Sitting and watching the clouds rise (Part 1)

  "Yunzhu, I'm back."

  Hongli looked at the woman standing in front of him, and yes, his Saiyunzhu had grown from a young girl into a beautiful and elegant lady during the more than one year he couldn't see her.

  The moon-white embroidered silver orchid dark patterned flag dress outer jacket shallow blue embroidered same color dark pattern inlaid white fox border, elegant and beautiful as an orchid face, soft and beautiful new eyebrows, wavy and long eyes like two bays of spring, high-bridged nose, thin lips like flower petals, slender neck and shoulders, pure and smooth skin, quiet and elegant demeanor, amidst the fluttering fine snow, clear and flowing like a spring on a rock, light and gentle as the moon at the edge of the sky, as if she had gone to a faraway place, the years flowed by, but did not change her standing posture.

  "You're back." He was a bit stunned at first, then a smile burst from his eyes to the corners of his mouth. He couldn't help himself, took two steps forward and swept her into his arms, holding her tightly, his voice hoarse: "I miss you so much!"

  "I miss you too." She hugged him back, then suddenly pulled away and said to the group of women with tears welling up in their eyes behind them, "You all go back first, come over for a reunion dinner at night."

  "Brother——" Fuling Ah and Guoxin also counted, but Gao Lüwei couldn't help but softly call out, faintly, with a gentle tone, longing to the bone, lingering. "You haven't seen Su's sister before, have you?"

  Hong Li was taken aback for a moment before she realized that this wasn't the usual Gao Shi, and the change was much more significant than Fu Jin's. Looking at her gaze, there seemed to be some new interest. "Su Mei?" A glance revealed a new face, with an appearance of 16 or 17 years old, plump but not fat, with a silvery complexion, smooth skin, gentle eyes, and a calm demeanor, very well-mannered.

  As soon as she met Hong Li's gaze, her face flushed and she stepped forward to curtsy: "Your concubine Su Bao Rou pays her respects to you, sir."

  Su Bao Rou? Concubine? Hong Li "uh-huh" and lowered his head to glance at the woman still half-embraced by him, seeing her looking confused, he tightened his hand on her shoulder, looked up and swept a glance at Guo Xin and others who seemed respectful: "Didn't you hear what Madame said?"

  Gao Luowei almost bit her silver teeth to pieces, but fortunately she had thought of so many ways to curry favor and prepared so many clothes and jewelry, only to find that none of them were useful in the end. The Empress Dowager was being stubborn on this one point! It's really frustrating that she didn't die earlier or later, even if it meant not having to guard the bedroom for three years, but now her son and daughter can't be born either...

  "We will take our leave." They bowed and exited the main courtyard with a sense of resignation. In the past, when they came to the main courtyard to pay their respects to Yunzhu, they would still exchange a few words, but now they didn't have any interest in doing so. Although they didn't dare to harbor thoughts of competing with Furen for favor, facing such differential treatment made them feel indignant and resentful. How could they not compete? Who was willing to spend their whole life being overlooked like a green leaf? Everyone wanted to be the majestic and beautiful branch that stood out among the flowers.

  The smile on Yunzhu's lips deepened a bit, and she said with a chuckle, "You've been to the northwest for two years, and your heart has hardened quite a bit, hasn't it?" "Is the hot water ready?" she asked Suwen, who had just entered through the curtain.

  "Everything is ready."

  "Take a bath, and let me take another look at the wounds on your body." Haven't you had enough of looking? She gave him a sideways glance, and simply pulled him towards the bathroom. When they came back out, his eyes were stuck to her like he was suffering from starvation.

  He rubbed her small hand, his eyes full of surprise: "How did you know I was hurt?" It can be seen that he has put his heart at ease, and is so meticulous in his observation.

  She didn't answer him. "Ling Shuo, go get my medicine box."

  "Yes." The Linghui outside the door responded and left.

