Yinzhen went out of the house and played with the two children in the courtyard for a while before leaving. Not long after, Qianxue came over from the small kitchen.
"Princess, everything is ready."
Seeing that it was almost time, Geng Youran had Qianxue pack everything into the food box, and then took the prepared recipes to Niohuru Wanru.
"This servant greets Lady Geng. May Lady Geng be blessed."
"Oriole, how is your master?"
Seeing Geng Youran arrive, Huang Li's furrowed brows finally relaxed a little.
“My princess is much better, but the bleeding hasn’t completely stopped yet. The imperial physician said she needs to rest and recuperate well, and I’m afraid she won’t be able to have any more children for several years.”
Geng Youran patted Huang Li on the shoulder and said:
"Maintaining good health is the most important thing; as for children, that's something for later."
"Orioles?"
Hearing voices coming from the doorway, Niohuru Wanru called out to Huangli. Hearing Wanru's voice from inside, Geng Youran and Qianxue followed Huangli into the inner room.
"elder sister?"
Wanru looked at Geng Youran with delight.
"Why didn't the oriole inform me? Look at me, I'm not even wearing an outer garment, and I haven't put on any lip rouge."
Geng Youran chuckled:
“What are you afraid of? You’re feeling unwell, so Qianxue and I have been busy all morning making you ‘Three Red Cakes’ and ‘Four-Ingredient Pork Rib Soup.’ They’re still warm from the start, so please try them.”
Qianxue quickly asked Huangli to bring the kitchen utensils and first served a bowl of pork rib soup.
Wanru took the soup, took a small sip first, then widened her eyes:
"The herbal taste isn't strong; it's very delicious."
"If you think it tastes good, then it's fine."
Then Geng Youran handed the written prescription to Huang Li:
"Here are the recipes for two dishes. Keep them and cook them for your family occasionally to help them get some nutrition."
"Thank you, Princess Geng."
Geng Gege waved her hand, acknowledging her gratitude.
"Now, I have arranged for Hongli and Hongzhou to be together. Don't worry, the nannies are taking good care of them."
When Hongli was mentioned, Niohuru Wanru lowered her head in shame; she felt sorry for her child.
"Don't overthink it, just take good care of yourself. Hongli is a sensible person, you have to pull yourself together too."
Wanru nodded without saying a word.
Then Geng Youran stood up and said:
"His Highness asked me to go to Consort Li's place later, so I won't stay here any longer. You should rest well and not think too much."
"etc!"
Wanru seemed to have more to say.
"Sister, there's one more thing I want to ask."
"Speak."
Wanru hesitated, but still asked the question:
"Sister, has the Prince told you how he plans to deal with his wife?"
She had schemed and endured so much, not just to confine Ulanara to her quarters, but judging from the prince's attitude, it seemed he intended to give up. She was unwilling to accept this.
Geng Youran also didn't know how to answer this question.
Firstly, Yinzhen hasn't made up his mind yet. Secondly, because Ulanara was personally bestowed the title of Fourth Prince Consort by the Emperor, and she also had Consort De backing her up, she couldn't be sure what Yinzhen was thinking.
"His Highness has his reasons, so you shouldn't overthink it."
Wanru's heart sank. Hearing this, did the prince really intend to let Ulanara off the hook?
Geng Youran then left, and at the same time, Yinzhen entered the palace and met with Kangxi alone.
"Your subject kowtows to Your Majesty, may Your Majesty live ten thousand years!"
"Get up. Instead of overseeing disaster relief at the Ministry of Revenue, you've come here for more than just to pay your respects to me, haven't you?"
Yinzhen didn't speak, but glanced at Liang Jiugong and Wei Zhu. The two immediately understood and led the eunuchs and maids out of the Hall of Mental Cultivation.
"What exactly happened that warrants you speaking to me alone?"
So Yinzhen told Kangxi what had happened in his household in the past few days, including how his wife, at the behest of Consort De, had poisoned the concubines in his household to prevent him from having any offspring.
After hearing the whole story, Kangxi remained silent for a long time before speaking:
"Tell me your thoughts."
“Father, although I have grown up under the care of Consort Tong since childhood, I have never done anything to wrong Mother. I am foolish, and sometimes my words or actions may displease Mother, but that is all my fault and has nothing to do with the children. However, she has conspired with my wife to try to make me childless, which I absolutely cannot tolerate. I request the Emperor's decree to divorce her.”
This was a decision that Yinzhen made after much deliberation.
Although he needs the power of the Ulanara clan on his path to the throne, it doesn't mean he will fail without that power, nor does it mean he will kill his own child for the sake of the position.
Therefore, he would rather bear the infamy than not divorce his wife.
Emperor Kangxi never expected that after so many years, Yinzhen would still be so stubborn.
"Foolish! Do you know how serious a matter it is for a prince to divorce his wife? How will the people view the royal family if word gets out? However, you have been wronged in this matter. I will naturally give you and your household justice. As for Consort De, leave it to me. From this day forward, do not mention the matter of divorce again."
"Father!"
Yinzhen wanted to try again, but Kangxi rejected his offer.
He had no choice but to leave and await his father's decision.
At this moment, the gloom in Kangxi's eyes made the surrounding air feel icy cold. He never expected that Consort De, a mere woman, would dare to interfere in matters concerning the imperial heir.
It seems she's been living a good life for too long and has forgotten how she got to this position.
"Liang Jiugong!"
Emperor Kangxi summoned Liang Jiugong and others and ordered them to deliver an imperial decree that they should have dinner at Consort De's residence that evening.
Then Wei Zhu was instructed to convey an imperial decree summoning the Fourteenth Prince to the palace.
At this time, the Fourteenth Prince was training troops at the training ground. When his confidant told him that his father had sent someone to summon him to the palace, he hurriedly had his armor removed and changed his clothes before entering the palace.
"Your subject kowtows to Your Majesty, may Your Majesty live ten thousand years!"
"Get up."
"Thank you, Father Emperor."
Kangxi looked Yinzhen up and down, then spoke:
"Have you gone to pay your respects to your mother in the past few days?"
Although Yinzhen found it somewhat strange, he still answered Kangxi's question respectfully:
"Your Majesty, I went to the palace the day before yesterday to pay my respects to Mother."
Kangxi nodded, and then said:
"In that case, I have a task for you. The Mongol tribes of Wulat, Abagai, and Haoqite have suffered heavy snowfall, livestock have perished, and the people are starving. I have decided to send you to provide relief. Because the disaster is severe, you need to depart immediately."
"Your subject obeys the decree."
Yinzhen didn't feel anything was wrong; in fact, he thought it was a sign that his father valued him, so he happily accepted the decree.
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