Chapter 71

  The coral on top of her head, the embroidered silk of her jacket, made Nalan Yan look even more majestic and dignified despite her young age.

  The main hall's upper seat was occupied by Yongzheng and Guanpei, the lower left seat was Nalan Xiangxue, and to the right was Nalan Mingyue who couldn't conceal her excitement.

  "...I didn't expect the Emperor to promote you as Governor so quickly, it's clear that he really values your talent. However, with greater power comes greater responsibility, and in the future, you must also be more careful."

  Nalan Yan smiled and said: "I understand what the prince is saying, I will definitely remember it."

  Yātóu started drinking the new Pu'er tea from Yunnan and Guizhou, Quán Pèi smiled and said: "Don't you think about your lifelong major event yet?"

  Nalan Yan put down his tea bowl: "There's never a suitable person, so it's always been delayed. If there is a suitable one, let Mingyue know first."

  Nalan Yan's eyes lit up as he made Nalan Mingyue his spokesperson. This made Nalan Mingyue's face even more radiant with joy. With a courteous tone, she said: "If the mistress likes it, then it must be good. There's no need for me to know."

  It's like a family chatting at home, and everyone's distance has unconsciously shortened by a few points.

  Yinzheng also said a few words about government affairs with Nalan Xingde: "There are many floods and droughts in the Henan border, it's not easy for you to be the governor."

  "Everyone knows that Henan is prone to disasters, so even if there are disasters, it won't be held against me. What I need to do is make the greatest effort to handle post-disaster affairs well, minimize casualties and prevent chaos, this is what constitutes political achievement."

  This Nalan Yan has a clear and profound understanding, and indeed has insight.

  "I heard you've been getting close to His Majesty's recent favorite, Gao Shi Qi?"

  Ruan Yu's words made Nalan Yan pause for a moment: "Ah... we've discussed poetry and drunk wine together several times, it's still passable."

  Gao Shi Qi was recommended to the Emperor by Suo E Tuo, because he is good at writing and has some unusual talent. Now that the imperial favor is strong, it's just been heard that Suo E Tuo often humiliated Gao Shi Qi in the past. Even if he became an imperial favorite, there wouldn't be much improvement. I wonder what attitude this Gao Shi Qi has towards Suo E Tuo?

  Nalan Yan suddenly seemed to remember something: "This Pu'er tea is really good."

  Wei Juan then instructed Nalan Mingyue: "You go down and pack some more. When it's time for your brother to leave, bring them along."

  Dealing with clever people is easy.

  Nalan Mingyue retreated, leaving only Yongzheng and Quanpei in the main hall. Nalan Yan remained silent for a moment before speaking: "Once, Gao Shiqi got drunk with me and said some drunken words 'It's still Lady Mingzhu who loves me dearly, what is Suo Ertu? I'll make him taste bitterness sooner or later!' From his words, it seemed like he had already switched to supporting the eldest prince, but whether that was true..."

  So Suo Ertu has another strong opponent?

  Thirty-nine years into the Southern Tour, the Crown Prince fell ill. The Emperor summoned Suo Ertu to attend to him for a month. Even if it was a serious illness, there's no reason for a high-ranking official like Suo Ertu to be called in to care for him. There must have been some other story behind this. However, Wei Qing was heavily injured at the time and Yongzheng didn't bother investigating further, so the cause of the incident became a mystery.

  "I didn't expect Nalan Xiang to bring up the matter of thirty-nine years ago: '...I don't know what exactly happened, but I can make some guesses. I'm afraid Your Majesty is already very dissatisfied with Suo Etu, it's just that there are still some concerns, and who knows what will happen if someone adds fuel to the fire now..."

  Yin Zhen also slightly furrowed his brow, but he was always cautious and didn't want to say more: "Let's have lunch together later, Hong Qian has been mentioning you all the time, saying that since you left, there hasn't been a teacher with a temper like yours."

  "Alright! I also want to meet Hongqian, I've heard he's doing extremely well now!"

  Jiuer's head was always adorned with a large ruby hairpin, and several big sisters who were compared to Jiuer seemed inferior. Several children were playing in the courtyard, while Ruyi, Li Shi, and Song Shi all sat outside.

