The Qing Palace Never Meets Spring

After returning to the mansion, Yunxiang did not get out of the sedan chair, but had someone change him to a soft sedan chair from the mansion until he returned to his room.

"What happened? He was fine when he went out, but he came back like this. Have you called the imperial physician?" Qingwan had someone take Ganzhuer out. Yunxiang's face was indistinguishable due to his long-standing illness, only his lips were pale.

She reached out and touched Yunxiang's forehead. "Do you have a fever?"

Yunxiang grabbed her wrist and pulled her hand down. "It's okay. It's cold, so it's inevitable to get a headache or fever."

"If you don't want to talk about it, then I won't ask anymore, but you still need to see the imperial physician."

"Okay, but don't make a big fuss about it."

Qingwan could only reply, "I understand."

Yunxiang managed to finish arranging things before finally falling asleep. He didn't wake up until the imperial physician came and left, and even when he took his medicine, he was in a half-awake state.

When he woke up again, it was still bright outside. He was in a daze for a moment, and then he saw Qingwan by the window.

Qingwan turned around when she heard the noise. "Awake?" she asked, and then called someone in.

Yunxiang didn't forget to ask, "What time is it?"

It's Chen Shi (7-9 AM) on the second day.

"It's so late, why didn't you wake me up?"

Qingwan remained seated by the window and said, "We've already consulted the imperial physicians, so there's no way to hide it now. Yesterday, His Majesty sent someone to tell the Prince to rest well and not to rush into the palace these next few days."

Yunxiang frowned slightly, and after a long while sighed, "This means I should stop interfering in Zeng Jing's matter."

Qingwan knew less about Zeng Jing's matter than others, so she didn't say much. Hearing Yunxiang say this, she got up and sat down next to Yunxiang. "Let's not talk about the future. If you ask me, Master, you should rest for the next few days. I don't know why, but your illness has made me uneasy."

Yunxiang smiled and said, "You should be used to my illness by now."

"I can't get used to it," Qingwan said irritably. "How can I not develop some new symptoms?"

Yunxiang chuckled at her words, but didn't rush to get up. He lay on the bed and chatted with Qingwan for a while before saying, "I'd better get up; it's not comfortable lying here."

Instead of receiving a summons from Emperor Yongzheng, Yunxiang was greeted with the news of Mingzhao's wedding.

Princess Heshuo Hehui was granted the title of Princess Mingzhao and married Dorji Sebuteng, the son of Danjin Dorji, the Prince of Khalkha. The princess's engagement banquet was held in the Baohe Hall.

Because Qingwan was the birth mother of the princess, she was favored and followed behind the empress. When Mingzhao bowed to the empress, she couldn't help but want to step forward, but was pulled back by the people around her and was startled back to reality.

Mingzhao seemed to sense her gaze and looked at her across the crowd. She turned her head slightly and smiled brightly, and then heard the people next to her laugh, "The princess is so beautiful."

It's a pity that today is an official day, and Qingwan can't find a chance to talk to Mingzhao, even though they have talked a lot these days, and even though Mingzhao can stay in the capital.

Mingzhao had mentioned before her marriage that the thought of returning home after marriage would actually make it more convenient for her, and she was starting to look forward to it.

Qingwan doesn't expect Mingzhao to get married, but she does look forward to Mingzhao being able to come home often.

Several days passed, and despite the disruption caused by Mingzhao's marriage, Yunxiang's illness did not improve as the weather grew colder.

That day, Yunxiang had just returned to his residence when he was hurriedly summoned back to the palace. Perhaps because the messenger's expression was too serious, Yunxiang never returned, and Qingwan's heart pounded with fear.

When it was time to light the lanterns, Yunxiang still hadn't returned. His personal guard came back first to tell Qingwan to quickly pack his things, as he needed to leave the palace.

Qingwan hurriedly asked the visitor, "Is the Prince alright? When will he return to the manor? Is he in such a hurry to leave the capital because there has been another disaster? If so, how serious is the disaster?"

The visitor claimed ignorance: "Please forgive me, Madam, I know nothing. I only received a message from Eunuch Zhang Rui."

Qingwan told him to leave and then had someone pack up Yunxiang's clothes and bedding for his trip out of the capital.

With Yunxiang not returning, Qingwan couldn't sleep soundly. Sitting on the kang (a heated brick bed), she eventually dozed off by candlelight.

