Chapter 34

The eunuch is finished (Legendary eunuch Jiang Jiu Lang)

When they saw Jiang He appear, no one wanted to stop him, and no one dared to block him.

This is the little emperor's maternal uncle, and also a slaughter god who led the brave soldiers of the army to wipe out a clan; how could they dare to stop him?

Thus everyone watched helplessly as he fed an unknown medicine to the retired emperor, saving the life of the retired emperor who was about to die.

The imperial physicians guarding the hall wiped sweat from their brows, unsure whether to call the medicine miraculous; it seemed to have rescued the retired emperor from the brink of exhaustion, yet not completely—for example, the retired emperor's stroke symptoms showed no improvement at all.

The youth stood before the bed, his eyes as deep as an abyss, unfathomable, and then he smiled.

His smile was beautiful, yet inexplicably it sent a chill through people's hearts.

"Retired emperor, look, you had my Jiang clan exterminated to the last man, yet I, your subject, saved you without a shred of resentment." The handsome youth said this with a smile to the retired emperor, "Once everyone knows, they will say our Jiang clan are loyal subjects!"

The retired emperor's mouth hung open, his throat emitting hoarse cries, his eyes nearly bursting, yet he could not utter a complete sentence.

The imperial physician beside him wished he could dig a hole to hide in.

Knowing all this, could he still survive? He tiptoed secretly toward the hall's exit; as soon as his front foot stepped out the door, his back foot immediately sprinted away, only lamenting that he had too few legs to run fast.

The soldiers guarding the door stared unblinkingly as he ran out; they were mere foot soldiers, nothing to worry about.

The youth before the bed continued, "Ah, the only regret is that the charge the retired emperor levied against my Jiang clan back then was utterly unconvincing; the common folk have always suspected the Jiang clan were innocent." He smiled like a beast eyeing its prey, "Look, my nephew, your son—Mingzhi—just needs to lay out the evidence slightly, and the Jiang clan will be exonerated at once."

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"Oh, you mean a son does not speak of his father's faults?" Jiang He almost laughed till he cried, "Retired emperor, you're really something! The emperor says he was raised in the Lenggong since childhood, several times nearly starved to death, and even in public he shed tears, claiming he bears you no grudge; now who doesn't praise the emperor as purely good and utterly filial? The ordinary people outside all think the emperor's past hardships made his present achievements no small feat, and they all feel you, retired emperor, are worse than a beast—you gave life but not nurture, yet the emperor has already been filial enough to you; he cannot be filial to excess, for that would be foolish filial piety."

Jiang He vented the original host's resentment with gusto, then added, "Besides, my sister Consort Yue isn't dead; she's now pregnant. I intend that the children in her womb all bear the Jiang surname, and within a hundred years the Jiang clan will once again be a great family flourishing with branches and leaves."

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The retired emperor's eyes nearly popped out, bloodshot, his woman actually gave him a green hat?!

Finally, the enraged retired emperor could bear it no longer and fainted.

Yet the attendants in the hall acted as if they hadn't seen, silently lowering their heads.

"Fainted? Forget it, anyway that medicine will keep him from dying." Jiang He paid it no mind; as he left, he ordered the eunuch attending inside, "The emperor's blood pressure is high and he gets easily agitated—let him have more rice porridge for a few days." The attending eunuch hurriedly bowed in assent, inwardly sympathizing with the retired emperor, thinking that living like this was worse than death.

The retired emperor's stroke was so severe that before he could only drink porridge; now his treatment is even worse—he can only drink gruel.

Meanwhile, the Virtuous Consort and the Noble Consort finally saw the little emperor.

The Virtuous Consort's expression was complex; she truly hadn't expected Consort Yue to be a member of the Jiang clan.

No wonder, when the Jiang clan was exterminated to the last man, she fled to the Lenggong; it seems the so‑called witchcraft incident back then was likely Consort Yue going with the flow.

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Even if she were stupid, she would know that Consort Yue's abilities are limited; she could never teach a genius, so it seems the little emperor has all along been secretly nurtured by Jiang Jiu Lang.

Sitting opposite them, the little emperor Mingzhi likewise sighed.

