Qian Shengyan was so shocked she almost stood up!
Hongshan is only two years old, what kind of wine can he drink! Even the light wine served during the mourning period is not allowed, it's still wine!
Children who drink alcohol will become stupid!
"Mother?" Folgochun noticed Qian Shengyan's unusual behavior and called out softly. Qian Shengyan was a little anxious, but there was nothing she could do, so she just shook her head gently.
Well, he's already drunk it all. And the liquor is so strong, Hongshan definitely won't take a second sip.
As she was thinking this, she heard Nian Gengyao's annoying laughter again: "The Emperor values the Seventh Prince so much, the Seventh Prince and Consort Xi are truly blessed."
The room fell silent again. Yinzhen paused for a moment, then said with a smile, "I value all my princes equally."
Prince Yi, Yinxiang, also said with a smile: "I am truly envious to see that all the princes are so accomplished, even the youngest, Hongshan, is so pure and kind."
Yinzhen's spirits finally improved a bit, but because of Nian Gengyao's repeated disruptions, he lost his energy and left after having another cup of wine.
It was while drinking this cup of wine that Yinzhen was surprised to find that there was only half a cup left. Looking at Hongshan, who was sitting on his lap with a blank stare, he was first startled, and then he was both amused and exasperated.
Qian Shengyan was furious. She didn't even listen carefully to what Nian Gengyao and Prince Yi were saying. She just watched that silly boy Hongshan drink three or four mouthfuls of wine, and she was extremely anxious.
As soon as the Emperor said to disperse, Qian Shengyan jumped up, but after taking a few steps, she felt uneasy. Fortunately, Yinzhen also noticed Hongshan's act of stealing wine, and while leading him outside, he ordered someone to call over Physician Li.
After seeing off the Emperor, everyone dispersed. Qian Shengyan felt relieved when she heard Yinzhen call the imperial physician. She turned to look at Fuerguochun and glanced for Hongli's shadow, but as she turned her head, she saw Shanxiu and Hongshi walking together.
They brushed past each other as if by accident, but their eyes met with a clear, unspoken longing.
Qian Shengyan couldn't help but sigh again. These two are really something else.
"Mother." Hongli moved closer to Qian Shengyan, frowning as he looked in Hongshi's direction, somewhat puzzled, "They..."
"Shh." Qian Shengyan raised her finger and gestured, then gave Hongli a task, "Your mother saw Hongshan drink a few sips of your father's wine, and I don't know how he is now. Go to the Hall of Mental Cultivation for your mother and take a look."
"Yes." Hongli was also a little worried about his younger brother, and since there were many people around, it was not good to say anything, so he accepted the order and left.
However, when Qian Shengyan returned to Yongshou Palace, she found that Yinzhen was there.
It seems Hongli made a wasted trip.
“Hongshan is fine and has fallen asleep by now,” Yinzhen said first. “Imperial Physician Li came to see him and gave him acupuncture to dispel the effects of the alcohol.”
"That's good." Qian Shengyan breathed a sigh of relief, but couldn't help feeling a little worried. "This child, why does he eat everything..."
"He's probably been influenced by Folgochun; he's become quite the little foodie," Yinzhen said with a smile.
He learned the word "foodie" from Qian Shengyan.
Qian Shengyan chuckled. Luckily, Foerguochun went straight back to the East Side Hall, otherwise he would have made a scene upon hearing this.
A short while later, Hongli came over to pay his respects. Upon seeing Yinzhen there, he didn't say much. After greeting his father and mother, he returned home.
Qian Shengyan wanted to remind him, but because Yinzhen was there, she couldn't go into details. She only said, "I heard that you haven't been sleeping well lately and you drank some wine tonight. Get some rest early and don't read tonight. Get a good night's sleep."
“Yes.” Hongli understood that Qian Shengyan meant that he was no longer allowed to handle Hongshi’s matter.
He had indeed planned to meet Hongshi again tonight, and even intended to disguise himself and follow him into Chengqian Palace, but since Qian Shengyan said so, he had no choice but to listen.
It was much easier for Qian Shengyan's people to enter the Eastern Six Palaces than for Hongli's. It was just a pity that Yinzhen was staying at Yongshou Palace tonight, so Qian Shengyan couldn't make any arrangements. Fortunately, he had drunk some wine tonight and went to sleep shortly after washing up.
Qian Shengyan then went to the outer room, called Qingxue over, and gave her detailed instructions.
She didn't say what Hongli had discovered, only that, "At today's banquet, I noticed that the Third Prince kept glancing at Consort Hua..."
"What?" Qingxue was very surprised, but this reminder reminded her of the few times she had seen Hongshi look at the people next to them. At that time, she was just a little curious and didn't pay attention, but now she was terrified. "Third Prince, he, they..."
“It’s all just speculation, but…” Qian Shengyan smiled, “Go and arrange for a young eunuch who looks unfamiliar to stand guard outside Chengqian Palace tonight. If he sees anyone there, there’s no need to make a fuss. Just follow him quietly and keep an eye on him.”
"Yes." Qingxue was still in shock. No matter how much she disliked the Third Prince and Consort Hua, she would never dare to make such a guess!
She couldn't help but ask, "If those two are really..."
"Then make the arrangements. Please invite His Majesty to the theater next time," Qian Shengyan said softly. Qingxue shuddered and lowered her head in agreement.
Qian Shengyan then asked her to fetch some silver ingots: "This matter is serious; find someone you can trust."
"Don't worry, my lady, I understand." Qingxue quickly came up with a good candidate.
The people who served the late Empress Dowager are still well cared for in Yonghe Palace, which is only a wall away from Chengqian Palace, making it very convenient.
Qingxue took the silver and went to find Ji An, a young eunuch she had known before. The two were from the same hometown and had addressed each other as brother and sister. Now, Qingxue entrusted the matter to him.
"Good sister, I don't need the small amount of silver. I just beg you, could you please find a way to get Her Majesty to take me with you?" Ji An said with a worried look. "In this palace, we're practically invisible..."
Qingxue understood his feelings. The late Empress Dowager passed away in a hurry, and the Emperor, out of filial piety, still preserved everything in Yonghe Palace. But eunuchs like Ji An became the lowest level in the palace. Although they were not bullied at will, they were really like invisible people. Whenever the Imperial Household Department issued something, they were overlooked and no one knew.
She dared not agree casually, but she did promise to have a good talk with Consort Xi, which made Ji An beam with joy. He immediately patted his chest and guaranteed that he would handle things perfectly by 1 a.m. that night.
After thinking for a moment, Qingxue said, "Hide well and observe things carefully. Tomorrow morning, I will find a way to let you personally report to the Empress."
This is fantastic news! Ji An was even more excited and said he would go to the Chengqian Palace next door to wait and record everything with his eyes, and tell the story to Consort Xi tomorrow.
After making the arrangements here, Qingxue went back to report. Qian Shengyan, upon hearing Ji An's request, said she could consider it: "Hongshan doesn't have anyone useful by his side yet. Since you trust him, he must be a good person."
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