Dreams of Qing surround Yaochi ( Shared with Empress Xiaoxian )
As soon as summer arrived, most of Yunzhu's cheongsam dresses were replaced with soft and light silk fabrics, just like this one in front of me. The moon-white embroidered bamboo has a short placket, a peach-shaped collar, and the edges of the cheongsam from the shoulder to the hem are trimmed with three-inch-wide apricot stone-colored silk with gold thread embroidery featuring Han-style tile patterns. It looks as elegant as wearing a qipao, exuding refinement and luxury.
She had a low bun on her head, adorned with a sheep's fat jade carved orchid hairpin, and wore a pair of white jade carved orchid earrings. After becoming pregnant, she gained a bit of weight, her skin was smooth and delicate, and her movements were slow. In Hongli's eyes, she looked like a jade doll, warm and lovely.
"I feel like this belly is getting a bit big." It's only been three months, but it looks like five, Hongli carefully supported her, slowly walking towards the Imperial Garden.
Her eyebrows and eyes curved, "Don't be so tense, just walk properly." But in her heart, she thought, with three babies in her belly, how could it not be big? It's really unknown what luck she had, to actually be pregnant with triplets.
I'm afraid you'll fall down.
She smiled and glanced at him, "Walking so slowly, how could you fall?" Her eyes were extremely long and narrow, clear as water, with pupils like shiny black lacquer, and when she turned around, her eyes flowed with a gentle curve, shining like starlight. When she raised an eyebrow, it was extremely charming, but Yunzhu rarely made such movements, and occasionally, someone would be enchanted and become dizzy.
Suddenly, the figure in front of the flower cluster flashed, "Who?" Yunzhu shouted, her small hand covering her chest, startled. Hongli's sharp eyes glanced over there, afraid that something unexpected would happen again and didn't dare to let go of Yunzhu. Wu Shulai quickly and agilely slipped away, and after a while, came back to whisper two sentences in Hongli's ear.
Yunzhu's ears were extremely good, and she heard the words "Chengqian Palace, palace maid", her lips curled up slightly with a faint smile.
On the other hand, Jin Yi rushed into her own room in Chengqian Palace, sat on the bed and stroked her violently beating heart, her small face blushing, her expression dazed. She wasn't someone who hadn't seen the Fourth Prince before, it's just that she had never seen a Fourth Prince with such a gentle expression and focused eyes, the deep emotions in his eyes were so thick they couldn't be dispersed... If only, he was looking at her!
Thinking of the Fourth Mistress, her heartbeat gradually calmed down, and her eyes flickered uncertainly. In the future, competing with such a woman for favor, how much chance of winning would she have? The Fourth Brother's so favored Di Mistress...
She took out a small copper mirror from the small box, carefully examining the person in the mirror, still with a few points of greenness on her face. Due to her exceptionally fair skin, deep eye sockets, slightly raised nose bridge, and clear lip line... Her slender figure looked like a lotus flower in the water, pure and elegant with a hint of tender charm. This kind of appearance still had room for growth, not losing to the four noblewomen's. As for that warm and elegant demeanor, she also had time to cultivate it...
She put down the mirror in her hand, pursed her lips and looked out of the window with a determined gaze. Yes, she had time, she was younger, there would always be that day when she grew old and faded, while she herself was still in her prime. By then, the one who would be by the side of the Fourth Prince, receiving his gentle affection, would definitely be herself.
Now, I must be more careful to curry favor with Xi Guifei. Since she chose me to serve the Fourth Prince, he and his wife should also treat me kindly because of her. If I can become pregnant like Su Shi did soon after... No, don't rush it. I'm still young, and there are five or six months before Fu Jin gives birth. I need to solidify my position during this time, then get pregnant in a year or two. By that time, I should have established myself at the Western Palace.
Her thoughts ran out of control again to the fourth brother Wei Ang's physique, handsome face, noble temperament, her white jade-like face floated with two blushes, shining eyes, like sweet and intoxicating old wine.
"Xiao Ying, are you there? Zhao Ayi is calling you."
