Chapter 469 Touching
These pieces of jewelry are indeed valuable items. They were all purchased by her from the best jewelry shops in the capital when she was a princess. She had a discerning eye and chose items made of precious materials. Although they are quite old, they are still easy to sell and fetch a good price.
Originally, there were three small boxes full of things. When Meng Lingge reminded her before the house was raided, she hid them all. Later, when Wen Zhiming led his troops to rebel, he lacked money, so he exchanged them all for cash to subsidize the military supplies. She had no regrets about losing these things. On the contrary, she was gratified that she could help her son and daughter-in-law.
But Meng Lingge has gone to great lengths to find so much for her over the past three years. This shows not only extreme filial piety, but also that she knows how to please her.
Given her background and experience, no amount of rare treasures could move her now.
However, it was the old objects left by her deceased parents, and the tokens of love that had once witnessed their true affection, that were able to soothe her heart.
The Empress Dowager looked at each item, gently stroking them, her voice choked with emotion.
“Some of these things you’ve never even seen before. You’ve pulled strings, had someone draw up designs, tracked down their whereabouts, and then bought them back from the market to verify their authenticity. The time and effort you’ve put in must have far exceeded the value of these things. I know you’ve put your heart into it.”
"Although I know you brought these things out now to appease me and help the Emperor abdicate, I am still somewhat moved... But alas, this world belongs to the young. I am old and can no longer make decisions. As long as you have thought it through and don't regret it..."
When she discovered that these old items were missing, Wen Zhiming was also present, but he just comforted her, saying that he would get her new ones later.
She wrote to her husband to inform him, but he didn't mention the matter at all in his reply.
Only this daughter-in-law, who has no blood relation to her, would go to such lengths for her emotions and thoughts.
Life isn't always perfect. Meng Lingge is exactly what she wants in every way, so she'll forgive and understand her occasional boldness, unconventionality, and tendency to have too many ideas.
Upon hearing this, Meng Lingge was completely relieved, knowing that the Empress Dowager would no longer cause trouble at the Hall of Diligent Governance.
Although it was known that the Empress Dowager's presence would not change the outcome, if the Empress Dowager and Wen Zhiming quarreled, Wen Zhiming would be branded as unfilial, and his trip to the Northern Frontier would also invite gossip.
The prince in charge of trade between the two countries was an unfilial son, which would more or less have an impact on the rapid opening of the market and economic expansion in northern Xinjiang.
Putting all that aside, Meng Lingge didn't want the relationship between the Empress Dowager and Wen Zhiming to deteriorate. It would be best for the whole family to be close and harmonious when they went to the Northern Frontier.
She followed the Empress Dowager, patiently listening to her tell the story of this item and how many years it had existed.
After the Empress Dowager had finished reading, Meng Lingge carefully and gently covered it again with soft silk.
"Mother, my dowry is also here. I will take your things and my dowry together to the Northern Frontier, and then return them to you for safekeeping once we arrive there. What do you think?"
The Empress Dowager nodded resignedly.
"I've listened to you on all the important matters, so why shouldn't I listen to you on this little thing? You can make the decision."
She turned around and pulled Wen Woyu along, saying, "I'd better go back and tell Woyu a story. You two are responsible for cleaning up the mess you've made."
"Yes, Your Majesty, I respectfully see you off!"
Meng Lingge knew that the Empress Dowager had accepted the facts, but she was still a little upset and could only say a few angry words.
She obediently took over the conversation and personally escorted the Empress Dowager to the door.
When Granny Qian saw that the Empress Dowager had taken so long to come out and that her eyes were slightly red, she assumed that the Empress Dowager and the Empress had fallen out, so she tentatively asked her.
"Your Majesty, the court officials are still waiting for you. Shall we go now, or should we deliver a message to them?"
"I won't go. Let them go directly to the Emperor. I can't control that. If any other officials come looking for me, just tell them that the Emperor's will is my will."
"yes."
Granny Qian didn't know how the Empress had persuaded the Empress Dowager, but she understood that since the Empress Dowager had made such a statement, she would no longer interfere with the Emperor's abdication.
Fearing that the ministers wouldn't believe her, Granny Qian personally went to the Hall of Diligent Governance to convey the Empress Dowager's decree.
The officials were already dizzy from the sun. They waited for half a day, but neither the Empress Dowager nor the Empress came. Finally, the Empress Dowager's personal maid came, but she brought news that the Empress Dowager was unwilling to deal with the matter.
The officials were even more disappointed and anxious. They could only place all their hopes on Meng Xingyuan, who was going to persuade the Empress.
Meng Xingyuan finally arrived late, around noon.
During this time, two officials fainted from heatstroke. They called out to the emperor, but he still did not come out of his room. Only a guard appeared and took the unconscious officials back to their residences.
Upon seeing Meng Xingyuan finally appear, several officials hurriedly asked questions.
"Prime Minister Meng, you've finally arrived! How is it?"
"Does the Empress agree to dissuade the Emperor?"
"Lord Meng, we are all counting on you."
Meng Xingyuan shook his head and knelt down beside the group.
"The Empress said that this matter should be discussed by the Emperor and his court officials. The empress should not interfere in politics, and she will not participate."
He hadn't actually gone to see Meng Lingge at all. After returning to his residence and telling Du Shiyin about it, Du Shiyin, as he had expected, remained silent for a while before urging him to go to the palace to keep an eye on the situation. She said that since things had already come to this, he should do his best to help his daughter and son-in-law achieve their wishes.
There's nothing wrong with being a prince or princess, as long as our daughter is happy.
It was rare for the couple to agree, and after hearing his wife's words, Meng Xingyuan became even more determined in his mind.
But he certainly couldn't say these things to the officials. He only had one mouth, while these people had hundreds of mouths, taking turns to persuade and pester him. He couldn't handle it.
Wen Zhiming was already excessively kind to Meng Lingge, and the officials were always wary of the empress's interference in politics. Once the name Meng Xingyuan was uttered, they were at a loss for words to offer any advice.
Upon hearing this, the officials all wore mournful faces and looked dejected.
"Huh? The Empress Dowager doesn't care, and neither does the Empress. What should we do? Should we go find the Eldest Princess?"
"No! The eldest princess is only three years old. The emperor hates it when we implicate her. Doing so will only force the emperor to flee even faster!"
“Keep kneeling. The Emperor and the Prince still need to eat. Once they come out, we'll plead for them together…”
The officials were unwilling to leave, and after discussing it, they gritted their teeth and continued to wait.
At this moment, a royal physician strode into the hall. He seemed not to have expected to encounter so many officials. After a moment of surprise, his face turned pale with fear, and he immediately prepared to turn around and leave.
The officials had been listening intently for the emperor to emerge, and the imperial physician's commotion naturally alerted them. It would have been better if the physician hadn't left; his hasty departure immediately aroused their suspicion.
"Isn't this Physician Huang?"
Not all doctors in the Imperial Medical Academy were all-rounders; most of them were experts in a particular category of diseases.
Among them, the category that Physician Huang is proficient in is the most closely guarded secret.
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
