Ruyi's Royal Love in the Palace: Fawning

Chapter 129: Suppressing Dawachi ②

Meiruo's favor continues to grow.

Her youthful exuberance fascinated Hongli. Although Meiruo came from the grassland like Concubine Ke, her appearance and manners were not as crude as those of the grassland people.

After returning to the Forbidden City from the Old Summer Palace, Meiruo served the emperor in bed the most times.

Ruiji and Meiruo became enemies because of Suyun's incident. The two of them were not on good terms with each other and always had a quarrel whenever they met.

Meiruo relied on Hongli's favor and the support of the forty-nine Mongolian tribes behind her, and even ignored the imperial concubine.

This is a tough time for Lujun.

He had to both support Meiruo and appease the concubines.

The concubines were even more angry but dared not speak out.

Lan Qi just watched quietly. She wanted to coax Meiruo. Meiruo often showed off her family background. She wanted to use this to crush Meiruo and wait for the opportunity in the future to use the thing that she cared about most to give her a fatal blow.

In October of the same year, a major event occurred in the palace.

Hongli was now too busy with the affairs of the Dzungar Khanate to care about the harem. The reason was still the matter of Hengchu marrying to Dawachi.

Hongli ordered the Duerbert Taiji Che Ling, who had returned from the east, to move to Uliyasutai.

This incident caused dissatisfaction among the newly appointed Junggar Prince and Princess Hengchu's husband Dawachi. Dawachi refused to send an envoy to Beijing to pay homage, and threatened that he would not give up until Che Ling was moved out of Uliastai.

As the leader of the tribe, Che Ling could no longer tolerate it and had to lead more than 10,000 tribesmen to leave the Irtysh River pasture where they had lived for generations, move to Uliastai and submit to the Qing Dynasty.

In order to express his gratitude and respect for Che Ling, Hongli not only hosted a banquet, but also asked the fourth prince Yongsheng, a noble son of the Qing Dynasty, to personally host the welcoming banquet.

Concubines in the harem are not allowed to participate in politics. This is a rule left by our ancestors. Concubines only dare to complain in private when no one is around.

Yuyan even let Yongcheng seize this opportunity to show his talent.

She took out some rare materials from the warehouse and asked Li Xin to send them to the Imperial Household Department to make a few new clothes.

It was sent by Prince Yu, and she has been reluctant to use it.

If Yongcheng had organized the welcoming banquet well this time.

Maybe if Hongli is happy, Yongsheng will become the future crown prince.

Yongcheng was half-lying on the couch, sipping tea and cracking melon seeds. He looked at Yuyan, who was selecting fabric for him not far away, and said, "Mother, it's just an audience with an envoy. Is it necessary for you to be like this?"

Yuyan picked up a piece of cloth, placed it on her chest, and planned, saying casually, "I don't know what's wrong with your new uncle. He doesn't even give the emperor face. I really don't know what kind of life your aunt is leading on the grassland. It's really pitiful."

"But it's okay." Yuyan put down the cloth, walked to Yongcheng, and pushed his thigh. "Yongcheng, your emperor asked you to host the welcoming banquet. This shows his appreciation for you. You must not mess it up. That Dawaqi is confused, and the prince of Junggar is even more reckless. They dared to challenge the emperor's authority. They are really risking their lives. But it's okay. It gives my son a chance to show his ability. Yongcheng, just do what the emperor asked you to do. As for the rest, don't worry about it."

Yongcheng turned over, grabbed a handful of melon seeds and stuffed them into his mouth, then nodded seriously.

"Don't worry, mother. I have already made all the arrangements and will not let you and the Emperor down."

Yuyan nodded with satisfaction.

Yongyan was still in his infancy, and Yongxuan was also still young. Fortunately, Yongsheng was capable and was highly valued by Hongli.

She straightened Yongsheng's clothes and said with a slightly worried look, "Yongsheng, Mother knows that you are a good child with your own ideas. Although the Emperor has many princes, there are not many who are outstanding. Although the Emperor is now using you, you also have to pay attention to yourself, understand?"

"The future of Mother and Yu Shi depends on you. Do you know what is most important in the harem?"

Yongcheng thought for a moment before saying, "The Emperor's favor?"

Yuyan pondered for a few moments, her fingertips moving slightly as she spoke, "The Emperor's favor is certainly important, but it can't last. When Empress Xiaoxian was still alive, the Emperor doted on the successor and put her first in everything. But now, isn't she still confined to the Yikun Palace? Even the child she gave birth to was not favored by the Emperor and was sent to the Old Summer Palace. Although mother is a noble concubine, there has never been a shortage of women in the harem, and mother will grow old too. If you don't strive for excellence, I'm afraid the Emperor won't even think of us mother and son in the future. So, Yongsheng, you must find a way to make the Emperor use you in everything. Mother hopes that in the future, your name will be hanging behind the plaque of uprightness and openness."

The deep meaning implied in Yuyan's words was already revealed. Even Yongsheng, who was always known for his steadiness and sophistication and was highly praised by everyone, couldn't help but widen his eyes at this moment.

"Mother, you mean..." Yongcheng sat up straight but did not say the second half of the sentence.

The mother and son understood each other tacitly.

Yuyan reached out and ruffled Yongcheng's messy hair, and said seriously: "Yongcheng, you are a smart child."

"Okay, it's getting late, you should go to the Ministry of Rites." As she said that, she helped Yongcheng up.

Yuyan keenly sensed the surprise in Yongcheng's eyes, but gently yet firmly pushed him out the door, escorting him out of Qixiang Palace. She was convinced that Yongcheng would eventually understand all this, because as her son, he must cherish his ambition and strive for the throne. That was her deepest hope as a mother, and the shared aspiration of his maternal family. To this end, she would spare no effort, using every possible means to help him ascend to the supreme throne.

If necessary, she could write a letter to the prince, asking the entire Yu family to recommend Yongsheng as the crown prince.

On the way to the Ministry of Rites, Yongcheng kept thinking about Yuyan's words.

He understood what Yuyan meant.

However, Hongli was in his prime and would not easily appoint a crown prince.

Before this, although he often looked down on his brothers, he had never thought of becoming emperor.

Although Yongsheng was walking on the road, his thoughts were drifting away.

When passing by Zhongcui Palace, he didn't even hear Yongqi who was coming towards him to greet him, and walked straight past Yongqi.

Yongsheng has always been well-mannered and behaves in a graceful manner. It is rare to see him looking so silly now. Yongqi was curious and took a few more glances at him.

Wanyin went out and saw Yongqi standing motionless at the palace gate. She shouted, "Yongqi, why don't you come in?"

Yongqi came back to his senses and saw Wanyin. He quickly took Wanyin from Shunxin's hands, supported her arm, and smiled sweetly. He said, "It's okay. I just saw Fourth Brother rushing past. I'm a little curious. Why did Fourth Brother, who is usually so confident, become like this? Could it be because of the meeting with the envoy?"

"Yongqi, I'm sorry." Wanyin said.

Yongqi was puzzled, "Why did Mother apologize?"

"Mother is useless, she doesn't have a noble birth..."

Yongqi interrupted hastily, "Mother, please don't say that. I'm already very happy that you've taken me in. I don't want anything else. I just want you to be well and be filial to you in the future."