The Qing Palace Never Meets Spring

Then Yongzheng said, "Your marriage was arranged for you when your father was alive."

As she realized what Yongzheng was about to say, Moyaqi blushed more and more under the watchful eyes of Yongzheng and Yunxiang, but she didn't move, her eyes fixed intently on Yongzheng.

Yongzheng remembered this matter when he heard Moyaqi's name. He originally planned to discuss it with Yunxiang alone, and his words just now were just to tease Moyaqi.

He thought she would leave after hearing the first sentence, but to his surprise, she was indeed shy, but she didn't leave. She looked like she was listening attentively, which put Yongzheng in a dilemma.

Yunxiang found it amusing. He and Qingwan had clearly seen through Moyaqi's feelings over the past year; she simply liked Fuseng'e. If it had only been a vague feeling before, after the betrothal, even that thin veil had been completely pierced.

Now that she's heard about her marriage, although she's a bit embarrassed because of her girlish reserve, she probably wouldn't want to leave so easily, so she didn't tell her to go.

After a brief stalemate, Yongzheng repeated what he had just said, "Your marriage was originally arranged for you by your father when he was alive."

Moya nodded. Yongzheng had already said that, and she waited for what he would say next.

Seeing that she remained unmoved, Yongzheng had no choice but to continue, "Your wedding was delayed because of the great mourning."

Now that the anniversary has passed and your unmarried granddaughter has completed her mourning period, let the Imperial Household Department select an auspicious day for your marriage.

"How about giving Fuseng the title of Imperial Son-in-Law and appointing him as a Minister of the Imperial Household?" This question was directed at Moyaqi.

Moya smiled, her face still flushed, but she bowed gracefully and said, "Thank you, Your Majesty."

"What are you thanking me for?" Yongzheng asked sternly. "I am granting an official title to my son-in-law."

Moyaqi laughed and said, "My cousin was able to be granted the title of Heshuo Efu because the Emperor dotes on me and made me a Heshuo Gege. My cousin is benefiting from my fame."

As for my cousin being able to serve as a minister of the Imperial Household at such a young age, it was not only because he came from a prestigious family, but also because he was my father's son-in-law.

No matter how you look at it, my cousin benefited from my situation, so I thank my father, the Emperor.

Emperor Yongzheng couldn't help but laugh at his words: "It's good that you know. I have no daughters. You have grown up by my side since childhood. Although I cannot make you a princess due to the rules, in my heart, I treat you and Mingzhao the same. Don't let yourself be wronged. I and your father would both be heartbroken."

Although Mingzhao had not yet moved into the palace, when Qingwan took her to the palace to pay her respects, the people there had already changed their way of addressing her.

"Yes."

Yongzheng glanced around the room and found that Zhang Tingyu had already left. Yunxiang saw through his intention and said, "Yin Jishan, listen to the decree."

Yin Jishan withdrew his eyes from Moyaqi and emerged from the shadows behind Yunxiang. Only then did Yongzheng notice him: "It's good that you're here. Did you hear what we just said? Go back and draft an edict for the Prince to review. Also, have the Imperial Household Department handle all the expenses for the Princess's wedding. I will also prepare a dowry for the Princess."

"Yes," Yin Jishan replied.

His original surname was Zhangjia, and he belonged to the Manchu Bordered Yellow Banner. He was a Jinshi in the first year of Yongzheng's reign and was appointed as a compiler in the Hanlin Academy. He was appreciated by Yunxiang by chance and followed Yunxiang around. As a result, he had more opportunities to meet the emperor than many of his classmates.

Because his father was named Yin Tai and held an official position, people around him often called him "Young Master Yin" without any malice.

After returning, Yunxiang told Qingwan about what had happened that day. Qingwan said, "The arranged marriage came suddenly, and now His Majesty's decree is also sudden."

Yunxiang chuckled: "When the news of the great victory in Qinghai reached His Majesty, he was extremely excited. Even after rewarding Nian Gengyao, he was still not overjoyed."

Just then, Moyaqi bumped into him, which was a double blessing for His Majesty.

His Majesty has decreed that her marriage be handled by the Imperial Household Department, which will also prepare a separate dowry.

Noticing Qingwan's disappointment, Yunxiang gently comforted her, "I know you're reluctant to part with her. Bring her back often in the future. She's my daughter, and your mother-in-law is your own sister. Even if she goes back to her parents' home every day, no one will dare to say a bad word about her."

She then added with a smile, "But knowing Moyaqi's personality, there's no need for us to pick her up; she'll come back on her own."

Qingwan smiled and said, "Alright, let's think about her matter when we get back. But you and His Majesty should be careful when you carry soil tomorrow. You're not the same as before."

"Before, if you had a leg ailment, you could just rest and recover. Now, there's not that much time for you to recuperate."

"It's alright. I feel fine these days, and it's not like my leg injury would flare up because of this." Yunxiang himself didn't seem to care.

On the day of Qingming Festival, Emperor Yongzheng wore yellow cloth shoes and personally carried two baskets of soil. After climbing up the city wall, he combined the two baskets into one, crawled on his knees to the top of the city wall, added soil, and then crawled back down.

Afterwards, twelve ministers also knelt down on the west steps of the Dumb Courtyard to add soil. Although previous emperors also added soil during the Qingming Festival, the act of Yongzheng kneeling to add soil was unheard of and was the first such act after the Qing Dynasty entered the Central Plains.

After the soil was filled in, a ceremony had to be performed. Others didn't know how it went, but Yongzheng was thoroughly exhausted by it.

When Yongzheng returned, he found that his knees were injured and bleeding from walking. He had been feeling pain in his knees for a long time, but he did not want to show it to others, so he endured it on the way and later when carrying luggage.

However, after so many years of pampered life, Yunxiang still noticed his demeanor when he walked. Therefore, Yunxiang did not rush back afterward, but followed Yongzheng back to the main hall of the imperial palace, and only left after watching Yongzheng apply the medicine.

Afterwards, he slowly returned home, and Qingwan had indeed had medicine prepared. He leaned against the bed, letting someone gently relax his muscles and bones.

After returning to the capital, the wedding date selected by the Imperial Household Department was quickly sent over. In June, Qingwan summoned Jingwan to discuss the wedding arrangements.

Jingwan started laughing as soon as she entered the door, and Qingwan found her usually close sister repulsive. She said, "Your laughter is truly an eyesore."

Jingwan couldn't help but smile. She managed to hold it in, but then she laughed again: "How come there are still a few months? If you ask me, tomorrow would be the best day."

He added, "Just bear with it. I really can't wait. You don't know how long I've been waiting since the day we were betrothed. I've finally waited for this day."

Such a wonderful child, not only my niece but also my daughter-in-law, how could I not be happy?

Qingwan rolled her eyes at her and said irritably, "Let's get down to business."