In Ningfu Palace, Concubine Zhen was holding the note handed in by her son, feeling very upset.
My son made a very stupid move.
If you want to make a move on Shen from the Jia family, then go ahead, but you should never send anyone to Nan'an Palace to test the waters at that time.
How could Nan'an Concubine Li be an ordinary person?
It would be fine if Shen's family is fine, but if something happens... he will be caught by the Nan'an Palace.
This kind of blood feud does not require any evidence at all. As long as there is suspicion, it is enough for the Jia family to fight to the death.
Even if the Jia family is not to be feared now, what about Jia Jing?
Concubine Zhen suspected that he would return home directly from the Taoist temple and seek revenge at all costs.
At that time, will the emperor take care of it?
Will the emperor care? I'm afraid both of them want to use this opportunity to see how many hidden tricks the Jia family has.
Concubine Zhen's heartbeat was slightly abnormal.
Her son often blamed her for not fighting for him, but how could she fight for him?
The emperor emeritus is first the emperor, and then their father.
In order to secure his throne, he was willing to give up the prince he had raised himself, so what else could he not give up? If she had dared to say even a word... No, no, if she had dared to show it on her face, both mother and son would have died together.
Even if the emperor would regret it later, would it be of any use to them? Concubine Zhen held the note and slowly brought it to the candle, watching it burn to ashes, then crushed the ashes and sprinkled them into the flower pot.
Nothing can happen to the Shen family.
Even if something happens, it can only happen in the palace.
Only in the palace would his son not be targeted by the Nan'an Palace, and Jia Jing and the Jia family... wouldn't be able to do anything.
Or maybe they could even turn against her son in anger.
Even if they don't vote for you, as long as you turn a blind eye to certain things, at the critical moment..., it can also play a role in winning.
Concubine Zhen let out a breath, turned around and went to look for the emperor.
…
On July 22, the Tatars sent troops, but not to Ningxia as everyone thought, but to Hami Wei.
The entire Hami army fought hard and suffered heavy casualties. The general was shot by an arrow and fell into a coma. Shi Ding, who was the captain of the battalion at the time, personally led 300 soldiers to attack the Tatars at night when both sides were exhausted, burned food and grass, and robbed war horses, returning with a great victory.
On July 26, when reinforcements from all parties had not yet arrived in Hami, the Tatars and the Dzungars launched another attack, but were stubbornly beaten back by Shi Ding.
In the early morning of July 28, Shi Ding attacked Tatar again at night and returned with a small victory. At this time, Xia Yu, the general of Ningxia, also officially sent troops to Tatar to seize the Hetao area in order to relieve the pressure on Hami Guard.
On the second day of August, the emperor mobilized all the troops to support the border troops.
As a doctor in the armory, Jia Lian spent almost day and night in the Ministry of War, perfectly missing the day when Cheng Luo and Yuanchun came to ask for leave.
At this time, both the emperor and the retired emperor were extremely grateful that they had taken over the Li family and then the Lu family. They had enough money and spent most of it on military equipment. Otherwise...
"You have to investigate further in Jiangnan!"
What about the top ten salt merchants in Jiangnan?
There are many people with dirty butts.
"yes!"
The emperor smiled and said, "But those people are not fools. They have almost cleared out everything they should when they dealt with the Li family. My son asked Prince Zhongshun and Zuo Xing to investigate over there for a long time, and now they have only caught a few minor ones."
That being said, he was still very satisfied.
No matter how small a mosquito is, it is still meat.
As the weather gets cooler, it would be a good idea to get an extra pair of shoes for the border troops.
What's more, it's not just shoes.
Now the thick cotton-padded jackets for the troops on the borders are on their way to distribution.
The Emperor: “…”
The old man actually knew that Prince Zhongshun and Zuo Xing had received a lot of benefits from the salt merchants in private, but most of the money was given to the emperor's son.
"Father, your birthday will be in a few days."
The emperor looked as if he was going to give a surprise, "Look..."
"Well, let's do it bigger."
My son has money, so isn't it normal to give him a bigger wedding?
"……yes!"
The emperor hesitated for only a second, then seemed to agree happily.
What should I do?
He originally thought that when fighting on the frontier, his father would keep things simple.
In the past, things were always simple.
But today, my father is not playing by the rules and wants to make a big fuss.
The emperor's brain was quick, and he said with a smile: "Father, let all the elderly people over 60 in the capital receive a new cotton-padded jacket on your birthday, so that they can feel your joy and appreciate your kindness, okay?"
Instead of being flashy, he might as well do something practical.
"Well, yes!"
This was something the emperor had not expected.
The old man couldn't help but smile, "Everything else remains the same."
As usual, a grand palace banquet was held.
