The wives of the concubines are empresses

Ranpin - Wang Ran bowed to Doctor Jiang and said, "Thank you, Doctor Jiang. Xingcheng, here's the money."

Follower Zhao Xingcheng was about to take out his purse when Doctor Jiang waved his hand.

"No need for that. Just consider it as me doing good deeds and accumulating virtue, doing something for the people. County Magistrate, County Deputy, Master, and everyone, I'm leaving."

Ranpin - Wang Ran was moved by his words: "Xingcheng, send Doctor Jiang off."

Attendant Zhao Xingcheng extended his hand: "Doctor Jiang, please, I will see you off."

Doctor Jiang bowed and said goodbye, then turned and walked out of the county government office.

His attendant Zhao Xingcheng personally escorted him to the gate of the county government office, but was stopped by Doctor Jiang who turned around.

"Thank you, brother. Please go back."

"Okay, Doctor Jiang, take care." After saying that, he turned around and went back.

Doctor Jiang took a deep look at the county government office, then looked into the courtyard, and then went back.

After some discussion, everyone finally decided to send yamen runners to look for dandelions, honeysuckle, chrysanthemums, and mint.

Like roses and lotus leaves, they didn't have any, so they gave up.

The roots of dandelions picked in August and September can be used to make tea, which has the effects of reducing swelling, detoxifying, replenishing blood and promoting lactation.

Royal Palace

After the court session, Commander Wang was taken to the Imperial Study by Xiao Dezi to review and classify memorials.

He lifted up his official robe and sat down. He looked at the piles of memorials on the table and frowned instantly.

Xiao Dezi glanced at him and did not miss the frown on his face.

Lily, a maid from the Tea Fragrance Courtyard, brought a cup of chrysanthemum tea and gently placed it next to the desk of Commander Wang.

Shangguan Wanjun brought the two newly appointed generals and ministers from the Ministry of War and the Ministry of Works to discuss state affairs.

An hour later, Commander Wang had reviewed and classified a hundred memorials.

Looking at so many memorials in front of him, he felt a headache, pain in his hands, and pain in his eyes.

Seeing his bitter and resentful expression, Xiao Dezi and Youyou smiled secretly.

Minglan brought twenty guards to the Moxiangyuan, the courtyard of the prince's eldest son, to investigate the names, ages, dates of arrival at the palace, and whereabouts of more than a dozen concubines.

The tenth concubine was a beautiful lady who looked very pitiful. When she heard that it was the emperor who sent people to investigate, she was a little frightened.

"Don't be nervous. We are all the emperor's men. We are here on his orders. You just need to tell the truth. If you tell a lie, you will be guilty of deceiving the emperor.

The crime of deceiving the emperor carries a severe penalty, and you cannot afford the consequences."

She has to act in a way that is intimidating to others, otherwise these people will be afraid of power and will definitely not tell the truth.

She was frightened. She didn't dare to deceive the king.

"Sir, I did not enter the mansion voluntarily. I was forcibly abducted..."

The other concubines felt the same way as her and burst into tears after hearing about her experience.

For a moment, the atmosphere in Moxiangyuan was extremely solemn.

When lunch time was approaching, Shangguan Wanjun took the newly appointed talented and noble ladies to Fushou Palace.

"The Emperor has arrived!"

The Empress Dowager had received a message from Xiao Dezi in the Imperial Study early in the morning, so she was not surprised that the Emperor had arrived.

She looked at Nanny Li who was serving beside her and said, "Bring the lunch."

"Yes, Queen Mother."

Shangguan Wanjun came over in a green embroidered dragon robe with a bright smile on her face.

"My son, I send my regards to my mother."

The Queen Mother looked at her daughter tenderly, whom she had not seen for a few days: "My prince is here, please sit down."

Shangguan Wanjun came to sit next to the Empress Dowager of the Eastern Palace and asked: "How are you lately, Mother?"

"I'm fine. How have you been lately?" Seeing that his daughter looked fine, he must have had a good rest.

