ebookland Chapter 271 Another 1 years
Chapter 271 Another 1 years
After Yongzheng recovered from his illness, his once-meager enthusiasm for the harem faded like smoke on the wind, becoming increasingly thin. Like a lone goose separated from its flock, he confined himself to the Hall of Mental Cultivation. Every day, he would either solemnly summon court officials to discuss state affairs, or hunched over his desk, reviewing a mountain of memorials.
Time slips away like sand between your fingers. Spring, with its gentle, lingering breezes and vibrant blossoms, fades like a fleeting dream, only to be ushered in by summer, its fiery, intense breath.
In the past few years, every summer, Yongzheng would always follow the custom to go to the Old Summer Palace to escape the heat.
Yet, things were different now. He felt as if bound within the palace walls by an invisible force, his former yearning for the Old Summer Palace gone. Perhaps it was the tangled web of court affairs that consumed him, leaving him with no time for other things; or perhaps, after all the vicissitudes of life, his inner state had quietly shifted. The peace and solace he once found amidst the beauty of lakes and mountains no longer stirred his troubled heart.
Under the scorching summer sun, the harem seemed to have been muted, the former bustle and bustle completely gone. The concubines all stayed secluded, tucked away in their respective rooms, feeling lazy and helpless.
The concubines either lay on brocade couches, fanning themselves intermittently with small silk fans to dispel the agonizing heat; or sat before their dressing tables, looking into bronze mirrors, sighing silently at their faces, slightly worn out by the heat. The thoughts they once had when vying for favor had now been completely dissipated by the scorching sun.
The emperor has no interest in the affairs of the harem, so even if he tries his best to argue with them until he is red in the face, it will be in vain.
So, they could only hide their glimmer of hope in the depths of their hearts, hoping that the summer heat would soon subside and the cool autumn breeze would soon arrive. Perhaps then, the emperor would, at some unintentional moment, remember them in the harem and, as he had in the past, stumble into the palace and bestow upon them his enchanting favor.
During this long wait, the only sound within the palace walls was the chirping of cicadas, as if telling of the loneliness in their hearts.
Summer goes and autumn comes, time passes by like a stream, and the hands of the pocket watch in my hand tick tirelessly, as if counting the steps of time.
Looking up at the sky, I saw a flock of wild geese soaring high in a neat formation. Sometimes they formed a straight line, sometimes a graceful human figure, demonstrating strict discipline and order. With each flap of their wings, the geese let out bursts of clear, melodious calls, echoing between heaven and earth, as if bidding a heartfelt farewell to their northern homeland.
As soon as the autumn wind swept away the last fallen leaf, the biting cold wind came whistling impatiently.
This year's winter seems to be even colder.
An Lingrong sat by the door, wrapped in her mink fur coat, quietly watching the snowflakes lashing down. On the small red clay stove before her, a teapot hummed cheerfully, steam rising from the stove, mingling with the icy air. Beside them sat wine glasses and a warmed wine pot.
Su Ye stood aside, picked up a few chestnuts and threw them beside the stove, muttering, "My Lady, let's go back to the house. What's so good about this snow?"
However, An Lingrong seemed to have heard nothing and continued to stare at the falling snowflakes.
She slowly lifted the wine glass in her hand again, opened her red lips, and slowly chanted: "One, two flakes of snow fall, three, five cups of wine make me drunk."
As the poems came out of her mouth, she gently shook the wine glass, causing the clear liquid to ripple in the glass, and then slowly put it into her mouth. The warm wine went down her throat, and the warmth gradually spread throughout her body.
These days are comfortable.
At that moment, a familiar figure slowly came into view amidst the falling snow. An Lingrong hurriedly stood up and hurried toward it. As it approached, a faint smile spread across her face. She naturally reached out and gently took the other's hand. The warmth from their fingertips brought an indescribable comfort and peace of mind to her heart.
The two of them walked back to the hall together. Inside, the charcoal fire was burning brightly, creating a warm atmosphere that seemed like a completely different world from the icy and snowy world outside. Shen Meizhuang took off her cloak, which was still stained with tiny snowflakes. In the reflection of the fire, they quickly turned into water droplets.
An Lingrong hurriedly ordered the maid to bring hot tea. After Shen Meizhuang took a sip of the hot tea and regained her composure, An Lingrong softly asked, "How is the Queen Mother?"
Shen Meizhuang gently put down her teacup and said calmly, "It's just a serious illness that started with the arrival of winter. The imperial doctors from the Imperial Hospital are already waiting in the Empress Dowager's bedroom, and the Emperor has also summoned the princes of the royal family to the palace to tend to her."
"Will the concubines in the harem be asked to take care of the patient again?" An Lingrong was shocked.
Although caring for one's parents while they are sick may seem like an act of filial piety, only those who have experienced it personally can understand the hardships and difficulties involved.
Seeing her like this, Shen Meizhuang couldn't help but laugh: "There are so many princes and their wives, how could it be your turn? The Queen is not feeling well, and Sister Jingfei and I will occasionally go and take care of her. You just need to stay in the palace!"
An Lingrong heaved a sigh of relief upon hearing this, the weight of her heart instantly lightening. She raised her hand and gently stroked her chest, her slightly furrowed brow gradually relaxing. "Tending to a sick person is truly a difficult job."
"Didn't the emperor go to visit the empress dowager?" After calming down a little, An Lingrong asked softly, with a hint of doubt in her eyes.
In her opinion, the emperor has always respected filial piety, and since the empress dowager is seriously ill, he should always be by her side.
Shen Meizhuang shook her head. "I heard that there's some unrest in Tibet. The Emperor and the Grand Councilor are planning to send someone to investigate. I haven't left the Yangxin Palace for several days."
"Has Prince Guo come to attend to his illness this time?" An Lingrong's eyes flashed with a barely perceptible nervousness. She bit her lower lip slightly, waiting for Shen Meiyu's answer.
"He didn't come. I heard he was sick too. He couldn't even get out of bed!"
When An Lingrong heard the news, the heavy stone in her heart finally fell to the ground. She secretly felt lucky that Prince Guo listened to her and used illness as an excuse to not go to Yunnan and Tibet.
It seems that Zhen Huan and Prince Guo have a close relationship.