The Qing Palace Never Meets Spring

The major event from the first to the second year of the Yongzheng Emperor's reign was Nian Gengyao's expedition against Lobsang Danjin.

Yunxiang was in charge of the money and was said to be incorruptible more than once. Nian Gengyao needed money to fight the war, which cost a lot. Although Nian Gengyao was not as good as Yunxiang, he was also one of Yongzheng's most favored people. Neither of them would give in to the other when it came to money.

As time went on, Nian Gengyao began to bypass the Ministry of Revenue and submit memorials directly to Emperor Yongzheng. Caught in the middle, Emperor Yongzheng wanted to reconcile the two and did a lot of work to do so.

Although Yongzheng's attempts to mediate with Yunxiang were not very effective, Yunxiang always considered the overall situation. Even though he disliked Nian Gengyao, he did not make things difficult for Nian Gengyao out of consideration for the war in the Northwest.

Later, Nian Gengyao recommended many people because of his military achievements, which displeased Longkodo. When Nian Gengyao was besieged in Xining, Longkodo advised Yongzheng to guard against Nian Gengyao's growing power and to send people to restrain him.

When Yongzheng asked Yunxiang for his opinion, although Yunxiang did not like Nian Gengyao, he did not take the opportunity to attack Nian Gengyao. Instead, he advised Yongzheng that since military affairs had been entrusted to Nian Gengyao, he should be allowed to do his best in order to achieve a great victory as soon as possible.

These words were exactly what Yongzheng wanted to hear, so he naturally listened to Yunxiang's opinion. Longkodo was not happy to hear this, and in the end he could only echo what Prince Yi said.

In his view, he was the same as Nian Gengyao, so he was not afraid of offending Nian Gengyao by saying this.

However, Yunxiang's position in Yongzheng's heart was something they couldn't compare to. Even though Yongzheng addressed his uncle affectionately every day, offending Yunxiang would still be a losing proposition for him.

On the anniversary of Kangxi's death, Yongzheng bypassed his eldest son Hongshi and sent Hongli to Jingling to offer sacrifices to Kangxi. This, coupled with the fact that Yongzheng had secretly established an heir apparent in August, led to a great deal of speculation about the crown prince.

Qingwan did ask Yunxiang, who smiled and asked in return, "Isn't it obvious?"

After he finished speaking, Qingwan fell silent. Yunxiang asked, "Why did you suddenly stop talking?"

"I'm thinking about how to treat Hongli in the future."

Yunxiang chuckled twice: "It's no big deal, yet you're so worried. What happened before will remain the same in the future. After all, it's a secret selection of the heir apparent. We can't act like we know your name is behind the plaque of 'Upright and Just'."

Qingwan wondered what she had done back then. She had been amused by Yunxiang's words.

But now, looking at Hongli, who respectfully calls her Thirteenth Aunt, Qingwan feels it's a bit difficult to treat him the same way as before.

“Thirteenth Aunt, it will still be a while before we reach the palace. The weather is still quite warm today, so why don’t we call Zhao Zhao out to ride horses with us?”

Mingzhao, who was standing behind her, was eager to make a move and called out ingratiatingly, "Eh-nei."

Qingwan had no choice but to step aside: "Go ahead, have someone follow you, so you don't fall."

As soon as Qingwan stepped aside, Mingzhao darted out. After Qingwan finished speaking, he responded with a "okay" from under the carriage and mounted his horse with the help of the guards.

Moyaqi smiled and said, "When we go back this time, Zhaozhao will be entering the palace. She gets along well with Hongli and Hongzhou, so you and Father can rest assured."

Qingwan nodded.

In a few days it will be the Qingming Festival. Since it is the first Qingming Festival after the death of Emperor Kangxi, Emperor Yongzheng attaches great importance to it and will go to Jingling to perform the earth-covering ceremony.

Qingwan and other noblewomen also followed the procession.

"Why don't you join them? It's no fun being cooped up in the carriage with me," Qingwan asked Moyaqi.

"Riding horses outside isn't very interesting, and there are too many people and a lot of dust. I'm not going to eat dust," Moyaqi said with a smile as she lifted the carriage curtain and looked around for a while.

She was already a few years older than Hongli and the others, and she was engaged. Being with Hongli and the others always felt meaningless, so she preferred to stay with Qingwan.

