The Empress Dowager passed away

  At the same time as the news of Tibet's victory arrived, Empress Chun also passed away due to a long illness. Fortunately, she had seen Yongzheng get married and establish his own household before her death, and was very satisfied with his wife, Crown Princess Fu. She even felt grateful towards the empress dowager in her heart. When she died, there was still a smile on her lips, showing that she had no regrets.

  Standing in front of the spirit of Chun Gui Fei, Long Yitian's heart was almost without any ripples. After all, his connection with Chun Gui Fei wasn't deep, although nominally she was his consort, but throughout the year they hardly saw each other a few times. In comparison, he was actually closer to these several princes.

  Although, from the root, the pure and noble consort is not necessarily a person with a pure mind, but Long Yintian still recognizes her. The reason is actually very simple, the two sons she gave birth to are still okay, especially Yongyuan's potential in military affairs is also favored by Long Yintian.

  "Your Majesty...", after seeing that those concubines with ulterior motives had all left, Yongzhao, who was kneeling beside the coffin, finally lifted his head and spoke in a hoarse voice: "You've also been tired for a whole day, why not go back and rest early? It's enough for your son to take care of things here."

  Long Yinheng turned his head upon hearing the sound, first looking at Yongzhao whose eyes were red, then glancing at Yongyu who was still bowing her head and sobbing. After a moment of silence, he suddenly spoke up and instructed: "Gao Wuyong, go get two cloaks, and have the imperial kitchen prepare some snacks to be sent over."

  It's unclear whether it was due to the departure of Consort Jing or because he had already married, but Yongzhao had recently become increasingly mature. Although Long Hanyan thought this was a good thing, deep down she always felt a faint sense of regret that couldn't be shaken off, especially when facing Yongzhao's increasingly profound gaze, this feeling became even more pronounced.

  "Yes." Gao Wu Yong heard this, and his heart couldn't help but feel a surge of joy. He hastily accepted the order and quickly turned around to leave, leaving the vast space of the mourning hall to the three family members.

  Yongzhang was slightly taken aback, and a faint joy flashed in his eyes, but it was soon covered up by an even thicker sorrow. He subconsciously lowered his eyelids, as if he didn't want others to discover anything, especially the bright yellow figure standing in front of him.

  On the contrary, Yongyao next to him slowly raised his head, using those rabbit-like red eyes to look at Long Yintian with a wronged and distressed expression, that appearance was simply like a poor little beast that had been injured.

  Long Hui Tian walked over, squatted down, reached out to touch Yong Yu's face and said in a gentle tone: "Yong Yu, I know you're heartbroken, but after crying, don't be sad anymore. You must become strong, can you do that?"

  "Yes, I understand, a man has tears but doesn't easily shed them..." Yongyao said with a thick nasal tone while wiping away the tear stains on his face with his hand. "I will become strong."

  Long Hui Tian smiled gently again, and touched Yong Yao's head with his hand. Then he shifted his attention to Yong Zhang, "Yong Zhang, if you're feeling uncomfortable in your heart, try to let it out, even if it's just talking to your brother. Don't keep bottling it up inside, or it might turn into a heart disease."

  Yongzhang heard this and slowly raised his head, slightly pursed his lips, hesitated for a moment before speaking: "Your son has grown up, Imperial Father doesn't have to worry too much, your son is fine."

  Long Hui Tian gazed at Yong Zhuang for a long time, but couldn't see what was hidden in his eyes. He let out a faint sigh and didn't think about it anymore.

  After waiting for Gao Wu Yong to return, Long Yitian comforted the two brothers a few more times before turning around and leaving Chun Gui Fei's mourning hall.

  Watching the figure of Huang Ama leaving, Yongzhang let out a heavy sigh, and his tense nerves also relaxed with it. However, this relaxation was not good, causing him to suddenly feel dizzy, and his body swayed, almost falling to the ground. Fortunately, Yongyu was quick-witted and swift-handed, thus avoiding his intimate contact with the ground.

  Using all her strength to support Yongzhao's body, Yongyuan also forgot about the sad thing in her anxious concern and hastily asked: "Third brother, what's wrong with you? Is there something uncomfortable somewhere?"

