Hearing the Emperor speak thus, the Empress Dowager finally nodded and said, "So that's how it is. Your Majesty is wise, and the Imperial Guard is becoming more and more capable."
Yanshu hurriedly nodded beside her, "Your Highness speaks the truth."
After speaking, she quickly lowered her head, concealing her contributions and fame.
Yuwen Lan glanced at her, thinking to himself that it wasn't the Imperial Guard becoming more capable, but her.
However, on the surface, he could only say to the Empress Dowager, "Mother, you flatter me."
He coughed a couple of times, then asked, "How is Mother's health?"
—Tsk, ever since the goat's milk incident, he had been feeling uneasy, and the Empress Dowager had been carrying a grudge.
As a result, the relationship between mother and son had become somewhat... estranged.
These past few days, the Empress Dowager had been suffering from an old ailment. He had originally come to visit once, but the Empress Dowager, feeling unwell and displeased, had quickly sent him away.
In the following days, fearing another unpleasant encounter if he came, he hadn't dared to visit again.
Now, after five or six days, mother and son were finally face to face.
Hearing him speak thus, the Empress Dowager paused for a moment before responding with a hum, "Thanks to Your Majesty's blessing, I am feeling much better today."
As these words fell, Yanshu silently marveled to herself - gossip truly is the cure for all ills! She had noticed it from the moment the Empress Dowager had ordered Fu Hai to beat that scumbag Marquess of Pingjin.
In that instant, the Empress Dowager's hatred for evil was so fierce, she seemed more spirited than a young person!
Of course, it was also possible that the Empress Dowager's recent illness was actually due to pent-up frustration, and having vented her anger today, she naturally felt better.
Yuwen Lan was thinking along the same lines.
However, before he could say anything, he heard the Empress Dowager silently snort in her heart, [The little brat, he actually remembers to care about me! Well, at least he's slightly better than those heartless men.]
Yuwen Lan: "..."
Had he fallen so low in the Empress Dowager's heart that he needed those scumbags as a foil to appear good?
This was truly a bit frightening. He could only say, "I've been busy these past few days and neglected to inquire after Mother's health. I deeply regret it and hope Mother can forgive me."
The Empress Dowager nodded and said, "Your Majesty's words are too heavy. The welfare of the state and its people should be the top priority. Besides, I have Consort Yi here to keep me company. She has been working hard these past two days."
In her heart, she thought, [Come to think of it, women are indeed more attentive. That's why people say daughters are like cotton-padded jackets, unlike sons who only know how to anger people. Alas, I don't have that fortune.]
Yuwen Lan: "..."
Suddenly finding herself mentioned, Yanshu hurriedly said, "Your Highness's words are too kind. This is all what your servant should do."
After this wave of events, twilight had fallen outside.
The Empress Dowager then said, "I'm feeling much better today. You don't need to work so hard. Go back and rest early."
As she spoke, she glanced at the Emperor, thinking to herself, [Didn't he say he's already better? Surely he can't still be unable to produce an heir?]
Yuwen Lan: "???"
How could that be possible!
Doctor Jiang had said he was fine now!
He thus said, "Then we won't disturb Mother's rest. I and Consort Yi will take our leave."
With that, he led Yanshu out of the hall.
Hmph, time to go back and make a baby!
Needless to say, after the publication of "The True and False Princess," another wave of excitement swept through the city.
Readers once again began to speculate about the identities of the characters in the story.
Fortunately, after a few days, an official announcement from the court satisfied everyone's curiosity. Only then did people realize that the story was actually about the affairs of the Marquess of Pingjin's household.
—The Marquess of Pingjin, disregarding marital affection and violating ethical principles, maliciously replaced his legitimate daughter with his mistress's daughter, abandoning his true daughter in the countryside. This behavior was deemed inhumane and a crime of deceiving the Emperor.
Moreover, he had also plotted to harm a great general of the court, harboring malicious intent. Therefore, for these two crimes combined, his title was revoked, he was sentenced to fifty lashes, and exiled to the border, never to return to the capital.
His title would be inherited by his eldest son.
His mistress, Lady Qiao, for harboring evil intentions, abusing the legitimate daughter, and passing off another man's child as the heir of the Marquess's household, was equally unforgivable. She was sentenced to thirty lashes and exiled to the border.
The legitimate daughter of the Marquess of Pingjin's household who had been living outside, Huo Huiying, was praised by the Empress Dowager for her kind heart and was specially granted the title of Rural Lord of Guangde, along with a reward of a hundred mu of land.
