in2ebook Chapter 201 is a person who can be trusted.
Chapter 201 is a person who can be trusted.
After establishing her authority, Su Nuannuan solemnly announced to everyone that from now on, all affairs, large and small, on the estate would be handled entirely by Granny Song, with the original estate manager assisting her. At the same time, she elaborated on a series of reward and punishment systems to ensure that all work on the estate could proceed in an orderly manner.
Prior to this, the people in the village could only receive a fixed monthly allowance and had no other source of income. Moreover, all kinds of crops grown and poultry and livestock raised in the village were strictly registered and managed.
Although it was just a small estate, everything here was quite well-organized because the Empress Dowager had specially assigned people to take care of it before her death.
Moreover, this manor is located right next to the imperial mausoleum, with no other villages nearby, and is quite far from the city. Because of this, it's virtually impossible for the people in the manor to earn any money from outside. Furthermore, the manor is actually under the jurisdiction of the mausoleum guards, making it even more difficult for the people in the manor to leave.
Just as Su Nuannuan had finished arranging the various affairs at the estate, Li Quan, limping, hurriedly walked in and respectfully reported, "Your Majesty, Commander Xiao of the Imperial Guard is currently outside requesting an audience."
Upon hearing this, Su Nuannuan waved her arm slightly, signaling the others in the manor to leave. Then, she slowly stood up and walked towards the house, instructing as she went, "Let him in!"
Not long after, a majestic-looking commander of the tomb guards, Commander Xiao, clad in heavy armor, strode confidently into the room. His powerful footsteps seemed to shatter the ground, drawing everyone's attention.
Before entering the manor, Commander Xiao, following protocol, removed the long sword from his waist and solemnly handed it to Li Quan for safekeeping. This was an inviolable rule, and as the commander, he was well aware of it.
Upon entering the hall, Xiao Xingfang's gaze quickly locked onto Su Nuannuan, who was seated in the main seat. He hurriedly clasped his hands in greeting, bowed, and loudly proclaimed, "This humble general, Xiao Xingfang, pays his respects to Consort Zhuang!" His voice was as resonant as a bell, full of vigor.
"Commander Xiao, please excuse the formalities and have a seat." Su Nuannuan nodded slightly, smiled, and said softly.
"This humble general thanks Your Highness Consort Zhuang!" Xiao Xingfang bowed again with clasped hands before straightening up and sitting down in a chair to the side.
At the same time, Yaoqin, who had been serving Xiao Yanfang, skillfully served her a cup of steaming hot tea. Then, she and Jinse stood quietly beside Su Nuannuan, like two graceful flowers.
Xiao Xingfang glanced at Jinse and Yaoqin, seemingly wanting to say something but holding back.
Just then, Su Nuannuan spoke softly: "Commander Xiao, please speak freely. These two women are both from the Duke of Zhenguo's mansion and are my trusted confidantes."
Upon hearing this, a look of relief flashed in Xiao Yanfang's eyes. No longer holding back, she said directly, "Your Majesty, to be honest, I also come from the Duke of Zhenguo's mansion."
Upon hearing this, Su Nuannuan was startled, her beautiful eyes widening in astonishment. She never expected that her usually dignified, solemn, and cautious father would plant people within the tomb guards! This truly surprised and shocked her.
Su Nuannuan's gaze was fixed on Xiao Xingfang's deep and sharp eyes, and with a hint of doubt and curiosity, she asked softly, "So, when exactly did you join this tomb guard?"
Xiao Xingfang nodded slightly and replied calmly, "Your Majesty, it was three years ago."
Su Nuannuan frowned slightly and continued to ask, "Did my father ever mention to you why he wanted you to join this tomb guard?"
Xiao Xingfang took a deep breath, hesitated for a moment, and then slowly said, "The Duke of Zhenguo once said that Her Majesty would leave the palace one day. He also said that the opportunity would come from the Empress Dowager."
After the Empress Dowager passes away, given the Empress's personality, she will surely try every means to leave the palace to guard the imperial mausoleum for the Empress Dowager. The Duke of Zhenguo is worried that the Empress may suffer grievances or misfortunes here, so he has sent his subordinates to guard the mausoleum in advance to reorganize the personnel.
After three years of effort, all the guards of the imperial tomb have been brought under my command, but the palace servants responsible for guarding the imperial tomb are not under my jurisdiction. Therefore, Your Highness is advised to be extra careful when entering the imperial tomb.”
After hearing these words, Su Nuannuan was filled with emotion, her eyes slightly reddening, and she murmured softly, "I never expected that Father would consider things so thoroughly and far-sightedly..." It has to be admitted that the Duke of Zhenguo knows his daughter very well, and his fatherly love is so deep that it is touching.
"Also, Your Highness, this is the register of the tomb guards and their occupants," Xiao Yanfang said respectfully, reaching into his robes and fumbling for a moment before pulling out a slightly worn but well-preserved register. He then presented the register with both hands, offering it respectfully to Su Nuannuan.
Seeing this, Jinse, who was standing to the side, quickly stepped forward. She bent down slightly, stretched out her hands, and gently took the roster from Xiao Yanfang's hands. Then she turned around and moved to Su Nuannuan's side, bowed again, and handed the roster over.
Su Nuannuan nodded expressionlessly and took the roster Jinse handed her. She casually flipped through a few pages, her eyes quickly scanning the dense text. The roster contained very detailed information, including not only each person's name, age, and place of origin, but also their duty hours, responsibilities, and past performance.
After Su Nuannuan had roughly flipped through the entire roster, she casually closed it, turned to Jinse, and instructed, "Jinse, take this roster to Granny Song in a little while, so that she can have a better understanding of these people." With that, she handed the roster back to Jinse.
Even if Xiao Xingfang hadn't offered the register, Su Nuannuan had planned to ask the Imperial Mausoleum's chief steward for it. After all, among all the tomb keepers, she held the most prestigious position, so it was natural for her to understand the identities and responsibilities of those within the Imperial Mausoleum.
Mentioning Granny Song, Su Nuannuan couldn't help but introduce her to Xiao Yanfang: "Commander Xiao may not know, but this Granny Song used to serve the Empress Dowager. Just before the Empress Dowager passed away, she specially bestowed Granny Song upon me, and over the years, she has taken good care of me. Therefore, Granny Song is a trustworthy person."