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

(A letter sent from the capital to the Henan Provincial Government, written in delicate but slightly childish handwriting)

Husband's Appreciation:

Since my husband took up his post in Henan, we have been separated for more than a year. I miss my husband every day.

This year, the Yellow River has flooded again. I heard that six counties in Jiangsu have been submerged, and Henan has also been affected. I am truly worried. I also heard that there is flooding in Jiangxi. I wrote home to report this, and fortunately, I received a reply from my parents-in-law the day before yesterday, saying that my family has not suffered from the floods.

Lord Gui Duo's old illness has improved, which puts my mind at ease.

My elder sister's temperament has gradually returned to normal, and she rarely gets angry anymore, which brings me some comfort.

The number of refugees in the charity hall is gradually increasing. Fortunately, Ying'er is well-behaved, the nobleman has returned to the charity hall to take charge of its affairs, and there is also the help of believers, so it is still manageable. The other day, there was a mother and child among the refugees. Sadly, the mother had fallen seriously ill and passed away, leaving only a three-year-old child named Shuangxi. He has been temporarily entrusted to Ying'er's care, and it is unknown what will happen to him in the future.

I've heard that there are crystal mirrors in the capital that, when worn, make one feel as if the clouds have parted and the fog has cleared. If my husband returns to the capital, would you like to try them out?

I long to serve you, but alas, I am not by your side. My husband is engaged in river management, and while the task of controlling the floods is of utmost importance, he must also take good care of himself.

Respectfully presented by my wife Shuangluo, written by Ying'er, a servant of the Xin Zhe warehouse manager.

June of the seventh year of Qianlong's reign

(A letter sent from Henan to the capital, with neat handwriting)

My Beloved Mirror:

I also miss my virtuous wife, but the Yellow River has overflowed its banks and flowed eastward, causing floods in Henan as well. Villages and houses are reduced to ashes. As the river official, I should faithfully perform my duties, emulating Yu the Great who passed by his home three times without entering. Although this is the reason, my feelings are truly hard to bear. I once read Li Bai's lines, "When will we meet again? This moment, this night, is unbearable!" Now I finally understand their meaning.

I am at the river works site and everything is going well, so Shuangluo can focus on the affairs of the charity. Since my sister-in-law is getting better, Shuangluo doesn't need to overwork herself, and daily chores such as delivering meals can be delegated to others.

For double happiness, one could try to find someone from the same hometown in a charity, and ask them to inquire about any relatives they could entrust with the matter after returning home.

As for crystal mirrors, I have heard of them. They are specifically for the elderly with failing eyesight, or for those whose vision is blurred due to daily desk work. I only have slightly blurred vision in my right eye, so I really don't need to wear one.

Although we are separated by distance, our hearts are in the same place. I hope my wife, Shuangluo, will also take good care of herself.

The husband said to repair hand tools.

August of the seventh year of Qianlong

(A letter sent from Tianjin Town to Uliastai, with elegant handwriting)

To my esteemed ninth brother, Fu Heng:

The eldest brother holds the position of Commander-in-Chief. The fourth brother wrote that his nephews Mingrui and Mingliang often come to the palace by imperial decree. Princess Aodeng also frequently comes to the palace. The Empress has set up archery targets in Changchun Palace for the princesses to practice archery. Princess Hejing, Princess He'an, and Princess Hengxi, daughter of Prince Lü, have also competed with them.

Prince An married his primary wife, Lady Ilari. The emperor praised her for her loyalty and duty, and she was transferred from the Eastern Mausoleum to the Ministry of Rites.

E Rong'an, involved in E Shan's bribery case, has been dismissed and imprisoned in the Censorate along with Zhong Yongtan, the Left Censor-in-Chief. The case is still unresolved and may involve factionalism. E Shi and E Bi have not sought favors from their fourth brother. Lord Gao is E Shi's father-in-law; now that I am under Lord Gao's command, I can only proceed with extreme caution.

Everything is well at home. My fourth brother, Fu Wen, has been taking care of the younger siblings of the Empress's eldest palace maid, Yingluo, for several years under the Empress's orders. Now, his siblings are all married and own some land, which should comfort him. However, Aunt Mingyu and Mother Mother have recently been saying that Aunt Mingyu is not their daughter. My fourth brother wrote that he is afraid she may be developing dementia due to old age and has already consulted a doctor.

The task of horse racing is arduous; I hope my brother will not be afraid of difficulties and dangers, and that his heart will be as firm as iron.

Second brother Fu Qing's handiwork.

December of the seventh year of Qianlong's reign

(A letter sent from the capital to Uliastai, with weak and feeble handwriting)

Yanxia's cousin and Laicheng's brother-in-law, please accept this letter as if we were not already together:

I respectfully inquire after your well-being.

