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

On their wedding night, Rongyin did not see Hongli.

Lianxin (Yingluo) came in and reported that Hongli was staying at Qingying's place, and the three of them were finally relieved.

Although the director had promised the three of them before they entered this world that they could detach their consciousness and use the "Divine Artificial Intelligence" to simulate their own consciousness and deceive others when faced with matters such as serving the emperor in bed or childbirth, it always felt awkward afterwards if the other person wasn't someone they loved, no matter how much they tried to avoid it. Therefore, they all hoped to minimize such situations. Now that Hongli wasn't coming, not only did Rongyin feel very relieved, but Yingluo and Mingyu also breathed a sigh of relief.

More importantly, Yingluo has now been transferred to Prince Bao's residence by the Imperial Household Department and assigned to her courtyard, so the three of them have finally been reunited.

Previously, Rongyin and Mingyu were busy preparing for their wedding, and Yingluo was on duty every day, so she hadn't had a chance to properly study the "Characteristics Report of the Chosen One" sent by Yuanyi. Tonight, finally, there was no one else to disturb them, so the three of them entered the team channel and opened the file.

A piece of paper appeared in the minds of the three people, on which were written in Manchu and Chinese respectively:

"First, things that defy common sense are more likely to happen around a child of destiny. This is because a child of destiny absorbs destiny, which goes against cause and effect, causing common sense to fail."

Second, all those who come near him, regardless of their wisdom or folly, are easily tempted by demonic influences. Some may admire and revere him, regarding him as a deity; others may loathe and resent him, regarding him as an enemy. This is because the auspicious energy surrounding a person of great fortune is so strong that it can inspire either a desire for something or a desire to plunder.

Thirdly, the words and actions of those destined for greatness often exhibit bias. This is because their fortune is stagnant, causing them to be blinded by a single leaf and unable to see Mount Tai. Since their obscuration is so severe, their actions are bound to be erroneous.

After reading it, the three found it incredibly profound but couldn't understand its meaning. They could only make a note of it for the time being, and then carefully observe the words and actions of others later to compare it with their own observations.

Some time after marrying Hongli, Rongyin renamed Sulian and Lianxin as Mingyu and Yingluo respectively. This way, the two would be more accustomed to being addressed by others, which would be both convenient and reduce the possibility of mistakes.

When the matter of changing the name was reported to Hongli, Hongli was somewhat annoyed. After a long while, he said, "Mingyu is fine, but the name Yingluo, although auspicious, has one problem: Ying is the same as Qingying's name, and Luo is the same as the word Luo in 'falling down.' Thus, it violates the taboo of Qingfujin's name, which is probably not good."

Rongyin smiled and replied, "Your Highness is right. It was I who did not think things through. The name 'Mingyu' is taken from a verse by the Song Dynasty monk Master Shi Pudu: 'In the bright light of the jade mirror, the vast expanse of misty waves stretches for ten thousand miles.' Yingluo, on the other hand, was introduced to China from the Buddhist kingdom. It is made of seven treasures and has auspicious and solemn meanings. I bestowed these two names to emulate the Emperor and Empress Xi's piety towards Buddhism and to remind myself that as your primary consort, I should never forget my filial piety towards the Emperor and Empress Xi. I did not mean to be careless and offend Qingying's name. Since that is the case, let it be."

Hongli said, “It is good that the Princess Consort is filial. The character ‘Ying’ in ‘Yingluo’ is a homophone of Qing Fujin’s given name, but the characters are different. It is not a taboo. Besides, you are the primary Princess Consort, and you have the dignity and honor of a primary Princess Consort. Qing Fujin will understand. They are just two maids. Since their names have been changed, there is no need to change them back.”

Rongyin smiled and agreed.

Her original intention was simply to make it easier to address him, but she only made up this excuse on the spot because Hongli asked the question. Fortunately, she had gained a deeper understanding of this alternate-time Hongli by now and knew what reasons and methods would be more effective in persuading him.

After spending this time together, she understood even more how different the Prince Hongli in front of her was from her husband in her original world.

Hongli in Ruyi's Royal Love in the Palace was born to a palace maid and was not favored. He was raised in the Yuanmingyuan Garden from a young age, and his life only improved after he was adopted by Consort Xi.

Because of his background, his foundation was unstable. In order to consolidate his power, his obedience to Consort Xi was more out of necessity than filial piety from a child to his mother. He was also wary of the Fucha clan behind Rongyin, and even of the more respectable bondservant bannermen.

He is cowardly and lacks responsibility. Seemingly in order to escape the sense of inferiority of his status and the suffocation brought about by such obedience, he usually attaches great importance to the distinction between legitimate and illegitimate children, and also hopes to be respected and obedient (Yinglu once complained about this in the team channel: Others are neither humble nor arrogant, but this person is both humble and arrogant!).

