The wives of the concubines are empresses

Jiang Chengkun walked out of the palace gate and looked back in the direction of the palace.

The seven people, who were selected at the same time as the Imperial College, went to a restaurant for dinner.

"Brother Jiang, let's have a drink together. We don't know when we'll see each other again."

It is also possible that we may never see each other again in our lifetime, who can say for sure.

"Come, Brother Fang."

"Mother and brother."

"Brother Zhou."

"Brother Wei."

"Brother Lin."

"Brother Zuo, let's do this together."

Weekend Yu was one of the highest-ranking officials there. He looked at his classmates and smiled gently.

"I wish all my classmates a bright future and good luck."

There are seven guards outside the restaurant, specially arranged by Shangguan Wanjun. It took a lot of effort to select these seven talented people, and nothing can go wrong.

After everyone got drunk, they were carried back to the inn by seven guards.

At dawn, the seven people woke up one after another, washed, changed their clothes, combed their hair, checked their belongings, went downstairs to have breakfast, and then left to take up their posts.

Jiang Chengkun was sitting in the carriage. In his bag, besides coarse cloth clothes, there was also a hundred taels of share that he earned from making one tael of silver.

One hundred taels was a sky-high price for him.

Shangguan Wanjun did not attend court today, but she stood on the palace wall at 1:00 am, gazing into the distance.

Liu Cheng, Lianhua, Muxiang, Ouhe and Minglan who followed behind him were all puzzled. The emperor's thoughts were becoming more and more unpredictable, and his heart was becoming more and more difficult to predict.

Looking at the huge capital of Kyoto, Shangguan Wanjun sighed that the area of ​​the ancient city was no smaller than the city she lived in in her previous life.

The noble and wealthy families here all have huge mansions, not to mention the houses where the common people live, and the shops and government offices outside.

"Let's go back to the palace."

Everyone followed, but Shangguan Wanjun refused to ride and chose to walk. She wanted to take a closer look at the palace, which would be where she would live and travel for the rest of her life.

Liu Cheng felt that his master seemed to have become much quieter. She looked at the house from time to time, and then at the palace wall, as if she was remembering everything she saw.

"Your Majesty, how about riding in the dragon chariot? It would be easier for you."

Shangguan Wanjun turned and looked at him. Liu Cheng just exchanged a glance and quickly lowered his head slightly.

After a long while, the other party finally spoke: "Okay."

The palace is so huge that it is impossible to explore it all in a short time. There is still a long time to go, so there is no rush.

When I returned to the imperial study, Eunuch Lin was already waiting there.

"This old servant pays respect to His Majesty."

Shangguan Wanjun felt puzzled, as if Eunuch Lin was waiting for her on purpose.

"Why did Eunuch Lin come to the Imperial Study today?"

Eunuch Lin sneered, "Your Majesty, I came here today to ask for a favor."

Shangguan Wanjun had just sat down and looked up at him when she heard this.

"You say." From childhood to adulthood, this eunuch Lin has been very good to her.

Eunuch Lin thought it over again and again, and finally mustered up the courage to say: "Xiao Chengzi has served the emperor very well. This old servant wants to leave the palace to retire. I hope the emperor will agree."

Shangguan Wanjun didn't say anything, as if she was thinking it over.

"Well, you're already over fifty, and it's time to enjoy your retirement. Let me allow you to retire from the palace, and your salary will be reduced by half to ensure your daily living expenses in retirement. After all, you've served the late emperor your entire life, and you've made contributions and worked hard."

It’s just that my father is too self-righteous and rarely listens to the advice of court officials and people around him, so the national treasury is empty and there is no one to use.

Eunuch Lin was so moved that tears welled up in his eyes. He raised his sleeve to wipe them away.

"Your old servant thanks the emperor." He has watched the emperor grow up since he was a child. He has called him Eunuch Lin since he was a child, and he also calls him "you" in daily life. He naturally understands the emperor's appreciation for him.

"Your Majesty, although I will be outside the palace from now on, if you need anything, just send me and I will do my best to do it."

Shangguan Wanjun smiled gently: "Okay, then you still have to come to the palace from time to time in the future."