Her adoptive parents also received commendation from the court.
In addition, Madam Huo personally visited the Peng family one day with her son and daughter, presenting them with a generous amount of silver to thank them for raising Huiying.
However, the Peng couple did not wish to profit from their adopted daughter's name and firmly declined the offer.
Moved by their integrity, Madam Huo could only arrange for a separate residence near her own home to be given to her benefactors. She also became sworn siblings with them, allowing her daughter to maintain a relationship with her adoptive parents and visit both families when she had time.
As for the false princess who had been the Huo family's legitimate daughter for over a decade, Huo Yingxia...
She left the Marquess's mansion overnight.
And it wasn't that she was driven out, but that she left without saying goodbye.
Upon hearing the news, Yanshu was also surprised and hurriedly asked the system, "What's going on? Where did the false princess go?"
The system replied, [Think about it. Now that the truth is out and Madam Huo's real daughter has returned, how could this girl stay in the mansion knowing what her birth mother had done? She cried for several days at first, but after she finished crying, she came to understand. She left a letter saying she felt guilty for betraying her adoptive mother's kindness and for wronging the real Huo daughter. So she decided to leave and make her own way in life. She said she would return to repay her adoptive mother's kindness after she made her fortune.]
Yanshu: [...That's a good thought, but with her personality, can she actually succeed out there?]
The system sighed, [People need to grow. How will she know if she can do it if she doesn't try?]
Yanshu nodded and asked, [What about Madam Huo? She seemed reluctant to part with this adopted daughter that day. Wasn't she worried when the girl suddenly left?]
The system: [Of course she was worried at first. After all, she raised that child and knew she wasn't very streetwise. She was concerned the girl might be tricked. But her sister-in-law talked her around—although her real daughter Huiying is kind-hearted, she can't always be expected to give way. Besides, people outside are already gossiping about Huo Yingxia. Rather than staying in the Huo family bearing the stigma of being a bastard, it might be better for her to leave and start anew under a different name.]
Yanshu nodded, [The general's wife is a sensible person!]
The system: [Indeed. After hearing this, Madam Huo had a sudden realization. She only sent someone to quietly check on the girl, and seeing that she was fine, she set her mind at ease.]
Yanshu was still curious, [But how will Huo Yingxia, a young lady who's been pampered for over a decade, find a new way of life?]
The system: [This young lady may have been raised in luxury, but she's not without skills. She's quite knowledgeable about clothing, makeup, and perfumes. After leaving the Marquess's mansion, she found an apprenticeship at a cosmetics shop in Jiangnan. She plans to save some money and open her own shop, becoming her own boss.]
Yanshu raised an eyebrow, [Jiangnan? That's so far from the capital.]
The system: [If she stayed too close, there might be more entanglements. Besides, her beloved cousin is still in the capital. Now that marriage is impossible, it's better to be far away. Out of sight, out of mind, and her heart can be at peace.]
Yanshu nodded, [That's true. It seems this young lady has thought things through. But come to think of it, could she have some business genes? After all, her birth father is a merchant.]
The system: [Maybe. How can you know your potential if you're not tested? But if she had resigned herself to her fate, we could already see her ending.]
Yanshu sighed, [That's right. If she had stayed in the Marquess's mansion, she would have been looked down upon because of her background. She wouldn't have been able to marry well, and her husband's family might have mistreated her... So rather than that, it's better for her to go out and strive for herself.]
After all, it's better to rely on oneself than on others.
A few more days passed, and Madam Huo brought her daughter Huo Huiying to the palace again to pay respects to the Empress Dowager.
Accompanying them was her sister-in-law, the wife of General Dingyu, Lady Pang.
Yanshu had the honor of accompanying the Empress Dowager to receive the three of them.
After some time, Madam Huo's complexion had improved considerably, and Miss Huiying appeared much more cheerful than when they first met her some days ago. Especially after being properly dressed and made up, she looked no different from other noble ladies.
It seemed that her life had improved since returning to her mother's side.
Perhaps due to reading too many palace intrigue novels in her previous life, Yanshu had initially worried that Huiying might lose herself in the whirlpool of struggles in a large household, but it seemed that this was not the case.
The system said, "You're overthinking it. She has five brothers in the Marquess's mansion, all born from the same mother. There are no cousins or half-sisters to compete with. Even her cousins in the capital all treat her like treasured brothers. Last time when she was supposed to return to Pingjin to reunite with her family, four of her brothers personally came to the capital to escort her. Only her eldest brother couldn't make it because he was too busy. Especially given this young lady's calm temperament, she's even more beloved by her sisters-in-law compared to the previous one."