Zhao's nanny was sent by the Imperial Concubine to teach her etiquette (not palace maid etiquette). Jinzhai came back to her senses and said, "Yes, I'll go now."
She must be obedient and listen, also intelligent and understand the master's intentions, behave properly, otherwise, this Chengqian Palace has more than one beautiful palace maid!
On the eleventh day of the sixth month in the tenth year of Yongzheng, Empress Xiaoxian gave birth to Yongzheng's tenth son Hongyan, who was seventh in line according to his generation and was known as Seventh Prince.
On the third day, Yongzheng gave the newborn a name and promoted Liu to the position of Qie Gui Ren, but did not grant her the privilege of residing in another palace. The birth of the new baby in Chengqian Palace was also a matter of prestige for Xi Guifei, so Yunzhu went there that day as well. The Seventh Prince was completely red and looked like a thin monkey, crying loudly with his four limbs moving wildly and vigorously, looking quite healthy nonetheless.
She was just a concubine, and although Consort Xi had some misgivings, she also somewhat dispelled her suspicions. After all, as a palace maid, she couldn't show off. The child, if raised well, could become a help to Hongli, but with a mind to hold him close and raise him herself, unfortunately, being in charge of the palace affairs left no energy for that. After repeated consideration, it was decided to let Consort Qian take care of him instead, anyway, he would still be in Chengqian Palace, couldn't escape that title.
For Yongzheng, having another brother was always a delightful thing. With the expected delivery date of Concubine Gu in the Yonghe Palace approaching, there was also more anticipation.
However, compared to the gradual clarification of another matter, Yongzheng's excitement about having a son in his old age seemed less intense. With the support of Hongli and Yunzhu, Qianxi's two houses searched out a lot of clothing that had been soaked in "month root grass", which pointed directly to Suzhou Weaving Factory. Although there were no strong clues in Suzhou, the inner court's open and secret struggles made Yongzheng and his son deeply feel the powerful forces of the imperial family's hereditary power beneath the Ministry of Internal Affairs.
Yongzheng was furious, he had trusted Gao Bin and appointed him to supervise the Jiangnan government, but instead of being grateful, Gao Bin used the power given to him to deceive the imperial court for his own private gain, persecuting Hongli's wife and children. Hongli was even more enraged, a mere slave who had been granted a title because of her master's face and her family's loyalty, dared to think about harming the empress dowager and the emperor's descendants. If it weren't for the fact that she was pregnant and Gao Bin still had some use, he would have beheaded her!
Unfortunately, no real evidence was caught. The case of Lv Liuliang in the past made him remember vividly, and Yongzheng naturally did not want to wrong himself with his powerful subordinates, while Hongli also had doubts in his heart. If it were the Gao family, then how many families under the jurisdiction of the Imperial Household Department were involved, what were their interests or purposes? If it wasn't the Gao family, then which faction was it? Hongxi? Whether it was or not, people couldn't help but worry.
Although this matter is temporarily shelved, the Gao family must also learn a lesson!
Soon, Li Wei, who was appointed as the Governor of Zhejiang and achieved outstanding results in managing the sea walls, set his sights on Gao Bin. Like a woodpecker, wherever there was a slight mistake or something not done correctly, he would file a complaint without hesitation, leaving Gao Bin, who had just taken over the salt administration, busy and exhausted from responding to them.
Although Gao Bin had been accumulating power in Jiangnan for many years, he was still not as good as Li Wei who had been governing the region for a long time and had deep roots. Especially when it came to salt administration, which was notorious for being prone to corruption, even a slight carelessness could lead to charges of bribery. With many people eyeing him covetously, Li Wei's intervention made those who were initially cautious and exploratory even more reluctant to reveal their true intentions, and the situation was bound to become increasingly complicated and troublesome.
Of course, the two Huai salt administration positions are very important, and Li Wei just gave Gao Bin a bit of trouble, but didn't dare to really cause him any problems. However, Gao Bin's son, Gao Heng, was not so lucky - he was found out to have used tribute goods for bribery and was dismissed from his position as Langzhong in the Imperial Household Department.
