An Qingyun knew that Qi Yong disapproved of her, but she didn't care.
So what if he can't stand it? Unless he kills himself, he would never choose to abdicate at this time.
He wasn't giving up a position, but an opportunity to be remembered for eternity. He understood this better than anyone, and was even more unwilling to relinquish it.
"Since childhood, I have studied poetry and books diligently, all for the sake of serving the court one day and devoting myself to the people of the world. Even if I die, I will have no regrets."
"Oh……"
Qi Yong felt that Grand Secretary An's skin was getting thicker and thicker.
Before, even the shameless would at least know to cover themselves with a cloth, but now...
“Say less,” Jiang Nuan pressed her temples. “Discuss matters of the court in the court. Don’t bring all that nonsense here. If there is a next time, don’t come here again. Let this place have some peace and quiet.”
"This cabinet is in the wrong."
"It's my fault."
The voices rang out in unison. Grand Secretary An and Qi Yong exchanged a glance, snorted coldly, and turned their faces away at the same time.
"You two are indeed worthy of being colleagues for decades, and you have a great understanding," Old Madam Jiang said with a smile, trying to smooth things over. "His Majesty is still in the back hall. You two can chat slowly. I will take the people to see His Majesty first."
After saying that, Grandma Jiang left with her people.
"Mother," Jiang Nuan frowned as they walked away, "Is Elder An's situation so difficult?"
Even if Qi Yong didn't get along with him normally, he wouldn't dare to embarrass him in public like this, showing no regard for their feelings at all.
“Indeed,” the two old women sighed. “His son has been transferred to Yizhou, and his close relatives have also been demoted or exiled. Apart from holding the position of Grand Secretary, he has no say in the court anymore. It’s pitiful.”
The old lady felt a sense of shared sorrow, like a rabbit mourning the death of a fox.
She felt that An Qingyun had flaws and selfishness, but he wasn't really that bad or evil.
In just three short years, An Qingyun went from a glorious main pavilion to a deserted place. Such a drop in status is something that ordinary people cannot bear.
She really didn't understand what the point of continuing as a Grand Secretary was at this point; it would be better to simply go home and retire comfortably.
“It’s not a matter of being pitiful or not,” Jiang Nuan sighed. “Grand Secretary An is loyal to the Great Zhou, not the current emperor. He can still accept it if someone else sits on the throne, but what the current emperor wants is someone loyal to him.”
Jiang Nuan understood this point during the great battle three years ago, but unfortunately, Elder An never saw it clearly.
No, perhaps he doesn't not understand, but rather he's unwilling.
Ji Xuan's current actions can be described as having great talent and ambition, but they also pose significant hidden dangers. If any aspect goes wrong, the entire Great Zhou will collapse, making it indeed unstable.
"Sigh," Old Mrs. Jiang sighed, "People's hearts are complicated, and everyone has their own thoughts. If they really can't get along, there's nothing that can be done. Why make things difficult for yourself?"
In the past three years, Grandma Jiang has experienced many ups and downs.
The hardships she endured to go from being looked down upon to being respected are known only to herself.
Having experienced many ups and downs, I have become much more open-minded than before, and I really cannot understand An Qingyun's actions.
Jiang Nuan smiled but offered no explanation.
Everyone has their own convictions, and nothing others say will change that.
In the back hall, Ji Xuan sat in the main seat, leisurely sipping tea.
Huang Xiaosan, who was accompanying him, seemed to be sitting on a nail, constantly fidgeting and glancing towards the door every few seconds.
The moment Jiang Nuan appeared, she immediately ran over, exclaiming, "Mom, you're finally here!"
As he spoke, he couldn't hide the excitement on his face.
"How old are you? Still so unruly," Old Madam Jiang glanced at Ji Xuan and quickly scolded, "How dare you behave so disrespectfully in front of the Emperor! Go find your grandfather and get a beating."
