After leaving the Hall of Mental Cultivation, Honghui was somewhat absent-minded.
Back at the South Third Institute, he originally wanted to talk to the older sister, but he didn't know how to face her.
How could he possibly bring it up? Bayan must have broken his older sister's heart.
But should he blame Bayan?
I heard that Bayan is now crippled; his legs are probably beyond repair, and he can only lie paralyzed in bed.
Furthermore, Xingde's marriage to his older sister will no longer be mentioned.
The marriage alliance between the eldest princess and the Ulanara clan will not continue.
How would the Emperor treat Ulanara next? Honghui didn't know. He was somewhat apprehensive, but he also deeply felt his own powerlessness and helplessness. He could do nothing but passively accept it.
At that moment, he suddenly remembered a saying: "Thunder and rain, all are the emperor's grace."
However, his father's last words still left a deep impression on him and inexplicably calmed his mind.
He was willing to believe in his father, the Emperor.
I am his bloodline, his son.
In Chengqian Palace...
Since the playground was built, Hutuli has been running with the concubines of the harem every day at dawn. Changning also went to watch a few times and even taught them a few slogans.
for example……
We'll bleed and sweat, but not shed tears; no matter how bitter or tiring, we'll never fall behind.
One, two, three, four; one, two, three, four.
To be honest, it actually looks pretty convincing. Shouting slogans before running really boosts morale.
Although everyone was exhausted in the first few days and couldn't keep going, complaining of leg, back, and hip pain, Changning told them to do some warm-up exercises before running and stretch afterward.
A few days later, the concubines all looked thinner, but they were all in good spirits. Before, they were all frail and graceful, but now they were chatting and laughing much more cheerfully, and their voices were louder.
They all look very open and generous, almost like people from Northeast China.
Hmm, not bad.
Changning felt that if things continued to develop at this pace, preparations could begin for the first Qing Dynasty Women's Games.
The current atmosphere is very good. The masters exercise every day, and the servants below, in order to please their masters, have also started to run around with them. However, the palace servants are much stronger than the concubines, after all, the concubines do rough work every day.
Consort Shu was exhausted these past few days, but she still insisted on coming to pay her respects to Changning.
"Her Majesty the Empress is truly wise. This is an excellent move. Now everyone runs laps together every day, which not only improves their physical health but also strengthens their bonds. Consort Qian has stopped putting on airs, and Consort Yu and Consort Ning no longer quarrel. The sisters are all very harmonious."
Changning was very satisfied to hear this: "As long as we continue to persevere, the results will definitely get better and better."
Changning realized that she had caused such a commotion in the inner palace without informing the Empress Dowager, and felt that she had broken the rules. So she decided to go to Cining Palace as soon as possible.
"Consort Shu, I have some newly arrived pre-Qingming Longjing tea. I know you like it, so take some back with you."
Seeing the Empress's smiling face, Consort Shu was touched, but she also knew that this was a way of saying goodbye, so she stood up and thanked her, saying, "Thank you for your concern, Your Majesty. Then I will respectfully accept your invitation."
After saying this, Consort Shu took her leave.
Changning was dressed and groomed by Meixiang and Hexiang. After she was properly dressed, the imperial carriage was summoned, and she prepared to go to Cining Palace.
Just as she was about to leave, Hutu came over. Seeing her mother about to go out, she was somewhat surprised: "Where are you going, Mother?"
"We're planning to visit the Empress Dowager at Cining Palace. Would you like to come along?"
Hutu nodded hurriedly: "Great! It's been so long since I've seen Grandma Huang."
Changning took her hand and they both sat in the sedan chair. He asked, somewhat puzzled, "What's wrong? Did something happen?"
Hutu let out an "Oh dear" before replying in a low voice, "By the way, I came to tell Mother that my eldest sister has been locking herself in her room lately and won't come out. I was a little worried, but I saw Consort Mao yesterday, and she said that my eldest sister will get better on her own in a few days. Mother, is that really true?"
Changning nodded: "Don't worry, she's a princess of the Qing Dynasty. She knows what's going on and will sort it out herself. If that doesn't work, I'll go and talk to her again. It's better to let her figure it out herself for now."
Hutu sighed, "It's all that Bayan's fault. He seemed so refined, but he's actually a treacherous person. Mother, how do you tell if someone is loyal or treacherous?"
Changning touched her face; it was delicate and smooth. Her daughter, who had been learning to speak in her swaddling clothes, was now all grown up.
"When you are in a high position, many people will jump out, either wanting status or wealth, always thinking there is something to gain. You can see this clearly. You only need to choose what you need and what is beneficial to you."
It's not easy to distinguish between good intentions and bad intentions, so you should look at whether it has value.
For example, Bayan, if Yirha were to marry into the Ulanara clan, wouldn't he be the best choice?
Hutu tilted her head, not quite understanding: "But, Mother, isn't marriage about choosing a husband you like?"
"Mother will try her best to fulfill your request. However, feelings of affection can change." Changning turned her head and looked at her still somewhat bewildered daughter. "It's truly rare."
Hutuli was still young and had never experienced the taste of love, but she still longed for the kind of true love that her father and mother had.
As they were talking, they arrived at Cining Palace.
Only after Consort De became Empress Dowager did her life truly become comfortable.
Consort Cheng is now the Dowager Consort Cheng. The two had a good relationship before. The Emperor has issued an edict that all the Dowager Consorts can be taken out of the palace by their sons to be cared for. For example, Dowager Consort Hui has already been taken out of the palace by Prince Zhi.
However, Consort Cheng was not in a hurry. She felt that life in Shou Kang Palace was quite comfortable. For the sake of his reputation for filial piety, the Emperor treated the late Emperor's consorts with great respect, and their food, clothing and daily necessities were much better than when Emperor Kangxi was still alive.
Even if she left the palace, Consort Cheng would not want to bother her son with any issues of mother-in-law/daughter-in-law relationships in the Prince's residence. Therefore, she currently still lives in the palace and often comes to Cining Palace to keep the Empress Dowager company and relieve her boredom.
When Changning and Hutu arrived, Consort Cheng was playing mahjong with the Empress Dowager.
The mahjong set was obtained by Yinzhen from Changning. He then had the Imperial Household Department manufacture a new ivory set before presenting it to the Empress Dowager to relieve her boredom.
The Empress Dowager indeed enjoyed it, often playing mahjong with the imperial concubines or palace maids.
Upon seeing the mountains of gold and silver coins piled up at the Empress Dowager's place, Changning exclaimed with a smile, "Your Majesty is having a really good day!"
Hutu rushed over, exclaiming, "Wow! Grandma! You won by so much! That's amazing!"
The Empress Dowager felt extremely pleased to be flattered like this, and chuckled, "Not bad, it's all thanks to those shrewd people who know how to keep me company."
Consort Cheng jokingly added, "The Empress Dowager is like she has some kind of honey, making all our money fly away because of the sweet smell."
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