Chapter Fifty-Nine

  In the south of the Yangtze River in April, the grass is growing and swallows are flying, it has become extremely warm. Before one knows it, a gentle patter of rain starts to fall. Outside the open window is a green banana tree, a cool breeze sweeps through the banana leaves and blows into the house. The maid hastily closes the window, and then the only thing left in the house is stagnation.

  "....Si Furen's pulse is extremely weak, and she still has a fetus in her abdomen. The larger the fetus grows, the greater its impact on Si Furen will be, and the smaller the chances of her injury improving will become. All we can do is slowly nurse her back to health..."

  Yin Zhen's thin lips pursed into a sharp sword: "What about not having children?"

  "The child is gone, and the life of the fourth wife is also over..."

  Ruan Wan again became drowsy and fell asleep, only managing to touch Hong Qian's small hand before drifting off once more.

  Outside the house, Yinzhen, San A Ge, Wu A Ge, and three Fu Jin and five Fu Jin were sitting on chairs. The sound of rain outside the window grew louder, and the air became increasingly humid and oppressive. San A Ge looked around at everyone and solemnly opened his mouth: "No matter what, Fourth Brother's wife has already woken up, and the imperial physician didn't say it was hopeless. As long as she is carefully nursed, there will naturally be a good outcome. Everyone think, is there still any renowned doctor with exceptional medical skills? If you know of one, please invite them over. There must be someone who can come up with a solution."

  San Fu Jin nodded slightly. Wu A Ge also responded: "Third brother is right, Fourth brother should cheer up and think of a solution."

  In just a few days, he had lost a lot of weight, and his cheekbones became even more angular, like a sharp blade. When silent, he was like a lump of black ink, oppressive and heavy, and only nodded slightly: "I know."

  Finally able to say a word, the crowd let out a slight sigh of relief.

  Don't bother him too much, just have someone wait on Yongzheng and let him rest for a while, or he'll exhaust himself.

  The emperor's southern tour has resulted in such a big incident, the governor of Jiangsu submitted his resignation, and was scolded by Kangxi. It is said that the crown prince is also seriously ill, so he called Suo Ertu, who was still in Beijing, to come and take over the crown prince. In the elegant Suzhou gardens, it seems like a barrel of gunpowder is brewing, ready to explode at any moment, making people's hearts tremble with fear. The excitement of the initial tour has long since dissipated, and now he misses the dry and quiet city of Beijing.

  The Empress Dowager also couldn't muster up the enthusiasm, and said to Kangxi: "Let's go back in a few days... Tell your fourth brother to stay for a few more days, wait until his wife's condition stabilizes before returning to Beijing..."

  Even if you are worried, it is unreasonable to delay things because of a daughter-in-law: "I also intend to do so."

  Quan Pei slept until the evening before waking up, and the rain had stopped early. She felt that the room was damp and uncomfortable. The room was lit with a small candle flame, making it look dim. As soon as Quan Pei opened her eyes, a warm palm covered her forehead. After a while, she heard a soft sigh: "Do you want to eat something?"

  Yin Zhen leaned in and asked cautiously, Quan Pei's weak lips pursed, Yin Zhen immediately picked up a cup of warm water and fed it to Quan Pei with a small spoon, seeing that Quan Pei didn't want to drink anymore, he put it aside and sat quietly beside Quan Pei, staring at her without blinking.

  Yaotou lit two more palace lanterns, and the room brightened up. She used a censer to gently change into warm and dry quilts for Quan Pei, who was wrapped in a faintly scented quilt that gave her a few more points of spirit. With a gentle gaze at Yongzheng, she said: "I have a few words to say..."

  Yin Zhen was afraid that it would take too much effort for Quan Pei, so he leaned in closer to Quan Pei again, putting his ear against Quan Pei's mouth. Indeed, this saved Quan Pei a lot of effort. The warm breath made Yin Zhen feel both real and ethereal at the same time. The soft voice brought back memories of Quan Pei's past appearance, and his eyes became slightly moist.

  "No matter what I am, you have to live well..."