  Under the bright sunlight, that ruby-red gemstone was dazzlingly brilliant. With a pleased smile, she said: "It's been a long time since we've had such beautiful hairpins; I suppose it won't be long before the elder sisters have them too."

  Li's hand paused as she was peeling a melon, gazing at the children playing among the flowers, and her eyes lingered on one of them who seemed especially good-looking.

  Third Sister had picked a flower and wouldn't give it to Jiu'er. Jiu'er said, "Give me two blossoms, sister."

  Three Girders: "No way I'll give it to you!"

  He immediately became disgruntled: "You won't give it to me, I'll tell Mom!"

  Three Grids suddenly pushed hard: "Little Fox Spirit! I knew you would report to Ama, as soon as you came back, Ama only spoiled you!"

  Jiu'er sat on the ground and burst into tears. The nanny beside her was frightened and quickly picked up Jiu'er. Song Shi, who had rushed over, asked: "What's wrong? You were playing happily just now, what happened?"

  Second Sister-in-law said: "Third Sister is scolding Jiu'er for being a little fox spirit!" Song's face changed color in fright.

  A little kid from where learn to speak, the nanny suppressed her anger and said: "Originally playing, even if fell down without getting hurt is nothing, but three years old from where learn to speak, actually say such things about own sister?"

  "The Song family hastily accompanied him, saying: 'The child is young and doesn't understand things.'"

  "The child doesn't understand, but this servant does." But don't adults understand either?

  Nai Nai hugged Jiu Er all the way out of Jin Xiu Garden, and only then did Jiu Er stop crying with a wronged expression. Seeing Quan Pei, she complained with a wronged tone: "Third Sister said I'm a little fox spirit!" She didn't know what it meant, but judged from the adults' expressions that it wasn't a good thing to say.

  San Ge Ge said such a thing, it's not just a conflict between children. Fu Jin dotes on Jiu Er so much, who knows how angry she'll be? Song Shi only felt her heart racing, wanting to beat San Ge Ge, but couldn't bring herself to do it, and scolded: "Who taught you to say such things? You actually said that to your sister! If Fu Jin blames us later, the first one to get punished will be you!"

  "Mr. Li advised: 'You'd better go and tell Madame Fu quickly.'"

  Third sister also burst into tears: "You all favor her! Why did she have to come back?" Before Jiuer returned, San Gege was the youngest and received all the pampering. When Jiuer came back, she felt like everything had turned upside down.

  The Song family's anger finally landed on San Gege's body: "You don't know what you're talking about!"

  It's actually no big deal, it's just two kids crying with grievances.

  Song stood before Quan Pei with her head hung low: "It's this servant's fault for not teaching properly, causing Third Young Miss to be so unruly."

  "Replace all of her front-line servants."

  Song Shi was taken aback, and hastily said: "Yes, I know." Fortunately, Fu Jin Ming Cha recognized that the root of this matter lay with the lower-ranking servants, not with her instigation, so she felt a slight relief.

  To the adults, it was just a matter of time before things went back to normal. But in San Ge's eyes, her world had undergone another drastic change overnight. The familiar wet nurses and maids suddenly disappeared, replaced by a group of strangers who were completely different from them. It left her stunned and unable to catch up. Da Ge hugged her and spoke to her: "From now on, don't be like this anymore. Fourth Sister is the legitimate daughter, not someone we can compare ourselves to. In the future, you must listen obediently..."

  Is it because she bullied Jiǔér that those familiar with her would keep their distance? She dislikes Jiǔér, why does she have Jiǔér?!

  Fei Yanggu's birthday, Quan Pei brought Ruyi and Nalan Mingyue together. Since the children at home also had to go, she was afraid of not taking care of them properly, so she took the remaining three Li sisters along as well.

  Jueluo and Andala came out together to greet them, with Quan Pei walking in front, holding hands, and Ruyu following behind, her eyes cast down.

  The Fourth Prince's mansion had a special congratulatory gift, and Quan Pei himself had also prepared one. Ruo Xie didn't think of this, but seeing the proud smile on Jue Luo's face, he unconsciously thought of Wang Niang again, feeling annoyed and looked away.

  There was a woman wearing gold and silver next to her, with a bright smile on her face, speaking to Ruyi: "Is it the concubine of Yongguo Wangfu? Haven't seen you for many days, you're getting prettier!"