Therefore, as long as one mentions Emperor Shizong and Consort Xi at the right time, subtly hints at one's noble family background and status as the principal wife, and displays a gentle attitude, getting along with Hongli will be very easy.

The women in the family each had their own unique charm. Before his marriage, Hongli had a trial marriage with Princess Fucha Zhuying. After the wedding, in addition to Qingying and Gao Xiyue, he took several other princesses, including Su Luyun and Chen Wanyin, in the next imperial concubine selection. Later, he also took Jin Yuyan, who came from Korea.

One day, after getting drunk, Hongli had sex with Keliyete Hailan, an embroiderer in the embroidery workshop. Only after Qingying and Su Luyun pleaded did he reluctantly agree to give Hailan the title of princess.

Among the princesses, Su Luyun is gentle and gets along well with everyone; Zhu Ying, though from the same clan, always treats her as a rival; Gao Xiyue is spoiled and willful, but shows a lot of affection for Rongyin; Jin Yuyan speaks ambiguously, practically saying "I am cunning and shrewd" on her face; Hailan is timid and cowardly, always agreeing with others, and only befriends Qingying.

As for Princess Qingying...

Previously, Yuan Yi guessed that Qingying was the chosen one of this small world. After observing for a period of time, the three of them discovered that although Gao Xiyue was usually spoiled, she would immediately grit her teeth as if she had a deep-seated hatred whenever Qingying was mentioned; Hailan also had an extraordinary admiration for Qingying; as for Hongli, although he was her childhood sweetheart and spent his wedding night at her place, he remained indifferent afterward.

Qingying herself was usually quiet and reserved, but her maid, A'ruo, was unrestrained in her words and actions and often offended others. Qingying did not discipline her much, and usually just recited the line "We gaze at each other from afar on the wall and horse, and I know that my heart breaks at the sight of you" especially when Hongli was around.

After hearing it so many times, Mingyu finally couldn't help but express her doubts during the conversation of the three: "What are the names of the dishes that Qingfujin mentioned, like the shiitake mushrooms and egg sausages?"

As Yingluo trimmed the wick of the lamp, she said, "This 'scallop mushroom' must be scallop stewed with shiitake mushrooms; as for the egg sausage, I remember back in the original world, when I accompanied the Emperor on his journey to Jiangnan, the Emperor listened to Lord Ji Xiaolan's recommendation and ate a dish called Longkanzi from Luoding. After eating it, he said that this dish resembled a large intestine, so it was called 'intestine rice noodle roll,' and from then on, the name 'intestine rice noodle roll' came into use. In common parlance, it is often shortened to 'intestine.' I suppose this egg sausage is an egg sausage roll with eggs added! But Qingfu Consort, since you can foresee the future and know about this dish, could you really be a chosen one of destiny?"

Rongyin chuckled and said, "What scallop, mushroom, and egg rice noodle rolls? You two girls, you always think about food!"

These are lines from Bai Juyi's poem "Drawing a Silver Bottle from the Well," which Bai Letian wrote to admonish women against promiscuity. The last two lines, in particular, "For a day's favor from you, I've ruined my life. A message to foolish young women: never lightly give yourselves away," are admonitions to women to uphold propriety and not transgress boundaries for momentary passion. Qing Fujin often recited these lines, presumably using them to encourage herself.

Yingluo said, "The affair between a man and a woman is a matter between the two parties. In the play 'The Romance of the Western Chamber,' Zhang Sheng even climbed over the wall to enter the Cui family's house in the middle of the night. But Bai Juyi only wrote poems to admonish women, as if the affair was just a momentary lapse in judgment by the women. He didn't say that men should not have private relations. That's so unreasonable!"

Then, after a moment's thought, she added, "But Mingyu said that on the day of the selection, this Qingfu Consort was not very disciplined and didn't seem to adhere to etiquette. Besides, if she was trying to encourage herself, why didn't she recite the last two lines, but instead recited 'egg sausage'? This is so illogical. In addition, Princess Gao hates her and Princess Hai loves her. With all three of these factors combined, could it be that Yuan Yi really guessed right?"

Rongyin knew that Yingluo often made surprising remarks, so she wasn't surprised by Yingluo's criticism of Bai Letian. She simply replied, "Even so, Gao Xiyue was taken as a concubine by Qingying, and Hailan received a favor from Qingying, so this love and hate isn't without reason. Well, according to Yuanyi, as long as we make this world conform to common sense, even if she is the chosen one, it won't harm us. We just need to be more cautious in our daily lives. Also, you two are not allowed to make fun of her with things like 'scallops, mushrooms, eggs, and sausages'."

Mingyu and Yingluo laughed and said, "Yes, yes, we understand!"

They always understood that Rongyin was kind and benevolent.

