After giving Princess Unashi the "Shuwan Potion", Ituma Shushu closed the "Dawn Mall".
Next, she played with the eldest princess, Ulinzhu, and the second princess, Ushiha, for a while before having dinner with them.
Shortly after Ituma Shushu had the servants attend to the two princesses so they could go back to rest, a eunuch's announcement suddenly rang out outside the main hall.
"His Majesty has arrived."
Then, Emperor Shun and Emperor Hongzhao strode in.
"Greetings to Mother."
...
Ituma Shushu widened her eyes and asked again, "Hongzhao, do you mean that Hongxu, Hongxu, he plans to go with us to attack the Dzungars?"
Under the piercing gaze of his mother, Emperor Shun and Emperor Hongzhao reluctantly nodded.
At the same time, he thought to himself: "That Eighth Prince just needs to be taught a lesson. He spoke so loudly in front of Father Emperor."
However, they dared not speak to their mother and insisted that their elder brother do it.
Ituma Shushu stood up and gritted her teeth, saying, "Hongxu, that brat, that brat."
Did he think he was going to play? He was going to fight a war!
"Swords have no eyes, doesn't he know that?"
Emperor Shun and Emperor Hongzhao quickly comforted him, saying, "Mother, the Eighth Prince's horsemanship and archery skills are already very good. He can protect himself."
Then, Emperor Hongzhao continued without changing his expression, "Mother, you know that too."
Previously, due to issues with military spending, our finances were already stretched thin.
That's why Father Emperor later signed the treaty, ceasing the use of force.
Upon hearing this, Ituma Shushu nodded.
But she gripped the handkerchief tightly in her hands.
Seeing that his mother was still relatively calm, Emperor Shunhe quickly spoke up again: "Later, after the war subsided..."
The Emperor then focused on domestic affairs and implemented reforms.
Thanks to the Emperor's efforts over the years, the national treasury is finally full and the people are at peace.
But Mother, there are some battles we must fight.
If it's not today, it'll be tomorrow!
And now is a great time.
As for the Eighth Prince's abilities, both Father Emperor and I have faith in him; he simply lacks experience.
Even after listening to Shun and Emperor Hongzhao's words, Ituma Shushu's brow remained furrowed.
After a moment of contemplation, she let out a long sigh.
Then, she said softly, "Hongzhao, your mother understands everything you've said."
And what good would it do if Mother didn't want the Eighth Prince to go to war against the Dzungars?
You two brothers and your imperial father have already made your decision.
Emperor Shun and Emperor Hongzhao could tell from Ituma Shushu's tone that their mother was still very angry.
He touched his nose and quickly changed the subject, saying, "Mother, Eighth Brother was worried that you would feel sorry for him, so he asked me to tell you first."
Upon hearing this, Ituma Shushu rolled her eyes at him and said, "Are you worried that your mother will feel sorry for him?"
Hmph, doesn't Mother know that Eighth Prince well enough?
He must have volunteered for this expedition against the Dzungar Khanate.
Of all you brothers, he's the one who most wants to fight on the battlefield.
So he definitely won't dare to come looking for this mother this time.
Emperor Shun and Emperor Hongzhao were speechless. Well, their mother really knew them brothers very well.
Seeing the expressions on Shun and Emperor Hongzhao's faces, Ituma Shushu knew that her guess was correct.
This time, it was Eighth Prince Hongxu who volunteered to go on the expedition to the Dzungar Khanate.
Ituma Shushu felt a headache coming on at the thought. She rubbed her temples and then asked softly, "When is Lao Ba leaving?"
Emperor Shun and Emperor Hongzhao glanced cautiously at Ituma Shushu before speaking, "Mother, the Eighth Prince and the others will be setting off in two months."
Sure enough, Ituma Shushu's face darkened after hearing his words.
Shun and Emperor Hongzhao: "..."
Eighth Brother, you just wait!
When you get back, just wait and see how I deal with you.
...
That night, Ituma Shushu barely slept at all.
Because whenever Ituma Shushu thought about how Eighth Prince Hongxuan would be going to fight against the Dzungar Khanate in two months, she would feel a pang of anxiety.
She felt very depressed and couldn't sleep at all.
Sigh, this trip is different from the previous two.
The first two times, Prince Hongxuan was only there to escort the two princesses to their weddings.
This time, it's an expedition against the Dzungar Khanate!
However, Ituma Shushu also knew that Emperor Yongzheng and Emperor Shunhe Hongzhao were certainly not completely unprepared.
She felt a little more at ease after thinking about this.
...
The next day, only then did Eighth Prince Hongxu dare to come and pay his respects to Ituma Shushu.
"Greetings to Mother."
"Eighth Prince Hongxu spoke cautiously."
After taking a sip of tea, Ituma Shushu raised an eyebrow and said, "Oh, Eighth Prince still remembers his mother!"
"I thought the Eighth Prince had long forgotten about his mother!"
Upon seeing this, the eighth prince Hongxu quickly stepped forward and whispered, "Mother, Mother."
How could I forget you!
I was just worried that you would feel sorry for me!
That's why I had Seventh Brother talk to you first!
At the same time, he thought to himself: Hmm, it seems that having Seventh Brother take the lead is still feasible.
Now that Mother has calmed down, hasn't she?
If I rashly tell my mother that I will also set off with the army to conquer the Dzungars...
If I'm not careful, I might upset my mother, and then my seventh brother will definitely give me a good beating.
Cough cough, even though I let Seventh Brother take the lead, he will still deal with me.
But it's better than making Mother angry and then getting punished by Seventh Brother.
Ituma Shushu glanced at Babeizi Hongxu before putting down the teacup in her hand.
Then, she sighed and said softly, "When you and Hongxuan were little, you had more energy than your seventh brother and the tenth and eleventh brothers."
Your mother knew back then that you two would be restless in the future.
I started raising them around the time of the Beginning of Winter, Minor Snow, and Major Snow.
It's so that you two won't always be thinking about running away.
Yeah, and there were a few pairs of rabbits too. You two used to like chasing rabbits back then.
When you two got a little older, Hongxuan was the naughtiest.
You, as the older brother, are slowly starting to mature.
But now it seems that you, as the older brother, are the most troublesome one.
After listening to Ituma Shushu's words, Eighth Prince Hongxu touched his nose and said, "Mother, I will make things easier for you."
Don't worry, I won't do anything reckless.
I will definitely protect myself.
Ituma Shushu glared at Eighth Prince Hongxu and said, "You'd better remember what you said."
Eighth Prince Hongxu quickly replied, "Mother, I promise you, I will definitely not do anything reckless and will definitely protect myself."
Next, Ba Beizi Hongxu used all his tricks to coax Ituma Shushu.
...
As Ituma Shushu watched the retreating figure of Eighth Prince Hongxu, she thought to herself: "Sigh, what a troublesome brat."
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