Story of Yanxi Palace, Chapter 71: Bestowal of Marriage

Fortunately, though many unfortunate things had happened, every once in a while, something good occurred as well.

“Congratulations, Your Majesty!” Imperial Physician Zhang bowed to Hongli. “This is a happy pulse—the Empress is with child!”

The moment news of the Empress’s condition reached him, Hongli had rushed over at once. Even during the examination he had sat by her side, holding her hand, worry etched deep on his face for a long time. When he suddenly heard this joyful news, he was so stunned that for a long moment he couldn’t speak.

It was the Empress who recovered first. Struggling to sit up, she parted the bed curtains and looked at Physician Zhang with seven parts nervousness and three parts anticipation: “Is this true?”

“This concerns the imperial heir—how could this humble minister dare speak falsely?” Physician Zhang hurriedly replied. “Your Ladyship, you have been with child for two months already.”

The Empress abruptly covered her mouth. Tears shimmered faintly in her eyes.

“Empress, did you hear that?” By now Hongli had come back to himself. He pressed the Empress’s hand to his chest so she could feel the strong, rapid thudding of his heart. “I finally have a legitimate son. Empress—I am truly, truly overjoyed!”

The Empress smiled through her tears. “Your Majesty, we still don’t know whether it will be a little prince or a princess. Don’t celebrate too soon!”

“It must be a little prince!” Hongli could barely contain his excitement. “I know it—in Heaven’s mercy, after taking Yonglian away, They will return a son to me! I want to reward every single person in Changchun Palace—no, every single person in the Forbidden City—”

If the Empress had not stopped him, Hongli might have issued a general amnesty on the spot or opened the imperial treasury to distribute treasures to everyone by the handful.

Even though he was ultimately restrained, his mood remained jubilant. He was unusually gentle even toward the servants attending him. When a young eunuch accidentally knocked over a teacup as he returned to Yangxin Hall to handle state affairs, he said nothing harsh—instead he mildly instructed Li Yu not to punish the boy too severely, lest it affect the good fortune of the little prince.

But his heart was so preoccupied with the Empress and the child that he found himself unable to focus on government matters. Setting down his brush, Hongli looked around and asked:

“Where is Fuheng?”

Hailancha quickly stepped forward to report: “Reporting to Your Majesty, Fucha Guard went to offer congratulations to the Your Majesty!”

“He really runs to Changchun Palace quite diligently,” Hongli said with a laugh. “Besides visiting the Empress, is there perhaps someone he has feelings for there?”

Hailancha blinked. “Your Majesty has a sharp eye; this servant dares not deceive you. However, this is a private matter—you should ask Fuheng about it yourself.”

“Oh?” Hongli had only asked casually, never expecting such a reply. This was practically an admission that there really was someone. His spirits immediately lifted. “When Fuheng returns, tell him to come see me at once!”

As today’s duty captain of the guards, Fuheng naturally could not stay away too long. He soon returned to Yangxin Hall. Seeing Hailancha at the door winking and making faces, he raised an eyebrow and said, “Have your eyes cramped up?”

“Heh heh, brother.” Hailancha bumped his shoulder. “You really owe me big time—I did you a huge favor!”

Fuheng looked at him in bewilderment, about to ask what exactly he had done behind his back, when Li Yu’s voice called out: “Fucha Guard!”

The Emperor had summoned him. Fuheng could only swallow the question, shoot Hailancha a fierce glare, and enter the study.

Inside the study, the air was thick with the fragrance of ink. Memorials to be handled were piled high on the table. Hongli rested one hand against his temple, flipping through the memorial before him while asking, “Censor Shen Shifeng has impeached Minister of Justice Lai Bao, saying he has sincerity in abundance but insufficient experience and is unfit for the important duties of the Ministry of Justice. Fuheng, what do you think?”

Fuheng assumed the Emperor wanted to discuss state affairs with him. He immediately straightened his expression, thought for a moment, and replied, “When Lai Bao served in the Ministry of Works, he was diligent and conscientious and received much praise. Although he is not yet fully familiar with the affairs of the Ministry of Justice, given his past diligence, it is only a matter of time before he firmly grasps control of the ministry. This servant believes Your Majesty should give him a chance!”

