The Changchun Palace team travels back in time to Ruyi's Royal Love in the Palace

While Giuseppe Castiglione was painting Rongyin with great gratitude and meticulous care, the emperor was deep in thought in the Hall of Mental Cultivation.

Ever since he placed the Empress Dowager under house arrest at Shou Kang Palace on the pretext of her illness, the turmoil in the previous dynasty has never ceased. Now, he has received news that several nephews and members of the imperial clan of the Niohuru family had secretly met with Hongxi at Zhengjiazhuang; and that Fu Ning had accused Hongxi of building a yellow palanquin, implying an intention to overstep his bounds.

Although Prince Hongzhou had publicly beaten Neqin in front of all the civil and military officials, demonstrating his support for the emperor, not all members of the imperial clan could stand as firmly on his side as Hongzhou. The Empress Dowager's daughter, Princess Hengti, was also being raised in Prince Xian's residence, so it was not impossible that Prince Xian, Yunmi, was therefore colluding with the Niohuru clan.

Thinking of this, the emperor frowned. Getting rid of Hongxi was not difficult; the difficulty lay in his own humble origins and lack of power. The previous emperor's men were either former officials or members of the Empress Dowager's maternal family. Even if he elevated the Gao family to a higher status and bestowed favors upon the Fucha family, the Gao family was originally a bondservant family, and the Fucha family currently lacked many talented young men. He would still be isolated and powerless. If he were to be manipulated by various forces, and Hongxi fell, other members of the imperial clan would be pushed forward.

The most urgent task is to find "one of our own" in the court. But finding someone who is capable, independent of the late emperor's former officials and the empress dowager's maternal family, and holds a low-ranking official position so that he can be promoted is easier said than done.

The emperor was worrying when he suddenly remembered that Empress Dowager Xiaogongren had a grandson who had served as a military secretary during the Yongzheng era, but was transferred to the Grand Secretariat in the ninth year of Yongzheng's reign. Now he was just a sixth-rank Grand Secretariat reader.

This man must be talented to have entered the Grand Council; although he comes from a prestigious family, he hasn't been in the Grand Council for long and his position in the cabinet is not high, so he is very likely not a member of any of the major factions; and since his current position is not high, it is convenient for me to bestow favors upon him. Moreover, this man is my grandmother's grand-nephew, so he is also my cousin, and may not be inferior to my brothers.

Thinking of this, the emperor immediately ordered Wang Qin to find the official roster and search carefully. After a long search, he finally found the name - Uya Zhaohui.

He thought for a moment and circled the name.

The emperor made further preparations and that afternoon he traveled to Changchun Palace.

He stopped Yingluo, who was about to announce his arrival, and quietly went inside. He saw that Rongyin had already changed out of her court robes and was wearing a light purple satin robe embroidered with chrysanthemum branches. The robe was not decorated with gold thread, but only with velvet. Her hair was not adorned with pearls, flowers, or gold ornaments, but only with velvet flowers. She was reclining on the couch, propping her chin up with her hand, her eyes slightly closed. Usually, the Empress was always sitting upright and respectful, but today he saw her casual and languid side, which surprised and amused him.

Rongyin had been sitting in the Ruyi Pavilion for an hour, her back aching and she was taking a short nap on the couch when she suddenly saw the emperor walk in. Startled, she immediately stood up and bowed, saying, "Your Majesty, I am unaware of Your Majesty's arrival. I have been impolite and beg Your Majesty's forgiveness."

The emperor waved his hand: "It's alright, get up. I was the one who told them not to announce it."

Yingluo served the tea and then withdrew. As she reached the doorway, Wang Qin grinned lewdly and flattered, "Miss Yingluo is truly beautiful, especially your hands, so white and soft." He then pulled a lotus-patterned bracelet from his sleeve: "These beautiful hands perfectly complement this gold bracelet."

Yingluo suppressed her anger and retorted, "You can't compare to your father-in-law's mouth, which can make unfounded accusations and bring trouble upon yourself. If you're so keen on giving me a bracelet, you might as well get yourself a gold lock to shut your mouth."

Wang Qin was humiliated again. Seeing that there were palace maids and eunuchs all around, he couldn't do anything about it. He could only mutter awkwardly, "You little hussy, you'll be begging me for something someday." He then put away the bracelet and walked away.

Inside the room, the emperor picked up his teacup, glanced at the empress, and said, "The empress's attire is simple and elegant, truly like a lotus emerging from clear water, naturally beautiful without any adornment."

Rongyin was naturally low-key and frugal. Previously, due to the fact that the Imperial Household Department had a deficit, she was worried that it would lead to confusion in the accounts. So she asked to see the account books. She saw that although the accounts matched, a lot of money had been spent on clothing and jewelry. She then decided to start from Changchun Palace to save money. She ordered the Imperial Household Department to stop decorating clothing with brocade, gold leaf, and rice beads, and to reduce the use of gold and silver jewelry.

