The Empress of Zhen Huan Reborn

After dinner, when Nian Shilan and the emperor were chatting, Su Peisheng suddenly bowed and came in, saying that he had something to report to the emperor.

The emperor looked at Su Peisheng and said, "Just say what you want to say."

Su Peisheng quickly knelt down to congratulate the emperor: "Congratulations, Your Majesty. This afternoon, we received a victory report from the northwest. General Nian has put down the rebellion of Lobsang Danjin and captured all of his people, livestock and tribesmen."

When the emperor heard this, he was very pleased. He looked at Nian Shilan and said happily, "Okay, okay, your brother is very good."

When Nian Shilan heard this, she knew that she had made the right decision to ask the emperor to come here today. She immediately bowed to the emperor with joy and said, "I congratulate the emperor."

The emperor was very happy. He helped Nian Shilan up and said, "Your brother served me in the former court, and you are helping me manage the six palaces in the harem. You two are very good siblings."

When Nian Shilan heard this, she thought, isn't this what she said at the banquet in her previous life? Is the emperor...

Without thinking carefully, she knelt down immediately and said, "I have an unwelcome request."

The emperor was in high spirits, so even if Nian Shilan asked for a promotion, he would have to agree, so he restrained his dark expression and said, "You tell me."

Nian Shilan was still kneeling on the ground, and said sincerely, "My brother serves the emperor, and this is what he should do. This matter can be so successful because the emperor manages his subordinates well and my brother obeys the emperor's command. This is definitely not the credit of my brother alone. I would like to ask the emperor not to praise my brother at the banquet. Since it is a family banquet on New Year's Eve, please don't talk about the past."

When the emperor heard what Nian Shilan said, he knew that she was so sensible, so there was no reason for her not to agree. He hurriedly helped Nian Shilan up and said, "Okay, I will do as you say."

Nian Shilan did not stand up, but knelt where she was, and continued, "I have the guts to ask the emperor for something."

Without waiting for the emperor to speak, she continued, "My brother has been fighting on the battlefield for many years, and his old illness has not healed. After returning to the capital this time, I ask the emperor for permission to let my brother rest in peace in the Nian Mansion to recover from his injuries."

Nian Shilan's words pleased the emperor very much. The emperor also did not want Nian Gengyao to have too many military achievements, so as to avoid criticism when he eliminated the Nian family in the future. So he said, "Okay, I will listen to you. But your brother has made great contributions this time, so I should reward him."

Nian Shilan smiled and said, "The emperor can understand my brother and let my brother rest in peace in the mansion. This is already a blessing. How dare I ask for more."

When the emperor heard what Nian Shilan said, he smiled and said, "I am so lucky to have you two brothers and sisters."

Nian Shilan hurriedly said that she dared not, and seeing that her goal had been achieved, she stood up with a smile and was pulled by the emperor to sit back on the chair.

That afternoon, the emperor sat quietly at his desk reviewing memorials, and Nian Shilan quietly ground ink for the emperor beside him, giving a feeling of a peaceful and tranquil life.

Time flies and it's the New Year's Eve banquet in the evening. The emperor and Nian Shilan go together. When they arrive, everyone except the queen mother has arrived. The queen mother said early in the morning that she is old and doesn't want to come. After the emperor persuaded her to no avail, he let her go.

"Your Majesty, I pay my respects to you." The Queen was the first to see the two of them and quickly saluted the Emperor.

The other concubines also knelt down and saluted: "Your Highness, I pay my respects to you, Your Majesty, and to your Highness, Concubine Hua."

The emperor sat on the dragon throne, waved his hand casually, and asked everyone to stand up.

The Queen already knew that the Emperor had lunch in the Yikun Palace at noon and stayed there the whole afternoon, so she was not surprised that he and Concubine Hua came together.

But the people in the audience didn't think so. For such an important occasion, the Emperor didn't even attend with the Empress. It seemed that Empress Hua was really favored. Everyone had their own little thoughts, and Empress Hua didn't bother to care.

Concubine Hua glanced at Zhen Huan from a distance, and seeing that Zhen Huan nodded at her calmly, she said nothing and turned her gaze away indifferently.

Because today was the New Year's Eve family dinner, the Queen also invited all the princes to come with their families, except for the seat of the Seventeenth Prince Guo, which was empty.

"I wonder where this old Seventeen has gone to find some peace and quiet again." The emperor naturally noticed that Yunli's seat was empty, so he started to scold with a smile.

At this time, Prince Guo came from outside the palace and said, "Brother, you have wronged me this time. I heard that the Empress Dowager would not come to the New Year's Eve banquet. I thought it was still early for the banquet, so I went to Shoukang Palace to pay my respects to the Empress Dowager."

When the emperor heard this, he smiled and said, "You are thoughtful."

After Prince Guo took his seat, the palace began to perform, with the sounds of stringed instruments and orchestras. The music was melodious and the singing was clear and pleasant, and the guests were intoxicated by it.

The emperor saw that the banquets were always the same every year and felt a little bored, so he drank one cup of wine after another.

When the Queen saw the Emperor like this, she knew that the Emperor might find the performances of these singing and dancing girls boring, so she gestured to the concubines below and waved her hand to dismiss the musicians.

Seeing that the other concubines were not ready yet, Noble Lady Fucha stood up first and said, "I know a little about the guzheng, and I would like to play a piece of "High Mountains and Flowing Water" to entertain the Emperor and the Empress."

The Queen smiled and had the guzheng brought up. After Noble Lady Fucha sat in the middle, she began to play the instrument with all her might.

It is undeniable that Noble Lady Fucha has some basic skills in playing the guzheng. Every string of the guzheng is plucked by her fingers with just the right amount of force, making it sound very pleasant, like the sound of a mountain stream or the ringing of bells.

I don’t know whether the emperor was not interested in the guzheng or had heard more beautiful guzheng sounds before. He just raised his head slightly and started drinking again, looking completely unconcerned.

Seeing this, the queen sighed helplessly.

After Noble Lady Fucha finished playing, applause broke out in the palace. It was obvious that the Emperor was not attracted by the sound of her zither. Noble Lady Fucha felt a little disappointed and stepped back.

Upon seeing this, the Queen said, "Mrs. Wan, I heard that you have prepared a program as well. Why don't you perform it for the Emperor and me to see?"

Seeing this, Zhen Huan also understood that the Queen was trying to win her over and test whether she could win the Emperor's favor, so she bowed slightly and said, "I will go change my clothes first."

After getting the Queen's permission, Zhen Huan was helped to stand up by Huanbi, went to the palace at the back, changed into the dance costume that had been prepared long ago, and walked back to the banquet.