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

The Mulan Autumn Hunt was originally intended to showcase the emperor's bravery and the close relationship between the Manchus and Mongols, but the assassination attempt on the first day of the hunt has plunged everyone into unease.

While intensifying his investigation, Fuheng also reported to the emperor: "If Your Majesty does not appear for a long time, I fear that the Manchu and Han officials who have come to the autumn hunt and the Mongol tribes will feel uneasy. This servant humbly requests Your Majesty to follow the example of Emperor Gaozu in rewarding the troops and comforting the soldiers, and to appease the officials."

However, the emperor was not only fearful and uneasy, but also suffered from back pain and was unable to ride a horse.

Fuheng then suggested that a member of the imperial family or a prince should go hunting on behalf of the emperor and the officials: “Now the Second Prince is in danger of suffering from a stroke and spasm due to a wound, and needs the imperial physician to take care of him day and night. Prince An is the eldest among the princes, and the Third Prince is also in his childhood. They can go hunting on behalf of the emperor.”

The Emperor said, “Yonghuang is investigating the case with you, so let Yongzhang do these things. Sebutengbaljur has been raised in the inner court. He is a Mongol and is older than Yongzhang, so let him go too.”

For several days, the Third Prince Yongzhang and Princess Hejing's fiancé Sebutengbaljur were ordered to go hunting with the others. Because of the Emperor's previous lesson, the two only hunted sheep, deer and rabbits that were raised in the hunting grounds in the nearby open areas, and returned early every day.

Sebutengbaljur was already quite skilled in riding and archery, and although Yongzhang was not yet twelve years old, he had already studied for several years and was quite proficient in archery and horsemanship. These past few days, he had been the center of attention at the hunting grounds.

As for the women, the Empress has been spending the last few days with Prince Duan and his wife, leaving all the affairs to Consort Ling.

Yanwan was a little flustered at first, but fortunately she learned quickly and had the help of Aruo and others, so she soon regained her composure.

On this day, Yongzhang went to Su Luyun's place and saw that Yilali and Yiergenjueluo were also in the tent. He suppressed his excitement, greeted them, and then had his men take the fox he had hunted to skin it before leaving the tent with dignified composure.

Ilarie laughed and said, "The fox that Third Uncle hunted looks like it has thick fur, it's really good."

Su Luyun was somewhat pleased with her niece's praise, but she remained humble and said, "This child is just lucky for a while. He can't compare to the eldest prince or the second prince."

She was actually a little worried. The Second Prince was injured, albeit only a superficial wound, but the imperial physicians were on high alert, and they didn't know how he would fare. If Yongzhang were to show off too much at this time, wouldn't it hurt the Empress and her son's feelings?

Thinking of this, she asked Ilarie, "Has Yonghuang visited the Second Prince these past few days? What did the imperial physician say?"

Ilarie said, "The wound has scabbed over, but the imperial physician keeps saying that there's no guarantee he won't get some kind of illness, so he needs to keep Second Uncle resting. The Empress Dowager and the Princess Consort are also keeping a close eye on him. My eldest brother said that Second Uncle has been feeling restless these past few days. I'm afraid the imperial physician is being overly cautious because he's afraid of being blamed if something really happens."

Su Luyun said, "You can't say that. It's best if nothing happens, but it's always good to be careful. You should also spend more time with the Second Princess. She's still a young girl. It wouldn't be good if she started overthinking and scaring herself."

Ilarie agreed and added, "Fifth Uncle has been quite ill these past few days. Several imperial physicians have come to see him, saying that he was frightened and that his fever only subsided after several days."

Su Luyun said angrily, "It's all because of that hussy Hailan, and that fool Xian who's blinded by greed!"

Seeing that Su Luyun looked unwell, Ilari quickly changed the subject and talked about other things.

Yonghuang sent his primary wife and secondary wife to Su Luyun's place, while he went to visit Yonglian in his tent.

Previously, Yongzhang had been isolated outside the pine forest, and nothing had happened during the hunting trips these past few days. However, Yongqi suddenly had an accident at Ruyi's place, but his servants said that Yongqi had clearly never left his tent before. All of this made him begin to suspect that the sudden change in the positions of the man and the horse that day was only for a specific person, and that Yongzhang was not among those specific people.

For safety reasons, he arranged for Ilari to take Irgen Gioro to visit Su Luyun, arguing that relatives should visit each other more often.

As soon as he stepped outside the tent, he heard Yonglian say from inside, "So many days have passed, my wounds have healed, I shouldn't have contracted... what disease again?"

