"Don't even mention it. My fourth brother lately, tsk tsk tsk." Folgochun shook his head. "My fourth brother is turning into a donkey lately, he always has such a long face."
"What's wrong?" Qian Shengyan really didn't know this.
Foerguchun shook his head: "It seems to be something happening outside. Fourth Brother gets even angrier every time he comes back from leaving the palace. Perhaps it's because the city is locked down by heavy snow, and the situation in the capital is not optimistic either."
As the mother and son were talking, an announcement came from outside: the Emperor had arrived.
Qian Shengyan got up to greet them, but saw that Hongli had come with Yinzhen. Both of them looked displeased. She quickly thought of a plan and did not ask about the disaster. Instead, she told them the results of her discussion with the women of the harem that day: "Today, Consort Yu and Consort Guo came to see me and said they wanted to reduce their allowances each month to save some money and do their part for the disaster relief."
Yinzhen's expression indeed improved somewhat, and Qian Shengyan continued, "Your Majesty, I was also thinking that the Imperial Noble Consort's allowance is one liter and five he of rice, twelve catties of pork, two chickens and ducks, twelve catties of vegetables, and five catties of wheat flour... Even if I were to eat with Fuerguochun, we still wouldn't be able to finish it, not to mention that Fuerguochun also has the allowance of Princess Gulun."
"Yes, Father Emperor, I didn't even know I had so much food every day! I sent someone to ask, and found out that my rations were just piled up there. Even if I didn't eat them, it would be a waste. I don't need this much. I'd better exchange it for old rice and send it to the disaster area," said Folgochun.
Yinzhen's expression softened, and he smiled as he patted Folgochun's head: "My princess has grown up and become sensible."
“Why not just donate the allowances for Foerguochun and Hongshan? My allowance is more than enough for the three of us,” Qian Shengyan declared decisively.
Hongli laughed and complained, "Why didn't Mother take her son with her? I just donated all my private savings, so I won't have anything to eat later."
"Then let's come to Mother's for a free meal," Qian Shengyan said with a smile.
"Let's combine my allowance with yours and see how much we can save..."
Before Yinzhen could finish speaking, Qian Shengyan helplessly pulled him back: "Your Majesty is the Son of Heaven. How can we calculate Your Majesty's expenses? Besides, we concubines are just women in the harem. We have nothing to do after we've eaten and drunk our fill, but Your Majesty is up early and sleeps late. If you cut back on our food, we will be unhappy."
"Alright, then I'll do whatever you say." Yinzhen was pleased by her coaxing and didn't hold it against her. As the emperor, he understood the immense amount of money needed for disaster relief, and the palace's frugality was merely a drop in the ocean. He was happy that they had this intention.
"Your Majesty, I was thinking that once the roads are open, we can set up more soup kitchens in the suburbs of the capital. I would like to do my part," Qian Shengyan said gently. "I just don't know if this is in accordance with the law. I hope Your Majesty will give me your instructions."
"You don't need to worry about these things, I have my own arrangements." Yinzhen patted her hand, then glanced at his children who were standing to the side with their heads down, not daring to look in his direction, and couldn't help but chuckle. "Alright, let's have our meal first."
Hongshan went skiing in the morning and got so tired that he ate some snacks and went to sleep. So now it's just the four of them eating.
They said they should be frugal, but how could they skimp on the Emperor's meals? Qian Shengyan could get full by eating only a bite of each dish. After the meal, Fuerguochun went to find Hehui and Duanrou, while Yinzhen was called away by Prince Yi for a meeting. Only then did Hongli slowly get up.
Qian Shengyan thought he was leaving too, but unexpectedly Hongli said, "Please dismiss everyone else, Mother. I have important matters to discuss with you."
Seeing Hongli's solemn expression, Qian Shengyan glanced at Qingxue. Qingxue understood and led Lüliu to chase the rest of them out, while she and Lüliu stood guard at the door on either side.
