A gentle breeze enters the strings.
As night deepened outside the window, the room was filled with the fragrance of agarwood.
Zhao Zhi continued to bury himself in dealing with the mountain of memorials to the throne.
It wasn't until Qin Han whispered a reminder, "Your Highness, it's time to eat," that she slowly raised her head, wearily rubbed her eyes, and massaged her aching shoulders, saying, "Alright, has my brother eaten? I'll go find him and we'll eat together."
Mentioning Cui Shenghe, Qin Han sighed almost inaudibly, "His Majesty just took the medicine and is probably still asleep. Your Highness still has so many memorials to review, so let's not wait for His Majesty."
Zhao Zhi nodded, "Alright, serve the meal. I'll just eat here."
The meal was served quickly, and the table was filled with exquisite dishes, but Zhao Zhi's attention did not seem to be on these delicacies.
She picked up her chopsticks, absentmindedly picked at a few bites, her mind still on the unfinished memorials.
Seeing this, Qin Han gently advised, "Your Highness, your health is of utmost importance. These memorials are indeed important, but if you ruin your health, how can you share the burden of the country?"
Zhao Zhi smiled slightly, but her eyes held a hint of helplessness. "Eunuch Qin, you and I both know that matters of state are of paramount importance and cannot be delayed for even a moment. My brother's condition is still unclear, and the affairs of the court are numerous. How can I slack off at this time?"
Upon hearing this, Qin Han felt a pang of sadness, but he also understood Zhao Zhi's predicament.
He stood silently to the side, adding some hot tea for Zhao Zhi, and said softly, "Your Highness, if you do not take care of your health, how will you be able to shoulder the responsibility of this country in the future?"
Zhao Zhi put down her chopsticks, took a deep breath, and said with a firm gaze, "You're right, Eunuch Qin. I can't fall, I must persevere. But you must also promise me that if one day I really can't hold on any longer, you must help me and not let this empire fall into the hands of others."
Upon hearing this, Qin Han was startled. He knelt on one knee and solemnly replied, "Your Highness, rest assured, this old servant is willing to stake my life on it and will certainly not fail your trust."
Zhao Zhi nodded, a hint of relief flashing in her eyes. She picked up her chopsticks again, this time eating with even greater focus, as if each bite was a way to gather strength for the empire she had to protect.
As night deepened, the gentle breeze outside the window continued to caress the room, and the fragrance of agarwood lingered in the air. Zhao Zhi's figure appeared exceptionally resolute in the candlelight.
She knew that the road ahead was long, but she also knew that as long as she didn't give up, nothing could stop her from moving forward.
It wasn't until 9 PM that Zhao Zhi finished processing all the memorials. She was so exhausted that she couldn't even lift her right arm.
Yeah, right now, I wish someone could give her a back massage and a shoulder rub.
Being a regent princess is so tiring!
Fortunately, during the reign of Emperor Daxuan, her elder brother, Emperor Zhao Yi, personally taught her how to revise memorials in the Imperial Study, so she was quite adept at handling government affairs. Even so, there were simply too many memorials!
However, these memorials were filled with trivial matters, such as which farmer in which county lost his pig, or which village had a piece of land seized by someone. The vast majority of them praised her achievements.
She was so embarrassed by the flattery that she couldn't bear to look at it anymore.
No, no! There should have been one more step in the process before the memorial reached her. Those trivial matters shouldn't have been reported to the Imperial Study at all.
Zhao Zhi was in a complete mess. What kind of disaster had that traitor Yun Shu left her and her brother with? Didn't her brother later promote a bunch of officials? What were they doing, just sitting around doing nothing?!
"Eunuch Qin, has the Emperor awakened?"
Qin Han shook his head.
Zhao Zhi originally planned to ask her brother about two things: Yun Zhang's matter and the fact that she needed to choose someone to review memorials with her. To avoid gossip, this person should ideally be a woman.
Yes, Zhu San Niang!
Zhao Zhi slammed her hand on the table. "Eunuch Qin, please invite Zhu San Niang over."
Zhu Sanniang, who was already waiting outside the Imperial Study, quickly entered with small, quick steps. Upon seeing Zhao Zhi, she greeted him, "This servant greets Your Highness."
Zhao Zhi gestured for Qin Han to step back, then patted the round stool made of begonia wood beside him.
Seeing this, Zhu Sanniang gave a slight curtsy, then gracefully walked to Zhao Zhi's side and sat down, her eyes full of concern: "Your Highness, are you tired? Would you like me to massage your shoulders?"
Zhao Zhi smiled slightly and looked at Zhu San Niang with gratitude. This thoughtful gesture warmed her heart.
"No need, Third Sister, you've come at the perfect time. I have some things I'd like to discuss with you."
Upon hearing this, Zhu Sanniang's expression immediately turned serious. She knew that Zhao Zhi must have something important to say to her at this moment. "Your Highness, please speak. This servant is all ears."
Zhao Zhi sighed softly, gently pushing the memorial in her hand aside. She gazed intently at the dark night sky outside the window and said slowly, "I've only recently assumed regency, and I haven't yet figured out the temperaments of the civil and military officials. Dealing with these useless memorials takes up too much of my time. I simply can't spare any time for anything else. So," she lowered her voice, "I know you are my sister-in-law, Qin Sheng, and you must have reviewed memorials with my brother. These things shouldn't be difficult for you."
Upon hearing this, Zhu Sanniang's heart skipped a beat. She immediately straightened her back and said nervously, "This matter..."
“This matter is of utmost importance, and I know you may have concerns.” Zhao Zhi interrupted Zhu San Niang, her gaze falling on her gently yet firmly. “But between us, there is no need for further words. My elder brother is seriously ill, and as a princess, I have an inescapable responsibility to shoulder this burden. However, I know that my strength is limited by my own abilities, and I need the help of others to better govern this country.”
Upon hearing this, Zhu San Niang's eyes reddened slightly. She gently bit her lip, as if she were making some important decision.
After a moment, she nodded firmly, her voice soft yet resolute: "Your Highness, please rest assured. Although I am a woman, I have been taught by my father since childhood that every citizen has a responsibility for the rise and fall of the nation. If Your Highness trusts me, I am willing to share your burdens, review memorials together, and handle state affairs."
Upon hearing this, Zhao Zhi smiled with relief. She reached out and grasped Zhu San Niang's hand, saying gratefully, "San Niang, with you by my side, I feel much more confident. From now on, we will be each other's right and left arms in the court, working together to protect this land."
The two looked at each other and smiled, as if all their fatigue and hardship had vanished in that moment.
Zhao Zhi stood up, stretched her arms, and breathed a long sigh of relief.
Yun Luo, Yun Zhang, hehe, neither of them can cause trouble under her nose!
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