The imperial physician said, “Your Highness, please forgive my bluntness, but there have been cases in the past where people suffered from traumatic injury and stroke for ten days or even months after the initial injury. Please do not take it lightly and rest well these next few days.”

He then heard Yonglian's helpless words: "Alright, alright, I understand. I will continue to recuperate."

When Zhao Yitai saw him arrive, he hurriedly went in to announce his arrival.

Yonghuang entered the tent and saw Rongyin there as well. After exchanging greetings, Rongyin said, "You brothers talk for a while, I'll head back now," and then left.

After chatting for a while, the two began to talk about the "assassination" incident.

Yonghuang said, "Now the testimonies of the officials of the Imperial Stables and the hunting grounds are complete, and the pine forest has been investigated several times. The evidence is conclusive, and Ling Yunche has no choice but to confess. He discovered the mechanism early on, and there was also wild horse urine near the mechanism. In order to gain merit for saving the emperor, he stole the bodily fluids of the mares used for breeding in the hunting grounds and mixed them with the urine, so as to lure the two wild horses there and attract the emperor to that pine forest."

Yonglian questioned, “This confession still has many loopholes. First, if he discovered the trap, then who set it up? Second, although he served in the hunting grounds, the hunting grounds are so large, and the hunting area is far from where he served. How did he know that there were wild male horses nearby? Third, although he served as an imperial bodyguard, it was not for long. Although Father Emperor loves horses, he only rides them once or twice in his spare time. This hobby is not as prominent as his appreciation of seals. This year’s Mulan hunting is also the first time. It is probably not easy for outsiders to find out that Father Emperor has such a hobby.”

Yonghuang said, "Perhaps setting up a trap to harm the Emperor's health is an even more serious crime, which Ling Yunche dares not admit. Or perhaps this trap was originally a horse-hunting trap outside the Mulan Hunting Grounds, but it appeared in the pine forest. Haven't we all experienced these things in the pine forest?"

Yonglian remained silent for a while before saying, "But the arrows are rusty, meaning they've been in the forest for some time. If this mechanism didn't appear out of supernatural causes, then wouldn't it mean someone really was trying to assassinate Father Emperor?"

Yonghuang said, "In my humble opinion, that is not the case. Second brother, are you aware of the Liao River massacre in the third year of Qianlong's reign?"

Yonglian said, "I've heard some of it. Back then, when some northern tribesmen crossed the border and caused trouble in Fengtian, the father expelled these criminals. The northern tribesmen were so audacious that they tried to assassinate our great Qing dynasty's parents, but fortunately their plot failed."

Yonghuang said, "Back then, when the Northern tribes assassinated Lord Guiduo, they used rolling logs and stones to fake an accident. Later, they sent several assassins to pursue him. If there really was a traitor who intended to assassinate the king, the plan would have been even more meticulous. Why would they use a mechanism with only two non-poisoned arrows, and then no one else would appear? Therefore, this incident must have been orchestrated by someone who wanted to take credit for the work of the emperor."

Yonglian fell into deep thought.

Yonghuang continued, "As for why Ling Yunche knew Father Emperor's preferences, Father Emperor has been investigating whether any of his servants have leaked information about his daily life. In the past few days, several eunuchs who had been passing messages to officials of the previous dynasty have been arrested, as well as Zezhi. She claims that when Consort Ling entered the palace, she sold information to several of the consorts' maids. However, she denies this, saying that after Ling Yunche was demoted, he was far away in the Mulan Hunting Grounds and penniless. She has no reason to leak Father Emperor's preferences for such a person, nor could she have spread the information so far. Although what she said makes sense, Father Emperor is determined to reform the imperial court this time, and all those people are currently imprisoned."

After chatting for a while, Yonghuang left.

After seeing Yonghuang off, Yonglian turned around and saw Ao Deng walking out from the inner room.

Previously, fearing he might frighten Ao Deng, he had suggested she go out and relax with the princesses and wives, or visit the ladies-in-waiting, but Ao Deng was in no mood for it. For the past few days, she had simply stayed by his side or been lost in thought in her tent. Today, when Physician Bao came, Yonglian had her go to the inner room to rest for a while beforehand, so as not to overhear Physician Bao saying anything that might cause her further worry.

Ao Deng hadn't ridden a horse in the past few days. At this moment, he was only wearing a lake-blue brocade robe with dark patterns, his hair simply tied up in a bun, and a silver hairpin inlaid with coral was inserted.