  After washing the hot bath, he lay on the bed and let Hongli check his body. He smelled the comfortable sunshine scent on the pillow and moaned, curiously asking: "What medicine is this? It was cool and comfortable at first, but now it's hot and itchy?"

  "I've spent a lot of good medicine on this new concoction, it's great for external injuries, unfortunately I didn't get much. Yúnzhū applied the medicine to the unhealed scar on his back, then covered it with clean gauze and had him stand up and tie it with a bandage. "Does it still hurt?" She asked, her fingertips touching the scars on his abdomen. He'd been on a trip to the northwest and had acquired quite a few more scars, apparently not for vacation purposes."

  Hongli let out a loud cry, "It doesn't hurt."

  It hurts down there...

  The person I've been thinking about for two years is right in front of me, but I can only look and not eat. Can't it be less cruel? Do I have to be a monk for another three years?!

  Yunzhu knew at a glance what he was thinking. Before the grand wedding, Hongli was considered by all eight banner nobles to be an impeccable groom in terms of status, appearance, talent and ability. However, in Yunzhu's eyes, his temperament was still unstable, with the impulsiveness and arrogance typical of youth. After the wedding, he officially took office and under the strict education of Yongzheng, gradually became more introspective and less superficial. He then went to the northwest...and when he returned, the impulsive air about him had given way to stability, depth and composure. His skin was darker, his height had increased by a head, from around 1m72 to 1m78, his facial features were more resolute, his figure still lean and slender, but slightly thinner due to weight loss. In short, he had become more masculine.

  Much better than a pale face.

  "Are you also letting me take a look? Didn't you get hurt in the earthquake?" Still for the sake of saving his mother.

  He knew that a big earthquake had occurred in the capital and there were frequent aftershocks, so he was worried about her safety day and night. After receiving her letter, he learned that his family members were safe and sound, and he put down his worries. However, when he saw that she had been injured while trying to save her mother-in-law, he thought she was foolish - why did she not forget others and only think of herself? He felt a deep affection for her in his heart - he didn't think she would like Xi Fei so much that she would sacrifice her life for her; it must be because she wanted to save herself. And he couldn't help but have selfish thoughts that he couldn't express to anyone: if something were to happen to either Xi Fei or her, he wouldn't want it to be her.

  She smiled brightly and said, "I thought you were me, it's all better now." She leaned her body against him, lifted her face, and kissed his chin.

  He reached up and stroked the back of her neck with one hand, while the other hand slipped uncontrollably into her clothes, his mouth eagerly covering hers, rolling, sucking, and licking, so sweet, this flavor was soft, beautiful, and wonderful beyond words, what he had been thinking about day and night...

  As he came to, his little wife was already lying under him, her clothes half undone and half covering her body, revealing a patch of smooth, creamy skin like jade in the snow. On top of that were the red marks from his kisses and bites, like a crimson plum blossom on a snowy background, bright red, eye-catching and alluring. He panted, gazing intently at her dreamy, intoxicating eyes, his face flushed with pain and desire he could hardly contain.

  According to mourning rites, sons and daughters should wear sackcloth for three years for their parents, while husbands only need to wear it for one year for their wives. In terms of filial piety, they are forbidden from marrying, giving birth to children, or seeking official positions during the mourning period. However, except for getting married, as long as they do not get pregnant during the mourning period, they will not suffer too much criticism; and as princes or emperors, it is even more impossible for them to avoid attending to government affairs or holding court for twenty-seven months.

  It can be seen from many materials that although the Qing Dynasty also emphasized filial piety, the imperial family's requirements for filial piety were not very strict except for marriage and childbirth (many secretly married), only looking at the person who kept filial piety, especially in terms of chastity.

  Here is the translation:

  Talking about this, Yunzhu can't help but mourn for the historical Qianlong. That guy was originally romantic and filial. The Empress Dowager died in September of the 9th year of Yongzheng's reign, and he observed a three-year mourning period - under Yongzheng's watchful eye, it's clear what kind of life he led. With great difficulty, he finally emerged from his mourning, only to have Yongzheng pass away, forcing him to observe another three years of mourning... No wonder he would shout out the ridiculous phrase "guarding one's heart with filial piety" that would make later generations laugh in derision.