  Yongzheng clenched his fists, but didn't dare argue with Quan Pei at this moment, so he could only remain silent.

  "...After Master returned to the capital, he had Nalan Mingyue become a secondary wife...Nalan Yan will definitely have achievements in the future and can help Master with things in the back house, so let Li Shi and Nalan Mingyue manage it together...don't mistreat them, they're all not easy to deal with...for the sake of Hongqian, I'll have Ruyi enter as a secondary wife...to raise Hongqian until he's ten years old...after he's ten, I think Hongqian will also be able to take care of himself...if Master doesn't look favorably on Hongqian in the future, please spare his life...although Qing Gongzi is capable and tolerant, Master still needs a strategist..."

  He was so exhausted that after saying a few words, he panted heavily and became breathless.

  He closed his eyes, covering up the pain in them, before turning to look at Quan Pei and speaking softly: "Don't think too much, it's not late to talk after you've recovered." He was on the verge of death but still thinking about her future.

  Quan Pei reached out and grasped Yongzheng's hand: "Will you promise me?"

  Her eyes were still bright, but rarely showed a few points of anxiety, making Yongzheng's heart feel like being pierced by ten thousand arrows. So his voice became even softer: "Alright, whatever you say I'll agree to."

  Qian Wan's eyes lit up for a moment, then gradually became blurry again. Her eyes didn't open wide and she fell asleep once more after a while...

  June is the draft, and Ruo Yi has also reached the age.

  Wei Yan's situation was sometimes good and sometimes bad, and it was unstable. When the emperor returned to Beijing, Yongzheng stayed behind and only asked Kangxi for one thing: "This year's selection of concubines, please allow Emperor Ama to permit Fei Yanggu's second daughter to marry into my mansion as a secondary Fu Jin..."

  Kangxi slightly furrowed his brow.

  Yongzheng seemed to be muttering to himself: "Quan Pei doesn't trust Hongkun."

  Kangxi sighed and said: "I understand, your wife will be fine, you also take care of yourself..."

  The news of Ruan Yu's situation finally spread back to the capital, leaving the gege in the Fourth Master's residence with mixed emotions, unable to tell whether they were sad or happy. The days had already subtly changed from before, and as Furen was temporarily unable to return, they had to be more careful with their actions. Although the May weather was bright and beautiful, the children could no longer gather together to play, so they could only gaze out the window at the branches gradually turning green, eagerly awaiting the return of their birth mother...

  Ruyi sat at the bottom, with a frowning Feiyanggu and a thinner Aro above her. Beside them sat Wu Ge and Andala. The atmosphere was very heavy, and what Feiyanggu said made Ruyi's heart thump wildly.

  "Your sister is seriously injured and her life or death is uncertain. I begged the Fourth Master to let you marry into the Duke's mansion as a secondary wife, but since Hong Qian is still young and doesn't have anyone by his side to take care of him, he can't be at ease. So, in the selection process, as long as you don't make any major mistakes, you will definitely pass..."

  The princess consort of a junwang, it was an identity and status she never thought she would have even in her dreams...

  Fei Yanggu said a few words, furrowed his brow and lit a cigarette. His eldest daughter, Ruyi, was summoned to the Duke's mansion, although she was worried about Hongqian's intentions, but also for the sake of the Nara House's future plans. If the connection with the Duke's house gradually faded, the Nara House would inevitably decline in the future. With Ruyi around, it seemed that the thread connecting them to their former glory still remained intact, and perhaps the Nara House still had a chance to regain its former splendor...

  Jueluo's eyes were fixed on Ruyi: "...In the future, if you treat Hongxian well, I and your mother and older brother will stand behind you. If you suffer any grievances in the Prince's mansion, I will fight for you with my life. But if you don't treat Hongxian well, don't blame me for not recognizing you. Even if you become the Prince's concubine, I can still make you return to your original form!"

  Quan Pei didn't necessarily believe in Ruyi's words, but rather believed in the A Lao family behind her.

  Wu Ge coughed lightly and said in a gentle voice, "Mother is just like that, speaking directly. Don't mind it too much."