Seeing her angry expression, Yonglian knew something was wrong and forced himself to ask, "You woke up so quickly, Madam?"

Ao Deng said angrily, "I heard everything! It's all because of that lowly slave, that bastard, that filthy, rotten beast in the pine forest!"

Yonglian was immediately at a loss and could only comfort her, saying, "Alright, alright, there are still some doubts about this matter. Once the results are found, Father and Mother will make their own decision. You don't need to worry about it, Princess."

Ao Deng was still furious: "Other matters haven't been investigated yet, but even if that lowly servant didn't set up the trap, he has at least admitted to the crime of not reporting what he knew! If he had reported the discovery of the trap earlier, how could Father Emperor and Second Master have been in danger!"

Yonglian coaxed him for a while, and Jia also tried to persuade him, before they were able to calm Ao Deng down, who was about to go and teach Ling Yunche a lesson.

Meanwhile, Zezhi, her cheeks swollen and red, was kneeling in the main tent, trembling in fear of the emperor's fury.

Previously, an investigation of the imperial servants revealed that two eunuchs had passed messages to the Gao family. However, by this time, Consort Gao had already passed away, and the Gao family was in decline, so the emperor felt it was pointless to pursue the matter further. But Ze Zhi had previously informed several concubines of his interest in Yan Wan and his stomach ailment. The emperor, thinking that if Yan Wan failed to enter the palace because of this, he didn't know how many years he would have to suffer at the hands of Ruyi, and remembering that Ze Zhi had served both Ruyi and Hailan, was instantly enraged!

He was still not satisfied after having Jinbao slap Zezhi. He grabbed a teacup from the table and threw it down with a crash. The already cold tea was poured over Zezhi's head, and he shivered from the cold, but his mind also cleared up from the confusion caused by the tension.

At this point, we have no choice but to take a gamble.

She prostrated herself deeply and said, "Your Majesty, please calm your anger! Consort Xian and Hailan were both my former mistresses. I am willing to atone for my sins with my good deeds!"

The emperor, who was still looking for something to throw away, was suddenly taken aback when he heard this.

With a grim face, he asked, "Very well, I'll hear how you intend to atone for your crimes!"

Zezhi said, "Your Majesty, please dismiss everyone and allow me to report this privately."

Jinbao, recalling how Zezhi had once killed Wang Qin with a single bottle, hesitated and said, "This... Your Majesty, shouldn't we be more cautious? This maid has a fearsome reputation; what if she fights like a cornered beast..."

Zezhi kowtowed: "This servant would never dare! If Your Majesty is still worried, you may simply have someone tie me up!"

The emperor pondered for a long time, then ordered Jinbao to tie up Zezhi and let the two of them leave.

Zezhi felt her heart pounding wildly, her throat was dry, and she couldn't say anything.

She gritted her teeth and forced out what was in her heart: "Your Majesty, this servant guesses that you want to deal with Consort Xian, but you are secretly cursed by Consort Xian, yet you have no evidence."

A look of surprise flashed in the emperor's eyes.

Seeing the emperor remain silent, Zezhi gritted her teeth and said, "I have served Your Majesty for the past few years and have often seen you suffer from headaches. I am truly worried about you. I am willing to offer some advice and suggestions to help Your Majesty."

In fact, while serving the Emperor, she secretly observed the curtains of the Hall of Mental Cultivation and discovered that Consort Shen's visits to the Emperor were not truly for his own good, but rather involved whispering and discussing something with him. She could vaguely hear the words "Ruyi" and "curse." She also saw Consort Shen seemingly writing something by the bedside, and on several occasions, Consort Shen left with ink stains on her hands. Combined with the Emperor's unusual behavior towards Ruyi, she became suspicious. But if she spoke of this, she would truly face certain death.

The emperor's expression softened: "Go on."

As Zezhi spoke, the emperor would occasionally deny or affirm certain things. After about an hour, the emperor ordered her to be taken back first, and then invited Jinzhong and Jinbao inside to give them a few instructions.

The two made the arrangements as instructed, and then went to invite the Empress and the Prince Duan and his wife, the Empress Mother.

Upon hearing the emperor's summons, Ao Deng changed into a more formal bright red brocade robe with a floral pattern, which was closer in style to the Manchu dress, except that the cuffs were not completely tight and had a Mongolian style. His hair was braided into two pigtails, and he wore a brass forehead ornament with large turquoise and red coral tassels hanging down to his waist on both sides.