When Yinzhen returned in the evening, he found Yihua frequently distracted, so he chased away the children who were getting in the way, and the two talked by candlelight.
"Fujin, are you worried about Lord Feiyanggu?" Yinzhen asked bluntly. "This time, with the Crown Prince in command, Father Emperor will surely send many elite troops to accompany him to ensure his safety. The Dzungars' uprising at this time is not due to choosing the right time, but because they are indeed out of food in their territory."
"Furthermore, Lord Feiyanggu already has experience fighting the Dzungars, so this war is almost a sure thing. Otherwise, Father Emperor wouldn't have let the Crown Prince go out."
Yi Hua was somewhat incredulous. Swords have no eyes, and war is bound to kill people. If it was destined to be a defeat from the start, was the Khan of the Dzungars stupid to go to war against the Qing Dynasty with the determination to die?
“If you’re worried, take this to Lord Feiyanggu tomorrow.” Yinzhen took out a box from his sleeve. “This is a map that my thirteenth brother redrew when he traveled all over the country a few years ago. There are some minor differences in the areas where the Dzungars invaded this time. Father Emperor also has this map and will definitely give a copy to the Crown Prince. However, the Crown Prince may not share it. Tell Lord Feiyanggu to use it secretly, for a life-saving situation.”
"I thank you for your mercy, Your Highness." Yi Hua knelt on the bed and thanked Yin Zhen respectfully.
Yinzhen held her arm and said, "Between husband and wife, there's no need to be so formal."
Three days later, it was the auspicious time calculated by the Imperial Astronomical Bureau.
Fei Yanggu prepared to leave the mansion for the military camp early in the morning. As the deputy commander, he had to first organize the troops to welcome His Highness the Crown Prince.
Yi Hua and the children waited outside the Ulanara Mansion early in the morning. Following Fei Yanggu were all the masters and servants of the Ulanara Mansion, who came out in an orderly fashion to respectfully see off their patriarch.
Fei Yanggu carefully looked around, then took his wife's hand and said, "I'm leaving this mansion to you. Mother doesn't know about my expedition yet. Let's keep it a secret for as long as possible."
Princess Ulanara fought back tears and said, "My lord, you can go in peace. I will take care of everything in the manor. We are all waiting for you to come back."
Fei Yanggu nodded and said to his eldest son, Xinghui, "Mingxuan is a good boy. Don't ruin his future."
Although he doesn't interfere much in his grandchildren's affairs, he is aware that his eldest daughter-in-law and youngest daughter have recently had some tension in their relationship. In his view, marriage is the safest way to ensure the future of his family's third generation. He doesn't want a woman to ruin their hopes.
Princess Xinghui's face turned pale, and she dared not say anything more. Xinghui nodded in agreement.
Fei Yanggu turned to face Yi Hua beside the carriage, a more loving smile on his face: "Yi Hua, you are a very serious and stubborn person. You have become more restrained after giving birth to Hong Hui, but you haven't changed at heart."
"Fortunately, the Prince appreciates your stubbornness. But Yihua, sincerity must be reciprocated. You need to pay more attention to the Prince. Don't wait until his enthusiasm fades before you feel cold. By then, it will be too late."
"Stay with the children, and whether your father is here or not, you must live your life well, understand?"
Upon hearing this, Yi Hua couldn't hold back her tears and they streamed down her face. "Father, Yi Hua understands. Please take good care of yourself. Hong Hui was summoned to the palace by the Emperor early this morning, otherwise he would have come to see you off in person."
"Hahaha, I'll see Xiao Honghui when I get back." Fei Yanggu gave a series of instructions, let out a long, carefree laugh, then mounted his horse and galloped away, leaving everyone with his departing figure, unable to calm his emotions for a long time.
Consort Xinghui braced herself and approached Yihua, saying, "Consort, the sun is about to rise, and it's hot outside. Why don't we come inside for a chat?"
"No need to trouble you, sister-in-law. I still have some matters to attend to at home, so I'll head back now. I'll come to pay my respects to Mother another day." Yi Hua nodded to Madam Ulanara, turned around, returned to the carriage, and slowly disappeared from everyone's sight.
Princess Xinghui's cheeks flushed under everyone's gaze.
Xinghui snorted coldly: "That's the princess consort, not just our little sister, even someone as difficult as Prince Beile speaks softly to her. Do you think she gave you extra face because she cares about me?"
"If it weren't for Father and Mother, do you think she would still set foot in the Ulanara Mansion?" Over the years, Xinghui has roughly figured out Yihua's temper. She hasn't changed much since she was unmarried. If you really make her angry, it takes a long time to coax her back. And this is only for their own flesh and blood.
Consort Xinghui was embarrassed: "I was only doing this for Mingxuan, and besides, you tacitly agreed to it, so why is it all my fault!"
"You're being unreasonable! I'm not talking to you!" Xinghui was furious that his thoughts had been exposed by his wife, and turned to go to his concubine's room.
******
After offering sacrifices to Heaven and Earth, and waiting for the clouds to clear and the wind to be gentle, the army officially left the capital and marched in a mighty procession toward the border.
Because they had already been delayed for quite some time, Fei Yanggu was worried about the people on the border and ordered everyone to proceed at full speed.
Just a few hours later, the sound of retching came from the prince's carriage. He had never ridden in such a fast carriage before. After enduring it for so long, he finally couldn't hold it in and vomited.
Fei Yanggu lifted the carriage curtain and saw the Crown Prince's pale face. He frowned and said, "Your Highness, you are not feeling well. How about you rest for half an hour?"
The crown prince looked guilty: "I can still hold on, but the people on the border are suffering every moment. Just get me some medicine."
Fei Yanggu bowed in admiration and respect: "Your Highness is so concerned about the country and its people, this old minister is deeply impressed. In that case, let's continue, but at a slightly slower pace, Your Highness will get used to it after a while."
Seeing the carriage curtain swaying, the prince felt dizzy again, vomited into the basin, and cleared his throat.
"No wonder he's the fourth prince's father-in-law, just like him." The crown prince spoke softly, so softly that only the eunuchs serving him could hear him.
This eunuch was not Tong Guining. She suddenly fell seriously ill before the expedition, to the point that she couldn't get out of bed. The Imperial Hospital took turns consulting with her, but they couldn't find anything wrong. She didn't even get up to greet the Crown Prince when he set off.
The Crown Prince remained noncommittal. He stared at the unconscious Tong Guining for a long time, his hand gripping her neck, feeling a slight throbbing in his palm, but in the end, he did nothing.
After the Crown Prince left, Tong Guining breathed a sigh of relief. She had to save herself during this time, otherwise she would definitely not escape death when the Crown Prince returned.
After Fei Yanggu left the capital, Yi Hua was listless and sleepy all day long, with poor energy.
She even developed a fever that morning. Yinzhen touched her head and immediately summoned the imperial physician.
Liu Liu seemed to know that her mother was not feeling well, so she just sat obediently on Yi Hua's bed, propping her chin up and staring intently at Yi Hua. Every now and then she would call out "Mother." When Yi Hua ignored her, she pouted and looked like she was about to cry, which was extremely heartbreaking.
The imperial physician took Yihua's pulse repeatedly for a long time before saying uncertainly, "Your Highness, the princess's pulse is a little weak. This servant judges that the princess is pregnant, but it is early and we will have to wait another half month to confirm."
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