……
On this matter of the imperial harem's secrets, Yunzhu made it clear on the surface that no one from the Fuca family was allowed to investigate. She wanted to give Yongzheng and Hongli an impression, which is that the Fuca family's loyalty would forever be to the emperor, their power would forever be at the service of the monarch, even if the daughter of the Fuca family became a noble imperial concubine or future empress.
The ancestors of the Fuca family have always been like this. Like when Dorgon was in power, Hashun, who was loyal and chivalrous, dared to oppose Dorgon. Like when Emperor Kangxi intended to withdraw the Three Feudatories and whether to take military action against them, Mishan stood out and supported the emperor... The Fuca family must not lose this style of always being consistent with the interests of the emperor.
The emperor's emotions were as unpredictable as the weather, one moment it was a bright sunny day and the next a strong gust of wind would blow and heavy rain would pour down, shrouding the entire palace in a misty veil, looking gloomy.
The rain came suddenly and ended abruptly.
It had been raining for several days, and last night the wind was still strong. This morning, the clouds dispersed, and the sky cleared up. Many flowers in the courtyard were knocked down, but the leaves looked exceptionally green, and the air felt especially fresh. Yún Zhu sat lazily on a chair, getting herself dressed and made up by Rěn Sù, while listening to Míng Xīn say that the burn on Yǒng Yīng's arm in the eastern wing had not yet healed, and it was said to be somewhat dangerous.
Hongli saw her constantly yawning, her eyes narrowed into two slits, and her lips pouting slightly, couldn't help but smile: "Still sleepy? Otherwise, you don't have to go, I'll tell Mother about it."
"Look, even the sun has come out to work, how can I not go and pay respects to my mother? She's a kind and generous person, that's why she let me hide away for these days of laziness."
"You're pregnant and it's raining non-stop, so it's only right that you don't have to pay your respects." He heard Dr. Su say that it was normal for a pregnant woman to be drowsy and sleep a lot.
Yunzhu smiled and took the towel from Si Gui, covering her face with it again. After a while, she removed it, feeling much refreshed. As the Empress Dowager, the princes, princesses, and imperial consorts did not need to pay their respects to her every day, but as the birth mother of Hongli, she was an exception. In this era where filial piety was emphasized, Empress Dowager could set rules for her to follow without anyone daring to say a word. But if she failed to meet expectations even slightly, the first person to express dissatisfaction would likely be the one in front of her. "Let's go visit Yongying at Dong San Suo later."
Hongli was taken aback for a moment, then smiled and said, "Good."
Upon arriving at the Chengqian Palace, Xi Guifei saw them and was delighted. "Although the rain has stopped, the roads are still slippery. It's better to stay indoors and let someone come to report instead of rushing over to pay respects. What if something happens? Where can you find regret medicine then?"
Hongli shook his head and said: "I had advised my son early on, but she insisted on coming." What a sunny day it is... Hehe.
"She's a good and proper person, even after having children she doesn't slack off, come sit down quickly." At the same time, she also instructed Chunlan to bring some snacks.
"This is quite strange to hear," Yunzhu said with a shallow smile. "E'niang has been considerate of us, others are asked to pay respects every day, but as a daughter-in-law, it's become three days at a time, and if we get any lazier, who knows what will happen...it'll be all about eating and sleeping. Besides, paying respects is just a formality, how tiring can it be? As for others, there's only one person in the palace who still has to pay respects to his mother, that being Wu Zhaokuo, but even so, Yu Fei is also very considerate of her daughter-in-law."
Xī Guì Fēi didn't know if she had heard or not, but Yún Zhū's self-mockery made her laugh out loud. She scolded with a smile: "Which pregnant woman isn't like that? When I was carrying Hóng Lì back then, I also thought about eating this and that all day long, feeling that sleep wasn't enough no matter how much I slept! It's good that you can eat and sleep well, Old Five's family had to rush through the mourning period, Yǒng Yīng wasn't taken care of properly while in her belly..."