"Mother, I recently went out and vaguely heard some bad rumors. I don't know if I should tell Father Emperor..." Hongli hesitated before speaking.
But without him saying much, Qian Shengyan immediately understood what it was about—the rumors that Yinzhen's ascension to the throne was illegitimate were finally about to begin after several of his own brothers had been dealt with.
As expected, Hongli spoke with difficulty about this very matter: "There are rumors circulating among the people that this blizzard is all because Father Emperor is...unkind, unable to even tolerate his own brothers, which is why this natural disaster has occurred...In the past two days, the rumors have become increasingly outrageous, even daring to involve Father Emperor's succession to the throne..."
Qian Shengyan sighed deeply.
Even if Hongli hadn't said anything, Yinzhen would have found out about it a few days later.
But she guessed that Yinzhen probably wouldn't like to hear such rumors from his son, as it would only make him angrier.
Qian Shengyan then said, "Forget it, how will you tell your father about this? Even if you relay what others have said, it is still not appropriate."
Hongli frowned and pondered for a moment, then nodded and said, "Mother is right. I really can't say such things to Father."
He hesitated for a moment, then decided to find a way to inform his father, the Emperor, about this matter as soon as possible through someone else.
After speaking, Hongli noticed that Qian Shengyan seemed to be thinking about something, so he didn't disturb his mother, took his leave, and went back.
Qian Shengyan, however, was thinking about how Emperor Yongzheng in history would handle this matter...
In the eighth year of the Yongzheng Emperor's reign, the emperor published a book called "Dayi Juemi Lu" throughout the country. This book clarified various rumors that had circulated since the emperor's ascension to the throne and addressed dissent.
This book was written by a person named Zeng Jing.
According to records, in the sixth year of the Yongzheng Emperor's reign, the scholar Zeng Jing and his disciple Zhang Xi, dissatisfied with the rule of the Manchu emperor who was considered a barbarian, publicized the Yongzheng Emperor's illegal ascension to the throne and his ten major crimes. They attempted to persuade Yue Zhongqi, the then Governor-General of Sichuan and Shaanxi, to overthrow the Qing and restore the Ming dynasty. Yue Zhongqi pretended to agree to trick them into confessing, then arrested the two men and sent them back to Beijing, where they were interrogated by Hang Yilu, the Vice Minister of the Ministry of Justice, and others. Subsequently, the Yongzheng Emperor ordered the compilation of imperial edicts regarding the case, Zeng Jing's confession, and the "Record of Returning to Benevolence," which were then combined into the "Record of Awakening from Delusion with Righteousness."
After the book was published in the eighth year of the Yongzheng Emperor's reign, the emperor required all officials, from the highest levels of government to local officials, to have a copy. All local officials and school administrators were required to explain the contents and arguments of *Dayi Juemi Lu* to the people. He also ordered Zeng Jing to tour the country giving lectures. (Related content from Baidu Encyclopedia)
Isn't this... a case of trying to cover up the truth but making it even more obvious?
Originally, not many people knew about the rumors of your illegitimate ascension to the throne, but then you sent people on a nationwide tour to give speeches, and suddenly everyone knew...
This version of Yongzheng is inexplicably foolish, yet it really does resemble the things that the current Yinzhen (the future Yongzheng Emperor) would do.
Qian Shengyan put one hand to her forehead, pondering how to persuade Yinzhen, or—what could be done to avoid this situation?
Emperor Kangxi's will was written very clearly and is still enshrined in the Forbidden City. But it would be foolish to take the will and give lectures throughout the country...
Qian Shengyan pondered deeply, but couldn't come up with a good solution even as night fell. Hesitantly, she decided to discuss it with Hongli (Emperor Qianlong). After all, Emperor Qianlong had directly banned the *Dayi Juemi Lu* (Record of Awakening from Delusion) after ascending the throne; perhaps he had his own way.
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