He didn't like the way those two concubine mothers, who always used to smile, looked at him; the Noble Consort's natal family was also a military clan, and they had once pleaded for the Jiang clan, so his ascent to power also gained the support of the Noble Consort's family.

As for the Virtuous Consort, she understood the retired emperor very well, had no children, and persuaded her family to pin their hopes on him, helping him more openly and covertly.

Neither of them is the type to seek credit, and they both regard him as a junior; this time he seems to have truly hurt their hearts.

Mingzhi put on a smile much like his usual one and said, "A new restaurant has opened on West Eighth Street in the capital; the cook is very skilled at making the dishes you two ladies like." He hinted, "You two ladies can now come and go freely in the palace; if you have time, why not give it a try?"

Hearing this, the Noble Consort and the Virtuous Consort both stared at him, their expressions suspicious.

Immediately the Virtuous Consort thought of something, and her eyes lit up instantly.

The little emperor gave a faint smile, brushed off the flower petals that had fallen on him, as if sweeping away the last lingering reluctance of spring, "I most love fermented bean curd stewed pigeon and stir‑fried cured meat with pickled vegetables; trouble you two ladies to bring me a portion when you return."

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The Noble Consort didn't think so much; she merely muttered, "Dead child, just as shameless and thick‑skinned as before." Yet inside she let out a breath of relief, as if this child hadn't become completely changed either.

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They arrived at a rather ordinary little restaurant on West Eighth Street; the hall inside the door could hold at most ten tables. Since the mealtime had just passed, judging from the busboy's bustling tidying up, the restaurant's business seemed still quite good.

Seeing the Noble Consort and the Virtuous Consort enter, the pretty‑faced proprietor first started, then rejoiced; she hurriedly told the busboy not to take any more customers, and personally invited the two ladies to sit in the back courtyard.

"Oh dear, this dead person has come back to life." the Noble Consort said wistfully.

"Not only resurrected, but there's even another one on the way." the Virtuous Consort fixed a fierce stare on the pregnant woman opposite, her belly protruding, her face full of envy, jealousy, and hatred.

Jiang Yuner gave a dry laugh, then hurriedly poured the ladies some fruit dew: "This is mint mixed with fruit dew, plus ice; it's especially refreshing to drink in summer, and with summer just around the corner it should be very popular."

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Then a tall man with a scar on his face walked up silently and served the three women some snacks.

"They may eat, but you may not." the man instructed, eyes fixed on the pregnant woman gulping her snack, gave a bow to the two ladies, then quietly withdrew.

The Noble Consort eyed the departing man with a critical gaze, "His build looks pretty solid, just not handsome enough." She turned to Jiang Yuner and said, exasperated, "I'm telling you, even if you remarry, find someone better‑looking!"

The Noble Consort admitted she judges by looks, declaring righteously, "Most important is that the children born be good‑looking as well."

The Virtuous Consort hadn't yet come to her senses, "He won't let you eat snacks, so you don't eat them?" When did this person become so obedient? You are the birth mother of the little emperor, yet someone dares to question even your eating a snack?

Jiang Yuner lovingly rubbed her belly, "I'm carrying twins, which is already hard to deliver; if they're big it'll be even harder, so I can't just eat whatever."

The Virtuous Consort instantly fixed a fierce stare on her belly, "Twins? No wonder her belly has grown this big just a few months after leaving the palace!"

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Jiang Yuner knew the two were concerned for her, and continued, "Fisher Brother is a very good person, and he treats me extremely well."

When she faked her death and left the palace, the first thing she wanted was to find a reliable man to continue the Jiang line with; as it turned out, Fisher Brother, a subordinate of Jiang Jiu Lang, came straight to her to declare his feelings, leaving her stunned at the time.

While Fisher Brother was mixed in the palace as a guard, ordered to protect her, he never expected to develop feelings for her.

Jiang Yuner said, "I originally thought I liked pretty white faces, but now I know dark‑complexioned ones are better."

The woman with her belly protruding showed happiness in every brow and eye.

The Virtuous Consort only felt that her smile was incredibly gentle; although she had grown quite fat, with a double chin plainly visible, when she smiled she was far more beautiful than when she was in the palace.

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The two women stared at her simultaneously, "What are you laughing at?"

-> as earlier.

Translation: "The Noble Consort tapped the table with her hand, 'Nothing much, just finding it interesting.'"

