"If she hadn't come to the hunting grounds, this accident wouldn't have happened. You should have listened to me and sent her back to the palace; that would have saved you from this disaster!"
It was the same old story again, and Hongli felt a headache coming on as he listened, his ears were ringing, and his brain was throbbing.
What puzzled him was that the Empress Dowager's perspective on issues was always so peculiar. Even though Yu Shan was the victim, the Empress Dowager would still blame her, which was simply incomprehensible!
Too lazy to talk to his mother anymore, Hongli gave her a few perfunctory words and then left, making an excuse that he had important business to attend to.
Back on Huanbi Island, Hongli complained to Yushan about the matter. Normally, she would have just listened and let it go, not taking the Empress Dowager's words to heart. But this time was different. Hongli's suspicion that day had made her very uncomfortable, and coincidentally, the Empress Dowager brought it up again. Su Yushan then began to consider leaving.
"Then I'd better go back to the palace first! It'll save me from any accidents that might happen if I stay here."
Hongli disagreed with this statement. "Does returning to the palace guarantee that nothing unexpected will happen? Even with me by your side, there are still people who dare to plot against you. If you return to the palace alone, who knows what might happen!"
Hongli could hardly imagine such a scene, nor did he want to experience it. "The Empress Dowager's attitude is not important. I will not listen to her. You can stay here in peace."
"It's not because of the Empress Dowager; this is my own decision." This time, she truly didn't want to stay any longer. Dejected and with no expectations for this place, she made an excuse:
“I’m pregnant now, so I can’t move around much and can’t do anything. It’s really boring. Staying in the yurt is definitely not as comfortable as in the palace, so I want to go back to the palace.”
He wasn't sure if Yu Shan was telling the truth, but Hongli had to make a statement: "If you don't want to stay here, I will end the hunt early and take you back to the palace."
Upon hearing this, Su Yushan turned her head in surprise, her eyes filled with astonishment as she looked at him.
"Hunting is an ancestral tradition, used to consolidate the relationship between the Manchus and Mongols. Many officials and guards also look forward to performing well during the hunt to win promotion opportunities. This matter is of great importance, how can it be canceled so easily?"
Hongli certainly understood the importance of the Mulan Autumn Hunt, but Yushan was even more important to him, and he was determined not to allow her to leave him.
"Either you stay here with me, or I'll accompany you back to the palace!"
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