palace, many things aren't as smooth as they are in the palace. I need to coordinate with many parties, so I've been quite busy lately. In a couple of days, once everything is arranged, I'll be able to spend time with you."
She wrapped her arm around his and gave him a sweet smile, "Okay! We can talk about it when you have time, no rush."
She thought Hongli was just coaxing her, but he kept his word. Two days later, one morning, while she was still sleeping in, Hongli had finished his work and came back to wake her up, telling her to get up and wash, and that he would take her out for a trip that day.
Upon learning that he was free today, Su Yushan immediately got up to change. She was hesitating whether to have breakfast, but Hongli simply said it wasn't necessary.
"We have plenty of food today, let's go!"
Yu Shan thought to herself that sightseeing requires walking, which is very tiring, and she would be too weak if she didn't eat anything! She couldn't very well eat pastries on the way, could she?
As it turned out, her worries were unnecessary, because the place Hongli took her to was completely unexpected!
On the way here, Hongli said he would take her to Fangyuanju. Judging from the name, it must be an elegant place, and perhaps there are many exotic flowers and plants there.
When they arrived, Su Yushan was stunned. She almost thought she had left the Summer Palace because the shouts and hawking were so loud that it looked like a market street.
Su Yushan rubbed her eyes in surprise, thinking she was seeing things. "Where...where is this?"
"Fangyuan Residence!"
Hongli repeatedly confirmed that this was Fangyuanju, but Su Yushan still couldn't believe it. "This is clearly a bustling market! How can there be so many shops, pedestrians, and ordinary people here? Isn't the Summer Palace a royal garden? How can there be merchants and civilians strolling around here?"
Hongli laughed heartily, "Doesn't it resemble a marketplace in the countryside?"
It wasn't just similar, it was exactly like the market! Su Yushan was a little confused and didn't understand what was going on at all.
She pressed him for an answer, but Hongli explained, "You've been in the manor for so many years and have always longed for freedom. But my identity is special, and I was assassinated that year. Since then, you've been afraid to let me go out with you, for fear of encountering assassins again."
Later, you followed me into the palace, and were confined within its walls, finding it difficult to be free again. I know you always longed for the bustling and lively streets, so I built a market here at Fangyuan Residence. The surrounding scenery is all modeled after the markets of Suzhou, hoping that when you visit this place, you will feel a sense of familiarity, as if you were returning to Suzhou.
Although Su Yushan, who had traveled through time, was not a true native of Suzhou, Hongli's actions gently yet profoundly touched her heart.
She had previously told Hongli that the palace was too quiet, and even when holding palace banquets, there was no real sense of liveliness; it was solemn and dull.
The palace lacks nothing; the Imperial Household Department delivers everything promptly, but it lacks the joy of personally shopping. How wonderful it would be to buy things myself, like in the marketplace.
She said it casually. The palace has its own rules. Knowing that something is impossible, she wouldn't expect anything. Little did she know that Hongli would take it to heart. Since last year, he has been working to build this street in the Summer Palace, trying to create the feeling of a bustling market.
Of course, all of this was done in secret; he never mentioned it to Su Yushan, all for the sake of giving her a surprise.
For Su Yushan, this street full of folk customs was a wonderful surprise!
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