The old emperor's pupils dilated several times in an instant, his face filled with disbelief.
The old emperor was certainly aware of this matter. When the news reached Bei Yan last year, there were always rumors that it was done by Prince Chen's men. Although he didn't believe it at the time, the incident involving Crown Prince Nan Tai was most beneficial to Bei Yan, and among his sons, only Prince Chen had the ability to do so.
"If that's the case, why doesn't he take credit for it?"
The old emperor was puzzled. Logically speaking, someone with such great merit should have come to him to ask for a reward, but why did he not only not come, but also keep it a secret from the world?
He Jiuniang rolled her eyes at him and said, "Do I really need to tell you the reason? Don't you already know?"
"I'm sorry, but there really isn't one," the old emperor said, looking at her with a puzzled expression.
He Jiuniang didn't keep you in suspense and said, "Isn't it because His Highness Prince Chen is out of favor? Would his people dare to send themselves to you to ask for a reward? Besides, given your distrust of Prince Chen, you'll definitely feel that his actions threaten your kingdom. In the end, forget about rewards, you'd better just find an excuse to get rid of them."
She's truly unafraid of the old emperor now, saying whatever she wants. The old emperor is always furious, but he also enjoys listening to her talk.
There aren't many people in his position who dare to tell him the truth, so it's quite rare to encounter someone with such courage.
The old emperor did not refute her words. If Prince Chen had really done that back then, he might have actually taken action against Lu Baichuan out of fear of Prince Chen.
"That's not all. My husband has done many more things. Anyway, if he wants to get promoted, he will do it on his own merits. He doesn't need to benefit from my influence at all. Do you understand, Your Majesty?"
As He Jiuniang spoke, she began to close the needles. The old emperor ignored her, so she continued, "Your Majesty's condition is relatively stable. I will be returning to Jingzhou tonight and will come back to administer acupuncture to you in a month. During this time, you must follow my instructions, otherwise all your efforts these past few days will be in vain. In any case, remember, anyone who tries to send you beauties should be dragged away and beheaded."
The old emperor nodded, then after a moment of realization, asked, "Are you leaving tonight?"
"Yes, didn't I say? My son is still waiting in Jingzhou. I'll go back for a while and then come back for a follow-up appointment. Your condition is very stable. Just take your medicine on time. The detoxification process is very slow; I estimate it will take three to five years."
After putting away the needles, He Jiuniang began packing her medicine box.
The old emperor hurriedly asked again, "Don't you want your husband's merits? His achievements are more than enough to qualify him for a position in the capital."
He Jiuniang shook her head: "Of course we can't refuse the merit, but now is not the time to reveal the truth. If we reward him for this merit now, Nan Tai will set his sights on him. At that time, will our family still be able to live a peaceful life? So, I hope that the Emperor will not spread this matter. We should just keep it to ourselves."
we?
The old emperor licked his lips, and for some reason, he felt a little secretly pleased because of this title.
In her heart, he was one of them.
Suddenly, he felt a sense of recognition, even though he didn't need it, he just felt very happy.
"Cough cough..."
Realizing his smile was a bit too obvious, the old emperor quickly coughed twice, straightened his face, and said very seriously, "Since that's the case, then remember it for now, and reward you when the time is right. It's just that I can't give you a title now, but the reward can't be less. Besides, you cured my illness, so I can't give you nothing..."
"Alright then, I'll reward you with some land and estates, gold, silver, cloth, and the like. Someone, come here..."
After a series of actions by the old emperor, He Jiuniang was showered with gifts. She couldn't stop smiling and asked, "Your Majesty, why do you believe everything I say? Aren't you afraid I'm deceiving you?"
The old emperor rolled his eyes: "You're not so foolish as to lie to me."
He's old, but not stupid.
He pretends not to know some things, but he knows many things perfectly well.
He Jiuniang nodded and smiled, "That's right. If I dare to say this to you, then it's definitely true! However, Prince Chen has done many things that are beneficial to the country over the years, and you can't pretend you don't know that. Ask yourself honestly, if it weren't for Prince Chen handling these matters all these years, would you and the other princes still be able to leisurely engage in wits and battles in the capital? Perhaps we would have been attacked and captured by the alliance of Nantai and Dongting long ago."
Some things are better left unsaid. He Jiuniang felt she had said enough, so she deliberately said, "Oh, I won't say anymore. I'm just a woman who doesn't know anything. If I anger the Emperor, it wouldn't be good if I had to ask for these rewards back. Hehe, Your Majesty, please rest well. This humble woman will take her leave!"
After saying this, she instructed four or five palace maids to help her carry the large chests containing gold and silver out.
The palace maids exchanged glances, then looked at the old emperor, who waved his hand impatiently and granted permission.
The group then worked hard to help.
Over the past few days, they've come to realize that, over the years, the Emperor has been completely subservient to everyone except this Lady Lu.
Even though Madam Lu said some infuriating things, and the Emperor was so angry he could hardly breathe, he didn't lose his temper with her and even gave her so many rewards.
They've been watching closely these past few days and have gotten a lot of juicy gossip, but they can't tell anyone, which is making them feel really stifled.
Having just received a reward, He Jiuniang was naturally very generous. After the palace maids helped carry the boxes onto the carriage, she gave each of them a silver ingot and said, "Thank you all. Take good care of the Emperor during this time. There can be no sexual relations for the next seven days, and only once every seven days thereafter. You must keep a close eye on things!"
The palace maids nodded repeatedly: "Yes, we will take good care of His Majesty."
He Jiuniang remembered that on the day she first arrived, the palace maids and eunuchs didn't pay much attention to her. But after only a few days, they were very enthusiastic. It was clear that she had a good relationship with the old emperor and could speak to him, which was why these people around her treated her so well.
Human nature remains the same regardless of the era.
Every day when He Jiuniang entered the palace, Lu Baichuan would wait for her at the palace gate. After he learned that she was just treating the old emperor normally and that the old emperor would no longer have any designs on her, Lu Baichuan's emotions became much more stable. He could even chat and laugh with the guards at the palace gate, and even exchange a few pointers. In just two or three days, their relationship became extremely good.
"Hey, your sister-in-law is out!"
The guards at the gate were the first to see He Jiuniang's carriage and hurriedly opened the gate to let Lu Baichuan in to greet her.
Good buddy, I'll still give you this little favor.
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com