Note for 【62】

We need to keep punctuation? We'll output as a single line.

Chinese

Translation: "This son just ascended the throne, and his birth mother remarried right away—how interesting! I don't know what the Retired Emperor thinks in his heart; if he could personally see Jiang Yuner pregnant, that would be even more fun."

Note for 【68】

Make sure to keep exclamation.

Chinese

Translation: "She had decided that after returning to the palace she would go and chat with the Retired Emperor about Consort Yue's married life; surely the Retired Emperor must be interested."

Note for 【74】

Thus: "She had decided that after returning to the palace she would go and chat with the Retired Emperor about the Joyful Consort's married life; surely the Retired Emperor must be interested."

Chinese

Translation: "The Virtuous Consort's mind works quickly: 'Does the Emperor know? Does the Retired Emperor know?'"

Chinese

Translation: "She felt the Emperor surely knew, and the Retired Emperor probably knew too; she just couldn't believe that Jiang Jiulang was pure-hearted, and if it were her, she'd be delighted to see the Retired Emperor die of anger."

Note for 【82】

Chinese

Translation: "Jiang Yuner's brows relaxed: 'Mingzhi certainly knows; he said he accepts Yu Ge as his stepfather.'"

Note for 【86】

Chinese

Translation: "Thinking of her son threatening Yu Ge, if he treated his mother badly he would keep concubines for her—she laughed uncontrollably; at that time Yu Ge's face was truly black as charcoal."

Note for 【90】

Chinese

Translation: "The Virtuous Consort was stunned for a long while, then burst out laughing: 'The Emperor really is a laughable fellow!'"

Note for 【94】

Chinese

Translation: "Watching her birth mother give her father a green hat is truly 'laughing to death' her father."

Note for 【98】

Chinese

Translation: "'Yu Ge said my children all bear the surname Jiang.' Speaking of her current husband, Jiang Yuner's eyes filled with gentle light: 'He was an orphan, unaware of his own surname and given name, so not only the children, he also wishes to take the surname Jiang; in the future my children will continue the Jiang family line and offer sacrifices to the Jiang ancestors.'"

Note for 【102】

Chinese

Translation: "The two consorts looked at her relieved expression and sincerely rejoiced for her."

Note for 【106】

Chinese

Translation: "'Really good.' The Noble Consort sighed, 'What is your status now? How should we address you in the future?' We certainly can't keep calling you Junior Consort Yue as we did in the palace."

Note for 【110】

Chinese

Translation: "Jiang Yuner laughed: 'Mingzhi is a good child; he said he doesn't mind letting the whole world know his mother remarried.'"

We need Character: Jiang Yuner, Character: Mingzhi.

Chinese

Translation: "One should say he is quite willing; it seems that anything that could anger the Retired Emperor, Mingzhi is especially eager to do."

Note for 【118】

Chinese

Translation: "'But you're not willing, are you?' the Virtuous Consort said firmly."

Note for 【122】

Chinese

Translation: "The Emperor's birth mother remarrying is, in today's society, an astonishingly scandalous act; as long as Jiang Yuner has sense, she certainly won't do anything that would cause trouble for her son."

Note for 【126】

Chinese

Translation: "Jiang Yuner nodded: 'I don't want the child in my womb to know that their older brother is the Emperor.' She sighed slightly, 'The Emperor wants to give his younger siblings the best, but I'm unwilling; these two children can only be Jiang family children!'"

Note for 【130】

Chinese

Translation: "The Emperor's younger siblings will be flattered and pampered, able to enjoy a life of bells, drums, feasts, and jade; but as members of the Jiang family, they can only build fortifications at Tong Pass, guard the passes and defend against barbarians, and struggle hard with long spears! (1)"

Note for 【134】

Chinese

Translation: "Jiang Yuner rested her hand on her belly, her gaze distant, as if she could see the vast skies of the northwest and the broad grasslands."

Note for 【138】

Chinese

Translation: "She said: 'Only steel bones and iron will make Jiang family people! When they grow older, they will, like every Jiang son and daughter, go to the northwest for training, fulfill the Jiang family's duty, and guard the nation's gate for Liang!'"

