"Your Highness, let me help you with your washing and grooming," Chen Xi said with a smile as she entered the room.
“Okay.” Nian Yuyao turned around and walked to the bronze mirror, while Chen Xi carefully combed her long hair with a wooden comb.
"Your Majesty, you are truly beautiful," Chen Xi exclaimed as she looked Nian Yuyao up and down.
"You little rascal, you're getting sweeter and sweeter with your words," Nian Yuyao said with a smile.
"Look at how radiant Her Majesty's face is; she's in an excellent mood today." Seeing Nian Yuyao's happiness, Chen Xi was also delighted.
How could Nian Yuyao not be happy? Changing the fate of the Nian family meant she had completed half of her mission.
"Truly, when people are happy, they are full of energy. Even you could tell." Nian Yuyao lightly punched Chen Xi, beaming with joy.
Just then, footsteps could be heard outside.
Upon hearing the sound, Nian Yuyao looked in the direction of Jun Si.
Just as she thought Jun Si had come to feed Fu Pei, she heard her whisper a reminder, "Your Majesty, General Nian has arrived."
"It's my brother!" Nian Yuyao was overjoyed. He immediately changed his clothes and asked Jun Si and Chen Xi to take care of Fu Pei, while he went to the main hall to greet him.
Before long, Nian Gengyao appeared in full military uniform, looking majestic and imposing. Upon seeing Nian Yuyao, he immediately bowed and greeted her, saying, "Your subject pays respects to Your Majesty."
"No need for formalities, brother, please rise!" Nian Yuyao stepped forward to help Nian Gengyao up and let him sit in the seat closest to him.
"Thank you, sister." Nian Gengyao sat down with a simple and honest smile on his face.
Nian Yuyao carefully observed Nian Gengyao's complexion and noticed that it was somewhat darker. However, his facial features were well-defined, and his eyes were bright and piercing; it was clear at a glance that he was a handsome man.
That's true, they are siblings from the same parents, so how bad could they be in appearance?
"Brother, what brings you here today...?"
Just as Nian Yuyao was about to ask him if he had come to say goodbye, he interrupted her, saying, "Today I recommended Nian Fu to the Emperor, how come the Emperor only gave him a minor fifth-rank official position? Haven't I done enough?"
He frowned, not understanding why Yinzhen would do this. He knew that Yinzhen was going to launch an attack on the Dzungar Khanate the next day, and this only made him feel disheartened.
Upon hearing that it was about this matter, Nian Yuyao smiled and said, "Brother, you've misunderstood. You've done more than enough. This was my intention."
"Why?" Nian Gengyao wasn't angry, but rather puzzled.
"Brother, have you ever heard the saying 'a tall tree catches the wind'?" Nian Yuyao asked slowly.
“I have heard of it, but what does this have to do with Nian Fu?” Nian Gengyao asked, spreading out his broad palms.
“We are Han Chinese, and we are already considered inferior here. We are grateful that the Emperor does not look down on us and still allows the Nian family to hold official positions. Especially you, brother, have the highest honor. Out of jealousy, it is not hard to guess that many ministers in the court regard our Nian family as a thorn in their side. They will magnify any small mistake our Nian family makes.” Nian Yuyao said helplessly.
But Nian Gengyao didn't care. "What's there to be afraid of? I don't even look at those idiots who only know how to impeach."
“They can’t beat you, but what about Nianfu? He’s only twenty years old, hasn’t experienced the hardships of life, and is inexperienced. Do you think he can handle it? If he’s really put in a high position, what if he’s tricked by someone with ulterior motives and delays important national affairs? Even if the emperor wants to spare him, he’ll be powerless to do so.”
Nian Yuyao sighed and said, "He is my brother's son and my nephew. How could I not help him? Only by letting him experience things slowly and climb up step by step on his own will he understand how difficult it is and be less likely to give in to others."
After Nian Yuyao finished speaking, Nian Gengyao smiled and said, "You've thought things through. Nian Fu wanted me to tell you to talk to the Emperor about getting a more powerful official position, but now it seems there's no need for that at all."
Seeing that Nian Gengyao was willing to listen, she was very happy. She was afraid that she would encounter some people who did not understand the big picture and would quarrel with her over this matter.
However, her worries were unnecessary. Nian Gengyao was a great general. Although he was honest and simple, he was by no means a fool, and neither were his sons.
In fact, Nian Fu did not dislike the low rank of his official position, but rather felt that it did not allow him to fully utilize his talents. He wanted to serve the court like Nian Gengyao and prove the saying "like father, like son".
Nian Yuyao nodded in satisfaction, "Besides, without my brother by his side, Nian Fu would be more likely to fall into other people's traps. This insignificant position can help him. No matter what mistakes he makes, the Emperor will not blame him."
“Alright, I will tell Nian Fu about your good intentions, and he will understand.” Nian Gengyao clasped his hands together, full of satisfaction.
"And..." Nian Yuyao had originally intended to tell Nian Gengyao about making him the commander of the Imperial Guard in the future, but then thought it was inappropriate and decided to wait for him to return so that the original owner could tell him!
"Is there anything else, sister?" Nian Gengyao asked, seeing her hesitant expression.
“It’s nothing.” Nian Yuyao shook her head: “I just wanted to remind my brother not to be too proud, to keep a low profile, and to always respect the Emperor. We must not follow in the footsteps of Bai Qi and Han Xin.”
After hesitating for a long time, Nian Gengyao finally nodded: "I understand, sister, don't worry. I will be careful and will never do anything that is detrimental to the Emperor and the people."
Nian Yuyao nodded in satisfaction.
When Nian Gengyao left, it was nearly noon.
Nian Yuyao squinted at the scorching sunlight outside, "The Nian family's affairs have been settled. Now I need to have a proper meeting with Consort Li."
Thinking of this, the corners of her lips turned up slightly.
At this moment, Jun Si also came over. She curtsied and said, "Your Highness, this servant should go to the Li residence."
"Okay." Nian Yuyao nodded, then instructed, "Remember, be careful no matter what. If you encounter danger, do not fight head-on. Your life is the most important thing, the mission is secondary."
Upon hearing this, Jun Si was moved and her eyes filled with tears.
Afterwards, Jun Si took the waist token of the previous year Yu Yao and left the palace, heading to the Li residence.
Shortly after Jun Si left, a series of ghostly wails and howls reached Nian Yuyao's ears.
"Let me in."
Immediately afterward, a palace maid rushed in from the doorway in a panic: "Your Majesty, Cuizhu is acting like a madwoman. She's trying to force her way in, and she's even threatening to die at the gate of Yikun Palace if she's not allowed to enter. She says Your Majesty is forcing her to die."
Upon hearing the maid's words, Nian Yuyao frowned slightly.
Although I had expected this to happen, hearing it with my own ears still made me feel disgusted.
Nian Yuyao waved her hand impatiently and said, "Let her in, lest she wake up Fu Pei."
"Yes." The palace maid respectfully withdrew.
Nian Yuyao watched the palace maid's departing figure, a cold smile appearing on her lips: "Cuizhu, Cuizhu, I gave you a chance, but you didn't know how to cherish it and still wanted to help the wicked. Then don't blame me for being ruthless."
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