The Qing Palace Never Meets Spring

The day before Mo Yaqi's wedding, Mingxin and Mingzhao both returned to their residences. Mingzhao, in particular, had made some nice promises when she entered the palace, but every time she left, she had to ask for permission, which was quite troublesome.

So when she saw Moyaqi, her eyes welled up with tears because she couldn't bear to part with her, so Moyaqi had no choice but to pull her back to her room to comfort her.

Given Yunxiang's current status, he has no shortage of officials under his command and those he has to curry favor with, so even though it's not the actual day, there are still quite a few people coming to the mansion to offer their congratulations.

Although Qingwan doesn't meet just anyone, there are quite a few noblewomen from the imperial clan. Mingxin, on the other hand, is already married and will inevitably have many such occasions. Being by Qingwan's side can also help Qingwan with social interactions.

Mingzhao, on the other hand, went to Moyaqi's room after exchanging greetings with several close elders. Now that she was a princess, everyone was understanding that it was inconvenient for her to leave the palace, and they just smiled and said a few words about how good the princess and her sister Gege were.

Later that evening, when only family members remained, Mingxin pulled Moyaqi aside and said with a smile, "When I got married, I cried a lot because I couldn't bear to leave, but all I saw in my second sister's eyes was expectation."

Moyaqi nestled close to Qingwan: "What's the big deal? I'll be back in a couple of days. I haven't stayed at the garden in the outskirts of Beijing since it was renovated. Now that it's summer, I'll go and stay there for a while."

Moyaqi Qingwan naturally said everything was good.

When it was time to sleep at night, Mingzhao, being still young, went back to her room to sleep by herself, while Mingxin stayed with Moyaqi, and the two talked for a while.

Mingxin asked Moyaqi, "Are you really that sure that Cousin Fu will treat you well for the rest of his life and won't change his mind?"

Moyaqi laughed twice: "Of course I don't believe it. People's hearts are fickle. Who dares to say forever? Now that my cousin and I are of one mind and can become husband and wife, it is already a blessing."

As for the future, even if he changes his mind, he can only stay with me. If he does change his mind, I naturally don't need to care about his opinion. I'm happy, so who cares about him?

"Once I'm dead, I won't care if he's a groom every night."

"Tomorrow is your big day, you mustn't say anything about death." Mingxin quickly interrupted her, "If the Fujin finds out you're saying that, she'll scold you." In Mingxin's opinion, Qingwan was an extremely well-behaved person.

"I don't believe in that." Perhaps because she was getting married tomorrow, Moyaqi always had a smile on her face. "Because of our status, our marriages are not up to our father and mother to decide. So my mother has always been very worried that we sisters will be betrothed to Mongolia."

Because of this, as soon as the Emperor revealed his intention to bring Zhaozhao into the palace, Ene had a big argument with Father. But later, Zhaozhao said she was willing, and although Ene was very worried, she still accepted Zhaozhao's choice.

So even if my cousin and I really do end up together, as long as I'm happy, that's all that matters to me.

Mingxin was pondering her words when she suddenly heard Moyaqi call out to her, "What's wrong?"

Moya asked curiously, "I know that when you got married, your father and mother must have told you a lot of things, such as if you were wronged, you must come back and say that your family would stand up for you."

Mingxin nodded, then, realizing that Moyaqi couldn't see, simply hummed in agreement.

Then Moya asked curiously, "Although having your family's support is very important, how well you live is also very important."

Mingxin laughed when she heard her say that: "So you were trying to persuade me indirectly."

Moyaqi didn't speak, which was taken as tacit agreement with Mingxin's words. Mingxin smiled for a while and said, "Don't worry."

In the main room, Qingwan tossed and turned all night, unable to fall asleep.

Yunxiang held her in his arms, preventing her from moving. Qingwan struggled for a while but couldn't break free, so she lay there in a daze.

Yunxiang laughed and said, "Are you in so much pain? It's almost time, and you haven't closed your eyes once."

"I can't sleep," Qingwan sighed. "My mind is full of thoughts, and I can't make sense of them."

Yunxiang said, "I've never seen you so sentimental before. I thought you were quite at ease about Moyaqi's marriage."

"Perhaps it's because I'm getting old that I think so much," Qingwan said. "I even noticed some gray hairs when I was combing my hair today."

Yunxiang reached out and touched her face. The lowered bed curtains blocked all the light, so he couldn't see anything. After rubbing her face roughly, he said, "You're not old. You look the same as when you first married me."

Yunxiang skipped over Qingwan's mention of gray hair, as he had gray hair even earlier than Qingwan.

Qingwan scolded Yunxiang for rubbing her face, saying how annoying it was, but didn't bring up the old topic again. She chatted with Yunxiang casually, and before long, it was time to get up.

Moyaqi also got up to tidy up. Perhaps influenced by Moyaqi, Qingwan didn't care about being sad. It wasn't until the bridal sedan chair was far away that she felt a lump in her throat. Before she could even feel sad, Yunxiang's words made her laugh.

Mingxin watched Qingwan and Yunxiang laughing and talking as they returned to their room, and she felt a little envious. After returning, she said to Sakeshen, "Your Highness should understand that my father doesn't like you because of my miscarriage."

Sakshen's expression changed, and he was about to say something when Mingxin raised her hand to stop him from speaking: "Not only does my father dislike you, but my brother and the young master also dislike you."

However, my father is now in a high position of power and is also an elder, so he can't bring himself to target a junior like you.

Although my two younger brothers don't like you, you are my son-in-law, so they have to endure it for my sake.

But the prince consort has also reaped the bitter fruits of his actions.

Sakshen listened to Mingxin's words with a pale face. Mingxin smiled and continued, "Fuseng'e, who is also a son-in-law of Prince Yi, is already a minister of the Imperial Household and serves in the Emperor's court, but you, the Prince Consort, have nothing yet."

"The Emperor's father, Shi En, has bestowed favor upon the family of Hongchang's wife, elevating the status of the Nara family to a higher social class, yet your household, also related by marriage to Prince Yi, has received nothing."

“Princess,” Mingxin interrupted Sakshen again, “People always have to bear the consequences of their actions.”

I'm sure you and your father have figured it out, which is why you've been behaving so humbly in front of me lately.

Ever since my father was made a prince, I've always thought that if your father and mother hadn't used Hongchang's affair as leverage to negotiate keeping the child when I miscarried, things probably wouldn't have turned out this way. After all, besides being too obedient to your father, you don't have any other bad habits.

Ignoring Sakshen's unpleasant expression, Mingxin rubbed his temples and said, "I've had too much to drink today, and I'm quite talkative, so I'll say a few more words to the prince consort."

I'm satisfied with your and your family's reactions these days. I don't care whether you're being sincere or not, whether it's real or an act.

"But since I'm satisfied, then you can keep acting for the rest of your lives. We can't get a divorce, so you'll just have to put up with it if you're not happy."

Mingxin was truly drunk. Watching Sakshen stagger away, she genuinely smiled, a rare occurrence for her in the mansion.