Ruyi's Royal Love in the Palace: Fawning

"It's getting late. If it's any later, the palace gate will probably be closed." Lujun looked out the window and saw that the sun had already set.

Seeing that Lujun was going back to the palace, Ilari ordered people to prepare a carriage outside the mansion. She and Kexin held Lujun's hands on both sides and went out. Lanqi and Yanwan followed closely behind, while Wanyin walked at the end holding Yongqi's hand.

Lujun patted Ilari's hand and warned, "Minqing, you must take good care of Yonghuang."

Ilari lowered her head. She didn't want anyone to see her cowardice and tears, so she softly replied, "Your son will."

Several people got into the carriage with the help of servants.

Ilari bowed slightly and said, "Your son respectfully bids farewell to Empress Chun, Empress Cheng, Empress Ling, and Empress Wan..."

After seeing off the carriage, Ilari turned back to the mansion. A young eunuch ran over in a panic, "Fujin, Fujin... the eldest prince has woken up."

Ilari showed a look of joy and ran towards Yonghuang's house.

On a moonlit night with dark clouds, the air was damp and heavy, like a huge rock pressing on one's chest.

Once they entered the palace, Wanyin took Yongqi by the hand and sent him back to Yikun Palace. Yanwan also returned to Yongshou Palace first due to exhaustion.

On the quiet palace road, one can occasionally hear the sighs of Lu Jun.

Lan Qi asked, "Sister, what's wrong? You haven't stopped sighing since you entered the palace. Are you worried about the eldest prince?"

Lujun turned her head to glance at Lanqi, the corners of her mouth curled up slightly, like a wry smile, and she spoke frankly, "Seeing Yonghuang's appearance today, my heart aches. He's pale and thin, like a chicken abandoned right after birth. When the Emperor raised Yonghuang in my palace, I was indeed wary of him, afraid he would steal Yongzhang's limelight. After all, he was the eldest prince, and even Empress Xiaoxian was wary of him."

She paused, then continued, "This is all my fault. I've let him down. Every time I see him, it reminds me of Yongzhang and that day when he lost his temper in front of the palace. As his mother, I know Yongzhang well. He's certainly not as talented as the other princes. I'm really afraid the emperor will abandon Yongzhang and not want him as his son."

Lan Qi said, "Sister, you're worrying too much. After all, the Third Prince is the Emperor's biological son. Although he was born out of wedlock, he has a noble status. How could the Emperor abandon the Third Prince?"

Lujun smiled wryly. Yesterday, when she'd brought some snacks to Xiefang Palace to visit Yongzhang and Yongrong, she'd happened upon the emperor checking their homework. Yongzhang, the eldest of the princes, was supposed to be a role model for his younger brothers, but when the emperor picked Yongzhang and asked him to recite the "Art of Statecraft," he could only manage a few sentences.

It was only after his brothers reminded him that Hongli was extremely disappointed with Yongzhang. He rubbed the sides of his nose.

"Look at the other princes. Yongzhang, you are the oldest among them. Not only have you failed to set a good example for them, you have also..."

Yongzhang held the book, held back his tears and lowered his head, fearing that Hongli would scold him.

It's strange to say, he got up early and went to bed late like his other brothers, but every time he saw those words, it was like reading a book in heaven, and he forgot them as soon as he memorized them.

That day, when Hongli angrily scolded Yongzhang in front of the concubines, princes and ministers, saying that he could no longer inherit the throne, Yongzhang fell ill. He was afraid of Hongli, fearing that he would do something wrong and make Hongli angry again.

So he has been very cautious in front of Hongli these days, neither acting like a ruler nor a subject, nor like a father nor a son.

But Yongzhang's cowardly behavior directly stepped on Hongli's minefield. He put the teacup heavily on the table, and the tea and leaves spilled. Hongli looked at him coldly and snorted, "In my opinion, you have been spoiled by Concubine Chun. Since ancient times, loving mothers often spoil their children..."

Yong Zhang bit his lip and said nothing. Seeing Hongli getting angry, Yong Qi stood up and said with a fist: "Father Your Majesty, Third Brother is very good. He works very hard on his homework and often guides me in my studies."

After hearing Yongqi's words, Hongli's expression finally eased a little.

He rolled his eyes, seemingly not believing it.

Lujun had a lonely look in her eyes. She knew Yongzhang would never amount to anything, but she was unwilling to see him being so mediocre.

But seeing Yonghuang's sickly appearance today, Lujun no longer wanted to ask for anything. As long as Yongzhang could live in peace and safety, it would be better than anything else.

"Sister, do you hope that the Third Prince will become the emperor in the future?"

Suddenly, Lujun's hand trembled, and the bottom of the flowerpot stepped on a stone, almost falling down. Her face turned pale, and she looked around cautiously. After making sure no one heard, she said, "Lanqi, you are crazy. You actually said such treasonous words. What if the emperor heard it?"

Seeing that Lujun didn't give a direct answer, she asked again: "Sister, don't you hope so?"

How is it possible? Which parent doesn't hope their children will become successful? Lujun also fought for Yongzhang's future, but what did she get in the end?

When it comes to being the queen, she is more qualified than Ruyi, but the emperor does not like her or her son Yongzhang. If she does something again, Yongzhang will be implicated again. Compared to letting Yongzhang become the emperor, she hopes her children will be safe.

What's more, she knew Yong Zhang's abilities.

Even if he really inherits the throne in the future, I am afraid he will not be a wise king.

If that’s the case, why bother competing with Ruyi?

Lujun shook her head.

Lan Qi smiled, she understood that Lujun had seen through everything.

The Forbidden City has been peaceful these days, but there are undercurrents in the former dynasty. It is said that the Empress Dowager and the Emperor are angry with each other. Although they appear to be harmonious on the surface, they are actually competing against each other behind the scenes, and neither of them is willing to give in.

Due to the Jinchuan War, the ceremony of conferring the empress, originally planned for the second day of July, was postponed by the emperor again.

Although Ruyi was anxious, she could only bear it silently and comfort herself.

It was already the beginning of autumn, and the drizzle seemed endless, shrouding the entire Forbidden City in mist and rain.

Yihuan had been ill for over a month and finally felt better. In order to help her relax and feel at ease, Lanqi and Yanwan invited her to go to the Imperial Garden to appreciate the flowers.

Several people walked side by side leisurely.

Yan Wan looked at Yi Huan and asked, "Did Sister Shupin come to see the imperial physician during her illness?"

Before Yihuan could speak, Xihe interrupted, "I have advised you to ask Dr. Qi to take your pulse, but you just won't listen. Every time the imperial kitchen brings you food, you don't even eat a few bites. It makes me sad to see you like that."

Yi Huan tsk-tsk-tsked and lightly scolded, "You're such a chatterbox."

Lan Qi: "Sister, why don't you ask the imperial physician to come and see me?"

Yi Huan smiled and explained, "Don't listen to Xi He's nonsense. I'm fine. I've just been a little sleepy these days. I always feel tired and sleepy easily. Every time I wake up, I'm very tired. I think it's because I slept too long. You don't have to worry about me."

Lan Qi was relieved to hear that Yihuan was fine, and soon she stared at Yihuan's belly again.

This was the same reaction Yanwan had when she was pregnant with Yongyan. Could it be that Yihuan is pregnant?