Shou Kang Palace
The desk was piled high with reviewed memorials, and Sun Miaoqing sat to the side, legs crossed, drinking tea. Linglan took the seal and stamped each one, before Xiaoyuanzi distributed them according to the rules.
"The Emperor is about to get married, and I should also enjoy some comfort. From tomorrow onwards, the Emperor will only need to approve these memorials once they have been approved; he will no longer need to consult me."
"Remember to remind him that he'll have to take responsibility for anything that happens. I'm too busy to clean up his mess."
“Living in the palace is always inconvenient; wherever I go, there are always eyes watching me. I’ve long since given up on staying here. It’s much more comfortable for Sister Mei and the others.”
"A letter came back the other day saying that he had traveled to more than a dozen European countries and finally decided to buy an estate in France, which is full of flowers."
"I also want to go out and see the world. If I happen to meet any talented people, I'll bring them back with me."
Linglan said, "You are the Empress Dowager, how can you risk going to those small overseas countries? The Qing Dynasty has 100 million people, what kind of talent do we not need?"
Sun Miaoqing said, "Although there are many people, how many of them are literate? However, the matter of education can be arranged by the emperor after he assumes personal rule, so that I won't do everything and leave him with no opportunity to use his talents."
In Linglan's eyes, there was no position more noble or reassuring than the Empress Dowager. Especially since the Emperor was so filial, always prioritizing the Shou Kang Palace in everything.
Thinking about how there hadn't been a moment of peace in the palace lately, Linglan felt that even though it was difficult to speak up, she had to offer some words of advice.
"This servant is ignorant of these matters. Forgive my boldness, but perhaps you should restrain yourself a bit in some ways. Madam previously asked me to remind you that you should always consider the Emperor's feelings."
“Back then, you would send the Emperor to the Hall of Mental Cultivation whenever you had something to do or not. The Emperor had deep feelings for the late Emperor, and even if he didn’t say it, he was probably bothered by it.”
Sun Miaoqing slowly waved her fan. She was not worried about these things because she dared to do them. "Back then, when a plague broke out in the Yuanmingyuan, not a single one of the late emperor's concubines who lived there survived. He knew this all along."
"I have raised him with great care and effort. If he can't even accept this, it only proves that my upbringing has been a failure."
Linglan said, "Although His Majesty is young, he is exceptionally intelligent. He is fluent in several foreign languages at a young age and is also quite capable in handling state affairs. Your Majesty has made great contributions; how could you possibly fail!"
"This servant just feels that those people are making too much noise. Even if His Majesty doesn't want to get involved, people inside and outside the palace are watching, so it's not right to ignore it."
Sun Miaoqing thought of Lu Jingsi's newly accepted apprentice, who was not only as handsome as Pan An, but also had the physique of a military general.
His abs were so hard they could be used as a cutting board, outshining even the imperial guards. He'd been having some yin-yang imbalance lately, and it was all thanks to his miraculous healing.
His medical skills are so superb at such a young age; he truly wins her heart.
"I was simply feeling unwell and had summoned the imperial physicians several times. Anyone who has a problem with this, let them come and speak to me. Are you trying to kill me by not calling the imperial physicians when I'm sick?"
Linglan felt a severe heart attack; after all these years, she still couldn't understand it. Not only could they blatantly lie, but they could also be so self-righteous about it.
Sometimes, even she, the personal maid, felt her face burning with embarrassment!
"You didn't just call the imperial physician a few more times; you also called the Duke of York from England several times before that. Before that, it was Guard Li, and before that, it was Guard Shi..."
"No matter how well it is hidden, some rumors will inevitably leak out. I am worried that your reputation will be damaged. If you really like it, you can pretend to be a eunuch and keep him by your side."
Sun Miaoqing said, "Then what's the point?"
"Those who can't stand me but can't do anything about me, after searching around, found that they could use these things to annoy me, so they got excited."
Linglan asked, "Your Majesty, you know all this, so why do you still need to?"
Sun Miaoqing said with a smile, "Because I am happy!"
Liuli entered and said, "Empress Dowager, Physician Su has come to check your pulse."
Sun Miaoqing's eyes lit up immediately. "Please come in quickly. My back aches from reading memorials for so long. I need a good massage."
Linglan glanced at the sky outside. Whose lady was taking her pulse at night...?
Not long after Imperial Physician Su went in, Guard Li, after changing shifts, took the opportunity to bring some trinkets from outside the palace, hoping to please the Empress Dowager.
Just as they reached the door, Liuli spotted them and took them elsewhere.
Li Shiwei's full name is actually Li Jiahengyu, but it's been shortened for convenience. Imperial guards were selected from the sons of Manchu and Mongol nobles and military graduates.
Li Jiahengyu belonged to the Plain White Banner of the Han Army. After passing the military examination, he was spotted by Sun Miaoqing and selected to enter the palace.
"The Empress Dowager likes trinkets from outside the palace, so this servant brought a few to please her. Please inform her of this, Aunt."
Liuli said, "Guard Li's timing is unfortunate. The Empress Dowager has been too busy these past few days and is not feeling well. She is probably not able to see anyone right now."
"It's getting late, Guard Li, you should go back now. I'll keep these things for now and report to the Empress Dowager tomorrow when she's feeling better."
Li, the guard, glanced at Shou Kang Palace, looking utterly dejected; he was clearly deeply affected.
"Thank you for your trouble, Aunt. Please also tell the Empress Dowager that I wish to pay my respects to her."
Liuli watched Guard Li leave, sighing and shaking her head. Guard Li was good in every way, but the Empress Dowager had said that a man over twenty-five was no longer of much use...
The next day, on his way home from the palace, Imperial Physician Su was covered with a sack and severely beaten. Although he was not seriously injured, his face would be disfigured for a month or two.
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