  Before the death of Empress Xiaojing, apart from Yonghuang and Xiaoxian's children, there were basically no births in her palace. Only after her death was a child born to Xiaoshengxian, who gave birth to Yongzhao. After the death of the Yongzheng Emperor, although he shouted "Guard the heart of filial piety", indeed no children were born within three years. It wasn't until after Xiaoshengxian's death that consorts successively gave birth to Yongyan and Yongqi.

  Turning over the Qing imperial family, when Kangxi and Yongzheng passed away, the situation of the clansmen's mourning was not bad, at least they didn't have any children during the mourning period.

  Yunzhu pursed her lips, which were swollen and a bit painful, thinking to herself that he was indeed a man who had been abstinent for a long time, with such explosive power. She opened her arms and pulled him down, whispering: "Just use contraception, can you really endure three years without being intimate with women?" If he really endured three years without being intimate with women, Yongzheng might have to find a doctor to check if there was something wrong with his body.

  She didn't believe he could resist the temptation of these women in the backyard. It's better to take advantage of herself than others, after all, yin and yang harmony is good for her body and mind. This body has matured, this man is not bad as a lover, but as a husband, he still needs training... Putting that aside, his dragon energy benefits her spatial development.

  Besides, mourning for the empress? Hehe, as long as it looks good on the surface.

  Good heavens! He almost let out a loud sigh, what kind of woman was she, an angel or a demon? Afraid that she would look at him with disdain, he held back with all his might... What the hell!!! He fiercely thrust his desire into her body, "Ah!" He let out a low growl, closed his eyes, and felt the layers upon layers of what seemed like millions of small mouths sucking in unison, his soul was about to burst through the roof——

  "Ah!" Her painful cry made his heart skip a beat, he opened his eyes to take a look, her small face was scrunched up, was it that painful? He lifted his arm and pulled her onto his lap, kissing her face, her small mouth. "It hurts so much, bear with it, it'll be fine soon..." She was as delicate as a small flower, he hadn't touched her in over a year, and she was like a virgin again.

  Against her tearful and angry gaze, the small hands that pushed him away, he couldn't help but let his lips fly to hers again. The hot tongue entwined with hers once more, licking and sucking every inch of her mouth, while his large, calloused hand massaged her smooth back, slender waist, and plump hips... The extreme tactile sensation, along with her frequent trembling, low moans, and the continuous contraction and movement of her honey pot, all teased him to the point of unbearable itchiness. He couldn't help but push his already swollen and hardened giant dragon against her flower heart again, making her hum in response, which only made him feel even more bewitched.

  He abandoned his patience, galloping at full speed, tightly holding her, pouring out all the thoughts he had accumulated for over a year. Kissing and caressing were not enough; only by constantly sending himself into her body, penetrating her, and merging with her could he feel complete.

  A wave of pleasure swept through her entire body, soft moans and gasps for breath, as well as the sounds of love-making, echoed like a symphony in the bright sunlight at noon within the quiet room.

  ……

  The sky had darkened for more than an hour, and it was almost time for dinner when Hongli finally got up and dressed. "Bring some hot water," he ordered someone outside the door.

  When he personally wiped Yunzhu's body, he had a new understanding of his strength. Looking at the red marks on her body and the swollen lower body... she really bled, he was heartbroken, really blinded by lust, how could he be so rough...

  His pity for her restrained the desire that had risen again as he dressed her. He forced himself to cover her with a quilt and picked her up: "Yunzhu, wake up."

  Yunzhu opened her moist eyes, glanced at him sideways, then closed them again, leaning her head on his shoulder with a lazy posture: "Has your wound reopened?"

