“I…” Hongshi didn’t know why he had come here. His toes rubbed against the ground, his face was slightly hot. He felt like he had a thousand words to say to the person in front of him, but he couldn’t say them.
Before Shan Xiu could say anything, she suddenly heard a voice from outside. Her expression changed drastically: "Oh no! She's back! Quick, you have to leave!"
As she spoke, Shan Xiu didn't care about anything else. She rushed over and pushed Hong Shi towards the window. Hong Shi was confused and almost fell over. He could only hurriedly climb out of the window again.
Before he could even stand up straight, he heard a loud bang behind him; the window had been slammed shut.
Hongshi exclaimed "Hey!" and reached out as if to say something, when he heard Shan Xiu's voice coming from across the window: "No, I didn't do anything..."
Why does that sound a little timid?
Hongshi leaned even closer to the window, only to hear a strange female voice inside: "Master should be more proper..."
Shan Xiu responded meekly, but this only made Hong Shi more puzzled.
Who is this? Isn't she a palace maid? Why does it seem like Shan Xiu has to listen to her?
People started moving around in the backyard. Afraid of being discovered, Hongshi quickly discerned the direction and hurriedly darted out through the back door where the eunuchs had gone, keeping his head down.
He even forgot to pay his respects to Lady Li, and returned to the Prince's residence in a daze. Jinzhong Jinbao was almost frantic with worry, and when he saw Hongshi, he almost burst into tears: "Prince!"
"Why are you crying? It's nothing." Hongshi frowned. He had seen the beauty today, but hadn't been able to say more than a few words to her, which left him with mixed feelings of joy and sorrow.
He sat for a while, then sighed, "Bring me paper and pen, I'll write a letter to Father Emperor."
He was really going to great lengths just to be able to go out and see beautiful women.
That afternoon, Yinzhen received a thick letter of self-criticism from Hongshi, filled with remorse and guilt. Yinzhen was delighted and immediately wrote a long reply with his vermilion pen.
From that day on, the guards patrolling outside the Third Prince's courtyard finally withdrew, and Hongshi, contrary to his usual behavior, neither lingered in the backyard nor forgot to go out. Apart from paying his respects to his mother every day, he spent his time reading in the study, behaving very well.
The results of the tests that Yinzhen gave him were all very good, which made Yinzhen very happy. He even told Qian Shengyan that children really do need to be taught, and that he had become sensible in just a few months.
Seeing that he was happy, Qian Shengyan naturally wouldn't pour cold water on him. In addition, Hongshi's current popularity with the emperor made Nian Gengyao seem even more insignificant. She was happy to play the good guy and praised him a few times.
Hongshi lived a comfortable life and went to the inner palace quite often. It was only then that he realized the mystery of his mother's residence—every time he went to pay his respects to Lady Li, he could pass by Chengqian Palace. Hongshi would take the opportunity to see what was going on in the palace. Sometimes, when the chance came, he could even climb over the wall to catch a glimpse of the beauty and ease his longing.
He lifted his confinement, and Li's life became easier. Ulanara summoned her to Changchun Palace several times to chat with Hongshi, which she enjoyed very much.
Now that Ulanara had a complete understanding of the Emperor's thoughts, she handled matters in accordance with His Majesty's wishes, which pleased Yinzhen greatly. Therefore, on the Emperor's birthday on the 30th of October, Yinzhen entrusted the task to Ulanara.
"Last year, His Majesty said that the late Emperor had passed away less than a year ago, and the Emperor's birthday celebration had not yet been held. This time, we must make proper preparations," Ulanara said with a smile.
Yinzhen nodded slightly and then reminded him, "After the Emperor's birthday celebration, the General and the others will set off for Qinghai. This is not only my birthday banquet, but also a farewell banquet for the soldiers. You should make good preparations."
"Yes, Your Majesty, I understand. Please rest assured." Ulanara said with a smile, then changed the subject and mentioned Hongshi, "A few days ago, Hongshi came to pay his respects to me. I was quite surprised. It has only been a short time since I last saw him, but Hongshi seems to have matured a lot."
"Yes, Hongshi has grown up too." Yinzhen has recently been happy to hear people praise the Third Prince, praising his father's kindness and filial piety, which creates a harmonious and joyful atmosphere.
Ulanara praised him a few more times: "Your Majesty is truly adept at teaching. We women in the harem are still not broad enough in our vision. In the future, Hongshi will still need Your Majesty's guidance."
"That's my eldest son, of course." Yinzhen didn't seem to care.
Ulanara's eyes flickered slightly upon hearing this. She smiled slightly and curtsied to see Yinzhen off, then returned to the palace before asking Yanruo, "Have you found the people we sent home?"
"Not yet... The origins of Consort Xi are a mystery. All we know is which village she came from, but we don't know her specific family. We can't find her sisters, and it's difficult to find someone who looks similar..." Yanruo said softly.
Ulanara was at a loss and could only sigh, "There's no rush. Let's search slowly. It's never too late to find it."
"Yes, I understand," Yanruo replied.
Ulanara nodded slightly, then gave a slight smile.
Lady Qian is favored but comes from a humble background, while Lady Nian comes from a prominent family but is not favored. The balance in the harem is just right at this time, and she, as the empress, can rest easy for the time being.
Just a child...
The Emperor just mentioned his eldest son, which clearly shows that he also values the Third Prince. It's just a pity that the child didn't come from her womb, otherwise, having secured the position of the eldest son, what would she have to fear from others?
If I could find a way to register Hongshi under my own name, that would be great...
If the prince loses his birth mother, then she will be his only legal mother...
Ulanara pondered to herself, and couldn't help but recall the past.
At that time, the Emperor was not yet Prince Yong, but only a Beile. His household was small, but Li Shi took the lead in raising a Gege (a concubine of the first rank). After finally giving birth to Honghui, Li Shi gave birth to Hongfen, then Hongyun, and then, just after Honghui passed away, Li Shi gave birth to Hongshi...
Heaven have mercy, Li's first two children also died, but Hongshi survived.
Honghui had just passed away when Hongshi arrived. Wasn't this a child God was making up for her? Perhaps Hongshi was always meant to be her child!
After considering various options, Ulanara quickly made up her mind. She clenched her fist, turned around and instructed Yanruo, "Please invite Consort Li over. Tell her that I have invited her to help prepare for the birthday banquet."
She was willing to work with Lady Li, who was naturally very grateful. Lady Ulanara said with a smile, "If you and I work together to do things perfectly, you can be reinstated when we tell the Emperor."
Lady Li was even more grateful, and Lady Ulanara continued, "Now that I think about it, back when we hadn't yet established our own residences, we also lived in the Prince's quarters. At that time, it was just you and me, sisters, in the house..."
"Yes, Her Majesty the Empress has always been very kind to me," Li said with a smile. "I remember when Consort Song was pregnant, she falsely accused me of stealing her food, and it was Her Majesty who spoke up for me."
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Author's Note: My darlings! There was a problem with Chapter 237. We're working hard to resolve it on New Year's Eve. We're very sorry!
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