To Yan Shujin's surprise, not only did Han Jing return, but before Huan Jie's first birthday celebration, Prince Xuan, Princess Xuan, and others also came.
This was a huge surprise for Yan Shujin.
Huanjie loves pretty things, and she picked a velvet flower when she had her first birthday celebration.
Princess Xuan smiled and said, "Sister Huan has a good eye for choosing. A lifetime of glory and wealth, what a wonderful meaning."
Actually, no matter what Sister Huan catches, they are happy.
Moreover, during the days surrounding Huan Jie's birthday, neither Yan Shujin nor Prince Xuan mentioned anything about the southwest, as if they were both focused on enjoying family time.
However, after Huanjie's birthday, some things will be unavoidable.
In the study of the princess's residence, Yan Shujin recounted the events in the southwest to Prince Xuan in detail, and asked, "Father, do you think General Shi will cooperate with the barbarians?"
King Xuan said, "No, General Shi will only postpone the war to give him a reason to stay in the southwest, but cooperation with the barbarians is impossible."
Yan Shujin looked at King Xuan.
King Xuan explained, "General Shi's elders were merchants who were killed by foreign tribes. At that time, General Shi was young, and his family was destroyed."
Yan Shujin realized that, given General Shi's temperament, if it weren't for Emperor Yan's sake, he would have already exterminated the barbarians.
"But it's hard to say about cooperating with General Shi." King Xuan hesitated for a moment and said, "General Shi is currently walking a tightrope. He is in a dangerous situation, but he can also wait for a better price. After all, no one dares to make the first move against General Shi, for fear of pushing him to the other side."
Yan Shujin nodded. That was indeed the case. Unless they could kill General Shi and recruit his men, they would only be making enemies. However, Yan Shujin had no intention of doing such a thing. She felt that such methods were somewhat despicable.
King Xuan said, "The best way now is for us to not interfere with each other, but we can also cooperate to some extent. However, I cannot allow General Shi to hold all the military power in the southwest."
Military power was an irreconcilable conflict between the two of them. General Shi could not relinquish it, and King Xuan could not tolerate having a tiger beside his bed.
Yan Shujin asked, "What are Father's plans? What do you need me to do?"
Prince Xuan looked at Yan Shujin and asked in return, "Sister Bao, don't you have any thoughts?"
“The Southwest is my father’s fiefdom.” Yan Shujin smiled and said, “It’s not appropriate for me to interfere too much.”
Yan Qiyu was also in the study. He glanced at Yan Shujin with surprise. After all, it seemed as if they weren't family, which made him feel very strange.
Yan Shujin noticed Yan Qiyu's confusion and explained, "Brother Gui, you must remember that even close brothers need to keep clear accounts. There are some things that absolutely cannot be confused. It may not matter in the short term, but in the long run, it will damage the relationship. For example, it's best not to involve money or power between close brothers. We can give our lives for each other, but there are some things that we absolutely cannot ask for, understand?"
Seeing Yan Shujin's serious expression, Yan Qiyu carefully wrote down her words and said, "Sister, I understand."
Yan Shujin said seriously, "Because I care, some things need to be clearly defined in advance. If he holds a grudge against you because of this, you don't need to take him to heart anymore."
Yan Qiyu said, "I remember."
While Yan Shujin and her brother were talking, Prince Xuan and Princess Xuan sat quietly to the side without interrupting. After Yan Shujin finished speaking, Princess Xuan said, "Brother Gui, remember your sister's words carefully. It's always better to say things in advance than afterward. For example, in cooperation, the division of benefits should be put first. Do you want to discuss things after the deal is done?"
Yan Qiyu seemed to understand, but he remembered it firmly and would act in accordance with his mother's and sister's words.
King Xuan then said, “In fact, if General Shi is waiting for the best price, I can also wait for the best price. Whether to suppress him according to the court’s wishes or to coexist peacefully with him depends on his attitude. If we leave the choice entirely to General Shi, then we will be too passive.”
Yan Shujin shared the same view, which ultimately meant that the imperial court, Prince Xuan, and General Shi were all mutually restraining each other.
King Xuan suddenly said, "There's one more thing, Sister Bao, you should be prepared."
Yan Shujin looked at King Xuan.
King Xuan said, "Your Majesty is not feeling well."
Yan Shujin stared wide-eyed at Prince Xuan, hesitated for a moment, and asked, "Father, are you referring to the matter of offspring?"
"It's not just that." Prince Xuan was unaware of this matter either; it was only when he was talking with the Empress Dowager that she told him: "It's His Majesty's health that's in trouble."
Yan Shujin gasped. If that were the case, then the reforms were being rushed. Could it be because His Majesty was unwell...?
Princess Xuan's expression changed, and she asked directly, "Husband, is this information accurate?"
This concerns the future of their entire family.
King Xuan paused for a moment and then said, "It was my mother who told me this, and I haven't had a chance to verify it."
Yan Shujin was at a loss for words for a moment.
Author's Note: Besides the Empress's story, whose other side stories would you like to see? Thank you to all the little angels who voted for me or gave me nutrient solution!
Thank you to the little angel who watered the [nutrient solution]:
Yin Yi 94 bottles; Tragic Meow 30 bottles; Mo Shang Chen 20 bottles; Shi Er 10 bottles; Qian Liu Li 8 bottles; Ruo Ji Ruo Li 5 bottles; Qin Xiao Hua 2 bottles; bo、Dream Back to Sofia 1 bottle;
Thank you so much for your support! I will continue to work hard!
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
