From that moment on, subtle shifts began to occur in the political climate surrounding the imperial harem.
Qi Jingxuan, accompanied by a group of palace maids, eunuchs, and guards, arrived at the horse farm of the former military camp.
“Father, did you see? My child has been born, a son. Now your daughter is already a person of high status. But I keep dreaming about you at night. Last night, when I saw Ruan Yu Mu dying, I wanted to strangle her, but I thought of how long Father has raised my body. My body and hair are given to me by my parents, and I couldn't bear to do it.”
The guards watched from afar, wondering what the emperor was doing in such a remote place.
Eunuch Li has been reassigned to the servants' quarters, and now his former second-in-command, Eunuch Cao, is by his side.
"Whom is His Majesty visiting in such a remote place to pay homage to?"
The sounds of palace maids and eunuchs gossiping came from behind.
"How dare you! How dare you discuss the Emperor's affairs? This is where Consort Mu's father is buried. You should all know what to do from now on and not offend people you shouldn't."
Upon seeing this, Eunuch Wu quickly reprimanded everyone. This Consort Mu was indeed different in the Emperor's heart, otherwise she wouldn't have come to pay her respects so soon after her child was born!
"Yes, Eunuch Wu!"
Qi Jingxuan, carrying a wine jug, talked more and more enthusiastically with his father. The autumn wind was starting to get a bit cold, and the fallen leaves on the trees had begun to flutter in the wind.
"Father, you've been here all alone for so long, aren't you cold? Your unfilial son is so sorry!"
As Eunuch Wu watched Qi Jingxuan grow increasingly agitated, he began to believe that Qi Jingxuan's feelings for Ruan Yumu were definitely genuine.
Holding a cloak, he stepped forward and said, "Your Majesty, the weather is cold. Please do not harm your health!"
"Dragon Body?" Qi Jingxuan couldn't help but laugh at himself upon hearing these two words.
He got up, put on his clothes, and looked again at the vast world that once belonged to him.
"Let's go! Let's go back to the palace!" Reluctantly, they prepared to return.
"Let's return to the palace!"
The people in the city were very excited to see the emperor pass by. This emperor had reduced taxes by half this year as soon as he took the throne, which was an extraordinary thing.
Now that the world is at peace, Qi Jingxuan should focus on stabilizing people's livelihoods.
The people of Qi are exhausted; they've been fighting for decades.
If a woman has the world in her heart, everything will be different. She hates this world, she hates this male-dominated society, and one day she will make women leave their virginity and leave that house.
"All of you come here!" Ruan Yumu, holding a thick stack of things, gestured for everyone in Chengde Palace to come in.
May Your Majesty be blessed with long life and good health!
Ruan Yumu lay on the bed, signaling to Ziling that they could begin.
"Listen up, everyone! This is your contract of entry into the palace. If you wish to leave Chengen Palace, the Empress will grant you permission immediately!"
At present, only Consort Mu of Chengen Palace has a son, and even a fool wouldn't leave her.
Seeing that no one reacted, Zi Ling continued, "Last night Her Majesty gave birth. All the old people from Chengen Palace should go and collect their rewards. The Emperor's rewards have already arrived. If you choose to stay, come over after you collect your rewards."
"Your Majesty, may I leave the palace and go home?"
Ruan and Mu lay weakly on the bed and nodded.
“Great! Your Highness, thank you. I am now 28 years old. In recent years, with the change of imperial power, I have not had the opportunity to leave the palace. I would like to receive a reward to leave the palace.”
"Not just those who are 25 years old or older, but anyone who wants to leave Chengen Palace, I grant their request today."
Upon hearing Ruan Yumu speak, half of the servants had already fled.
Seeing that there was still half left, Zi Ling felt much relieved.
"Your Majesty, look!"
"Okay, for the rest of these people, find out everything about their families and their past service history. Don't take those with criminal records."
"Yes, Your Majesty."
After several rounds of selection, only a dozen or so people remained in Chengen Palace.
"Listen up, you kneeling people! From this day forward, you are my trusted generals. If I eat meat, you will have soup to drink!"
More than a dozen people knelt properly by the bed, listening to Ruan Yumu's reprimand.
"Go and announce the good news to each palace!"
"Her Majesty the Empress has arrived, Consort Mu!" Rong'er came to report before she even left.
Ruan Yumu smiled wryly. This empress had never thought of them before, and even when paying respects, she wouldn't allow anyone below the fifth rank to pass by. But now she had come.
"Her Majesty the Empress has arrived! Congratulations to the Palace of Cheng'en on the birth of a son! She bestows upon the Palace a pair of phoenix jade hairpins, ten bolts of brocade, ten white jade plates, ten strings of green agate, and several hundred taels of gold!"
"There's no need to go and announce the good news; they'll come on their own."
Ruan Yumu gestured to Ziling to hurry out and greet the emperor, after all, this was the Empress!
"Your Majesty, this servant has come to greet you. Consort Mu just gave birth last night and is not feeling well!"
Xia Mu, who was next to Cai Shuqi, quickly helped Zi Ling up. "Your Highness Consort Mu has worked hard. You are now a heroine who gave birth to the eldest son. Zi Ling, please get up quickly!" With that, the Empress went inside.
"Your Majesty, please forgive me for not being able to rise and pay my respects!" Ruan Yumu propped herself up, making a gesture as if to get up.
"It's alright, it's alright, your health is the most important thing, please don't get up!" The Empress reached out and pressed down on Ruan Yu Mu, who was about to get up.
"I have casually bestowed some gifts upon you. If you need anything in your palace, please let me know."
Ruan Yu Mu managed to squeeze out a few tears and began to garner sympathy, "Thank you, Your Majesty. If it weren't for the experienced midwife Your Majesty sent last night, I would probably be dead by now. I will never forget Your Majesty's great kindness."
As he spoke, Ruan Yumu was about to get up and kowtow to express his gratitude!
"Sister, you really don't need to," the Empress said awkwardly, covering her mouth with a handkerchief. Wasn't this a blatant reminder? Where was this experienced midwife? She was clearly just randomly assigned. "Sister, you should lie down and rest properly."
"Thank you, Your Majesty!"
"Your Majesty, please have some tea." The Empress frowned as she looked at the tea that Zi Ling had brought. The tea was cloudy and clearly aged. "Sister, please take good care of yourself. I won't drink the tea. Palace affairs are very busy! I'll come to see the eldest son another day."
He looked disgusted and tried to leave.
Ruan Yumu naturally noticed this, and loudly proclaimed, "Respectfully seeing off Her Majesty the Empress!"
"Young lady, it's obvious that Her Majesty the Empress is just going through the motions. The midwife she sent is clearly the worst in the palace! Humph! If you could keep your composure, you would be sitting in that position right now!"
As soon as Zi Ling entered, she felt indignant on behalf of Ruan Yu Mu.
Ruan Yumu watched the Empress's departing figure and said, "Shut up! Don't say such things again! You and I know that. Chengen Palace is no longer Yunxiang Pavilion. We need to be even more careful."
Zi Ling realized that she had just said the wrong thing. After all, this was the imperial palace, unlike the former general's mansion.
"Your Highness Consort Mu, this servant knows her mistake!"
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