That night, when Zhen Cai walked out of Yiku Palace, her whole state had changed.
Jingxi, who was originally beside her, disappeared, and was replaced by Jingwen, the palace maid newly awarded to Concubine Hua.
In the following days, Zhen Cai went to Yiku Palace every day to pay her respects and serve, and was very diligent.
Such news soon reached the Empress Dowager's Shouning Palace.
Nanny Xin frowned with some worry.
"Empress Dowager, Jingxi has been sent to work at the Xinzheku. It's said that this was ordered by the Emperor himself, and there's no turning back.
But what is strange is that I personally went to ask Jingxi, and she said that she was sent to the Xinzheku because she accidentally broke a teacup while serving the emperor.
This matter is obviously strange."
“It’s definitely a bit strange, but with things having progressed to this point, it doesn’t really matter whether it’s strange or not.
The military's affairs are the most important."
The Queen Mother twisted the Buddhist beads in her hand, her face calm, but her eyes were filled with darkness and ruthlessness.
"Has there been any news from Seventeen?"
"Yes, the prince sent a letter saying that the military has almost completed its preparations and is waiting for General Nian to return to the capital so that they can start immediately. The deployment is meticulous and foolproof."
Nanny Xin immediately conveyed today's information to the Queen Mother.
The Queen Mother nodded, a satisfied smile on her face.
"Well, that's good. Although Seventeen is young, he is thoughtful and thoughtful, and his literary and military talents are actually top-notch. When the late emperor was alive, he often praised Seventeen for being the most like him and the one who inherited his true teachings.
But... I still can't figure it out. The late emperor clearly loved the Seventeenth, but why did the final decree mention the Fourth?"
"The late emperor has passed away. I don't understand what his intentions were. I just guess that maybe the late emperor felt that the Seventeenth Master was too young at the time.
Once he ascended the throne, he could not control the ministers, nor could he gain the approval of those princes, so he chose the current emperor.
And, Queen Dowager, whether you choose the Fourth Master or the Seventeenth Master, they are both your sons, and you are the Empress Dowager. This alone is enough to show that the late Emperor had a deep affection for you and guaranteed you protection no matter what."
Nanny Xin answered seriously.
These words touched the heart of the empress dowager. She pursed her lips, her face flushed, and a hint of nostalgia flashed in her eyes.
"The late emperor was indeed very fond of me. He used the fourth son to consolidate my position. Later, when I gave birth to the seventeenth son, he was overjoyed and issued a general amnesty, which was enough to show his fondness for me.
It is because of his favor that I have been able to enjoy such wealth and glory in this life, and the Wu Ya family has been able to rise to prominence.
Even when he finally left, he never forgot to pave the way for me, so that I could spend my old age in peace. I will always remember his kindness in my heart."
“Yes, the Queen Mother is destined to have a noble fate, destined to take all the good things in the world into her pocket.
Not only did the late emperor love and favor the Empress Dowager, but even Lord Min Yu was devoted to her. Over the years, Lord Min Yu has done a lot for you, the Empress Dowager. You are the winner in life."
Nanny Xin continued to compliment.
The shyness in the Queen Mother's eyes became even more intense, but the pride was even stronger. She smiled and nodded.
"Yes, I suddenly understand why the late emperor gave the throne to the fourth son. He was worried that Seventeen was too young and might not be able to convince the people after he sat on the throne. But he was also unwilling to hand the throne to a child born to someone else, so he let the fourth son take it.
In this way, I have always been the rightful empress dowager.
When Seventeen becomes powerful, he can pull down Fourth Brother at any time and let Seventeen take his place. This is called keeping the benefits within the family.
The late emperor truly had good intentions for me."
"Yes, that's what I thought before. I felt that the late emperor must have had a special reason for making such an arrangement. Now I think that the late emperor must have thought the same as the empress dowager."
Nanny Xin immediately echoed the words and smiled brightly along with the empress dowager.
Then he glanced outside and cautiously looked towards the empress dowager who was still kneeling on the mat.
"Oh, Queen Mother, Lord Minyu is looking forward to seeing you, but he didn't dare to disturb you when he heard you were in the small Buddhist temple. He has been waiting outside for quite a while now. Would Your Majesty summon him now?"
"How long has he been here?"
When the Queen Mother heard this, a hint of surprise appeared on her face, and her eyes were filled with even more shyness.
Nanny Xin said with a smile.
"Lord Minyu has always been the most patient with the Queen Mother. He has been waiting outside for nearly half an hour without a single complaint."
"Well, it's this gentleness and kindness of his that really wins my heart. Okay, take him to the bedroom and let him wait for me there while I go take a bath."
The Queen Mother looked delighted and nodded in agreement.
Nanny Xin agreed softly and went to make the arrangements.
That night, most of the palace maids in Shouning Palace had left. The deep palace gardens hid the unbridled singing and suggestive calls from the Empress Dowager's bedroom in the inner courtyard.
Min Yu, who is over fifty years old, is shirtless and holding a girl with long black hair in his arms. His big hands keep stroking her back and he sighs softly.
"Your Majesty is naturally beautiful, with an everlasting beauty. I am blessed by Heaven to have the great fortune to serve you.
Such a blessing is worth even sacrificing Min Yu's life for."
"Then leave your life to me."
The Queen Mother raised her head in his arms. Although she was already middle-aged, the good complexion of her face had not diminished at all. Instead, her unique temperament made her look even more attractive.
At this moment, her clothes were disheveled, her hair was spread out, and there was not a single pearl hairpin adorning her head. She looked weak and frail.
Only those eyes were shining and still clear.
After saying this, she narrowed her eyes slightly, and her voice became a little nasal, with a hint of coquettishness.
"Didn't I tell you before that when no one is around, I'm still your Su'er, and you're still my big brother. Why do you always forget?"
"Yes, my Lord... Big Brother has neglected you, Su'er. Big Brother will always love you."
Min Yu almost called out the wrong name again, so he quickly changed his words and hugged the empress dowager even tighter.
"These years, with Su'er around, big brother has been really happy."
"Su'er too. By the way, big brother, Seventeen has something very important to do soon, you have to help him well and not make any mistakes."
The Queen Mother quickly brought the topic to the point.
"Are things going smoothly at the military headquarters?"
"Don't worry, Su'er, big brother is watching over these matters, so nothing will go wrong.
But there is one thing you must pay attention to.”
When it came to business, Min Yu's expression became more serious and he spoke softly.
Seeing his serious expression, the Queen Mother was a little surprised and also became serious, waiting for Min Yu to speak.
But Min Yu frowned and whispered.
"I heard that there's a woman named Zhen from Suiyuxuan who has a close relationship with the prince. How do you plan to deal with this person?"
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