Ulanara (below) 81

  "Sit down." The queen smiled at the two of them and instructed Chen Mama to bring up a few more plates of fruit and pastries, with a benevolent motherly air. "Was your trip to Xiuyun Temple to burn incense smooth yesterday?"

  "The queen didn't know that the scenery on the side of Xi Yun Temple was extremely beautiful, especially the red leaves on Tan Zhang Mountain. When we walked back and forth, it was just when the sun was about to set, and the fiery sunlight sprinkled on the frosty leaves like a dancing sunset glow, it was incredibly beautiful..."

  "I really envy the Fourth Imperial Concubine. Nowadays, it's hard for us to even get a chance to see her." Hai Gui Ren said with a half-true and half-false tone while holding onto her belly, her pregnancy news had already been announced, and she was currently the favored person in the palace, the Empress and Xi Fei, due to their age, had promised to let Su Shi off from most of the rules, not only that, they also tolerated some of her arrogant behavior.

  "Hai's sister is currently in favor, and if she mentions it to the emperor, he might just agree." Su said with a slight smile. Since her miscarriage, possibly due to her poor mood or physical condition, her complexion had always been pale with a hint of green, and her body was gradually weakening. The once beautiful woman had withered away in an instant, becoming unrecognizable.

  After all, it was because of her miscarriage that she and the fetus in her womb could receive the emperor's attention. Hai Gui Ren did not easily get along with Su Daren, so when she heard this, she said: "Sister is joking, how dare I compare myself to the Fourth Imperial Concubine?" As she spoke, she glanced at Yun Zhu again, and she could see clearly that even if she gave birth to a prince, there was no possibility of him inheriting the throne. It would be better for her child's future to get along with these older princes earlier on.

  Others are fine, but the queen's face sank, and in an instant, she buried her anger deep in her heart. This hasn't even begun yet, and already the concubines of the harem have started fawning over Fucha Yunzhu? A wave of sorrow surged up in her heart, if her Honghui were still here, where would she need to tolerate these lowly people's temper...

  Yu Pin smiled: "It's just going to Xi Yun Temple to burn incense!" Turning her head to the Empress, "I remember that during the Buddha's birthday in the first year of Yongzheng, His Majesty took the Empress and all the sisters to Xi Yun Temple to offer incense and worship the Buddha."

  "You heard that, it's just that you didn't catch the timing. The queen said slowly, the smile on her face gradually converged,"However, you are the identity of the emperor's harem concubines and the four noblewomen, so be careful with this comparison in the future."

  Her stern expression made the concubines present tremble with fear, thinking that she was indeed the mistress who had accompanied the emperor from the palace and had strictly disciplined the entire Yong Wang Fu. This aura was not something ordinary people possessed. They couldn't help but lower their heads and respond in unison: "Yes."

  "I heard that the divination slips at Xiyun Temple's Guanyin Hall are very spiritual. Does Madam Si, apart from burning incense, also draw divination slips?" Ni Mengyi suddenly asked.

  Yunzhu smiled and glanced at her, saying: "Of course there is." Then he told the divination results that Guwalgiya and Majia had asked for.

  The general got a good sign, which means that the outcome of the war should not be too bad. Xi Fei and Yu Pin listened with joy in their eyes, and the Empress also looked very happy, "It's really the Buddha's blessing, this time the Qing dynasty will surely win! Your mother and aunt are all blessed."

  "Thanks to the blessing of the Emperor."

  "The Emperor is a true dragon son of heaven, what... the Zunghar Chechen is just a clown jumping around, which one can be the opponent of the Great Qing!" Zhang Chang added.

  "Indeed, His Majesty's good fortune is boundless..."

  Black line! If you listen to it again, won't that "thousand autumns and ten thousand generations, unifying the rivers and lakes" come out? However, it's not surprising that they are "happy with the world". The emperor is concerned about the war in the northwest, and his mood directly affects their daily lives. Speaking of which, the empress who bears the cold face of Yongzheng and holds the phoenix seal, as well as Xi Fei, who has the title of favored concubine and manages palace affairs, do not have a life that is as glorious and comfortable as outsiders think. Because they have to face an air conditioner all year round, regardless of the season. If their lives are slightly more comfortable, and the Mid-Autumn Festival is slightly more lively, they will be scolded for being extravagant. He himself is a workaholic who likes to fast and live a simple life, so he uses their bodies as an excuse, exempting them from banquets and festivities. Whether he wants to discuss official business or not, he will use them as an excuse, without considering logic at all...

