Not long after, Madam Geng was brought to the palace to celebrate Geng Youran's promotion to imperial concubine.
"This humble woman greets Consort Yu, wishing her good fortune."
"Mother, please get up. You're making your daughter feel terrible."
Mrs. Geng looked closely at her daughter and tears welled up in her eyes with heartache.
Before entering the palace, she had heard the news that her daughter had miscarried, and she was heartbroken.
Unfortunately, her son was engaged and her daughter was still recovering from childbirth, so she couldn't enter the palace.
"Is Your Majesty feeling any better?"
"Mother, don't worry, I'm much better. It's just that I couldn't attend my brother's engagement ceremony. This is a gift I prepared for my sister-in-law; please accept it and give it to her when you get back."
When her youngest son was mentioned, Mrs. Geng recalled something:
“Your younger brother has been transferred to the Hanlin Academy to serve as a Hanlin Academy Compiler. Although it is only a seventh-rank official position, your mother and father are satisfied that he was able to reach this position in just a few years after passing the imperial examination, and in the capital.”
"My younger brother has been hardworking since childhood, and he is sure to have a bright future. Mother, you don't need to worry."
Geng Youran knew in her heart that her younger brother's promising future was mostly due to her connections.
However, this isn't necessarily a bad thing.
In April of the ninth year of the Yongzheng Emperor's reign, Geng Youran's first grandson was born.
Therefore, the Emperor personally bestowed upon him the name Yongying.
"Mother!"
Hongzhou was overjoyed to have his first son, and he came to pay his respects to Geng Youran with a wide grin.
"Look at that grin on your face. You've become a father, but you still can't be more composed."
"Hehe, my son is happy."
Geng Youran was happy too; she was now a grandmother.
Last year, Hongli's wife gave birth to a son, which Geng Youran envied greatly. Now that Hongzhou's wife has given birth to a legitimate son, she has finally fulfilled a wish.
"Giving birth is a life-or-death ordeal for every woman. I'm warning you, don't think you've accomplished your mission just because you've had a child, and stop doing things like favoring your concubine over your wife. If you dare to do that to your wife, see how I deal with you."
"Oh dear Mother, why are you bringing that up again? Your son has long since reformed and is now happily married to his wife. Please don't worry about it."
"You brat."
Unable to argue with her son, Geng Youran flicked Hongzhou's forehead with her index finger.
The mother and son chatted with Yongying for a long time. When Hongzhou was about to leave, Geng Youran handed him a piece of paper with some dietary therapy recipes listed on it.
"Ten months of pregnancy and childbirth take a heavy toll on a woman's body. This is a recipe for nourishing food that your mother has prepared. Take it back and have someone make sure it's prepared properly to nourish the Fujin (wife). If there are any deficiencies, just let your mother know."
"Your son thanks you for your concern, Mother. Once your wife has finished her confinement period, I will bring her and the child to pay our respects to you."
Geng Youran nodded affectionately:
"Alright, go back now."
After seeing Hongzhou off from Chengqian Palace, Geng Youran returned to her study, and Qianxue followed her in with a cup of freshly brewed tea.
"Your Majesty, you are so good to the Fifth Prince's wife."
"It's not easy for any woman. I won't be that annoying, wicked mother-in-law. Before, it was Hongzhou who wronged her, so naturally I should comfort her on Hongzhou's behalf."
Qianxue placed the tea on the table, then put down the tray and helped Geng Youran grind the ink.
"Your Majesty, just now when you were talking to the prince, Huang Li, the maidservant of Consort Xi, came and said that the Empress is not well and would like to discuss with you the matter of taking turns serving her."
Mentioning the Empress, Geng Youran sighed.
In the past, while residing in Prince Yong's residence, Ulanara committed many misdeeds. Perhaps for this reason, the Empress's health has fluctuated in recent years, and now she is confined to her sickbed.
Consort Qi is practically confined to the Cold Palace now, while Wanru was promoted to Imperial Noble Consort last year and is in charge of the affairs of the six palaces, keeping her extremely busy.
"Since that's the case, let's not delay any longer. Let's go to Yongshou Palace."
When the two arrived at Yongshou Palace, Consort Xi, Wanru, was looking at the account books.
"This concubine (servant) greets Consort Xi. May Consort Xi be blessed."
"Sister is here, get up quickly."
Although Wanru's rank has always been higher than Geng Youran's, the two have always addressed each other as sisters.
"I heard you are arranging to serve the Empress."
"Yes, Her Majesty the Empress's health has been fluctuating. I was thinking that if I could find a clever servant to take care of her, I would feel more at ease."
Geng Youran thought for a moment, and suddenly remembered someone:
"What do you think, Ning? What do you think?"
Why would my sister think of her?
"It's not that I thought of her, but I just heard the Emperor mention her recently. She's always been eloquent and quick-witted. I'm sure the Emperor and Empress would feel at ease having her serve the Empress."
After careful consideration, Wanru felt that it made some sense:
"Then let's do as you say, sister, and let Ning agree to serve you."
Afterwards, Consort Xi, Wanru, mentioned this matter to the Emperor, and Yinzhen was very satisfied, so he personally issued an imperial decree.
Ning was initially reluctant when she received the imperial decree, but after careful consideration, she realized that it might be an opportunity for her.
Therefore, Ning agreed to serve the Empress.
At the end of September in the ninth year of the Yongzheng Emperor's reign, the Empress passed away at Changchun Garden.
Yinzhen had very mixed feelings about this. In fact, his feelings for the Empress were always more respect than love, and for a long time there was even hatred.
But when this person suddenly left him, Yinzhen felt extremely sad.
He originally wanted to personally attend the Empress's funeral, but he did not go because he had just recovered from a serious illness and the ministers persuaded him not to.
However, he still personally wrote a eulogy for the Empress:
"Since she was a child, the Empress has come to my side at the behest of the late Emperor. For more than forty years, she has been filial to the Emperor and respectful to me. Moreover, she has remained consistent throughout, which is very rare."
In addition, an imperial edict was issued ordering a five-day suspension of court proceedings and requiring all princes, civil and military officials, princesses, princesses, and noblewomen in the capital to gather at Changchun Garden to mourn and observe mourning for twenty-seven days.
"Your Majesty, Consort Xi has arrived."
After the Empress passed away, Consort Xi managed most of the affairs in the harem, with Consort Yu, Geng Youran, occasionally helping out.
"What brings you here today?"
"Sister, I've come today because I have something to discuss with you."
"What's up?"
"Do you know that His Majesty has been paying more and more attention to elixirs lately? He frequently summons that Master Ziyang to the palace."
Geng Youran frowned. These pills were actually all chemical products and were poisonous.
Although it appears to be effective at present, it is actually eroding Yinzhen's body.
However, their relationship is not what it used to be, and even if she spoke up, Yinzhen probably wouldn't listen.
“I know this even if you don’t say it. The Emperor cares about the people and often reviews memorials until late at night, so he is very tired. I have mentioned it before, but the Emperor did not take it to heart.”
"What should we do?"
Consort Xi, Wanru, was somewhat anxious.
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