Chapter Thirty-Nine Analysis

  A slight intoxication thanks menie for the reward, and continues to ask for collection.

  Gua Lijia didn't ask about the outcome, and instead poured another cup of tea for her son Shu Yi, "You watch and see if Shu Yao can make it through the next three days."

  "The son saw that his sister was fine." Shu Yitian and Guajia said a few words about Xiu Yao's performance in the firewood house, "Not to mention three days, half a month, my sister is fine, eating and drinking without anyone disturbing her, the son only worries that his sister sleeps without knowing day or night."

  Shu Yao was lazy and sloppy, Gua Erjia knew it well. After listening to her son's words, she asked if the house was too humid or too dark, which could easily lead to illness. Shu Yi said: "I heard that two years ago, the house was renovated, much better than when Ama had a fire. My son didn't feel too humid, and the quilt and bedding for my sister were very thick. In just three days, it passed quickly."

  Shu Yi was still young and more concerned about Li Zhiqing being left in the palace. The maid who reported back didn't dare to speak without her master's inquiry, and it was really hard for her to hold back. After Old Madam returned to the Duke's residence with a pleased expression, she immediately rewarded the servants. It is said that she also wanted to go to the temple to thank the gods. The Duke's residence had not been so lively for a long time. Guwalgiya was strict in management, and the slaves of the second house did not dare to speak randomly.

  Gua Lijia sighed: "The old lady went to the palace, it was quick, but Anqin Wangfu fell and didn't come well. The Duke's mansion became the target of public criticism because Li Zhiqing was straightforward and meddled in many things."

  "Are you saying that Cousin-in-law saved the Empress Dowager?"

  "Let Li Ziqing, who doesn't know the height of the sky or the thickness of the earth, stay in the palace and take care of Empress Dowager personally. Her niece will get what she wants."

  Shu Yi didn't care about Li Zhiqing, and asked about the Anqin Wangfu. Guwalgiya explained: "The previous emperor valued Anqin Wang highly, and once said in front of all the officials that he wanted to pass on the throne to Anqin Wang. The importance of imperial succession is not something to be taken lightly, even if it was just a joke. Can the current emperor tolerate this? As a result, the Anqin Wangfu has been kept at arm's length by the emperor. Now, because Li Zhiqing has gotten involved again, and considering the three times Ding Sanfan has rendered service, this time he will probably be demoted in rank within a year."

  "Thanks to my cousin, the Empress Dowager was saved..." Shu Yi stopped talking, and Guwalgiya said: "You all go down first, the Duke's mansion is lively, but you remember to be honest with me, don't talk much, and don't participate."

  "Yes."

  "Guarjia's wide tea water," Li Ziqing looked at the situation and saved the Empress Dowager, the Emperor ascended to the throne for twenty-eight years, except for Ao Bai Ping San Fan, the mountains and rivers were stable, the乾纲 was cut off, would you still need the Empress Dowager?

  Shu Yi broke out in a cold sweat, "Your Majesty is very filial to the Empress Dowager."

  "The most heartless imperial family, the book says. The word 'filial piety' is not suitable for emperors. Those who are extremely filial to their mothers often lead to the dominance of external relatives and instability in the country. The Empress Dowager was from the Mongolian Khorchin tribe. After the Qing dynasty took over the Central Plains, they followed the system of the previous Ming dynasty, ruling over Han people, with Mongolia no longer being important. The current emperor is fond of Han learning and Confucianism, has read extensively in history books, and is now in his prime, not allowing anyone to be above him."

  Gwak Jae directly hit the point, Seo Yit stared blankly, Gwak Jae stood up and patted Seo Yit's shoulder, smiling and saying: "Son, you have something to learn."

  "Mother, where are you going?"

  "Prepare some medicine for your mother, now that she's been beaten by your stepmother. I think the old lady who's in high spirits won't let you off easily either, so it's better to prepare ahead of time."

  Shu Yixin raised an eyebrow and asked, "Did you guess that Ama would be scolded by the old lady, so there's no need to stop her?"