Xi Guifei could speak on behalf of the younger generation, but Yunzhu was unwilling to add to the gossip and just listened quietly as Xi Guifei spoke, from worrying about Hongli's life being taken care of by the wet nurses when he was young, to his physical needs now that he had grown up. "It's not that I love to worry about these things, but now that Yunzhu is pregnant, it's a critical time for her to be taking care of herself, and yet she still has to deal with the affairs of the two palaces, and also worry about Su Shi and Gao Shi who are also pregnant... I'm afraid of wronging my son..."
"Aren't there also Hua Ling and Ke'er, why is the son being wronged?" The West Second House is very good, warm and quiet. Which is like the East Third House, with one legitimate wife, one concubine, and a princess, in just two or three months, they turned Hong Yu's moon-like face into a bitter melon face.
"You don't even know how to take care of yourself, only your mother thinks about whether you've eaten well and slept well, while others serve you half-heartedly." Her eyes glanced at Yunzhu, as if she hadn't considered being a good wife. Hongli thought back to the palace maids who had come to pay their respects at Chengqian Palace recently, each with shining eyes, and how they would turn away with a flirtatious smile when he looked at them. Hearing Xigui's words, he couldn't help but understand his mother's meaning, and his face turned dark.
The empress is sending someone to her son's chambers, it seems that from commoners to the emperor himself, no one can escape this experience. Those who are not sons will go against their mother's wishes, but why would the empress be so brazen as to choose someone from among the palace maids... Is she trying to make him out to be a lustful and indulgent prince?!
"Besides, Fulingya has to take care of Yonghuan, and she's not energetic enough. Koritei doesn't seem like a considerate person either..." Seeing that her son and daughter-in-law didn't respond, Xi Guifei had to continue explaining her reasoning, "I have a clever and meticulous servant here, named Jinying, who is good at serving people. I'll let Yunchu take her back later..."
"Let's arrange for them to stay in the adjacent wing room next to Liu and Zhang's rooms at the Second Palace, as Qianxi is too small. It won't be enough space." After saying this, Hongli bid farewell to Xi Guifei and said, "I still need to go with Yunzhu to East Three Palaces to visit Yongying."
The face of Xi Guifei stiffened, and it took her a while to find her voice: "Oh, then go. Jin Shi, I'll instruct a servant to send it over later."
Yunzhu almost burst out laughing, Lingzhui's arrangement of people in Su La and Xia Gongnv had a good effect. Xi Guifei thought that her son would at least give her the title of "Gege" because of her face? Originally, it wasn't through the selection, now not even getting the treatment of a "Gege", I wonder if Jinshi will regret climbing up Xi Guifei's tree? However, she can't become another Gaoshi either. The imperial harem isn't somewhere anyone can enter, and even if she could, she still couldn't get close to Hongli's side.
Watching the couple leave Chengqian Palace together, Xi Guifei was not feeling well.
Why don't you change your mind and let your daughter-in-law take Jin Shi back to Qianxi Second Village herself tomorrow?
How can a concubine from a humble background take care of the pregnant daughter-in-law? If this gets out, it won't be that the daughter-in-law is not virtuous, but rather that I, as the mother-in-law, have given birth to a concubine who has risen through the ranks! Empress Xi felt like she had been punched in the chest, feeling both that her son did not value her as his mother and that the daughter-in-law was not considerate. And yet, despite always thinking of her son's well-being, this is the kind of indifferent reaction she gets - how can it not disappoint her?!
The son is dissatisfied with Jin's birth, and she is also dissatisfied. But can't let the son be served by only one Koriyet, this is not too shabby for a great Qing prince?
Qin's nurse let out a silent sigh. It had been half a year, and the selection of concubines was approaching again. Why did her master have to cause trouble for the Fourth Mistress at this time? Didn't he know that it would only ruin the relationship between mother-in-law and daughter-in-law?
"Master, this Jin Shi——"
"Let's find a nanny to send her over later." The son didn't mind, so naturally, Empress Xi wouldn't pay attention to it again.
