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

The assassination attempt at Mulan Hunting Grounds was eventually discovered to be a staged assassination attempt by Ling Yunche, a stable boy at the hunting grounds, in order to gain credit for saving the emperor. To prevent the matter from escalating and involving too many people, thus damaging the royal family's reputation, the emperor directly "granted death" to Ling Yunche at Mulan Hunting Grounds. A number of the palace maids and eunuchs accompanying him were also dismissed. After returning to the palace, the emperor ordered Jinzhong, Jinbao, and Qinli to find some clever servants to fill the vacancies.

The Empress and Consort Ling noticed the suspicious activity in time. Prince An, Prince Duan, Prince Duan's wife, and a group of guards performed meritorious service in protecting the Emperor. Prince Duan even risked his life for the Emperor, nearly being fatally wounded by a stray arrow, but fortunately, after treatment by the imperial physician, he was out of danger. The Emperor rewarded those who had contributed to the victory. Prince An and Prince Duan each received ten pieces of gold and jade artifacts, five hundred taels of silver, and Prince Duan was also awarded a lapis lazuli seal and a box of eight-treasure inkpads.

Originally, the Prince Duan's wife was to be rewarded with jewelry and fabrics, but since she had condoned her servants beating a criminal, which was unbecoming of her status, the jewelry reward was cancelled. However, because her original headdress was damaged, a jade and silver wire inlaid with gemstones was given as a replacement. Ten bolts of brocade and ten bolts of feather satin were also awarded, along with a wooden bow with grape patterns and birch bark, a wooden saddle inlaid with copper and gilded openwork patterns, and a whip made from the hide of the white horse she had personally shot. Consort Ling was rewarded with ten bolts of mixed pearl brocade, one bolt of Zhang satin, a gold and amber thumb ring, and a palm-sized pink tourmaline trumpet vine ornament.

During the time the Emperor and Prince Duan were recuperating from their injuries, the Third Prince Yongzhang and Sebutengbaljur went hunting on behalf of the Emperor with the Manchu and Mongol princes and ministers, and several concubines managed the female relatives on behalf of the Empress. All of them were meritorious and received commendation and rewards from the Emperor and Empress. Among them, Yongzhang and Sebutengbaljur each received ten pieces of jade and two hundred taels of silver from the Emperor. The Empress also bestowed upon each of them twenty bolts of clothing fabric, including wool, cashmere, and silk brocade.

In the study of the Prince's residence, Ao Deng tested the bow and said, "This bow is too light. But since it was a gift from the Emperor, it cannot be used as an ordinary bow and arrow. It should be hung up."

She had the rewards recorded and put into storage, then remembered something and said to Yonglian, who was reading a book, "My servant Abu has sent the Prince a bottle of Scorpion Powder and a bottle of Left Dragon Pill."

Yonglian: "...What kind of medicine is this?"

Ao Deng said seriously, "They are all for treating traumatic injuries and strokes. Quanxie San is made by grinding scorpion tails, and Zuolong Wan is a pill made from wild pigeon droppings, river swim bladder, silkworm, realgar, centipede, gastrodia, cinnabar, and croton oil."

Yonglian felt that this medicine was more dangerous than the stroke and spasm from the wound that had already been ruled out, and hurriedly said, "Didn't the imperial physician say that my wound was shallow and treated in time, so I won't get sick!"

Ao Deng said, "It's good to keep it in case of emergency. My wife, Abu, had this disease before and almost died, so we are being extra careful."

Yonglian was startled: "When did this happen?"

Aodeng recalled: "I heard it from my uncle Chenggunzabu and my uncle Subashili. It seems that shortly after I was born, Abu was wounded by a jackal's arrow during a charge. He fell down after the victory. The Mongolian doctors and the imperial physicians sent by the late emperor treated him for a long time. Because Abu needed to recuperate, I was kept by Owo's side for more than a year."

Yonglian immediately regretted bringing up the topic and quickly changed the subject: "Fortunately, the Prince is alright now. Why don't you come and see the seal that Father bestowed upon you?" As he spoke, he dipped the lapis lazuli seal in ink and pressed it onto the Xuan paper, reciting the sentence engraved on the seal: "Heaven lends me its literary talent."

Ao Deng also chimed in: "These are lines from Li Bai."

She pondered to herself, "The next line of the poem is 'Gathering in the fragrant garden of peach blossoms, enjoying the pleasures of family life.' Does Father have a deeper meaning?"

Yonglian asked in surprise, "Does the Princess Consort also read Han Dynasty poetry and prose?"