“Insolent!” To his surprise, Hongli suddenly slammed the table. “You dare defend Lai Bao for your own selfish reasons—truly detestable!”

Fuheng was utterly baffled. He dropped to one knee and said, “This servant does not understand what Your Majesty means by ‘selfish reasons.’”

“Pfft—”

Fuheng froze for a moment. Looking up, he saw Hongli laughing so hard he could barely contain himself. Only then did he realize the Emperor had merely been pretending to be angry. A wave of helplessness washed over him. “Your Majesty…”

“All right, get up, get up.” Hongli waved his hand, sounding almost like the villain complaining first. “Don’t put on airs in front of me. I know your character best. Unless you truly liked someone, how could you visit the inner palace so often! Among the senior palace maids by the Empress’s side, Erqing has a gentle temperament, Ming Yu is overly lively, and as for the other one—words fail me! It’s completely understandable that you would take a liking to Erqing. Rest assured, I will raise her entire family’s banner status so they will not disgrace your house…”

Hearing this, how could Fuheng not understand what he meant? He simply remained kneeling and said, “Your Majesty has misunderstood! This servant has never harbored the slightest affection for Erqing. I spoke up for Lai Bao purely because I believe he is a capable minister!”

As it turned out, this Lai Bao was none other than Erqing’s father. His grandfather had even been Minister of Justice and a Grand Secretary of the Deliberative Council, making their family one of the most prominent bondservant (booi) lineages among the Bordered Yellow, Plain Yellow, and Plain White Banners. Yet a bondservant was still a bondservant—despite reaching the highest ranks, they still had to dismount and bow when encountering their banner master, even hold the horse and stirrup. For Erqing’s family, therefore, the greatest wish was to have their banner status elevated.

But Hongli had misunderstood his intention and laughed. “Not Erqing? Then could it be Ming Yu? Compared to Erqing, this Ming Yu is a little…”

“No!” Fuheng said firmly.

Not Erqing, not Ming Yu—then it could only be…

Hongli stared at Fuheng; the smile gradually faded from his face. “Don’t tell me you’ve taken a fancy to Wei Yingluo.”

“This servant dares not conceal anything from Your Majesty.” Since he had already admitted it once, Fuheng saw no reason not to admit it again. “It is indeed Wei Yingluo!”

An inkstone suddenly flew from Hongli’s direction, grazing past Fuheng’s temple. Several drops of ink splashed out, staining his handsome cheek. He did not wipe it, merely lowered his head and said, “This servant truly admires Yingluo with all my heart. I beg Your Majesty to grant your permission!”

His humble plea was met only with Hongli’s uncontrollable fury.

“I knew it!” Hongli slammed the table and stood up. He strode over to Fuheng’s side, grinding his teeth as he spoke. “That woman is vain and harbors ulterior motives. She deliberately seduced you while you were visiting the Empress!”

Fuheng shook his head and defended Yingluo. “Although this servant has developed feelings for her, she has never given the slightest indication, nor has she ever overstepped in any way. If Your Majesty wishes to blame someone, blame this servant alone—Wei Yingluo has nothing to do with it.”

“No relation at all?” Hongli laughed in furious disbelief. “Given your character and background, you ought to marry a lady from a prestigious noble family. Wei Yingluo is not only of lowly bondservant status from the Imperial Household Department, but she is also audacious, willful, and utterly reckless! Fucha Fuheng, when one marries, one marries virtue. If I were to bestow such a woman of no moral standing upon you, it would bring ruin upon your entire life! Mark my words: among the noble ladies and virtuous women of the Eight Banners of Great Qing, no matter whom you take a fancy to, I can grant you the marriage by imperial decree—except this woman. She is out of the question!”

Hongli remained stubbornly unyielding, but Fuheng was not the sort of person who could be easily persuaded. The conversation ended in discord, with neither side giving in.

