Ruyi's Royal Love in the Palace: Fawning

Chapter 147: Apology in Cining Palace ②

Lan Qi wasn't particularly surprised by Hongli's answer. Although he and Hengchu were not born of the same mother, Hengchu had always loved to cling to Hongli and play with him. When they were little, Hongli had caught a bird from somewhere and given it to Hengchu. Hengchu was so delighted that she immediately asked Concubine Jing to find a cage for the bird. The late emperor also doted on Hengchu, and knowing her fondness for the bird, he had Su Peisheng craft a golden cage for her. Later, the bird died, leaving Hengchu heartbroken for a long time, and she treasured the cage ever since.

But fate was so cruel that it seemed that all princesses were destined to marry foreign princes. In the end, Hengchu was betrothed to Khorchin by the late emperor. Before leaving, Hongli, as her brother, saw her off.

Hongli's eyes were red, but Hengchu was still the bright little sun.

She took the golden cage out of the bridal sedan and gave it to Hongli, saying with a smile, "Don't be sad, fourth brother. Although I'm married far away in Khorchin, we'll meet again one day. I hope you take care of yourself and respect your mother and take care of Hengti on my behalf."

That day, Hongli patted his chest and promised that he would be filial to Zeng Huan.

But now twenty years have passed, and he seems to have forgotten his promise long ago, as if it was just a childhood joke.

Lan Qi: "Your Majesty, the Queen Mother is my great aunt, and my maternal family also needs to rely on Your Majesty and the Queen Mother. Too much talk will lead to mistakes, so I dare not say too much in front of Your Majesty."

Lan Qi half-knelt in front of Hongli, and slowly stroked the back of his hand with both hands. With tears in her eyes, she said softly, "Since the Emperor doesn't really want Princess Duanshu to be in danger, why doesn't he tell the Empress Dowager? The Empress Dowager is not unreasonable, and I'm sure she will understand."

"It's not that I don't want to, but..." Hongli's eyebrows were silent, and he looked a little lonely. He said softly, "I don't know what to say to the Queen Mother."

Lan Qi leaned on Hongli's knees and said softly, "I believe in the emperor."

Hongli sighed softly, put his arm around Lanqi's shoulders, and the two stayed in Changchun Palace for one night.

It was not until the next day that Hongli returned to the Palace of Tranquil Longevity.

Jinzhong, who had been waiting outside the Yangxin Palace, saw Hongli approaching and hurried forward, saying anxiously, "Your Majesty, where have you been? I'm so worried!"

Hongli walked with his hands behind his back, striding into the Yangxin Palace, saying as he walked: "Shower and change clothes, I am going to the Cining Palace."

Soon the eunuchs and palace maids prepared the hot spring. After Hongli finished washing, Jinzhong asked the servants to prepare the sedan chair and go to the Cining Palace.

When Fu Jia entered the room to report, Zeng Huan's expression changed from shock to indifference. She sneered, "Is the Emperor not hiding from me now?"

Without waiting for Zeng Huan to summon him, Hongli went straight into the Cining Palace, until he reached Zhen Huan, half-knelt and greeted her: "Your son greets the Empress Dowager."

Upon seeing this, Fujia quietly retreated behind Zeng Huan, slightly bent his knees, and saluted Hongli.

"Empress Huang..."

"Hmph, the Emperor is so impatient to come and collect my body?" Zeng Huan spoke coldly, interrupting Hongli's words, her voice unconsciously tinged with frost and snow.

He suddenly looked up and explained, "The Empress Dowager has misunderstood me. This morning, Jinbao said that you came to the Yangxin Palace to look for me last night, but I was in Changchun Palace at the time and didn't mean to avoid you."

Zeng Huan saw through Hongli's thoughts at a glance, but being so shrewd, she chose not to expose him.

Her face darkened a little, "Emperor, please sit down. Fujia will serve tea."

After a while, Fujia brought two cups of ginseng tea and placed them in front of Zeng Huan and Hongli respectively.

Zeng Huan took a sip of ginseng tea and said coldly, "If that's the case, how does the emperor plan to deal with Hengchui's matter?"

Hongli put down his tea, pursed his lips, and rested his hands on his knees, explaining, "Empress Dowager, you are the Empress Dowager, and I am the Emperor. We should put the country and its people first. If the country and its people that our ancestors fought so hard for are destroyed by my hands, how can I face my ancestors a hundred years from now? As my mother, you surely don't want your son to fall into an irretrievable state."

"Empress Dowager, everything must be based on the overall situation. I believe Hengchui definitely doesn't want anyone to die because of her."

Hongli was calm and composed, and his words were meticulous.

Every word was for the country, for the Qing Dynasty, and for the common people. But Zeng Huan just wanted Hengchu to return to her safely. Why couldn't she even fulfill this small wish?

Does rescuing Hengchui mean a river of blood must be shed?

Couldn't Hongli issue an edict to summon Hengchu back to visit his relatives before going to war with Dzungar and attacking Dawachi?

Hongli: "Don't worry, Empress Dowager. I have already instructed the soldiers on the front lines to do their utmost to bring Hengchu back so that our family can be reunited."

Zeng Huan tightly gripped the cup, staring intently at the man before her. She couldn't get angry. From Hongli's perspective, he wasn't wrong, but she was a mother, and her daughter was in dire straits. How could she, as a mother, stay in the Cining Palace and enjoy the peace of family life?

"Hmph." Zeng Huan slammed the cup down on the table. Her chest was heaving with anger. Great, this was the good son she had raised. He hadn't learned a thing or two from her, but he knew everything that was bad. How dare he threaten her with the kingdom?

Zeng Huan clapped his hands, then laughed out loud in anger. "Excellent, Your Majesty is indeed the one I favored. The people are truly blessed to have you. But don't forget, you and Empress Xiaoxian's only daughter are still in Khorchin. If there ever comes a civil unrest in Khorchin and the Qing needs assistance, please show no mercy, Your Majesty, and be cautious..."

Hongli picked at his clothes with his fingers and lowered his head. Zeng Huan stood up with a sneer, suppressing all emotions on his face. Under Hongli's gaze, Fujia took Zeng Huan's hand and slowly walked towards the inner chamber. Halfway there, Zeng Huan suddenly stopped, turned around and looked at Hongli coldly, saying: "Don't forget the emperor's promise to me, to bring Hengchu back safely. During this period, I will take the concubines to Anhua Hall to pray for blessings, chanting scriptures for the Qing Dynasty and the emperor every day, hoping that the Buddha will bless the emperor to be satisfied, and that the soldiers on the front line will return safely. I also hope that Hengchu... will be safe and sound."

Hongli stood up, bowed, and said, "On behalf of thousands of soldiers, I thank the Empress Dowager."

Zeng Huan sighed and turned to walk towards the inner chamber. Hongli looked at Zeng Huan's helpless back. Although he felt sad, it was only for a moment, and the apology in his heart disappeared without a trace. He was the emperor, a sage. What was a woman? Should she be like Huang Taiji and Fulin, who would die for a woman? He liked Ruyi, but he didn't need her anymore. A woman would only become a stumbling block to a man's success. If the Qing Dynasty needed Hengchu's blood to defend it, Hongli would still abandon her without hesitation. And whether in front of Lanqi or Zeng Huan, those words were just excuses he used to disguise himself.