in2ebook Chapter 216 Complaint
Chapter 216 Complaint
Under the bright sunshine and gentle breeze, the two children, accompanied by their two nannies and Tingxue and Muge, arrived at the field behind the village, by the ditch.
The area was lush with green grass and abundant wildflowers, a scene brimming with life. They walked along the winding path, admiring the beautiful scenery around them while keeping an eye out for any wild vegetables they could pick.
"Wow! So much shepherd's purse has grown!" Cang Lan Jingcheng exclaimed in surprise as he looked at a small patch of shepherd's purse. He then eagerly squatted down and started digging with a small shovel.
At this moment, Mu Ge smiled and walked to Cang Lan Jing Yao's side, saying softly, "Yao'er, don't rush. Come, let me teach you about some herbs first." She squatted down and pointed to a tender green seedling on the ground, saying to Cang Lan Jing Yao, "Look, this is a cocklebur seedling. When it grows up, it's a very good Chinese medicinal herb that can treat many diseases." Cang Lan Jing Yao curiously leaned closer to observe it carefully, nodding earnestly.
In fact, long before, under Su Nuannuan's careful arrangement, Canglan Jingyao had already formally become Mu Ge's apprentice. From then on, she would not only follow Mu Ge to learn superb medical skills, but also diligently practice martial arts and master the skills of throwing hidden weapons and archery.
Mu Ge had her own unique insights into these requirements. She often told Canglan Jingyao, "Those who study medicine bear the heavy responsibility of saving lives. We must not only be able to use our medical knowledge to treat people, but also know how to cultivate medicinal herbs to meet our needs. However, not all precious medicinal herbs can be obtained through artificial cultivation; some older and rare herbs still grow deep in the mountains and forests. Therefore, a qualified physician must possess a strong physique and superb martial arts skills. Only in this way can we ensure our safety when we venture deep into the mountains to search for those rare medicinal herbs."
Canglan Jingyao understood her master's good intentions, so she studied and trained diligently every day.
Mu Ge has long since shed her slave status. Ever since Su Nuannuan persuaded Canglan Jingyao to become her disciple, Mu Ge has regained her freedom and been restored to her free status. It's important to understand that Su Nuannuan would never allow her precious daughter to have a slave as her master; such a thing would be extremely unpleasant to hear.
"We have to give lectures after digging for wild vegetables, how incredibly boring!" Canglan Jingcheng muttered impatiently. However, Canglan Jingyao overheard him as soon as he said this.
She glared fiercely at her brother, her eyes seeming to spit fire. Cang Lan Jingcheng immediately shut his mouth, not daring to utter another word. Then, he silently picked up his basket, quickly walked to the other side, and buried himself in digging for shepherd's purse. He thought to himself: If I can't afford to offend them, I can at least avoid them!
Time flies, and it's almost noon.
At this moment, a solemn and grand procession slowly approached the outside of the manor. It turned out that the emperor's imperial carriage had arrived.
Su Nuannuan led everyone to the entrance of the manor early in the morning to welcome the imperial entourage.
"Your Majesty, I pay my respects." Su Nuannuan moved gracefully forward, bowing slightly as she spoke.
"Your Majesty, we pay our respects." Immediately afterward, the siblings Canglan Jingyao and Canglan Jingcheng followed closely, both speaking in unison. Their expressions were respectful, and their movements were both proper and elegant.
"This servant greets Your Majesty." Upon seeing this, the other servants dared not be negligent in the slightest and knelt down to pay their respects. For a moment, the only sound in the courtyard was the sound of kneeling in unison, and everyone's movements were as neat and uniform as a well-trained army.
However, despite the grand spectacle, Su Nuannuan made no special arrangements for the villagers to welcome the Emperor. These villagers were ordinary people, toiling day after day in the fields, perhaps never having the chance to see the Emperor in person.
If, during this audience with the Emperor, someone were to offend him due to excessive nervousness or momentary carelessness, or even behave inappropriately and offend His Majesty's imperial authority, the consequences would be unimaginable. Therefore, after much consideration, to ensure everything goes smoothly, it is best not to let them show themselves rashly.
"My beloved consort, please rise." Seeing this, the Emperor smiled and stepped forward, personally helping Su Nuannuan up, and said softly.
"Your Majesty, I thank you." Feeling the Emperor's warm and strong hand, Su Nuannuan rose gracefully and bowed in thanks. After rising, she turned to face the still kneeling crowd and said gently, "Everyone, please get up and go about your business!"
"This servant thanks Your Majesty and Consort Zhuang." After everyone responded in unison, they slowly stood up and went about their business.
"Father!" Canglan Jingcheng exclaimed with delight, quickly stepping forward and respectfully calling out.
The Emperor smiled and looked at Cang Lan Jingcheng with loving eyes. After looking him up and down, he nodded with satisfaction and said, "Cheng'er, you've become even stronger and more robust in just a few days. And Yao'er, she's blossoming into a princess with the grace and poise you should have!"
Standing to the side, Su Nuannuan covered her mouth and chuckled softly, saying gently, "Alright, alright, don't let your father stand here talking anymore, quickly invite him inside."
So, the crowd escorted the Emperor into the room. As soon as they entered, Jinse quickly directed several maids to serve tea and water. In no time, two steaming cups of fragrant tea were placed on the table.
Canglan Jingcheng and Canglan Jingyao were also taken down to practice martial arts by the two nannies, Tingxue, and Muge.
The Emperor slowly sat down, reached for the teacup in front of him, gently blew on it, and then carefully took a small sip. After swallowing the tea, he frowned slightly, put down the teacup, and said, "My dear consort, is this last year's pre-rain green tea?"
Su Nuannuan's heart skipped a beat, and she thought to herself, "Hehe, this perfect opportunity to complain has just come to me!"
A hint of grievance appeared on her face as she coquettishly said to the Emperor, "Your Majesty, you are unaware of the situation, but the Imperial Household Department has not yet delivered this year's new tea to my side. Therefore, I can only serve you last year's tea for now. I hope Your Majesty will not blame me." After saying this, she deliberately put on a pitiful appearance, making people feel sorry for her.
It should be noted that the two account books previously seized from Ruan Guicai contained numerous records of bribery related to the newly appointed Chief Steward of the Imperial Household Department. In any case, this Chief Steward of the Imperial Household Department was neither her person nor, it seemed, the Empress's person. Now, using this as an excuse to complain to the Emperor, she naturally felt no guilt whatsoever.
"Since the Imperial Household Department is not doing its job well, just replace it," the Emperor said calmly.
"Your Majesty, this matter cannot be entirely blamed on the Imperial Household Department. I came here with two young children to guard the Empress Dowager's tomb. Others guard the tomb for a maximum of three years, and some for as short as three months, but I have been asked to guard the Empress Dowager's tomb here for ten years. Perhaps they all think that I have fallen out of favor, which is why they dare to act so recklessly. Especially that Chief Steward Ruan at the Imperial Mausoleum, who is so audacious as to openly bully me."
"If it weren't for my quick wit and the narrow escape, Your Majesty would probably be seeing my cold corpse and my two poor, lonely children who have lost their mother's protection right now." Su Nuannuan said, her voice gradually lowering, tears streaming down her face like a burst dam, looking utterly devastated.