  Ru Yi turned her head and saw that it was Consort Xian's mother, Madame Fu. She curtsied: "You're too kind."

  Pure King Fu Jin Dong E Shi smiled and measured Ruyi, then kindly held her hand: "How do you look like you have something on your mind? Was someone bullying you?"

  Dong E asked in a manner called "Ru Yi Zeng Le Zeng": "No, it's fine..."

  "Four concubines are so stunningly beautiful, it must be very difficult for you in the mansion?"

  "This remark made Ruyi take a deep breath: 'You are......'"

  Because of Nalan Yan's presence, the two Nalan sisters were flattered and praised by those present. Wu Ruoxue sat on the side, feeling idle and somewhat at a loss, could only shift her gaze to the flowers and plants beside her, but still heard the flattering voices in her ear: "Ah, Lord Nalan is not yet married... How fortunate that I have an eligible daughter at home..."

  There is a fortunate Mrs. who cannot help but think that Nalan Mingyue will not be able to withstand the pressure, and she even thinks that because of Nalan Yan's actions, Mrs. Fu will take action to protect Nalan Mingyue. However, she always feels suffocated in her heart and thinks that if Nalan Mingyue doesn't suffer a bit, things won't calm down. She then unconsciously shifts her gaze to Ruyi, who is standing on the side talking to someone else. As a secondary wife, it's no secret that the two women don't get along. It's unknown whether Ruyi shares the same thoughts as her...

  Kang Qin Wang's consort, carrying a jade pendant, spoke in a quiet place: "...... Our king has been busy lately, I don't know what it is about......"

  It's probably about the Crown Prince's affairs, and it seems that the situation around him is quite tense.

  "Really? The weather is getting colder and New Year's Day is approaching, I didn't expect it to be so busy..."

  The male guest in the front yard saw Hong Qian, and because of the reputation that came out of the palace, he couldn't help but examine him again. It turned out that he was well-read in poetry and books, and didn't look like a child of his age at all. As a result, even Hong Yun was implicated, and someone wanted to test Hong Yun as well. Hong Yun's palms were sweating with nervousness, and if asked, he would not be able to answer even if he knew the answer. Everyone just laughed and said, "He's still too young."

  It's just a polite remark, Hong Yun and Hong Qian are really incomparable.

  The opera stage was singing "Three Daughters Teach Children", the sound of yi yi ya ya was pleasant to hear, and the ladies-in-waiting below were listening with great interest. Suddenly, a maid rushed in: "Jiuer Princess has fallen into the water!"

  The weather is so cold, and Jiu'er was born with a weak body, how can she withstand it?

  Quan Pei Meng suddenly stood up and walked out, causing the play on stage to come to an abrupt halt. Everyone followed suit, rushing out together. What a terrible thing to happen at a perfectly good birthday banquet... how inauspicious!

  In the warm flower house, various flowers are in full bloom. A red peony stands in front of a woman, resembling a Jiangnan water ink painting with a hint of melancholy. She speaks softly as if afraid to disturb something: "You're already so old, why haven't you had a child? You only hold Ping'an (a symbol of peace), are you trying to worry me to death?"

  Eighth brother stood in front of Empress Rong with some guilt: "Mother, it's not easy for Ping'an either, let's wait a bit longer, maybe it'll happen soon."

  How can it be done quickly? Consort Liang sighed and turned around again: "Don't you understand the Empress Dowager's meaning? But how can you do it without an heir? You don't think for others, nor do you think for yourself?"

  The Eighth Prince fell silent for a moment: "I understand, but in the end I rely on myself, not the Empress Dowager."

  The Empress Dowager intentionally chose two good and well-bred consorts for the Eighth Prince, but he tactfully declined them all, just to maintain peace. As a result, the Anping Palace became increasingly less prominent year by year, no longer having its original momentum.

  At that time, in order to control Ping'an well, she took action against Ping'an, but now it seems that it was still wrong. Ping'an is still flying high and has no intention of repenting, while her son is again wholeheartedly devoted to Ping'an with all his heart and soul. What can be done about this?

  She concealed all the complexity in her eyes: "Get in touch with Gao Shi Qi, or it will become Suo E Tu's breakthrough, as long as Suo E Tu is gone, the prince will also lose half his life..."

  "The son understood and would assist his elder brother well in this matter."

  "Alright, go ahead..."