Fortunately, there was still a long time before the sixth year of Yongzheng's reign, so Qian Shengyan could take her time to think things through or make some preparations in advance...
As for hiring online trolls to spread rumors, as a modern person, she can't be worse than an ancient scholar, right? Why not discuss it with Hongli and find a few good writers to first praise Emperor Yongzheng's status as the chosen one, to promote his hard work and diligence, and incidentally write about the brotherly affection between Yinzhen and the Thirteenth Prince in a factual way? That should be about right, right?
Unfortunately, Hongli was sent by Yinzhen to handle various matters related to the snow disaster, and Qian Shengyan could not see him for the time being, so she had to give up for the time being.
Fortunately, while she was not good at the affairs of the court, Qian Shengyan was now quite adept at handling matters in the inner palace.
She arranged for the three princesses' meals and drinks at the Yuanmingyuan Garden, and arranged for them to meet and chat with several concubines daily.
Unlike the fierce and confrontational conversations in the TV dramas they had seen before, these people now had nothing to do all day, had known each other for many years, and were all at the same level in terms of rank and age, so there was nothing to fight over. Therefore, they chatted very frankly. Even the usually quiet Consort Song was amused. Meanwhile, Consort Yu gradually became more familiar with Qian Shengyan and her personality became more cheerful.
With nothing to do in the winter, the concubines somehow learned to play cards, but they dared not play in the Jiuzhou Qingyan Palace, so they called Qian Shengyan out.
Qian Shengyan used to go to Consort Yu's place, Geng Shi. When Yinzhen found out, he was afraid that she would catch a cold if she went too far, so he specially chose Shaojingxuan, which was located on the west side of Jiuzhou Qingyan, for them to talk. He also specifically instructed that the charcoal fire be burned brightly so that it would be very warm.
"Thanks to Your Majesty, we can enjoy the scenery and have fun at the same time." Madam Geng smiled as she took off her cloak. As she spoke, she saw Qian Shengyan looking out the window and looked over as well. "Oh, it's Prince Hongshan."
“Yes, the ice on the lake is still quite thick recently, and he likes to play on it,” Qian Shengyan said with a smile.
“Hongzhou also went to play on the lake a few days ago. He’s such a grown man, yet he never gives me a moment’s peace of mind.” Geng Shi had just finished speaking with a smile when a very tall boy “slipped” out of the ice. The boy was skating very well and fast, and he deliberately teased Hongshan by pulling his hand so that he couldn’t stand steadily.
Geng's eyes widened immediately: "That, that's Hongzhou?"
Qian Shengyan: ...
Sigh, I bet Hongzhou never expected that his own mother was watching him from upstairs here.
Madam Geng hurriedly sent someone down to tell Hongzhou to leave, as she still felt it was too dangerous on the ice. But fearing that Qian Shengyan would think she was being nosy, she quickly explained, "Your Majesty, you don't know, a few days ago a palace maid... oh, it's embarrassing to even talk about, that palace maid pretended to slip and fall, trying to fall into Hongzhou's arms, but that silly boy Hongzhou just dodged, and the palace maid slid onto the lake."
Qian Shengyan: ...
She almost burst out laughing; it was only after getting to know Geng Shi that she realized what a lively person she was. Suppressing her laughter, she asked, "And then?"
"Then, there happened to be a spot on the lake where the ice was too thin, and the palace maid rushed in and fell into the water." Madam Geng shrugged. "The eunuch next to Hongzhou hurriedly called for help to pull her out, but when they pulled her out, she was completely limp. Hongzhou even called the imperial physician, but it was too late. This water, ah, it's truly terrifying..."
Qian Shengyan also remembered that a few days ago a palace maid had reported her death, the cause of which was an accidental drowning. She never expected that this would happen again.
She sighed, "Water and fire are merciless." Then she thought, "The children should also learn to swim in the Fu River. I remember that His Majesty swam very well."
“Yes, the children didn’t have the chance to learn this when they were young, but now that they’re older, they can,” Madam Geng said with a smile. “At least it’s a way to save their lives.”
Qian Shengyan then turned and ordered Lvliu to go and take Hongshan away. Playing on the ice was indeed dangerous, and she was already worried. In addition, the story told by Geng was really frightening.
But four-year-olds are at that stubborn age. Hongshan threw a tantrum and refused to come up. Qian Shengyan didn't indulge him and simply had someone take him back to change his clothes before he came to Shaojingxuan to play.
"Alright, Your Majesty, don't worry. I'll have Hongzhou take Hongshan back to change his clothes," Geng said with a smile.
Qian Shengyan nodded and thanked him, thinking the topic was over, but unexpectedly, Geng Shi leaned over and asked, "Ever since the preliminary selection last year, palace maids have been falling and tripping over Hongzhou from time to time, and I even laughed at him, but he said that there are even more of them around the Fourth Prince..."
Qian Shengyan was taken aback: "I've never heard Hongli mention it."
"Oh dear, let alone the Fourth Prince, some of the palace maids are simply insane. I even heard the other day that a palace maid threw herself into Prince Fu Hui's arms..."
Qian Shengyan: ? ? ?
Qian Shengyan couldn't believe it: "How old is Fu Hui! She's only six years old!"
“Who says otherwise!” Geng’s topic smoothly shifted to Prince Fu Hui. “Ah, speaking of which, I only see Prince Fu Hui once in a long while.”
Qian Shengyan paused for a moment. Fu Hui... she hadn't seen her for a long time, and Yinzhen hadn't mentioned her either, as if he had forgotten about the child, only providing for her basic needs, and it seemed that she hadn't even started her formal education yet.
She's already six years old.
Shan Xiu had died long ago, and Nian Shi was also gone. With people gone, things ceased to exist, and Qian Shengyan rarely thought of them lately. Now, when Geng Shi suddenly mentioned Fu Hui, she was momentarily dazed.
"Sister Geng is here so early!" Guo's voice rang out at the door, followed by Wu, who came with her.
"Is Consort Song still not well?" Qian Shengyan asked. Wu, who lived with Consort Song, nodded: "Sister Song has a particularly hard time getting through the winter."
Qian Shengyan knew that Song had given birth to two daughters, both of whom died young. She herself also suffered from many ailments, rarely spoke, and often looked sickly.
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