Chapter 448

After receiving the edict and leaving court, Jia Jing did not immediately exit the palace; instead, he went straight to Qian Qing Gong under the gazes of officials—some shocked, some fearful, some fawning—to seek an audience with Jing Sheng Di.

In Qian Qing Gong, Jing Sheng Di had just returned not long ago, and was, attended by palace maids and eunuchs, taking off the emperor's crown and removing his heavy robes.

But at this moment, the emperor's complexion reflected in the bronze mirror was not very good.

He had not slept all night yesterday, and due to the endless problems in the upper echelons of court, his mind was filled with worry and anger; his appearance showed a bit more fatigue than usual.

As the eunuchs were helping Jing Sheng Di change clothes, Zhou Huang Hou, wearing a plain yellow everyday robe, personally carried a tray out from behind the screen.

On the tray was a celadon lidded bowl containing lotus-seed soup, beside which lay a plate of Chinese yam and poria cake, a plate of osmanthus-sweetened lotus root, and a plate of shredded ginger.

Morning light slanted in through the window lattice, spreading a warm yellow glow across the blue‑brick floor.

This graceful, dignified, and elegant lady had her hair loose, bound only with a single white jade pin; her face bore no makeup, clean and pure, like a piece of jade washed by water.

Her brows were faint, as if barely drawn, yet still gave a delicate impression; her eyes were not large, but very deep, and when she looked at someone she was calm and unhurried, bearing the steadiness and warmth accumulated over years.

At this moment she walked toward the morning light with measured steps, quiet and serene, like a white lotus that does not bloom.

"Your Majesty has labored all night; first have something to sustain you, then attend to state affairs—there's no rush!"

Zhou Huang Hou gently placed the tray on a corner of the imperial desk and spoke softly to Jing Sheng Di, her voice tinged with concern.

She had also heard from the eunuchs that Jing Sheng Di had been busy all night with the assassination attempt, had not slept, and this morning went to early court without breakfast; worried about his dragon body, she personally prepared several soups and pastries to send to him.

Don't let the modest appearance of these dishes fool you—they are all exquisitely prepared.

In the lotus‑seed soup, the lotus seeds "tonify the middle, nourish the spirit, and boost energy"; they are a standard calming ingredient in the palace. Since mealtime has passed and breakfast should be warm and moist, not greasy, a bowl of this soup warms the stomach without weighing it down.

The Chinese yam and poria cake is a favorite of the emperor; meanwhile, Chinese yam strengthens the spleen and stomach, and poria calms the mind and spirit—perfect for someone who has spent a sleepless night and has an empty spleen and stomach.

As for the osmanthus‑sweetened lotus root, needless to say it is a seasonal ingredient, with the saying "Every part of the lotus is a treasure; autumn lotus root is the most nourishing."

At this time the fresh lotus root is crisp and tender; it clears heat, generates fluids, strengthens the spleen and stimulates appetite, relieving the dry mouth and throat caused by autumn dryness, and with osmanthus added it becomes warm and moist without being cold.

Jing Sheng Di had just finished changing his clothes; hearing her words, he glanced at Zhou Huang Hou, his eyes falling on the dishes, the corners of his mouth turning up slightly, his expression softening considerably, and he spoke softly:

"Again you have troubled Zi Tong!"

Zhou Huang Hou spoke softly in consolation:

"Although the affairs of court are important, Your Majesty must also cherish your own body!"

As the two were speaking, Xia Shouzhong slowly walked in from outside, paid his respects to the emperor and empress, and reported in a low voice:

"Your Majesty! Duke Jing Guo has sent his name card; he is on his way here!"

Jing Sheng Di's face involuntarily showed a hint of a smile, and he spoke warmly:

"He surely wishes to discuss with me the reorganization of military affairs! When Zi Jie arrives, there's no need to announce him—let him enter directly!"

"Yes, Your Majesty!" Xia Shouzhong replied respectfully, received the order, and withdrew.

Seeing that Jing Sheng Di had state matters to attend to, Zhou Huang Hou, who had originally been about to leave, stopped in her tracks, smiled sweetly, her voice carrying a touch of curiosity and gentleness, and said:

"Is it Jia Zi Jie who has come? I have long heard his name, yet I have never had the chance to meet him formally; today I shall take this opportunity to get a good look at this minister of state whom Your Majesty and Biao'er speak of as being unlike any other!"

After the founding emperor of the Da Han Empire established the dynasty, he took lessons from the previous dynasty and instituted the ironclad rule of "palace‑inner politics," strictly ordering that officials and their wives may only see the empress during festive audiences; without cause they are not permitted to enter the palace to seek an audience.

Its core purpose was to separate inside from outside, reducing contact between the empress and outside officials to the lowest possible level.

Even on New Year's Day, the Winter Solstice, and the empress's birthday—the "Qianqiu Festival"—only the wives of officials who have received imperial edicts may don formal robes and go to the Kun Ning Palace to pay respects and congratulate the empress; the officials themselves do not.

Thus, since last year Zhou Huang Hou has often heard the name of Jia Jing, but she has never actually met him in person.

Jing Sheng Di smiled and said:

"Since we happen to meet today, Zi Tong, it would be good for you to see him! I have just formally issued an edict appointing him as Senior Second Rank General of the Valiant Cavalry and Minister in Charge of Military Affairs; from now on, half of the burden of the Da Han Empire will rely on him to bear!"

A flicker of surprise crossed Zhou Huang Hou's beautiful eyes beneath her arched dark brows—Senior Second Rank General of the Valiant Cavalry?

Nowadays the Da Han Empire seems to have no military official of Senior Second Rank; to be granted such a high position at this age, calling him the empire's foremost martial achievement is by no means an exaggeration!

As for the Minister in Charge of Military Affairs, although I have never heard of this office before, judging by its name one can roughly infer that its authority is even greater than that of the former!

To be able to earn such unreserved trust from Your Majesty, she had never before seen a single minister like him!

Thinking of this, Zhou Huang Hou lowered her bright eyes slightly, her heart all the more eager to see just how exceptionally outstanding this Jia Jing truly is!