Secrets of Yuqing Palace

On August 23, the 13th year of Yongzheng's reign, Emperor Yongzheng passed away at the age of 58 after 13 years in power.

His temple name was Sejong, and his posthumous title was Jingtian Changyun Jianzhong Biaozheng Wenwu Yingming Kuanren Xinyi Ruisheng Daxiao Zhicheng Xian Emperor. He was buried in Tai Mausoleum of the Western Qing Tombs.

After the death of Emperor Yongzheng, Su Peisheng took out the imperial edict from the Qianqing Palace in front of all the princes and ministers, announcing that Prince Bao Hongli would ascend the throne.

On the third day of September, Hongli ascended the throne in the Hall of Supreme Harmony, and the following year was designated as the first year of the Qianlong reign.

After Qianlong ascended the throne, before he even started to confer titles on people, the eyes of the late emperor's Concubine Xi were already filled with pride and greed.

Even before the funeral of the previous emperor was over, she ordered people to release the news that she was the biological mother of the new emperor.

In order to pin the blame on Concubine Mu, they not only pushed everything onto Concubine Mu's head, but also released a lot of specious statements and evidence.

Because Prince Hongsheng, born to Concubine Mu, was weak and likely to not grow up, the two children were secretly swapped after they gave birth.

So the new emperor became Concubine Mu's biological son, and Prince Hongsheng became Concubine Xi's child.

In fact, everything was Concubine Mu's conspiracy.

Now that the new emperor has ascended the throne, he must expose Concubine Mu’s conspiracy and make the truth known to the world!

Soon, Concubine Xi was summoned to the Yangxin Palace by Concubine Mu and the new emperor.

Concubine Xi was supported by Ye Xiang and Qing'er. She walked to the Yangxin Palace with a victorious look and her neck held high.

When she walked into the Hall of Mental Cultivation, the new emperor and Concubine Mu were both there.

When she saw Concubine Mu, her eyes were filled with uncontrollable pride and arrogance.

Unexpectedly, he was soon shocked by the words of Concubine Mu who looked disdainful.

Wanlin sat next to Hongli, holding the teacup and taking a sip of hot tea.

He didn't even look at the arrogant and complacent Niuhulu.

He simply said, "Qing'er, tell our Concubine Xi about what happened back then."

Qing'er, who was beside Concubine Xi, let go of the hand that was supporting Concubine Xi and bent her knees slightly.

"Yes, ma'am."

When Concubine Xi heard Concubine Mu calling Qing'er's name, she felt something was wrong.

As Qing'er humbly recounted the causes and consequences of the child-exchange incident, Concubine Xi Niuhulu's face became paler and paler.

After Qing'er finished speaking, Wanlin curled her lips and smiled at Concubine Xi.

"I also want to thank Concubine Xi for her kindness."

"If it weren't for you and Prince Hongsheng standing in front of me, Hongli would have had to go through a lot of hard work to ascend to the throne."

"Hongli, why don't you thank your Majesty Xi?"

Hongli, who was standing beside Wanlin, smiled.

"Although Khan Ama has always valued me as his heir."

"But it has gone so smoothly. I really have to thank Empress Xi for her kindness."

"I also know that my sixth brother has made the greatest contribution. I will posthumously confer the title of Prince Heshuo Huai on him."

"However, the reason why Sixth Brother died early is closely related to Empress Xi."

"To atone for your sins, Empress Xi will chant sutras and pray for my sixth brother in Shoukang Palace from now on."

Murder and kill!

Finally, Niuhulu, his face pale with fear, was helped out of the Yangxin Palace by palace servants.

Wanyu and Yinreng, who were far away in Jiangnan, were also very sad when they learned of Yongzheng's death.

Although Yinzhen's mentality changed a lot after he ascended the throne, Wanyu had faked her death as early as the reign of Emperor Kangxi.

Yinreng also "passed away" in Jiangnan in the second year of Yongzheng's reign.

Therefore, the changes in the two people in the face of Yongzheng were actually not that much.

In their hearts, Yongzheng is still the fourth brother who used to visit Yuqing Palace frequently.