Hongli had already been in no mood for state affairs that day. After this incident, he found it even harder to concentrate. He forced himself to read a few lines, then suddenly swept his hand across the table. The heap of memorials scattered and fell to the floor with a crash.

“Your Majesty, please calm your anger.” Li Yu hurriedly knelt down to gather up the fallen memorials.

“Prepare the sedan for Changchun Palace.” Hongli abruptly rose from his seat and scoffed with icy disdain. “Fuheng, I want you to see clearly what kind of woman she truly is!”

Inside the bedchamber of Changchun Palace, a single stick of calming incense burned quietly. In the long, lingering fragrance, the Empress lay curled on her side within the snow-white bed curtains, her breathing slow and steady like the drifting smoke.

Erqing sat on the edge of the bed, holding a light silk fan. She fanned the Empress absentmindedly, her thoughts already drifting far away to her family. In her mind she saw her father, mother, elder brother, and sisters gazing at her with eager expectation, speaking earnestly: “Erqing, if you ever get the chance, you must not let it slip… If you become an imperial consort, not only will you enjoy lifelong wealth and honor, but our entire family will be able to raise our banner status. This is a matter of bringing glory to our ancestors—one chance in a lifetime.”

Lost in thought, Erqing was startled when a hand suddenly patted her shoulder.

“Shh.” Hongli’s voice came from behind her—low, husky, and filled with the mature allure of a man. “Don’t wake the Empress.”

“Yes.” Erqing replied softly.

Hongli gazed at the Empress’s sleeping face for a while before turning to leave. Erqing hesitated only briefly, then handed the fan to a young palace maid nearby, motioning for her to continue fanning. She rose and quietly followed Hongli.

Once outside the bedchamber, Hongli looked left and right, seemingly searching for someone.

Ming Yu hurried out after him. Just then, a young palace maid approached carrying a tea cup. An idea flashed through Erqing’s mind. She took the tea from the maid’s hands and personally carried it to Hongli, bowing her head with gentle grace: “Your Majesty, please have some tea.”

Having rushed over in haste, Hongli did indeed feel thirsty. He reached out to take it—only for Erqing to let out a startled “Ah!” Half the tea spilled from the cup, splashing across his robe.

Hongli’s expression darkened instantly. He stared at her coldly.

“This servant deserves death! Please quell your anger, Your Majesty!” Erqing dropped to her knees before him with a thud, though from the corner of her eye she glanced toward the door of the bedchamber.

In a foul mood already, Hongli had intended to punish her severely, but when he followed her gaze and remembered the Empress resting inside, he suppressed his rage and said icily, “I need to change. Go find clean clothes and deliver them to Li Yu!”

With that, he flicked his sleeve and strode away, disappearing behind a screen painted with immortal cranes dancing beneath the moon.

“Yes.” Erqing kowtowed in apparent terror, but when she raised her head, there was no trace of fear on her face—only a smug smile of triumph at her scheme succeeding.

In less than half the time it takes to finish a cup of tea, Erqing returned holding a set of sapphire-blue casual robes. Standing on the other side of the screen, she spoke in a shy, timid voice: “Your Majesty, this servant could not find Chief Steward Li, so I have brought the clothes myself. Please allow this servant to assist Your Majesty in changing.”

The silhouette of a man was reflected on the screen. Perhaps because he regularly practiced martial arts, his figure was exceptionally well-proportioned—his outline on the screen looked almost as if a painter had drawn it.

But his voice remained as cold as ever: “Tell Wei Yingluo to get in here.”

Erqing was stunned. “Your Majesty…”

“Did you not hear what I said?” Hongli’s tone was thick with undisguised disgust.

He had far too many women around him; a petty trick like this was far too obvious to miss. In that moment he suddenly felt that the Empress must be blind—surrounded by women like this, all harboring hidden schemes. Erqing was one of them, and Yingluo was even worse…

“…Yes.” Erqing had no idea what was going through Hongli’s mind, but she could not openly defy him. She could only retreat backward out the door. After searching for a moment, she shoved the bundle of clothing heavily into Wei Yingluo’s arms and said with both hatred and jealousy:

“His Majesty’s clothes got wet. You take them to him.”

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