Ao Deng, interrupted from her thoughts, said irritably, "I was raised by Ouwo since I was a child, and I am not a stupid person who only knows how to drink milk tea and eat barbecue."

Yonglian laughed and echoed, "Prince Chaoyong has lived in the capital for a long time and is indeed well-versed in poetry and literature."

Ao Deng was reminded of the past by those words.

Shortly after her birth, she was raised by her grandfather, Prince Chaoyong, and was closest to him. Her grandfather was a soldier who had spent his life on the battlefield and had a very imposing presence. He was quite authoritative both in public and at home, and everyone respected him. Only little her dared to climb all over her grandfather with her short legs.

Her grandfather simply smiled at her boldness, lifted her off his shoulders, put one arm around her, and pointed to the books on the table with the other, reading them to her. Most of them were classics and historical texts in Manchu and Chinese, and sometimes they were poems.

She had heard the story of Wang Jian's self-defamation and knew that when one was about to make a great contribution, or had already made one, making some harmless mistakes would often reassure the monarch.

But her husband didn't seem to understand these complexities very well. Yonglian's title "Duan" was almost a true reflection of him; he was upright, kind, and sincere, yet he was the type to be easily deceived.

Was it because Yonglian followed the Empress Dowager's temperament? But the Empress Dowager had Aunt Yingluo and Aunt Mingyu by her side. She had heard Baizhi talk about the two aunts' behavior and had also witnessed it with her own eyes. In her opinion, the Empress Dowager and the two aunts seemed to form a yin-yang symbol, with yin within yang and yang within yin.

Yonglian is currently just a nobody; being a leisurely prince like Uncle Subashili is enough, but if he wants to advance further…

Celeng, Chenggunzhabu, and Cherdenzhabu—none of the powerful elders she had ever met were based solely on the principles of a gentleman and a kind heart.

After the imperial physician declared that Yonglian was not at risk of suffering from a stroke or convulsions due to her wounds, and her merit in saving the emperor was brought to the forefront through this reward, she remained hesitant, wondering whether she should become the black fish or wait a little longer.

She thought for a moment and tentatively said, "Your Highness, you have appointed yourself Queen but have no official duties. Next year, your younger sister Jingse will be getting married. You are her own brother. If you ask Father Emperor to let you oversee the construction of the Princess's Mansion, I think you would be able to do it according to her preferences."

Yonglian thought for a moment and said, "What the Fujin said makes sense. Jingse's new residence cannot be taken lightly."

After reading Yonglian's memorial, the Emperor pondered for a long time before saying, "I am very pleased that Yonglian and Jingse have such a deep bond as siblings. Gao Heng has a large house in Tieshizi Hutong, which has already been confiscated. It would be perfect to bestow it upon Jingse as her residence. I would like Yonglian to work with the Imperial Household Department to properly furnish that house."

After the imperial decree was issued, Jinzhong reported, "Imperial Physician Huang has come to treat the Emperor's injuries."

After examining the emperor, Huang Yuanyu indicated that his injuries had improved. With a little more rest and daily hot compresses, he would recover quickly. However, since the emperor's injuries were in his lower back and legs, it was best not to summon concubines until he was fully recovered. Furthermore, judging from his pulse, the emperor seemed somewhat distracted and might require some calming medication.

The emperor said sullenly, "I have indeed been having nightmares lately, but using too many tranquilizers and calming incense only makes me more lethargic. Are there any other ways to cure this?"

Huang Yuanyu said, "Your Majesty's symptoms are probably due to the impact you suffered at the Mulan Hunting Grounds. Why don't you ask the shaman to perform a ritual, or go to the Baohua Hall to pray for blessings?"

After thinking for a moment, the emperor said, "Then let's go to the Baohua Hall to burn incense." He then ordered, "Have Liu Songling come over and select some soothing pieces from the Western music to play for me."

Huang Yuanyu took his leave, and the Emperor, remembering something, said, "Summon Lang Shining from the Yuanmingyuan again. Have him paint a Western-style oil portrait for Jingren Palace, the Empress, and the deceased Imperial Noble Consort Huixian. Ruyi's aunt passed away alone, and I always thought that at least Ruyi should have something to remember her by. However, the dignity of the Empress and Imperial Noble Consort Huixian cannot be neglected. Jinzhong, once the painting is finished, send this gift and that gift to Cuiyun Pavilion."

Jin Zhongdao nodded and went downstairs with his newly accepted apprentice, who was also the previous handyman Xiao Xiangzi who had moved boxes.

Lang Shining was ordered to paint a portrait of the Empress, and all the palace ladies praised the deep affection between the Emperor and Empress. As for the Emperor's order to paint a portrait of the former Consort Jingren...

