The Qing Palace Never Meets Spring

"By the way, how is Tian Shen's illness?" Yinxiang suddenly remembered Hong Zhou's illness as he was leaving.

A hint of annoyance flashed across Yinzhen's face: "I've seen the imperial physicians and taken the medicine, but I'm still not getting better. The imperial physicians say there's nothing seriously wrong and that my life won't be in danger, yet they can't cure me."

They always say they're missing one or two crucial ingredients, but they can't quite articulate what exactly they're missing.

Yinxiang said, "Why don't you take me to see it, Fourth Brother?"

"You?" Yinzhen smiled. "It seems you've made some progress these past few days."

Yinxiang was a little embarrassed and waved his hand with a smile, "It's just that I've become a doctor through long illness. Over the years, I've gotten to know quite a few doctors in order to treat my illness. If you trust me, Fourth Brother, I can recommend a few trustworthy doctors who have real skills."

Yinzhen had only three sons, each with a different personality. Hongzhou was the most lively, but now he was bedridden. Yinzhen was anxious, but he refused to show it in front of him.

Seeing that Yinxiang was concerned and willing to go to great lengths, he was extremely happy and said, "Your health is sometimes good and sometimes bad, and something has happened to your sister-in-law's family. I shouldn't trouble you with these things."

Yinxiang followed Yinzhen to see Hongzhou and said, "What are you saying, Fourth Brother? Hongzhou has been sensible and clever since he was a child. He is the only child in our two families who is so lovable. Qingwan originally wanted to come with me to visit him, but she is currently in mourning for two people and it is not appropriate for her to come to the mansion."

"But that child, Moyaqi, specifically told me to go check on Tianshen," Yinxiang said, shaking his head and laughing, "I, as her father, am being bossed around by her."

Yinzhen laughed heartily: "I never expected you to be like this in front of the children."

"Only this child dares to act like this in front of me."

The two went to Hongzhou's room together. Niohuru, who was taking care of Hongzhou, and Hongzhou's birth mother had already left, leaving only the Fourth Prince's wife.

Although Hongzhou's complexion wasn't good, he seemed to be in good spirits, chatting away with the Fourth Prince's wife, though it was unclear what they were talking about.

Upon seeing Yinxiang, she struggled to get up, but was held down by the Fourth Prince's wife.

"Fourth Sister-in-law." Yinxiang first bowed to the Fourth Prince's wife.

Fourth Prince's wife smiled and made way for him by the bed, saying, "Thirteenth Brother has arrived."

"Thirteenth Uncle," Hongzhou said impatiently, "Second Sister and Brother Tun have arrived."

"No, not at all. I came in a hurry today, so I didn't bring the two of them to see you, but they asked me to send their regards." Although he was a child, Yinxiang spoke to him in a serious and formal manner.

Hongzhou sighed deeply and said, "I've been sick for so long, and they haven't even come to see me once. They're really disloyal."

He acted like a little adult, which made everyone laugh. The Fourth Princess said, "Your second sister and Hongtun originally had family matters to attend to and were unable to go out. Once you are better, you will be able to see them."

“Since that’s the case, I won’t say anything more about them,” Hongzhou said. “Father promised me that once I recovered, he would give me a pony. Then I will go and ride a horse with my second sister and Tun-ge.”

Hongzhou was a talkative man who could talk a lot by himself. The others only occasionally chimed in, but he was happy talking to himself.

He was indeed sick and lacked energy, so he soon started yawning. He didn't forget to apologize to Yinxiang, saying that he had been impolite.

Yinxiang was genuinely concerned about Hongzhou's illness. He copied down the medical records and discussed them with doctors he knew, while also consulting medical books himself.

Seeing him disappear into the study again, Qingwan followed him in to find out what was going on. Seeing the books scattered all over the floor, she picked up a few and looked at them. She discovered they were medical books, and while picking them up, she asked, "What are these for? Why did you find them again?"

“Tian Shen’s condition hasn’t improved, and I’ve been keeping an eye on him since I have nothing else to do,” Yinxiang said.

"What did the imperial physicians say?" Qingwan picked up the medical record that Yinxiang had placed on the table, looked at it, and then put it down, unable to understand it.

"It's because the imperial physicians haven't given us an answer that Fourth Brother and the others are getting anxious."

Qingwan nodded, then remembered something: "Now that you mention it, I'm reminded of someone."

"Oh? Tell me about it." Although Yinxiang was interested, he didn't look up.

"He Lin, the young imperial physician He who used to work in the palace, sent a message a few days ago saying that he was returning to the capital and planned to visit your residence."

He's traveled all over the country over the years and has seen countless illnesses; his medical skills may have improved considerably. When he returns, you might as well take him to Fourth Brother's residence for a consultation. He was once an imperial physician; he knows what to do.

Yinxiang slammed his hand on the table: "I've completely forgotten about him."

