The Qing Palace Never Meets Spring

Sensing that Qingwan was about to lose her composure, Yunxiang quickly interrupted her.

"The capital?" Qingwan murmured to herself in disbelief.

"It's the capital." Yunxiang told her again with certainty, then pulled a handkerchief from his sleeve to wipe away her tears. "Your eyes are already failing, why are you still crying?"

Qingwan subconsciously touched her cheek, where tears were still visible, and realized that she had actually shed tears. She asked Yunxiang, "Does this mean we've managed to keep Mingzhao here?"

“I don’t know,” Yunxiang said with a wry smile after a moment of silence. “A new emperor brings a new court. Even if my fourth brother and I keep her in the capital now, the new emperor might issue an edict to send her back to her post.”

Besides, to be honest, war is about to break out over there, and I really approve of this marriage. The father and son have received great favor from the Emperor, so they will naturally work hard on the front lines. If they make a contribution, His Majesty can bestow upon our Mingzhao the title of Princess Gulun, so that our daughter will not be unworthy of marrying into their family.

Besides, don't you know what kind of person our daughter is? She's always the one who's in charge of disciplining people.

"Maybe she'll find a place for herself over there."

Everything seemed to have returned to square one; they had done everything, yet it was as if they had done nothing at all.

Qingwan deflated the tension and followed Yunxiang's words, saying, "The more you talk, the more absurd it becomes. What kind of father speaks ill of his daughter behind her back? He's truly a member of the royal family, his mind is only on bestowing titles and honors. Does Zhaozhao know about this?"

“You’ve already said you’re a member of the royal family, so what else is there to fight for?” Seeing that he had persuaded her, Yunxiang added, “She knows. First, she’s always been intelligent and is closer to these signs than you, so she can guess them. Second, you’ve forgotten that she has Hongzhou and Hongli by her side.”

Qingwan chuckled, "She can sit still longer than I can, the one who does the forehead massage."

“Alright,” Yunxiang ran his fingers across her eyes, “You’re quite patient. I’ve been waiting for this for so long and you’re not going to tell me about your eyes.”

"Didn't you already know? Otherwise, the imperial physician wouldn't have come. It's just that you cried so much that you couldn't see clearly."

"But don't worry, sir. No matter what happens, I want to live to a ripe old age. If I really go blind, the rest of my life will be very difficult."

Yunxiang's pupils dilated slightly, but he smiled with relief, "It's good that you think that way."

Mingzhao's marriage is scheduled for the end of the year, so she has not yet been formally conferred a title or honorary title. Compared to Moyaqi and Fuseng'e, who were childhood sweethearts and deeply in love, Mingzhao is quite indifferent to this marriage.

After Qingwan learned about this, Mingzhao would point to Dorjisaibuteng and say to Qingwan, "Oh my, look, that's my future husband, your son-in-law."

There was no shyness, no expectation, only indifference as if it were none of my business.

Mingzhao also refused the advice of everyone, including Qingwan. She said to Qingwan, "It is certainly enviable that Second Sister and Cousin have such a relationship. I have it, and that's fine. It doesn't matter if I don't."

I also can't understand your relationship with Father. There are so many concubines in between, yet you two have supported each other for so many years.

Life goes on, however it may, as long as I'm comfortable. Luckily, I'm a princess; I only need to consider my own comfort.

After hearing Mingzhao's words, Qingwan was filled with sorrow.

However, Yunxiang and Yongzheng were very concerned about Mingzhao's marriage, especially Yunxiang, who was in charge of the Imperial Workshops. Therefore, Yunxiang was in charge of making all of Mingzhao's wedding supplies.

As the items on the list took shape one by one, Qingwan finally felt the reality that Mingzhao was about to get married.

She sighs every day, saying to those around her, "I'm really getting old. I wasn't so sentimental before."