Shangguan Wanjun smiled gently: "I am fine. By the way, I brought two generals to serve tea to the Queen Mother today."

The Empress Dowager of the Eastern Palace looked at the two men. They were both young men, full of energy and tall, and they were quite suitable to match the emperor.

General Nan Shaoan and General Anyong both bowed and saluted: "Your Highness and your son-in-law pay their respects to the Queen Mother."

On the way here, the emperor told them to call themselves the empress dowager's son-in-law.

The Empress Dowager Donggong smiled slightly and said, "No need to be polite. Please take a seat."

The Empress Dowager of the Eastern Palace always maintained a distant, indifferent and polite attitude towards the concubines in the harem.

"Thank you, Queen Mother, for the seat."

Upon seeing her daughter, the Empress Dowager Donggong asked about court affairs with some concern.

"Oh, you let Commander Wang review and classify memorials alone in the imperial study?" What did the emperor mean by this?

Shangguan Wanjun didn't think it was a big deal: "Yes, I asked Minglan to go to his house to investigate, so that he wouldn't go back and find an opportunity to warn his son and his concubines. That would be in vain."

Listening to the emperor's slightly childish words, the Empress Dowager Donggong couldn't help laughing.

"Is this matter worth your trouble? Aren't you afraid of tiring yourself out?"

Shangguan Wanjun smiled and said, "How could that be? I asked Lord Wang to help review and classify the memorials. Besides, with Minglan here, I can rest assured."

The Empress Dowager sighed softly, "Do you really trust that Master Ming?"

Shangguan Wanjun sneered: "If you doubt someone, don't employ him; if you doubt him, don't employ him. If you are always hesitant, you won't be able to accomplish anything."

The Empress Dowager of the Eastern Palace and Nanny Li exchanged a smile. "You've already found your excuse, and I, the Queen Mother, can't argue with you. Well, now that you're grown up and an emperor, it's fine if you have your own opinions. As for me, I can't help you, but I can't hold you back either."

This daughter has been very sensible since she was young, which makes people feel distressed. So she tries her best to love and pamper her, hoping to make up for it in terms of material things and make herself feel better.

General Nan Shaoan and General Anyong listened quietly, and no one spoke to disturb the mother and daughter from reminiscing about the past.

General Nan Shaoan glanced at the Empress Dowager Donggong as if nothing had happened, but he was still shocked by what she said.

That sentence can't help you, nor can it hold you back. Relatively speaking, the Empress Dowager of the Eastern Palace did a really good job.

Seeing that the mother and daughter had almost finished their conversation, Nanny Li chuckled and reminded them.

"Empress Dowager, the two concubines are waiting to serve you tea." The two young generals looked good and had been sitting quietly.

The more rugged young general must not be such a quiet person. The fact that he can persist in this way shows that he has great perseverance.

"You're right. I was so engrossed in chatting with the Emperor that I accidentally forgot about the two generals."

General Nan Shaoan bowed and said, "Queen Dowager, it's alright. You have something to say to the Emperor, and I will just sit there and wait."

The Empress Dowager of the Eastern Palace smiled at him with satisfaction: "Well, in that case, Madam Li, please arrange for someone to serve tea."

Nanny Li bowed and left, bringing back two maids carrying Longjing tea.

General Nan Shaoan took the teacup, knelt respectfully, and presented the tea to the Empress Dowager Donggong with both hands.

"Your Majesty, please have some tea."

The Empress Dowager Donggong reached out to take the teacup, took a sip and put it down, then picked up the jade pendant beside her and handed it to him.

"Okay, come here, this is my gift."

When it was General Anyong's turn, he knelt down nervously, took the teacup from the maid's tray, and presented it with both hands.

"Queen, please have some tea."

"Okay." She had been offered tea and drank tea eighteen times, and including this time, it was exactly nineteen times.

I heard that the two of them asked to enter the palace to become concubines. I don’t know why, but time is long and the truth will be revealed.