  "No." He rubbed her soft cheek and said in a low voice. Actually, it was a bit cracked, but he didn't want to worry her. Mourning is not allowed to indulge in desires, nor can one indulge in desires, planning to rest in the study for the next few days.

  She had obviously smelled the blood... Forget it, let him pretend to be strong if he wants. She yawned and felt sleepy.

  Her lovely appearance moved him, he tilted his head slightly and kissed her lips lightly, only to move away after a while. "What's the matter with that Su?"

  "After the news of the great victory in the northwest arrived, your mother personally asked for it from the emperor. She is now your Sugge." Yunzhu said casually.

  He furrowed his brow, he had only written a letter asking Mother to borrow the Niuhuru family to take care of the Su family...

  As soon as she opened her eyes, she saw his uncertain expression, and she smiled lightly. "What's wrong with you, having an additional beautiful servant boy?"

  Isn't this remark somewhat sour? He raised his eyebrows and said: "I didn't mean it that way."

  She lightly murmured, indicating understanding. "Mother's arrangement is also reasonable. The Su family has no brothers, and the younger cousin is still young. Marrying into another Eight Banners household is not as good as entering the palace to be your consort. This way, no one will dare to bully the Su family. If you want to repay kindness, this is the best method."

  "Repaying kindness?!" Hongli pulled her hand up, lightly biting it, earning a glare from her. He smiled again. "I see she's doing quite well, my Fu Jin is truly virtuous." So fat!

  Someone with a keen eye is not only dissatisfied with Xi Fei, but also dislikes Su Shi, who needs to "repay his kindness".

  "How can we let down someone who has helped us?"

  He glared at her with a sly smile, gritting his teeth, just about to severely punish her again to assert his authority. But unexpectedly, she suddenly sat up straight and asked: "What's with the injuries on your body? With your skills and Chunhe by your side, how did you still get hurt so badly? Did you take the lead in that battle?"

  It's no use hiding it from her anyway. He pulled her into his arms, and sooner or later she would find out from Chunhe. "This trip to the northwest, openly and secretly, I've encountered dozens of assassination attempts, cold arrows in the army, bandits on the road, stabbings...it's hard to defend against them all, but this is still a good outcome."

  Last time Henan and Shandong inspected grain warehouses wasn't it already encountered?

  After a long while, she finally said: "Do you know who did it?" Her voice was laced with anger.

  He chuckled and was delighted by her worries and anger, it seemed that the longing of more than a year had also been useful, she now cared about herself a lot. "Who did it, I have an idea in my heart, you don't need to worry."

  "How can we not worry, you're our breadwinner after all."

  He was taken aback, a meal ticket?! He's just a meal ticket?! Or is it a whole group of them?! The person who was so depressed that they couldn't speak, with a surge of strength in their arm, strangled this heartless little...

  She burst out laughing and messed around with him.

  At dinner time, Yunzhu made clever arrangements, and a vegetarian meal was also delicious.

  Hongli was almost stuffed, and the feeling of having a home was indeed good. Not to mention being in the northwest, but even on this rush back to Beijing, he didn't have time to eat anything. What's more, after hearing the news of the empress dowager's passing, he had to start mourning immediately.

  Filial piety also has its own dress and demeanor. The energy of women who spend their days trying to attract the attention of their husbands is amazing. They all have a gentle and elegant appearance, with subtle makeup and simple yet refined clothing... However, only Gao Lüwei was able to achieve this successfully.

  Hongli's only son, a two or three-year-old child, was at an adorable and playful age. After a dinner where no one spoke, he played with his son for a while, so that his son wouldn't really not recognize him as his father and spread the word, embarrassing him.

  It would be great if Yunzhu had her own flesh and blood earlier! He glanced at Yunzhu's abdomen, thinking that this was the orthodox heir to inherit everything. Thinking of Hongyue's wife being found pregnant a month after the empress dowager's death, he couldn't help but feel jealous, even though he got married earlier than Hongyue, but the matter of having children was taken over by him first.

  It's really frustrating!