The Empress of Zhen Huan Reborn

On this day, when the emperor was holding court in the Golden Palace, Nian Gengyao also came. The emperor was a little surprised. Since Nian Gengyao returned to Beijing, the emperor had allowed Nian Gengyao not to attend court unless necessary and to rest in his mansion.

When the affairs in the court were dealt with, the emperor left the court and heard Su Peisheng say, "Your Majesty, General Nian is waiting for you in the imperial study. He said he has something to report to you."

After hearing this, the emperor stood up and went to the imperial study. Nian Gengyao asked to see the emperor and hurriedly knelt down to pay his respects, but was stopped by the emperor.

"My dear minister, please don't be so polite. I heard that you have something to talk to me about?" The emperor said as he walked to the desk and sat down.

Nian Gengyao knelt down respectfully and said, "Your Majesty, I want to set up a porridge stall in the capital in your name to help those in need."

When the emperor heard this, he was very pleased. It not only saved him money but also earned him a good reputation.

The emperor was naturally happy. He didn't expect that Nian Gengyao was so concerned about the court.

Although Nian Gengyao had acted somewhat arrogantly before, spies recently reported that Nian Gengyao had closed his residence to visitors and acted more cautiously after returning to Beijing. The emperor was quite satisfied with him by comparison.

After the emperor agreed, Nian Gengyao stood up and said goodbye.

The emperor thought about it and summoned Zhang Tingyu, asking him to closely monitor Nian Gengyao's every move to see whether he was really doing good deeds in the emperor's name as Nian Gengyao said.

After Nian Gengyao left, the emperor summoned Yu Ying'er to the Yangxin Palace.

Recently, the emperor likes to let Yu Ying'er sing songs for him when he has nothing to do. The emperor likes Yu Ying'er because she doesn't understand poetry, isn't that smart, and comes from a humble family, so he doesn't need to be on guard against anything.

When Yu Ying'er saw the emperor, she saluted with joy and said, "Your servant greets His Majesty."

When the emperor saw her, he smiled and said, "Get up. I want to hear you sing."

When Yu Ying'er heard the emperor's words, she quickly began to sing the newly learned "Dream in the Garden", and the emperor was fascinated by it.

When it was time for lunch, the emperor allowed Yu Ying'er to have lunch with her.

During the whole meal, Yu Ying'er stood by the table, serving the emperor and waiting on him. After the emperor finished eating, he wiped his mouth and left the table, and then Yu Ying'er sat down and started eating.

After lunch, it was time for the emperor to take a nap. Just as Yu Ying'er was about to stay and take a nap with the emperor, Concubine Hua came with Concubine Cao and Wen Yi.

Su Peisheng entered the palace and reported to the emperor: "Your Majesty, Concubine Hua is here with Concubine Cao and Princess Wen Yi."

When the emperor heard this, he quickly sat up and said, "Quickly call them into the palace."

When Yu Ying'er heard this, she also stood up and sat beside the emperor. When Nian Shilan brought Cao Qinmo and her daughter into the palace, she saw Yu Ying'er sitting beside the emperor tenderly and attentively, arranging his clothes.

Concubine Hua gave Yu Ying'er a disdainful look, and knelt down with Cao Qinmo to pay respect to the emperor: "Your Majesty, I greet you."

After hearing this, the emperor quickly asked the three of them to stand up. After Nian Shilan stood up, she said slowly, "Oh, this sister looks unfamiliar, but is she the Yuguan girl that the emperor just appointed?"

Nian Shilan deliberately emphasized the three words "official girl", which made Yu Ying'er blush and turn pale out of embarrassment.

When the emperor heard what Nian Shilan said, he smiled and said, "Yes, Ying'er sings Kunqu Opera well, so I will let her sing for me."

After hearing this, Nian Shilan regained her previous arrogant expression and said, "It is naturally good that the emperor loves Kunqu Opera and values ​​Yuguan Girl. However, this Yuguan Girl still lacks a lot of palace etiquette, and I would like to trouble the emperor to teach her more. I and Concubine Cao have been in the palace for a long time, and Yuguan Girl has not even done the most basic greetings. Is she dissatisfied with me, Concubine Hua, or is she dissatisfied with the emperor's canonization?"

When the emperor heard what Nian Shilan said, he immediately remembered that Yu Ying'er had not stood up to greet him, so he said solemnly, "You should greet the Imperial Concubine and Concubine Cao."

When Yu Ying'er heard the emperor's sudden order, her dissatisfaction with Concubine Hua deepened. It's just that she has a good family background, what's so great about that?

Although she was unhappy, Yu Ying'er still bowed obediently: "This servant greets the Imperial Concubine Hua and the Imperial Lady Cao."

Nian Shilan rolled his eyes at Yu Ying'er and said with disdain, "Alright, get off now."

When Yu Ying'er heard Nian Shilan asking her to leave, she looked back at the emperor in surprise. Seeing that the emperor had no intention of keeping her, she had to bow reluctantly and retreat.

Seeing this, the Emperor smiled and said, "Is Concubine Hua still angry? She is becoming more petty."

Nian Shilan smiled and sat down next to the emperor. "Although I don't care about the trivial matters of the six palaces, I am the imperial concubine appointed by the emperor. If I let others belittle me at will, it would be a slap in the emperor's face. In my heart, the emperor has always been wise and powerful, and I will not agree."

The emperor was so relieved by Nian Shilan's words. He smiled and took Nian Shilan's hand and said, "My beloved concubine, why did you come here today?"

Nian Shilan quickly talked about the purpose of her visit, "Your Majesty, I heard that Princess Wen Yi is about to turn one year old. Would Your Majesty like to hold a birthday party for Wen Yi?"

When the emperor heard that there had been no happy events in the palace for a long time, he waved his hand and said, "Hold it, and it must be done in a grand manner."

When Concubine Hua heard this, she immediately winked at Concubine Cao, who knelt down happily and said, "I thank the emperor on behalf of Princess Wen Yi."

The emperor asked Nian Shilan, "Who do you think is suitable to host this banquet?"

Nian Shilan rolled her eyes at the emperor countless times in her heart. It happened again.

Still smiling, she said to the Emperor, "It would be great if the Empress could personally host Princess Wen Yi's first birthday banquet. But the Empress has not been feeling well recently, so naturally, it will be handed over to Concubine Jing and Concubine Wan."

The emperor thought for a long time after hearing what Nian Shilan said. He knew that the queen was not ill. As the nominal mother of Princess Wen Yi, the queen should be in charge of the banquet for Princess Wen Yi's first birthday to show the noble status of Princess Wen Yi.

So he said, "I understand. I will ask the Queen if she has the energy to host the birthday banquet."

Nian Shilan and Cao Qinmo didn't say anything when they heard the emperor's words.