CHAPTER 1133: CHAPTER 1131: EERIE

A single blessing of "Your Majesty Ji Xiang" startled Empress Dowager Mo and the others, Ah Jiu quickly got up, went down the pavilion, and kneeled on one knee before Emperor Yan: "Blessings to Imperial Brother."

"Rise!" Emperor Yan raised a hand gently, smiling as he let him rise, then walked into the pavilion and saluted Empress Dowager Mo: "Your son greets Royal Mother."

"Dispense with the formalities, sit and talk." Empress Dowager Mo smiled lightly and pointed to a chair beside her: "What brings you to the garden?"

Emperor Yan took the tea offered by the eunuch and held it, saying: "The recent state affairs have been extremely busy, causing headaches, with ministers quarreling among themselves. Your son came out for some fresh air, to avoid their nagging."

"Have you had lunch?"

Emperor Yan hurriedly said: "Already done." Then looked at Ah Jiu: "What were you discussing with Royal Mother?"

Empress Dowager Mo smiled and said: "Nothing much. We were just talking about how it’s already early summer and the weather is getting hot. A few days ago, I fell ill, so I told your brother I want to go to the traveling palace for a summer retreat and recuperation."

Emperor Yan was taken aback: "Royal Mother wants to go to the traveling palace to escape the heat? But the matters within the palace..." Going to the hot spring villa in winter, and to the traveling palace in summer; is it really so unwelcome in the imperial palace?

"I’m getting old and can’t stand the heat, besides, there is the Empress managing matters here in the palace; she handles the harem affairs very well."

"Royal Mother is still very young." Emperor Yan quickly said: "Lady Song is still young, not yet fully sensible, still needs much guidance from Royal Mother."

Empress Dowager Mo lowered her gaze and said: "She’s not so young anymore, and has been conferred for many years, it’s unbecoming for me to still manage the harem affairs. Besides, I’ve spent half my life exhausting myself in this palace, and that’s enough. I just want to take care of flowers, play with my grandsons, and enjoy my later years. Would the Emperor deny me even this?"

Her words seemed jocular, but Emperor Yan was shocked and hurriedly said: "Your son doesn’t dare, it’s your son’s incompetence that has made Royal Mother toil!"

Empress Dowager Mo looked at him with affection: "For twenty years, your governance has been rigorous, never missing a morning court session, ensuring the peace and prosperity of the people, you have worked hard."

Emperor Yan felt a tremor in his heart, tears shimmering in his eyes: "Your son is not bitter, it is because Royal Mother supported your son all the way, without Royal Mother, there would be no today for your son."

He was merely a lowly-born adopted son, far less noble than Ah Jiu the legitimate son, yet she abandoned her own son to place him on the throne, where he has sat for twenty years.

He, Jin Cheng, is the master of this Beiyan Country, everything under the heavens is his, including...

Emperor Yan lowered his eyes, his thumb with the thumb ring stroking the edge of the teacup.

Ah Jiu watched the conversation between Empress Dowager Mo and his Imperial Brother, frowning slightly, feeling a faint sense of strangeness, as if something was not quite right.

"Emperor, you have ascended the throne for twenty years, yet the harem remains unfilled, with only a few princes and imperial ladies, which is truly insufficient for the Imperial Family, you should hold a selection to fill the harem and produce more heirs. I would also like to see a few more fresh faces," Empress Dowager Mo laughed: "Why not this way, when I go to the traveling palace, summon some noble ladies to accompany, and perhaps add a few charming additions for the Emperor?"

Emperor Yan’s expression changed, suddenly rising to his feet.

Empress Dowager Mo looked at him in astonishment.

Emperor Yan also felt that his reaction was excessive, forcing a smile: "Royal Mother, the Northern Expedition has just concluded, the matter of selection can be discussed later. It’s getting late; your son should also return to handle state affairs." He then said to Ah Jiu: "Imperial Brother, since your return, you’ve been idle for quite some time. Zhou Chong from the Ministry of Revenue has been dismissed, you should fill that position!"