Chapter 22: The Draft? Completed.
"Master, should we report this to the Grand Chamberlain?" On the way back, Xiao Li helped him up and asked softly.
Gan Cao stopped in her tracks: "You're right."
Although the situation has calmed down, with so many palace ladies present, the fight could not possibly be kept secret.
Although he was afraid that trivial matters would bother the Queen, he certainly wouldn't think that way from the Queen's perspective.
Fortunately, this matter didn't escalate, and the Empress should not impose a severe punishment.
“Xiao Li, go to Changning Palace and report this matter to the Grand Chamberlain…” Gan Cao paused and considered for a moment, “No, let’s tell the two maids first and remind them to go to Changning Palace to apologize.”
Although he is not afraid of attracting hatred, he does not want to make mortal enemies unless necessary.
He'd already given them this much advice; if they still didn't get it, he wouldn't care anymore.
Oguri immediately accepted the order and became even more diligent in his work.
Like Mao Gen, he also came from the Imperial Household Department. Naturally, he also had the opportunity to place bets in advance, but he didn't, because as a captured talent, once he recognized a master, his fate was tied to his master, and he had to be cautious.
For the past few months, he had been observing several palace attendants. Originally, Palace Attendant Gan was only outstanding in appearance and demeanor. Coming from the laundry department, his knowledge and temperament were quite ordinary. Such a person probably wouldn't go far.
But everything changed after he was punished by His Majesty with a cane that time.
He saw a pearl whose brilliance was understated, a pearl that, though not yet fully revealed, already had the foundation for long-lasting prosperity.
Therefore, he used all his savings to appear before his master when the master was selecting palace maids.
If... there were another imperial heir, then the situation would truly be secure.
Xiao Li suppressed his thoughts and focused on the task at hand: his master clearly did not want to completely antagonize the two maids, so he had to be careful with his words.
Another hour passed before Xiao Li returned to Cuiyuxuan.
"The master has saved a meal for you, and it's being kept warm on the stove," Mao Gen said with a smile as soon as he saw him at the door.
He had only nodding acquaintances with Oguri before, but through these two days of contact, he realized that Oguri was a well-informed, flexible, and resourceful person, which was exactly the kind of person his master needed.
Xiao Li felt a warmth in her heart, and her previously sore feet felt much lighter: "Thank you, Brother Maogen. I will report to my master and then come to have dinner with you."
Listening to their conversation, Gan Cao couldn't help but smile: "How did things go?"
"Both of the palace maids went to Changqiu Palace to apologize. The Empress was magnanimous and only ordered that they be punished with half a month's salary." After saying the most important thing, Xiao Li went on to describe in detail the reactions of the two palace maids when he went to remind them, the attitude of the Grand Chamberlain, the attitude of the Empress and the servants of Changning Palace...
After listening, Gan Cao had a more comprehensive understanding of the whole matter and a deeper understanding of Oguri, the palace servant. "You've worked hard. Let's go eat first."
After Xiao Li left, he picked up the book "Male Virtue" on the table and studied it carefully.
After reflecting on the incident, he also noticed the changes in himself and realized that reading was indeed a wise thing to do.
The more he read, the more he felt that "Male Virtue" was a truly good book. It not only taught men how to win the love and respect of their wives, but also how men should act and speak. Through simple examples, it explained the philosophy of life in a profound and easy-to-understand way. For someone as knowledgeable as him, it was like finding a treasure.
He squeezed his wrist again; the swelling had subsided and there was no soreness. Although it wasn't yet the time the imperial physician had mentioned, could he start writing now?
Recalling the feeling of His Majesty holding his hand as he wrote, he felt a warmth rise in his heart.
He was definitely cured. He didn't summon the imperial physician; he made the diagnosis himself and then excitedly took out his brush and ink to start practicing.
As I ground the ink, my turbulent emotions gradually calmed down.
His hand still seemed to retain the warmth of His Majesty's touch. Recalling the feeling at that time, he slightly lifted his wrist, and the brush moved accordingly.
I seemed to have found my footing, but the ink on the paper was uneven, making the writing even uglier than before.
He had anticipated this, and he wasn't discouraged; he simply calmed down and continued practicing.
