However, Sun Zhuhe still had some concerns. Over the years as an official, he couldn't help but be suspicious of everything he saw. Even finding a single coin on the road would make him wonder if someone was setting him up.
This matter was far too significant for him to believe that his own sister, whom he had raised, would deceive him. Instead, he worried that it was all a trap deliberately set by someone with ulterior motives.
Sun Zhuhe thought about it more and more and felt that it was very likely!
"Madam, do you think this might be a trap set by someone out of jealousy of Miaoqing's favor?"
Zhao rolled her eyes inwardly. He had no imperial destiny, yet he had the emperor's ailments. Wasn't he tired of being so suspicious?
However, Miaoqing said that a man is a boy until he dies, and you should still coax him when necessary. Why not do something that can be resolved with a few sweet words?
Madam Zhao said, "What you say is right. Although the probability of this happening is not high, we still have to be on guard. However, we are far away in Suzhou and cannot do much about what is happening in the palace. Apart from those material possessions, we can only rely on Miaoqing herself."
"To be honest, sir, during those months in the capital, although I was confined to the inner quarters, I still heard quite a bit about General Nian and Consort Hua."
"Consort Hua's power over the harem is even more domineering than the Empress's. General Nian is arrogant and domineering, and there are many complaints about him in the court and among the people."
"To plan for the future, one should think about how to protect oneself wisely."
Sun Zhuhe sighed, "I understand what you're saying, but in my position, if I show any sign of distancing myself from General Nian, the consequences will be dire."
"Neither advancing nor retreating is an option; this is a dilemma!"
The position of textile commissioner was a highly lucrative post, and he was Nian Gengyao's money bag. Every year, so much silver was sent to General Nian's mansion, so how could General Nian let him go so easily?
Zhao walked behind Sun Zhuhe, massaged his shoulders, and said through gritted teeth, "Master, if you weren't in this position, General Yu Nian would be dispensable."
"As long as we can get out of the center of the vortex and slowly extricate ourselves, even if one day, as expected today, we are only slightly affected."
"As long as the green hills remain, there will always be firewood to burn. The wealth we've accumulated over the years is more than enough to last several lifetimes, so there's no need to risk our lives for something else."
Sun Zhuhe was somewhat tempted. Retreating wouldn't be easy, but it wasn't without a chance. The accounts he had prepared earlier could be further embellished and polished, making sure no one could find any fault with them.
*
Sun Miaoqing, who was praised by Zhao for being smart since childhood, was currently dressed in riding clothes, accompanying Da Pang Ju to practice archery.
Her unfortunate hands not only had to grind ink according to the hour every day, but after that she also had to practice archery. After returning to her palace, she would stay up all night embroidering by lantern light.
Over the past few days, my hands have been pricked by needles hundreds of times, and a large area has been rubbed raw by arrows. I have to wear ointment on them every night before going to sleep, otherwise the next morning I will be in so much pain that I can't even pick up chopsticks.
[I don't know what's wrong, but suddenly Big Fatty Orange insists on practicing riding and archery for an hour every other day, and he always makes me accompany him.]
[He calls for Sister Mei every few days, why doesn't he ask her to come and keep him company?]
I've suffered terribly these past few days. Why didn't anyone tell me before that being a concubine is physically demanding?
The fat orange-bowed man drew with increasing vigor, and hearing Sun Miaoqing's angry but unspeakable words, he felt much more at ease.
Aiming at the target, the bow in his hand was drawn to its fullest extent. With a flick of his right fingers, the arrow shot out like lightning, hitting the bullseye perfectly.
"I've become quite lax in my archery skills over the years, but I never expected to still have the accuracy I used to have."
Su Peisheng said with a smile, "His Majesty's horsemanship and archery skills are as good as ever, especially his archery skills, which are unmatched even by the generals in the army."
Seeing the two people beside her chatting and laughing, Sun Miaoqing struggled to draw her small bow, then shakily raised the bow and arrow, aiming at the target ten paces away.
Unexpectedly, her finger loosened, and the arrow, after being released, grazed the left side of the target and landed not far away. Hearing the arrogant laughter of the fat orange cat, Sun Miaoqing felt her self-esteem deeply wounded.
Big Fat Orange is an expert archer; every single one of his arrows hits the bullseye, half of which out of ten.
Unlike her, who could hit the target halfway through ten shots, it was all just luck.
Seeing the laughter around her growing louder and louder, showing no signs of abating, Sun Miaoqing said angrily, "Is it that funny? Did His Majesty ask me to accompany you in archery just to see me make a fool of myself?"
The chubby orange tree comforted him, "You are not the daughter of a military family, and you have never tried riding or archery before, so of course you are not familiar with bows and arrows. How could I mock you for that?"
Sun Miaoqing said unhappily, "When Your Majesty says this, could you please put away the mockery on your face?"
Big Fatty Orange stopped smiling, walked behind Sun Miaoqing, and placed his big hand on top of her small hand, mimicking an archery pose.
"Since you don't know how to use a bow and arrow, I will teach you. When you can hit the bullseye from ten paces away, I will stop laughing."
Sun Miaoqing??(◣д◢)?!
Why doesn't God send a bolt of lightning to strike this Versailles dead?!
[Being good at archery is nothing special; I can also do math and physics. Did I brag about that?]
Have you read the instructor's thoughts? That's a dragon-slaying technique!
With such a heavy workload every day and still exercising, don't they realize that this could easily lead to sudden death at a young age?
Big Fat Orange narrowed his eyes, his gaze following the bow and arrow, fixed on the bright red bullseye ten paces away.
Dragon-slaying technique?
What kind of ideology can slay a dragon? And what are mathematics, physics, and chemistry anyway?
That sounds pretty impressive...
Is it something like the numerology and geometry that Ferdinand Verbiest brought back back then?
The little girl in my arms is truly a treasure trove, but I don't know how to get her to willingly tell me all those things.
But what exactly constitutes sudden death? Previously, it was said he was too diligent in his duties, to the point of working himself to death. Now that he exercises regularly, it's said he might die suddenly. Does that mean he's destined to just lie in bed?
While Da Ju was thinking about these things, he didn't stop teaching Sun Miaoqing how to shoot arrows, since he could hit the target even with his eyes closed at this distance.
"Keep your hand steady, keep your eyes sharp, pull the arrow back with your right hand, draw the bow to its fullest extent. Aim at the target, then release."
"In a moment, I will give the order, and you will shoot the arrow, understand?"
Sun Miaoqing nodded, "This concubine understands."
After she was ready again, she heard Daju say, "Let go."
Sun Miaoqing loosened her right hand fingers, and the arrow flew out, hitting the target ten paces away. Although it didn't hit the bullseye, it was still in the eight-ring position, which was her best score so far.
"Your Majesty only needs to point at it casually, and I can hit the target. Archery is not difficult at all. I never thought I had the talent of a military general."
Big Fat Orange: (#?Д?) You're overthinking it, you're not!
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