Jiang Chuwei looked up as instructed, her gaze clear and neither humble nor arrogant.
Seeing this, the Empress Dowager's eyes flashed with a hint of appreciation. "He is indeed a dignified child. He should assist Prince Yu well in the future and help the royal family to have more offspring as soon as possible."
"I will heed the Empress Dowager's instructions," Jiang Chuwei replied, bowing her head.
"Come here!" The Empress Dowager beckoned to Jiang Chuwei.
Jiang Chuwei followed his instructions and moved forward.
The Empress Dowager extended her hand, and Jiang Chuwei had no choice but to extend hers as well.
At that moment, a jade bracelet slipped onto her hand.
Jiang Chuwei knew it was a good piece of goods just by looking at the water.
The Empress Dowager saw the rejection in Jiang Chuwei's eyes and said, "This was a gift from the late Emperor to me. I am now too old to use such a fine item."
Jiang Chuwei could only express her gratitude: "Thank you for the Empress Dowager's gift!"
Lin Muheng was also puzzled. The Empress Dowager was not kind to people. He had only come to Cixi Palace to pay his respects today because he did not want to give people something to talk about. He did not expect that the Empress Dowager would receive them.
The Empress Dowager held Jiang Chuwei's hand and said many things.
The servants at Cixi Palace were celebrating as if it were New Year's Day.
The Empress Dowager hadn't spoken this much in a long time.
Jiang Chuwei took the opportunity to feel the Empress Dowager's pulse.
Her expression changed.
The Empress Dowager patted her hand reassuringly: "From now on, you must assist Prince Yu well. The future of Daqing depends on you."
Lin Muheng was shocked; these words should not have come from the Empress Dowager.
Once it gets out, who knows what version it will become.
Jiang Chuwei was also taken aback.
It became clear immediately.
Judging from the Empress Dowager's pulse, she doesn't have much time left.
The Empress Dowager herself must have known that her body was at its last gasp.
Her life was indeed tragic.
He schemed his whole life but didn't gain much benefit; he ended up doing all the work for others.
Even the emperor's throne became someone else's son.
Her maternal family was also suppressed to the point of being unable to recover by the emperor she had helped to ascend the throne.
I wonder what she was busy with all her life.
Lin Muheng and Jiang Chuwei exchanged a glance, both seeing surprise in each other's eyes.
The Empress Dowager watched them quietly, a faint smile on her face.
"Empress Dowager..." Lin Muheng was interrupted by the Empress Dowager before he could finish speaking.
"You are all good children, and I believe you will do well." The Empress Dowager gently waved her hand, signaling them to leave. "Go, I am a little tired."
"Granddaughter-in-law (grandson) take their leave." Lin Muheng and Jiang Chuwei bowed again and then left Cining Palace.
"The Empress Dowager is...?" Lin Muheng mouthed the rest of the question.
Jiang Chuwei nodded, "They can't survive the winter."
Lin Muheng felt a mix of emotions.
The Empress Dowager had never paid much attention to him.
He had no presence in the palace.
Now, the Empress Dowager has said these words.
It's unclear whether she genuinely wanted to push him up or simply wanted to muddy the water in the pool.
If these words get out today, they will not help Lin Muheng at all; they will only push him into the eye of the storm.
Even the Emperor himself would believe that he had induced the Empress Dowager to say those things.
Now that the Empress Dowager is nearing the end of her life, various forces will surely be eager to make their move.
That location was just too attractive.
The King of Jin was determined to win.
And they, too, will be caught up in this storm...
The palace is not a place for idle talk.
The two walked towards Fengyi Palace.
Whether the empress sees them or not is one thing; whether they go or not is another.
As expected, the empress did not come out to receive them.
She simply sent a message through Granny Gan: "Wishing you a son soon and a long and happy marriage!"
Prince Yu twitched his lips.
Nowadays, the palace is like a temple, with the Empress Dowager and the Empress worshipping Buddha.
They left Consort Zheng to dominate the harem.
Consort Zheng was fully aware of Jiang Chuwei and Lin Muheng's movements.
Now, Prince Yu is Prince Jin's biggest rival.
Although she was a favored concubine in public, only she knew the truth.
When the Emperor needed the Zheng family, she was his favored concubine.
When the Emperor no longer needs the Zheng family, she is nothing.
Just like now, she couldn't understand the Emperor's thoughts at all.
He didn't particularly like Prince Jin, but he would still give him tasks that made it easy to earn merit.
Even if it was dangerous, the Emperor would still send Prince Yu to do it.
These things can easily bring merit or lead to death.
But each time, Prince Yu returned safely.
Each time, the Prince of Yu's prestige surpassed that of the Prince of Jin.
Consort Zheng was very angry, but there was nothing she could do.
In the past, she could be indifferent to Prince Yu.
Now, she has to face the fact that the Prince of Yu is not someone the Zheng family can touch.
Jiang Huai led 300,000 soldiers in the Northwest, which is not just a number.
Thinking of this, Consort Zheng became angry.
Why did Prince Jin fail to succeed at Prince Xiang's residence that time?
If we succeed, with the help of the Mighty General's Mansion, what chance will Prince Yu have?
"Your Highness! Please have some!" The palace maid had brought the meal up for what felt like the umpteenth time.
From the day Prince Yu got married, Consort Zheng lost her appetite.
Later, she simply refused to eat anything at all.
She really can't taste anything these days.
"My beloved concubine! Is this breakfast or lunch?"
Emperor Rongsheng's voice was loud and clear. Consort Zheng was overjoyed and quickly knelt down to greet him: "Your Majesty, I respectfully welcome you!"
"Get up!" Emperor Rongsheng sat down, frowning as he looked at the table full of food.
Consort Zheng had been by the Emperor's side for many years, and she knew the meaning behind his slightest gesture.
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