The Empress Arrives: Rebirth of Concubine Hua

Chapter 80: Emphasis on Civility over Military Power
An San copied the contents of the note on the pigeon's foot, put the note back into the foot ring, and held the pigeon with both hands and pushed it forward.

The pigeon was frightened when it was suddenly caught by a stranger, and it flapped its wings and flew away as soon as it was free.

In the morning, Nian Shilan paid her respects to Ulanara, had breakfast, and was about to catch up on some sleep when she saw Xiao Linzi coming in.

Nian Shilan dismissed everyone else in the room and only left Songzhi to serve.

Xiao Linzi leaned close to Nian Shilan and whispered something.

"Master, I saw the pigeon delivering a letter again last night, and Hanlu also replied."

"Did you read the contents of the letter?"

Nian Shilan asked Xiao Linzi.

Xiao Linzi scratched his head and spoke frankly.

"Master, it's too dark, and I can't read."

Nian Shilan felt a headache. How could she have forgotten this? Xiao Linzi had told her about his background. He was picked up by a lame eunuch in this mansion.

The lame eunuch Nian Shilan suddenly thought of something.

"Xiao Linzi, let me ask you, you said the man who picked you up was a eunuch in this mansion, what's his name? Where does he work now?"

Xiao Linzi was surprised why his master suddenly asked this, but he still answered honestly.

"My Lord, the man who picked me up is now my master. His name is Zhou Anhai, and he is currently in charge of the stables."

Zhou Anhai?
Nian Shilan's heart moved.

"Do you know how old your master is now?"

Xiao Linzi scratched his head again.

"I really have never asked this question. Master has never told me his birthday."

"Then do you know why your master became lame?"

Nian Shilan stared at Xiao Linzi and continued to ask.

Xiao Linzi was confused for a moment. What happened to his master today? Why did he think of asking his master?

The key is, he doesn’t know either!

When Nian Shilan saw that Xiao Linzi knew nothing about anything, he just said.

"Call your master after lunch and tell him I want to ask him about horse breeding. Also, find someone who can read and you can learn from him. You can't work by my side without knowing how to read."

Xiao Linzi responded in confusion, and while feeling puzzled, he quickly went to find his master to pass on the message.

Songzhi was secretly a little proud in her heart. Fortunately, she had followed her master since she was a child and had listened to many things. At least she knew quite a few words.

Nian Shilan said she wanted to catch up on her sleep, but she wasn't sleepy at all.

She remembered that in her previous life, after she entered the palace, she had a eunuch in charge, Zhou Ninghai.

He also had a limp, but that limp was caused by following Nian Shilan to the Autumn Examination. The horse Nian Shilan was riding got angry, and in order to hold Nian Shilan's horse, Zhou Ninghai was unable to dodge and was trampled by the horse's hoof, breaking his leg. He did not recover well and became disabled.

Because of this, even though Zhou Ninghai was a lame eunuch, Nian Shilan still valued him.

Facts have proved that although Zhou Ninghai has a lame leg, his ability to do things is not lame.

But later he couldn't stand the torture and confessed some of the things that Nian Shilan had done, and Nian Shilan didn't blame him.

In this life, it is still early to enter the palace, after all, the emperor is in good health.

Xiao Linzi was lucky, as he caught Nian Shilan's eye with his efficiency. Although he was young, he was useful.

Before Yinzhen went to court in the morning, he saw the contents of the note copied by Ansan.

It stated what Nian Shilan ate and did during the day, but it didn't say too much because the heavy note would be a burden for the pigeons to fly.

When Yinzhen was in court, he was still thinking that his second brother was really interesting. He took great pains to arrange spies into Prince Yong's mansion, just to find out his concubine's preferences?

What does he want to do?
Fortunately, the secret guards were awarded to Yinzhen by the emperor. They didn't know that the pigeon was released by the Crown Prince, who was carefully protected by the emperor.

It is now early August and the Mid-Autumn Festival is coming soon.

Preparations have already begun in the palace. During the morning court session, the Ministry of Revenue reported the silver needed to prepare for the Mid-Autumn Festival, and the Ministry of Rites reported the specific procedures for the festival.

The emperor sat high on the dragon throne, listening to his ministers' reports and sighing.

"I did not go to the Old Summer Palace to escape the heat this summer. The Queen also planned the Qiqiao Festival with a frugal mindset, which saved a lot of money. After the Mid-Autumn Festival, the weather will soon be cold, and the money saved in the palace can be used to support the military. I wonder what you think?"

