Yinzhen's question was subtle, but his meaning was clear: if Foerguochun was willing to marry into Mongolia, she would be like the other princesses of the Kangxi era, receiving no preferential treatment or special treatment. Once she embarked on the path of marriage alliance, she would never be able to return home for the rest of her life.
Folgochun smiled again, her voice as clear and crisp as ever, her words light and frank: "Father, rest assured, I know what's important. I was born a princess of the royal family, and later became a princess of the Qing Dynasty. All of this is not because of anything I did, but because I am Father's daughter."
"My father and mother loved and protected me, my fourth brother doted on me, and my younger brother respected me. I remember them all. I have been treated with such honor and privilege for the past sixteen years, and I have no way to repay them. If I can do something for the Qing Dynasty, I am very willing." Folgochun smiled as always, her eyes crinkling, her black and white pupils clear and bright.
She has been well protected over the years. She is naive and reckless, but she is not stupid. She said, "My life is so comfortable because of the support of the people of the Qing Dynasty. My father has worked hard for the people. As a princess, I have a responsibility. I know that."
Qian Shengyan almost burst into tears after hearing these words. She covered her mouth with one hand to keep from crying out loud, and her vision was already blurred.
Folgochun may not know what she means to her mother.
Historically, Consort Xi had no children other than Emperor Qianlong. Qian Shengyan also thought that she would not have any other children. Her life was written in history, although only briefly, it was a woman's most glorious life.
However, from the moment she became pregnant with Folgochun again, Qian Shengyan vaguely felt that history could be changed. Folgochun's smooth birth and safe growth also gave Qian Shengyan more courage to go against the established history.
When Hongshan lost his previous child, Qian Shengyan was on the verge of collapse, but she was able to persevere because of seeing Fuerguochun. The fact that she could safely give birth to her first child meant that she could safely give birth to more children, which gave her more courage to try. Until a few years later, when she became pregnant with Hongshan, Qian Shengyan had a feeling that this child could be born.
She couldn't say for sure whether it was fate, but she knew that sometimes human effort could indeed overcome destiny.
For these reasons, Qian Shengyan was particularly indulgent towards her only daughter, the first child she had unexpectedly conceived. Several times she felt that her daughter's naivety and innocence were not a good thing, but she couldn't bring herself to discipline her. She always thought that women in this dynasty had a hard life, and it would be good if Ferguchun could grow up so innocently.
She knew that her thoughts were like an ostrich burying its head in the sand, unwilling to face the unpredictable future, but she really didn't know that her Folgochun had actually grown up.
She understands responsibility and is willing to make sacrifices, but this only breaks her mother's heart...
"I understand." Yinzhen's deep voice rang out, and Qian Shengyan was startled and stood up. She almost went out to beg him not to marry off Fuerguochun, but she stopped herself and just stood there silently shedding tears.
Foerguchun responded softly, then stood up and knelt down properly to perform a grand salute. She continued, but this time her voice was somewhat choked with emotion: "I just hope that I will not be able to fulfill my filial duties to Father and Mother in the future. I hope that Father will not blame me... I am an unfilial daughter."
As he spoke, he kowtowed three more times to Yinzhen.
"You..." Yinzhen had only uttered one word when the door of the Hall of Diligent Governance was suddenly pushed open. The person who came in stood with his back to the light, his youthful spirit written all over his shadow.
He took a few breaths, seemingly in a great hurry to get there. Upon seeing the scene inside the hall, he paused for a moment, then rushed over and knelt behind Ferguchun, kowtowing to Yinzhen and saying, "Your humble servant, Erong'an, begs Your Majesty..."
"Erong'an!" Ferguchun interrupted him anxiously, adopting a princess-like demeanor, and said quickly and urgently, "How could you barge into the Hall of Diligent Governance like this? Don't you value your life! Guards! Erong'an has behaved improperly in front of the hall, take him away and lock him up!"
"Princess!" Er Rong'an called out, and before anyone could actually pull him away, he hurriedly kowtowed to Yinzhen, "Your Majesty, this humble subject is willing to serve as the princess's dowry guard and escort her to live in Mongolia!"
"Erong'an!" Foerguochun exclaimed in disbelief, then urgently said to Yinzhen, "Father, he barged in so rudely! Father, quickly take him away, dismiss him from his post, and send him home!"
This time, E Rong'an didn't say anything, but just lay prostrate on the ground, waiting for the emperor's reply.
Yinzhen remained silent for a moment, then involuntarily turned his head to look at the screen where Qian Shengyan was, before revealing a slight smile. He lowered his head to take a sip of tea before asking, "Erong'an, what brings you here?"
After a moment of hesitation, E Rong'an said, "Your humble servant..."
"It's not your turn to be on duty today, go back," Yinzhen said without any emotion.
E Rong'an refused to get up: "Your Majesty, I wish to..."
"You have an affair with the princess and want to stay in Mongolia with her for a long time?" Yinzhen sneered. "I am sending the princess to marry a foreign ruler, not to make enemies."
"Your humble servant, Your humble servant..." E Rong'an anxiously raised his head, wanting to say something, but not knowing what to say. After a moment, he gritted his teeth and said, "Your humble servant can serve as a eunuch!"
Yinzhen: ...
Qian Shengyan: ? ? ? ?
Inner, inner attendant?
Folgochun was stunned for a moment before she came to her senses. She opened her mouth as if to say something, but her eyes reddened. Involuntarily, she laughed again.
She closed her eyes, calmed herself down, and then said, "Erong'an, go back. I reject your request."
“Princess…” Er Rong’an looked extremely pitiful. He was a year younger than Ferguchun, and his eyebrows and eyes were drooping. He looked like a large, abandoned dog, and he was in a terrible state.
Folgochun turned her head away from him, and kowtowed to Yinzhen again, saying, "Father said that I can make my own decision, and I have told you all my thoughts. Please issue the decree, Father." After a pause, she added, "Please, Father, in consideration of... in consideration of Lord Ortai's diligence, do not punish Orong'an too severely."
"Hmph." Yinzhen sneered, "You are all loyal and righteous, only I am the bad guy."
Before the two younger children could react, he waved his hand and said, "Get out, both of you."
"Father..." Folgochun wanted to say something, but Yinzhen said, "Don't punish him, go back and rest." After a pause, he added, "Erong'an is not allowed to stay in the garden, leave immediately."
"Yes, Your Majesty, this humble subject... this humble subject..." E Rong'an gritted his teeth, unsure of what to say. Judging from his appearance, it seemed as if he was about to go home and castrate himself.
Qian Shengyan was really afraid that he would do something foolish, and she wanted Su Peisheng to wait outside and persuade him. But Yinzhen said impatiently, "I only said that the Mongols wanted to marry the princess. When did I say that I would agree? Go back. I am annoyed by your crying and arguing here."
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