The Duke of Zhenguo came back at midnight last night. Wan Jinlan was sleeping soundly at that time. They met at breakfast today. After breakfast, the Duke of Zhenguo went into the palace and came back just before the birthday banquet.
As a birthday banquet was in full swing, the arrival of Concubine Wan, who was in high favor and had her hair tied up, added a bit of joy to the old master's birthday banquet.
It was extremely difficult for a concubine to return to her parents' home. Even if she did, it would usually be at night.
When everyone saw that Concubine Wan had actually received the imperial decree to return to the mansion today, they all sighed in their hearts that Concubine Wan's favor was well-deserved.
Even when Duke Cheng'en celebrated his birthday, Queen Wang was unable to return to the palace.
"Your Majesty has granted me the permission to return home to celebrate my father's birthday. I am deeply grateful."
After some polite remarks, Concubine Wan said some auspicious words, drank a glass of wine with everyone, and then left the reception hall with the old lady, whose eyes were filled with tears.
The guests could understand that it was not easy for the imperial concubine to return to her parents' home, so it was only natural for her to seize the time to reunite with her family.
In the old lady's Jinchun Hall, tears were flashing in the eyes of Concubine Wan and the old lady, mother and daughter.
Since Concubine Wan entered the palace, she had hardly ever been able to snuggle up to her mother like this. Even after she gave birth to Princess Anyang, the emperor showed mercy and allowed her mother to enter the palace, but she had never been able to be so close to her mother.
There are many rules in the palace. Even when a mother and daughter meet, the mother must bow first.
The old lady was very good at controlling her emotions, and soon she hid her tears. After wiping them with a handkerchief, no trace of them could be seen.
"Mother, my eldest brother has petitioned the emperor to return to the capital to serve. Are you aware of this?"
When Concubine Wan heard the news today, she accidentally spilled a cup of tea.
Why is her Wan family known as the number one military family in the Wei Dynasty? It is because her family has been guarding the southwest for generations. She dares to say that the Wan family knows the specific conditions of the southwest best. Even the emperor only knows the local situation from memorials.
There are 200,000 troops stationed in the southwest, but my brother just wants to give them up and go back to Beijing. What is he thinking about?
The Duke of Zhenguo came back last night. Until now, the old lady has not spoken a few words to her eldest son. She really didn't know that her eldest son was preparing to return to Beijing.
The old Duke had not returned yet, and the mother and daughter didn't know who to ask.
Fortunately, not long after, the Duke of Zhenguo and the Old Duke entered Jinchun Hall one after another.
When asked about this, the Duke of Zhenguo and the old master were very calm, and it was obvious that the old master knew about it.
"Your Majesty, there is no need to be alarmed. I will soon take over the position of Minister of War and will remain in Kyoto from now on."
The former Minister of War was imprisoned for embezzling military funds, so it was just right for him to ask to return to Beijing at this time.
Concubine Wan couldn't bear to see her elder brother being so calm. Two hundred thousand troops and a minister, who is more powerful?
My sister is not only the imperial concubine in the palace, but also Wan Shizhong's biological sister. The family prospers and suffers together, so Wan Shizhong has to make things clear.
Although he is a military general, he also has a certain sensitivity to the court structure.
The atmosphere in Jinchun Hall was solemn, and there was no atmosphere of family reunion.
The old lady waved her hand, and the maids around her retreated quietly and stood guard at the door with solemn faces.
"Your Highness, you should know that Taizu raised an army in the southwest and conquered the world. Throughout the previous dynasties and history, those who raised an army in the southwest were always long-term threats and had strong military forces."
"My Wan family has been guarding the southwest since the time of our great ancestor, and we are loyal and devoted, but it has been too long."
"The fact that His Majesty sent Military Supervisor Jiang Shan to the southwest speaks volumes."
What Wan Shizhong didn't say was that Jiang Shan went to the southwest and, as a military supervisor, wanted to get involved in everything. Not only did he interfere in military affairs, he also secretly investigated things in his house. It was hard for him not to suspect that Jiang Shan wanted to find something to hold against him.
Jiang Shan was sent by the emperor, so his position naturally represents the emperor. Since the emperor has doubts about him, he might as well give up his military power and return to Beijing.
Concubine Wan still felt uncomfortable. The reason why she was the most favored concubine in the harem for many years was not just because of her beauty.
The identity of the legitimate daughter of the Duke of Zhenguo is something that even the queen can achieve.
Having been inferior to Queen Wang for so many years, she felt both aggrieved and happy. The happy thing was that although Queen Wang was the queen, she could not do anything to her.
All this was due to the 200,000 troops in the southwest.
Seeing his daughter's expression, the old man asked gently, "Qin'er, why are you so restless? Is there something bothering you?"
Concubine Wan's maiden name was Wan Qin'er. Although the old master did not call her Concubine, he was concerned about her in the name of her father.
Concubine Wan sighed and said, "Father, I have been in the palace for many years, and my good life is all thanks to my family. I have been at odds with the Empress and Concubine Shu for a long time."
Queen Wang was the next empress and gave birth to the second prince, Prince An, while Concubine Chen gave birth to the eldest prince, Prince Shun.
She had no children and only gave birth to Princess Anyang. She used to have a good relationship with Concubine Chen Shufei, and had no other conflicts with the Queen except for competing for favor. But since the third prince Xiao Minghuan was registered under her name, the situation in the palace changed.
The old lady didn't say anything. She just sat there with her eyes narrowed, listening to the conversation.
The young man Wan Jinlan sat obediently and upright next to his mother, without making any noise.
She felt that as a junior, she was quite out of place in Jinchun Hall, but she really wanted to listen to their conversations.
How could the old master and the Duke of Zhenguo not know Concubine Wan's situation?
They also understood that the layout of the palace was intentional by the emperor.
The imperial concubine originally only had one daughter, Princess Anyang. No matter what happened in the future, she could safely be a grand imperial concubine.
But after the third prince was registered under the name of the imperial concubine, everything changed.
The imperial concubine, who originally didn't want to fight, now took the initiative to join the battlefield.
The old Duke could only praise in his heart that the emperor was an expert in manipulating the court affairs.
Thinking of the fate of the late queen's family, the old duke became alert, so he discussed with his son to abandon the southwest and return to the capital.
The Duke of Zhenguo guards the southwest and has made great contributions. Even if the emperor wishes to give up his military power, he cannot do nothing.
Even if they don't plan on it, the emperor has to give them some real power for the sake of his reputation, so that both the emperor and his subjects can be happy.
From then on, the Duke of Zhenguo's Mansion was no longer feared by the emperor.
Only when both parties are at ease can the Duke of Zhenguo's Mansion continue to prosper.
Concubine Wan held the old lady's hand and said hesitantly, "Father, I was planning to make Jin Lan the Duke of Duan's principal wife. What do you think...?"
Why did she tie her natal family to the Third Prince's chariot? But she also wanted to fight for it.
If she doesn't fight, no matter whether the eldest prince or the second prince comes to the throne in the future, she will not end up well.
It was a great shame for Wan Qin'er to be a concubine of the emperor when he was still a prince. In the future, she must take the initiative in her own hands.
The Third Prince came from a poor family and had no one to rely on except her and the Duke's Mansion.
If Jin Lan became Princess Duan, she would treat her better.
Therefore, Concubine Wan did not think there was anything wrong with her plan.
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