Yanshu finally felt relieved and sighed, "It seems everyone in the Marquess of Pingjin's household is good, except for that Huo Scumbag from before! Of course, given Madam Huo's generous and kind nature, how could the children she raised be bad? I suppose this is her reward after all her suffering."
The Empress Dowager had also been concerned about her distant niece these days. As soon as they met, she asked, "How have you been doing by your mother's side these days?"
Huo Huiying smiled and replied, "Thank you for your concern, Your Majesty. My mother has been treating me wonderfully, and my uncles, aunts, and brothers have been especially caring towards me. I've been doing very well these days."
Her manner of speaking had become much more poised than before.
The Empress Dowager nodded and said, "What's unfortunate has already happened. It's good that everything is in the past now. You two should spend a few good years together as mother and daughter to make up for the time you've lost."
Madam Huo smiled and said, "That's exactly what I was thinking. I'm just worried it might delay her marriage."
As soon as she finished speaking, Huo Huiying blushed and hurriedly said, "Daughter only wishes to stay by mother's side and keep you company."
The Empress Dowager also laughed and said, "How could a good girl like you worry about not getting married?"
Lady Pang from the General's mansion also smiled and said, "Your Majesty, don't listen to my sister being modest. Huiying now has the title of Rural Lord. These days, suitors have been lining up at our door."
Hearing this, Madam Huo hurriedly thanked the Empress Dowager again, "This is all thanks to Your Majesty's grace."
However, the Empress Dowager's expression turned more serious as she said, "When I bestowed that title, it wasn't to benefit those young men. It was purely out of admiration for Huiying's pure and kind nature. Having gone through your own marriage, you must be very careful in choosing a husband for Huiying. Don't just look at a man's surface appearance. Power and wealth are merely fleeting clouds. What's most important is a solid character."
Hearing these words, Yanshu nodded silently in agreement.
In fact, when the Empress Dowager had bestowed the title of Rural Lord on this true eldest daughter, Yanshu had already noticed that the Empress Dowager wasn't just trying to comfort this young lady on the surface. By giving her a title, she was helping her stand taller and not feel inferior due to her upbringing in a farmer's household. Moreover, it was meant to silence those gossipy individuals.
Look down on her for being raised by farmers?
Sorry, but she's a Rural Lord with her own land. Even if she never marries, she's already better off than many pampered birds relying on men.
So when it comes to choosing a husband, there's no need to rush. Those men flocking to her might not genuinely like her.
Madam Huo understood the Empress Dowager's meaning and quickly bowed her head in agreement, "Your Majesty speaks wisely."
Changing the subject, the Empress Dowager then asked Lady Pang, "How is Anbang's leg now?"
Lady Pang quickly replied, "In response to Your Majesty, the General is much better now. He should be able to get out of bed and walk in about a month."
The Empress Dowager nodded slightly, but then saw Madam Huo say to her sister-in-law, "It's all my fault for misjudging people. I've caused trouble for you all."
Lady Pang quickly smiled and said, "That matter has been over for so long now. The main culprit has already been exiled to the border. Sister, why do you still blame yourself?"
Yanshu's eyes lit up, thinking to herself that this Lady Pang seemed to be a straightforward person.
The system said, "Indeed she is. Lady Pang's parents didn't have any sons, just her and her younger sister. Although she was the eldest daughter, her personality was more like an eldest son. Because of her beauty, she had countless suitors in her youth, including princes and nobles. She originally came from a scholarly family, but she chose to marry into this military family because she saw that General Anbang was honest and straightforward. Despite one being scholarly and the other military, the couple lived quite harmoniously."
Yanshu understood and thought to herself that compared to the Duke of Cheng'en's Mansion, the Empress Dowager's relatives seemed to be quite decent.
Just then, she saw the Empress Dowager instructing the two sisters-in-law, "The Duke of Cheng'en's Mansion is what it is now. I can only hope that you all will raise your children and grandchildren well to contribute to the court."
The two sisters-in-law quickly agreed.
With the matters of the Marquess of Pingjin's household temporarily settled, the capital had entered the sixth month.
Although the weather was getting increasingly hot, an important day that Yanshu had been waiting for was also approaching.
— That was the reopening of Songhe Academy, and the famous teachers and great scholars invited by the Emperor from various places were about to arrive in the capital.
Ahem, this meant that the mysterious former Chancellor of the Zhongji Court would finally make his appearance.