The author has something to say: The following is the main body of the text:
As soon as summer arrived, most of Yunzhu's cheongsam dresses were replaced with soft and light silk fabrics, just like this one in front of me. The moon-white embroidered bamboo has a short placket, a peach-shaped collar, and the edges of the cheongsam from the shoulder to the hem are lined with three-inch-wide apricot stone-colored silk with golden thread embroidery, full of Han-style tile patterns. It looks as elegant as wearing a qipao, exuding elegance and luxury.
She had a low bun on her head, adorned with a sheep fat jade carved orchid hairpin, and wore a pair of white jade carved orchid earrings. After becoming pregnant, she gained a bit of weight, her skin was smooth and delicate, and her movements were slow. In Hongli's eyes, she looked like a jade doll, warm and lovely.
"I feel like this belly is getting a bit big." It's only been three months, but it looks like five, Hongli carefully supported her and slowly walked towards the Imperial Garden.
Her eyebrows and eyes curved, "Don't be so tense, just walk well." But in her heart, she thought, with three babies in her belly, how could it not be big? It's really unknown what luck she had, to actually be pregnant with triplets.
I'm afraid you'll fall down.
She smiled and glanced at him, "Walking so slowly, how could you fall?" Her eyes were extremely long and narrow, clear as water, with pupils like shiny black lacquer, and when she turned her head, the waves flowed gently, shining like starlight. When she raised an eyebrow, it was extremely charming, but Yunzhu rarely made such a move, and occasionally, someone would be enchanted and become dizzy.
Suddenly, the figure in front of the flower cluster flashed, "Who?" Yunzhu shouted, her small hand covering her chest, startled. Hongli's sharp eyes glanced over, afraid that there might be another unexpected event and didn't dare to let go of Yunzhu. Wu Shulai quickly and agilely slipped away, and after a while, came back to whisper two sentences in Hongli's ear.
Yunzhu's ears were extremely good, and she heard the words "Chengqian Palace, palace maid", her lips curled up slightly with a faint smile.
On the other hand, Jin Yi rushed into her own room in Chengqian Palace, sat on the bed and stroked her violently beating heart, her small face blushing, her expression dazed. She wasn't someone who hadn't seen the Fourth Prince before, it's just that she had never seen a Fourth Prince with such a gentle expression and focused eyes, the deep emotions in his eyes were so thick they couldn't be dispersed... If only, he was looking at her!
Thinking of the Fourth Imperial Concubine, her heartbeat gradually calmed down, and her eyes flickered with uncertainty. In the future, competing for favor with such a woman, how much chance of winning would she have? The Fourth Prince's so favored Di Imperial Concubine...
She took out a small copper mirror from the small box, carefully examining the person in the mirror, still with a few points of greenness on her face. Due to her exceptionally fair skin, deep eye sockets, slightly raised nose bridge, and clear lip line... Her slender figure looked like a lotus flower in the water, pure and elegant with a hint of tender charm. This kind of appearance still had room for growth, not losing to the four noblewomen's. As for that warm and elegant demeanor, she also had time to cultivate it...
She put down the mirror in her hand, pursed her lips and looked out of the window with a determined gaze. Yes, she had time, she was younger, there would always be that day when she grew old and faded, while she herself was still in her prime. By then, the one who would be by the side of the Fourth Prince, receiving his gentle affection, would definitely be herself.
Now, I must be more careful to curry favor with Xi Guifei. Since she chose me to serve the Fourth Prince, looking at Xi Guifei's face, the Fourth Prince and the Fourth Furen will also treat me kindly. If I can be like Su Shi, getting pregnant soon after... No, don't rush, I'm still young, there are still five or six months before the Furen gives birth. I need to solidify my position during this time, get pregnant in a year or two, and by then, I should have established myself in Qianxi's second residence.
Her thoughts ran out of control again, thinking of the fourth brother Wei Ang's strong body, handsome face, and noble temperament. Her white jade-like face floated with two blushes, her eyes shining like sweet wine, intoxicating and charming.
