Ask the mountains and rivers

Chapter 130 New Emperor
"who are you?"

Zhang Jingwan frowned, looking at the mysterious woman veiled: "Why did you go to such lengths to see me?"

The woman removed her veil and bowed with her hands clasped like a man: "Gu Lian from Peijia Village greets Miss Zhang."

The hideous scars that clung to her cheeks completely ruined her beautiful face.

Zhang Jingwan gasped, instinctively averting her gaze. Composing herself, she slowly asked, "What are you doing here?"

Zhang Jingwan lived in the palace for over a year. The Crown Prince was deposed, forced to commit suicide by being given poison, and then the Bohai Army's Beiping troops arrived in the capital. Afterward, she was rescued by her father and brothers and returned to Bohai County. There, she stayed in the Zhang residence and rarely went out.

Zhang Jingwan was naturally aware of the Pei brothers' illustrious reputation. However, no one had mentioned what happened to the Pei family after their exile. Nor had anyone mentioned Pei Liu-niang (the sixth daughter of the Pei family) in front of her.

Gu Lian was also unaware of any connection between Pei Qinghe and the new emperor. However, relying on a woman's innate intuition, she deliberately obscured Pei Qinghe's involvement, only saying that she had been ordered to deliver gifts.

Zhang Jingwan was somewhat puzzled: "The Emperor has just ascended the throne, and people who have come to pay their respects and bring gifts are all waiting. What do you want with me?"

Gu Lian said respectfully, "His Majesty has not summoned us. We are in a hurry to return and report, so we have come to ask Miss Zhang for help."

Zhang Jingwan's cheeks flushed slightly, revealing a girlish shyness, and her tone softened considerably: "As a young lady confined to my quarters, it is inappropriate for me to interfere in such political affairs."

Gu Lian was exceptionally sincere: "Who doesn't know that Miss Zhang is the future Empress? A few kind words from Miss Zhang to the Emperor are worth more than a thousand words."

Zhang Jingwan's cheeks flushed even more: "Don't talk nonsense. What future empress! Where did this rumor come from? The Emperor is still in mourning!"

Gu Lian hurriedly bowed and apologized: "I'm sorry. I'm just a country woman from the mountains, and I don't know any etiquette. I heard that the Emperor is deeply in love with Miss Zhang, so I thought that a happy event was approaching. I spoke inappropriately, and I hope Miss Zhang will not take offense."

How could Miss Zhang find it strange? Her girlish heart blossomed like a flower. She found the scarred woman before her increasingly pleasing to the eye.

Zhang Jingwan said reservedly, "Alright, seeing your sincerity, I'll mention it to my cousin when I see him. Whether he'll agree to see you or not, I don't know."

Gu Lian hurriedly knelt down and kowtowed to express her gratitude, then sincerely presented a magnificent gold hairpin.

Zhang Jingwan, living a life of luxury, didn't care about a single gold hairpin. However, it's never wrong to be overly polite.

After returning home from the embroidery shop, Zhang Jingwan went to the palace to see the new emperor, Emperor Jian'an.

There was no time to build a palace, so the so-called imperial palace was actually the former prefectural governor's mansion.

Emperor Jian'an's ascension to the throne was very hasty, and only a few loyal ministers who had fled the capital with him witnessed the new emperor's enthronement ceremony.

However, over the past month, officials and prominent families have been coming to seek refuge with the governor. Bohai County has become more lively than ever before, and the governor's mansion is packed with people.

Others who wanted to enter the palace to see Emperor Jian'an had to undergo careful identity verification and wait patiently. The Zhang family was different. The guards of the prefectural governor's mansion were all from the Bohai Navy, so the Zhang siblings could enter and leave the mansion as easily as going to their own backyard.

This is certainly against the rules. But Emperor Jian'an trusts and relies on the Zhang family, and currently only the Zhang family is fully supporting him. Who would dare to say something that would invite such displeasure?
"...This is the list of loyal ministers who have come to pay their respects." Pang Zhanshi, who had luckily escaped the capital with the emperor and was now the prime minister of the new court, looked exhausted and haggard: "I wonder who Your Majesty wishes to see today?"

