The abandoned concubine who transmigrated woke up shouting "Long live the widow!"

Upon arriving at the Prince's residence, Jingxue instructed Fifteen and the shadow guard to go out and investigate after lunch which high-ranking official in the Hanlin Academy was the adopted son of Peng Qingqing's ex-husband's new brother-in-law.

Ye Muchen has indeed been quite busy these past few days, managing to get money from the Ministry of Revenue. He plans to grant the soldiers leave to visit their families and go home to see their loved ones.

The soldiers in the camp had not been home for three years. Those whose homes were close to the capital were given a month's leave, while those whose homes were far away were given a month and a half or two months' leave.

However, the imperial court had not paid the soldiers' wages for half a year. The officials in the Ministry of Revenue acted as if they were being asked for money, and Ye Muchen felt that these guys were practically clinging to their ribs.

Fortunately, the emperor supported Ye Muchen this time, and Minister Hu reluctantly gave Ye Muchen half a year's military pay of 25 taels of silver.

In fact, the monthly salary of an ordinary soldier in Beiye is only 500 coins. Although food and clothing do not cost money, the soldiers are risking their lives. Ye Muchen sometimes felt that a soldier's monthly salary was less than that of a shop assistant. How could this not chill the hearts of the soldiers?

But there was nothing he could do. Years of war had exhausted the nation's strength. He had done his best to fight for it, and he believed things would get better in the future.

For several days in a row, he discussed with his generals that the soldiers whose homes were far away could be given leave first, but they could not all be sent away at once. They also wanted to go back and see if their families were willing to join the army next year.

Ye Muchen hadn't gone to Jingning Garden for dinner for several days. He felt embarrassed to go if he came back late. It was rare for him to come back early today, so he washed up and came over.

Just as they stepped out of Mingyuan Pavilion, they encountered Jingxue and the other two. An'an and Jingze bowed to Ye Muchen, while Jingxue, who rarely bowed to Ye Muchen, simply nodded slightly.

"No need for formalities! It's cold, go back to the courtyard!" Ye Muchen said, patting the two children's heads.

Gao Chi, with his keen eye, led the two little ones away.

"Where are their attendants?" Ye Muchen asked casually.

Jingxue replied, "They went to the back gate to deliver the carriage!"

Ye Muchen walked ahead with his hands behind his back. Jingxue, remembering the matter of the Ruthless Pavilion, asked softly, "I heard that the Ruthless Pavilion was besieged. Was it your doing?"

"You found out?" Ye Muchen stopped, turned around, and looked at Jingxue before asking.

Jingxue nodded. "I only know that the Ruthless Pavilion was destroyed, but I don't know who did it."

Ye Muchen said in a deep voice, "That kind of organization has no reason to exist and should have been eliminated long ago!"

"Do you know who's behind bribing them?" Jingxue asked.

Ye Muchen shook his head. "That group of people are just a bunch of desperados who only care about money and not people!"

Jingxue gestured for Ye Muchen to continue walking, "Won't someone impeach you for doing this?"

"I wish there were, but unfortunately there aren't!" Ye Muchen implied that the person who impeached him was very likely the mastermind behind it all.

Jingxue didn't say anything more and returned to Jingning Garden, where dinner had already been prepared.

But they had only eaten half of the meal when the steward arrived with Eunuch Xi, who served the Emperor Emeritus.

When Eunuch Xi entered, he saw the four children on the table and was a little surprised. When did the Prince Zhan's mansion have so many children? He knew that the Princess Zhan had brought her younger brother back to the mansion, but how come there were three more?

It is said that Eunuch Xi was a force to be reckoned with in the palace, having practically accompanied the retired emperor all the way.

Ye Muchen excused Eunuch Xi from the formalities. "Eunuch Xi, is there something important that you've come so late?"

"Reporting to Your Highness and Your Highness, the Empress Dowager is ill. Several imperial physicians have treated her for two days, but there has been no improvement. The Emperor Emeritus has ordered this old servant to come and invite Your Highness to come and take a look. Besides, the eldest prince is still too young to attend to the Empress. The Emperor Emeritus does not trust the other consorts."

Jingxue asked, "What are the Empress Dowager's symptoms? Does Eunuch Xi know? If you can tell me, I can make some preparations!"

"This old servant only knows that the Empress Dowager has been suffering from severe insomnia and shortness of breath lately!"

“Okay, I understand. Eunuch Xi, please wait in the main hall. I’ll go and make some preparations!” Jingxue stood up and went to her bedroom.

Upon hearing Eunuch Xi describe the Empress Dowager's symptoms, Ye Muchen felt deeply guilty, knowing that his mother's condition was due to excessive worry about him.

He sighed, stood up, and said, "I will accompany the Queen to see the Empress Dowager! Eunuch Xi, please come with me to the main hall to wait for a while!"

"Yes! Please, Your Highness!"

When Jingxue entered the room, she gestured for the children to continue eating. Xiaoman knew that Jingxue needed to change her clothes, so she followed her and served her closely.

Sure enough, Jingxue pointed to her peach-colored dress and said, "Xiaoman, find me a dark-colored dress. This one is too bright!"

"Yes! Miss!"

Jingxue checked the medicine box. As long as some basic items were available, that would be fine. The palace had plenty of good medicinal herbs, and if needed, they could be taken out from her space at any time.

Soon, Jingxue, dressed in a dark green dress, came out carrying a medicine box. The four children had finished eating and were led to the side room by the wet nurse and maids.

"Xiaoman, I don't know when I'll be back. Please tell a few of the shadow guards to make sure they protect An'an and Jingze well," Jingxue instructed.

"Miss, I've got it!"

Jingxue didn't delay any longer and got into the carriage with Ye Muchen and the others. She didn't forget to use her special ability to put some extra fruits in the storeroom of Jingning Garden to be sent to the fruit and vegetable shop.

On the carriage, Ye Muchen looked at Jingxue, thought for a moment, and then said in a low voice, "Jingxue, there's something I still need to tell you beforehand."

Jingxue looked up and said, "Speak!"

“A few days ago, my mother told me that my aunt intended to make Kangping my concubine. To prevent this from happening, I told my mother that I have a health problem…”

Jingxue saw that Ye Muchen's face had turned red, and she opened her eyes wide, waiting for him to continue.

"I said, I can't get it!"

Jingxue immediately covered her mouth with her hand. Although she didn't make a sound, her curved eyebrows and eyes betrayed her feelings at that moment.

Ye Muchen was extremely embarrassed, and his face turned even redder!

"Big brother, you're really ruthless to yourself!" Jingxue lowered her hand, her smile widening.

"Stop laughing! I haven't finished yet! I told the Empress Dowager that you are treating me. Let's not let anything slip. Just say that I'm getting a little better, but it will take some more time to fully recover."

Jingxue: What do you mean? Are you telling me you can stand up a little bit?

Suppressing her laughter, Jingxue nodded. She couldn't laugh anymore, or this guy would get angry.

"All right!"

"Actually, I regretted it a little after I said it that day. I just didn't expect my mother to be so worried about me." Ye Muchen couldn't even describe his feelings at this moment.

Jingxue rolled her eyes, thinking to herself, "You almost caused yourself to be childless. What mother wouldn't be upset? Having such an unlucky child is quite a test!"

"Alright, don't overthink it. Maybe it's not because of this!"

"Sigh..." Ye Muchen sighed heavily and said nothing more.