Jinwei joins hands in rebirth: villains can also eat at the table

It was a turbulent time, and Jinzhong had difficulty finding an opportunity to escape from serving the emperor, so he could not go to Yanwan in person.

Yan Wan simply asked Chun Chan to deliver a message a few days in advance, arranged all the arrangements, and chose a clear day to go find the emperor in person.

"Your Majesty, Concubine Ling is here. She said that it was too hot in summer and she was worried about Your Majesty's health, so she made lily and lotus seed soup herself. Would Your Majesty like to see it?" Jinzhong went into the inner hall to inform her, and spoke cautiously while looking at the Emperor's expression.

The emperor had just finished handling state affairs and was sitting in a chair to rest. When he heard that it was Yan Wan, he thought about it and waved his hand to let her in. She had been favored continuously in recent years. After the queen became pregnant again, she still helped to assist in managing the six palaces. The emperor was still willing to give her this favor.

Besides, he has been worried about government affairs these days and has been very busy. It would be nice to have someone here to relieve his chaotic mood.

"My concubine pays your respects to the Emperor."

"Hurry up and get up. Why did you come here in person? You have always been afraid of heat. From now on, just let your subordinates do such small things." Before she finished her greetings, the emperor came forward, took her hand and led her to sit aside.

Yanwan was wearing a light blue cheongsam today, embellished with some blooming white magnolias. It swayed gently as she moved, looking very graceful and pretty.

Just a glance from a distance dispelled some of the irritability in Xia Ri's heart.

She smiled, turned around, took the soup bowl from Chunchan's hand, and handed it to the emperor: "Ever since arriving at the Old Summer Palace, your heart has been in the Diligent Administration Palace. I haven't seen your face for almost a month. Since you won't go to the harem, then I have no choice but to rush here to see you."

"There are many things going on in the court these days, and I can't get away. I'll come see you when I have some free time."

The emperor took the bowl of soup, lowered his head and drank two sips.

This was not to deceive Yan Wan. The Junggars were causing trouble, the Tenth Prince was sick, and even the Empress Dowager was ill. The Emperor was indeed very busy during this period.

As he spoke, the emperor glanced at her pale blue dress and suddenly remembered his first encounter with the Empress Dowager outside the Qinzheng Hall in the Old Summer Palace. She had also worn a similar blue dress, embroidered with moon-white lotus flowers. As she bent down to speak to him, the blossoming lotus flowers swayed with her movements.

But the dress that Concubine Ling wore was not as delicate as the one that the Empress Dowager wore back then.

Back then, she was the only concubine who was willing to get close to him.

The thought of the Empress Dowager made the Emperor's heart sink like a stone. He couldn't balance filial piety with state affairs.

Seeing that he was distracted for a moment and was only staring at the magnolia flowers on her clothes, Yanwan raised her eyebrows slightly and called him softly.

"Your Majesty? Your Majesty? Why are you so dazed for no reason? Are you feeling unwell? I'd better send for the imperial physician..."

"Nothing serious. I just felt a little dizzy after handling some government affairs. I'll be fine after a short rest."

Hearing Yan Wan's cry, the emperor restrained his expression, interrupted her, and calmly avoided the subject.

"How about I give you a massage? I've been reading medical books lately and learned a few massage techniques that are said to be effective in relieving fatigue. Your Majesty, would you like to give it a try?"

"Okay, let me see what new tricks my Concubine Ling has learned. You are always so creative."

The emperor readily agreed with a smile on his face. He put the lily and lotus seed soup he had taken two sips of on the table and let Jinzhong help him sit in front of the couch.

Seeing this, Yan Wan took off her nail polish and handed it to Chun Chan. After washing her hands, she let the emperor rest his head on her legs and gently massaged his forehead.

"Your Majesty seems to be in a bad mood today. I feel really bad for you. No matter how busy you are with government affairs, Your Majesty should take care of his own health."

Her voice was soft, and she gave gentle instructions in my ear. It sounded like the gurgling of a spring flowing from the mountains, refreshing and sweet.

The emperor suddenly felt tired and closed his eyes lazily, enjoying her gentle and considerate service.

"Dzungar is in turmoil, and Princess Duanshu's current situation is worrying. How can I feel at ease? The ministers have all urged me to let the princess remarry. The Empress Dowager has agreed, but she is getting older and in poor health. I feel guilty for not allowing her to enjoy her old age. The Dzungars disregard human ethics, and the ministers do not want to cause any more trouble. The Empress Dowager is ill, and there is also my sister... They all urge me to remarry the princess. Concubine Ling, what are your thoughts on this matter?"

In fact, the emperor wanted to ask her more about how she viewed herself, how she viewed herself for disregarding human ethics and forcing her sister to remarry the enemy who killed her husband.

Hearing this, a sly glint flashed in Yan Wan's eyes, while her subordinate paused, pretending to be panicked: "Your Majesty, the harem is not allowed to interfere in government affairs. I dare not do that."

"These are just some selfish words. I will let you speak and will not punish you. Just say it." The emperor did not open his eyes, but continued to immerse himself in her massage, muttering.

Yan Wan thought carefully for a moment before cautiously speaking, "I am devoted to the Emperor, so naturally, everything will be decided by His Majesty. I am not familiar with government affairs, but in my opinion, Junggar's words and deeds are despicable and vulgar, just like the street hooligans in my childhood memories. When dealing with hooligans, they should be beaten to a pulp..."

Hearing what she said, the emperor suddenly had an epiphany. He opened his eyes and sat up, turned around to look at her, and took Yan Wan's words seriously.

"emperor?"

Yan Wan was startled by his sudden action and stopped talking.

"No problem, just keep talking."

"Rogues are always greedy. If you keep giving in, they will only ask for more. Once or twice is fine, but if they keep pestering you, won't you be constrained at every turn and have to live under their thumb? These are just my humble opinions. Your Majesty, please don't take them to heart. You are the Emperor of the Qing Dynasty, the ruler of the world. Everything depends on you and your heart."

"Look at my heart..."

Yan Wan's words caused a huge wave of shock in the emperor's heart, and he kept muttering these words.

What she said makes sense. We cannot just seek temporary peace and tranquility, but must look at the long-term.

The Dzungar Khanate has been so arrogant for a long time. Since Emperor Kangxi, it has been harassing the security of the Qing Dynasty's borders, and has now gone through three generations of emperors.

He claims to be the master of the world, and it is impossible for him to allow them to continue to provoke him!

If they continue to indulge themselves, compromise with them for the sake of temporary comfort, and keep lowering their bottom line, then today they are asking to marry the eldest princess, but in the future they may have to cede land and pay compensation.

How could the emperor tolerate this? He was extremely proud and conceited, and he would not tolerate a barbarian from a small, untamed land climbing over his head and causing trouble.

Instead of compromising everywhere, it is better to take advantage of their internal strife and take them down in one fell swoop.

Not only will it strengthen the territory of the Qing Dynasty and put an end to a cancer that has existed for many years, but it will also earn us a good reputation for governing the world and clear away obstacles for future generations of the Qing Dynasty.

It's not that he doesn't have the ability, but he is afraid of wasting money and manpower, and his ministers don't support going to war.

Unconsciously, he sat on the couch in deep thought for a long time, ignoring the presence of Yan Wan beside him. When he regained consciousness, he found that Yan Wan was looking at him with concern, her eyebrows slightly furrowed, which made him look endearing.

"Your Majesty? Did I say something wrong?"