The White-haired Queen

Gu Changfeng called Zhang, the staff officer who had come with him this time, and said, "Zhang, did you hear what Yue'er just said?"

Staff Officer Zhang replied, "I heard it."

Gu Changfeng said: "Very good, then you can stay and help build Huoyan Mountain."

Staff Officer Zhang aspired to join the army since he was young. He liked the life-and-death fights on the battlefield. He believed that a man should bring honor to his country and would rather die on the battlefield than leave the army.

But now the prince actually asked him to reclaim wasteland on the mountain and carry out some fictitious and meaningless construction. He was very dissatisfied in his heart, but he still obeyed the order and said, "I obey the order." Then he glared at Wen Lanyue.

Wen Lanyue said meaningfully: "It is easy to conquer a country, but difficult to keep it. When you conquer, you shed blood and sacrifice; when you keep it, you have to fight poverty."

When Staff Officer Zhang heard the term “poverty alleviation” and thought about Defu and Lieutenant General Li Changqing, he felt that it seemed like just changing his job to work for the people’s happiness.

Wen Lanyue said to Staff Officer Zhang, "We are going back now. I will send you the materials on how to plant, pick and make tea tomorrow or the day after tomorrow. For now, you should solve their food and accommodation problems first. Living in a cave for a long time is not suitable..."

Before Wen Lanyue could finish her words, Staff Officer Zhang said, "I understand. I'll arrange it right away." After that, he left without looking back.

After Wen Lanyue returned to the palace, she found that all the concubines had gathered in Shengde Palace, and she hurriedly asked Bilian what had happened.

Bilian said, "The emperor asked everyone to gather together, and he will read the imperial edict soon."

Wen Lanyue asked: "Why don't you go to Yongshou Palace?"

Bilian said: "You are the Queen Mother of the East, the master of the harem, and important events will still come to our Shengde Palace."

Wen Lanyue said: "Oh, then quickly change my clothes."

At the words "The imperial edict has arrived", everyone knelt down in unison.

Xiao Xizi recited: "The Emperor, in compliance with the Will of Heaven, proclaims:

When I founded the country, I based it on benevolence and morality, and put the people's will first. Now, looking at the concubines in the harem, they have been silently devoting themselves to their duties for many years, strictly observing the code of conduct for women, and are the continuation of the royal bloodline and the cornerstone of national stability.

However, time flies, and the late emperor has passed away, leaving the concubines alone in the deep palace, helpless and helpless. Thinking of this, I felt pity and decided to restore their freedom to fulfill their wish.

From now on, all the concubines in the harem can leave the palace and return home to reunite with their families and live the life of ordinary people. I know that this is disrespectful, but I also know that life is short and we should cherish the people around us, so I am carrying out this benevolent policy to reassure the concubines in the harem.

I hope that after leaving the palace, all the concubines will cherish their freedom and live a happy and healthy life. I also hope that all the concubines will understand how difficult it is for me, consider the face of the royal family, sign the life and death agreement, and never forget their original intentions.

However, those who do not want to leave the palace can improve their talents. I will give you a stage to help you fulfill your wishes and realize your own value.

Admire this!

When this edict was issued, the harem was shocked and the concubines burst into tears of gratitude. Some expressed their willingness to leave the palace and return home to reunite with their families and live the ordinary life they had always dreamed of.

Some expressed their willingness to stay in the palace, follow the royal family, and follow the lead of Wen Lanyue and Concubine Zhang...

Xiao Xizi handed the death warrant and the imperial edict to Grand Concubine Zhang, and said, "Thank you, Grand Concubine Zhang."

Then he turned to Wen Lanyue and said, "Empress Dowager, Grand Concubine Zhang, the Emperor has formed an organization for the concubines who stayed in the palace and were willing to follow the royal family. It is called 'Xuanji Palace'. The Empress Dowager is in charge, and Grand Concubine Zhang assists and cooperates."

"Thank you, Your Majesty!"

Afterwards, Concubine Zhang was in charge of the concubines who had to leave the palace to sign the life and death statements, and Wen Lanyue was in charge of the concubines who had to stay in the palace and enter the Xuanji Palace.

Finally, in addition to the Empress Dowager Cixi who was indifferent to worldly affairs, and the Empress Dowager Dong Wen Lanyue who was in charge of the imperial seal, there were eight people who remained in the palace, including Concubine Zhang, Concubine Pang, Concubine Wang, Concubine Li, Zhaoyi Hu, Concubine Xiang, Jieyushi Song, and Talented Lady Lian.

Xiao Xizi got the list and went back to report to the emperor.

In the evening, the emperor came to Shengde Palace and asked to have dinner with Wen Lanyue.

The little emperor asked: "Sister Yue'er, last time, you and I suggested to open a shopping mall in the East City of the capital. Now I want to hear your opinion."

Wen Lanyue said: "Yes, we will open a shopping mall for the concubines of Xuanji Palace to use, bringing everyone together so that they can take care of each other and it will be easier to manage."

The little emperor said, "Then I'll have to trouble Sister Yue'er with this matter."

Wen Lanyue said, "I'll prepare the design drawings of the mall for you to check later."

The little emperor said, "Sister Yue'er, I also heard that you and Uncle Wang built two shops in Black Water Mountain and Flame Mountain, one is the 'Feng Yue Potato Restaurant' and the other is the 'Feng Yue Local Products Shop'. Is that true?"

Wen Lanyue said: "Your Majesty is really well-informed. The 'Feng Yue Local Products Shop' is still just an idea and has not yet been implemented."

The little emperor said: "That means both of these things are true?"

Wen Lanyue said: "Well, I guess so."

The little emperor said with a little displeasure: "Then let's call this mall 'Hengyue Mall'."

Wen Lanyue said, "Okay. It's all up to the emperor."

The little emperor said: "Sister Yue'er and Uncle Huang have two stores, but I only have one shopping mall. This mall is just an idea and has not been implemented yet, so Sister Yue'er has to find a way to develop another project."

When Wen Lanyue heard this, she was a little confused and asked, "Why?"

The little emperor said angrily, "No reason, this is the emperor's order. I have three days to give Sister Yue'er another project for me."

Wen Lanyue said: "You think that a project can be created just by saying it exists. It's just like a woman giving birth to a child. It takes ten months of pregnancy and time."

The little emperor opened his eyes wide and asked: "Sister Yue'er wants to have a baby? I don't allow it." After saying that, he pursed his lips, looking very aggrieved and wanting to cry.

Wen Lanyue said: "No, no, I just made an analogy."

The little emperor said: "If Sister Yue'er wants to have a child, she must wait until I grow up."

Wen Lanyue found it a little funny and asked, "Why?"

The little emperor didn't know how to explain, so he said, "No reason, this is also the emperor's order."

Wen Lanyue tapped the little emperor's forehead gently and said, "Don't forget, I am your mother."

The little emperor continued: "Then I give you ten days or half a month to provide another project."

Wen Lanyue touched the little emperor's head and said, "It's always good to want to do something, but don't be in a hurry. If you want to accomplish something, you need to pay attention to the right time, place, and people."

The little emperor said: "I know Sister Yue'er is very capable. Sister Yue'er can definitely do it."

Wen Lanyue smiled and said, "Many times in life you need to wait."

The little emperor said: "Then Sister Yue'er must try her best. If Sister Yue'er and I don't have a second project, then you and Uncle Huang can't develop a third project either."

Wen Lanyue finally understood this sentence, and it seemed to have a hint of jealousy.