Chapter 21: Northwest Victory
"Your Majesty, why did you think of coming to my place today? You look so happy, but what's the good news?"
As someone who has been with the emperor for many years, Nian Shilan has some understanding of the emperor's expression, not to mention that he is now showing his joy without any concealment.
"As expected, my beloved concubine understands me best. I do have something worth celebrating that I want to share with you."
Speaking of this, the emperor's expression of joy did not seem fake. He took Nian Shilan to sit at the table together, and even personally picked up some dishes for her and put them in the bowl in front of her.
Knowing that the emperor would come over tonight, Nian Shilan specifically instructed the kitchen to cook the emperor's favorite dishes, which were kept warm in the pot, and the temperature was just right.
Looking at the delicious food on the table and thinking of the good news he received today, the smile on the emperor's face deepened.
"This afternoon, I received victory news from the northwest. Your brother has put down the rebellion of Lobsang Danjin and captured all his people, livestock, and tribesmen. Don't you think this is a great cause for joy?"
Unexpectedly, Nian Shilan felt a knot in her heart after hearing this. If the emperor had not mentioned this matter, she would have forgotten what happened on New Year's Eve in her previous life. She just didn't expect that this time the good news would arrive a day earlier.
It was the Queen who brought up this topic in the first place, and she had never been on guard against the Emperor at that time. When she heard her brother being praised, she even acted very proud.
Looking back now, every little thing that happened back then was the death warrant that finally crushed the Nian family.
"General Nian is indeed amazing, my beloved, you have a great brother!"
The emperor praised her endlessly, but with every word, Nian Shilan's heart sank a little.
Only she knew how much of her defensiveness towards the Nian family was contained in this praise.
"Your Majesty, please don't embarrass me. My brother is your subject and a citizen of our dynasty. It is his duty to share your worries and protect the peace of the people. You are being too kind to him by praising him like this."
Nian Shilan knew that some words would be better spoken from her mouth rather than from someone else, causing the emperor to make wild guesses in his mind.
The emperor looked at Nian Shilan with a smile in his eyes, and his face was full of satisfaction with her words.
"Shilan has become more sensible, and her words are becoming more virtuous. However, even so, the reward she deserves should not be less. Tell me, what kind of gift do you want?"
At this time, even if Nian Shilan proposed to promote herself, the emperor would probably not refuse.
"The Emperor's love is so great that Se-ran cannot refuse. If Se-ran must ask for a reward, Se-ran would like to ask the Emperor to allow Concubine Jing to help Se-ran manage the harem."
This idea came to her mind after Shilan and Jingpin had talked about it before, and now happened to be the right opportunity to bring it up.
"The Empress is not feeling well, Concubine Shen is still studying, and Concubine Duan has been in poor health. I think Concubine Jing is the right person to help me take care of these trivial matters."
The emperor pondered for a moment, then readily nodded in agreement: "You are not without reason. Jingpin can be considered an old man in the palace. She has been steady for so many years. It is not bad to have her by your side to help you."
"Your Majesty, I have something else to ask for your permission."
"Tell me about it."
"My brother's victory this time is still due to the emperor's proper command. It is not a great achievement, not worth mentioning in front of outsiders. I implore the emperor not to praise him for this matter."
Nian Shilan's words actually touched the emperor's heart.
He was indeed very excited when he first heard the good news, but then he thought that Nian Gengyao was already the best among the military generals, and if he was rewarded again, he really didn't know how to reward him.
Now that Nian Shilan had taken the initiative to request that Nian Gengyao's achievements be reduced, he was also happy to see it happen.
"Haha, it's rare for my beloved concubine to make a request, and I agree."
The emperor was in a good mood and even ate a few more mouthfuls of food than usual.
The Yiku Palace was calm and harmonious, but the Jingren Palace was shrouded in a low pressure.
"Did the Emperor go to the Yikun Palace tonight?"
Jianqiu looked at the queen distressedly and nodded: "Your Majesty, it's getting late, go to bed."
"How is Concubine Cao?"
The queen had no desire to sleep at all. As soon as she closed her eyes, she always felt that she was surrounded by people mocking her, as if they were all laughing at her incompetence. It was surprising that the mother of a country was so unloved by the emperor.
"I went to see her this evening, and she is now bedridden and looks very weak. I heard from the palace maid that Concubine Hua also went to see her this afternoon, but after Concubine Hua left, Concubine Cao's condition has become even worse."
Jianqiu reported the news she had received truthfully.
"What a useless guy."
Yixiu slapped the edge of the bed angrily.
Fortunately, she didn't expect Cao Qinmo to cause any trouble, but she didn't expect that she would be caught by Nian Shilan so quickly. It seemed that she had caught some evidence against her.
"And what about An's promise? How is it now?"
Yixiu knew that Zhen Huan and Chen Meizhuang were now very close to Nian Shilan. In addition, Wen Yi was placed with Concubine Duan, and there were more and more people on Nian Shilan's side, which was very disadvantageous to her.
"An looked timid, but unexpectedly she is a tough character. I only gave her a few words of advice, and she quickly came over. But, Your Majesty..."
Jianqiu really disdains such people who can easily betray their friends and are not worthy of their trust.
Yixiu looked at Jianqiu's expression and knew what she meant by her unfinished words.
"I want an obedient dog. If she bites me, there's no need to keep her."
"yes."
"The palace is getting more and more lively. I heard that Fucha has been very arrogant recently. As expected, with the emperor's favor, any woman can jump up and down."
Yixiu sighed deeply, and without waiting for Jianqiu to respond, she let down the bed curtain and lay quietly inside, her thoughts already drifting away.
These days, the emperor no longer favors Shen Meizhuang alone. Now the emperor's attention is on Noble Lady Fucha.
Shen Meizhuang often contacts Nian Shilan, which makes her no longer worth winning over for Yixiu. Fucha hopes that she will be obedient.
Jianqiu's heart ached when she saw the queen like this.
He secretly swore in his heart that he would eliminate all those who hindered the Empress.
It is unreasonable that the mother of a country is always exhausted by those women who are not worthy of being in public.
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