The court officials looked at each other, wondering what the emperor meant by this sudden remark. The emperor waited for a long while, and seeing that the court officials were just discussing in private, but no one dared to stand up, he pointed to Fei Yanggu, the first-rank general who had won a victory some time ago.

Fei Yanggu walked out from the line of military officers.

"Your Majesty, I think that your majesty's ability to save money in the palace to use for military expenses is a blessing for the Qing Dynasty. On behalf of the officers and soldiers in the army, I thank your majesty for his great grace."

After saying this, he kowtowed.

The emperor called out.

"Please stand up, my dear minister. I know that this little money is just a drop in the bucket for the army, but it is also a token of my appreciation to the army from the harem."

The emperor and his ministers said a few meaningless words, and the others had nothing to say, so the court was dismissed.

After the court was dismissed, Liang Jiugong, the chief eunuch around the emperor, stopped Yinzhen and said that the emperor had something to tell him.

Yinzhen followed Liang Jiugong to the imperial study, where the emperor was reviewing memorials.

Yinzhen bowed respectfully and greeted him.

"My dearest friend, I have met your Majesty. May your Majesty be blessed and safe."

"Get up, Fourth Brother. I called you here today because I want to ask your opinion on something."

Yinzhen replied respectfully.

"I don't know what the Emperor is thinking. Although I cannot share your worries, I want to try my best to comfort you."

The emperor put down the red-ink pen in his hand, closed the memorial he was marking, and looked up at Yinzhen.

"I heard recently that there are complaints in the court about my failure to reward meritorious officials. Have you heard about this?"

Yinzhen also looked at the emperor with a calm expression.

"I have never heard of this. The Emperor has already conferred him the title of First-Rank General of Fubei, and all the rest of the people have also been rewarded. I don't understand, what else needs to be done to be considered a heavy reward?"

The emperor laughed out loud after hearing what Yinzhen said.

"My son said it well. But recently there are rumors in the court that I value civil over military. Our Qing Dynasty won the world on horseback, so it is nonsense to say that I value civil over military. Two days ago, Yunhui Envoy Qi Lianchen came to the palace to ask to see me. She said that her legitimate daughter, Qi Yuebin, who danced the Colorful Skirt Breaking Formation Dance at the last Qiqiao Festival, wants to marry my fourth son. She said that she doesn't ask for a high position, as long as she can be by your side, she will be satisfied."

Yinzhen listened respectfully without saying anything.

The emperor looked at him for a while and continued.

"The Envoy of Yunhui is a fourth-rank military officer, and he is stationed in the capital. Yinzhen, if you marry his daughter, you will have two daughters of generals in your mansion. What do you think?"

Yinzhen fell to his knees and reported to the emperor.

"Reporting to the Emperor, Father, everything I have is a gift from you. I will obey you in everything!"

The emperor didn't say anything, nor did he ask Yinzhen to stand up. He just stared at him.

"I have too many sons, but your second brother is the only one I have high hopes for. He is also the only candidate I have publicly appointed as the heir. You have always respected Yinreng. Tell me the truth today. Are you sincere?"

"Of course, I am sincere in my actions! In public, you are the king and I am the subject. Whatever the king wants me to do, I will obey! In private, you are the father I want to be close to and love the most. Whatever you want me to do, I will follow the will of heaven and have no objection! I know that the crown prince is the only heir in the emperor's heart. I will do my best not to let the emperor worry!"

Yinzhen looked at the emperor firmly.

The father and son looked at each other for a long time, and then the emperor smiled and spoke.

"Stand up. I trust you. Be the prince's right-hand man and enjoy a life of glory."

Yinzhen lowered his eyes, his voice trembling slightly.

"I don't care about glory. I just want to be valued a little more by the Emperor."

The emperor sighed and suddenly felt relaxed.

"In this case, I will grant Qi Lianchen's request and give his legitimate daughter to you as your concubine. You must treat her well."

Yinzhen was silent for a moment before responding reluctantly.

"Thank you, Your Majesty, for your grace!"

When the imperial decree granting marriage reached the Qi residence, Qi Yuebin breathed a sigh of relief.

Such a happy result made it worth her while to risk her dignity to ask her father to fight for her.

Nian Shilan woke up from a nap and her eyelids twitched. She wondered if she didn’t sleep well.
Xiao Linzi had already brought Zhou Anhai to wait in the courtyard. When he heard that the concubine had gotten up, Xiao Linzi took Zhou Anhai to pay a visit to the concubine.

　The One-Gate Electric Lady is about to go online! As for what kind of grudges will happen between her and Nian Shilan in this life, wait for the next chapter to find out.
　　
　
(End of this chapter)