  Leaning on Yongyao's shoulder, Yongzhen closed his eyes and waited for the intense dizziness in his mind to gradually subside. He then weakly comforted the anxious Yongyao, saying: "I'm fine, maybe I've just been too tired lately and haven't rested well, don't worry."

  "Oh... Second Brother, you have to take care of your body and don't overwork yourself." As for Yongzhao's words, Yongyao didn't suspect anything, after all, due to Mother's passing, he himself was extremely exhausted both physically and mentally. And Second Brother had even more responsibilities than him, so it was normal that he looked tired at this time.

  "Uh-huh." Yongzhang responded casually, but his heart was filled with bitterness. The physical fatigue might be alleviated after a period of rest, but how could the mental exhaustion be eliminated?

  After leaving Huang Ama's side, with the torment of loneliness and nostalgia day after day, Yongzhang gradually understood his own intentions, gradually saw clearly his feelings for Huang Ama, which was not what they called father-son affection, but a deep attachment and dependence on one person.

  Since the grand wedding, Yongzhang had never felt happy again. Although he had his own mansion, he felt increasingly lonely. No matter how hard he struggled or tried to escape, it was all in vain. And as soon as he saw that bright yellow figure, the thoughts and infatuation in his heart grew wildly like weeds, but he himself was helpless.

  Shouldering such a forbidden emotion, Yongzhang felt really tired, because he couldn't confide in anyone, and could only silently bury it deep within his heart. Yet, he couldn't give up or let go; for him, this was an unsolvable dead knot.

  Yong Yao looked at Yong Zhuang's pale face, which was full of fatigue, and wanted to say something more but ultimately remained silent.

  Don't look at his young age, and he's a bit impulsive in doing things, but he still has basic observational skills; moreover, Yongzhang and he get along relatively well, so recently Yongzhang's abnormal behavior he can also see, only Yongzhang's reason for being abnormal he can't guess.

  Although he specially asked Yongbi about this, Yongbi unexpectedly didn't say anything either, only advising him not to get involved in this matter, saying that it was Yongzhang's own problem. If even Yongzhang himself couldn't figure it out, then others would be unable to help no matter what, and might even make things worse by trying to be clever.

  On the other hand, Long Yintian walked towards Yangxindian with a slightly furrowed brow, a faint sense of doubt lingering in his mind. He really couldn't understand why he always had a subtle, almost imperceptible feeling of discord whenever he was around Yongzhang, and this feeling was like a sixth sense that rarely appeared but was usually accurate when it did.

  "Did Yongzhang really hide something?"

  Long Yintian knew that being overly suspicious of his own son wasn't good, but emperors were always suspicious, and he was no exception. Thinking back to the pale face of Yongzhang in the Ling Hall earlier, Long Yintian hesitated for a moment before letting Gao Wuyong pass on an imperial decree, granting Yongzhang three months' leave to rest and recover his health, after which he would return to the Ministry of Rites to continue working.

  Gao Wu Yong listened and his heart felt much more at ease. Without saying another word, he accepted the order and went to carry it out.

  Actually, since Consort Gui left, Gao Wu Yong's biggest concern is still Yong Ruo. After all, in the imperial palace, if there isn't a favored empress to protect him, this prince's life won't be easy; on the other hand, Yong Zhen has already moved out of the palace and established his own estate, leaving behind the treacherous imperial palace, and his living situation is actually much more relaxed.

  The emperor still showed more care to the two princes, and the people in the palace were also considerate, so they wouldn't be too slow. Compared with before, there was still some difference, but these were not what Gao Wu Yong could control.

  As soon as he returned to the imperial study, Long Yitian directly dismissed a group of servants and summoned Wu Er into the house. "For this period of time, pay close attention to Yongzhang and see what he usually does. However, it's not necessary to report back every day; if you find anything unusual, come back and report to me."

  "Yes." Wu Er, although having doubts in his heart, still adhered to the principle of "not saying much and not asking much", diligently and conscientiously completing the tasks assigned by Long Hui Tian.

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