Seeing that Yan Ning, who had recovered her composure, was embarrassed by her gaze, Consort Rong smiled and said, "Although this jade pendant is of the finest quality, jade is an object of yin, and it always exudes a sinister aura!"
As she spoke, she picked up the fine wooden tray and walked towards the warm couch where the emperor was sitting, leaving Yan Ning looking completely bewildered.
The Emperor accepted the covered bowl handed to him by Consort Rong. Perhaps because Consort Rong had been staying at Xinghua Chun Pavilion for a long time, she carried a faint fragrance of apricot blossoms.
Following a faint fragrance, the Emperor looked towards Consort Rong. "Are all the apricot blossoms in your palace in full bloom?"
Consort Rong smiled gently, "If Your Majesty does not go soon, I fear we will all perish."
Sitting on the other side of the chessboard, Fukang'an put down the chess piece he had just picked up, a smile playing on his lips. "Since Consort Rong has extended such a warm invitation, I dare not disobey Her Highness's wishes to His Majesty."
The Emperor threw down the chess piece in his hand, looked at Fukang'an and said gently, "Fine, I can't beat you in this game anyway. You're probably the only one in the Qing Dynasty who dares to beat me! Wu Shulai, prepare the carriage for Consort Rong's palace!" He stood up and gently took Consort Rong's hand.
Standing to one side, Wu Shulai shouted, "His Majesty is departing for Xinghuachun Pavilion!" and then went to instruct the palace servants to prepare for the journey.
Fukang'an looked at Yan Ning, his expression calm. Yan Ning walked to his side and walked alongside him, closely following the Emperor and Consort Rong.
Spring flowers lined the path, and the eunuchs, dressed in dark blue palace robes, stood out even more against the backdrop of the vibrant blossoms alongside the palace maids' sky-blue attire. The Emperor had granted permission for the concubines, palace maids, and eunuchs to remove their mourning clothes, but their attire was not to be too flamboyant.
A group of palace servants followed closely behind Yan Ning and Fukang'an, and whenever they encountered someone bowing to the Emperor, they all knelt in the direction of the two of them.
This was originally insignificant. The Eighth Prince Yongxuan limped over to pay his respects to the Emperor. After finishing his greetings, he glanced coldly at Fukang'an behind the Emperor.
Although Fukang'an was on Agui's side, Agui, being of similar age, treated the brothers with respect, showing them a clear hierarchy. However, Fukang'an, now serving the Emperor, completely disregarded the two brothers. Yongxuan couldn't discern whether the Emperor truly favored him or, as Yongyan had suggested, suppressed him.
The Emperor, thinking of the apricot blossom wine brewed by Consort Rong in her palace, exchanged a few hurried words with Yongxuan before leading a grand procession of attendants to the Apricot Blossom Spring Pavilion.
Xinghuachun Pavilion was built in imitation of a landscape of mountains and fields, with a casual layout. There are low houses and sparse fences, paper windows and wooden beds; there are also town gates and mountain paths. It is like a mountain resort, with farmhouses and mountains.
However, the Spring Rain Pavilion where Consort Rong and Yan Ning lived was a five-room main hall, with gardens in front and behind, and surrounded by beautiful, verdant mountains and trees. When Consort Rong and Yan Ning had nothing to do, they would plant some easy-to-grow fruits and vegetables in the vegetable garden in front of the pavilion. Sometimes, they would start chatting about everyday things by talking about the fruits and vegetables. After a month, the two of them became close friends.
Wu Shulai ordered all the palace servants brought from the Qinzheng Qinxian Hall to remain outside the Xinghuachun Hall, where Consort Rong and her palace staff would serve the Emperor.
Consort Rong personally dug up the apricot blossom wine that had been buried in the apricot grove last year. The Emperor watched with great interest as Consort Rong's azure figure bustled about among the white and pink apricot blossoms.
During her stay at Xinghua Chun Pavilion, Yan Ning felt an increasing sense of closeness to Consort Rong. Consort Rong liked to do everything herself and especially enjoyed riding horses in military attire; she was straightforward and honest. However, now that Consort Rong was ranked first among the concubines, she needed to control her temper. Yan Ning rarely saw her riding a horse, only noticing her in military uniform when they were bored.
Under her purple military uniform, Consort Rong looked even more heroic and spirited. Yan Ning always felt that this was the truest Consort Rong, but the dignified and virtuous Consort Rong by the Emperor's side was also her.
Perhaps, everyone in the palace has two sides!
The Emperor received the jade porcelain apricot blossom wine jar, covered in mud, from Consort Rong's hands. His bright yellow dragon robe contrasted beautifully with Consort Rong's turquoise cheongsam, which stood out against the white, pink, and pale yellow apricot blossoms. The two smiled at each other, looking at the apricot blossom wine they had buried together the previous year. Consort Rong's smile was hidden behind the apricot blossoms, but Yan Ning knew it must be far more beautiful than the blossoms themselves.
Holding hands and growing old together, living a peaceful and beautiful life, what could be better than this!
Fukang'an picked a white apricot blossom and placed it on Yan Ning's hair, which was not adorned with any ornaments. Yan Ning shifted her gaze from the Emperor and Consort Rong to Fukang'an.
He was wearing a silver-white robe with dark crimson arrow sleeves at the cuffs. Perhaps he thought the apricot blossom was in the wrong place, so he took it off and put it back on her head.
His face, as smooth as snow-capped mountains and jade, smiled gently at her. "When I'm old and can no longer wield weapons or ride a warhorse, let's find a place with mountains and water and bury the apricot blossom wine we brewed ourselves."
Fukang'an spoke of the leisurely life she desired, but after listening to him, Yan Ning's heart felt as if something was blocking it. Would they ever have that time? She could wait, but would he give her the chance to wait?
In early June, the sweltering summer had arrived.
Yan Ning's belly was already quite prominent, and Consort Rong was always delighted to see her. She had no children of her own, and whenever she embroidered clothes for infants, she had nowhere to send them. She knew in her heart that in the harem, no concubine's child would dare use anything sent by another concubine.
Yan Ning didn't care. She saw that Consort Rong had embroidered a bib, hat, and baby clothes for her unborn child, and then folded them all neatly and put them into a bundle.
The Empress Dowager's hundred-day mourning period has passed, and the Emperor's mood has improved considerably. After accompanying the Emperor on a horseback ride, Fukang'an went to Xinghua Chun Pavilion to find Yan Ning.
Although it was the height of summer, Xinghua Spring Pavilion was surrounded by rolling hills and lush green trees. At night, one could easily catch a cold without wearing extra clothing.
Fukang'an stood in front of the Xinghuachun Pavilion. The sweat that had just broken out on his body from galloping on horseback had cooled down, and the peony jade hairpin that had been warmed up in his sleeve had become icy cold.
His cold eyes softened at the sight of Yan Ning. He reached out and wiped the fine sweat from Yan Ning's forehead; she was already quite unwell, and every movement she made would cause her to break out in a sweat.
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