Nothing major happened in the second half of the year, and Yan Nangui gained some weight.
As winter approached, she was incredibly energetic. His Majesty, seeing this, often praised her for being in such good spirits.
Yan Nangui himself didn't care much, as long as he was healthy, it didn't matter whether he was fat or thin.
As October arrived and the weather turned cold, the Imperial Garden began to fall into disrepair.
Only when the wild geese fly south do I have time to look at the pear trees outside my palace. I've been too busy these past few years and rarely have time to sit under the trees in shade.
Today, she sat under the pear tree and suddenly felt very relaxed looking at the pear tree with hardly any yellow leaves.
The palace maids and eunuchs doing the cleaning and chores here were terrified. There was no scenery to see here. Your Majesty, please don't be angry if you look at this.
However, the Empress was preoccupied with other matters and was clearly not in the mood to be angry.
"Your Majesty, there is a letter from Bailu Prefecture." Yuanhua came over.
"You read it to me," Yan Nangui said lazily, propping her head up with her hand.
Yuanhua agreed and opened it to read.
First came Yan Nan's greetings, greetings to the Empress and the Princess.
Yuanhua paused, then said, "This... the letter says that General Huo wants to marry his niece to our general?"
"Niece?" Yan Nangui raised an eyebrow.
“Indeed, she is the legitimate daughter of the second branch of the Huo family, and the cousin of Consort Jin,” Yuanhua said.
"Hehe." Yan Nangui chuckled. "What did he say?"
“The general said he refused. If the Huo family girl were to enter the family and he couldn’t treat her as a concubine, it would be the root of chaos in the family. His children are all grown up, and he doesn’t want such a thing to happen,” Yuanhua said.
"Look, even the worst bastard back then has grown up." Yan Nangui stood up, took the letter, and read the second half.
Yan Nanji told this story mainly to tell Yan Nangui.
He knew about Consort Jin's past. If he knew, then the Huo family must know as well.
Although Consort Jin's younger brother was outstanding, he was still quite young. Moreover, military officers were not like civil officials; it was difficult for one outstanding individual to establish himself in the military.
Consort Jin could have intervened, but she herself was already in this state.
Therefore, the Huo family was willing to send their eldest daughter to Yan Nan as a concubine simply to win her over.
Yan Nanji was originally General Huo's subordinate, so giving him a daughter from the Huo family was also a way to win him over.
They have become closely integrated with the Yan family.
Yan Nangui took the letter and returned to the palace.
He entered the study.
"Does Your Highness wish to reply? This servant will grind the ink for you," Baihe said hurriedly.
Yan Nangui nodded in agreement.
Lily grinds ink, while Dalbergia goes to brew tea.
Yan Nangui picked up his pen, wrote a few words, and then paused.
Just then, Yuanhua came in: "What's wrong, Your Highness?"
"Yuanhua, I need...you to go to Bailu Prefecture," Yan Nangui said.
"Yes, Your Highness." Yuanhua paused for a moment, but then replied without hesitation.
“Or rather…” Yan Nangui smiled, “call Jiangxiang and Shuanzi over.”
Lily, being very sensible, called him over.
She was also a personal attendant, but she came later and was different from those who served her closely in the mansion.
Although I felt a little wronged, I understood after all.
Soon, the study was filled with wild geese returning south, fragrant incense, daphne, and skewer.
“Sitting here and talking, I haven’t had a proper conversation with any of you all over the years,” Yan Nangui said.
All three obediently sat down on the stools.
“The Seventh Princess will probably be going to Bailu Prefecture next year. I was thinking of sending someone to go with her. But I suddenly feel that I need one of you three to go,” Yan Nangui said.
"Yes, Your Majesty, just give the order." None of the three hesitated.
“Since Yuanhua came with me, she’s been running around doing a lot of things outside. So she’ll go this time. I called the three of you here today because there are some things I need to ask you,” Yan Nangui said.
“Your Majesty, please speak. We will tell you everything we know,” Jiangxiang said.
"We've been master and servant for many years. Although I have a bad temper, I've never mistreated you. I don't ask for your gratitude, but you must tell me the truth." Yan Nangui glanced at the three of them. "Having been with me for so many years, the three of you know my thoughts best. There are many things I do that I can't let anyone know. Perhaps in the future, I will do even more... crazy things, as you can probably imagine. If you want to live out your lives in peace, you can tell me, and I won't tell you anything more confidential. I won't blame you, and we will continue to be master and servant."
"Your Majesty, I was fortunate enough to be promoted from a garden servant in the manor to a high position, and I have lived a comfortable life for many years. Now that I'm in the palace, I am respected by everyone. I am a useless person, but I would die without regret serving Your Majesty. Please give me your orders," said Shuanzi.
“Your Majesty, I am determined to serve you for life. I dare not say I know everything about Your Majesty’s thoughts, but I do know a little. Whatever Your Majesty wants to do, I will do. As long as you think there is anything I can do, just give it to me,” Jiangxiang said.
“Your Majesty, so do I. I’ve been serving you since I was in the manor. For years, I’ve only had one thought: that Your Majesty will need me. So that day will never come. Please, Your Majesty, just say it,” Yuanhua said.
"Alright, get up, everyone. Sit down." Yan Nangui smiled.
I've been observing these people around me for so many years, and whether they're useful or not, I'm sure I haven't made a mistake in judging them.
"Yuanhua, your mission is to go to Bailu Prefecture. You'll set off in a few days. It's cold in the north, but the south is better. You won't suffer on the journey. I need you to go for two reasons. First, to settle the Seventh Princess's residence for next year. After she goes, you can stay and look after her for a month or two before returning to serve her. Second..."
Yan Nangui smiled and said, "Tell my second brother for me. The Huo family's intentions are very good, but it would be better to do it the other way around. I will place my daughter in Bailu Prefecture, and this Bailu Prefecture must be one that he can control."
"Tell him again that Yan Nangui suffered all kinds of grievances when he was a child and could not bear the slightest help from his second brother. Now that I am entrusting the Seventh Princess to him, I only ask that as her uncle, he can not only protect her, but also become her right-hand man."
“Yes, this servant will certainly do it,” Yuanhua replied.
"Shuanzi, Shangguan Ba is retiring," Yan Nangui said.
“The next one to come up is Xu Zhong. But the person I’m optimistic about is Zhang Shaoyang. He’s brave and resourceful, but unfortunately his background is too poor. He can’t possibly surpass Xu Zhong,” Yan Nangui said.
"This servant understands. His background is too poor, Your Highness can give him a chance, whether he can seize it or not is up to him," said Shuanzi.
"No, there's nothing wrong with having a deputy. I'm not planning to rebel against His Majesty's empire. I just need to have my own people. You understand what I mean, right?" Yan Nangui asked.
"Yes, I understand."
"Jiangxiang, keep a close eye on things in the harem. Take good care of Jin Shi as well," Yan Nangui said.
"Yes, I understand."
"Alright, it's nothing. These things aren't a big deal. I just wanted you to know that sometimes I might not say things, but there are many things I want you to know," Yan Nangui said with a smile.
All three of them laughed.
Yes, they want to know too, because it shows that the Empress trusts them.
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