Note for 【142】

Chinese

Translation: "The Virtuous Consort was deeply shocked; being a Jiang family child is truly not easy."

Note for 【146】

Chinese

Translation: "The Noble Consort, however, was envious; her natal family's sons likewise serve the country loyally, but her natal family's daughters are all pampered, so the Jiang family can produce a female general, whereas her natal family has no chance at all."

Note for 【150】

Chinese

Translation: "Jiang Yuner took a sip of plain water and laughed: 'Let's not talk about these serious topics.'"

Note for 【154】

Chinese

Translation: "She glanced smilingly at the two well-preserved women and urged: 'Why don't you also find a man to remarry? Next year my twins will have companions, and perhaps we could even become in-laws through our children.'"

Note for 【158】

Chinese

Translation: "The Virtuous Consort's eyes lit up, she was greatly tempted, and she hated to delay agreeing."

Note for 【162】

Chinese

Translation: "The Noble Consort, however, disagreed: 'How? The Emperor isn't willing to support this palace in old age?'"

Note for 【166】

Chinese

Translation: "Jiang Yuner laughed and smacked her: 'Mingzhi certainly would be happy to support you for life; he says the Noble Consort has great talent, her military strategy is formidable, and her martial skills are also formidable—he just regrets that you wasted your time in the Place: Inner Palace.'"

Note for 【170】

Chinese

Translation: "If Jiulang hadn't said so, she wouldn't have known that these two women had contributed so much in secret to help Mingzhi ascend the throne smoothly; anyone else would have come knocking for favors, demanding at least some merit for supporting the ruler."

Note for 【174】

Chinese

Translation: "Yet, to her amusement and warmth, they actually held a grudge against her because of their own displeasure with the new emperor."

Note for 【178】

Chinese

Translation: "To gain two such close friends in life makes this existence not wasted."

Note for 【182】

Chinese

Translation: "The Noble Consort rolled her eyes, gazing at her with a seductive look, and said, 'Oh my, saying this makes me want the Noble Consort to have Mingzhi appoint me as a general, clanging and clanging!'"

Note for 【186】

Chinese

Translation: "Jiang Yuner waved her hand: 'If you want it, go tell him yourself; Mingzhi eagerly seeks virtuous talent, and if you have ability, go earn military merit on the battlefield—otherwise he couldn't grant it even if he wanted to, right?'"

Note for 【190】

Chinese

Translation: "Now the Noble Consort and the Virtuous Consort could not stay seated."

Note for 【194】

Chinese

Translation: "One wanted to return to her natal family to have her family help her find a good man and bear children; the other wanted to return to the palace, take up her sword, and earn military merit on the frontier."

Note for 【198】

Chinese

Translation: "The Virtuous Consort secretly resented feeling hopeless, and thereafter she didn't watch her diet, not knowing whether her body had been damaged or if she could still bear children."

Note for 【202】

Chinese

Translation: "'Virtuous Mother Consort, don't scheme against the Mountain Chief; he's not a scoundrel like the Retired Emperor.' The Young Emperor worriedly cautioned, 'Men like him, who neither crave power nor are moved by money, stand firm and unbending; once you hurt his heart, there's no way to win him back.'"

Note for 【206】

Chinese

Translation: "'Mother.' Qiu Er wept, 'The Young Imperial Uncle has granted Qiu Er the title of Commandery Princess; why does Qiu Er still need to study?'"

Note for 【210】

Chinese

Translation: "'Only your maternal uncle can tell male from female.' Jiang Yuner again muttered about her brother who commands a large ship fighting at sea in the southeast, 'Why won't Jiulang settle down? He says he wants to crush the pirates, then the sea will belong to Liang! I don't understand why Liang needs so much sea—could it be just to eat seafood every day?'"

Note for 【214】

Chinese

Translation: "The Virtuous Consort stamped her foot and hurriedly said, 'Your Majesty, don't spout nonsense; he is a gentleman who observes propriety.' A blush crossed the Virtuous Consort's face: 'It's because after I left the palace I kept finding excuses to run into him, and only after he learned that I had severed ties with the Retired Emperor did he finally make up his mind.'"

Note for 【218】

Chinese

Translation: "Jiang He was indeed tempted, but still refused the Noble Consort's invitation."

