The emperor doesn't usually need to attend a prince's wedding in person; if he does, it would be a tremendous honor.
However, it was inevitable that the guest would overshadow the host. Yinzhen stood outside for a while, drank a cup of wine, and left after Qian Shengyan had visited Lady Fucha and returned.
Although she didn't stay long, Qian Shengyan was quite satisfied. She visited her daughter-in-law and enjoyed the lively and festive atmosphere, which was enough for her.
As evening fell, Foerguochun led Hongshan, who was still laughing heartily, to Yongshou Palace to pay his respects to Qian Shengyan. Hongshan jumped up and down excitedly and gestured to Qian Shengyan, "Fourth Brother gave me such a big lantern!"
Qian Shengyan had just chuckled at her youngest son's words when she heard him continue, "I want it hung up for my wedding too!"
Qian Shengyan: ...
Even Yinzhen couldn't help but laugh.
Folgochun continued, "Okay, I'll give you another one later. You can hang one on each side of the front door, and it'll look bright and nice!"
Hongshan was so happy that he jumped and danced with joy.
After the children finished playing and left, the two washed up and lay in bed. Yinzhen then spoke to Qian Shengyan about the maritime ban again: "I have read Hongli's article, and it is well done. Hongzhou is also not too naive. Now that they have been betrothed, it is time for them to do something. I plan to send them south to Guangzhou to take a look."
Qian Shengyan had no objection: "Your Majesty can arrange it as you see fit."
Yinzhen looked at her intently again and smiled, "I also plan to have Hongli investigate something."
Qian Shengyan looked at him, puzzled.
"Something called opium."
Qian Shengyan nearly jumped up: "Are there opium dens in the court now?"
Opioids, or pornographic films, are something that every modern person detests.
But... so early? People were already using it during the Yongzheng era?
Seeing her reaction, Yinzhen's smile deepened. He took her hand and patted it reassuringly: "I have recently investigated privately. No cases have been found in the capital, but... the Thirteen Factories in Guangzhou may be exporting drugs. The South is also wealthy, so there may be people using them."
Qian Shengyan's eyes widened: "Your Majesty, this is poisonous!"
"I know, it will be forbidden." Yinzhen continued to reassure her. Qian Shengyan took a few deep breaths, then belatedly realized she had said something she shouldn't have, and tried to cover it up: "Your Majesty, I have read... I have read some stories that mentioned..."
"Hmm, what kind of storybook? I'd like to see it too," Yinzhen said with a smile.
Qian Shengyan: ...
She stammered, "Then, then I will... I will find it tomorrow and show it to Your Majesty..."
Yinzhen almost laughed out loud. He stopped trying to scare her and said, "The Imperial Hospital also has some opium in stock for pain relief and anesthesia. I plan to have Hongzhou escort two death row inmates to the Imperial Hospital tomorrow, just like the cinnabar experiment, to let the death row inmates try some opium and show Hongli and Hongzhou the consequences of taking these things."
"Okay." Qian Shengyan nodded emphatically.
It's time to show them what to do, so that from now on, anyone who encounters opium trafficking or use will know what to do.
However, when the prince was mentioned, Qian Shengyan reminded him, "Your Majesty, Fu Hui... is still at the Yuanmingyuan."
It was already the fifth year of the Yongzheng Emperor's reign, and Fu Hui was seven years old.
Qian Shengyan originally planned to catch him in the act before dealing with him, but who would have thought that this kid could hide so well, staying out of the courtyard for a year and a half? In addition, she is now unexpectedly pregnant, and Hongli is going on a long trip. Qian Shengyan is worried that if she can't keep an eye on him, Hongshan will be bullied again, which would be troublesome.
She decided not to wait any longer. Even if Yinzhen were to soften his heart and send the person to be adopted, she would accept it and deal with it later.
Yinzhen, without even blinking, said, "Oh? The Empress is unwell. Let him go to Zhenhai Temple to pray for his stepmother."
Qian Shengyan: ...
Zhenhai Temple? That seems to be where Emperor Shunzhi became a monk...
In that sense, it's not unfair to Prince Fuhui's status.
It's called praying for blessings, but it's just a permanent stay. And it's better than being someone else's son, at least there's no backup force, so Qian Shengyan doesn't have to be on guard against him coming back to bite her again.
Actually, what she feared most was not a targeted opponent like Ulanara, but rather someone like Fu Hui and Shu Shen, who were illogical, biting anyone they could get their hands on, and whose next move was impossible to predict.
Fortunately, Shushen is getting married, and when she returns to the palace, it should only be to visit her stepmother, the Empress. Fuhui is also being sent away...
She slowly breathed a sigh of relief and smiled, "Let's do as His Majesty says."
Before the Mid-Autumn Festival, Fu Hui was sent to Zhenhai Temple. The trip was rushed and not announced. Qian Shengyan received news that Fu Hui had been settled in the temple and that a team of guards specially sent by the Emperor would keep a close watch on her, so she was relieved.
The Nian family was completely subdued by Yinzhen, and the remaining old and young were no longer a threat.
Only after the Mid-Autumn Festival and Princess Shushen's marriage did Qian Shengyan finally breathe a sigh of relief.
Okay, now it's finally peaceful.
At the end of August, the Imperial Medical Academy also released the results of its experiment on opium. Curious, Fuerguochun followed Hongli to see what the madman looked like, and then returned with a pale face.
"So frightened?" Qian Shengyan fanned her and then took a cool handkerchief to wipe Foerguochun's forehead. "What did you see?"
“…Mother, so opium really can really turn people into ghosts…” Folgochun said with trembling lips. She closed her eyes. “Not to mention Fourth Brother, this is the first time I’ve seen Fifth Brother with such a solemn expression on his face.”
Fuerguochun knew what Hongli and the others were going to do. He had originally intended to have some fun and let them go to Guangzhou to see what new things they could bring back. But now, Fuerguochun had no other requests. He just wanted his brothers to get things done.
After a while, Folgochun finally recovered from the frightening sight of her when she was addicted to opium. She said, "Originally, the Imperial Hospital used opium for pain relief and anesthesia. I heard from the imperial physician that the two people were quite happy when they first started using opium, but this stuff is extremely addictive. Once you get hooked, you can't stop. In just half a month, they went crazy like this."
She shivered and then went over to hug Qian Shengyan's arm: "Mother is the best. She gave her daughter such an easy job."
“Simple is not necessarily true. Have you prepared everything for this winter?” Qian Shengyan smiled and pinched her daughter’s round little face. Seeing the healthy pink on her fair skin, she felt a surge of affection.
Folgochun nodded: "It's already agreed that some of the winter army's cotton-padded clothes will be allocated to the women in the village for making. My daughter has already renovated the courtyard according to her mother's wishes, and we will be recruiting staff soon."
“Alright, when women work together, safety is the most important thing to pay attention to. You go and do this…” Qian Shengyan gave a few more detailed instructions. Seeing that her daughter showed no impatience and responded readily and had her own insights, she became even happier.
"Master! The young prince has fallen into the water!" Green Willow rushed in to report, her tone extremely urgent. Qian Shengyan was also startled and stood up, supporting herself on Ferguchun's arm: "Hongshan? What happened?"
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