  Guaerjia was somewhat helpless, "Can I stop it? Not to mention that your Ama has no fault, even if your Ama is not wronged, let the Emperor know that there are people in the Duke's Mansion who understand loyalty."

  "Madam, madam, the old master was beaten by the old mistress."

  Guarjia led the way out, with two young servants supporting Zhiyuan. Zhiyuan was muttering discontentedly to himself, "The Master said..." "Alright, don't say any more," Guarjia interrupted, personally taking hold of Zhiyuan's arm. The two young servants looked on in admiration as Guarjia strode swiftly along, almost carrying Zhiyuan with her. She was indeed the heroic woman who had once shot an arrow that shook the heavens in Huizhou City.

  "Hui Ya, it doesn't hurt." Zhiyuan leaned on the bed, watching his wife busy back and forth, feeling warm in his heart, holding onto Guajia's hand, "You take a rest."

  "Still saying it doesn't hurt, this old lady's stick is too heavy, which servant? Do you remember?"

  Gua Lijia gave her husband Zhiyuan medicine, with a heart-wrenching look in her eyes. As a couple who had been married for many years, they shared a deep and profound relationship. Zhiyuan smiled: "Do you want to go get some people?"

  "Don't move, I'm applying medicine now. Your hand is too heavy, don't you know who's in charge?"

  Gua Lijia had a vengeful personality, she couldn't bear to see the people she cared about suffer any losses. As she lay on the bed, Zhiyuan said: "They hit me with just the right amount of force, it looks severe but doesn't hurt at all, I'll be fine after a good night's sleep, this beating was worth it."

  "Is Li Ziqing staying in the palace? What's going on with no name or title? Did the Emperor not give any explanation?"

  Zhiyuan sighed, "Do the old ladies still remember these things? They're just happy, but it's a pity for my niece. Now that she's entered the palace, who dares to marry her? She's not even eligible for the imperial selection, and while she might have been able to save the Empress Dowager once, it's unlikely she can do it again. What if she offends the nobles in the palace? Who can protect her? My niece is only nine years old by Chinese age reckoning, which means she has three or four years before she reaches marriageable age. Will there be any changes during this time?"

  Zhiyuan is the uncle, Li Ziqing is a posthumous daughter. The straightforward Zhiyuan has affection for Li Ziqing. Now that she's made such a fuss, either she'll be taken into the palace by Emperor Kangxi or betrothed to a prince. Although her maternal family is a ducal house, her paternal lineage is humble, and even if she enters the palace to serve the emperor, she wouldn't even qualify as a noblewoman. Even though the Empress Dowager has awakened, who dares guarantee that Li Ziqing's prescription won't have any aftereffects?

  Now with a sword hanging over his head, it could fall at any time. Zhiyuan sighed, "My niece and Yaoke are the same age, but they can't keep up with our girl for a moment, and they're too capable of causing trouble."

  Someone praised Gual Jia's daughter, she should be very happy, but thinking of Shu Yao's laziness, can she tell Zhiyuan that it's not that her daughter doesn't cause trouble, but rather she's too lazy to cause trouble? "I reckon the Emperor won't take a liking to his niece, being a noble in the palace isn't easy, perhaps his niece has other thoughts."

  "Has she set her sights on the crown prince?"

  "It's hard to say, who knows what that girl is thinking, I've heard that every time my niece enters the palace, she will pay respects to Empress Dowager De of Yonghe Palace. Except for the eldest prince's wedding, all the other princes live in the palace. The princes will definitely go to pay their respects to the Grand Empress Dowager, and my niece is right in front of her. If she favors one but not the other, it's okay, but if she's wishy-washy and unclear, don't look at her young age now, it's just a matter of a poisonous wine."

  "Madam, will she implicate Yao'er, our daughter's reputation cannot be tarnished."

  Gua Lijia shook her head and said, "I hope Li Ziqing remembers the kindness of the Duke's Manor and that Shu Yao is still in Huizhou. Since she didn't grow up with Li Ziqing, the influence won't be too great. As for the other girls in the manor... especially those who are about to participate in the imperial selection..."

  Restrictions on women are beneath Gualgiya; this is the Great Qing, not the prosperous Tang. Gualgiya has no choice but to adapt.