Therefore, when they heard the news of their fourth brother's death, they were deeply moved.

Even when they later learned that Hongli had ascended the throne and become the new emperor, they were not as happy as they had imagined.

In order to commemorate their younger brother, the two of them also observed mourning for a year in Jiangnan.

Although Hongli has ascended the throne, no one has the intention of revealing Hongli's life experience. Even Wanyu and Yinreng have no intention of returning to Beijing.

The two of them simply informed their relatives in Beijing through secret channels that they were still alive and asked them to keep it a secret.

He just told them that if he had time in the future, he could go to Jiangnan to see them.

Ever since Wanyu planned to fake her death, the two chose a quiet and peaceful town in the south of the Yangtze River to settle down.

This small town is nestled between mountains and rivers. A river winds through the town, and a stone bridge spans it, connecting the quaint houses on both sides.

There are also several black-sailed boats of different styles moored on the river. Sometimes people travel by boat instead of walking or taking a carriage.

Along both sides of the river are rows of ancient houses with white walls and black tiles, arranged in an orderly manner.

The town is crisscrossed with bluestone roads, and willow branches hang down beside the roads, swaying in the wind, making people feel peaceful and comfortable.

Their courtyard is located in a corner of the town, close to the river.

Although the courtyard is not big, it is decorated warmly and elegantly.

The courtyard door is half-open, revealing a light and elegant atmosphere.

The door to the courtyard is a wooden door. It has been carefully polished by the owner and has a smooth surface with a faint wood fragrance.

Pushing open the wooden door, a small and exquisite courtyard comes into view.

The courtyard is exquisitely laid out, with the main house facing north and south, spacious and bright, and serving as their daily living space.

There is a small garden in front of the house, planted with a variety of flowers, which is dazzling.

In spring, peach blossoms are bright red, in summer, lotus flowers are graceful, in autumn, chrysanthemums are in full bloom, and in winter, wintersweets stand proudly under the snow. There are beautiful scenery to enjoy in all four seasons.

There is an ancient osmanthus tree on the east side of the courtyard with lush branches and leaves. In the golden autumn season, the sweet fragrance of osmanthus fills the whole courtyard.

Under the tree stood a square stone table and several stone benches. On the stone table lay a pot of hot tea, a chessboard, and several ancient books.

In their spare time, Wanyu and Yinreng would drink tea, play chess, or read and paint here.

Occasionally, they would perform a few zither and flute duets that expressed their shared understanding. They really enjoyed the tranquility and comfort of life here.

There are several families near their courtyard, who are guards who protect their safety, and a clinic with excellent medical skills.

However, because they lived here under an assumed name, these guards and doctors naturally concealed their identities as well.

The residents of this small town had no idea that two important figures lived here, and that several households in the surrounding area were their bodyguards.

Because the confidentiality work was done well, Yinreng and Wanyu were not affected at all and lived a leisurely retirement life like a fairy couple.

After Emperor Qianlong ascended the throne, Shi Wenzhuo and his wife, who were far away in the capital, wanted to visit their daughter as soon as they learned that her and her son-in-law were still alive.

However, the children were worried about the old couple, so Hongxi, who also learned the news, took the old couple to Jiangnan.

Wanyu and Yinreng were very happy to see their parents and eldest son.

My parents are old and they walk with a trembling hand. I really don’t know how they could endure the long bumpy carriage ride to Jiangnan.

The moment she saw her parents, Wanyu's tears immediately flowed down.

"Ama, mother-in-law."

When she saw her daughter, Fucha couldn't wait to step forward, hug her little daughter, and then burst into tears.

She cried and patted her daughter's back.

"You are such an unfilial daughter! You made me and your father send off our son while we are old."

"You don't know that your father and I both fell seriously ill when we heard the news of your death."

"How could you be so cruel? You didn't tell me or your father anything for all these years."

"Every time we think of your untimely death, your father and I can't sleep all night long."

Wanyu hugged her mother and smelled the faint fragrance on her body, feeling at ease and guilty.

"Mother, it's all because of my unfilial daughter that I've made you sad."

(I will update one chapter for now, and will update again during the day.)