Extra 8 Grandma 1
The information that Xiao Ji was able to find out was naturally known to the other two as well.
Xue Chen had walked back and forth in front of Xiao Yuluan's desk several times, which made her a little annoyed. She put down the memorial in her hand and the empress knocked on the desk.
"What do you want to say?"
Xue Chen endured it again and again, but finally couldn't help but said: "I can tolerate Shen Yushan, after all, he is an old man back then, but what's the reason for Zhou Yunan? Is it because he is young?"
The "kid" Zhou Yun'an he was referring to was naturally last year's top scholar. He was still in the Hanlin Academy last year, but somehow caught the emperor's eye this autumn and became his personal attendant.
The Emperor's Daily Assistants were close ministers to the Emperor, prominent and noble, and a potential prime minister. They usually served the Emperor, recorded his words and deeds, and compiled the "Qijuzhu".
Xue Chen didn't care about this matter at first, until the emperor didn't summon him for half a week. Then he unexpectedly learned that Shen Yushan had caught a cold and didn't go to the palace. When he hurried to Minghua Palace, he saw Zhou Yunan serving tea to the emperor.
Seeing the part where their hands were touching, Xue Chen's heart immediately lifted up, and then he found that this boy looked really decent and was unmarried...
At this time, Xue Chen didn't dare to say anything. Later, they met by chance a few more times. Zhou Yun'an actually played chess with His Majesty. Although he sat quietly on the table beside the throne as soon as he arrived, Xue Chen felt more and more that this was not the case of the one who is close to the water getting the moon first?
Xiao Yuluan looked up at Xue Chen and said helplessly, "What are you thinking about? He is only thirty years old. He can be my grandson. How can I have any thoughts about him?"
"Just because Your Majesty doesn't move doesn't mean others won't move. Not to mention Your Majesty's extraordinary elegance and talent, if this kid can win even a little bit of your favor, it would be extraordinary..."
Xiao Yuluan couldn't help but laugh and shake her head as she listened to Xue Chen's jealous yet somewhat anxious words. She put down the red brush in her hand, leaned back in her chair, and looked calmly at the confidant who had been with her for many years.
"Xue Chen, ah Xue Chen," her voice carried a hint of the calmness of someone who had experienced the vicissitudes of life. "Look at me carefully. Time is merciless. Now I am just an old woman with gray hair, busy with state affairs. Zhou Yun'an is in his prime and has a bright future. Why would he have such thoughts about an old woman like me?"
She gently raised her hand, stopping Xue Chen from arguing, and continued, "Besides, in two years, when the Crown Prince's foundation is more solid, I will pass the throne to him and live out my days in peace. If he really wants to curry favor with me, the right thing to do now is to try to curry favor with the Crown Prince. Isn't it foolish to spend time on me, an old woman who is about to abdicate?"
Xiao Yuluan soothed him, "I chose him simply because he's quick-witted, quite useful for document management, and a decent chess player, so he can occasionally entertain me. You, don't let your idle thoughts keep you occupied, adding to your troubles."
Xue Chen's words were stuck in his throat, making him unable to speak any more. He had finally found a day when Zhou Yunan was not on duty, was he going to return empty-handed?
Seeing that Xiao Yuluan picked up the pen again and immersed herself in the memorials, it was obvious that she felt that he was fooling around and was jealous. Xue Chen also became sullen and immediately left the palace and went to the Shen Mansion. He had to ask Shen Yushan to think of a solution.
The newcomers are young and handsome, so these "old guys" have to stick together for warmth.
Not long after Xue Chen left, the legendary Zhou Yunan came leisurely.
Xiao Yuluan acted as if she hadn't heard what Xue Chen had just said. She asked kindly, "Master Xiao Zhou, what brings you here? It's not the time for the attendants to be on duty now. The attendant Wang also left his duty half an hour ago."
Zhou Yun'an bowed and said, "I am staying at the Hongwenguan today to edit the 'Daily Records'. Suddenly I remembered that I left a manuscript here with Your Majesty. I hope Your Majesty will forgive me."
"Oh, then you can take it."
"yes."
Xiao Yuluan continued to read the memorial with her head down. Yu Guangzhong's Master Zhou walked to the table on the side and took out a stack of manuscripts, but he did not go out directly. Instead, he walked towards her.
"Your Majesty," a very soft voice came, "This is the manuscript I wrote yesterday. Would Your Majesty like to read it?"
Xiao Yuluan raised her head and raised an eyebrow. "You are also a historian, how can you let me read the manuscript first? This is against the rules."
Historians were independent, and their daily records were required to be truthful, with the emperor not being able to peek at them at will. This was an ancestral rule and the cornerstone of ensuring the fairness of historical records. Of course, this was not always the case in practice, and many historical records were revised by emperors.
Zhou Yun'an didn't flinch either, still holding his hands in the gesture of presenting the document. His voice was clear and calm, "Your Majesty, this draft records the important discussions you had with the Crown Prince and others the other day regarding lifting the maritime ban and sending envoys to explore Western nations. I'm afraid there may be omissions in this record, but since this concerns national policy, I dare not neglect it. Therefore, I would like to ask Your Majesty to review and correct it, so that I won't make any mistakes that will mislead future generations."
His words were reasonable and his expression was frank, and he seemed to have no other intentions.
Xiao Yuluan looked at Zhou Yun'an deeply, and finally reached out to take the stack of manuscripts, saying calmly: "This matter is of great importance, I will take a look."
She unfolded the manuscript, and saw that it indeed recorded in detail the discussion she had had with Xiao Ji that day on the pros and cons of the maritime ban, shipbuilding technology, the risks of long-distance voyages, and even the potential trade and cultural changes it would bring. The text was concise and accurate, highlighting the key points, and even carefully considered and supplemented the deeper meaning of some of her unspoken words.
"Hmm," Xiao Yuluan read for half a minute, a hint of admiration in her eyes, "You remember it very well, and there's nothing wrong with it. Let's file it like this."
"Yes, I obey your command." Zhou Yun'an bowed and took the manuscript back, his gesture still respectful. However, after taking the manuscript back, he whispered a word of advice: "Your Majesty, it is better to rest early in the winter. Don't let government affairs strain your health."
His words seemed a bit intimate in this situation. Xiao Yuluan suddenly couldn't help but think of Xue Chen's words. She raised her head and looked at Zhou Yun'an, with some interest and some scrutiny in her eyes.
"Why does Master Xiao Zhou say this?"
Zhou Yun'an knew that Xiao Yuluan didn't want to hear those polite words. He paused for a moment before replying, "My humble mother once stayed up late in the winter to embroider and weave, which damaged her eyes and body. So seeing Your Majesty like this, it brought back memories..."
Hearing his words, Xiao Yuluan's newly raised alertness disappeared, "Then I will rest for a while. Someone bring dinner."
Immediately, a palace maid went down. The empress glanced at Zhou Yun'an who was about to leave and said politely, "Little Zhou, why don't you stay with me?"
Xiao Yuluan expected Zhou Yun'an to find an excuse to politely decline. However, Master Zhou paused, turned around, and bowed deeply: "Your Majesty, it is an honor for me to receive this meal. I, your humble servant, thank you for your grace."
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