"Your Highnesses, His Majesty has decreed that you three be invited inside to change your clothes!"
"Please trouble you, Eunuch, to inform the Emperor that he is not eating, so we will not..."
"Eunuch Gao, you should go back and change your clothes quickly, lest you catch a cold. Father Emperor still needs your care."
Hongzhou pulled his fourth brother up and they headed towards the side hall.
"Let's go, Fourth Brother, we're done here."
Hongli also suddenly realized what was going on, glanced at Hongshi, and was then pulled away by Hongzhou.
Hongshi slowly got up with a gloomy face. The servant behind him quickly came up to hold an umbrella for him, but was kicked instead.
The servant, who was lying on the ground, picked up the umbrella. His hands were scraped and soaked by the rain, but he didn't care anymore. He had to catch up with the Third Prince as soon as possible.
Gao Wuyong observed all of this, sighed, and turned to enter the hall.
That evening, Yinzhen went to Yukun Palace.
Because Nian Yunrong was still in her postpartum period, the two could only be separated by a curtain.
No matter what Yinzhen said, there was no sound from behind the curtain.
He waved to Qingyan, signaling them to leave.
Qingyan glanced at Granny Zhou and Gao Wuyong, the three of them exchanged a look, and then went out.
At this moment, Yinzhen stood up, lifted the curtain, and saw Nian Yunrong facing inside, biting the quilt, refusing to let herself cry out.
"Rong'er..."
The voice was right next to her ear. Nian Yunrong was stunned for a moment and turned her head in surprise:
"Your Majesty...Your Majesty, please leave. I am still in confinement after childbirth, and the smell of blood will stain Your Majesty's clothes."
Yinzhen stepped forward and embraced Nian Yunrong in his arms:
"I have already made arrangements for Fupei's funeral, so you can rest assured. Fuhui is still young and needs her mother's care. Hmm?"
Nian Yunrong's shoulders began to tremble, followed by a loud wail:
"My child...my child! Ah...!"
Yinzhen let Nian Yunrong cry in his arms, while only Gao Wuyong stood guard outside.
After that, no one mentioned the child who left this world so early to Nian Yunrong.
In August of the same year, less than a year after ascending the throne, Yinzhen announced that he had sealed the name of the crown prince in a brocade box and hidden it behind the plaque of "Upright and Bright," prohibiting the princes from having unnecessary disputes over the throne.
"Your Majesty, the Imperial Household Department has delivered the chrysanthemums you requested. Would you like to go out and take a look?"
In late autumn, October, following her old habit, Geng Youran wanted to make some seasonal snacks and brew some chrysanthemum wine to drink in the winter.
"Let's go take a look."
"Your Highness, I forgot to tell you just now. Prince Hongzhou sent someone to deliver a message saying that he will come over after class."
"Why didn't you say so sooner? Are the carp sent by the Imperial Household Department yesterday still alive?"
"Xiao Anzi is being kept in a wooden tub, and he's doing well."
"Okay, I'll stew it for lunch. And stir-fry some vegetables too."
Just as Geng Youran was busy, Xiao Anzi came in:
"Your Majesty, someone from the Imperial Concubine's side has come to invite you to the Imperial Garden to admire the flowers."
"Flower viewing, at this time?"
"yes."
"Who else?"
"I heard that Consort Qi and Consort Xi are also here. Oh, and the Thirteenth Prince's wife as well."
Geng Youran looked at the vegetables that hadn't been picked yet:
"Alright, let's go take a look first. If all else fails, I can always find an opportunity to resign and come back later."
When they arrived at the Imperial Garden, everyone except Geng Youran was there.
"Your Majesty, I pay my respects to the Noble Consort, Consort Qi, and Consort Xi."
"Sister Geng, you don't need to be so polite."
"Your Highness, what brings you to this flower-viewing scene?"
"I heard that the chrysanthemums in the Imperial Garden are in full bloom, so I thought I'd invite you ladies out for a stroll. Just the other day, my brother sent some fine tea with him, and I packed some for you ladies to take with you."
Geng Youran and Wanru exchanged glances. Something seemed off about Consort Nian today; she was admiring flowers and sending tea as gifts.
About half an hour later, someone from Yukun Palace came to report that something was wrong with the young prince. Consort Nian hurriedly rushed back, while Consort Qi, Geng Youran, and the others dispersed.
Geng Youran and Wanru returned to Chengqian Palace, brewed tea, and talked about Consort Nian's strange behavior today.
At this moment, Hongzhou arrived:
"Your subject greets Mother and Empress Xi."
"Hongzhou, you arrived pretty quickly."
"That's right, son misses his mother."
"Stop talking nonsense. Sit down, your mother has something to ask you."
Hongzhou sat down beside him:
"What's wrong, Mother?"
"Your mother is asking you, what happened in court today? Is it about Nian Gengyao?"
Hongzhou was stunned for a moment:
"Mother, the women of the inner palace must not interfere in politics."
"Shh! Don't say things like that, you'll get your mother in trouble! I'm just asking, just give me a brief answer."
Hongzhou thought for a moment, then clapped his hands:
"Your Majesty, I remember now. Today, Father Emperor issued an edict in court, officially appointing Nian Gengyao as the Grand General Who Pacifies the Distant Regions."
Geng Youran and Wanru nodded silently. No wonder, she was eager to win over people for them.
"Mother, what's wrong?"
"It's nothing, Mother is just a little curious. Don't go around telling everyone."
"knew."
Newly enthroned, Yinzhen was extremely busy, dealing with border issues and internal strife, which made him very anxious.
In July of the second year of the Yongzheng Emperor's reign, he personally wrote "On Factions" and promulgated it to his officials, warning them not to form cliques for personal gain.
"Fourth Brother, what about Third Brother?"
"I'm still thinking about it."
"Still want to? Fourth Brother, that's not like you at all."
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