Looking at the already elderly figure leaving, Shangguan Wanjun felt indescribable feelings in her heart.

Liu Cheng was deeply shocked by what the emperor did. He thought that his master had accomplished his mission and could retire.

This is because the emperor is a wise ruler with a broad mind and is tolerant.

Eunuch Lin looked around the Dragon's Bedroom, the place where he had served his former master for half his life.

"Eunuch, when are we leaving the palace?"

Eunuch Lin shook his head: "I have to go see someone first."

The Empress Dowager of the Eastern Palace had nothing to do, so she cut some flowers and fiddled with them.

Matron Li, who was beside her, was helping to trim the branches: "Your Highness, these flowers are blooming beautifully."

"No."

A eunuch walked in and said, "Your Majesty the Empress Dowager, Eunuch Lin requests an audience!"

Upon hearing this, the master and servant were stunned.

Nanny Li looked at her master, and the Empress Dowager of the Eastern Palace lowered her head in thought.

"Xuan."

The young eunuch immediately stood still and announced loudly.

"Eunuch Xuanlin is here to see you!"

Eunuch Lin did not carry a whisk today, but came before the Empress Dowager of the Eastern Palace in his casual brocade robe.

"This old servant pays homage to Her Majesty the Queen Mother."

The Empress Dowager of the Eastern Palace looked down and found that Eunuch Lin was a little different today.

"No need to be polite. Why is Eunuch Lin here today?"

Eunuch Lin took a deep breath and said, "I have come to pay my respects and take my leave."

At this time, the Empress Dowager Donggong looked at him carefully and found that not only his clothes had changed, but it seemed that his entire body had changed. He looked brand new, as if he had been reborn.

"What does the emperor mean?"

Eunuch Lin nodded respectfully: "Yes, it is also this old servant who has asked for grace."

The Empress Dowager Donggong put Qiuju down and said, "I understand. When will I leave the palace?"

Everyone has changed their clothes. I’m afraid they are leaving the palace today.

"Today, Her Majesty the Queen Mother."

really!

"Forget it. You've served the late emperor your entire life and it's been hard. Go now."

Eunuch Lin raised his eyes, then knelt on one knee: "This old servant will take his leave."

As he was leaving, the Empress Dowager of the Eastern Palace suddenly spoke.

"Eunuch Lin, please remember to come to the palace occasionally to see us, the only remaining old acquaintances."

Eunuch Lin paused and turned to meet the gaze of the Empress Dowager of the Eastern Palace.

"Yes, I will come to the palace from time to time to pay my respects to the Queen Mother."

Due to the sudden arrival of Eunuch Lin, the Empress Dowager of the Eastern Palace lost interest in arranging flowers. She casually inserted it and then stood up to lie down on the phoenix couch.

"More than 20 years have passed in a flash." Recalling the scene when he first met Eunuch Lin, he was still a eunuch serving the prince personally. Now he is over 50 years old and has gray hair on his temples.

Nanny Li knew the Queen Mother was sighing, "Your Majesty, spring goes and autumn comes, just like the past. You should relax."

The Empress Dowager of the Eastern Palace curled her lips and smiled: "You are right. I still need to take good care of myself and wait for my grandchildren to be born."

The emperor is young, and there is a lot for her and her mother to do, so she must take good care of herself.

It was two days later that the Empress Dowager of the Western Palace learned that Eunuch Lin had left the palace to retire.

"What? Eunuch Lin left? The Emperor is willing to let him go?"

Ever since her daughter became emperor, she became more and more confused.

Nanny Cui sighed softly, thinking that the emperor's move was probably to appease the hearts of some elderly ministers.

When the ministers learned that Eunuch Lin, who had served the late emperor closely, had retired, they sighed silently in their hearts.

After processing dozens of memorials, Shangguan Wanjun came to the Imperial Garden to admire the autumn chrysanthemums.

"Your Majesty, these green chrysanthemums are very beautiful." Ouhe stopped in front of a pot of green chrysanthemums.

Hearing this, Shangguan Wanjun looked over and smiled.

"It's quite good."