"Xiao Ying, are you there? Zhao Ayi is calling you."
Zhao's nanny was sent by the Imperial Concubine to teach her etiquette (not palace maid etiquette). Jinzhai came back to her senses and said, "Yes, I'll go now."
She must be obedient and listen, also clever and understand the master's intentions, behave properly, otherwise, this Chengqian Palace has more than one beautiful palace maid!
On the eleventh day of the sixth month in the tenth year of Yongzheng, Empress Xiaoxian gave birth to Yongzheng's tenth son Hongyan, who was seventh in line according to his generation and was known as Seventh Prince.
On the third day, Yongzheng gave the newborn a name and promoted Liu to the position of Qie Gui Ren, but did not grant her the privilege of residing in another palace. The birth of the new baby in Chongqing Palace was also a matter of prestige for Xi Guifei, so Yunzhu went there that day as well. The Seventh Prince was completely red and looked like a thin monkey, crying loudly with his four limbs moving vigorously, looking quite healthy.
She just wrapped up a noble person, and although Xi Guifei was somewhat depressed, she also got rid of some of the defensive intention. Thinking that after all, it's not good to be an imperial concubine, but if the child is well raised, he can become a helper for Hongli. She wanted to take him in herself, but unfortunately, she had no energy to spare as she was in charge of palace affairs. After repeated consideration, she decided to let Xian Guiren take care of him instead, anyway, it's still in the Chengqian Palace, and the name won't run away.
For Yongzheng, having another brother was always a delightful thing. With the expected delivery date of Concubine Gu in the Yonghe Palace approaching, there was also more anticipation.
However, compared to the gradual clarification of another matter, Yongzheng's excitement about having a son in his old age seemed less intense. With the support of Hongli and Yunzhu, Qianxi's two houses searched out a lot of clothing that had been soaked in "month root grass", which pointed directly to Suzhou Weaving Factory. Although there were no strong clues in Suzhou, the inner court's open and secret struggles made Yongzheng and his son deeply feel the powerful forces of the imperial family's hereditary power beneath the Ministry of Household Affairs.
Yongzheng was furious, he had trusted Gao Bin and appointed him to supervise the Jiangnan government, but instead of being grateful, Gao Bin used the power given to him to deceive the imperial court for his own private gain, persecuting Hongli's wife and children. Hongli was even more enraged, a mere slave who had been granted a title because of her master's face and her family's loyalty, dared to think about harming the empress dowager and the emperor's descendants. If it weren't for the fact that she was pregnant and Gao Bin still had some use, he would have beheaded her!
Unfortunately, no real evidence was caught. The case of Lv Liuliang in the past made him remember vividly, and Yongzheng naturally did not want to wrong himself with his powerful subordinates, while Hongli also had doubts in his heart. If it were the Gao family, then how many families under the jurisdiction of the Imperial Household Department were involved, what were their interests or purposes? If it wasn't the Gao family, then which faction was it? Hongxi? Whether it was or not, people couldn't help but worry.
Although this matter is temporarily shelved, the Gao family must also learn a lesson!
Soon, Li Wei, who was appointed as the Governor of Zhejiang and achieved outstanding results in managing the sea walls, set his sights on Gao Bin. Like a woodpecker, wherever there was a slight mistake or something not done correctly, he would file a complaint without hesitation, leaving Gao Bin, who had just taken over the salt administration, busy and exhausted from responding to them.
Although Gao Bin had been accumulating power in Jiangnan for many years, he was still not as good as Li Wei who had been governing the region for a long time and had deep roots. Especially when it came to salt administration, which was notorious for being prone to corruption, even a slight carelessness could lead to charges of bribery. With many people eyeing him covetously, Li Wei's intervention made those who were initially cautious and exploratory even more reluctant to reveal their true intentions, and the situation was bound to become increasingly complicated and troublesome.