Note for 【222】

Chinese

Translation: "Her chosen husband was the Mountain Chief Xiang Qing of the White Crane Academy, who loved learning; he was one year older than the Virtuous Consort, his elder relatives had died one after another, delaying the wedding, and after living alone he grew accustomed to it and never considered marrying."

Note for 【226】

Chinese

Translation: "Having once almost starved to death, the Young Emperor knows that feeling and especially fears the common folk starving."

Note for 【230】

Chinese

Translation: "The soldiers cursed: 'There's never been a better sovereign than the Emperor; since he took the throne, our pay has never been lacking!'"

Note for 【234】

Chinese

Translation: "After all, it's still worry over the Virtuous Consort's marriage."

Note for 【238】

Chinese

Translation: "The Young Emperor's half‑elder? That would make him kin to the Emperor! Moreover, the Virtuous Consort's family is second to none, greatly favored at home, so forming this marriage is no loss."

Note for 【242】

Chinese

Translation: "A eunuch actually trained a warmongering disciple; this disciple had once been a Noble Consort, the disciple conquered vast tracts of land, and the master followed up by taking up farming."

Note for 【246】

Chinese

Translation: "However, once those people saw the Virtuous Consort's bashful expression, they knew there was no need to hesitate—they couldn't wait any longer."

Note for 【250】

Chinese

Translation: "The Young Emperor values both civil and military affairs; the status of soldiers keeps rising, and taking a wife has become much easier."

Note for 【254】

Chinese

Translation: "The Young Emperor said thus: 'You are the Virtuous Senior Consort, my elder; your natal family would not dare look down on you, and whoever marries you would not dare mistreat you—I can firmly back you… but if you feign death, your new identity would surely be insignificant, and when a married woman suffers resentment, I cannot openly vent for her.'"

Note for 【258】

We need to keep the ellipsis and quotes.

Chinese

Translation: "The Noble Consort discovered that Jiang Yuner's early enlightenment of the Young Emperor had still been successful; in the Young Emperor's eyes, there is no gender distinction in this world, and anyone who can work for him is a good tool."

We need 貴妃 -> Noble Consort. 江芸兒 -> Jiang Yuner. 小皇帝 -> Young Emperor.

Note for 【264】

Translation: "Beyond the sea there is abundant land; Liang has lacked no grain these years, the people keep having children, and he worries that the land won't be enough to grow grain, causing the added populace to starve."

Chinese

Note for 【271】

Translation: "Moreover, the Young Emperor was extremely favorable toward her, especially giving her face by sending back the opinions of her father and uncles."

Chinese

Note for 【275】

Translation: "As Emperor, he also wants vast amounts of land, hoping that under the sun's light, everything will be planted with grain!"

Chinese

Note for 【279】

Translation: "The Young Emperor has grown into a handsome youth."

Chinese

??? Not present.

Translation: "Outside the capital, beside the long pavilion."

Chinese

Note for 【287】

Translation: "The Young Emperor smiled, saying nothing."

Chinese

Note for 【291】

Translation: "In the Retired Emperor's sleeping palace, the Young Emperor each day comes to report to the bedridden Retired Emperor on palace inside and outside affairs."

Chinese

??? Not present.

Translation: "The Virtuous Consort nodded solemnly; although she married to bear children, if she could live in harmony with the child's father, letting the children grow in a loving environment would be even better."

Chinese

??? Not present.

Translation: "For the sake of silver, Qiu Er studied hard, but while studying she kept drifting off."

??? Actually after 【300】 note, we have 【303】 Chinese line? The list ends at 【303】 with Chinese line? Let's see original:

Is Granny Yin in the southwest now? She still sends people to find Granny Yin and bring her back to continue conditioning her own body, right?

The palace maids had no particular complaints about this; if they could have a home, who would want to grow old and die in the palace for a lifetime?

When later generations speak of the Holy Martial Emperor, everyone's first impression is: this is an emperor who launched wars just to grow grain!

He's practically a planting maniac!

Shu Fei said, 'That's only natural—how could my judgment be wrong?'

Finally, the Little Emperor settled it with one decree: 'My birth mother—I can't defy her, so I can only agree to her feigned death! Consort Shu's words—what's wrong with remarrying? Oh, you're saying the Retired Emperor hasn't died yet? No problem, I'll first have him write a divorce decree! Rest assured, even after the divorce you'll still be my elder!'