“Madam, there’s no need to take it to heart,” Ji Xuan said upon hearing this. “Huang Lin and Madam Jiang haven’t seen each other for many days, so it’s only natural for him to act impulsively.”
Seeing Jiang Nuan again after three years, Ji Xuan had mixed feelings, but she concealed them well, and the smile on her face was very genuine.
"Since His Majesty says so, we'll let you off this time. If there's a next time, we'll settle all the old and new scores together."
Seeing this, Jiang Nuan's feelings were quite complicated.
The old lady has been thoroughly honed; she won't leave anyone with even the slightest weakness.
He straightened his sleeves, gave a polite bow, and said, "Greetings, Your Majesty."
"No need for such formalities, Lady Protector."
After Ji Xuan finished speaking, she deliberately gave up the main seat and sat down at the lower end herself.
Jiang Nuan smiled, didn't sit in the main seat, and chose to sit in the seat opposite her.
"It has been three years since we last met, and Your Majesty's imperial might is even greater. The Great Zhou Dynasty is prosperous and its people are at peace, and its fame is widespread. Your Majesty is truly a man of great talent!"
"Thanks to the help of the Lady Protector of the Nation," Ji Xuan said happily, "the Great Zhou Dynasty owes its current prosperity to the Lady's great contributions."
"I am unworthy of such praise; it is mainly due to His Majesty's wisdom."
After three years apart, the two had become quite estranged. Although they didn't show it, a sense of unfamiliarity filled the air between them.
In Jiang Nuan's eyes, Ji Xuan had become more composed and even more unfathomable.
In Ji Xuan's view, although Jiang Nuan was as pure and clear as ever, she had an added sense of pressure that was subtle yet hard to ignore.
It's not about status, but about the person themselves; they are like a sword hidden in its sheath, concealing their sharpness but still retaining their true nature.
Thinking this, Ji Xuan's eyes flickered. "Madam Jiang, have you mastered the technique?"
The Lady Protector of the Nation possesses a secret technique, which is an open secret; otherwise, everyone around her wouldn't be so exceptionally talented and handsome.
It wasn't that no one had asked; Jiang Chao didn't hide anything and simply threw out a cultivation manual, but no one was able to practice it.
Although Jiang Chao claimed that the technique required a high level of talent and that 99% of people could not succeed, and even cited Huang Chuan as an example, Ji Xuan still harbored doubts.
"Mastery of the cultivation technique?" A hint of doubt rose in Jiang Nuan's eyes. "Why would His Majesty ask such a question?"
"It's nothing," Ji Xuan coughed lightly, "I just feel that Madam is a little different than before."
"Three years have passed, things will change a bit, that's normal."
"Indeed, I was narrow-minded."
"Your Majesty is too kind. It's just a small matter. I should thank Your Majesty for hosting a welcome dinner for me."
Jiang Nuan hadn't thought about this before she got home.
Things are different now. Ji Xuan has complete control over both the court and the inner court, so there is no need for her to lower herself to win people's hearts.
"Of course, Lady Jiang is a meritorious official of the Great Zhou Dynasty, and no amount of respect is too much. Besides, I have something to ask of you today."
"If Your Majesty has any requests, just give the order. If it can be done, I will not refuse."
As Jiang Nuan spoke, her mind raced, trying to figure out why Ji Xuan had come to her and what his intentions were.
"It is so. I already have six imperial heirs. It is a rare opportunity for my lady to come to the capital. I would like to ask you to pray for them."
When Ji Xuan said this, her smile became more sincere.
The Ji family bloodline is not abundant. Although the brothers are spared the confinement of the wall, it still makes people worry that the throne will fall into the hands of others.
Although he already had six sons, he was still uneasy, worried that the children were too young to be raised properly. This thought came to him the moment he learned that Jiang Nuan was coming to Beijing.
"So that's what it is," Jiang Nuan breathed a sigh of relief. "No problem."
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