“Since Your Majesty is so anxiously waiting, why don’t I take you to the palace?” In the main hall of the Qin family’s inner quarters, Zhang Zisheng said gently to the elegant and dignified woman in front of her.
The woman was none other than Qin Ze's mother, the current Empress Dowager Lin Wan.
Although she had become the Empress Dowager, Lin Wan was no different from before. At this moment, she was not wearing brocade robes or jeweled hairpins, but simply dressed in plain clothes with her hair in a simple bun.
Zhang Zisheng was dressed similarly, except for her hairstyle.
"No rush. Let him finish his work. Even though he's now the king, he should still go back to his residence when he's done." The woman said calmly and unhurriedly, her gentle and beautiful face serene.
"The Empress Dowager is right, but His Majesty might be on his way back to the palace right now." Zhang Zisheng picked a plump, red plum from the fruit plate on the table, and then smiled as she looked at it:
"Everyone says that plums symbolize good fortune and celebration, and I think that's really true. This year, the plums on the plum tree in my backyard are all very red, glossy and of excellent quality."
"Now that His Majesty has finally brought peace to the land after several battles with the enemy, and has returned to the capital safely today, it seems to prove this point." As she spoke, she handed the plum to Lin Wan.
Lin Wan, who was worried about her son, had not eaten lunch today. Although it was dinner time, she wanted to wait for her son to come back before serving her food. At this moment, she was already feeling hungry. When Zhang Zisheng handed her plums, Lin Wan immediately took them, but not to satisfy her hunger, but because of the words "auspicious and festive".
Having been away from her son for almost a year, fighting in the north and south, how could a mother not worry every day? How could unifying the world and becoming the supreme emperor compare to the word "peace"?
For Yu Linwan, her son's safety is the greatest blessing and joy.
"You're so good with words," she said with a smile, then took a bite of the juicy plum. The flesh went into her mouth, and after a few chews, the sweet and sour juice filled her mouth.
Zhang Zisheng pursed her lips and said with a smile, "This year's plums are not only of excellent appearance, but also taste great."
"The first taste is slightly sour, but the following eight parts sweetness linger on the tongue for a long time. It is the combination of sourness and sweetness that makes it so delicious. Is this the taste you're looking for, Your Majesty?"
Lin Wan swallowed the fruit and said with a smile, "This is the taste."
After saying this, she suddenly realized that her family had suffered a great upheaval in the past two years. Her husband had fought all his life and devoted himself to the country, but he was persecuted by the Jin family and died a violent death. After that, they put their family under house arrest and then demoted them to Beiliang, trying to kill the whole family there. Fortunately, her son led an uprising and turned the tide. Now he has overthrown the Jin family and become the ruler of the world.
Isn't this a classic case of sour first, then sweet? Thinking of this, Lin Wan felt the sweetness on her tongue grow even stronger.
Zhang Zisheng then said, "In the past, when the plums came out at home, if I thought they were delicious, I would send them over. In some years, they weren't very sweet, but rather sour. I don't know why, so I stopped sending them over."
"This year, not only are there more fruits, but they also taste better. I think it's probably because of the abundant rainfall this year."
"Nanjing had a few thunderstorms at the beginning of the year, which is a good start. I wonder how things are in Beiliang?"
The plums weren't very big, and Lin Wan ate them in a few bites. Hearing her question, she replied:
“In previous years, there was not much rain in Beiliang, and many places were dry and cracked, but during the time I stayed this year, there was plenty of rain.”
At this point, Lin Wan suddenly sighed, "When we went there, it was truly a poor and desolate place. Now it's much better. Many people have gone to the Beiku Grassland to graze their livestock. There are more jobs available for people there, and there should be fewer people who are hungry."
Zhang Zisheng nodded and said, "Yes, this result is all thanks to His Majesty's campaign with his soldiers. Northern Liang should be in a much better position from now on."
"To be honest, I've never been to Beiliang. A while ago, I was thinking about when I could find the time to go there, to see the local customs and culture, and to see how the people of Beiliang are doing now."
Upon hearing this, Lin Wan immediately said, "You're very thoughtful."
“I lived in Shifeng City of Beiliang for more than half a year. Before I went there, everyone said that the poor mountains and bad waters produced unruly people. In fact, if it weren’t for the Jin family’s harsh policies and heavy taxes, how could these people have gathered together to become bandits?”
"If you ever go to Beiliang, go and see Shifeng City. There are no bandits there, and the people are kind and honest. They are not far off from being completely honest and simple."
Zhang Zisheng softly replied, "Yes, Your Majesty."
After saying this, Lin Wan felt increasingly close to Zhang Zisheng, and then she took Zhang Zisheng's hand and said with a smile:
"In the blink of an eye, you've grown up so much, and you've become more and more beautiful. You dress simply, unlike those vulgar girls who dress up in fancy clothes all day long."
Zhang Zisheng blushed slightly and said, "Your Majesty flatters me. I am but an ordinary person. Adding makeup would be of no use to me, so I might as well not bother with it and waste my time."
Hearing this, Lin Wan thought to herself that this girl was humble and pragmatic, so she smiled and continued:
“I don’t usually like to wear makeup, but I think you look great.”
Upon hearing this, Zhang Zisheng simply pursed her lips and lowered her head in response.
"Girl, are you at the age of blossoming youth?" Lin Wan suddenly asked.
“Yes, Your Majesty.” Zhang Zisheng raised her head.
Lin Wan looked at her slightly flushed face, hesitated for a moment, and then smiled and asked, "Why are you still unmarried? Is it because you don't have someone you like?"
Upon hearing this, Zhang Zisheng lowered her head again, but remained silent.
Lin Wansui laughed and said, "You've been well-read since you were little, so you're quite talented. You must have high standards and wouldn't look down on most people."
"Your Majesty is too kind. Zisheng is of limited talent and learning, how could I possibly look down on others? It's just that I am of a quiet nature and lack outstanding appearance, that's why..."
Before she could finish speaking, Lin Wan shook her head and said, "Girl, you're not just dull-tempered, I think you're gentle and kind. It's no exaggeration to say that you're beautiful inside and out."
Zhang Zisheng's cheeks flushed red, and she fell silent again.
Lin Wan was increasingly pleased with his appearance. She changed the subject and asked, "Did you see my son when he went to Jinling during the New Year?"
"I saw him," Zhang Zisheng said softly.
"How is he now?" Lin Wan asked again.
"Your Majesty is handsome and wise..." Zhang Zisheng hadn't finished speaking when Lin Wan interrupted him with a smile: "There's no need to say such things. I know what kind of kid he is."
Hearing Lin Wan say this, Zhang Zisheng chuckled and said, "You've become a bit stronger, and you've grown some short stubble on your chin, making you look more masculine than before."
"You're so unkempt, aren't you?" Lin Wan teased with a smile.
"Um...no, there's no time to do that in the army," Zhang Zisheng defended him.
Lin Wan smiled and nodded: "I was just saying, it's certainly a good thing to be stronger."
"Yes, Your Majesty, His Majesty has become much stronger; he can no longer wear his old clothes."
"Oh? How did you know?"
“I sewed a garment for His Majesty,” Zhang Zisheng said casually, her expression unchanged.
"I see." Lin Wan nodded slightly, then said gently, "You're so thoughtful."
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