The Qing Palace Never Meets Spring

After Yunxiang returned from flood control, he briefly rested at Jiaohui Garden before entering Yuanmingyuan. After discussing matters with Yongzheng, Yongzheng said, "Go and see Mingzhao. I've noticed she's been listless these past few days. Even the Empress said she's been looking downcast lately. Go and see her. If that doesn't work, call the Fujin (consort) into the garden to see her."

Yunxiang hurriedly said, "Your Majesty is already busy with state affairs, how can you waste your time on such a young girl?" Although he said this, he was also thinking about Mingzhao.

Yongzheng laughed and said, "She is also my daughter. What father would ignore his daughter?"

"Then I shall take my leave now."

Yongzheng waved his hand: "Go, and get some rest when you get back. You've had a hard time on this trip out of the capital."

After leaving Siyi Hall, someone came to report: "The princess is sitting by the lake, and has been sitting there all morning."

Upon being glared at by Yunxiang, the little eunuch hurriedly knelt down: "Your Highness, please forgive us, we servants really couldn't persuade you."

When Yunxiang arrived at the lake, Mingzhao was still sitting by the lake, watching the mandarin ducks bobbing and swaying in the water because of the wind.

Yunxiang took the cloak from the maid behind her and draped it over Mingzhao's shoulders.

Mingzhao said impatiently, "I said I don't need it," but when she turned around and saw Yunxiang, her impatience turned into surprise, "Father, when did you come back?"

"It's windy, why didn't you ask them to put a coat on you?"

Yunxiang gestured for her to get up. Mingzhao took the hand of the maid and got up, then adjusted her cloak and followed Yunxiang. The two strolled along the lakeside.

The two fell silent for a moment, before Yunxiang finally spoke first: "Have you been back to see your mother these days?"

Mingzhao nodded behind him, and after realizing that he couldn't see her, she said, "I went back and saw Father..." But Mingzhao fell silent again.

"Hmm? What's wrong? Is there something you can't even tell your father?"

“No.” Mingzhao’s eyes showed a hint of confusion and bewilderment. “A few days ago, I went back again and found that your eyes didn’t seem as good as before.”

Upon hearing this, Yunxiang's heart skipped a beat: "When did this happen?"

Mingzhao said, "I don't know. As you know, my mother rarely shows her sadness in front of us."

"I understand. I will call the imperial physician for help with your forehead."

Mingzhao chuckled: "If the imperial physicians could cure it, you wouldn't be watching the Imperial Workshops make glasses for the Emperor every day."

"You're making fun of me, aren't you?" Yunxiang said with a smile, slowing his pace.

Mingzhao's smile slowly faded, and she asked Yunxiang, "Father, can't I stay in the capital?"

Hearing her say that, Yunxiang was surprised and asked in a deep voice, "Who told you what?"

"Do I need anyone else to tell me?" Mingzhao retorted. "I am your daughter, and I have been in the palace for so many years. Surely I can't be completely oblivious to everything."

Yunxiang raised his hand, and everyone who followed him stepped back. He said, "I remember when I brought you into the palace that year, you still had lofty ambitions."

Mingzhao chuckled lightly: "Back then, my older brother and sister were still alive, and the family was harmonious and happy. I was naive and thought that with my father and the emperor around, I was not afraid of anything."

Who would have thought that such a huge change would happen in my family in just a few years? I watched helplessly as my father and mother's hair turned whiter day by day, and all I felt was guilt.

Now, Father still has…” Mingzhao paused, intending to say that Yunxiang also had a daughter named Mingxin, but after thinking it over, she changed her words, “The princesses of Prince Yi’s mansion also have an older sister, but I only have myself.”

"Zhaozhao, have you ever thought that your mother is stronger and more considerate than you think? She will be happy for your choice."

“I know,” Mingzhao said, “but I think my mother would be happy if I could stay.”

"But it's alright," Mingzhao smiled again, "Everything should be prioritized for the sake of the court." Perhaps to ease the somewhat serious conversation between father and daughter, she acted coquettishly towards Yunxiang.

"I don't care what decree the Emperor Father has issued. If I go to Mongolia, you and the Emperor Father must bring me back often. If I submit a memorial requesting to return, the Emperor Father must agree."

In the first year of his reign, Emperor Yongzheng issued an edict that princesses and other noblewomen who married into Mongolia could not stay in Beijing for more than one year unless they were granted special permission. The period of residence in Beijing was sixty days for princesses and sixty days for princesses who were assigned to the capital. Furthermore, if they did not obtain imperial approval, the princesses who married into Mongolia could not return to Beijing for ten years.

Of course, all of this would be different if one received the emperor's favor, which is why Mingzhao made this statement.

Yunxiang patted Mingzhao's head, "Father knows."

Mingzhao looked up at Yunxiang and smiled, then began to recount her amusing experiences in the palace.

Yunxiang returned to the mansion with a heart full of thoughts about Mingzhao.

Qingwan stood under the corridor listening to the steward's reply. She saw a figure in the distance and for a moment thought she saw Hongtun, but when the person got closer, she realized it was Yunxiang.

She shook her head, feeling increasingly confused. After leading the others to pay their respects, she said to Yunxiang, "Shall we go inside and rest for a while? I still have things to do."

Ever since Ninghua became pregnant, she took over the housekeeping duties, and since the incident, she has been involved in everything, keeping herself constantly busy.

Yunxiang stared at Qingwan for a while without moving. Qingwan sighed, "Master, please go in first. We can talk about it later."

Yunxiang obediently went into the house. Inside, Yongxi's wet nurse was with Yongxi, who was laughing so hard in the cradle that his eyes disappeared from his eyes.

Yunxiang picked up the rattle drum and waved it in front of Yongxi. Yongxi still smiled politely, and the wet nurse also withdrew.

As soon as Qingwan entered, she saw Yunxiang teasing Yongxi. She placed the medicine that had just been delivered in front of Yunxiang and said, "Master, it's time to take your medicine."

After taking his medicine and rinsing his mouth, Yunxiang said, "I saw Mingzhao in the garden today. He's become much more sensible since I last saw him."

Qingwan smiled helplessly: "You've brought this up, Master. She's about to be betrothed, and she's lived in the palace for five or six years. How could she not be sensible?"

Hearing Qingwan say this, Yunxiang smiled, which was rare for him. Ever since Qingwan said in the Buddhist hall that she wished she had never been to the beekeeping alley, the two of them really felt like they had returned to the time when they were newly married. Now, hearing Qingwan's familiar tone, how could he not smile?

Qingwan smiled as well, "Your Highness has suffered these past few days."

"What kind of talk is that?" Yunxiang chuckled. "I was really worried about you before, seeing how you were."

He feared that after losing his son, he would lose his wife in quick succession.

Qingwan understood what he meant and remained silent. After so much time and so many times, although the pain still lingered, she had grown accustomed to it and become numb. Yunxiang was no different; he had also lost his youngest son, Amuhulang.

The two were lost in thought, and remained silent for a moment.

Outside, a melodious child's voice came from outside. It was Ganjur reciting a poem. The two listened intently and saw that it was Ganjur reciting, "Betting on books to pass the time, the fragrance of spilled tea, at the time it was just an ordinary thing."

Both of them were greatly shocked, and Qingwan was already stunned and tears were streaming down her face.

Ganzhu'er skipped and hopped into the room, saying, "Son greets Father."

Yunxiang raised his hand to help him up and called him to his side: "Ganjur, did your master teach you this?"