Jinling—
These past few years have been blessed with favorable weather and abundant harvests, and the young emperor has grown up and become a wise ruler.
Sure enough, taxes decreased year by year, the people benefited, their pockets became fuller, and everyone praised the emperor as a wise ruler.
Within the borders of Tianyao, peace and prosperity reigned.
The emperor, who was already eighteen years old, had excellent lineage and outstanding appearance.
The harem has been empty for years, and the court has been eyeing certain positions for a long time. Now, no one can resist the urge to have the emperor establish an empress and take concubines!
Sure enough, during the morning court session, all the civil and military officials seemed to have planned it all along, and they were all presenting their memorials, asking the emperor to select concubines!
The young emperor's pleading eyes drifted towards his uncle and then towards his tutor.
These two closest people simply went with the flow and didn't come to his rescue.
Why!
Forced into a corner, he had no choice but to agree to choose an auspicious day to establish an empress and select concubines.
Who should be chosen as empress?
Who will be chosen as a concubine?
The young emperor was at a loss for what to do. His first instinct was to return to Cining Palace and consult with his mother.
The Empress Dowager had no idea what to do. She and her son were able to enjoy wealth and live a peaceful life, but it was never because of the court officials.
Of course, she only had one son, and she didn't want him to be ruined by a woman.
After much deliberation, she instructed her son that the empress should be virtuous and kind. She didn't necessarily have to be the most loving, but she must be able to help him and stabilize the women in the harem.
As for taking a concubine, as long as the other party's family background is not chaotic and her character is not bad, it is up to the son's wishes.
First establish an empress, then taking in four concubines will be enough.
She was also afraid that her son would become obsessed with beautiful women and neglect state affairs.
The young emperor nodded repeatedly.
He had witnessed the power struggles and intrigues of the imperial harem when he was young, and he did not want his woman and children to live in such pain.
He will choose carefully, cherish his first wife, and dote on his concubines, ensuring they live in harmony...
Regardless of whether his ideas can be realized, the most urgent task is to select the right person.
"My son, do not panic. I have already summoned your uncle. Let's discuss this with him first."
The Empress Dowager comforted her son and then explained:
"Your uncle has only one son, your cousin. He is the governor of Yunshui County and has not returned home for many years after settling there..."
"Although your uncle has held a high position and wielded great power over the years, he has never committed any evil deeds, nor has he ever abused his position for personal gain. Your mother trusts your uncle's character greatly, therefore, consulting with him on all matters will certainly not be wrong..."
"Mother is right, that's what I think too."
The young emperor showed his approval; he had seen and remembered what his uncle had done over the years.
The Empress Dowager summoned his uncle, and he decided to stay and discuss the matter with him...
Wu Mansion —
Qingyun returned home with a cold face.
After spotting a small pink flower bud, her gaze shifted to a smile.
"Father~"
The little girl had a speck of dirt on her pink face.
Qingyun squatted down, took out the handkerchief his wife had prepared for him from his sleeve, and gently wiped the marks off his daughter's face.
"Who did you get into a fight with at the academy again?"
"No, no, who would dare fight with my daughter? It was her younger brother. He was playing in the mud and got covered in it. My daughter didn't notice and accidentally got some on her."
The little girl wrinkled her nose, reached out and hugged her father's neck, indicating that he should carry her; she was too lazy to walk.
"You should be more careful next time and not let him get close to you."
Qingyun pinched his daughter's little nose, showing her extreme affection.
Clearly, he favored his wife's daughter more than his portrait.
"Third Master, a letter has arrived from Peach Blossom County."
"Give it to me."
As the letter unfolded, Qingyun's expression grew increasingly grim.
Oh no! Grandpa is critically ill!
Meanwhile, in Yunshui County, Jiang Yue received a letter a few days in advance, informing her that her father-in-law was critically ill!
The letters are Qingshan's notes, and there is no room for falsehood.
The fact that the words "critically ill, return immediately" are used indicates that the old man's condition is really bad!
Exhausted from the journey, Qingyao's health prevented her from traveling with them, so she had to stay behind.
"Mother, let me go back with you. I miss Grandpa. If he really is gone, I want to see him off!"
Upon hearing the news, Qingyao insisted on going along.
Helpless, Jiang Yue prepared rare medicinal herbs and hired a midwife, just in case.
Knowing that the princess and her daughter were eager to return home, Aunt Ge made the carriage as comfortable as possible and checked all the shock absorbers.
Xiao Liu and Xiao Qi were also brought along.
Yunshui County cannot be without a leader for even a day, so Xiao Chang'an was left behind to handle official business...
In this matter, Xiao Chang'an was reasonable. After instructing his daughters to listen to their grandmother, he reluctantly parted from his wife...
The elderly Mr. and Mrs. Gu are getting on in years and have a grandson to look after, so they are willing but unable to help. Although they did not come with them, they sent a lot of valuable medicinal herbs.
Jiang Yue accepted everything without hesitation, and she didn't stand on ceremony with her maternal grandparents.
Liu Yunfei was busy with official duties and could only silently pray that his adoptive mother and sister would arrive in Wujiaji safely.
Six days later—
After a hurried journey, Jiang Yue and her daughter finally returned to Wujiaji safely.
As soon as they got off the carriage, the mother and daughter, surrounded by their younger relatives, arrived at their familiar old house.
In her in-laws' old house, she saw her father-in-law, who looked emaciated, and her mother-in-law, who looked haggard.
"What happened? He was perfectly fine during the Chinese New Year, how come he suddenly looks so much older?"
Jiang Yue was heartbroken to see her once loving in-laws, one lying sickly on her sickbed and the other looking haggard.
She soon began to sob uncontrollably, her eyes blurry with tears.
"The third son's wife is back, old man, look at her."
Old Mrs. Zhou choked up as she brushed away the messy hair from her husband's forehead with her wrinkled right hand.
"Hmm~"
"Third daughter-in-law~"
"Thanks a lot."
"You're back, you're back."
Old Master Wu's mouth was so dry and withered it was unbelievable.
The place where the silver teeth used to be is now empty.
The old man's energy and spirit were clearly evident...
"Oh, Dad, I'm back! Not only am I back, but Yao Yao is back too! Look, your little granddaughter is back. She's about to give birth, and you'll soon be able to see your great-great-grandchild."
Jiang Yue couldn't help but shed tears; her nose felt extremely sore.
She brought her daughter a few steps forward so that her father-in-law could see her.
"OK."
"Grandpa, it's me, Yao Yao. Get well soon. I bought you some good wine. I'll drink with you."
Qingyao knelt on the bed board, sobbing uncontrollably.
This is her grandfather. He used to carry her on his back when she was little, hide treats for her, and ask her if she was cold or hungry. He was such a caring grandfather.
"Okay, okay, Grandpa will definitely drink it when he gets better~"
Old Master Wu smiled kindly, his eyes darting around, and asked:
"We're still short-staffed!"
"Still not enough~"
As she was talking, she fell asleep again.
The doctor nearby quickly came over to take her pulse, then shook his head and sighed:
"The old man is barely hanging on by a thread, so he must still have unfulfilled wishes."
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