Indeed, just as she had predicted, she lost her eldest brother in the war against the Tartars, her second brother was left with a lifelong disability, and her father was seriously injured. Left with no other choice, her youngest sister disguised herself as a man and took on the responsibilities of the Duke of Zhenguo's mansion.
A beautiful young woman like her wouldn't need to go through all this, but unfortunately, she and her young son, living in the inner palace, needed the Duke of Zhenguo's mansion as their backing. Otherwise, even if they didn't covet the throne, they would still be dragged into the vortex of power struggles by various means.
Moreover, she was the Empress, and her son was named the Crown Prince when he was young. Given her position, neither she nor her son, nor even the Duke of Zhenguo's mansion, could remain uninvolved!
To put it simply, if she doesn't take a step forward, she, her son, and the Duke of Zhenguo's mansion will face utter ruin.
Because the new emperor could not possibly spare them...
War is cruel, and the struggle for imperial power is also cruel, but she never expected that after losing her eldest brother, crippling her second brother, and seriously injuring her father, her younger sister, who went to the border to lead the army to fight, would die there after pacifying the grassland Tartars!
She spent several years at the border, fighting alongside soldiers as a woman, fearless of death, all to protect her home and country, so that her elder sister and nephew could live in peace in the deep palace...
Holding a silk handkerchief, the Empress Dowager gently wiped the corners of her eyes and remained silent for a long while.
Emperor Wenzhao knew that the Empress Dowager was thinking of her relatives who had died on the battlefield, namely his maternal uncle and aunt. For a moment, his mood became slightly depressed. However, he quickly adjusted his mood, after all, he had not forgotten the purpose of his visit to Ningren Palace.
Clearing his throat, Emperor Wenzhao said, "Your Majesty, please rest assured. Since I ascended the throne, I have never neglected state affairs."
He paused for a moment, then said, "And you are my mother, and I come to pay my respects to you every day. This is how I fulfill my filial duty. Moreover, in our Great Xia, we value the greeting of a smile. If I were to be unfilial, wouldn't I be setting a bad example for all the people of the world?"
"I can't argue with you. By the way, you've come here because you have something to say to me, haven't you?"
The Empress Dowager sighed softly and asked Emperor Wenzhao.
"It's nothing serious, I just wanted to come and sit with you for a while."
Emperor Wenzhao smiled and said, "Mother, I know you still haven't let go of Aunt's passing, but we both know very well that she died for the Great Xia."
Or rather, my aunt's passing was worthwhile. She wiped out the steppe barbarians for the Great Xia, preventing millions of people from suffering from the barbarians' burning, killing, and looting, ensuring that the territory of the Great Xia would no longer be invaded, and expanding the territory of the Great Xia.
Mother, my words are not to say that Aunt should leave us. It is simply that, in my view, although Aunt's life was short, it was filled with unparalleled glory. Your son believes that everyone in our Great Xia will remember Aunt's contributions and will forever cherish her memory.
Therefore, your son hopes you can get over the grief of losing your aunt, eat on time, and take care of your health. Otherwise, if your aunt knew that you weren't eating properly because of her passing and that your health was deteriorating day by day, she would definitely be heartbroken!
The word "death" was taboo in the palace, so Emperor Wenzhao's words to the Empress Dowager sounded much more tactful.
"I didn't neglect my meal; it's just that thinking of your aunt makes my heart ache!"
Patting her chest gently, the Empress Dowager said, "Your aunt is the youngest child in the family. I am a full twelve years older than her. She is fair-skinned and delicate. Because your maternal grandmother had to manage the household affairs, before I married your father, I was basically the one taking care of your aunt."
To be honest, I've never met a child more sensible and considerate than your aunt. Ever since she could run and jump, she's followed me around calling me "elder sister." When she sees me helping your grandmother with the accounts, she says, "Elder sister, you've worked hard. Mother, you've worked hard." She also says that she wants to grow up quickly to help us.
That year, your aunt was only three years old, and she was truly adorable!
A faint smile played on her lips, and her eyes welled with tears. She continued, "Your maternal grandparents had two sons and two daughters. Among my four siblings, your aunt was truly a genius."
She learns everything quickly. Not only did she learn medicine from her maternal grandfather from a young age, but she was also able to take patients' pulses and prescribe medicine before she was ten. Every time she returned to the mansion from the Valley of Divine Physicians, she would be arranged by your maternal grandmother to learn the arts of music, chess, calligraphy, and painting, as well as how to preside over the Zhong Kui ritual. And this was not all that your aunt had learned.
She also started learning martial arts and military strategy when she was young.
As you know, there are two divine doctors in our Great Xia Dynasty. One is my maternal grandfather, and the other is your aunt. Although the people do not know your aunt's name, they all call her "Little Divine Doctor" whenever they see her.
I thought your aunt would stop going around with your maternal grandfather to do free medical consultations after she came of age, but I never expected... your eldest uncle, maternal grandfather, and second uncle all had accidents one after another...
When I learned that your aunt had disguised herself as a man to volunteer for the mission to the border, and even made a pledge to serve, my heart clenched with fear that something might happen to her on the battlefield.
Year after year passed, and news of victories from the border frequently reached the capital. I know your aunt has rendered many military exploits, but I have never been happy. All I want is for your aunt to be well.
As a result, the bad news eventually reached my ears... Hong'er, I originally wanted to wait for your aunt to return from her triumphant return and then find her a good husband to marry, but alas, your aunt, your aunt she..."
Perhaps due to the great emotional fluctuations, the Empress Dowager found it difficult to continue speaking. She wiped the corners of her eyes with a handkerchief, and after a long while, her voice slightly hoarse, she said, "Go and do your work. I will eat well so that your aunt in the afterlife will not be at peace!"
Emperor Wenzhao responded "Good," but did not immediately get up and leave.
About fifteen minutes later, he got up, said goodbye to the Empress Dowager, and left Ningren Palace.
During this time, he sat quietly in a chair, keeping the Empress Dowager company, recalling the moments he had spent with his aunt Song Lan.
Yes, Emperor Wenzhao's aunt was Song Lan.
"Your Majesty, where are you going next...?"
Sitting in the imperial carriage, Yuanbao waited for Emperor Wenzhao's instructions for a long time without receiving any, so he couldn't help but ask a question.
"Gan'an Palace!"
Emperor Wenzhao snapped out of his reverie, glanced at Yuanbao, and gave a soft response.
Upon hearing this, Yuanbao responded with "Yes," and then loudly announced, "His Majesty has prepared to travel to the Gan'an Palace!" As soon as he finished speaking, guards immediately cleared the way in front of him.
-
The Duke of Zhenguo's Mansion.
Main courtyard.
"It's time for you to come out!"
Song Pengju, also known as the Duke of Zhenguo and Song Lan's father, sat by the bedside, holding his wife Han's hand. His eyes were filled with sadness as he gently comforted her, "Our Lan'er is a good child. She certainly wouldn't want to see you bedridden!"
"I have been taking my medication on time."
Speaking of which, Song Pengju met Han when she was a young girl during a military campaign. At that time, Han, who was sixteen or seventeen years old, accompanied her father to the border to provide free medical care to the local people.
When Song Pengju went to the city on business, he happened to see Han taking the pulse of a commoner on the street. Almost at that moment, he was moved and thought that if he was lucky enough to meet her and she was not yet married, he would definitely go to her door to propose marriage and marry the woman he admired.
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