This practice session was more physically demanding than ever before, requiring more effort not only from the wrists and knuckles, but also from the waist, spine, shoulders, and elbows.
He was like a toddler learning to walk, trying to tame the brush in his hands from scratch.
Fortunately, he has the time and patience.
...
Time continues to move forward at its own pace, neither too fast nor too slow.
For Gan Cao, whose days were packed with activities, three days was not a long time, but for the palace servants of Changning Palace, who felt like each day was an eternity, it was a great relief.
"Congratulations, Your Majesty, your body has been restored and you are ready to bear the imperial heir at any time." After taking her pulse, the head of the Imperial Hospital finally smiled and stood up to give a deep bow.
With tears in her eyes, the Queen smiled, patting her lower abdomen. Momo immediately announced loudly, "Rewards! Everyone will be richly rewarded!"
The entire Changning Palace was filled with joy, and voices of congratulations and thanks were heard everywhere.
In fact, Shen Mingyue's lower abdomen was still a little uncomfortable, and her strength seemed to have diminished, but compared to the joyous news that she was about to give birth to the imperial heir, these were insignificant.
"Quickly, go and report this good news to His Majesty," Shen Mingyue said to the Grand Chamberlain.
He can have children now; His Majesty's cousin must be very happy.
The Grand Chamberlain hurried to the Zichen Palace, only to be told that His Majesty had already gone to the martial arts arena.
Should he wait here for His Majesty, or go to the training ground to report the good news? Without much hesitation, he chose the latter.
In the training ground.
The chief eunuch stood respectfully, his gaze never leaving his master, and he was not worried at all, even though the sparring partners had used all their strength.
Sure enough, after another quarter of an hour, the sparring partners were successively smashed to the ground.
After Si Ze finished his round of practice, he felt much more relaxed and was about to do another round when he saw his chief eunuch walking over.
"What is it?" She took the handkerchief handed to her by the palace maid and wiped her hands. Her mood was unusually relaxed, and her voice became a little lighter.
The head steward bowed and reported, "It is the Empress Dowager's Grand Chamberlain."
Today is only the fourth day, and needless to say, she knows what happened. Her originally relaxed mood has completely vanished.
"...Prepare the carriage for Changning Palace," she said, tossing down her handkerchief.
She used to love going to her cousin's Changning Palace, where she could completely relax.
But now, upon hearing this "good news," she subconsciously wondered about her cousin's purpose: was he hoping to gain the emperor's favor as soon as possible and conceive a royal heir?
She rubbed her temples, suppressing her bad thoughts. She believed that even if her cousin couldn't shake off his male instincts, he was still sincere towards her.
When the imperial carriage arrived at Changning Palace, Si Ze had already composed himself, and a perfectly measured smile appeared on his lips.
After all, her cousin had just suffered for three days, and she wanted to cheer him up.
Shen Mingyue didn't notice anything wrong. During the three days of pain, he had endured it by thinking of his cousin's smile. Now, seeing His Majesty, his cousin's eyes immediately reddened.
Seeing his haggard appearance, Si Ze's heart softened immediately: "You've suffered these past few days."
"As long as I think about continuing His Majesty's bloodline, I don't feel bitter." He was pulled into his cousin's arms, his eyebrows relaxed, and his lips were filled with sweetness.
That night, Si Ze treated her cousin like a glass doll, not intending to go any further. Little did she know that the Queen, who had been deprived of her for three days, was going crazy with longing for her. Her modified body was becoming increasingly unbearable, and her movements and sounds became more entangled.
Since he himself doesn't cherish his body, then she doesn't need to pity him either; the king hardened his heart.
...
For more than ten days in a row, the emperor visited Changning Palace every day, and the originally docile male officials of the Six Departments began to fawn over the eunuchs of Changning Palace.
If this is the case in the inner palace, it is even more so in the imperial court. Even if the Shen family wanted to keep a low profile, they couldn't.
Therefore, when the Court of Imperial Clan Affairs proposed the selection of officials, the Shen family also submitted a memorial in support.
This time, Si Ze chose to remain silent rather than reject the proposal again.
Encouraged by this, the ministers' requests for a talent selection grew stronger, but the king did not agree.
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