The news of the victory in the border battle arrived at the inner palace of the imperial palace via express courier, which traveled 800 li.
In this cold winter weather, the emperor sat on his throne in the main hall and felt unusually refreshed.
Hahaha~
A deep, hearty laugh echoed throughout the entire hall.
The civil and military officials in the court all glanced around, trying to see how their colleagues would react.
Yesterday at court, the emperor was furious because the national treasury was empty, taxes were exorbitant in various regions, and the Ministry of Revenue was unable to generate revenue.
Before the court session today, all the civil and military officials were prepared to be scolded until their heads were covered in sores, but now the emperor was laughing as he read the memorials sent from the front lines.
Could it be...?
"Hahaha... Yan Qing has indeed lived up to my expectations!"
After the emperor finished speaking, he handed the memorial to the chief eunuch, saying, "Read it to my ministers."
The head eunuch received the order and took the memorial. He opened it and glanced at it briefly. His eyebrows twitched slightly, and a look of delight immediately appeared on his face.
Having served the emperor for many years, this was the first time he had truly shown joy in public.
When the chief eunuch finished reading the report of victory, the civil and military officials present could no longer contain themselves. The solemnity and quiet of the court were forgotten in that instant.
With the Minister of Revenue shouting, "His Majesty is blessed with boundless fortune! The Tatars have been defeated this time and are no match for us. The Great Jin Dynasty will surely last for a thousand generations!"
Upon hearing the Minister of Revenue's voice, the civil and military officials immediately stopped their discussions and, after realizing what he meant, echoed his words.
The civil officials were spared, and even the military generals did not mention the military achievements of the Crown Prince of Libei.
If others don't mention it, the emperor naturally has to; otherwise, it would seem like he's mistreating his nephews and nieces.
He raised his voice and said, "My esteemed ministers, the Crown Prince of Libei has won the great battle and should be rewarded accordingly. I wonder if any of you have any suggestions?"
Upon hearing this, the once bustling court abruptly fell silent, as if all the civil and military officials present had been poisoned and rendered mute.
Not a single person dared to step forward and propose rewarding those who had contributed to the cause.
A long time passed, and there was not a sound in the court. Even the princes, who were usually so conspicuous, were silent.
The emperor, of course, knew what they were thinking, and the smile on his lips vanished instantly.
He glanced at the princes and felt a lump in his throat.
Song Yanqing, the only son born to the Prince of Libei, actually has the demeanor of the late emperor!
His sons only knew how to exploit the people, amass wealth, and fill their own pockets, without caring about the lives of the people of the Great Jin Dynasty!
And there was the eldest prince who misappropriated disaster relief funds a year ago.
What a rebellious son! Let's not even talk about it!
Time passed without anyone noticing, and the courtiers' hunched backs were becoming numb.
Only then did they hear the emperor's voice: "This victory deserves a great reward, but since the army has not yet returned in triumph, let's wait until the army returns in triumph before we discuss and reward all the merits together."
Upon hearing this, all the civil and military officials present breathed a sigh of relief.
If their emperor had been any more magnanimous, he wouldn't have allowed his son, who had no official rank, to lead troops into battle.
Despite this great victory, the emperor still did not grant Song Yanqing the rank of a general, indicating that the Empress Dowager would have to close the palace gates again and avoid seeing anyone.
Just after the court session ended, the inner palace also received news of a great victory on the border.
At that time, the Empress Dowager was admiring the portrait of a beautiful woman in the painting.
These portraits of beauties are all breathtakingly beautiful, like celestial beings descended to earth.
The head maidservant by the Empress Dowager's side instructed the palace maids to unfold the portraits of beauties for the Empress Dowager to comment on.
The head maid stood to the side, serving as she described the beauties in the picture.
"Your Majesty, this lady before you is Qian Duoduo, daughter of Qian Lishe, Minister of Revenue."
Hearing of the distinguished scholar, this young girl, at such a young age, has already begun to learn business management.
Upon hearing this, the Empress Dowager revealed a hint of displeasure. "The Minister of Revenue, Qian Lishe, is a man who is obsessed with money."
If his daughter were to learn even thirty percent of his ways, wouldn't the entire palace be filled with the stench of money-grubbing?
Seeing that the Empress Dowager was displeased, the nanny quickly ordered someone to take the painting away and replace it with another portrait of a beautiful woman.
The woman in the painting had a graceful figure, but there was nothing particularly attractive about her face.
The old woman smiled and said, "This person is the granddaughter of the Marquis of Lin'an, whose name is..."
The Empress Dowager cast a glance at her, causing the old nanny to freeze in place.
Having served in the palace for many years, she was naturally quick-witted and had an excellent memory.
But she couldn't even remember the name of the Marquis of Lin'an's granddaughter.
For a moment, cold sweat broke out on her back.
After a moment, the Empress Dowager said, "Forget it. This country girl has been wandering for more than ten years and has only just been found. She is probably not presentable and is just used to make up the numbers."
After saying this, the Empress Dowager waved her hand impatiently, and the nanny breathed a sigh of relief and ordered someone to put the painting away.
Just as the nanny was about to have the palace maid unfold the next painting, she heard the Empress Dowager's slightly tired voice.
"Let's stop here for today. The child hasn't returned yet, so there's still time to look around. I will definitely help him choose a good family to marry into."
The palace maids took the painting away, and the old nanny smiled and helped the Empress Dowager to her feet, saying, "The young master is truly blessed to have you doting on him."
Hearing this, the Empress Dowager felt very comforted, but when she thought of the child, she sighed, "Now, if I don't love him, who will?"
The thought of her son, who prayed to gods and Buddhas, made her furious!
Oh dear, I can't think about it.
Just thinking about it gives me a headache.
Just then, the head maidservant hurried in from outside and bowed to the Empress Dowager.
Upon seeing them, the old woman asked, "What happened?"
The head maid bowed and said, "Reporting to the Empress Dowager, the Crown Prince of Libei has achieved a great victory at the border."
The good news arrived at the court today; by now, it should have spread throughout the inner palace.
Upon hearing that Song Yanqing had won the battle, the Empress Dowager, who had previously looked somewhat tired, instantly felt much more energetic.
Her smile revealed just how beautiful she must have been in her youth!
After exchanging a glance, the Empress Dowager and the nanny remembered something and asked, "For such a great achievement, what reward did the Emperor bestow?"
Upon hearing this, the head maid paused, cautiously raising her eyes to see the Empress Dowager's expectant gaze.
She could barely speak properly when she said, "Replying to the Empress Dowager, His Majesty said that on the day of the triumphant return, we will discuss and reward those who have contributed to the victory."
Upon hearing this, the Empress Dowager's smile vanished, and the expectant light in her eyes dimmed instantly.
After a moment, she sighed and said, "The emperor is so intolerant of people, I don't know who he took after, he has such a pig brain."
In this world today, only the Empress Dowager dares to insult the emperor in this way.
The old woman helped the Empress Dowager into the inner room and gently comforted her, "The dragon has nine sons, each different from the other."
Your Majesty has been diligent since childhood and possesses extraordinary talent; it is likely that you will soon be able to comprehend its meaning.
"Your Majesty should rest first and not overwork yourself."
"I hope so," the Empress Dowager sighed almost imperceptibly, and said to the nanny, "Close the palace gates. I need to rest quietly for the next few days, and no one is allowed to disturb me."
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