Qian Shengyan stood up, and without much thought, she could guess what Geng meant.
Rumors have spread that the Emperor intends to appoint one of the two Mongol princesses as a secondary consort to either Hongli or Hongzhou. Hongzhou already has a primary consort and a secondary consort, and if another Mongol consort were to be added, that position would be full.
Perhaps the Geng family was unwilling.
Qian Shengyan didn't care. Historically, Emperor Qianlong did have Mongolian concubines, but if the emperor didn't say anything, they couldn't ask for such things, otherwise it would seem like they had other intentions.
Lady Geng was waiting at the entrance of the Prince's residence, staring at the signboard, lost in thought. When a palace maid reminded her that the Imperial Noble Consort had come out, she smiled and said, "Your Majesty, I was just thinking of the beautiful scenery of the West Peak of the Yuanmingyuan Garden."
Qian Shengyan was taken aback, but then smiled and said, "Yes, back then Hongli and Hongzhou were still young, so they moved there to live."
"The scenery of West Peak has changed dramatically now. His Majesty has done some renovations, and the scenery is even better." Lady Geng changed the subject. "There are also mountains here, but they are farther away. The scenery at Shuixin Pavilion nearby is also quite nice. Would the Imperial Noble Consort and I like to go for a walk together?"
Qian Shengyan naturally nodded in agreement, and the two walked westward together.
On the way, Geng rambled on and on, and Qian Shengyan responded indifferently. As they talked, the conversation turned to the Mongolian princess.
Lady Geng smiled and said, "Both of you are exceptionally beautiful. If Hongzhou weren't so unlucky, I would have tried to win you over."
"Oh?" Qian Shengyan looked surprised. "Why don't you have good fortune?"
“Oh, Your Majesty, you don’t know, didn’t Hongzhou take a Zhangjia woman as a concubine before? Zhangjia woman is pregnant now, and Hongzhou and I discussed that we wanted to ask for her to be made a secondary consort.” Geng’s smile had a hint of pleading. “Zhangjia woman’s father is a military commander. He was immature when he was with Hongzhou. Now that she has a child, we can’t let Hongzhou mistreat her.”
Qian Shengyan understood her intentions and didn't press her further, only smiling and saying, "This is a good thing, Hongzhou is going to be a father too."
Seeing Qian Shengyan say this, Geng Shi felt relieved and smiled, "Yes, yes, it's all thanks to the Fourth Prince for setting a good example, so Hongzhou can also learn from him."
Qian Shengyan was both amused and exasperated by what was said, as if Hongzhou's concubine had learned to get pregnant from Hongli.
The two chatted and strolled around until they had explored the entire lake area before turning back. Just as they returned to Songhezhai, they encountered a young eunuch who had come in a hurry to find Qian Shengyan.
"Your Majesty, the Emperor is looking for you!"
The young eunuch was in a hurry, and Qian Shengyan didn't want to keep the emperor waiting, so she bid farewell to Geng Shi and left.
As the group gradually walked away, Madam Geng stood at the entrance of Songhezhai, her smile gradually fading. After a moment, she sighed wearily.
The young palace maid beside her stepped forward and took her arm: "Mistress..."
"It's nothing, let's go." Madam Geng smiled again, and led the little palace maid into Songhezhai, no longer looking at or thinking about the two people living in the main palace.
Things are already very good now, and Geng Shi has nothing to complain about. Thinking back to the days she spent with Li Shi, and then looking at the current fate of Li Shi and Ulanara Shi, Geng Shi truly feels that things are good, especially since she still has Hongzhou.
That's enough.
On the other side, when Qian Shengyan arrived at Danbo Jingcheng Hall, she learned that Yinzhen had called her over in a hurry because he wanted Hongli to say goodbye to her.
“There is an urgent matter in the capital, and I have ordered Hongli to return home.” Yinzhen walked over and explained to Qian Shengyan in a low voice, “I’m afraid he won’t be able to return before the Mid-Autumn Festival.”
He felt somewhat apologetic, but also helpless. The matter in the capital was neither a major issue nor a minor one. After considering all the factors, it was still most appropriate for Hongli to return.
