Yanruo suppressed the bitterness in her heart and forced a smile, saying:
"No, the Emperor and Empress were busy with important matters, so Yanruo waited for a while."
Wang raised an eyebrow, a hint of melancholy flashing between her brows.
She was Emperor Xianzong's second empress, but she did not receive much favor or affection from him.
She secured her position as empress solely through her sensible and perceptive nature, outliving two emperors and eventually rising to the position of highly respected Grand Empress Dowager.
But she knew that being sensible and perceptive was not enough to win the emperor's favor.
If a man doesn't love you, he simply doesn't love you.
Yanruo was a noblewoman carefully nurtured by her maternal family for more than ten years.
It was also the trump card that allowed the Wang family to continue to enjoy wealth and prosperity after her death.
She had to help Yanruo ascend the throne and give birth to the prince.
May the wealth and status she gained from her family, which she paid for with most of her life, continue for several more decades.
Now, the arrogant and domineering Empress Dowager Zhang is like a tiger whose claws have been removed, trembling in fear.
Su Wanwan's position in the palace is unstable since she has just entered, which is the perfect opportunity for Yanruo to make her appearance.
She refused to believe that Lu Xingjian would never get tired of eating Su Wanwan's food.
Even the late emperor, who was hailed by the world as the most devoted and faithful emperor, could not do it.
A man's novelty towards a woman usually lasts only three to six months.
When Lu Xingjian wants a change of pace, that will be Yan Ruo Cheng En's chance.
Wang, in her aged voice, said:
"Alright, you go and rest first. Visit Kunning Palace more often in the future. You don't need to keep this old bone of mine company all the time."
Yanruo was stunned for a moment, feeling both joy and bittersweetness in her heart.
To her delight, with this statement, she could now openly visit Kunning Palace more often and have the chance to bump into the Emperor.
The bittersweet part is that witnessing the emperor and empress showing affection in person is too much for my heart to handle.
...
"Your Majesty, shall we serve dinner now?" He Ying asked.
Su Wanwan had eaten a full lunch and wasn't hungry at all, so she didn't want to eat dinner.
However, we should also ask Lu Xingjian, as he has done a lot of physical labor.
She turned and went into the study.
Lu Xingjian was holding a memorial under the lamp, frowning in deep thought, his face slightly cold.
"Should we finish dinner before we get back to work?" Su Wanwan asked.
Lu Xingjian simply instructed Meng Yue: "Summon the Duke of Baoguo to the Imperial Study for an audience, and bring Gu Ziyu with you."
After Meng Yue left, he paused for a moment, then came over and took Su Wanwan's hand:
"Forget about dinner now, come with me to the Imperial Study."
Su Wanwan: ...
"I'm not going."
Her legs were still weak; how could she possibly run out in the freezing cold at night?
Besides, seeing Gu Ziyu was quite awkward.
However.
Lu Xingjian wasn't discussing it with her; his tone left no room for argument.
"I have to go."
He narrowed his eyes slightly, his dark pupils locking onto her with a scrutinizing gaze:
"Still thinking about Gu Ziyu?"
Su Wanwan's heart tightened, and her breath caught in her throat for a moment.
"What does it have to do with him? I'm just cold and don't want to move."
She looked up at him, her eyes clear.
His expression was indifferent, and his tone was calm. "Then let's go see him."
Su Wanwan paused for a moment, then had no choice but to go along with him.
Insisting on one's own opinion would only make it seem like "protesting too much."
She always felt a bit guilty towards Gu Ziyu.
The Duke of Baoguo, as expected of a veteran general, arrived very quickly.
Lu Xingjian and Su Wanwan, dressed neatly, had just sat down in the imperial study when they heard Meng Yue report:
"The Duke of Baoguo has arrived."
Duke Gu Hui was nearly sixty years old, with a tall and imposing appearance and a dignified air.
His father, Gu Yong, was a valiant general highly regarded by Emperor Xianzong.
When Emperor Xianzong first ascended the throne, peasant uprisings broke out one after another in various parts of the Great Liang Dynasty, and the empire was on the verge of collapse.
Gu Yong was appointed to a critical mission and fought in various battles, making indelible contributions to the stability of the empire.
Gu Hui followed his father to the battlefield when he was young, and for decades he held military power in the capital, earning the trust and reliance of several emperors.
When the Northern Tatars invaded and the border troops were unable to resist, he repeatedly wore the seal of a Grand General and went to the frontier to defend against the enemy and provide relief.
When Lu Xingjian first ascended the throne, the Tatars launched another major invasion of Xuanfu, resulting in the deaths of more than 2,000 Liang soldiers in the Battle of Yutailing.
At that time, Gu Hui urgently led the Beijing army to provide support.
On that occasion, Gu Hui reported that there were more than 20,000 meritorious soldiers.
The Ministry of Works and the Court of Judicial Review went to verify the report and concluded that most of the reports were untrue.
Despite the objections of the civil officials, Lu Xingjian listened to Gu Hui's opinion and promoted 1,563 people. Gu Hui himself was also promoted to the rank of Grand Protector.
In recent years, Lu Xingjian has never refused any request Gu Hui made.
All the impeachments against Gu Hui by the censors were rejected by Lu Xingjian.
His favor and honor have never waned.
Gu Hui did not become arrogant because of the favor he received; instead, he kept a low profile and adhered to the duties of a subject.
Memorials to the throne were generally submitted by officers requesting military merits and were highly respected among officers of all ranks.
He also helped Lu Xingjian to show favor to the army and stabilize the situation.
Gu Hui bowed solemnly and meticulously.
Gu Ziyu followed behind his grandfather, his expression solemn, his eyes fixed straight ahead.
Lu Xingjian offered Gu Hui a seat and asked Su Wanwan to serve Gu Hui tea.
Gu Hui dared not accept it and quickly stood up to decline.
Lu Xingjian smiled and said, "I ascended the throne at a young age, and it was thanks to the Duke's strong support that I was able to secure my position."
"I have always respected the Duke as an elder, so it is only right that I accept a bowl of tea for my bride."
Having said that, it would be disrespectful to refuse.
Gu Hui knew in his heart that this bowl of tea was not for nothing, but he had no choice but to grit his teeth and accept it.
As expected.
After a few pleasantries, Lu Xingjian got straight to the point:
"Just received military report: the stables in the new city of Shunshengchuan East Town have been burned down."
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