When Yunxiang returned, he found a faint candlelight still burning in the main room, so he went straight there and saw Qingwan dozing off with her head propped up on her hand. He woke her up and asked, "Why aren't you asleep yet?" Usually, when he returned late, Qingwan would go to rest first.

Qingwan opened her eyes and saw it was him. She exclaimed, "Finally back! I don't know why, but I've been feeling uneasy these past few months. You sent someone to deliver a message, but you didn't explain it clearly. I've been worried about it and haven't been able to sleep well."

What happened? Why are we leaving Beijing again? Is it for disaster relief or river surveying this time?

Yunxiang pulled the person down to sit and lowered his voice, saying, "This time it's a burial site survey." Even now, when talking about this matter, Yunxiang still felt lingering fear. "Today I received a secret report. The auspicious site we surveyed before turned out to be sand and gravel, which scared me half to death. At that time, I even thought about my family's future."

Qingwan had intended to bring him some hot water, but upon hearing this, she trembled in shock, "How could this be? This is..."

“This is a heinous crime that could result in the stripping of one’s title and the extermination of one’s entire family,” Yunxiang said, finishing her sentence.

"What did His Majesty say? Did he punish you? How long did you kneel? At this critical juncture, who knows what rumors will spread outside?" As he spoke, he didn't forget to touch Yunxiang all over, especially his legs.

“It’s alright,” Yunxiang pulled her back. “If kneeling can appease His Majesty’s anger, I don’t care if my legs are ruined.”

Although His Majesty did not punish me, I am uneasy. Besides our household, this matter concerns the lives and fortunes of countless others.

"But with your health, how can I feel at ease letting you go on a long and arduous journey in the dead of winter?" Qingwan was still worried.

Yunxiang reassured her, "It's alright. Besides me, I've brought a group of people with me. His Majesty has appointed Liu Shengfang as the Vice Minister of the Ministry of Revenue to accompany me. After returning this time, I can focus on recuperating."

“I know you well enough. Liu Shengfang has been promoted to Vice Minister of Revenue, which means he will be your assigned official. I’m afraid you won’t be as comfortable using him as before.” Yunxiang’s words couldn’t convince Qingwan, but as Yunxiang said, this matter concerned the lives of countless people. Yongzheng was not at ease entrusting it to others, and Yunxiang himself couldn’t bear to part with it.

Yunxiang smiled and said, "There's no need to get upset about this. My current health doesn't allow me to show off in this matter."

"Perfect timing, you're still awake. Grind the ink for me; I need to write a letter of apology. I'm leaving the capital for Kanling first thing tomorrow morning."

Qingwan had no choice but to go with him.

The next morning, Qingwan led her family and several children to see Yunxiang off outside the mansion. Unexpectedly, what arrived even earlier than Yunxiang was the double princely regalia bestowed by Emperor Yongzheng. This time, the bestowal caught Yunxiang off guard, and he had no choice but to lead everyone from Prince Yi's mansion to kneel down and express their gratitude.

But the tension in his heart eased a little because of Yongzheng's actions.

After the messenger left, Qingwan said, "His Majesty did this to reassure the Prince."

Yunxiang smiled wryly: "I've troubled His Majesty again."

He then said to Qingwan, "Take good care of yourself. When I return, I'm afraid I'll have to trouble you to look after me."

Qingwan gave him a deep look: "I had someone pack a lot of medicinal herbs. If you feel unwell, the herbs we prepare ourselves are better than those bought from outside."

"Wear warm clothes, don't let the difficulty of climbing mountains make you..."

Yunxiang interrupted her with a smile: "That's all there is to Ganzhuer. I'll be back in ten days or half a month. Take them inside and don't let them get out in the wind."

Perhaps because of the urgency, Yunxiang never returned after he left, and it was unknown whether his body could withstand it.

After another sigh, Mingzhao also sighed, "Ugh, I'll only be back for a little while, and you've already sighed so many times."

If you don't want me to come back, I can just leave, okay?

After getting married, Mingzhao frequently visited Prince Yi's residence, even more often than she went to the palace, since returning to the palace required Emperor Yongzheng's permission.

Qingwan said, "They even dare to make fun of their elders."

Mingzhao chuckled twice: "This isn't the first time Father has traveled to the capital on business in winter, but this is the first time you've been this worried."

“Your father’s health is not what it used to be, not to mention he is also ill. And at this critical moment, things have gone wrong at Jidi. Your father is doing his best by exhausting his own body.”

Qingwan did not look at Mingzhao when she spoke.

Mingzhao followed Qingwan's gaze and saw Ganjur playing wildly.