After Prince Ping (Hongli) and Prince He (Hongzhou) left the Imperial Study, they headed towards the palaces of Consort Xi and Consort Yu.
Halfway there, Prince Heqin Hongzhou couldn't help but mutter to himself, "Fifth Brother, Seventh Brother is a very kind emperor."
After more than ten years on the throne, he allowed our mother to leave the palace to live a life of leisure.
I thought it would be at least another five or six years!
Upon hearing this, Prince Ping, Hongli, couldn't help but glare at Prince He, Hongzhou, before saying, "Sixth brother, be careful with your words."
"What do you mean, Seventh Brother? This Emperor is truly kind; we should be grateful for His Majesty's grace."
After hearing what Prince Ping, Hongli, said, Prince He, Hongzhou, quickly whispered, "Oh, my fifth brother and I grew up together since we were little."
So I'm always more relaxed in front of my fifth brother. Look at me, I can't keep my mouth shut again.
Fifth Brother, you're right. We should be grateful for the Emperor's grace and not presume to speculate on His Majesty's will.
Prince Ping, Hongli, was used to Prince He, Hongzhou's, occasional erratic behavior, so he didn't take his words to heart.
However, at this moment, Prince Ping, Hongli, frowned and brought up another topic.
"Sixth brother, we are not young anymore. We can't delay in choosing a prince's heir any longer. It's time to finalize the selection."
After thinking for a moment, Prince He Hongzhou nodded and said softly, "Fifth Brother is right."
For various reasons, we had not yet decided on the heir apparent.
Now is the time to finalize the selection of the heir apparent.
In a few days, we will submit a memorial to the Emperor.
Prince Ping, Hongli, nodded slightly and said, "Yes, we will submit a memorial to the Emperor together then."
Not long after, Prince Ping (Hongli) and Prince He (Hongzhou) each headed towards their mothers' palaces.
...
In the palace of Consort Xi.
The Empress Dowager Xi was somewhat incredulous. She spoke again, "Hongli, is what you said true? I can leave the palace next month?"
Prince Ping, Hongli, smiled and said, "Yes, Mother."
Starting next month, your son will have more time to be by your side and take care of you.
The Empress Dowager couldn't help but pat his hand and whisper, "Hongli, your mother has always known about your filial piety."
At this point, Consort Xi paused for a moment and then whispered, "Your seventh brother, why did His Majesty suddenly order Consort Yu and me to leave the palace for retirement this time?"
Prince Ping, Hongli, lowered his voice and said, "His Majesty's meaning is that now that the Empress Dowager and Mother Empress have passed away, you and Consort Yu are allowed to leave the palace to live in peace."
However, it is estimated that now that the eldest and second princes have both married wives, the emperor wants to reorganize the harem.
If I'm not mistaken, the Emperor will only allow you and Consort Yu to leave the palace.
They would also use the excuse of the Empress Dowager's passing to send a group of palace maids and eunuchs out of the palace.
After hearing this, Consort Xi sighed and then whispered, "That's true. Before, in this harem, apart from the Empress Dowager, Consort Yu and I had the highest ranks."
Now that the Empress Dowager and Mother Empress are gone, and Consort Yu and I have left the palace, it is indeed more convenient for the Emperor to manage the harem.
Prince Ping, Hongli, looked at Consort Xi with a worried expression and said softly, "Mother."
Empress Dowager Xi waved her hand and whispered, "Hongli, don't worry, your mother has always been aware of this."
Moreover, over the years, the Emperor's methods have become increasingly sophisticated.
Well, regardless, it's a great thing that I'm able to leave the palace now.
After hearing what the Empress Dowager Xi said, Prince Ping Hongli breathed a sigh of relief and changed the subject, saying, "Mother, I plan to finalize the selection of the heir apparent and submit a memorial to the Emperor in a few days."
Upon hearing this, the Empress Dowager smiled and said, "This is a wonderful thing!"
"From now on, leave the matters of going to the battlefield to the Crown Prince."
She stopped smiling and sighed, "It's not that I'm heartless as a grandmother, but you're my only son."
When I learned that you, Hongli, were going to the battlefield, my heart was never at ease.
Mother was so afraid, so afraid, if anything happened to you, if anything happened to you…
As the Empress Dowager Xi spoke, tears welled up in her eyes.
Prince Ping, Hongli, quickly comforted her, "Mother, Mother, don't worry, it won't happen again."
...
Empress Dowager Xi watched Prince Ping, Hongli, leave, lost in thought.
Back then, when she learned that Hongli had gone to the battlefield, she was truly filled with hatred.
Whom do you hate?
Of course, it's the current emperor and the Holy Mother Empress Dowager Ituma Shushu.
At that time, she was thinking, what if something really happened to Hongli!
She would risk her life to get revenge on them.
Because if it weren't for the current emperor, her son Hongli would never have had to go to the battlefield.
Ituma Shushu has many sons of her own; she doesn't care if one of them goes to war!
I am different; I only have one son.
Fortunately, his son Hongli was lucky and survived.
However, after the passing of his mother, the Empress Dowager, the current emperor had himself and Consort Yu move out of the palace to live out their days in their son's residence.
Could it be that the current emperor has seen through my plans back then?
By the way, back then, the late Emperor Yongzheng handed over all his power to the current emperor!
Thinking of this, Consort Xi broke out in a cold sweat.
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