in2ebook Chapter 334 The Miserly Mother and Son
Chapter 334 The Miserly Mother and Son
"Where are Jingcheng and Jingyao?" the Empress Dowager suddenly asked, her tone revealing a hint of concern.
Su Nuannuan quickly replied, "I don't know either. They haven't written to me. However, if they have already reached the border, they will naturally write back to let me know they are safe."
The Empress Dowager frowned, seemingly dissatisfied with Su Nuannuan's answer. "You, as a mother, are truly carefree. Aren't you even a little worried about their safety on the road?"
Su Nuannuan smiled slightly and explained, "What's the use of worrying? I'm far away in the capital, and no matter how worried I am, I can't provide them with any real help. Besides, if I ruin my health because of excessive worry, wouldn't that just cause trouble for the children?"
She paused, then continued, "When the time comes, will the children continue their mission to the border town, or will they drop everything and come back to visit me? Wouldn't that put them in a difficult position? Therefore, I think the most important task now is to take good care of myself, stay healthy, and not be a burden to the children."
Upon hearing the Empress's words, the Empress Dowager couldn't help but exclaim, "Your mindset is truly unique!"
Su Nuannuan smiled and continued, "Actually, I have nothing to worry about. Jingcheng and Jingyao are both quite skilled in martial arts, and they also have Yaoqin, Muge, and Xiao Yanfang by their side. They will definitely take care of each other. I just don't know if that Lord Qu knows martial arts. If anything happens, I hope he won't be a hindrance."
"Your Majesty, rest assured, Qu Jing is skilled in martial arts," the Emperor said with a smile as he entered.
Then he walked up to the Empress Dowager, bowed and said, "Your subject greets Your Majesty."
The Empress Dowager smiled slightly and said, "My son, you may rise."
The Emperor then turned to Su Nuannuan and bowed again, saying, "Your subject greets Consort Zhuang."
Su Nuannuan quickly returned the greeting, saying, "Your Majesty, please rise."
The Empress Dowager looked at the Emperor and asked with a smile, "What brings Your Majesty here today?"
After finding a seat, the Emperor replied with a smile, "I heard that Consort Zhuang had returned. I originally intended to visit her at Cuiwei Palace, but upon hearing that she was with the Empress Dowager, I came directly here."
The Empress Dowager nodded and smiled, "Your Majesty is very thoughtful. With such busy affairs of state, I am pleased that you still remember to visit me."
The Emperor quickly replied, "Your Majesty, you flatter me. It is only right that I come to visit you."
The Empress Dowager chuckled and said, "Him? He probably came to hear what good ideas you have."
The Emperor, far from being annoyed by his own mother's sabotage, smiled and looked at Su Nuannuan, asking softly, "Mother Consort Zhuang, do you have any brilliant ideas to deal with those troublesome courtiers?"
Seeing this, Su Nuannuan replied softly, "I just suggested that the Empress Dowager hold a flower-viewing banquet for the purpose of matchmaking. In this way, the young men and women will have the opportunity to get to know each other and have a platform for them to find each other. In this way, we can achieve our goal without directly rejecting the court officials' proposal. Wouldn't that be killing two birds with one stone?"
After hearing this, the Emperor nodded slightly in agreement, "Hmm, this is indeed a good idea."
"But the Empress Dowager felt that this was too costly and not worth it," Su Nuannuan continued.
"Yes, that makes sense. It is a bit expensive." The Emperor nodded in agreement.
Upon hearing this, Su Nuannuan was both amused and exasperated. This mother and son were truly a pair of misers; one was afraid of spending money, while the other thought it made sense. She sighed helplessly and said, "It is indeed a bit expensive."
Upon seeing this, the Emperor quickly echoed, "That's exactly right."
Seeing this, Su Nuannuan was even more speechless. This mother and son were simply a pair of misers! Logically speaking, with her third brother around, the national treasury should be full. How come they are all so stingy that they can't even bear to spend this little bit of money?
However, Su Nuannuan had no idea that it was precisely because the national treasury was full that the Emperor was increasingly reluctant to spend money on things he considered meaningless. As for the Emperor's private treasury, it was incredibly rich, after all, he had inherited it from the previous Emperor. But it was precisely for this reason that the Emperor was even more unwilling to spend his own money to support other women.
If this woman remains faithful to him, that's fine; after all, she's his woman, and it's worth the expense of supporting her. However, if this woman can't bear the loneliness and commits adultery, making him a cuckold, that would be infuriating! Therefore, having only an empress in the harem is not a bad thing.
More importantly, the cost of supporting the Empress alone is significantly less than that of supporting numerous concubines. This not only saves money but also avoids many unnecessary troubles.
“Since the decision has been made not to hold a flower-viewing banquet, then there is only one option left—the Emperor might as well make it clear to the court officials that there will be no more selection of concubines for the next five years,” Su Nuannuan continued. “During these five years, the Emperor and Empress will need to work a little harder and try to have three children within five years. In this way, even if the court officials have any complaints after five years, they will be silenced.”
Upon hearing Su Nuannuan's words, the Emperor's eyes lit up, and he thought to himself: This is indeed a good idea! It's just three children in five years, he doesn't believe he can't do it!
"Hmm, that's a great idea!" The Emperor's face lit up with delight, and he agreed with Su Nuannuan's suggestion.
"Alright, I've given you my idea. Whether you adopt it or not is entirely up to you. If you have any other ideas, then just pretend I didn't say anything." With that, Su Nuannuan slowly stood up, seemingly preparing to leave.
"I've been out for quite some time now, it's time for me to go back," Su Nuannuan said softly, bowing gracefully to the Empress Dowager with a smile.
The Empress Dowager smiled and nodded gently, saying, "Yes, go ahead."
Su Nuannuan turned around and slowly walked out of Cixi Palace.
On the way back to the palace, Su Nuannuan's personal maid, Jinse, said to her with a smile, "Your Majesty, look how good the Emperor and Empress's relationship is!"
Su Nuannuan smiled slightly and remained silent. In her heart, however, she was secretly pondering: was the Emperor's refusal to choose a concubine truly only due to his good relationship with the Empress? She felt that things weren't that simple.