His father accepted gifts, his brothers showed their filial piety, and he and the queen worked hard.
There were twenty hot dishes, twenty cold dishes, four soups, four side dishes, four fresh fruits, twenty-eight kinds of candied fruits and fruits, and twenty-nine kinds of snacks and pastries, for a total of one hundred and nine items.
Plus the wine...
He also has to be on guard against people who take the opportunity to get drunk or sick to curry favor with his loved ones.
It's done. It's what he deserves.
Can’t do it well…
Although it was not to the point of being badly organized, every time there was a palace banquet, his father would reward people whenever he was happy.
Since his father gave the reward, as his son, of course he had to follow suit.
It would have been fine if he just rewarded his ministers and some imperial edicts, but he also wanted to reward his brothers greatly.
The emperor felt that his father knew that he was rich, so he wanted to take all the money away.
Oh~ The emperor looked dejected when he went to the queen.
"Reward me if you want!"
The queen rubbed his head, "Isn't it always like this in previous years? At least we still have something today."
What bothered her was the palace banquet.
Many things happened at the palace banquet.
When there are too many people, many places cannot be monitored.
Although all parties have been relatively quiet in recent years because of the Crown Prince incident, Prince Cheng and Prince Jin almost came to blows last year, which shows that they have forgotten the pain after their wounds have healed.
"As for Prince Jin, since my father's birthday is coming, you should be magnanimous and tell my father to lift his house arrest."
“…Okay!”
What can I do if I don’t understand?
Fortunately, there are only a few days left before his three-month term expires.
The emperor sighed, "This time, send more people to watch them and prevent them from causing trouble."
"Hmm~"
The queen agreed.
When the two were discussing which brother to see, which sister-in-law was difficult to deal with, and which nephew or niece was weak and needed more attention, they had no idea that this time it was Concubine Zhen who would take action.
…
At Ningguo Mansion, Jia Zhen had already prepared gifts for the Emperor's birthday.
Shen Ning went to see it in person and found that it was an excellent Shoushan stone ornament.
This thing is actually just a formality, but everyone has to do it. However, in previous years when there were wars, the emperor would be exempted from it. Now...
Shen Ning sighed.
Some people probably become more afraid of death as they get older.
"Mother, you will probably have to go to the palace with Youshi this year."
"Well, I know what I'm talking about."
Shen Ning nodded, "You don't have to worry about me and your wife, but you..." She looked at Hao Da'er, "I still say that, drink less. Especially this year, I'm afraid there are many people who want to get something on the Jia family's hands."
"Son knows. Didn't you see that in all these years when you and dad were away, your son never made any mistakes at the palace banquet?"
Jia Zhen felt that he was still very sensible.
But his mother hasn't been to the palace or attended a palace banquet for many years.
Although it was quite normal before, it is different now! Now if you see something wrong, you dare to say anything.
If you are not careful, it would be bad if you splash wine on someone's face.
"You are with the old lady, if you see anything bad..."
"Pretending to be blind, I didn't see it."
She also uses her son to teach?
In a place like the palace, could she, a woman from outside the palace, speak casually? "If you want to teach someone a lesson, go find your wife."
Shen Ning chased people away.
She vaguely felt that something might happen at this palace banquet.
Although the emperor's throne is becoming more and more stable, precisely because of his stability, some unwilling people may still want to make a last-ditch effort.
After sending her older son away, she went to see her younger daughter.
Jia Yue played with her sisters for a long time today and fell asleep now.
Shen Ning gently touched her little hand, covered her belly, and then came out and said, "Send an invitation to Third Aunt. We won't be at home on the day of the palace banquet. Please ask her to come over to visit the family."
"yes!"
Qingping quickly agreed.
"You should also be alert. If Grandpa and Grandma and I can't come back for a while, you should follow Third Aunt and keep an eye on the door."
"……yes!"
Qingzhu and the others looked at each other and quickly responded.
As for the palace banquet, their wives haven't attended it for many years.
now……
They couldn't help but feel a little uneasy.
"Ma'am, why don't you bring some emergency supplies?"
Emergency pills, food, etc.
Anyway, I heard from the sisters who used to serve the Madam that the Madam was never well fed when she came to the palace.
"As before, get ready!"
Looking back at the original body's memories, the palace banquet was not very interesting.
Although it wouldn't be like what's shown on modern TV, with assassinations and poisonings, it's impossible for you to have a peaceful meal.
Not to mention that the concubines like to play witty remarks with each other, even when the princesses talk to the concubines outside the royal family, if you are not careful, you may fall into a trap and be tricked.
The key is that the person who buried you might have been smiling and calling you sister the moment before.
Especially this time...
Because of the issue of repaying silver, she offended almost everyone who owed silver to the national treasury.
