On the way back to the palace from Yonghe Palace,
Yun Shan replaced Song Zhao's old soup lady.
Supporting Song Zhao into the sedan chair, she unfastened the wind button at his collar and asked in a low voice,
"Does Your Majesty think that if Noble Consort Chen persuades General Ning Bochuan, the Ning family will willingly give up their military power?"
Song Zhao glanced back at the extravagant Yonghe Palace and shook his head lightly without answering.
Regardless of whether the Ning family hands over the military power or not, they are already at their wits' end.
If Ning Bochuan refuses to relinquish his military power, Xiao Jingheng will eventually use an iron fist to take it back from him, branding him as a traitor and subjecting him to public scorn.
If he does hand over the military power, his fate won't be any better.
Over the years, the Ning family has undoubtedly accepted numerous bribes through their official positions. How could Xiao Jingheng not investigate?
At this point, no matter what they do, the Ning family is doomed.
The reason Song Zhao still allowed Noble Consort Chen to persuade Ning Bochuan is that she knows Xiao Jingheng's intention in arranging for Noble Consort Chen to meet her maternal family at this time.
During the meeting with the Ning family, Xiao Jingheng will definitely have spies eavesdropping on their conversation.
If Noble Consort Chen's advice to Ning Bochuan reaches Xiao Jingheng's ears, then it is likely that Xiao Jingheng will consider their past relationship and spare Noble Consort Chen's life.
Noble Consort Chen saved Cheng Yu's life, for which Song Zhao owes her a debt. Song Zhao must repay it.
As for the life and death of her maternal family, it can only be left to fate. It's beyond Song Zhao's power to control.
At noon the next day, Jiang Deshun accompanied Ning Bochuan and his wife to Yonghe Palace to pay respects to Noble Consort Chen.
Noble Consort Chen hadn't seen her parents for two years.
Seeing them today, her father's face was weathered, with gray hair growing on his temples, and a new scar with a faint redness on his left cheek.
Her mother, on the other hand, had maintained herself well, showing no signs of the passage of time on her face.
Her skin was like jade, her lips were as red as vermilion, her figure was graceful, and she was adorned with pearls and jade, just as rich and beautiful as Noble Consort Chen.
Because they were in the palace, the two of them had to perform a kowtow to Noble Consort Chen.
But Noble Consort Chen didn't care about these formalities, nor did she mind Jiang Deshun standing by. She hurriedly helped her parents up,
"Father and Mother, what are you doing? Your daughter is not filial enough to stay by your side, and now that we finally meet, you still have to kowtow like this. Won't it make your daughter uneasy?"
Jiang Deshun gestured with his eyes, but it wasn't the right time to mention any rules. He smiled and said,
"Noble Consort, it's been a long time since you've seen your family. There must be a lot you want to talk about. This servant will return to Chaoyang Palace and report to General Ning. I'll come to escort General Ning out of the palace at the hour of Shen."
After he left, Mrs. Han tightly held Noble Consort Chen's hand, her tearful eyes choked up,
"Wan'er, Mother often thinks of you. Seeing that everything is going well for you, and the Emperor treats you like a precious gem, and now you're even pregnant with twins, it's truly a blessing from heaven. Mother is truly happy for you."
Seeing her mother crying, Noble Consort Chen also couldn't help but well up with tears.
"Mother, please don't cry. The Emperor has granted permission for you and Father to stay in the Daughter's Palace and have lunch together. It's not convenient to talk here in the open. Let's go inside first."
As she supported Mrs. Han into the palace, Ning Bochuan, who followed alongside silently, took out a plain handkerchief from his pocket and handed it to Mrs. Han to wipe away her tears.
It seemed out of place for a handkerchief from a man's embrace to be taken out by a woman. But such scenes were familiar to Noble Consort Chen, who had witnessed them often when she was still at home.
Everyone saw Ning Bochuan with his fierce appearance, a commanding presence that didn't require anger to intimidate, but only Noble Consort Chen knew the gentle side of her father.
Ning Bochuan had only married Mrs. Han in his entire life, which was quite rare for someone in his position. Most officials at his level had multiple wives and concubines, let alone chambermaids.
Growing up watching her parents' affectionate relationship, Noble Consort Chen also hoped to find a man like her father in the future. She wished for a love that would be as devoted and unconditional as her father's love for her mother.