  Thinking of this, Yunzhu still felt some sympathy. Empress Ulanara would not have lived through the Yongzheng period, otherwise she would not have squandered the family fortune accumulated by Yongzheng like Empress Xiaoshengxian (Xi Fei) in history, enjoying wealth and glory to the fullest after suppressing for decades.

  In comparison, Hongli was a better husband to deal with, although he still had those annoying habits of being flashy, flirtatious and self-important. For her own future life to be less brain-damaged and for her son's succession not to be as difficult as Yongzheng's, she couldn't help but spend some effort polishing him.

  Talking about Hong Li, Yun Zhu glanced at Ni Meng's clothes with a handkerchief around her neck. She must be concerned about Hong Li... but it's not good to ask too clearly in front of the legitimate Fu Jin herself.

  "Have you also asked for a sign from Hongli?" the Empress Dowager asked, her smile becoming even more affectionate. "Don't hide it and not dare to say it out loud." She had also seen through Nian's thoughts and felt somewhat displeased in her heart - what kind of daughter did Hetai teach, actually having designs on Hongli?

  What is hidden and dare not speak out, could it be that her imperial decree will go wrong again?! Xi Fei listened to the words with underlying meaning, her heart displeased, her inquiring gaze involuntarily fell on Yun Zhu.

  They're all masters of acting, yet they all know what really happened when they burned incense...

  Before traveling, my daughter-in-law had already asked Shaman for a peace symbol. Cloud jade's face was slightly red and she looked a bit embarrassed, "It's not good to ask Buddha again." She wanted to perform with everyone together, she had been through the end of the world for eight years, and had done things like begging on her knees, let alone speaking insincerely or pretending.

  Oh, the queen picked up her teacup and took a light sip. Could it be that the branch they were talking about with Gua Erjia and others was for the sake of the Great Qing? Was it Hongli?

  It's Xi Fei who said, "That's how it should be." One thing shouldn't bother two masters, and worshiping all kinds of gods will make people laugh.

  Ni Mengyi lowered her head, and in the heart of this Fourth Madame, shouldn't Fourth Brother be ranked first?! Why wasn't she worried about Fourth Brother's appearance at all? Suddenly felt that she had somewhat failed to live up to Fourth Brother's favor.

  But then Yúnzhū said: "However, the daughter-in-law thought that she couldn't just go for nothing, so she asked for a 'family gate' sign, which was 'carp turning into dragon'. Lawyer Héngshí said that those who ask for this sign are at a critical juncture in their fortunes, and once they leap over this three-foot wave, they will turn disaster into good fortune."

  Is she really looking for a household sign? The Queen's eyes flashed with a sharp light, staring closely at Yunzhu, seeing that she was not flustered under her gaze, before saying: "The small northwest is nothing to be considered a great storm."

  She still didn't believe that Yunzhu, who had a deep affection for Hongli, could bear not to pray for his safety on the distant northwest battlefield. Thinking back to when she and the Emperor were first married, the Emperor followed the previous emperor to conquer the northwest, her mood at that time... But now, in front of Fucha's Yunzhu, she was calm and collected. If it wasn't that she didn't put Hongli in her heart, then it would be a rare case of her being deeply cunning. The former is fine, but if it's the latter, then this woman is too frightening!

  The signature "carp turning into dragon" implies something that doesn't need to be said, and if it was a sign for Hongli, her choice to hide it is also normal. The Empress has some anxiety in her heart, now that the Emperor's body is healthy, she doesn't want to see a crown prince or princess coming out to obstruct her view, although supporting Hongli was an unspoken agreement between her and Xi Fei in their early years, but times have changed, and Xi Fei has gradually threatened her position.

  Besides, there is also Fu Cha Yunzhu!

  She desperately glanced at the flying Nianyin outside, the queen silently sighed, could the hope of the Wulana tribe really be placed on her?