Of course, the two Huai salt administration positions are very important, and Li Wei just gave Gao Bin a bit of a headache, but didn't dare to really cause him any trouble. However, Gao Bin's son, Gao Heng, was not so lucky - he was found out to have used tribute goods for bribery and was dismissed from his position as Langzhong in the Imperial Household Department.
……
Regarding this matter of the imperial harem's secrets, Yunzhu made it clear on the surface that no one from the Fuca family was allowed to investigate. She wanted to give Yongzheng and Hongli an impression, which is that the Fuca family's loyalty would forever be to the emperor, their power would forever be at the service of the monarch, even if the daughter of the Fuca family became a noble imperial consort and future empress.
The ancestors of the Fuca family have always been like this. Like when Dorgon was in power, Hashun, who was upright and loyal, dared to oppose Dorgon. Like when Emperor Kangxi intended to withdraw the Three Feudatories and whether to take military action against them, Mishan stood out and supported the emperor... The Fuca family must not lose this style of always being consistent with the interests of the emperor.
The emperor's emotions were as unpredictable as the weather, from sunny skies to sudden storms and torrential rains, shrouding the entire palace in a gloomy mist.
The rain came suddenly and ended abruptly.
It had been raining for several days, and last night the wind was still strong. This morning, the clouds dispersed, and the sky cleared up. Many flowers in the courtyard were knocked down, but the leaves looked exceptionally green, and the air felt especially fresh. Yún Zhu sat lazily on a chair, getting dressed and made up by Rěn Sù, while listening to Míng Xīn say that the burn on Yǒng Yīng's arm in the eastern wing had not yet faded, and it was said to be somewhat dangerous.
Hongli saw her constantly yawning, her eyes narrowed into two slits, and her lips pouting slightly, couldn't help but smile: "Still sleepy? Otherwise, you don't have to go, I'll tell Mother about it."
"Look, even the sun has come out to work, how can I not go and pay respects to my mother? She's a kind and generous person, that's why she let me hide away for these days of laziness."
"You're pregnant and it's raining non-stop, so it's only right that you don't have to pay your respects." He heard Dr. Su say that it was normal for a pregnant woman to be drowsy and sleep a lot.
Yunzhu smiled and took the towel from Si Gui, covering her face with it again. After a while, she removed it, feeling much refreshed. As the Empress Dowager, the princes, princesses, and imperial consorts did not need to pay their respects to her every day, but as the birth mother of Hongli, she was an exception. In this era that emphasized filial piety, the Empress Dowager could set rules for her to follow without anyone daring to say a word. But if she failed to meet expectations even slightly, the first person to express dissatisfaction would likely be the one in front of her. "Let's go visit Yongying at Dong San Suo later."
Hongli was taken aback for a moment, then smiled and said, "Good."
Upon arriving at the Chengqian Palace, Xi Guifei saw them and was delighted. "Although the rain has stopped, the roads are still slippery. It's better to stay indoors and let someone come to report instead of rushing over to pay respects. What if something happens? Where can you find regret medicine then?"
Hongli shook his head and said: "I had advised my son early on, but she insisted on coming." What a sunny day it is today... Hehe.
"She's a good and diligent person, even after having children she doesn't slack off, come sit down quickly." At the same time, she also instructed Chunlan to bring some snacks.
"This is quite strange to hear," Yunzhu said with a shallow smile. "E'niang has been considerate of us, others have to pay respects every day, but as a daughter-in-law, it's become three days at a time, and if we get any lazier, who knows what will happen...it'll be all about eating and sleeping. Besides, paying respects is just a formality, how tiring can it be?" But there was no one else in the palace who had to pay respects to their mother-in-law like Wu Zaku's wife did, even though they lived close by, it was still only three days at a time.
Xī Guì Fēi didn't know if she had heard or not, but was amused by Yún Zhū's self-mockery and burst out laughing. She scolded with a smile: "Which pregnant woman isn't like that? When I was carrying Hóng Lì back then, I also thought about eating this and that all day long, feeling that sleep wasn't enough no matter how much I slept! It's good that you can eat and sleep well, Old Five's family had to rush through the mourning period, and Yǒng Yīng was not well taken care of in her belly..."