  She slightly raised her eyes but didn't see any disapproval on Wu Ge's face towards what Jue Luo said, so she lowered her eyes again: "Big brother doesn't need to say anything, I understand Mother's feelings, Hong Qian is also my nephew, why wouldn't I care about him? Please be at ease, Ama and big brother, I definitely won't disappoint you."

  Wu Ge looked up and down a few times, sizing up Ruo Yi. This younger sister had never been pleasing to the eye since she was young, with a pale and round face, ordinary features, and average intelligence. After entering the Duke's mansion, if it weren't for the fact that there was a Hong Xian behind her and a Na Lan Fu, it would be difficult for her to stand firm.

  He couldn't help but think of Quan Pei again, feeling heartache for her talent and beauty... what a pity...

  The warm weather seemed to have driven away much of the humid air in Jiangnan, and only a pair of eyes on Quan Pei's thin face were particularly striking. Hong Qian sat beside him, seriously reading the Book of Songs in his hand. Although the child was young, he had experienced such things, and his childishness seemed to have decreased a lot.

  Yuan Wan pulled the quilt on her body up, saw that she was dizzy again under the warm sun, and soon fell asleep.

  Hong Kui's voice also stopped, and he looked up at Yongzheng.

  It's been over a month, and Quan Pei is awake for very short periods of time. The imperial physician says that Quan Pei's pulse is extremely weak and can't determine whether she will live or not. Quan Pei cannot move around, but Yongzheng's time is getting shorter and shorter, it's impossible to stay here all the time.

  He then set up a house for Quan Pei next to the palace, and all the people were settled in. He also assigned several secret guards to stay by Quan Pei's side to transmit messages at any time. Then he had dinner with the Governor of Jiangsu: "...take good care..."

  It seems like I've done a lot, but looking back, it feels like nothing has been done. So I spend the whole night by Quan Pei's bedside, as if this way can make our time together longer.

  The bright and beautiful Xinyi flowers dyed the Jiangnan in May with a different color. Quan Pei smiled and watched Hong Qian play boxing, sitting next to Yin Zhen, speaking in a low voice: "...When I come back, I will take Hong Qian back together..." He said halfway through and couldn't continue, as if he felt it was too cruel.

  "Hong Kien..."

  Hong Qian hurried over upon hearing Quan Pei's weak cries for him.

  "Are you going back to Beijing with your mother?"

  Hong Qian refused very firmly: "No! Ama is gone, I'll stay and take care of Mother!"

  "Let him stay for now... I'll arrange for someone to send him back when the time comes... It's almost June, and you've been here for nearly two months... it's time to go back... don't let me delay you too much, or I'll feel guilty..."

  When the time came, it was naturally the day of Quan Pei's death.

  His face hardened like a knife cut: "I'll come visit you from time to time!"

  After so much effort, Guan Pei became dizzy again, her eyes narrowed, and she spoke in a barely audible voice: "Tell me to lie down under the sun for a while..."

  The voice still lingered, but the person had already fallen asleep. In the spacious fur-covered recliner, Quan Pei's slender figure looked like a stray cat, and Yin Zhen's heart ached at the sight. For an instant, he wanted to throw off all his burdens and stay with Quan Pei until the end of her life, so as not to leave any regrets...

  He turned his head to look at his son: "Ama is no longer here, your mother will rely on you from now on. You are a man, a reliable man, aren't you?"

  Under the sunlight, Hong Qian straightened his back and responded loudly: "Yes!"

  Yongzheng took a deep breath.

  It was already June on the day they left, and the weather was getting hotter by the day. Quan Pei was still wearing a fur coat, and she woke up for a while in the morning, but fell asleep again when Yongzheng left.

  The white wall and green bricks behind him gradually faded away, as if he would never see such a scene again with just one turn of his head. Xin Zan's heart felt hollowed out, even his eyes became empty. Under the scorching sun, the sparkling river water dazzled people's eyes, hot air poured into the cabin with the wind, making it hard to bear the sweltering heat. But Xin Zan sat still, motionless, resentful of his own identity that was not under his control, resentful of his own lack of determination...