The Qing Palace Never Meets Spring

After returning to the palace, Emperor Kangxi stayed for only a few days before taking his concubines and the Empress Dowager to Changchun Garden to escape the summer heat.

Yinxiang naturally wanted to go too. Qingwan looked at Moyaqi with some difficulty, as the child was too young and it would be troublesome to take him along.

Seeing her hesitant look, Yinxiang laughed: "Everyone says that children can't be separated from their mothers, but it seems to me that you can't be separated from your children."

Before Qingwan could speak, Aunt Yan said, "This is the child that the Fujin gave birth to after a long day of pain, so of course she misses him. Unlike the master, who only came back after the child was a month old."

Yinxiang had always regarded Aunt Yan as an elder in his family, so when he was told this, he just touched his nose and laughed, "That's quite something, you have a powerful backer now."

Qingwan rolled her eyes at him, and Aunt Yan said again, "Go, Madam. I will take care of the Second Princess. Don't worry."

Qingwan hesitated for a moment: "I was thinking of having Aunt Yan go too."

Aunt Yan simply shook her head: "I've been there a few times before when I was serving Master Min, but I won't be going this time."

Yinxiang also said, "Your father's decree to transfer you to the position of Minister of Personnel has been issued. I'll take you back to see it."

"Alright then, Aunt Yan, I'll leave Moyaqi to you." How could Qingwan not be tempted to go home and visit her family?

“I came to the palace to take care of you, but the Princess Consort is blaming me with the word ‘trouble’. How can I accept that?”

The next day, Qingwan accompanied Yinxiang to Changchun Garden. As they passed a garden next to Changchun Garden, Yinxiang pointed to it and said:

“This garden is very close to Changchun Garden, and there is a small gate connecting them. I reckon Father will give it to me. Once we have our own residence, we can come here to escape the summer heat.”

"Is there any news about the Emperor having a separate residence? I haven't heard anyone from the Imperial Household Department mention it." Qingwan had also been thinking about this matter.

"That's about it. Fifteenth Brother is getting married soon, followed by Sixteenth Brother, then Seventeenth Brother. There are still pregnant concubines in the palace."

"My twelfth brother, fourteenth brother, and I can't just stay in the palace forever; we have to make room for them."

Qingwan didn't speak again, looking at the place called Qingshan Garden with more anticipation. Yinxiang also smiled knowingly. There would be both advantages and disadvantages to establishing a residence, but he was also looking forward to it.

After entering Changchun Garden, the group went straight to the palace assigned to the two of them. Qingwan watched as everyone tidied up their things before going out with Yinxiang to stroll around the area.

The next morning, after Yinxiang paid his respects to Emperor Kangxi, the two prepared to go to the Zhaojia family's residence.

Yinxiang's horse was led by someone and followed outside the carriage. He sat inside the carriage, watching Qingwan occasionally lift the curtain to look out, and said with a smile:

"You must have been out quite a bit in your private quarters, so why are you so restless this time, constantly looking outside?"

Qingwan continued to look outside: "I am a lady of the house, but since my marriage, I have hardly ever left the house. After getting married, I have been in the palace every day."

“It’s still the same, nothing has changed.” Listening to the hawking sounds outside, Yinxiang added, “Compared to the palace, it does have a more lively atmosphere.”

Qingwan lowered the curtain and leaned lazily against the carriage: "I wonder if Father has finished his shift yet." Although the two of them wouldn't be able to stay there for long, they couldn't be impolite, so they sent someone to inform Marhan and his companion early on so they could make preparations. So, even though that's what they said, Marhan was probably at home.

So when the two arrived, they saw that Marhan was already waiting with his men. Yinxiang got off the carriage first and helped Marhan up, saying, "My lord, there's no need for such formalities."

When Qingwan got out of the car, Li Jiashi had already stood up and was looking at her. Then she saw Jingwan smiling at her from behind Li Jiashi. Qingwan smiled back and stepped forward to take Li Jiashi's arm and they went inside together.

Yinxiang and Malhan chatted amongst themselves, while Qingwan and the others entered the main courtyard where Li Jiashi lived.

As soon as she sat down, Jingwan said, "Although I know that the Second Princess is still young and you won't take her out, it's still a bit of a pity that I didn't get to see the child."

Qingwan beckoned to the wet nurse behind Jingwan and took the child from her arms: "I'll bring the baby out for you to see when it's a little older." The child in her arms was quite heavy, and she weighed it in her hand: "What a sturdy child, and such a pretty little face."

This child is Jingwan's eldest son. He's dressed festively today and looks adorable.

Qingwan bent down and rubbed her face against the child's smiling face, only to have the child spit on her face as she turned away, which made Jingwan and Li Jia burst into laughter.

Jingwan laughed and said, "You've always liked doing this since you were little. This isn't the first time you've had your face covered in spit. How come you still can't change?"

Qingwan didn't reply, but called out, "Muxiang."

Muxiang opened the box in her hand, inside was an exquisite longevity lock. Qingwan put it around the child's neck before handing the child to the wet nurse.

"You're really rich and powerful now, giving away such nice things so easily. Honestly, you gave me quite a few good things last time," Jingwan couldn't help but scold.

"These are all material possessions. They can't compare to what you gave to Moyaqi," Qingwan said with a smile.

"Your palace has many fine things. If I want to win the favor of the Princess Consort, I must find another way."

Even Li Jia couldn't help but roll her eyes at Jingwan this time, and Jingwan herself couldn't help but laugh: "You don't know, ever since you married the Thirteenth Prince and the Thirteenth Prince met Yiduli a few times, I can stand up straight when I quarrel with his two sisters-in-law."

Qingwan chuckled: "Brother-in-law is a rare young scholar in Manchuria. Although his father is Suo'etu, His Majesty has not held a grudge against him. He will have a bright future. Why are you arguing with those two in that mansion? It only makes you unhappy."

"You know my temper. I don't feel comfortable unless I say things to your face. Besides, I forget my anger as soon as it's over. Otherwise, Fuseng'e wouldn't be so well-fed."

"Fu Seng'e? Has the name been decided yet?"

"Yes, it was your brother-in-law's decision. Since Fu Seng'e was born, her health has improved a lot, so I simply sent the child to her side to be taught."

Although Wuyunzhu was Yiduli's mother, she had only just turned forty, so she really couldn't bring herself to call her by that title.

Li Jia nodded slightly: "You did well. Madam Wuyunzhu's knowledge is more than enough to teach children. She is also a pitiful person. Having children with her will make the days pass faster."

If Jingwan were to speak, Wuyunzhu probably wouldn't feel sorry for herself. She was married off to Yisanga, who was about the same age as her father, during the prime of her life, and had long been prepared to be a young widow.

Moreover, she had a substantial dowry, her son was a young scholar who had passed the imperial examinations, and he was also related to the emperor by marriage, so she had no worries about his future.

Her daughter-in-law is also filial. She only needs to stay at home and enjoy her grandchildren. When she gets bored, she can go to the village to live. At most, she has a few stepchildren, but they are not her own children. She just needs to maintain appearances and relationships.

If it were Jing Wanxuan, she would love to live such a life.

However, this was Li Jia's perspective, and Jing Wan couldn't directly express her thoughts. She simply obediently agreed with Li Jia, saying, "Don't worry, I'll take good care of things over there."

Li Jia also said, "I have always been at ease with you sisters. I think our Fu Seng'e will be a blessed child."