One of the ministers suggested nationalizing the Sun family's assets to weaken their power. The emperor was secretly pleased and immediately ordered the policy to be implemented. The Sun family lost most of their assets and never recovered, no longer posing a threat to the emperor.
The emperor gave the empress dowager endless compensation.
The Empress Dowager's birthday banquet was a grand affair.
In addition to the concubines performing martial arts and singing, the emperor also personally sent birthday gifts.
At the Empress Dowager's birthday banquet, everyone was filled with laughter and joy, creating a lively atmosphere. The Empress Dowager accepted everyone's blessings with a smile, but her heart was filled with mixed emotions.
The birthday gift presented by the emperor was exceptionally precious; it was a pair of exquisite jade bracelets, emerald green and crystal clear.
The Empress Dowager put on the jade bracelet, overjoyed, and expressed her gratitude to the Emperor.
However, beneath this festive facade, the Empress Dowager knew the Emperor's true intentions. She understood that this birthday banquet was not merely a celebration, but also a means for the Emperor to demonstrate his authority and win over the hearts of the people.
The Empress Dowager decided to be more cautious in handling her relationship with the Emperor in the future in order to ensure the lives of the Sun family.
Jiang Chuwei also presented a congratulatory gift.
Birthday gifts are packed in brocade boxes.
When Jiang Chuwei presented it, everyone was greatly surprised.
I wonder what kind of congratulatory gift the currently popular young lady from the General's Mansion will give to the Empress Dowager?
The Empress Dowager looked at the small brocade box and wondered what was inside.
"Your Majesty, why don't you take a look at what fine gift Miss Jiang has sent?"
The Empress Dowager nodded: "Open it and take a look."
The nanny took it; inside the brocade box was a single pill.
Everyone was startled.
Presenting medicine to the Empress Dowager at her birthday banquet—was this a wish for her to remain bedridden?
The Emperor looked at Jiang Chuwei, unsure whether she was truly foolish or feigning it.
Who among the elderly doesn't hope to live to be a hundred?
She did something else; the first thing she did upon arrival was bring medicine.
That's so unlucky.
"I wonder what Miss Zhang's intention is in sending these dark pills?" the Emperor asked.
"Your Majesty, I wish you boundless happiness, longevity, and good health," Jiang Chuwei explained calmly. "This pill is called the 'Longevity Pill,' made from a secret recipe that my master painstakingly searched for. It has the effects of prolonging life and strengthening the body, and it is a birthday gift I specially present to Your Majesty."
Upon hearing this, a hint of surprise flashed in the Empress Dowager's eyes. She had not expected Jiang Chuwei to give such a precious gift.
The emperor glanced at Jiang Chuwei thoughtfully, thinking to himself that this young lady from the general's mansion was quite considerate.
The guests present started discussing it and praised Jiang Chuwei's gift.
The Empress Dowager smiled and said, "Thank you for your generous gift, Miss Jiang. I will accept your kind intentions."
"Your Majesty, this medicine can cure your headache."
The Empress Dowager was surprised.
Is this really true?
"This humble woman dares not speak presumptuously."
Jiang Chuwei had thought about this birthday gift for a long time. The Empress Dowager accepted the pills with some skepticism.
The Empress Dowager looked left and right, but couldn't see anything different.
"This medicine is so miraculous, you've put in a lot of effort."
When people get old, they want to live to be a hundred years old.
Whether giving medicine as a gift at a birthday banquet is auspicious or not depends on one's perspective, rather than on one's health.
It can also be said that Jiang Chuwei, as the Princess Consort of Yu, showed her filial piety.
"This medicine formula was developed by my master, and it can be made by adding some special medicinal materials."
"When should this medicine be taken?" the Empress Dowager asked curiously.
Her headache kept coming back and forth, and it had been going on for a long time.
"It's best to take it during the next attack; it can cure the disease completely."
The emperor was overjoyed: "It has such an effect, that's thoughtful of me."
He bestowed many treasures upon Jiang Chuwei and ordered her to be in charge of the Empress Dowager's medicinal diet.
The Emperor's move was intended to tell everyone that his relationship with the Empress Dowager was not as bad as the outside world thought.
Of all virtues, filial piety is the most important, and even emperors need a good reputation.
The birthday banquet continued, and everyone was immersed in a joyful atmosphere. Jiang Chuwei's gift became the focus of attention, and her actions also caught the emperor's attention.
Seeing this, other noble families followed suit, seeking out all sorts of rare treasures to present to the Empress Dowager, hoping to gain the Emperor's favor. A wave of ostentatious displays of wealth swept through the capital.
However, Jiang Chuwei didn't care about this. She knew all too well that serving a ruler was like serving a tiger.
She did all these things only because of Prince Yu.
She longed to escape the palace intrigues and live a peaceful life. But these were mere dreams.
Prince Yu's involvement in the struggle for the throne will inevitably draw him into conflict.
After the Empress Dowager took the medicine she sent, it indeed had a miraculous effect.
He was particularly fond of Jiang Chuwei.
This aroused the jealousy of many noble ladies.
After all, although the Empress Dowager now lives a secluded life, being favored by the Empress Dowager is still beneficial to the family.
Some people even secretly spread rumors to slander Jiang Chuwei. But Jiang Chuwei ignored them.
By chance, Jiang Chuwei encountered a down-on-his-luck scholar.
The scholar's name was Gu Yunfei. He was exceptionally talented, but his family was too poor to pursue an official career.
Gu Yunfei fell in love with Jiang Chuwei at first sight.
Unexpectedly, she attracted a romantic interest.
Later, Gu Yunfei gained the appreciation of a powerful figure because of an article he wrote, and began to show his talent.
He grew increasingly infatuated with her. However, Jiang Chuwei could barely remember what he looked like.
Because of the Sun family's influence, the Empress Dowager still fell ill.
Now she has complete faith in Jiang Chuwei's medical skills.
He frequently summoned Jiang Chuwei to attend to him when he was ill.
Chu Wei tried her best, but the Empress Dowager's illness showed no signs of improvement.
Jiang Chuwei decided to personally go to Lingquan Temple outside the city to pray for the Empress Dowager.
Here she ran into Gu Yunfei again.
This chapter is not finished, please click the next page to continue reading!
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
