She was just a woman his father, the Emperor, didn't want.
Hongshi scoffed inwardly, wondering what she was being so reserved about, not letting him kiss or touch her. She wasn't some virgin.
A woman like that needs to be properly dealt with. He hasn't been here for more than a few days, and Shan Xiu has already become much more proactive. Not only did she throw herself into his arms, but she also shyly offered her red lips and even hinted to Hong Shi that she was willing to do something.
Unfortunately, Hongshi recently got a new girl and is still getting along well. Today, he ran into Shanxiu at his mother's place. Seeing that she looked unwell, he thought that they had been together for a while, so he came to say hello. Who knew he would receive such a big surprise.
Seeing that Shan Xiu was about to untie her belt herself, Hong Shi smiled with satisfaction, raised his hand and held her small hand, his tone gentle: "You're still sick, how could I bear to..."
"You...you don't want to..." Shan Xiu stared blankly at him.
Hongshi lowered his head, leaned close to her ear, and whispered, "Take your medicine properly, get well, and I'll come to see you again on New Year's Eve."
Dan Xiu looked at him blankly, then looked even more aggrieved: "New Year's Eve is still a long way off..."
"It's only a month, be good, gain some weight, I like it softer," Hongshi hinted.
Just those few words made Shan Xiu blush. She nodded obediently and snuggled closer to Hong Shi, saying, "Can't you come see me more often? You..."
“You can come find me,” Hongshi said without hesitation.
Dan Xiu wanted to cry again: "I...I can't get out..."
"In that case... I'll figure out a way to take you out next time." Hongshi looked at Shan Xiu's exquisite face and suddenly realized that the real thing was still more beautiful.
The imposter in his room, though passionate and beautiful, ultimately lacked the refinement of Consort Hua beneath him, and couldn't match the thrill she provided...
Hongshi licked his lips and suddenly realized that even his stepmother could wear the little eunuch's clothes.
The two parted reluctantly, talking until late into the night before dispersing. After that day, Shan Xiu finally regained some energy and became more proactive in taking her medicine and eating. She was just waiting for Hong Shi to agree to her request.
In the twelfth lunar month, another major event occurred in the palace—the former deposed crown prince, Yinreng, fell seriously ill and passed away a day later.
Yinzhen remained silent for several days because of this. Qian Shengyan knew that he had some conflicting feelings towards the deposed crown prince. In his early years, Yinzhen genuinely wanted to follow his second brother, but later, gradually, Yinzhen developed the ambition to compete with him, and then he truly ascended the throne.
However, even after Yinzhen became emperor, he was still wary of his second brother.
Now, this prince, who served as crown prince for nearly forty years during the Kangxi reign and was the only crown prince in Qing Dynasty history to be officially designated as such, has died.
His death was sudden, and Yinzhen bestowed upon him the title of Prince Li, granting him preferential treatment for his children and harem. Among them, Hongxi's mother was even made a secondary consort of Prince Li by Yinzhen and moved out of the palace with Hongxi to live out her days in peace.
After finishing her business, it was already the winter solstice, and the palace was about to hold another banquet. Qian Shengyan continued to act as a hands-off manager—it was so cold, what could be better than lying in bed with a hand warmer and reading a storybook?
Moreover, there are all kinds of delicious fruits, dried fruits, and pastries. If Qian Shengyan indulges herself a little more, she could lie on the couch all day without getting up.
Unfortunately, she couldn't be so indulgent. Even if she didn't interfere, she still had two children in her palace who would call her "Mother, Mother, Mother"...
Qian Shengyan was getting fed up. Why didn't the grown-up princess move into the princes' quarters like the princes? She had a little brother who called her "Mother" every day. Qian Shengyan was starting to think about marrying her off...
"Mother!"
here we go again!
Qian Shengyan rubbed her forehead, feeling a headache coming on. She was too embarrassed to be too lazy in front of the children, so she could only sit up with Qingxue's help. Just as she sat up, Foerguochun rushed in with Hongshan.
The two of them were chilled from playing outside, but their faces were still rosy. Qian Shengyan then had someone bring up some hot milk and snacks so that they could rest and have something to eat.
"Mother, it looks like it's going to snow." Folgochun drank her warm milk, a white mustache oozing from her lips. She gestured wildly, "The dark clouds are so heavy, my little brother is scared."
Upon hearing this, Hongshan calmly retorted, "It's my sister who's afraid."
"Hey, can you honestly say you weren't scared and ran back just now?" Folgochun poked Hongshan's chubby little body, making Hongshan giggle.
As the two were playfully bickering, Green Willow walked in and said to Qian Shengyan with a smile, "Master, it's snowing."
"Ah, it's snowing?" Folgochun jumped up to look, and Hongshan followed with his milk bowl. The two heads pressed against the window, watching the snowflakes fluttering outside, and they exclaimed in unison, "Wow!"
“Mother, it’s so warm here.” Hongli walked in, a thin layer of snow on his hat. Qian Shengyan handed him a bowl of hot milk: “Hold this for now and warm your hands.”
Hongli smiled and agreed, sitting down next to Qian Shengyan. He looked at the snow outside, seemingly casually, but whispered, "Mother, I've found something."
"What?" Qian Shengyan didn't react.
Hongli moved a little closer to her and whispered, "Third Brother's master, Wang Maohong, has returned to his hometown for a funeral. With no one to restrain Third Brother, he took the opportunity to send his study companion to Nian Gengyao's house to borrow money..."
Qian Shengyan: ...
"Is Hongshi short of money?" she asked, puzzled.
Hongli was also puzzled, but said, "Third Brother hasn't been coming out much lately, and he stays in his study every day. I don't know why he still needs so much money."
After saying that, he coughed lightly: "Father already knows about this matter."
Qian Shengyan: ...
She looked at her son and asked: Did you tell on him?
Hongli chuckled but did not answer, only saying, "Father is wise; nothing in the world can escape his eyes." Afterward, Hongli said to Qian Shengyan, "Consort Qi is also involved in this matter; Mother, please stay away from them."
Qian Shengyan had never been close to Li Shi, so she nodded. However, she only noticed now that Hongli had said "they," and she paused slightly: "Xiang Yingying?"
"Yes, Mother, don't worry about it," Hongli said with a smile.
Qian Shengyan looked at his smile and felt that there was something hidden in it. She chuckled and reached out to pinch Hongli's cheek: "Now you're even keeping it from your mother."
"Mother," Hongli pleaded, "since Father doesn't even care about her anyway, Mother, just pretend she doesn't exist."
Qian Shengyan had no idea what news he had received. In the past few months, Hongli had been going out more and more frequently, and he always managed to find out things she didn't know.
But she still had to give a few words of advice: "Stay away from Prince Lian and the others."
"Mother, rest assured, I understand."
While the atmosphere at Yongshou Palace was harmonious and joyful, in Chengqian Palace, Shan Xiu watched the snowflakes falling from the sky and couldn't help but smile.
It's snowing.
Hongshi had promised her that on the night of the first snowfall, he would find a way to take her out and show her his courtyard.
Shan Xiu had been looking forward to this day for a long time...
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