Chapter 73 Nian Gengyao Returns to Beijing

"My lady, is there anything bothering you?"

Xin Chang was a quick-witted person. The moment she entered the palace and saw Nian Shilan, she noticed a hint of worry between her eyebrows.

"I just thought that my brother would be returning to Beijing soon, and I missed my family."

Nian Shilan was not too surprised that Xin Changzai could sense the worries in her heart. She was a very smart person. If she didn't even have this ability to judge people, it would be impossible for her to survive until now after fighting with the queen for so many years.

"Yes, since entering the palace, seeing my family has become a rare luxury."

Xin Changzai understood what Nian Shilan said very well. She had been in the palace for so long that she seemed to have almost forgotten when she last saw her family.

"However, your majesty's brother is General Nian. After he returns to the capital, you two will definitely have many opportunities to meet each other."

Xin Changzai comforted Nian Shilan for a few words, and then the topic was diverted by Shuhe's cheerful laughter in the room.

In fact, Nian Shilan's worries were not unreasonable. After the news of Nian Gengyao's victorious return spread in the court, people kept telling the emperor in the morning court that Nian Gengyao had pacified the northwest and had made great military achievements, and asked the emperor to reward Nian Gengyao.

At this time, Nian Gengyao was already the General of Fuyuan, and his power had reached the pinnacle among officials. If he was rewarded again, would it mean that the country was being given to him?

The emperor sat on the dragon throne and listened to the discussions of the court officials below. He did not make a decision, but calmly reached out and stroked the dragon throne under him. The look in his eyes gradually became extremely deep.

There were different opinions in the court about how to reward the Nian family. Some felt that the military morale should not be discouraged, while others believed that it was the duty of an official. The voices of these arguments soon reached the harem.

One day, when Nian Shilan came to Suiyuxuan to visit Zhen Huan again, she told Zhen Huan about her concerns.

"In fact, no matter how prominent the Nian family is in the eyes of outsiders, this is also like a knife stabbing into the Nian family. When the water is too full, it will overflow. The Nian family is actually on the edge of a cliff."

Listening to Nian Shilan's words, Zhen Huan did not say anything. She was well aware of Nian Shilan's concerns.

No matter how powerful a minister is, he cannot be above the royal family. The Nian family does have great military achievements, but it is precisely these tremendous military achievements that will arouse the royal family's fear.

"Sister Wan, what suggestions do you have?"

Nian Shilan had a rough idea in her mind, but she also wanted to hear Zhen Huan's opinion. She must have had some outstanding qualities to be the final winner in her previous life.

"Your Highness, these words shouldn't come from my mouth, but after entering the palace for so long, Your Highness has treated me like a sister. Zhen Huan knows this very well, and naturally doesn't want to see Your Highness worried."

Zhen Huan thought about it and decided to express her thoughts.

"Although I don't understand much about court affairs, I do understand one thing: the emperor's majesty cannot tolerate the slightest provocation. Please allow me to speak the truth. Don't blame me, sister. The current emperor is inherently suspicious, and the Nian family has had the general's military achievements for so many years, which should have aroused the fear of many ministers. And this time, claiming to be requesting credit for the general is only deepening the royal family's suspicion of the Nian family. In fact, judging from the current situation, I have to say something unpleasant. It depends on whether the Nian family can make up their minds and voluntarily hand over military power. This is the best way to eliminate the emperor's suspicion."

After Zhen Huan said these words, there was no other sound in the room for a long time. Nian Shilan looked at Zhen Huan with a look full of disbelief, and then relief.

Yes, this is Zhen Huan, so it’s not surprising that she has such insights.

It is only because I have lived one more life that I can have the determination I have now. If it were in the past, I would definitely doubt Zhen Huan's intentions.

"Sister Wan, I was right. Your way of looking at things is always refreshing. Yes, I have also considered the method you mentioned. Given the current situation of the Nian family, only if my brother voluntarily surrenders his military power will the emperor lower his guard against the Nian family."

In her previous life, because she had always been flattered by Cao Qinmo and others, and was favored by the emperor, she had never thought about these issues carefully, and she would never have thought that the emperor would have the idea of ​​taking action against their Nian family. Therefore, she never said anything to persuade Nian Gengyao, which indirectly led to Nian Gengyao becoming more and more arrogant after returning to Beijing.

"Also, with General Nian's return to the capital, there will definitely be many eyes watching him. I think it would be best for General Nian to return to the capital in a low-key manner and not to show off. This will also avoid giving those censors an opportunity to criticize him."

Nian Shilan felt that what Zhen Huan said made a lot of sense. She didn't even have time to return to Yikun Palace. She asked Huanbi to bring her paper and pen in Suiyuxuan and wrote a letter immediately. She asked Songzhi to find someone to send the letter out quickly and hand it to Nian Gengyao personally.

In her previous life, when Nian Gengyao returned to the court, officials lined the streets and knelt to welcome him. She didn't think there was anything wrong with it at the time. Now, thinking about it, they were really too arrogant. As ministers, how could they place themselves above the royal family in this way? How could this not lead to suppression from the royal family?

Nian Gengyao was very puzzled after receiving the letter from Nian Shilan. He knew every word on the letter, but why couldn't he understand it when they were put together?

His Nian family had made great military achievements and was a hero to the world today, so why did they have to be so low-key and even refuse to accept the proper welcome?

However, although he was a little confused about the concerns in Nian Shilan's letter, as a brother who doted on his sister very much, he would never refuse any request made by Nian Shilan, so he finally did it.

When he was about to lead his army to Kyoto, he took the lead and rode into the capital alone to avoid being greeted by the crowd.

"Huh? Where's General Nian?"

This led to the situation that after the army entered the city gate, some officials who came to greet them voluntarily were very surprised when they did not see Nian Gengyao.

"General Nian has already entered the palace to meet the emperor in advance. He has instructed his subordinates to thank you all for welcoming him. However, he said that today's victory is due to the emperor's grace and protection. You must not treat him in this way."

Nian Gengyao's subordinates told everyone present his words as he had instructed before, which made the people present feel deeply moved.

What happened at the city gate soon reached the emperor's ears. Looking at Nian Gengyao kneeling in front of him, a hint of satisfaction flashed in the emperor's eyes.

"My dear, please get up quickly. You must have had a hard journey."