Chapter 74 The Emperor's Test of Nian Shilan

"General Nian has made remarkable contributions in pacifying the northwest. I have been struggling to decide how to reward the Nian family. I wonder if General Nian has anything he particularly enjoys?"

The emperor helped Nian Gengyao up and then sat on the throne. Although his face looked troubled as to how to reward him, there was a hint of temptation in his eyes.

After hearing the emperor's positive words about the Nian family, Nian Gengyao was about to ask for a title for Nian Fu as planned. However, when the words were on the tip of his tongue, he suddenly remembered his sister's repeated warnings and changed his mind instantly.

"Thank you for your grace, Your Majesty. However, as subjects of the Nian family, it is our duty to help the Emperor resolve his problems. How can we seek rewards? However..."

Hearing the turn in Nian Gengyao's words, a hint of coldness flashed in the emperor's eyes. Could it be that he couldn't help it after all?

"However, I have a humble request. Many of the soldiers returning to the capital with me have not seen their families for a long time. On behalf of all the generals, I would like to ask the emperor for a favor, allowing them to take a day off and return home to reunite with their families."

This was also what Nian Gengyao had thought of when he looked at his subordinates who had followed him for many years before entering the city gate, but now it was just right to use it to deal with the emperor's temptation.

The emperor did not expect that Nian Gengyao had just such a request. He seemed to want to confirm it. He stared at Nian Gengyao's face for a long time, and then laughed a few times.

"Okay, okay, you are worthy of being my young general. I agree, but one day of rest is definitely not enough. So, everyone will have three days off. In addition, I will reward each of them with some gold, silver, and silk. Although it cannot be compared with their merits, it is also a small token of my appreciation. It will allow them to buy some suitable gifts for their families. Later, I will reward them according to their merits."

The emperor was very satisfied with Nian Gengyao's attitude when he returned to Beijing this time. He had already thought that even if Nian Gengyao relied on his military achievements to seek some grace for the Nian family, he would definitely agree in order to lower their vigilance. However, he did not expect that things did not happen as he thought.

He knew very well that Hua Fei and Nian Gengyao had been communicating with each other all the time, which to a certain extent meant collusion between the former dynasty and the harem. This was definitely a huge threat to him, the supreme emperor.

In fact, the emperor's doubts were not groundless. Nian Gengyao's ambition and arrogance had indeed not existed overnight, and Concubine Hua's status and influence in the harem had gradually deepened. If it were not for Zhen Huan's reminder, the Nian family might have completely made the emperor want to kill Nian Gengyao after his high-profile entry into Beijing.

In the following time, the emperor and Nian Gengyao carefully inquired about the specific situation in the northwest, but he never mentioned any reward for the Nian family.

"I know the general must be exhausted from the journey. So, please return to your residence to recuperate and then come to the palace to meet Se-ran later. Se-ran hasn't seen the general for quite some time. She will be delighted to know that he has returned victorious."

"I thank the Emperor."

The emperor sat there in deep thought for a long time as he watched Nian Gengyao leave.

"Su Peisheng, please go to Yikun Palace."

"yes."

When the palace servants in Yikun Palace heard that the emperor had arrived, they hurried into the house to report to Nian Shilan.

He finally came. Just like in her previous life, after learning that her brother had returned victoriously, the emperor came to Yiku Palace specifically to test her. But at that time, she did not understand these principles and thought that the emperor really wanted to reward the Nian family. She still remembered that she was very happy at that time, and was even more proud when the emperor suggested that he might make her the imperial concubine. Little did she know that these were just a test he carefully planned for the Nian family.

"My beloved, have you heard that your brother has returned victorious from the battle in the northwest?"

Sure enough, it was the same words, but this time Nian Shilan was different after all.

She looked at the emperor, her eyes full of surprise at having just learned about this matter.

"Really? Brother is back? Then when can he enter the capital? Can I see brother? I haven't seen brother for a long time."

The emperor's words were actually a test to see if Concubine Hua understood the current situation in the court as he had guessed. However, he did not expect that Concubine Hua's reaction was beyond the emperor's expectations.

Upon seeing this, the emperor felt less suspicious and wary of Concubine Hua and the Nian family.

"What kind of reward do you think I should give your brother?"

The emperor continued to ask tentatively.

Nian Shilan rolled her eyes silently in her heart, wondering when this would ever end.

But she didn't show it on her face, and a hint of doubt flashed across her face at the right moment: "Your Majesty, I find your words somewhat inappropriate. No matter when the war is fought, it is inseparable from the cooperation of thousands of generals. How can such achievements belong to my brother? Even if there is a reward, it should be given to those soldiers who shed blood and sacrificed their lives on the battlefield. They are the true heroes of the Qing Dynasty."

"But it was your brother's good command of the army that ultimately led to victory."

"Your Majesty, these are what my brother should do. The Nian family's current glory is a gift from your Majesty, and my brother must be aware of this in his heart."

After listening to Nian Shilan's words, the emperor did not continue to speak, but the look he gave Nian Shilan seemed to become somewhat unfathomable.

Nian Shilan was very clear about the emperor's gaze on her. He was judging whether what she said was true or false.

Faced with the emperor's majestic gaze, Nian Shilan was still a little flustered, but she kept telling herself that she must hold on and never reveal a single flaw in front of the emperor, otherwise the Nian family would be like in the previous life.

"I'll think about it carefully. Shilan and Shuhe have been getting along well recently. Don't tire yourself out."

After waiting for a while, the emperor didn't seem to continue on this topic, which made Nian Shilan secretly feel relieved.

"Thank you for your concern, Your Majesty. Shuhe is a very well-behaved child. I like her very much. But she happened to be sleeping right now. The next time Your Majesty comes here, I will definitely call her to see Your Majesty. She often talks about missing her father."

"Oh, then I must accompany her."

The emperor came to Yikun Palace this time to test Nian Shilan's attitude, so he did not stay here for long.

"I'll go check on Concubine Wan again. She's getting worse. I wonder if she's feeling unwell these past few days."

"By the way, I asked your brother to go back home and recuperate first, and have him come to the palace to see you later. I think you must miss your family after not seeing them for a long time."

This is indeed the happiest thing for Nian Shilan now.

"I thank the Emperor."

By the time the emperor completely left Yikun Palace, Nian Shilan could no longer sit still.

"Quick, Songzhi, help me wash up properly, my brother will be here soon."

Seeing Nian Shilan's excitement, Songzhi hurried forward. She knew very well how much Nian Shilan missed her brother.