Do You Know?: I, the Little Cabinet Elder, Regent of the World

"Ugh!"

Zhao Ceying shook his head and sighed.

"Move to Kunning Palace."

Gao was, after all, his first wife, and the woman who bore him his eldest son, Zhao Jun.

For an empress, a mother of the nation, to have someone hand her a plaque is undoubtedly a sign of admitting her mistake.

The fact that the Empress had fallen out of favor for over a hundred days could be considered a warning and a lesson.

Since we've already acknowledged our mistake, let's make an exception this time, clarify a few things, and consider this the end of the story.

Of course, no matter what, there is still a hurdle in their hearts, and the relationship between husband and wife can never be the same as before.

"Yes." Li Xian stood up and was about to arrange for someone to inform the Empress to welcome him.

Unexpectedly, Zhao Ceying said, "There is no need to issue an imperial edict."

Issuing an imperial edict would be far too formal.

Today, he has something to discuss with the Empress.

An empress should have the demeanor of a mother to the world.

Kunning Palace.

Empress Gao, seated in the main seat, sipped her tea, her face bearing an unspeakable sorrow.

Below him, on the left and right, sat two women.

The woman in the left row is the younger sister of Empress Gao.

The woman on the right is Shen Congxing's wife's younger sister, née Xiao Zou.

"Sister, I wonder if His Majesty has chosen a concubine?" Lady Gao asked with concern.

That "stuffing the sign" move was clearly her idea.

"For several days in a row, the Emperor has not chosen a concubine. He has either favored Consort Xiang or Consort Lin. He only chooses a concubine when he is about to favor a new one."

Gao sighed softly and shook his head, saying, "I expected it to be the same today."

"Isn't the Emperor being far too inconsiderate of his marital bond?" Lady Gao said indignantly on behalf of her sister. "My sister is the Emperor's first wife, and she has worked tirelessly all the way from Yuzhou!"

These words only deepened Gao's sorrow.

“Last time Jun’er was seriously ill, he had someone carry him to the Imperial Study instead of coming to Kunning Palace.”

Lady Gao couldn't help but complain, "The Emperor really doesn't care much about the bond between husband and wife."

His advice was misguided, and the emperor and empress were at odds for over a hundred days.

With the successive entry of four imperial concubines, nine concubines, and twenty-seven ladies-in-waiting into the palace, she felt increasingly threatened.

Sorrow inevitably arises as a result.

It was rare to have a close confidant to talk to, so Gao didn't shy away from anything.

"Oh, what a pity!"

In a coquettish voice, Lady Zou sighed, "If the border expansion fails, Your Majesty's advice will be effective, and the Imperial Uncle and Brother-in-law can take advantage of the situation to become officials in the border region."

My brother-in-law, Shen Congxing, has been in the capital for over a hundred days, but he holds no official position or power.

This made Xiao Zou very dissatisfied.

"That's true," Gao sighed, her eyes filled with regret. "But..."

"That's not how it's said!" came the rebuke, deep and authoritative.

"His Majesty!"

"His Majesty?"

The three women were startled and quickly bowed.

Zhao Ceying stood on the threshold with his hands hanging down.

His dragon eyes were filled with disappointment.

His face was filled with rage.

Lady Gao looked panicked and quickly explained, "Your Majesty, your concubine..."

"No need for explanations, I don't want to hear them!" Zhao Ceying waved his hand, interrupting.

Originally, it was said that the Empress would be given another chance in order to maintain harmony within the palace.

Who would have thought it would turn out like this?

The Empress, Lady Gao, and Lady Zou even dared to say things like "the border expansion has failed."

It is clear that the discord between the emperor and empress did not cause him to repent in the slightest.

Zhao Ceying felt a surge of anger mixed with disappointment.

Now he finally understood what "small family" and "foolish woman's views" meant.

"An empress should possess the demeanor of a mother to the world," Zhao Ceying said coldly. "Empress, you should behave yourself."

Having said that, he flicked his sleeve.

"Let's move to Huining Palace!"

Less than ten breaths later, all was silent outside Kunning Palace.

"Your Majesty, why have you come so suddenly?" Madam Zou's eyes darted away, not daring to look directly at the Empress.

Gao's expression was unpredictable, shifting between light and dark.

After a few moments of silence, he finally couldn't resist and slapped it on.

"Snapped!"

The following day, at the Jiang residence.

In the main hall, an incense table lay across the room, wisps of smoke rising from it.

Sheng Hualan knelt down solemnly.

She wore a light blue silk robe with gold brocade embroidery on the cuffs, featuring nine rows of pheasant patterns. She had a wide belt around her waist, wore a brocade sash for a first-rank lady, and a crown with nine phoenixes and four pheasants, adorned with a nine-flower hairpin. Her long robe reached the ground, exuding elegance, grace, and nobility.