Xi Guifei could speak on behalf of the younger generation, but Yunzhu was unwilling to add to the gossip and just listened quietly as Xi Guifei spoke, from worrying about Hongli's life being taken care of by the wet nurses when he was young, to his physical needs now that he had grown up. "It's not that I love to worry about these things, but now that Yunzhu is pregnant, it's a critical time for her to be taking care of herself, and yet she still has to deal with the affairs of the two palaces, and also worry about Su Shi and Gao Shi who are also pregnant... I'm afraid of wronging my son..."
"Aren't there also Hua Ling and Ke'er, why is the son being wronged?" The West Second House is very good, warm and quiet. Which is like the East Third House, with one legitimate wife, one concubine, and a princess, in just two or three months, they turned Hong Yu's moon-like face into a bitter melon face.
"You don't even know how to take care of yourself, only your mother worries about whether you're eating and sleeping well, while others serve you half-heartedly." Her eyes glanced at Yunzhu, as if she hadn't considered being a good wife. Hongli thought back to the palace maids who had come to pay their respects at Chengqian Palace recently, each with shining eyes, and how they would turn away with a flirtatious smile when he looked at them. Hearing Xigui's words, he couldn't help but understand his mother's meaning, and his face darkened.
The empress is sending someone to her son's chambers, it seems that from commoners to the emperor himself, no one can escape this experience. Those who are not sons will go against their mother's wishes, but the empress is so brazen as to choose someone from among the palace maids... Is she trying to make him out to be a lustful and indulgent prince?!
"Besides, Fulingya has to take care of Yonghuan, and she's not energetic enough. Koritei doesn't seem like a considerate person either..." Seeing that her son and daughter-in-law didn't respond, Xi Guifei had to continue explaining her reasoning, "I have a clever and meticulous servant here, named Jinying, who is good at serving people. I'll let Yunchu take her back later..."
"Let's arrange for them to stay in the adjacent wing room next to Liu and Zhang's rooms at the Second Palace, as Qianxi is too small. " After saying this, Hongli bid farewell to Xi Guifei and said, "I still need to go with Yunzhu to East Three Palaces to visit Yongying."
The face of Xi Guifei stiffened, and it took her a while to find her voice: "Oh, then go. Jin Shi, I'll instruct a servant to send it over later."
Yunzhu almost burst out laughing, Ling Shuo's arrangement of people in Su La and Xiao Gong Nü's place was quite effective. Xi Gui Fei thought that her son would at least give a "Ge Ge" title to save face? Originally, it wasn't even through the selection process, now not even getting the treatment of a "Ge Ge", I wonder if Jin Shi will regret climbing up Xi Gui Fei's tree? However, she also can't become another Gao Shi, Qian Xi Er So is not a place where just anyone can enter, even if they could, she still can't get close to Hong Li's side.
Watching the couple leave Chengqian Palace together, Xi Guifei was not feeling well.
Why don't you change your mind and let your daughter-in-law take Jin Shi back to Qianxi Second Branch personally another day?
How can a concubine from a humble background take care of the pregnant daughter-in-law? If this gets out, it won't be that the daughter-in-law is not virtuous, but rather that I, as the mother-in-law, have given birth to a concubine who has risen through the ranks! Empress Xi felt like she had been punched in the chest, feeling both that her son did not value her and that his wife was not considerate. And yet, despite always thinking of her son's well-being, this is the kind of indifferent reaction she gets - how can it not disappoint her?!
The son is dissatisfied with Jin's birth, and she is also dissatisfied. But can't let the son be served by only one Koriyet, this is not too shabby for a great Qing prince?
Qin's nurse let out a silent sigh. It was only half a year of effort, and before you knew it, the selection would be held again. Why did the master have to add trouble for the fourth lady at this time? Didn't that just ruin the relationship between mother-in-law and daughter-in-law in vain?
"Master, this Jin family—"
"Let's find a nanny to send her over later." The son didn't mind, so naturally, Empress Xi wouldn't pay attention to it again.