So, a few days later, He Lin, who had just returned, was tested by Yinxiang and then taken to Prince Yong's residence for treatment.

Fortunately, as Qingwan said, he has made great progress over the years and has collected a lot of various medicinal materials. With careful consideration of the medications he has been using, Hongzhou's illness has begun to improve.

Seeing this, Qingwan couldn't help but think of something else. When they were alone, Qingwan asked He Lin, "Has Doctor He examined the Thirteenth Prince's leg?"

He Lin nodded. He had discovered Yinxiang's leg ailment as soon as he returned, and had been studying his condition these past few days. He had expected Qingwan to ask him this question today.

Qingwan then asked, "Do you have a solution?"

After a moment of silence, He Lin shook his head: "To be honest, Madam, the Thirteenth Prince's illness is not difficult to diagnose. I have seen Physician Qi's medical records and prescriptions, and I suppose he has gathered the expertise of many doctors in the Imperial Hospital."

The Thirteenth Prince's leg ailment can only be managed, not cured. Moreover, judging from his pulse, he doesn't seem as calm as he appears on the surface.

Excessive worry is unhealthy regardless of the illness. Your Highness should advise the Thirteenth Prince to avoid overexertion and take good care of himself.

Although it was the answer she expected, Qingwan couldn't help but feel disappointed. Without thinking, she shook her head with a bitter smile. These were all old clichés. Just as Yinxiang said, how could he be willing to accept this?

He Lin left without anyone noticing, and Yinxiang arrived behind her without anyone noticing either. He wrapped his arms around her from behind and held her in his embrace, saying, "Don't worry, I know what I'm doing."

"Okay." After a long while, Qingwan finally said in Yinxiang's arms.

In October, Yinzhen, with the rank of Beizi, was appointed as the General Who Pacifies the Distant Regions and went to the Qing army camp in Xining.

Among the crowd seeing him off, Yinxiang looked at Yinzhen standing beside Kangxi from afar, lowering his eyes to hide the envy in them.

Qingwan, amidst the crowd, heard the crying beside her. It was Ningyin, but her face held not only tears but also pride. She looked up at Consort De, and saw the same.

Both were sons, and neither was raised by her side. Consort De could barely treat her two daughters-in-law equally, but not necessarily her sons. She always treated the Fourteenth Prince more intimately than Yinzhen.

Qingwan didn't have much contact with Yinzhen, especially after the division of the household. However, she occasionally learned from Yinxiang that Yinzhen was a very charming person. Even though he was nearly thirty, he still acted like a child in front of Kangxi and Consort De. Especially now that Yinzhen's eldest son, Hongchun, was also being raised in the palace, he visited Yonghe Palace more often in front of Kangxi. No wonder Consort De favored Yinzhen a bit.

Qingwan subconsciously went to find Yinxiang. That man was probably full of ideas again. He and Yinzhen were only two years apart, but their circumstances over the years were worlds apart. Moreover, the battlefield was also something Yinxiang longed for.

However, the women were separated from Yinxiang and the others, and Qingwan tilted her head and looked for a long time but did not see a single shadow.

"What is Thirteenth Sister-in-law looking for?" asked Dong E, the wife of Yinzhen. She was bored and turned her head to see Qingwan tilting her head and looking at something, so she asked casually.

Qingwan smiled faintly, "Just watching the show." To make her statement more believable, she added, "I haven't been out for a long time, so it's rare to see a scene like this."

Dong Eshi pursed her lips but didn't say anything more. Looking at the seat next to her, she sighed. The tenth prince's wife had fallen ill since autumn, and she didn't know if she could pull through. In this day and age, serious illnesses were hard to cure, and even minor illnesses could be fatal.

Yinxiang, who was also lost in thought, looked up at the screen for a while.

He was with a group of princes without titles, with Yinwu and Yinlu standing beside him.

Seeing the Eight Banner soldiers on their tall horses, Yinlu felt a strong urge to join them. He looked around and caught sight of Yinxiang, who was looking up at him. He asked, "What are you looking at, Thirteenth Brother?"

Yinxiang said, "Why are you looking at me instead of watching the excitement, Sixteenth Brother?"

Yinlu laughed and said, "I can't join in this fun." In the fifty-fourth year, when he first entered Tibet, the deposed Crown Prince Yinreng, who was imprisoned in Xian'an Palace, took the opportunity of the Crown Princess's illness to send out a message asking the court officials to recommend him as a general. Unfortunately, the message was intercepted by Kangxi and nothing came of it.

Yinreng sought the title of Grand General in order to reinstate the Crown Prince, while Yinzhen also sought the title of Grand General as a bargaining chip in the struggle for the Crown Prince position.

As for him, being born a Han Chinese, although he had accompanied the emperor the most in recent years, he had also had the fewest opportunities. So he was envious of this "excitement," but not particularly interested in it.

Yinxiang merely glanced at Yinlu and then smiled.