A Foodie Transmigrated into the Palace-Chapter 580 Completely Unexpected
In the study, Fan You gazed solemnly at the Emperorβs secret edict. He then glanced at the Imperial Censor in front of him, still waiting to return to the Capital City to report back. ππΏπππ°π²ππ§π π§π²π₯.ππ¨π
No matter how tumultuous his heart felt, spinning with schemes and drenched in bloodshed, he had to kneel down and kowtow.
"This humble official will faithfully abide by the Emperorβs sacred decree!"
The Emperor had ordered him to deal with a few Grassland Tribes, and he naturally could not disobey.
Then the Imperial Censor simply smiled and said, "Please rise, Commander Fan! You understand the Emperorβs intentions, so please give a reply."
This was also a rule of the imperial court. The secret edict wouldnβt be left with you, but you had to stamp it with your seal. Otherwise, if you didnβt handle the task well and later denied receiving any news, what then? Stamping your seal would signify that you had fully taken on the assignment. If mishandled, military law would be enforced!
Fan You hesitated somewhat!
Under the repeated urging of the Imperial Censor, he finally stamped his own seal on the edict and handed it over!
The Imperial Censor checked it, then put away the secret edict. "Commander Fan, I take my leave!"
Fan You managed to summon a strained smile. "Safe travels, Imperial Censor!"
Before his voice had faded, the Imperial Censor had already left the door and was out of sight.
Upon leaving the Fan Residence, the Imperial Censor didnβt delay for a moment and headed straight out of the city to return to the Capital City.
Commander Fan, on the other hand, faced great difficulty. He promptly summoned all his military strategists to discuss the pressing matter!
Why was he troubled? Because he hadnβt fought in many years. Ever since the previous Emperor passed away and the New Emperor ascended the throne, he hadnβt wielded a weapon again. Although he had been a General for many years, he had remained stationed at Yanguan City. With his once-renowned name, no one dared to challenge him, and years had passed in relative peace. He was nominally the father-in-law of the country, but the young Emperor didnβt trust him much. Let alone rely heavily on him. The people he once led troops with, like Shi Yang, had been Commanders for several years already. He was still a first-rank General and had been ennobled with an empty title! Powerless! He had limited control over the troops, at most a hundred thousand men. He wasnβt the only one guarding the Northwest; why didnβt the Emperor send the others? This campaign, he did not want to fight at all. The young Emperor sent no one else, only him, and who knows what conspiracies lay behind that.
"Hmph!"
"This year... is The Fifth Year of Jiayuan!"
"Just last September, the young Emperor executed my second legitimate son!"
"Although my second son was somewhat unruly, engaging in fights and killing, resulting in over a dozen lives lost!"
"But as a son of a soldier, there arenβt so many rules to follow!"
"It was only over a dozen lives. Some Silver could have settled it, yet the young Emperor actually took my sonβs life!"
Fan You became more and more agitated as he spoke.
In the end, those strategists listening behind him were breaking out in cold sweats.
"General, you should... be careful of the walls having ears!"
If such treasonous words were to get out, it would mean execution!
After thinking it over, Fan You called his few strategists. "Letβs go! Letβs find a place to drink!"
The strategists looked at each other and nodded, and a group of them went off to drink.
During the feast, Fan You poured out his grievances.
"Itβs said, βa new emperor, new officials!β The previous Emperor relied on me; the young Emperor would certainly not reuse me!"
"Thereβs nothing to say about that!"
"Itβs just that..."
"My daughter holds the empty title of Empress in the Harem!"
"The young Emperor probably wants to find an excuse to depose my daughter!"
"Ah..."
Fan You, now drunk, spoke more and more inappropriately!
One of the strategists then gave Fan You a piece of advice.
"Since thatβs the case, General, we must fight this battle well!"
"Best to annihilate those Grassland Tribes thoroughly, leaving the Emperor no fault to find!"
"That way... the Emperor will have no reason to depose the Empress!!"
This plan was put into action. Fan You and the group of military advisors all pondered it carefully and felt that this move was feasible!
So, Fan You made up his mind.
"Good! In this battle, you will see that my valiant spirit is as strong as ever..."
"COUGH COUGH... UGH!"
He drank too much and threw up.
Fan You was a brutal man, but he was also a good General who had earned considerable military achievements.
Now... he was old after all! No longer had the bravery of his youth!
γCapital City.γ
The disturbances at the border posed no threat to the people of the Capital City, thousands of miles away. Of course, since the news was suppressed, who would know?!
So, the lively New Year festivities still arrived.
Xia Ruqing had Little Bun and was the rightfully appointed Consort! Moreover, she was doted on by the Emperor, held close to his heart.
Needless to say, Qingya Residence was bustling!
The Imperial Kitchen and the Ministry of Internal Affairs treated her with great respect, and she received numerous rewards. The Emperorβs gifts, the Empressβs giftsβeven the small treasury was almost filled up.
The Emperor still cherished her the most. In private, he took those exotic tributes from foreign nations, including the freshest curiosities, the most exquisite pearls and jewels, fabrics, and spices. He carefully selected them and gave her the very best of the lot.
When Zhao Junyao came over in the evening, he watched as Xia Ruqing tried on several interesting and beautiful pieces.
He then smiled and said, "Do they look good? Do you like them?"
Xia Ruqing looked them over. "This string of beads, theyβre Red Coral Beads, arenβt they? And this hairpin, itβs made of cloisonnΓ©, right?"
The Red Coral Beads were as large as a peanut, irregular in shape, obviously natural. The cloisonnΓ© too was vivid in color. Its quality was as fine as gold and jade, smooth as oil, and quite pleasing to the eye. Both were among the finest of the fine, not something one commonly finds.
Zhao Junyao, with a smile, pulled her into his embrace. "From the Western Xia Kingdom, Duoluo Country, the Kingdom of Goryeo, and... from Lvsong Country and so on. The things the Empress received for her birthday, none are as fine as yours!"
He knew she had been jealous that time! So, was he pleased?!
COUGH COUGH! Zhao Junyao completely failed to notice his own pleasure.
Xia Ruqing didnβt realize it either.
And she said sweetly, "Thank you, Your Majesty!"
Zhao Junyao was even more satisfied.
"Alright, Iβve given the gifts, so itβs time for me to leave. You should rest well!"
"Take good care of Little Bun and yourself as well!"
"Call for whatever you want to eat, and when youβre free, practice your writing!"
"Iβll be quite busy for a while and wonβt be able to come see you anytime!"
The busiest times are the year-end, after all!
Xia Ruqing obediently agreed, "Rest assured, Your Majesty, I understand everything!"
Itβs not her first New Year, is it? Besides, those dirty tricks in the palace dare not stir trouble at such a time!
Zhao Junyao nodded in satisfaction and then left.
Qingya Residence was bustling.
And the Empressβs place was no less lively.
The Empress Dowager personally bestowed gifts upon the Third Princess. She also specially asked the Empress to hold the Third Princess and take her to Ningshou Palace for a visit.
When Xia Ruqing heard the news, she found it incredibly surprising. Since when did the Empress Dowager and the Empress become so close! This is completely unexpected!
The Empress was elated, holding the princess and commanding her servants to pack before rushing to Ningshou Palace.
Sister Ji was somewhat anxious. "Your Highness, please... be careful!"
