After exchanging pleasantries for a quarter of an hour, Hongli, using the excuse that he needed to summon his ministers, planned to leave with Yushan.
The Empress Dowager told him to go about his business, but asked Yu Shan to stay and keep her company.
Just as Hongli was about to help her out, Yushan had a sudden inspiration and said with a smile, "Your Majesty, I also want to talk to you, but I am currently pregnant and my arm is a little swollen. The imperial physician said that I need acupuncture once a day to relieve the swelling. Please forgive me, Your Majesty."
She used her pregnancy as an excuse, which infuriated the Empress Dowager, but she couldn't say anything and could only let her leave.
After the Empress Dowager returned to the palace, the happiest people were the other concubines who were no longer in favor. They could finally take the opportunity to pay their respects to the Empress Dowager and get together more often.
Su Yushan hasn't been greatly affected yet, since her pregnancy has shielded her from many opportunities to meet with the Empress Dowager.
As summer approached and the weather grew hotter, Hongli delayed issuing the order to go to the Summer Palace. The Empress Dowager couldn't help but urge him, but he said he wouldn't go this year and would stay in the palace to spend the summer.
Since his ascension to the throne and the end of the mourning period, he had visited the Summer Palace every year. This year was an exception, and after a moment's thought, the Empress Dowager understood.
"You're not going to Rehe because of the Su family, are you?"
Hongli did not shy away from the truth and said, "Yushan is pregnant and should not travel by carriage, so we will not go this year."
The Empress Dowager found it ridiculous, "She could stay in the palace to rest and prepare for childbirth. How can the rules be changed because of one person?"
Without Yu Shan's company, what would be the point of Hongli going to the Summer Palace alone? Besides, she was pregnant, and he couldn't bear to leave her in the palace. That's why he decided to cancel the trip.
"The rules were set by me, and I can change them if I want! We can spend the summer in the palace; there's no need to go to Rehe."
The Empress Dowager was speechless and could only compromise, "Canceling the trip to the mountain resort is barely acceptable, but what about the Mulan Hunting Ground? You have to go there! That's a major event concerning both the Manchu and Mongol peoples, and it absolutely cannot be canceled because of a woman!"
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