  "This sign is auspicious, it's just the right time for good fortune to arrive! The country is peaceful and prosperous, how can this person not be well? May the Buddha bless Hongli to return safely soon......" She glanced at Yunzhu, who was elegant and refined, with a beauty like an orchid. Thinking that if she could give birth to another son, the emperor would surely hold her in even higher esteem. Xi Fei had been overjoyed since learning about this sign last night, and if it weren't for Yulan being there, she would have definitely become a panda by now.

  Too lazy to care about the intrigues of these women, Yunzhu casually found a reason to "prepare birthday gifts for Emperor Ama" and took Linghui and Mingxin back to Qianxi Second House.

  The queen and Xi Fei suddenly remembered that with the approaching Winter Solstice Festival, it's almost time to enter the new year, there are still many things to prepare and distribute, in case they get busy later on, it's better to start preparing now...

  After the emperor's birthday, isn't it her own thousand-year-old birthday? The northwest is not yet pacified, and it seems that we can't have a big celebration. I don't know if Hongli will be able to return in time to celebrate for himself... Xi Fei has added another worry to her heart.

  The Dragon Boat Festival is not a must, but as a son and daughter-in-law, we can't miss the gift for our parents.

  Qian Xi gave a large quantity of silk, satin, cotton cloth and woolen fabric to Fu Cha's wife, Gao's wife and Ke Lie Ye Te's wife respectively, letting them make some shoes, socks, clothes and robes.

  In addition, Hongli and Hongdao did not forget their imperial father. Before the Dragon Boat Festival, they had sent back many rare items they found in the northwest - mostly jade stones.

  Yunzhu chose one of the jade stones and designed a pattern herself, then found an excellent jade carving master to carve them out day and night.

  One piece is a purple jade, the master sculptor adjusted the design drawing sent by Yunzhu according to the characteristics of the jade, and carved out the Eight Immortals, Shou Xing, peaches, Guanyin, golden toad, crane, building and other shapes on the jade. A few strands of green jade were also carved into peach branches and leaves, which is extremely beautiful. What's even more clever is that the jade is hollow, with a lid on top, and when you lift the lid, you can place candles inside the jade to make it more moist and transparent, or you can put other objects inside, combining appreciation and practical use.

  Another piece of jade is found in the warehouse, which is a black and white Nanyang jade with unique colors. Yunzhu likes it and uses the black color of Nanyang Dushan jade to make thick lotus leaves, on top of which are two large white lotus flowers. The center of the flower is crystal clear and translucent, with plenty of water. It's just like: Lotus flowers green lotus cover green water, hibiscus wear red fresh; Below are connected lotus roots, above are connected lotus heads. Then found a red sandalwood carved base, the whole piece looks pleasing to the eye, never tired of seeing it.

  These two jade carvings have very good meanings, and they only cost the price of the raw material and labor. They also contain her efforts with Hongli in them, so it's just right to give them to Yongzheng and Xi Fei as birthday gifts. In addition, add a pair of double dragon playing bead Qinghua porcelain vases, a painting "Watching Spring and Listening to Wind" by Tang Yin, the Lotus Sutra and Diamond Sutra written by Hongli himself, a cloud pearl embroidered eight steeds picture yellow flower pear wood carved flower base screen and cloud pearl, as well as various shoes, socks, robes, etc. made by the imperial concubines, all listed on a full page of invoice.

  Yongzheng was delighted to receive the birthday gifts, these things may not be worth a fortune, but each and every one of them was made with thought by his son and daughter-in-law, very filial.

  Although the Empress liked the decorative piece with the lotus and green water, she thought it was a bit too cheap. She felt that Hongli had just casually picked something out to placate her. However, after the Emperor specially came to her palace to see the piece and praised it profusely, she was delighted again.

  Yunzhu didn't care what she thought, completed her own task, and took a refreshing two-day rest before enthusiastically preparing the New Year's gift for her mother's family. She didn't care about Wu Lala Nianmu Yi, who was getting more and more prosperous in the palace, and heard that she also presented a birthday gift to Yongzheng, receiving his praise. Suwen and Guo Yaya were worried.