Chapter 1551: Chapter 1551: Plot

The next day, Zhulan rode a carriage into the palace, not because the Empress Dowager invited her, but the Empress. The Empress Dowager was very busy, as the Retired Emperor had fallen seriously ill and needed care, with all her attention on the Retired Emperor.

Yesterday, a female officer came to deliver a message, and Zhulan sent word to the Qin Prince Residence. Her daughter didn’t come in person but brought a message. Recently, the Empress has been particularly focused on the Zhou family, and ever since the princes could leave the palace, her daughter and son-in-law have been avoiding invitations, staying put in the Qin Prince Residence.

Zhulan turned the bracelet on her wrist, realizing the Empress had set her eyes on her.

Upon entering the palace, Zhulan sat in a sedan chair, as the weather was too cold; walking to the empress sleeping quarters would surely leave her frozen.

Arriving at the empress sleeping quarters, Zhulan exhaled in relief; fortunately, she wasn’t meeting her alone. There were several other lord-regent ladies present. Zhulan hadn’t seen Mrs. Shen Hou for a long time, and upon this meeting, Mrs. Shen Hou appeared quite aged, frail-looking, and very pale.

Zhulan surveyed the hall, “!!”

Today, her body felt the healthiest in the hall.

The ladies exchanged greetings. The capital is both vast and compact; they’ve all seen and conversed with each other. Zhulan has interacted the most with Mrs. Shen Old Lady.

Mrs. Shen Old Lady appeared complex; back then, she didn’t think much of the Yang family, who would have thought the Zhou family would rise so high, while the Shen Hou Residence was on the decline. Furthermore, due to her daughter marrying Yao Zheyu, although the Shen family openly didn’t suffer consequences, their worth has diminished with the change in imperial power.

Mrs. Shen Old Lady’s head ached again, her daughter’s marriage prospects were challenging. Over the years, they couldn’t secure high-status marriage matches. Her elder son has married several daughters to poor scholars, claiming to nurture them, but the progress is too slow.

The Empress appeared, and Zhulan noticed her makeup was heavy, concealing her complexion with thick foundation. After not seeing the Empress for days, she looked several years older, and her vitality wasn’t restored.

The Empress signaled, saying, “Don’t be restrained, I’ve invited you all today merely for a chat.”

She wanted to meet Mrs. Zhou Hou individually, but couldn’t; every move she makes is watched by the Emperor.

Mrs. Shen Old Lady was the first to speak, “It’s been a while, Your Majesty remains as splendid with good fortune as ever.”

Zhulan tilted her head slightly; how long hadn’t she seen the Empress, and the praise was excessive! The Empress Dowager was still alive!

The Empress’s expression stiffened slightly, not daring to accept, “It’s the Empress Dowager who’s truly fortunate, I can’t compare.”

Mrs. Shen Old Lady felt awkward, “Look at me, getting too excited upon seeing the Empress, my mouth ran away with me.”

The Empress thought for a moment, then turned to Yang, “It’s been days since we last met, how have you been lately, Madam?”

Zhulan replied, “I’ve been well, thank you for your concern, Your Majesty.”

The Empress said, “You look well. I have many good herbs; take some home later, all of you.”

Zhulan and the others promptly rose to express gratitude.

The Empress continued, “A few days ago, the fourth prince met the young master of Zhou Hou Residence, and told me that the Madam’s youngest son is well-read and knowledgeable, and he wants to hear more about his insights.”

Zhulan felt relieved; she feared the Empress would set her son up with a match, “I wasn’t aware of that.”

The Empress laughed, “The fourth prince wanted to leave the palace, which I only learned recently. I feared he’d stray, but upon knowing Zhou Hou Residence has such a son, I won’t hold him back. It might be an inconvenience at times.”

Zhulan quickly replied, “Having the fourth prince visit the Hou Residence is an honor.”

She didn’t want to offend the Empress, especially one whose time was short. Would the Empress willingly face death? Certainly not; the more one possesses, the harder it is to let go, not just for the sake of her son, but for her living glory, making the Empress quite dangerous.

Mrs. Shen Old Lady’s face froze heavily; she realized that they were merely props, initially thinking why were they all older, assuming the royal family finally remembered Shen Hou Residence, only to have the wind knocked out of her.

The Empress tired, and everyone took their leave, all receiving herbs from the Empress. Once leaving the empress sleeping quarters, they gradually boarded their sedans.

Zhulan couldn’t deny that the Empress had played her chess move well. Although she rarely saw the fourth prince, she knew he liked fun, and a playful fourth prince mingling with Chang Xhong wouldn’t provoke the Emperor’s nerves.

Back home, Zhulan felt exhausted; she hadn’t worn the official lady’s headdress for a long time, and her neck was sore from the weight.

Qing Xue came over to massage, easing Zhulan’s discomfort, “Store the herbs brought from the palace in the warehouse.”

Qing Xue replied, “Yes.”

Zhulan continued, “Qiizhou Province experienced a snow disaster, and I’m worried about colds causing illnesses. The third family donated many herbs during the floods, and now they must be lacking. Go tally the herbs in the warehouse, prepare some to send to Qiizhou in a few days.”

Qing Xue thought of the warehouse akin to a pharmacy; the old madam particularly liked to stockpile herbs, “Yes.”

Zhulan felt her shoulders relax, signaling Qing Xue to keep busy. Nowadays, purchasing medicine is challenging; medicinal herbs treating colds are mostly supplied to the Imperial court, with few left. Those unwell can only see doctors to get prescriptions to buy medication—herbs are hard to come by.

Zhulan pursed her lips, it’s not just herbs that are scarce in ancient times, but skilled doctors too. The Imperial court already tries to nurture them, but it’s barely enough.

In the afternoon, Chang Yi returned, leaving Zhulan puzzled, “You had leave yesterday, and only afternoon today, why are you back already?”

Chang Yi rubbed his hands together, the weather indeed cold, “I’ve been assigned a mission to receive ambassadors from various countries in Pinggang, leaving tomorrow, so I returned early to pack my luggage.”

“Ambassadors from various countries?”

Chang Yi didn’t hide from his mother; rather, word would spread sooner or later. Not to mention, if he didn’t tell, his father would anyhow, so he understood well his father never kept anything from his mother, “They’re here to buy grain and finished medicines.”

Zhulan thought of the abnormality at the border, “Grain shortage then.”

Chang Yi felt somewhat unsettled since various countries faced grain scarcity, which wasn’t a good sign, “Why has the weather changed so drastically?”

Zhulan pondered, thinking perhaps they had truly entered the hypothesized little ice age, “It will get better.”

Chang Yi said, “Hopefully, next year will normalize.”

Zhulan, “….”

Wishful thinking, unfortunately improbable.

Continuing, Chang Yi said, “The Liu family hasn’t returned from Zhangzhou yet, they’ve sent several masters to process herbs over there.”

“The Liu family leveraging your farm to take in children?”

Chang Yi mused his mother was quick to catch on, “Yes, they’ve taken in many orphans, nurturing some with agile minds who can manage things, the Liu family will have significant moves next year.”

Zhulan had to admit, “The Liu family is forward-thinking.”

Chang Yi felt slightly resentful but was helpless; after all, his son-in-law had only just entered his official career with a small position, realizing the Liu family being in-laws wouldn’t harm his son-in-law provided some comfort.

Zhulan continued, “The Imperial court’s regulation over medicinal herbs grows stricter, and now herb shortages are severe. In the future, if the Liu family truly turns Zhangzhou into a major herb-producing region, Mr. Liu’s official career will rapidly ascend.”