My daughter, Maoqian, was chosen by the Emperor this February to serve in the palace. However, my illness is worsening daily, and I fear my time is near. I have long since accepted the inevitable death of a person, but my only worry is Maoqian. She is my only daughter, and lost her mother at a young age. If she were to lose her father, she would be like an orphan, unable to care for the family. If Maoqian had not been chosen, she could have been married off sooner and found a life partner, but now there is nothing I can do. Our relatives are scattered and few remain; the only people I can entrust her to are my cousin and her husband.

Although you, my esteemed wife, are far away in the northern deserts, you know countless people and cherish the bond between siblings. Therefore, I, your foolish brother, humbly request that when Maoqian leaves the palace, you choose for her a loyal and virtuous husband, someone who can stay and care for our home in the capital. Your immense kindness and virtue will be repaid in my next life.

I bow my head in respect.

February of the eighth year of Qianlong's reign

(A letter sent from Uliastai to the capital, written in childish handwriting)

Sincerely, Lord Guido:

I learned to read after listening to your advice, and Hailancha is also learning. This is the first time I've written a letter to you myself.

Is the adult's injury any better? Please don't push yourself as hard as before, especially avoid overexertion.

In the past year or two, I've followed Lord Fuheng in arresting many corrupt officials and unscrupulous merchants; it's been truly exhilarating. Lord Fuheng has been promoted, and I've also been promoted to the rank of Eighth-Rank Outer Officer, Qianzong. From now on, Lord Fuheng and I will be at the same level.

Although the mourning period has ended, Master Dongmen said that I would bring misfortune to my family and could not get married until I was thirty, otherwise I would bring death to my wife and children. Therefore, I do not plan to get married for the next few years.

But my fiancé, Mr. Cheng, has been trying to arrange a marriage for me. I know what he's worried about, but I have absolutely no idea why it's necessary! He and Mrs. Yan, the one who proposed to me before, have been married for several years now! Besides, I've been extremely careful to avoid any appearance of impropriety with Mrs. Yan! We haven't seen each other in years!

I told him about the fortune telling, and he said I'd been fooled, that he was just talking nonsense, and that the fortune teller clearly had real supernatural powers! He even predicted that Hailancha would become a general and would definitely have a great future!

Lord Fuheng once asked me and Hailancha what our plans were for the future, and whether we should go with him if he ever returned to the capital.

I don't know, but all good things must come to an end. After all, Lord Fuheng is the Empress's brother and the Emperor's brother-in-law. Such a person of high status will eventually have to return to the capital. But armored soldiers have lived on the frontier for generations, and I was originally a soldier who fought on the battlefield. I can only read a few characters now. I can't read and understand poetry and books. Even if I go to the capital, I won't be able to achieve anything. It's better to stay in the northern desert.

I've written a lot of rambling stuff, and I don't know what to write next, so I'll stop here.

Please give my regards to the lady and the two young masters.

Respectfully submitted by Deqibu

March of the eighth year of Qianlong's reign

(A letter from Uliastai to the capital, in Mongolian)

Cherdenzab:

With the Ma administration settled, Uliastai's internal affairs have been able to be reorganized. Now that the turmoil is over, you brothers can take over in peace.

Fuheng was transferred back to the capital to serve as the Right Vice Minister of the Ministry of Revenue, and would depart soon. I have done my best in Uliastai, and after he returns to the capital, we should avoid close contact to avoid suspicion.

How is Ao Deng doing lately? Is she getting used to life in the capital? You wrote that Her Majesty the Empress treats her very well; that's because Her Majesty the Empress is inherently kind and benevolent. As subjects, we must not forget the principle of humility. But don't let Ao Deng be bullied. Back in the northern deserts, only that foolish, arrogant girl from the Balin King's household ever provoked Ao Deng, and she was immediately taught a lesson.

Your father is getting old, and I will entrust the important military and political affairs to you and your eldest brother from now on. After the Second Prince and Aodeng are married, your father will petition to establish a separate banner under the Gunjabu banner, with you serving as the Jasak. You brothers should treat your younger brothers well, especially Subashili, who is the daughter of a princess. He should be treated with extra respect, both in public and private.

Take good care of Consort and Ao Deng in the capital. Don't forget to offer sacrifices to the princess in the four seasons, and never fail to show respect when offering incense on ordinary days.

