Jiang Yankun sat behind his desk, having sighed for the eightieth time. Jiang Junze was examining a terrain map with a Western-made magnifying glass, moving back and forth across it. "Father, the southern regions are just too vast. How are we supposed to find someone from the Miao Borderlands who knows witchcraft?"
And they only had four days.
The officials aligned with Minister Pei of the Privy Council were watching like hawks. Forget about helping - it was only due to the Emperor's warning that they weren't actively interfering.
"My Lord, the Imperial Noble Consort has arrived."
Upon hearing the servant's announcement from outside, Jiang Yankun immediately rose to welcome her. At this moment, for his daughter to leave the Emperor's side meant there must be something more urgent that couldn't be delayed.
In the front hall, Lady Ruan and Jiang Xinyan were accompanying Jiang Xinyue, while Lady Sun and two female cousins were also present.
Lady Sun grabbed Jiang Xinyue's hand as soon as she saw her: "Sister Yue, how is His Majesty? Is he alright?"
Their family's immense fortune and status depended entirely on Sister Yue's favor with the Emperor. If the Emperor were to pass away, it would be disastrous for them!
In the struggle for succession, it was life or death. Lady Sun recognized that the Jiang family currently lacked the strength to contend with both the Mansion of the Duke of Cheng and the Pei family.
While the Emperor lived, any chance to grow stronger was welcome.
This thought actually aligned perfectly with Jiang Xinyue's own thinking.
"If something were truly wrong, I wouldn't be here right now."
The entire Jiang family had been anxious, but Jiang Xinyue's single statement seemed to instantly calm everyone's nerves.
"Why has Your Highness come?"
With servants everywhere in the garden, Jiang Yankun, not wanting any small detail to ruin his position, hurried to bow. Jiang Xinyue quickly stopped him: "Father, no need for formalities. I'm here to point you in the right direction."
What direction could she be pointing to?
Jiang Junze was quicker to react than his adoptive father. Upon hearing about directions, he hurriedly presented the roughly drawn map he was holding.
"Bring me a brush."
Jiang Junze ran to the study and personally brought back an inkstone and wolf-hair brush: "Sister, here!"
The young man's eyes sparkled brightly. He hadn't grown distant from his sister despite her becoming the feared Imperial Noble Consort. In his heart, she would always be their family's pillar of strength.
His sister would always protect their mother, protect their second sister, and protect him.
But now he was growing up, and someday he would be able to protect his sister and her children, becoming her support and source of confidence.
Jiang Xinyue patted his head and took the map, managing to find the route from Qin Province to Jingzhou.
Jingzhou of this era would become the Hunan region of later times. The Miao villages in Western Hunan would become must-visit spots on the way to Phoenix Ancient Town in the future.
Before entering the Miao villages, tour guides would repeatedly warn visitors: don't accept food or water from strangers, don't engage in casual conversation with local villagers, and most importantly, don't step on the doorframes when entering villagers' homes.
These were said to be taboos of the Miao people, and violating them would be seen as disrespect and provocation.
Circling several locations where Miao communities would persist into the future, Jiang Xinyue said to her adoptive father: "Father, please send people to search these areas separately, but leave this route for Tang Shiliang."
Wang Dequan was an absolute royalist, while Tang Shiliang was young, ambitious, but not crooked. Without the Emperor's or Wang Dequan's knowledge, Jiang Xinyue had already formed an alliance with Tang Shiliang.
However, their cooperation remained secret because until now, Jiang Xinyue had only been helping and promoting Tang Shiliang without asking for anything in return.
The Emperor wasn't a fool, and Wang Dequan was shrewd. If she ever asked Tang Shiliang for help, it would be discovered quickly.
This blade hidden right under the Emperor's nose needed to be used at the most crucial moment.
For other matters, there was no need to use such an important asset.
Now, she wanted to gift another achievement to Tang Shiliang, letting him try his luck.
"How does Your Highness know the locations of the Miao people?"
Her adoptive father's political sensitivity was well-placed in catching this key point.
Did he also suspect she was planning to help the Sixth Prince ascend the throne and rule as regent?
He was giving her too much credit. Her plan was simply to be the most noble woman in the Great Yan Dynasty and spend the rest of her life in comfort without worries. Why would she want that burden?
Every day, watching the Xuanwu Emperor handle memorials, meet with officials, allocate funds for regional development, conduct investigations - it was exhausting and overwhelming.
Throughout history, few emperors lived long lives - most probably died from overwork.
In her previous life, she had worked diligently just to earn enough money to retire comfortably.
To her adoptive father's doubts, Jiang Xinyue replied: "The palace library is extensive, containing all manner of rare books. I've always loved reading geographic records and accounts of local customs. In these two years since entering the palace, I've gone through the entire imperial collection, so naturally, I've learned quite a bit."
She turned to Jiang Junze: "If there are any books you'd like to read, Junze, just tell your sister. I'll send them to you."
As the Emperor's favored consort, she at least had this much authority.
Jiang Junze nodded: "When I need something, I'll have Father tell you."
He was still young. When he grew older and passed the imperial examinations to become an official, he would be able to enter the palace regularly.
After some brief pleasantries, Jiang Xinyue hurriedly departed, worried about leaving the Xuanwu Emperor unattended.
Lady Sun spoke anxiously: "My goodness, was that really Sister Yue? She seems completely different from before. Just look at her bearing - if you didn't know better, you'd think she was already the Empress!"
She shook her head in amazement: "How impressive! Yankun, I was so flustered earlier that I forgot to pay proper respects to the Imperial Noble Consort. She won't mind, will she?"
Lady Ruan smiled: "Sister Yue isn't that petty."
In the past, when they brought Junze back home for ancestral worship, main family members like Lady Sun had always looked down on their branch of the family.
Now they had all learned to watch their attitudes.
Sister Yue was right - if you could endure, good days would eventually come.
"How dare you prevent me from entering? His Majesty is in critical condition, and as his consort, I'm not even allowed to see him?" Outside the hall, Low Level Consort Yu was arguing with Wang Dequan: "Just because His Majesty is ill, does Jiang Xinyue think she's in charge? Since when does she have the authority to decide who can or cannot see His Majesty?"
Outside the sleeping chamber, Low Level Consort Yu led a group of palace consorts, including Noble Lady Liu who had to be carried due to her broken waist.
"Where is His Majesty? Did he personally say he wouldn't see us? This isn't Imperial Noble Consort Jiang's domain. Wang Dequan, don't forget who your true master is."
"Guards!"
Jiang Xinyue strode over quickly to support Wang Dequan, who was being forced to retreat while clutching his back: "Anyone who dares disturb His Majesty's recovery shall be driven out!"
Low Level Consort Yu, that stubborn fool, must have been provoked by someone's words to come here and cause trouble.