She displayed a perfectly timed blush: "Your Majesty flatters me. I was thinking that while gold and jade are beautiful, they cannot be eaten when hungry or clothed when cold. If I wear fewer pieces in private, I can save some money. That's why I've reduced my jewelry. If Your Majesty likes it, I will be overjoyed."

The Emperor praised her, saying, "Excellent! Before our Great Qing entered the Central Plains, we often used deer tail wool as decoration. The Empress's simplicity shows that she has not forgotten the old customs of the Great Qing when it entered the Central Plains, nor has she forgotten the hardships our ancestors endured in establishing this dynasty. This is not only interesting, but also virtuous!"

Rongyin said, "Thank you for your praise, Your Majesty. As the Empress, I am the role model for the six palaces and should set an example for others."

Seeing the Empress's behavior, the Emperor felt even more that she was well-mannered and virtuous. He also thought that today, Ruyi not only listened to Lang Shining's foreign customs and regarded them as the standard, but also made a show of shocking words in front of him. She was also completely rude and even pulled the ladder in a fit of pique when she left. He was concentrating on looking at a celadon vase at the time and was caught off guard by the sudden pull, almost falling off the ladder.

He couldn't help but sigh inwardly. If it weren't for the fact that Ruyi was his childhood sweetheart, he would never have tolerated anyone offending the emperor's authority like this!

The Emperor shifted his thoughts and continued his casual conversation with the Empress: "Today, the Dowager Lady Fucha came to chat with the Empress. How is everything at home?"

Rongyin said, "Thank you for your concern, Your Majesty. Everything is fine at home."

The emperor asked, "I remember... the empress has a younger brother?"

Rongyin replied, "Your Majesty, I have several younger brothers, the closest of whom is named Fuheng, who is fourteen years old this year."

The emperor secretly pondered that if the child turned out well in a few years, he might be able to use him. For now, besides promoting Zhao Hui, he would continue to show favoritism to the Fucha and Gao families to consolidate their existing power. However, he couldn't promise them too much, lest they develop unrealistic ambitions.

Thinking of this, the emperor replied, "Excellent! With an elder sister like the Empress, this child is bound to have a good character and will surely grow up to be a talented young man."

After saying this, he let Wang Qin in and said, "Inform the six palaces that the Empress, as the central figure, should still be dressed simply. As the saying goes, frugality cultivates virtue. Although our Great Qing has been in the Central Plains for many years, we must still be cautious. If we become arrogant and complacent, we will surely perish."

The Empress, living a frugal life and strictly adhering to etiquette, is hereby bestowed with a plaque inscribed "Respectfully Cultivating Inner Virtues" and hung in Changchun Palace as a reward, to commend her virtue. It is hoped that all women in the palace will take the Empress as their example and emulate her virtuous conduct of frugality and cherishing blessings. Wang Qin, bring the plaque in.”

Wang Qin obeyed the order and went out to relay the decree: "Bring the plaque in!"

Qin Li had been waiting outside. Upon hearing the order, he immediately led several eunuchs to bring in a framed plaque.

Rongyin knelt down and said, "Your Majesty, I thank you for your reward."

Seeing the emperor nod in satisfaction, she thought to herself: The two characters "内则" (Nei Ze) are taken from the *Book of Rites*. The *Commentary on the Inner Rules* in the *Book of Rites* states that it is called "内则" because it records the rules for men and women in their domestic life and their relations with their parents and in-laws. Within the inner chambers, there are established norms and regulations, hence the name "内则." It doesn't really have much to do with frugality. This plaque was prepared long ago, showing that the emperor had planned this all along. All the talk of frugality and virtue was just a reason fabricated on the spot to bestow this plaque.

On the surface, this reward was a gift from the emperor, showing his appreciation. In reality, it was a way for the emperor to warn the concubines in the six palaces to be dutiful and obedient.

The saying "cherish your blessings" may seem like self-praise, but in light of today's events, it may well be a way of telling others to cherish the good fortune of being made a concubine by the emperor and not to covet anything else.

It's likely that Consort Xian's actions today have had some impact on the Emperor's mind. However, he still cherishes the bond between them, or perhaps he has been influenced by it. He would rather reprimand the entire harem than directly confront Consort Xian.

Well, in any case, the emperor's statement at this time, encouraging a culture of frugality, is a decent outcome.

Mingyu directed the eunuchs to hang the plaque, while Yingluo, accompanied by palace maids, carried a tray containing small purses to the door. She smiled at Qin Li and said, "Her Majesty the Empress said that all the eunuchs who brought the plaque today will be rewarded. Let's all share in the joy!" As she spoke, she took a few steps to the side and said, "Eunuch Qin, your reward will naturally be more generous."

Qin Li understood and left the crowd with Yingluo. Only then did he pick up the purse, which was indeed heavy and he was very satisfied: "This servant thanks Your Majesty the Empress for the reward."

Taking the opportunity, Yingluo whispered, "Consort Xian does have a problem, but your method won't work now and will only implicate yourself."

Qin Li's expression hardened, but he forced a smile and thanked him repeatedly.