Yuanmingyuan
Changning disliked the cramped feeling of the Forbidden City, so almost every time the weather got hot, he would come to the Yuanmingyuan to escape the summer heat, and this would last for more than half a year. Therefore, Yinzhen often handles government affairs here now.
On this day, Changning was checking Hongzhao's wedding arrangements, with Wunaxi quietly reading beside her and Yaertan teasing Yuanying.
Suddenly, Fubuki came in excitedly to report that the Second Princess had sent a letter.
This surprised Changning. Hutuli had been out of the palace for three or four years and had sent back many letters, but Changning read them many times each time, afraid of seeing her daughter's aggrieved emotions between the lines, even though Changning knew in her heart that Hutuli might not be very happy.
But this time it's different.
Yartan and Unahi both came over and, after reading the contents of the letter, the two girls were shocked.
"Aa ...
"Oh my god! Is this real?!"
"Mother! Look! My sister says she and Chen Zhihuai got married!"
"This is so romantic! With heaven and earth as our matchmaker and myself as our betrothal gift, we'll pledge our hearts to each other at the ends of the earth!"
Changning twitched her lips. As expected of her daughter, she unleashed a powerful move without making a sound.
The letter stated that right after winning a battle in England, Chen Zhihuai used diamonds from there to propose to her, imitating Westerners.
Although there were no formal marriage rites, no matchmaker's words, and no imperial decree of marriage from the Emperor, there was mutual affection and companionship.
After a long while, Changning finally smiled softly.
It seems the era of children has finally arrived.
Upon hearing the news, Yinzhen arrived like a gust of wind, his expression a mix of joy and anger.
Changning poured him a cup of chrysanthemum tea and then asked Ya'ertan and Hutuli to take Yuan Ying out to play.
Yuan Ying wasn't shy around Yinzhen and called him "Grandpa Emperor" in a soft, sweet voice, which melted Yinzhen's heart.
He hugged Yuan Ying and patted his two daughters' heads before letting them go out, his expression softening considerably.
"What's wrong? Hutuli is getting married, aren't you happy?" Changning looked at him with a sly smile, a hint of knowing the answer and gloating in her tone.
Yinzhen sighed: "Yaoxian, you should know that I have spent the most time and energy on Hongyan and Hutuli. They are the apples of my eye!"
Especially regarding Hutuli, I don't object to her marriage to Chen Zhihuai, but if she really wants to get married, she'll have to go back to the capital first.
Changning was initially angry about this, but then she thought that they were in England now, and it would probably take them more than half a year to return to Beijing. So she decided to let them go and hope they would be safe.
Moreover, over the years, Changning has also felt fortunate to have Chen Zhihuai by her side to assist her, which makes her feel more at ease and gives her more confidence than if she were to fight alone.
Although she hadn't seen her daughter for several years, subconsciously, she could imagine what she looked like in Hutu: bright and confident, with a flamboyant yet sharp smile, not as graceful as a flower, but rather like an eagle soaring high, full of vigorous power.
This is her true Hutuli.
Hearing Changning's words, Yinzhen couldn't say anything more. Similarly, he felt a sense of pride and honor in his heart.
All his children are successful, and as their father, he couldn't be happier.
As his children grew up and were able to share the burdens of the country and shoulder the responsibilities of family and nation, Yinzhen became increasingly clear that Yaoxian was the only one who could stay by his side.
So, after returning home, he personally wrote an edict, which stated that three years later, Yongzheng would abdicate and appoint Hongyan as the next emperor.
Also present were the officials from the Grand Council, all of whom were trusted advisors of Yinzhen, and they were all quite apprehensive about witnessing this event.
In their view, the Third Prince's ascension to the throne was a foregone conclusion, but why did His Majesty abdicate after only three years?
The Qing Dynasty is now enjoying peace and prosperity, with a strong national power and continuous expansion of its territory. It is truly a golden age!
However, no one dared to question the Emperor's decree.
After writing the abdication edict, Yinzhen felt as if a heavy burden had been lifted from his shoulders, and he even specially ordered someone to bring him some wine and food that evening.
Changning had just finished washing up, and her body still smelled of jasmine. This was a Western fragrance that Yinzhen had specially sent to her; just a little bit in the bathtub would make her skin smell sweet.
Changning, still slightly damp, was taken aback when she saw a table full of food laid out in the outer room, including dishes like braised goose breast, pickled quail, and stir-fried crucian carp, which were perfect with drinks.
"What's wrong? Want to drink with the moon?"
Looking at Yao Xian, who resembled a young woman of sixteen or seventeen, with her radiant beauty, Yinzhen's eyes were filled with an intense and unyielding affection.
The voice was also exceptionally soft.
Tonight, I want to get drunk with you.
Looking into his affectionate gaze, Changning smiled and said, "Alright, Northeasterners aren't afraid of drinking contests."
After saying that, Yinzhen poured wine for the two of them. After a few cups, their faces turned a little red.
Changning thought to herself, "Who said that ancient wine was only a few degrees? This is clearly quite strong; it's made me a little dizzy."
But what confused Yinzhen even more was what he said.
"I have already written the abdication edict. Three years from now, I will voluntarily abdicate and let Hongyan ascend the throne. At that time, I will hand over this empire to my children."
With Hutuli expanding the territory abroad and Hongyan governing both internally and externally, there is no need to worry about the lack of talent in our Great Qing.
Three years from now, I will no longer be the emperor of the Qing Dynasty, nor the ruler of the people.
But he is your husband alone.
"How are you, Yao Xian?"
Changning felt like her brain had short-circuited.
My husband is the only one for me?
But before she could think any further, she passed out drunk.
As she fell asleep, her mind was filled with images from the past few years, from her first day entering the Prince's mansion, to her first pregnancy, to having Tuantuan, to becoming the wife of Prince Yong, and finally to becoming the Empress.
Her life must have been fulfilling.
She wanted to thank the Fucha family, her father and mother, and her brothers.
At the same time, she also hoped to grow old with this person and never abandon him.
With whom?
Oh, and my husband.
The person I drink with.
Before Changning fell completely asleep, she felt herself being embraced by a warm and strong embrace, surrounded by a reassuring aura, and heard a familiar voice.
"Yaoxian, I love you."
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