Yunxiang heard her say this as soon as he entered the room, and he laughed so hard that he almost choked. Qingwan rolled her eyes at him and said, "You're only ten days younger than me. I'm old, how young can you be?"

Yunxiang said he wanted to go with her to see Mingzhao's princess residence in the capital. Qingwan was worried when she saw his health, "You should rest well. You can't even get out of bed, so don't push yourself."

Yunxiang fell seriously ill after Hongqin left and never fully recovered. Every time he seemed to be getting better, he would fall ill again. This went on for several years until the end of the year, when he seemed to have gotten even worse.

Unfortunately, Zeng Jing's incident occurred at the end of that year. Despite his illness, Yunxiang still rushed to the palace. Yongzheng, who usually consulted with him, refused to listen to Yunxiang's advice this time.

Seeing his furrowed brows, Qingwan pressed the acupoints on his head until his brows relaxed before asking, "Is Your Majesty still unable to persuade him?"

Speaking of this matter, Yunxiang felt uncomfortable. Today, he had a falling out with Yongzheng over this issue, and he even stormed out of the Hall of Mental Cultivation, frightening everyone present into silence, unsure of which side to advise.

Yunxiang said with a worried expression, "Tomorrow, I will write a memorial with Hengchen and others to ask His Majesty to execute Zeng Jing, otherwise I will feel uneasy."

Qingwan noticed his change in mood and quickly said, "Getting angry is bad for your health. Your body really can't take this kind of stress."

If you must be loyal, I cannot stop you for either public or private reasons, but you must think of your family. This household is full of women and children, and they are all counting on you.

Furthermore, even the medicine from that garden, bestowed upon you by His Majesty because he cares about your health, you must not touch it.

The garden naturally refers to the Yuanmingyuan Garden, and the medicine was also prepared by people commissioned by Emperor Yongzheng.

"How come you can't even hold your tongue these days? Is that something to talk about?" Yunxiang sighed, and after a long while said, "My body is so weak now that even the imperial physicians only dare to use mild medicines. How could I dare to touch such medicines?"

Qingwan remained silent; she was now afraid.

That's what he said, but Yunxiang's unease did not lessen in the slightest. This time, Yongzheng seemed to be bewitched by someone and insisted on persuading the other party before he would give up. In all the dynasties, no emperor had ever done such a thing.

The next day, Yunxiang wrote a memorial and then presented it to Emperor Yongzheng in the Hall of Mental Cultivation.

Yongzheng pointed at the words above, his eyebrows almost standing on end in anger. "Look, Prince Yi, Zhang Tingyu, Marseille, all my trusted ministers are listed here."

Are you trying to force the emperor to submit?

Emperor Yongzheng's words were quite serious. Despite the pain all over his body, Yunxiang led everyone to kneel down and recited "Your Majesty, please forgive us."

Emperor Yongzheng sternly rebuked: "Plotting against your father, forcing your mother, murdering your brother..."

“Therefore Zeng Jing deserves to die, Fourth Brother,” at this moment, among the people kneeling on the ground, only Yunxiang still dared to speak, “Therefore, we all believe that Zeng Jing deserves to die.”

Yunxiang certainly felt sorry for Yongzheng, but if he softened his tone, he would probably be even less able to persuade Yongzheng.

No matter how much Yunxiang tried to persuade him, Yongzheng was determined to argue with Zeng Jing and the others.

Yunxiang was exhausted when he left, and collapsed forward as soon as he stepped out the door.

Zhang Tingyu and Marseille supported him on either side. Zhang Tingyu said, "Your Majesty, I will go and report to Your Majesty."

Yunxiang broke free and said, "Silence, help me leave first, then send someone to fetch my sedan chair."

Mar Raceway: "The prince is going back? What should we do then? Will His Majesty try to persuade him? If even the prince can't be persuaded, how can anyone else?"

Yunxiang shook his head: "This matter is something I am truly powerless to resolve. I will go back and think if there are any other solutions."