Chapter 171 Taking Power
Meng Yan knew the Empress Dowager would ask this question, so she remained calm and smiled lightly. "Empress Dowager, I was about to report today's events to you, Your Majesty. However, it happened suddenly. Last night, I received news that a eunuch in the garden had fallen ill and died suddenly. This eunuch was in charge of purchasing food for the kitchen, and I don't know how much food he handled. I have some knowledge of medicine, as you know. After hearing about the eunuch's death, I speculated that this epidemic was transmitted through food. Therefore, I reported to the Emperor and asked him to burn all the food and fodder in the garden and purchase new food from elsewhere."
Empress Dowager Jiang listened, her expression normal. She simply said, "Girl, what you said is quite right. It's just a garden of grain, all burned in one go. Isn't it a pity to see it all burned? You've been living a life of luxury since childhood, you've never suffered hardship, you don't know what it's like to go hungry, yet you deal with it so lightly. You don't know that when I followed the late emperor on his campaigns, the food supply was insufficient, and there were days when we went without food for two or three days. Since the eunuch in charge of the kitchen's purchases was in trouble, why not just destroy what the kitchen has stored these days? Why make such a fuss? If the news gets out, people outside will probably accuse you of making a mountain out of a molehill and using a big banner to deceive others!"
Seeing the Queen Mother say this, Meng Yan had no choice but to tell the truth, "Your Majesty, two more palace maids in the garden have fallen ill."
Empress Dowager Jiang was startled and asked hurriedly, "What's going on? Is there anyone else falling ill?"
Meng Yan nodded slowly. "Last night, when Imperial Physician Xiahou came to see the Emperor, he mentioned this matter to me. Therefore, I speculate that this disease has probably been spreading in the garden for some time. The eunuch who died of the disease was just the first to succumb. In the future, I'm afraid more people will fall ill one after another. I have cleared out the Li Luo Courtyard at the west end of the garden to accommodate the sick, but all the food and drink currently in the garden are unsuitable. To be on the safe side, it's better to burn them. I have seen people with similar symptoms in my early years. Once infected, the disease progressed very quickly and was almost incurable. The patient died in three to five days at most, or two to three days at least. Therefore, I think..."
Before she could finish her words, Empress Dowager Jiang spoke first, "Forget it. When your grandfather was still in the army, I saw how he dealt with the epidemic. What you are doing today is exactly the same as what he did then." At this point, she sighed softly, looked at Meng Yan, and said earnestly, "Yan'er, I am not senile. I would not want to hold you back at such a critical moment. It's just that the current situation is not good, and the court is going through a difficult time. My mother and I just squeezed those old guys to pay the money, and now you are stirring up trouble again. Those people are worried about where to bite you, and you have handed them a ready-made handle. Have you thought it through?"
Hearing that the Queen Mother had no intention of blaming her, Meng Yan felt relieved and smiled, "Your Highness, I've already considered the consequences. However, those who accomplish great things should not be too particular about trivial matters. Moreover, as long as the epidemic continues, the people will not be safe, and the Emperor will not be at ease. I am only trying to do my best. The country is in turmoil, and the people are uneasy. I cannot bear to stand by and watch, hiding away and living a leisurely life."
Having said this, she paused slightly, then continued softly, "Back then, when the Empress Dowager was negotiating for the late Emperor, she also bore countless insults. I am now merely following the Empress Dowager's example..."
Empress Dowager Jiang observed the determined look on her face, remaining silent. After a long moment, she sighed softly, then lovingly touched her hair and adjusted the peony tassels on her temples. "My dear child, since you have such ambitions and aspirations, I understand. Go ahead and do your work. I won't stop you."
Meng Yan smiled and agreed. She stood up and was about to leave when she suddenly remembered something and reminded him, "Your Majesty, I have nothing more to say. This epidemic is still going on. No more raw or cold fruits or vegetables! No more drinking unboiled water! Also, any leftovers from the previous meal must be reheated in the kitchen..."
"Okay, okay."
Empress Dowager Jiang listened to her mumbling and quickly waved her hand. "You sent someone to tell me yesterday, and you're telling me again today. I'm not an old fool yet. I still understand. Go quickly."
Meng Yan smiled, bowed, and walked out.
After Meng Yan left, Empress Dowager Jiang narrowed her eyes and looked at the pines and cypresses outside the window. They were green and vigorous, but lacked spirit and beauty. It was clearly a scenery she was used to seeing every day, but today it seemed so old-fashioned to her.
After a while, she slowly said, "Zang Xiu, am I getting old and becoming an annoying old woman?"
Zang Xiu, standing by, quickly replied with a smile, "The Empress Dowager was always energetic and strong, how could she have aged so quickly?"
Empress Dowager Jiang chuckled to herself, "I actually feel that I'm really getting old. I'm hesitant and cautious, and I don't have the fearless drive I once had. This morning, those people brought the news, and I knew they were trying to stir up trouble, hoping to use me to stop Yan'er. However, I still... I was afraid that Yan'er would be blamed for this and be talked about, so I summoned her anyway."
Zang Xiu listened for a long while before saying, "Empress Dowager, you are doing this for the Imperial Concubine's sake. It is human nature for elders to love their juniors."
Empress Dowager Jiang shook her head. "Now, it's their world. It's time for me to rest."
Meng Yan left Shou'an Academy and returned to Chunze Zhai in a sedan chair.
Ruizhu followed beside her and whispered, "Your Majesty, what the Empress Dowager said makes perfect sense to me. After doing all this, I'm afraid Concubine Liang will have something to say. Who knows how Prime Minister Liang will stir up trouble in the court. Even the common people outside may not appreciate your kindness. Why are you doing this..."
Meng Yan leaned back in her chair and said calmly, "If you want to do something, you can't be afraid of being scolded. Staying in the harem your whole life, timid, doing nothing, and living a sloppy life, wouldn't that be extremely boring!"
She had wasted her previous life in such a muddle-headed way, and she absolutely did not want to live like this in this life again.
Ruizhu whispered, "I'm stupid, but I thought that with the emperor's regard for the queen, she would eventually ascend to the throne... Why bother taking on the responsibility..."
After hearing what she said, Meng Yan smiled but said nothing.
Or as Ruizhu said, even if she did nothing, Lu Haozhi would still make her the queen sooner or later.
However, she didn't want to spend her whole life just falling in love with Lu Haozhi and having children.
Since we live this life, we must live it to its fullest meaning.
As soon as he returned to Chunze Zhai, a palace maid from Shou'an Academy came to deliver a message, saying that the Empress Dowager was tired and the Shou'an Academy was closed for recuperation. From then on, all matters would be left to Meng Yan alone.
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