The woman gave a bitter smile and continued, "When I came up with this idea, I struggled with it countless times, especially when those dirty and ugly men took their pleasure on me. I was terrified, but no matter how scared or disgusted I was, I had to grit my teeth and persevere."
Zhen'er was very sad. If she had arrived six months earlier, she might have been able to save the woman's life with the help of the system. But she had only just arrived, and while she was willing, she was powerless to help.
"You don't need to pretend to be sad for me. You're just like them, all crocodile tears and feigned compassion." Looking at the tears in Zhen'er's eyes, the woman's expression turned mocking.
Then she coughed violently again, and a mouthful of blood sprayed uncontrollably into the air.
Zhen'er knew that explaining was useless, so she echoed, "You're right, I am the same kind of person as them."
"Yes, since you know everything, then kill me!" The woman could no longer endure the pain and began to curl up.
"Very well, I'll grant your wish!"
He then instructed Xiao Anzi to stab the woman in the chest with a knife.
The woman stopped breathing instantly, and the pain on her face gradually faded, revealing a smile of no regret.
Actually, it's not fair to blame Zhen'er for being heartless; rather, she couldn't bear to let the woman continue to suffer. Since she was going to die anyway, she figured it was better to end the torment sooner.
"Burn it!"
To prevent others from getting infected, this was the only thing Zhen'er could do.
However, to outsiders, Zhen'er seemed to despise this person, otherwise why would she have her bones crushed and her ashes scattered?
Xiao Anzi immediately did as instructed, and soon set the woman ablaze, leaving only ashes on the ground.
"Your Majesty, it's already midnight. Shall we return?" Seeing the drowsiness flashing in Zhen'er's eyes, Xiao Anzi boldly stepped forward and asked.
Zhen'er rubbed her temples and said wearily, "I am tired. I have to attend the morning court tomorrow, so I need to get some rest."
“Yes…” Xiao Anzi accepted the order and led Zhen’er away.
Emperor Tongzhi acted as if he were playing around, leaving all matters of state to be handled by the two empress dowagers, the East and West.
This is recorded in history, and it was also the head palace maid who arranged Zhen'er's schedule for the next day.
...
the next day.
Inside Kunning Palace, Zhen'er sat upright on the right side of the dragon throne, her gaze indifferently fixed on the kneeling ministers below.
The person sitting in the middle is Emperor Tongzhi, and the person sitting on his left is Empress Dowager Cixi.
Even at eighteen, he still acted like a child who hadn't been weaned. Looking at Tongzhi's pale and thin face, Zhen'er revealed a mocking smile.
It should be noted that Ying Zheng was already able to defeat the allied forces of the five states of Han, Wei, Zhao, Wei, and Chu when he was only eighteen years old.
Leaving aside this great emperor of all time, just consider his ancestor Yinzhen, who at the age of eighteen had already read extensively and participated in the struggle for the throne among the nine princes.
The more Zhen'er thought about these things, the less she liked Tongzhi.
"Speak if you have something to say, otherwise the court is adjourned," Tongzhi said softly, glancing cautiously at the Empress Dowagers on either side of him.
"Your subject Zeng Guofan has something to report."
Upon hearing that it was Zeng Guofan, Zhen'er's eyes immediately lit up. He was a famous minister of the late Qing Dynasty, along with Zuo Zongtang, Zhang Zhidong, and Li Hongzhang. These four were the four famous ministers of the Tongzhi Restoration.
They're said to be four great ministers, but Li Hongzhang...
"Speak freely, Lord Zeng," Tongzhi said weakly.
Zeng Guofan stood magnanimously in the center, clasped his hands in a gesture of respect, and said, “Your Majesty, I would like to request that Your Majesty order some funds to allow our students to study abroad, introduce new technologies and ideas, so that our Great Qing Dynasty can become even more prosperous and powerful.”
After he finished speaking, only a few ministers agreed, including Zuo Zongtang and Zhang Zhidong.
It's no wonder it perished; there were far too few capable ministers, and most were just opportunists.
At this moment, Zhen'er realized that it was mostly Han Chinese who were serving the country, while the Manchu bannermen were like dead men, not uttering a sound.
"Empress Mother, what do you... say?" Tongzhi asked, observing the expressions of both sides like a cat or dog.
Zhen'er naturally agreed, but Empress Dowager Cixi spoke first, "What does the Emperor think?"
Just as Tongzhi was about to say that what you all mean is what I mean, Cixi immediately gave him a look, and then suddenly realized what she meant and said to Zeng Guofan, "I'm afraid this won't work."
"Why?" Zeng Guofan asked, a puzzled look on his face.
Emperor Tongzhi glanced at Empress Dowager Cixi and, mustering his courage, said, “To show my filial piety, I plan to hold a grand celebration for Mother’s birthday this year. However, the national treasury is empty, and I am afraid I will not be able to provide any more silver.”
"Damn it!" Zhen'er couldn't help but stand up and swear. Then, seeing everyone staring at her, she calmed down a bit.
She recalled the happiest moment of her life, tried her best to calm her anger, took a deep breath and said, "The Emperor is truly filial. There are still four months until your mother's birthday, why prepare so early?"
"This..." Tongzhi looked troubled and glanced at Cixi in a panic.
Empress Dowager Cixi was puzzled by Zhen'er's sudden outburst, so she stood up and said, "His Majesty is filial and wants to give me an unforgettable birthday."
"Heh..." Zhen'er chuckled, "Does my sister think this is your last birthday, so she's rushing to prepare in advance?"
These words were a curse upon Empress Dowager Cixi.
How could Empress Dowager Cixi not understand? She gritted her teeth and said, "Sister, why do you have to be so rude?"
"There are even harsher things I haven't said yet," Zhen'er thought to herself.
Then she forced a smile and said, "Is it unpleasant? But I'm just stating the facts! It's not like I'm seventy years old. It's just a birthday. Why make such a big deal out of it? Do you think you have a terminal illness and this is the only birthday you have left? If so, I will definitely not stop you."
"You!" Empress Dowager Cixi trembled with rage, wishing she could tear Zhen'er to pieces.
Emperor Tongzhi glanced at Empress Dowager Cixi, then at Zhen'er, utterly bewildered. What was going on? They had always been of one mind; why were they disagreeing today?
Ignoring Empress Dowager Cixi's anger, Zhen'er turned to Zeng Guofan with a righteous expression and said, "Lord Zeng, I approve your suggestion."
Zeng Guofan was taken aback at first, then quickly knelt on the ground and said, "Thank you for your grace, Empress Dowager."
He was somewhat surprised that Zhen'er would suddenly side with him. He had thought this matter would be difficult and had spent several days thinking about it before coming up with a solution. Now it seemed that there was no need to send her into the fray.
"Get up!" Zhen'er said, raising her chin. As long as Empress Dowager Cixi was unhappy, she would be happy.
“Yes!” Zeng Guofan stood up and looked at Zhen’er with admiration.
"Then... what should we do about Mother's birthday?" Tongzhi asked again.
Zhen'er rolled her eyes at him. "Will I die if I don't celebrate my birthday?"
"Uh..." Tongzhi was somewhat at a loss.
Upon hearing this, Empress Dowager Cixi became even more furious and stormed off.
As she watched Empress Dowager Cixi's departing figure, Zhen'er's lips curled up slightly.
The clever Zuo Zongtang, Zhang Zhidong and others took this opportunity to express their thoughts, and Zhen'er, seeing that they made sense, agreed to them all.
These are all policies that benefit the country and its people; how could she possibly disagree?
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