Upon arriving at the palace, everyone rested and prepared.

The day before Qingming Festival, Emperor Yongzheng was resting with his eyes closed. He was now over forty, had gained weight, and was not as strong as before. The ceremony of covering the earth with soil the next day was a physically demanding event, and he did not want to be disrespectful in front of his subjects, so he could only try his best to maintain his physical condition.

Unexpectedly, he was disturbed before long. He was about to vent his anger when he heard that there was a great victory at the front.

Yongzheng was overjoyed and all his anger vanished. He took the memorial, read it, clapped his hands and laughed, exclaiming "Good!" repeatedly. He then said, "Go and summon the prince and all the officials. Hahaha!"

After reading the memorial, Yunxiang was naturally pleased and said, "Nian Gengyao has made great contributions this time, and the merit has come at the right time. His Majesty will surely reward Nian Gengyao handsomely."

"Yes, since I ascended the throne, I have said all sorts of things, especially to the fourteenth prince. This great victory in Qinghai will let him know that I am telling the truth, and it doesn't matter whether he is here or not."

I am overjoyed, and Liang Gong truly deserves a great reward. It is customary for members of the imperial family to lead the Qing army on campaigns. This time, I appointed Nian Gengyao as the Grand General to command the war, which placed considerable pressure on him. Fortunately, Nian Gengyao did not disappoint me.

After thinking it over, Yongzheng said, "Liang Gong is already a third-class duke, and he has made great contributions this time, so... Hengchen, remember this."

Zhang Tingyu quickly replied, "Yes."

“Nian Gengyao was promoted to First-Class Duke and granted the double-eyed peacock feather.” Yongzheng felt that nothing he could give Nian Gengyao was enough. He added, “His father, Nian Xialing, was also granted the title of First-Class Duke and the title of Grand Tutor.”

After listening, Zhang Tingyu glanced at Yunxiang for some unknown reason. Seeing that Yunxiang did not react, he replied, "Yes."

Yunxiang said, "His Majesty followed his father's last wish and implemented the land tax reform. This regulation has some connection with Nian Xialing. Now that his son has also contributed, Nian Xialing can also be considered worthy of this favor."

Hearing this, Yongzheng hurriedly said, "What Your Highness says is very true. As for the others, we will discuss their merits and rewards after we return to the capital. Right now, tomorrow's matter is more important." Yunxiang's words were also a way of making amends for the excessive favor shown to Nian Xialing.

After saying that, he noticed something: "Who's outside?"

The person outside was naturally Mo Yaqi. Yunxiang was about to take his medicine when he was called away and hadn't returned. She was worried that he wouldn't come back until late at night.

She then discussed with Qingwan about reheating the medicine and sending it over. Qingwan felt there was no need to rush, but Moyaqi was so filial, and she couldn't bear to disappoint her. After giving her a few more instructions, she went with her.

Moyaqi originally intended to give the medicine to Zhang Rui and have him pass on a few words before leaving, but she never expected that Yongzheng would discover it.

After Yongzheng asked his question, a eunuch entered and said, "Your Majesty, it is the Second Princess of Prince Yi's residence who has arrived."

Now that the meeting was over, Yongzheng waved for the rest of the people to leave and said, "Bring the princess in."

Moyaqi had no choice but to enter. After paying her respects, she smiled and said, "I originally planned to come and leave quietly, but how did Father find out?"

Emperor Yongzheng teased her, "Perhaps it was the arrival of my beloved daughter that gave me a premonition." He then asked, "Did you come to see me because you have something to discuss?"

Moya asked curiously, "My father left after taking half of his medicine. He wouldn't come back no matter how much I called him, so I chased after him with the pills."

If I had known Father was here with you, I wouldn't have come. No one cares about Father's health as much as Father, and Father has plenty of medicine for Father."

"So that's how it is. It's clear that our daughter is the most considerate, always worrying about everything for you." The last sentence was said to Yunxiang.

Yunxiang said it was making a mountain out of a molehill, but the smile in his eyes was completely undisguised.

Emperor Yongzheng felt a pang of jealousy upon seeing this and made Yunxiang take the medicine.

Then he said to Moya, "It's just in time that you've come. I was planning to discuss this with your father, but now that you're here, you can listen to what he has to say."

Not knowing what it was about, Moyaqi said solemnly, "Father, please speak."