That evening, Yinzhen and Changning lay together chatting.
The two of them first cuddled together for a while, pouring out their hearts to each other and expressing their longing for one another. Then they talked about the children, and Yinzhen sighed, holding the woman in his arms even tighter.
"It's fortunate that you stayed at the manor. A lot has happened to the children lately. If you hadn't been there, they would definitely have started overthinking things. Feng Sheng'e went to the palace to study, and then there was the Meng Guqing incident. If no one had comforted them, I'm afraid they would have gotten stuck in a rut."
Changning felt comforted, but she still knew her children very well.
"It's alright, they're all quick-witted. This incident is also a learning opportunity for them. I told them that no matter what happens, they must protect themselves." At this point, Changning asked curiously, "Did Meng Guqing really fake his death?"
Yinzhen nodded and lowered his voice: "We'll just say to the outside world that she has a very serious illness, and that it's contagious and her condition is severe, so she's been isolated. We'll hold a grand funeral for her when she comes back this time. I've already submitted a memorial to Father Emperor."
"She went back to Ujumqin? How is she doing?"
"That depends on her. Prince Ujumchin has no sons, only two brothers and several nephews, all of whom are like wolves and tigers. If she wants to overcome all opposition and take control of the tribe, she will definitely have to put in a lot of effort. Moreover, she cannot use her identity as the princess Mengguqing now."
Hearing this, Changning sighed and could only wish her all the best, hoping that they would meet again in the future.
Thinking of that jade hairpin and wooden hairpin, Changning knew that Meng Guqing still considered her a friend and hoped to help her if the opportunity arose in the future.
The most urgent task now is to prepare for smallpox vaccination for the children, and then to handle Meng Guqing's funeral.
Smallpox vaccination in the Qing Dynasty was a very solemn event. Children who had been vaccinated would stay alone in the Wufu Hall for about twenty days. The only people who could attend to them and see them were the eunuchs and the imperial physicians.
Moreover, although Wufutang sounds spacious and bright, it is actually a small dark room. It is a quiet place chosen as a dark room, with all the doors and windows sealed off so that it cannot see the sun, moon, or stars, otherwise it will be considered unlucky.
Normal adults would easily feel lonely and afraid in such an environment, let alone young children.
Moreover, after vaccination, the body becomes very weak due to the infection of this virus. While sick, there are no familiar people around, and neither father nor mother can provide support. One can only rely on one's own will to get through it, which is really difficult.
So Changning made thorough preparations for the children's vaccination this time.
When she was pregnant, she made a lot of extra-large soft cushions, as well as rabbit dolls and carrot dolls, which the children loved.
So this time, Changning specially made a majestic tiger doll and gave it to Fei Yang'a so that he could hug it to sleep at night.
The gift she gave Hutuli was a kitten doll, modeled after Tuantuan.
As for Feng Sheng'e, although he is calm, sensible and mature and doesn't really need dolls, in order to ensure absolute fairness in a multi-child family, Changning still prepared a large turtle cushion for him, which is made of mung beans.
Besides the plush toy cushions that kept her company while she slept at night, Changning also ordered Eunuch Ma to prepare a lot of food. There were egg tarts, steamed sweet cheese, shrimp dumplings, and fried chicken that the children had been pestering her to eat.
However, they couldn't eat anything too oily while getting vaccinated; they could only have a small taste. This satisfied them greatly; fried chicken is so delicious!
Finally, to keep the children from getting bored, Changning also collected many interesting historical books, travelogues, and books like the Classic of Mountains and Seas. Although they couldn't see the sun, moon, and stars, they could at least light oil lamps.
Changning was worried that they would damage their eyes by reading at night, so she specifically told them that they could only read for a maximum of two hours each day.
When Hutuli and Feiyanga received the book, they were taken aback at first, then they furtively pulled Changning's hand and whispered, "Mother, Mother, do you still have that book, 'The Domineering Prince Fell in Love with Me,' which we saw on your desk before?"
Changning was immediately embarrassed. What was wrong with these kids?
How can the flowers of our motherland be poisoned by this kind of domineering CEO novel?
Therefore, she righteously and firmly rejected the children's unreasonable request.
Hutuli pouted and said unwillingly, "So what? I can write that too."
What? Her daughter actually has the talent to write novels?
This is going off track!
Changning tapped her little head: "Don't think about such nonsense all day long. Have you memorized all of Guo Luoma's sword techniques and martial arts? Practice more often when you have time to strengthen your body, recover faster, and you can go back to the manor sooner."
Fei Yang'a tugged at her sleeve and reminded her, "Mother, you must tell them to remember to bring me milk! If I don't drink milk, I won't grow tall!"
"Okay, okay, don't worry."
Changning gave the three of them instructions again and again before finally letting them leave, still feeling uneasy.
Yinzhen simply patted each of them on the shoulder, smiling gently, without saying much, yet giving these children immense strength and a sense of security.
So these children set off like little soldiers.
Watching the children's carriage disappear into the distance, Changning felt a pang of sorrow, and tears almost welled up in her eyes.
What's wrong? I get a bit sentimental every time I'm pregnant.
Yinzhen hurriedly embraced her tenderly and wiped away her tears.
In fact, what Yinzhen was most worried about was Honghui.
Although I love Hongyan and Hongzhao more, they have always been very healthy, so I think they won't have any problems this time.
Honghui is the only child who is physically weak but mentally burdened. Despite years of careful care, he remains frail.
One large part of the reason is his congenital deficiency, and the other half is that he overthinks.
Now, this vaccination is the biggest test for him, and it's unknown whether he can pull through.
The wife stood to the side, silently shedding tears. Seeing her son gently wave goodbye to her, then turn and get into the carriage, she prayed in her heart that Honghui would return safely and healthily this time.
As for Song Gege, she stood at a distance, silently watching her daughter's back, not daring to even go up and say a word.
Geng Gege, standing to the side, kindly comforted her: "Sister Song, don't worry, the eldest princess will definitely come back safely. After being cared for in the main courtyard of the Fujin for so many years, and with the help of so many top-quality medicinal herbs brought by Madam Fucha, the eldest princess's health has improved considerably."
Yes, when talking about this, Song Gege felt incredibly lucky.
With the care of the Fujin (principal wife) and the kindness of Lady Fucha, the daughter never opposed Chun Fujin and always treated her with utmost respect.
She's a sensible person; she helps both sides, yet doesn't help either.
I heard that the Princess Consort and the Prince are already choosing a husband for the eldest princess. Please, please don't let it be Fumeng!
This is the tragedy of being born into royalty, Song Gege thought, forcing back her tears.
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