He added, "With your thirteenth brother in charge of the capital, Hongli will have his help to handle things when he returns, so you don't need to worry."
Qian Shengyan nodded, but didn't think it was a big deal to not spend the Mid-Autumn Festival with her son. She smiled and looked at Hongli: "That's fine, it's a good opportunity for Hongli to go back and see his son."
Yinzhen felt relieved. He was worried that she would be reluctant to let her son leave. Hearing this, he smiled. This was his first grandson. He was born to a concubine and was not the legitimate son, but he was the eldest. He could not be treated lightly or heavily. Also, they happened to be hunting in the outer areas, so they had not yet seen the child.
Hongli smiled and clasped his hands in greeting: "I will be unable to be with my father and mother for the Mid-Autumn Festival. I hope you will forgive my filial impiety."
"You chatterbox, be careful on your way back. Don't be impatient when you get to the capital. Listen to Prince Yi, understand?" Qian Shengyan was still worried and gave him a few more instructions. Hongli nodded, and Qian Shengyan added, "You should have returned to the capital by August 13th. I'm sorry to have troubled you."
Hongli was both amused and exasperated, not understanding what was so difficult about going back to celebrate another birthday.
Because Ulanara had tampered with the imperial genealogy, he and Folgochun had to change their birth dates. However, on their actual birthdays, they could still go to Yongshou Palace to eat a bowl of longevity noodles made by their mother, and they would receive double gifts every year, so it wasn't a big deal.
Qian Shengyan gave a few more instructions, which Hongli patiently answered one by one. Before leaving, he respectfully bowed to Yinzhen and took his leave.
Watching these scenes unfold, Yinzhen felt somewhat dazed. The somewhat hypocritical Hongli in his dream, whose respect for him was merely superficial, was truly not the same person as the Hongli before him.
He sighed inwardly, raised his hand to stop Qian Shengyan, and led his men inside: "Don't worry, I have sent a thousand men to escort Hongli back to the capital."
Qian Shengyan's eyes widened: "A thousand people!"
So many?
Yinzhen thought she would be worried: "We've been traveling along official roads all the way, and we'll receive letters every time we pass a post station, so don't worry."
Qian Shengyan nodded, her worries somewhat relieved.
Although Hongli was already sixteen, it was his first time traveling far from home on his own, and given his status, both Yinzhen and Qian Shengyan were somewhat worried.
Fortunately, Hongli had a smooth journey. Before the Mid-Autumn Festival, he sent a letter to the Summer Palace to reassure the Emperor and say that he had returned to the capital safely and had seen his youngest son. He also mentioned that he missed his father and mother very much. He also wrote another letter to Fuerguochun, saying that she was now the eldest child by her mother's side and should take good care of her mother and younger brothers. He was very earnest and even a little long-winded.
The letter made Folgochun want to roll his eyes, but he still got up early the next day and went to Yunshan Scenic Area to help Qian Shengyan prepare for the Mid-Autumn Festival banquet.
Yunshan Scenic Area is located behind the Yanbo Zhishuang Hall. Although it has two-story pavilions, there are no stairs; instead, artificial hills serve as natural steps. Because it sits on a hill overlooking the lake, offering a commanding view, it evokes the feeling of "looking down at the peaks, the changing evening mist and morning haze, ever-changing indescribable." Hence, it is named Yunshan. In addition, the west side of the second floor was originally a lotus room, a Buddhist hall, which housed a jade Guanyin statue. During the Mid-Autumn Festival in the Kangxi era, the empresses and concubines often gathered here to worship the moon and pray for blessings.
Exiting Xiuyun Gate from the north of the building, you will reach the lake area. On Mid-Autumn Festival night, you can sit in the hall and see the moon in the sky and its reflection in the lake, which is very beautiful.
At this banquet, Yinzhen invited some trusted ministers to enjoy the moon, eat mooncakes, and watch a play. Considering there weren't many women in the household, he also invited two Mongolian princesses, who were entertained by Fuerguochun, Hehui, and Duanrou.
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