策棱

May of the eighth year of Qianlong's reign

(A letter sent from the capital to Tianjin, written in vigorous handwriting)

To my second elder brother, Fu Qing:

Although the horse administration has been rectified, the government's business extends far beyond warhorses. The Grand Secretary of Hubei once stated that reforming the horse administration's abuses was not limited to horse administration alone. Currently, the salt administration in Lianghuai is deeply entrenched and rife with corruption. Former Jiangsu Governor Chen Zhanxian impeached him, and although the Emperor did not issue an explicit order for investigation, Chen was recently promoted to Minister of Revenue and concurrently Governor of Jiangsu, with the additional title of Junior Guardian of the Heir Apparent. Furthermore, Qiu Shudu was also promoted for his meritorious service in controlling the Yellow River floods.

Given this situation, coupled with the marriage alliance between Gao and E, which is seen as attracting unwanted attention, and the fact that the Imperial Concubine's illness is worsening, this is certainly not a good omen. Since you are now under Lord Gao's command, I hope you will consider ways to withdraw as soon as possible.

Everything is well at home, and the Empress is well too. Only Aunt Mingyu's mother's dementia seems to have not improved. This is an old-age illness, and the doctors are helpless to cure it.

I respectfully submit this message; please do not trouble yourself with a reply.

Respectfully submitted by your younger brother, Fu Heng

July of the eighth year of Qianlong's reign

(A short note sent from the capital to Uliastai, written in vigorous handwriting)

Deqibu:

Consort Ling has already been granted the title of Consort. Regarding her relatives, although you were acting on the orders of Eunuch Jinbao back then, it is still considered improper to interfere in matters between distant relatives, and you are also in the wrong. Now, her relatives are probably even more powerful, so to be on the safe side, it would be best to have your uncles stay away for the time being.

傅恒

July of the eighth year of Qianlong's reign

(A letter sent from the capital to Uliastai, with neat handwriting)

Deqibu sees this letter as if we were meeting in person:

Thanks to your concern, my illness has become less frequent in the past two years, and the pain in my left arm has also decreased. I do feel occasionally tired, but it's nothing serious. My family is also doing well.

Judging from your letter, you have learned many characters and your sentences are fluent. You are no longer the ignorant person you once were. Indeed, one should look at a person with new eyes after three days of separation.

No matter where one is or what official position one holds, the most important thing is to adhere to one's duties, not to go against heaven and earth, and to have a clear conscience.

As for matters of marriage, though the divine and the supernatural are indeed unpredictable, your mother's affair was committed by Narbu, not by any reason of your incompatibility. Marriage is a lifelong matter; to delay it for several years because of the words of a sorcerer would seem rash. I urge you to be cautious. Hailancha is young yet resolute, calm, and perceptive; he possesses great potential, as can be seen even without divination. You must not blindly believe the sorcerer's words.

Words cannot fully express my thoughts; more will follow.

Enclosed with this letter are two sets of Huzhou brushes, two calligraphy practice books, and one copy of "Elementary Instructions".

Gui Duo hand tools.

August of the eighth year of Qianlong's reign

(A letter from a palace maid in the Forbidden City, sent to a certain place in the capital, written in delicate handwriting)

To my dear parents:

Your daughter, Baizhi, respectfully wishes your parents good health and happiness, and also inquires about the well-being of your second brother, sister-in-law, and third sister.

My daughter is currently hesitant about something and would like to ask her parents for their guidance.

Since the Second Prince's wedding date has been set, the Empress recently asked whether she would be willing to serve in the Second Prince's residence after his marriage and the establishment of his own household. If not, she would be allowed to leave the palace according to precedent.

My fellow palace maids, such as Lingzhi and Yunzhi, have all been dismissed from the palace. I wish to serve my parents to fulfill my filial duty, but I was selected into the palace as a bondservant to serve the Empress for eight years. The Empress's kindness is deep and hard to bear, and I have also been favored by her, who wishes to entrust me with this important task. If I were to refuse, it would seem to go against the principles of loyalty and love taught by my father. Moreover, the Second Prince and the Princess are kind and compassionate, and they usually bestow generous rewards upon them, which can also contribute to the family income.

Therefore, this is a difficult decision for your daughter, and she respectfully requests your reply.

Enclosed is a receipt. It just so happens that Consort Chun gave birth to the Seventh Prince, and the Emperor and Empress rewarded the palace servants, including their daughter. Therefore, I deposited an extra seven taels of silver at the bank.

The daughter bowed her head and paid her respects.

December of the eighth year of Qianlong's reign

(Letters from concubines in the Forbidden City to Fengtian Prefecture)

Mother's knees:

My daughter is pregnant, and next year the palace will issue an imperial decree summoning her mother to the palace to accompany her during childbirth.

Consort Ling, née Wei

August of the ninth year of Qianlong's reign