(As shown in the image: run by AI)

"The Queen's decree:

A ruler governs his household with propriety and harmony; a nation enjoys peace and prosperity thanks to the virtues of women. This year, the seasons are peaceful and spring is in full bloom. I think of the noblewomen who have long been virtuous and learned, assisting their husbands in serving the king. Some are loyal and diligent in supporting their husbands, while others teach their children to be wise and discerning. They cultivate exemplary conduct within the home and contribute to the family's reputation without. They are truly the glory of the nation.

Having long resided within the palace walls, I often yearn to converse with my virtuous consorts, sharing stories of farming and other matters, to exemplify the virtues of gentleness and grace. Therefore, I have decreed that a small gathering will be held in the Kunning Palace at the hour of Wei (1-3 PM) ten days from now, for the sake of these ladies-in-waiting. All those who have received this decree, whether ladies of high rank or wives of meritorious officials, may bring this edict to the Kunning Palace.

A ruler and his subject should be in harmony, like fish and water complementing each other. I hope that all noblewomen will understand this humble sentiment and arrive as scheduled.

Therefore, this is hereby proclaimed so that all may be informed.

The eunuch announced the imperial decree.

"Your Majesty, I thank you for your grace." Sheng Hualan bowed.

Afterwards, a maidservant slipped gold into the bag and led the eunuch out.

Upon receiving the edict, Sheng Hualan glanced at it and couldn't help but be surprised.

Kunning Palace, not Fushou Palace?

gazebo.

A stone table, clear tea, and fruits.

"Practice until your form resembles a crane, and beneath a thousand pines lie two volumes of scriptures!"

Jiang Zhao faced his palms together, stretched out his body, gradually assuming the posture of a "flying crane," and earnestly practiced the Five Animal Fist.

To succeed in officialdom, one must maintain a good mindset and be in good health!

Concubine Sheng Shulan, while munching on melons and fruits, nodded in praise from time to time.

"Let me ask."

"Officer."

With a soft call, Sheng Hualan, holding the decree, approached with light steps.

Jiang Zhao turned around, glanced at the imperial edict, and slowly withdrew from the action.

Sheng Shulan stepped forward at the opportune moment and used a silk handkerchief to wipe the official's sweat.

"What's wrong?" Jiang Zhao looked at his wife.

"By imperial decree, the wives of noblewomen and meritorious officials are permitted to enter Kunning Palace for a chat and a small gathering."

Sheng Hualan exclaimed in surprise, "But generally speaking, people go to the Empress Dowager's Palace of Fortune and Longevity!"

As the wife of a high-ranking official, a noblewoman of noble birth, Sheng Hualan naturally possessed the "sensitivity" expected of a wife of a powerful and wealthy person.

The Kunning Palace and the Fushou Palace have completely different meanings.

Jiang Zhao raised his eyebrows, and in a split second, he understood.

"Does my wife have any idea why?" Jiang Zhao asked gently.

"The matter of offering advice?" Sheng Hualan asked softly.

The Empress repeatedly offered advice, but she showed no sign of being a virtuous mother to the nation, which annoyed the Emperor, and he stopped visiting her.

This matter has never been a secret.

Since the "New Moon and Full Moon Ritual" became invalid, the wives and noblewomen of officials have been discussing it endlessly, and even after more than a hundred days, it is still the hottest topic.

For an empress to be the subject of gossip for over a hundred days is not a good thing.

There are only two possibilities for a noblewoman entering the Kunning Palace instead of the Fushou Palace:

Either the Empress Dowager has lost power, or the Emperor is deliberately targeting her.

Either the empress wanted to regain her dignity as the "mother of the nation" and strengthen her authority among the women.

Based on probability, it is unlikely to be the first one.

Making the Empress Dowager lose face is no easy task.

Ninety-nine percent of the civil and military officials had been selected and promoted by the late emperor.

Even the official Jiang Zhao was highly regarded by the late emperor.

If the Empress Dowager had behaved herself and behaved herself, the civil and military officials left behind by the late emperor would never have allowed her to have a worryy old age.

The most likely explanation is that the Empress wanted to restore her status as a dignified and virtuous mother of the nation.

Jiang Zhao nodded and said calmly, "I reckon that's how it is."

The empress was, after all, the emperor's first wife.

Given the temperament of officials, if someone makes a mistake, they will definitely choose to tolerate it.

Interrupted from practicing his boxing, Jiang Zhao simply stopped practicing, wiped away his sweat, and slowly said, "Today is the day the courtyard is locked."

"I'm leaving now."

With that, he strode away, hands behind his back.

"I came to ask the question, but there is nothing more to say; the clouds are in the blue sky, the water is in..."

……

Chapter 217 Jiang Qing, I want to depose the Empress! Wang Anshi, it's not your place to implement reforms!

As dawn broke, it was nearing noon.

"squeak--"

The main gate of the examination hall was pushed open.

Led by the chief examiner Jiang Zhao, nineteen examiners, some in purple and some in red, gathered here.

The examiners locked the courtyard and drafted the exam questions, which meant that the grand spring imperial examination was about to begin.