"Oh, Your Majesty, I'm afraid you're just giving Ulanara a warning, telling her to behave herself and not follow the example of Jingren Palace."

Inside Zhongcui Palace, A'Ruo smiled and flicked the handkerchief in her hand.

Su Luyun, dressed in a lake-green embroidered floral cloak over a royal blue woolen long jacket, glanced at Ilarie, who was sitting below her, and said, "Sister Shenfei, the younger generation is still here. Why talk about those unlucky people? Look at this jacket I'm wearing. Yongzhang specially instructed the Imperial Household Department to make it for me as a reward from the Empress. It's thick and soft. Yongrong and Jingyan each have one too."

During this time, Su Luyun would always seize any opportunity to show off Yongzhang's filial piety. Now that A'ruo had achieved her goal, she cooperated and said with a smile, "The Third Prince is filial to you, and the First Princess is also filial to you. In the future, there will be the Seventh Prince and Princess Hejia waiting to be filial to you. I only have Princess Hewan under my knees. How can I be as fortunate as you?"

After the two talked for a while, a palace maid brought up three bowls of steamed sweet cheese.

Upon smelling the milk, Ilarie suddenly gagged. Su Luyun hurriedly said, "What's wrong? Quickly, summon the imperial physician to take a look."

Jiang Yubin was summoned for a consultation, and it was discovered that Ira was more than a month pregnant.

Su Luyun exclaimed with delight, "This, such good news! Quickly report it to the Emperor!" She then grabbed Ilarie's hand and said, "Judging by the dates, she must have conceived before going to the hunting grounds. You are such a careless child, you didn't even know."

While overjoyed, Ilari was also somewhat apprehensive, asking Jiang Yubin, "I've shot arrows in the hunting grounds before, could this be...?"

Jiang Yubin said, "Please rest assured, Madam. Judging from your pulse, you are in good health and the pregnancy is stable. Archery is not strenuous, and you did not ride a horse, so it will not have any impact."

Ilarie breathed a sigh of relief.

The emperor was overjoyed to learn that he was about to become the maternal grandfather, and hurriedly sent someone to Changchun Palace to inform him.

At this moment, Jinzhong presented three paintings by Lang Shining.

As the emperor gazed at the portraits of Consort Huixian and the Empress, he suddenly felt somewhat dazed.

Consort Huixian has passed away. Her portrait was painted based on the portrait of the emperor when he first ascended the throne, and she looks very young. The empress's portrait, however, was painted based on the empress herself. Even though Lang Shining tried to embellish it, the traces of time can still be seen.

He sighed: "Frame these paintings. Hang the portrait of Consort Huixian in Xianfu Palace, and keep the portrait of the Empress for now. I'm going to Changchun Palace."

Jinzhong delivered the painting to the Imperial Household Department, but Lang Shining was worried that the people there wouldn't know how to handle oil paintings, so he insisted on going with them to take a look.

Qin Li recently received a request from Jin Bao to investigate the patterns drawn by Qi Ru and Ze Zhi before their deaths.

Ze Zhi's drawing was more detailed than Qi Ru's, and the outlines of wings and flames could be vaguely seen. He felt that the drawing was somewhat similar to the monster in Ye Xin's dream that she had mentioned before. He asked Yingluo about it, but Yingluo pretended not to know and only said, "If this thing is a monster that we can't find here, it might be from the West."

Seeing Giuseppe Castiglione was like a dream come true, so he asked Castiglione to stay behind and secretly took out the design.

Lang Shining was shocked: "Flames, eyes, wings...this is our angel! How do you have this, Eunuch Qin?"

Qin Li had a bad feeling and quickly said, "This servant doesn't believe in those Western things! This is related to a case. We've been investigating but haven't found any clues. That's why I came to ask you for advice, thinking that a foreign monk can chant sutras better."

Knowing the severity of the Qing Dynasty's ban on Christianity, Giuseppe Castiglione quickly lowered his voice and quietly explained the Seraphim's origins and characteristics.

Qin Li pondered: "The god of love's praise, a being of pure spirit, no wonder he's been impossible to kill."

Lang Shining asked doubtfully, "What did Eunuch Qin say?"

Qin Li immediately laughed it off: "It's nothing, thank you for your trouble, Lord Lang. This matter involves a case within the Imperial Palace, so please don't publicize what happened today."

When the emperor arrived at Changchun Palace, he instructed the palace servants not to announce his arrival and tiptoed into the inner hall. From outside, he saw Rongyin, Yingluo, and Mingyu selecting gifts for the Ilari clan.