In the world of Yanxi Palace, she protected the other concubines and children to the best of her ability. After arriving in this world, she regarded everyone in this world as pitiful people who might face life-or-death dangers and whose days might not be long.

Regardless of how others treated her, she took good care of the women in the inner quarters. She was especially worried that the concubines and maids who were not favored would be exploited by those who fawned on the powerful and bullied the weak. She not only gave the stewards advice from time to time, but also often showed concern for them.

Madam Fucha sent someone to deliver Lingling incense, a contraceptive, instructing her to suppress the concubines, especially to prevent them from giving birth to children before her. She remained noncommittal on the surface, but secretly found a way to dispose of the incense.

In her first life, she stayed true to herself, but due to the many malicious storms from the outside world, she eventually died in despair. In her second life, she still chooses to stay true to herself, walk the righteous path, and do good deeds.

Yingluo and Mingyu had received much kindness and care from Rongyin in the past, and this time they hoped to protect Rongyin from the wind and rain and help her to uphold her true self.

In the following years, Zhu Ying became pregnant and gave birth to the eldest son of the emperor, Yonghuang; however, she unfortunately died in childbirth during her second delivery; Rongyin gave birth to the eldest daughter, Jingse, and the second son, Yonglian, in succession during the simulation process of the divine artificial intelligence.

After each childbirth, when Rongyin's consciousness returned to her body and she saw her child, tears would stream down her face.

She had once conceived Yonglian, but he left her young, causing her immense grief. Now, she has given birth to a son and a daughter again.

Although Yuan Yi had reminded her that these two children were Fucha Langhua's children, but they were different time-space counterparts, just like Hongli and others, and could not be completely equated with her own children from the past, she sometimes felt guilty, feeling that she had occupied Fucha Langhua's body and taken away the time she spent with her children, like a thief who stole her happiness; but whenever Rongyin saw these two children, she felt that they were children who had gone before returning to her embrace.

She made up her mind that, both out of her maternal love and for the sake of Fucha Langhua, she would protect and raise these two children well, so that they could grow up well and live a peaceful and safe life.

Rongyin felt pity for Yonghuang, who lost his mother at a young age. She also thought of Zhuying, who had passed away at a young age because she did not have a magical artifact to avoid the dangers of childbirth. Rongyin loved Yonghuang even more. She not only often instructed the servants in the mansion not to neglect the eldest prince, but also often took Yonghuang with her to take care of his food and studies.

Yonghuang was initially reserved, but being a child, he gradually developed affection for Rongyin and his younger siblings. The three children often played together, and after Jingse and Yonglian began their formal education, Yonghuang was also willing to teach them often.

After Jingse began her formal education, no tutor was hired; Rongyin personally taught her to read and write. Sometimes, when Yonghuang and Yonglian finished school, Mingyu would bring them to Rongyin's courtyard. Rongyin and Yingluo would have prepared snacks for them, and after watching the three children enjoy their food, they would play and frolic in the courtyard.

The sky was clear and the air was crisp. A gentle breeze rustled the jasmine in the courtyard, and a few butterflies fluttered gracefully, creating a scene of peace and tranquility. The three women often felt as if they had returned to the time they spent together in Changchun Palace. Back then, everyone felt that life was so peaceful and happy. Except for Yingluo, who spent six years cultivating good relationships among the servants of Prince Bao's mansion in order to gather information, in this turbulent and impending destruction world, this peaceful and tranquil life almost made them forget their mission.

Time flew by, and soon it was the fourteenth year of the Yongzheng Emperor's reign.

Yuan Yi appeared at the right time, reminding the three that the next turning point in the world's trajectory was approaching.

The three understood perfectly what this turning point meant. That year, Emperor Shizong passed away, and his fourth son, Hongli, ascended the throne, changing the era name to Qianlong. In other words, their happy life was about to end, and they would begin to enter the core of this world, approaching the evil spirit that still resided within someone unknown.

Yingluo sighed, "These past few years, helping the Empress manage the inner quarters and take care of the children, I've almost forgotten all about the Heavenly Dao, the Great Dao, and evil spirits! It's a pity that peaceful days always pass too quickly."

Yuan Yi explained seriously, "Time in the small world doesn't flow completely linearly like in the main world. Time often speeds up or slows down between different nodes. For example, Ms. Wei, after you overthrew Consort Shun in the Yanxi Palace world, didn't you feel that the next ten years seemed to pass in an instant?"

Yingluo: ......

Useless knowledge has increased.

Rongyin said somewhat embarrassedly, "So, aside from Yingluo making many friends, it seems we haven't really done anything..."

Yuan Yidao said, “No, the three of you have already contributed to the world’s righteousness by maintaining a kind heart and treating every woman and child with goodwill in the Prince’s residence. From now on, you only need to keep your original intentions and do good deeds. Many of your actions have already saved the world unintentionally. If you have any questions, I will tell you what to do.”