Emperor Jian'an, dressed in a bright yellow dragon robe, paused for a moment and said, "Prime Minister, go and ask General Zhang."

Prime Minister Pang had anticipated this reply and nodded in agreement. He then took a stack of visiting cards to consult General Zhang.

Emperor Jian'an sat before his desk, his once handsome and noble face now much thinner, his dark eyes dull.

Standing to one side was the eunuch Xu, who kept his head down. On the other side stood the Eastern Palace guard Gao, who had escorted the Pei family women to exile that day.

Gao Yong was originally a confidant of the Prince, and he had rendered meritorious service when escorting the Prince away from the capital. After the Prince ascended the throne, he appointed Gao Yong as the commander of the Emperor's personal guard.

Commander Gao was loyal and much bolder than Eunuch Xu. He muttered indignantly, "General Zhang is too arrogant. The Emperor can see whomever he wants. Why should he ask him? The Emperor respects General Zhang, so he should also abide by his duty as a subject."

Startled, Eunuch Xu went to close the door first, and then said, "Commander Gao, please keep your voice down. There are Bohai Navy soldiers everywhere here. Don't talk carelessly and get overheard. If it gets to General Zhang's ears and causes him to misunderstand, that would be bad."

Commander Gao was furious, but he lowered his voice slightly: "What's there to be afraid of? There's a distinction between ruler and subject. Does he dare to disrespect the Emperor?"

Eunuch Xu was not at all defiant: "His Majesty now relies on the Grand General, so it is only right to treat him with some courtesy." While comforting him, he winked at Commander Gao.

Let's say fewer hurtful things!

Given the current situation, what else can we do but suffer in silence? What else can we do?
There were only about twenty people who escaped from the Eastern Palace. Now they rely on the Zhang family for everything they eat, drink, and use. Their so-called ascension to the throne is just a facade. Don't they know what's really going on?

Commander Gao was a military man, impulsive and reckless. But Eunuch Xu was different; he knew that when you're under someone's roof, you have to bow your head.

Emperor Jian'an, who had been silent all along, finally spoke: "The Grand General is extremely loyal. Without the Grand General, I would have died in the Eastern Palace. Now the Grand General is sharing my burdens, which is also out of consideration for my youth and lack of expertise in government affairs."

Commander Gao stopped speaking with a look of resentment on his face.

A palace attendant entered and whispered, "Your Majesty, Miss Zhang has arrived."

Eunuch Xu was very efficient; without waiting for Emperor Jian'an's instructions, he went to open the door and greeted him warmly.

Zhang Jingwan was dressed simply, her beautiful face beaming with a smile, her voice soft and melodious: "I didn't interrupt my cousin's business, did I?"

Facing his gentle, kind, and understanding cousin Jingwan, Emperor Jian'an Xie Li's gloomy mood lifted, and he smiled and replied, "It's alright, cousin, please sit down and talk."

Eunuch Xu quickly brought over a cup of tea and then swiftly withdrew.

Commander Gao also withdrew.

Eunuch Xu leaned close to Commander Gao and sighed in a low voice, "Commander Gao, you'd better control your temper in the future. If you anger the General, you won't get away with it, and you'll also implicate the Emperor."

Commander Gao felt a surge of anger rising within him and let out a snort.

Eunuch Xu lowered his voice even further: "In the future, when we fight against that court, we'll still have to rely on the Great General!"

Commander Gao remained silent.

Inside the house, Zhang Jingwan casually mentioned her trip to the embroidery shop: "...The people from Peijia Village actually came to me, asking me to pass on a message to my cousin. It's quite interesting."

As she spoke, a blush crept onto her cheeks, and her gaze drifted gently over.

Will her cousin seize the opportunity to hold her hand and declare with deep affection that he will marry her and make her his empress?
Emperor Jian'an abruptly stood up, his reaction far exceeding Zhang Jingwan's expectations: "Where is she?"

(End of this chapter)