After Duke Cheng’en, the brother of Empress Dowager Wang, was demoted to a commoner, the position he held was vacated. Everyone knew how crucial the role of Commander of the Imperial Army was, and those with ambitions began to maneuver, especially Old Qiao.
Having lost the Minister of Revenue as his aide, he urgently needed another important position to fill the gap. Although the rank of Commander of the Imperial Army was much lower than that of Minister of Revenue, its significance was self-evident. Should there be any unforeseen events in the future, this would serve as a crucial safeguard.
But how could Ye Qiu, who had just managed to overthrow the Wang family, possibly leave this position to soone else?
Ji Fei’s energy has been declining, yet Ye Qiu felt no guilt. She now sympathized with him, but who would have sympathized with the Ye Family in her previous life?
The "Conquer Emperor" System has its advantages and disadvantages. Not wanting to serve Ji Fei personally, Ye Qiu used the system’s dicine as a substitute. She witnessed the side effects day by day, but fortunately, the Imperial Physicians could not pinpoint the cause, attributing it to Ji Fei’s own health and consistently prescribing tonics.
And Ji Fei, addicted to the system’s drugs, increasingly heeded Ye Qiu’s words. Nowadays, he almost ignored the state affairs, with all the morials being sent to Changchun Palace.
Ye Qiu assigned the position of Commander of the Imperial Army to a young leader who had shown comndable performance within the ranks. He was of ordinary birth, seemingly unaffiliated with any aristocratic family, but he had been under the favor of the Ye Family years ago, and even his enlistnt was arranged by them.
Because he had no background, many ministers thought the Emperor was promoting his own talent. Thus, this newly advanced Commander, Liu Guang, beca the most sought-after newcor in the capital, and now he was kneeling in Changchun Palace thanking Ye Qiu.
"Your humble servant thanks the Imperial Consort." Liu Guang, with his plain and even sowhat dark features, looked much older than his just over thirty years—like a man in his forties—as he gratefully kowtowed to Ye Qiu.
He was not a pedantic man, but quite intelligent; otherwise, the Ye Family would not have noticed him. Unbeknownst to others, these appearances could be deceiving. Knowing it was Ye Qiu who had promoted him, he harbored no thoughts of loyalist ideals. Previously a refugee, he had vowed to repay whoever provided for him.
The Ye Family always had a tradition of treating old soldiers kindly. At that ti, Liu Guang had impersonated a veteran’s son, which led to his discovery by the Ye Family. They did not expose him but instead enlisted him after recognizing his talents. After various twists of fate, he returned to the capital to join the Imperial Army, and after many years of hard work, he finally beca a junior leader.
This opportunity to beco the Commander of the Imperial Army intensified Liu Guang’s internal gratitude.
"Rise," Ye Qiu said with a smile, asking a palace attendant to serve him tea, "I heard your wife is about to give birth. I’ll arrange for an Imperial Physician specializing in gynecology to visit your residence later. Here are so bird’s nests, excellent for pregnant won."
Hearing Ye Qiu ntion his wife, Liu Guang’s gratitude deepened. Previously penniless and powerless, in an era when most people married at the age of fifteen or sixteen, he only wed at twenty-seven and cherished his wife, who was younger than him. His mother had died from childbirth complications, which made him wary of his young wife bearing children until strong insistence this year at thirty-one.
He treasured both his wife and the upcoming child trendously. How could he not be grateful upon hearing that Ye Qiu was sending an Imperial Physician to examine his wife?
"Your Majesty’s boundless grace is unforgettable," he responded.
"Rise. It’s no big deal for . In the future, just co to directly if anything is needed. Also spend more ti with your wife. As long as the security arrangents in the Palace City are in place, it will be fine."
"Your humble servant will surely not fail Your Majesty’s expectations."
"Hmm, you may leave now. Xiao Guizi, see Lord Liu off."
"Chirp!"
"Lady, Consort Hui has arrived," Liu Guang had not yet left the palace gate when Qing E whispered into Ye Qiu’s ear.
Ye Qiu frowned, "Why was it only reported when she reached the palace gate?"
"It seems there is sothing that requires Lady’s decision."
"Let her in."
"Who is that gentleman?" As Consort Hui reached the entrance of Changchun Palace, she saw a man dressed in the Imperial Army’s officer uniform being escorted out by Xiao Guizi, the favorite of the Imperial Concubine, and she instinctively asked the palace attendant beside her.
"Replying to Lady, that is Mr. Liu Guang, probably here to express his gratitude to His Majesty!"
Upon hearing this, Consort Hui nodded, her heart filled with lantations. The Emperor has beco more absurd, neither attending court sessions nor eting the ministers. The fact that Lord Liu could co to Changchun Palace to express his gratitude shows that he must indeed be soone favored by the Emperor!
"The palace maid said you have urgent matters to report, what is it?" Ye Qiu waived Consort Hui’s greeting, looking at her disapprovingly, "Your condition is becoming more serious, why didn’t you just let the palace maid and eunuch report? Was it necessary for you to co personally?"
Consort Hui smiled gratefully at Ye Qiu, "The Imperial Physician said that after the stomach grows larger, it’s good to walk around appropriately for childbirth, and since I had no pressing matters, I decided to co in person."
"As long as you know your limits, do not overexert yourself."
"Thank you, Lady, for your consideration; there is no major issue."
"The palace maid ntioned you have sothing to discuss with , what is it?" Ye Qiu asked, now even busier since all the morials piled up on her side. Therefore, she delegated so of the palace affairs to others. Lady has muddled thinking, Fang Pin has a narrow perspective, and Qiao Qingyue makes her uncomfortable, so she entrusted most of the palace matters to Consort Hui.
Although Consort Hui was heavily pregnant, being clever and agile by nature, she handled these affairs adeptly, coming to consult Ye Qiu whenever she had doubts, which effectively silenced those who were discontented.
"Empress Dowager Wang said she wants to take Princess Yuhua and the Second Prince to the sumr resort to stay for a while, but Lady disagrees with the Second Prince going along, so I am sowhat troubled," said Consort Hui.
Ye Qiu pondered for a mont and said, "Although the sumr is almost over, the late heat shouldn’t be underestimated. It’s truly hard to refuse the Empress Dowager’s request, but since Lady is the Second Prince’s mother, her words cannot be ignored. Here’s what we’ll do: tell both the Empress Dowager and the Lady that if Lady agrees to go along, take the Second Prince with her; if not, just let him stay in the palace. If Lady agrees, then ask Fang Pin and the Eldest Prince if they would like to go as well."
"Yes, I understand," Consort Hui acknowledged.
"Lady, the Emperor has awakened and wishes to see you," Ye Qiu was just finished talking with Consort Hui when An Fu ca from the inner hall.
"I understand."
"I shall take my leave," Consort Hui stepped out of the palace gate, took a deep breath, her heart already overwheld with turmoil. The Emperor had just awakened, so whom did Lord Liu Guang express his gratitude to just now?
What exactly does the Imperial Concubine intend to do? What exactly is wrong with the Emperor’s health? Should she discuss this matter with her father?
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