Shen Ning sighed. If she wasn’t in such good health, she would have called it a day.
Unfortunately, that’s not possible. If she claimed to be sick, Youshi would be in trouble.
Or maybe the old lady next door was set up by someone, and Jia Lian would be the one in trouble in the end.
Although it is said that she pushed back the Concubine Nan'an neither softly nor hard, but what if there are more people than her and she can't handle it?
Shen Ning returned to her room and touched her hairpin. Suddenly she thought of something and said, "Go, have someone sharpen it for me."
Ah? Qingzhu's face turned pale, but she quickly responded, "My servant will do it."
Instead of letting others do it and having to explain things to them, it would be better for her to do it herself.
Time soon arrived at the day of the retired emperor's birthday, August 12. Shen Ning and Youshi from the Jia family rode in one car, Jia Mu and Xingshi rode in another, and Jia Min, because Lin Ruhai had been awarded the third-rank title, rode in the Lin family's car, and they all set off together.
The serving maids could not accompany them into the palace, but there were five people in the Jia family including Jia Min, so this was a different situation.
Jia Min is good at socializing. Although she has been away from Beijing for many years, many of her sisters from childhood have married well. Now that they meet again in middle age, they are still very enthusiastic towards each other.
Not to mention Lady Jia.
When she was talking to Concubine Nan'an, she was still smiling, as if they had a very close relationship.
Shi Ding had made great contributions in the Hami Wei Company, and everyone knew that after the war, his official position would be promoted several levels.
Therefore, even the wife of Baoling Hou Shi Nai could feel the unprecedented enthusiasm of everyone.
As for Wang Ziteng’s wife…
She was reserved and didn't come over here.
Although the war on the border was tense, her husband Wang Ziteng was still waiting to be appointed as an official.
Even though his leg has healed now, the Emperor remained silent and no one in the Ministry of War spoke for him. The memorials they submitted fell on deaf ears and they were helpless.
Now they just hope that their master can be remembered by someone again during the birthday celebration of the retired emperor.
Wang Ziteng's wife was helpless about this.
She has been suffering from the fickleness of human nature over the years.
But they didn't expect that suddenly, they and the Jia family would reach this point.
Obviously...
Seeing from afar that Princess Lian Jin was going to greet the Jia family, an obscure light flashed in her eyes.
In order to avoid being discovered, she went to the wives of other generals in the army.
We are all people in the scene. Even if no one wants to have anything to do with the Wang family, when they come, they always have to say a few words with a smile.
Finally, all the concubines came, the queen came, and the concubines in the harem also came.
The parties exchanged greetings and there was enthusiastic chatter everywhere.
The Queen spoke politely to the dowager concubines, imperial concubines, and ladies of various families, and even ignored her mother and sister-in-law, and was called away by the Princess of Jin.
It turned out that her clothes were wet by the palace maid who served tea. Princess Cheng made a few sarcastic remarks and the two started quarreling again.
As the queen, she appeased this one and then that one. Although she knew they were picking on her, they were her sisters-in-law, and on days like today, all she could do was put on a smile and try her best to appease them.
Shen Ning glanced away and saw Concubine Zhen talking to Grandmother Jia, "Old sister, now we are even closer."
Concubine Zhen was particularly amiable. "The other day, the retired emperor told me that Luo'er and Yuanchun's marriage is a good one. When they get married, he will personally write 'A happy marriage, a promise to live together forever'."
"…The Emperor's grace is immense!"
Grandmother Jia looked extremely surprised.
"Haha, this marriage is really thanks to Mrs. Shen."
Concubine Zhen looked at Shen Ning and said, "If it weren't for Madam Shen, our Luo'er might have missed it."
"I dare not! If the Concubine wants to thank someone, she has to thank the Queen."
Shen Ning smiled and said, "It was the Queen who acted as the matchmaker."
"Yes!" Concubine Zhen nodded, "The Emperor said that the Queen did a good job as a matchmaker, but she also has to thank you. If you hadn't wanted Yuanchun to come home, the Queen wouldn't have thought of Yuanchun as a good candidate."
As she spoke, she said, "Come here, give Madam Shen of Ningguo Mansion a box of South China Sea pearls."
"…Thank you for the reward, Toffee!"
The palace maid had already brought it, and Shen Ning could only thank her.
"Get up and talk."
Concubine Zhen smiled so much that wrinkles appeared on her face. "Come to think of it, according to your mother-in-law, you still have to call me aunt." She said to the old lady, "Old sister, don't you think so?"
"No, no! The Concubine Dowager is too kind to me."
Even Grandmother Jia felt that the concubine was too enthusiastic today.
What about Shen Ning? Both of them could not help but remain extremely alert. (End of this chapter)
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