The Empress Dowager was indignant and began to criticize Su Yushan. Gao Xiuwen could not join the Empress Dowager in criticizing her, so she tried to mediate, saying, "Consort Chun is kind and gentle, so she probably wouldn't encourage the Emperor to oppose you."
The Empress Dowager sneered, "Then you really underestimate her. Before she came, my son and I got along very well. We were a loving mother and a filial son, and we never had any conflicts. Ever since Su entered the household, he has often disobeyed me because of her. If she were truly kind-hearted and knew how to persuade the Emperor, this family wouldn't be so full of conflicts!"
Having spent so much time with Su Yushan, Gao Xiuwen felt that Su Yushan was just a bit aloof, not the kind of person who would cause trouble behind people's backs.
However, people's hearts are unpredictable, and the two of them did not confide in each other. Neither of them knew what the other was really planning. In front of the Empress Dowager, she would just say a few words to show that she was kind, but she did not really speak up for Su Yushan.
"I've heard that the scenery at Changchun Garden is quite beautiful, but Your Majesty, it might be a bit lonely for you to enjoy the scenery alone. Why don't I accompany you to help you relieve your boredom?"
Gao's words greatly pleased the Empress Dowager.
"Good child, it's rare that you have this kind heart, but you have to stay in the palace. Yongcheng still needs your care. Besides, the Empress is depressed and doesn't care about palace affairs. I don't trust Su Shi either, so we can only rely on you for things in the palace. If you need anything, just ask Qi Lu. He will help you send messages."
Qi Lu was a eunuch in Cining Palace and was deeply trusted by the Empress Dowager. Gao Xiuwen outwardly agreed, but inwardly she thought that the Empress Dowager intended to use her as a spy!
If she disagrees, the Empress Dowager will definitely be unhappy. But if she really serves the Empress Dowager, and the Emperor finds out, and the Emperor harbors resentment towards her, then her future will be difficult.
Considering the consequences, Gao Xiuwen outwardly agreed, but inwardly she was making other plans...
On September 18th, the Empress Dowager's imperial carriage departed from the Forbidden City and headed to Changchun Garden.
Hongli personally saw the Empress Dowager off, escorting her to the palace gate, and even appeared reluctant to part with her. The Empress Dowager, however, kept a sullen face the whole way and never showed any good mood.
Hongli didn't care; this was the result he wanted anyway. As for what the Empress Dowager thought, that was her business.
Witnessing the Empress Dowager's carriage leave the city gate, Hongli finally felt relieved. He would no longer have to listen to the Empress Dowager's nagging, and his ears could finally have some peace and quiet.
When the Empress Dowager was not in the capital, the concubines no longer needed to go to Cining Palace to pay their respects, and the newcomers found it all rather boring.
In their view, it was an honor to pay their respects to the Empress Dowager. At least they had something to do and could chat together, which was a way to break the monotony of their days.
With the Empress Dowager now out of the palace, they can only pay their respects to Consort Chun, but only twice a month. The rest of the time they stay in their own palaces, which is quite lonely.
The Empress was immersed in grief and could not get out of it. Everything outside was irrelevant to her. She was even more frustrated because she missed Lan Rong's good show. As for Su Yushan, she was actually somewhat relieved that she no longer had to watch the Empress Dowager's face, and her life could be easier.
In the still warm October weather, the famous chrysanthemums in the garden bloom in succession, creating a breathtaking scene.
In the late afternoon, when the children returned from school, Yonghuang originally planned to go straight to his room to do his homework. However, Su Yushan was worried that he was too tired from being like this all the time and wanted to let the child relax a bit. So she discussed with him and suggested that he go to the garden to play for half an hour before doing his homework.
Before long, Gao Xiuwen also brought Yongcheng to the garden, and the children gathered together, having a great time.
When Yonglian was still alive, Yongcheng was always closer to Yonglian and hardly ever interacted with Yonghuang. Now, Gao Xiuwen often takes Yongcheng, Yonghuang, and Yongzhang to play together.
Su Yushan wasn't sure if it was the children's problem or if Gao Xiuwen was just opportunistic.
Regardless of what Gao Xiuwen thought, the brotherly affection between them was precious, so Yushan didn't stop them and let them play together.
They were squatting together playing the game of frogs jumping into a well when Rong Yu suddenly said, "Mother's birthday is in a little over ten days. Big brother, have you prepared a gift?"
Yonghuang nodded, saying that he had already prepared it last month.
Upon hearing this, Yongzhang immediately raised his hand, "I also want to give Mother a congratulatory gift."
Rong Yu smiled and reminded her, "You're only five years old, not even six yet, so there's no need to give you a gift."
"But I want to go! I'll be six years old soon!" Yongzhang looks forward to his sixth birthday the most. After he turns six, he can go to school with his older brothers!
Seeing the expectant look in his eyes, Yongcheng shook his head and sighed with a smile, "You won't be able to laugh when you actually go to school. You have to get up early every day at cockcrow, you can't sleep in, and you'll get your hands slapped if you make a mistake in your homework. Your teacher is very strict."
Upon hearing this, Yongzhang couldn't help but shudder. "So strict! I'd better go later then!"
Rong Yu bluntly called him a coward, "I also attend classes every day, and I'm not afraid, so what are you afraid of?"
Yonghuang said truthfully, "Girls are a bit more delicate. Father Emperor is not as strict with you. You go to study after breakfast and at Chenshi (7-9 AM). If it rains or snows heavily, you don't have to go. But we can't be absent even if it snows heavily. We can't be compared."
Rong Yu only wanted to show off in front of her younger brother and ridicule him, but she didn't expect her older brother to directly undermine her. Rong Yu was immediately displeased, pouted, gave a soft snort, and threw the small stone in her hand to Yongzhang.
"This is boring, I'm not playing anymore!"
Yongzhang waited for a long time before it was finally his turn. He was happy to take over and had no time to care about his sister.
Seeing this, Yonghuang was puzzled. "What did I say wrong?"
Yongcheng spread his hands in confusion. He couldn't understand what a young lady was thinking, but he did remember one thing—the fifteenth of this month was Consort Chun's birthday.
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