Now, as she watched her parents' affection, she smiled on the surface while secretly thinking,
Once she gave birth to twins in the future, her position in Xiao Jingheng's heart would surely surpass all other women.
Then, she would probably be able to live a loving and unquestionable life with her beloved husband, just like her parents.
Later, during the meal, Noble Consort Chen shared her thoughts about wanting Ning's family to hand over military power to Xiao Jingheng.
She expected Ning Bochuan to be displeased, but he merely put down his chopsticks and fell silent for a moment before saying,
"I will discuss this matter with your older brother and make a decision. Besides, this is a matter from the previous dynasty, and the harem should not interfere in political affairs. Your most important task right now is to take care of your pregnancy."
After speaking, his gaze inadvertently fell on Noble Consort Chen's slightly protruding belly.
Mixed emotions welled up within him, and words lingered on his tongue, but he ultimately chose not to say anything further.
Ning Bochuan had experienced the ups and downs of the officialdom for many years. He knew well the difficult situation Ning's family was currently facing, caught in a dilemma where they couldn't advance or retreat.
He had never harbored rebellious intentions, and he had long wanted to return military power to Xiao Jingheng.
But it was also a fact that he had been involved in corruption and bribery. With peace prevailing throughout the country and no need for military forces, if he lost military power, Xiao Jingheng would undoubtedly seek retribution and punish him severely.
However, he also knew that if he didn't hand over the military power, his daughter would forever be under the watchful eye of her husband, and even the children she bore wouldn't be able to come into the world.
After returning to their residence in the capital, Ning Bochuan called his eldest son, Ning Xiuqi, and explained Noble Consort Chen's intentions to him.
Upon hearing this, Ning Xiuqi hurriedly said,
"Over these years, our Ning family has received countless bribes in secret. During the previous troubled times when the court needed capable people, the Emperor turned a blind eye to this matter. But now that the country is at peace, do you really think the Emperor will let us off if you hand over military power?"
Ning Bochuan replied, "If we don't hand over the military power, how can Wan'er have a good life in the palace? You know how much she loves the Emperor, and you also know how she almost devastated herself after the miscarriage incident. If the twins in her belly cannot be safely born this time, won't it be like taking her life?"
His eyes contained a weary, turbid light, and he scoffed disdainfully,
"Speaking of the word 'greed,' who in the court of civil and military officials isn't greedy? The higher the official position, the more they crave, and the more they crave, the more they can serve the court. The Ning family has made great contributions to the prosperity of the dynasty. Without the Ning family, countless people would have been displaced and hungry. The money we receive as tribute is rightfully ours."
Ning Xiuqi's voice sank as he said, "Whether it's rightfully ours or not depends on how the emperor evaluates it. Once we surrender our military power, it means we lose our initiative, and our lives will be at the mercy of the emperor's whim. Father... think it over."
"Now that the country is peaceful and all nations of the world are submissive to our Great Qi, we martial generals have lost our place to display our martial prowess. Therefore, I, as your father, plan to resign and retire to our hometown after relinquishing the military power. It would be best if you can also leave the chaos behind and return to a peaceful life as well.
I have no intention of rebelling, but your speculation, my son, carries heavier consequences than the crime of rebellion."
As Ning Bochuan spoke, he carefully observed the complex expression on Ning Xiuqi's face.
With his youthful zeal and his own ambitions, it was only natural that he was reluctant to step down when he was at the height of his glory.
So Ning Bochuan patted his shoulder and said meaningfully, "The wealth we have accumulated in our mansion in Chuanshan is more than enough to provide us and our descendants with a comfortable life for ten generations. Qier, many times we must be willing to give up something in order to gain something."
Deep down, Ning Xiuqi was still unwilling,
but he truly loved his sister, who was trapped in the palace, consumed by love.
If they didn't surrender their military power, perhaps the emperor would forever be wary of the Ning family, but it wouldn't be wise to turn against the Ning family either. They could only maintain a strained harmony on the surface.
However, his sister resided deep within the palace, confined by the crimson walls, unable to see their parents. She could only rely on her husband alone.
Ning Xiuqi couldn't bear to see his sister live a destitute life, so he could only sigh and agree with his father's words,
"If Father decides to do so, then the son will certainly follow. As for Wan'er... as her elder brother, I don't hope for her to ascend the throne and shine brightly. I only wish for her to find true happiness and live a peaceful and smooth life in the palace. That would be wonderful."