The Little Emperor is used to angering his father daily; because he comes often, he gained a reputation for filial piety among the people, which makes him happy, and he even brushes the tool person more diligently.

Min Shi certainly wouldn't object; the Prince Consort is so shrewd—if Qiu'er could learn even a bit from him, she wouldn't have to worry about her for the rest of her life.

While Jiang Yuner's dragon-and-phoenix twins were sparring with swords nearby, her triplet sons stumbled about holding little wooden swords, imitating their siblings' moves; meanwhile, the pregnant Jiang Yuner was telling the emperor about the benefits of marriage.

"They still have the nerve to say the emperor's conduct is improper, demanding he issue a self‑censure edict! Bullshit!"

He also wanted to become the Prince Consort's disciple directly, like the Noble Consort, to study medicine with him; he didn't know what drug the Prince Consort gave the Retired Emperor, but no matter how much blood the Retired Emperor vomited, it could sustain his breath—just not let him die!

The Noble Consort instantly brimmed with confidence. Her natal family certainly didn't want her to go to the battlefield, but the Noble Consort demonstrated to her relatives what it means to be of high rank and overpowering—she is the Noble Consort—now the Grand Noble Consort, whom even the Little Emperor can't control, let alone her natal family.

Having married so many of the Retired Emperor's consorts, although the dowries pinch him a bit, he can save the monthly stipend each month thereafter, making it worthwhile in the long run.

The Noble Consort's mother likewise hates how, over these years, she's eaten and drunk without restraint, now her figure has plumped up; she doesn't know if her horsemanship is still as agile as before, or if her sword‑smashing techniques have grown rusty.

Don't blame Min Shi for pressing Qiu'er to study so many things—her daughter has reached marriageable age, the prime time to wed; besides being beautiful and gentle‑tempered, she also holds a titled fief and has earned the Little Emperor's favor, yet her wit is lacking, making her especially suitable as a bride in the eyes of many profit‑seeking clans.

"You are the disciple I personally taught; I believe in you!" he encouraged the Noble Consort, "I await your triumphant return!"

Mountain Chief Xiangqing had once been summoned to the palace to teach him calligraphy; one can imagine that when he met Shu Fei in the palace, a gentleman's thought arose.

"Serves them right!" the soldier said, feeling especially relieved, "In recent years Liang has suffered droughts and floods nonstop; without these high‑yield grains, who knows how many commoners would have starved to death—such a great merit isn't even worth a marquisate?!"

The Little Emperor agreed, saying, "Uncle says a man's most important quality is responsibility, and I think Mountain Chief Xiangqing is just fine."

In short, his subjects must absolutely not die—especially not of starvation!

After all, she no longer needs to support the women of the Eastern Palace.

At this moment he had a splitting headache: "Mother, I promise I will take a wife, so stop nagging! By the way, Mother, are you carrying twins again? Boy or girl? I hope they're both girls."

Min Shi was calculating the accounts; the newly enthroned Little Emperor bestowed great bounty—he gave them a residence and several shops, so they wouldn't lack livelihood, and with Qiu'er's fief, their life is actually more comfortable than when she was the crown prince's consort.

"I heard Lord Jiang Nine was made a duke, yet officials still had objections—but as soon as those opposing officials left the palace, the populace pelted them with rotten vegetables."

The former residence of the deposed crown prince has been reclaimed, and the former deposed crown princess Min Shi and her daughter have moved to a residence to live.

Shu Fei was both annoyed and amused—the Little Emperor was backing her up; fortunately she had already chosen a partner early, otherwise a crowd of opportunistic men would have gathered around her, which would have annoyed her to death.

"Qiu'er, you need to study more now; otherwise you won't be able to keep the accounts straight, and what if someone cheats you out of your money?" Min Shi said earnestly, "Our shops and fields—if you don't study, you won't be smart enough, and you'll be swindled out of everything."

Time passed; the once‑gorgeous Noble Consort, in the wind and sand of the frontier, acquired a wheat‑colored complexion.

Moreover, with fewer masters in the palace, the palace maids were no longer needed in such numbers; when he bestowed the unmarried maids in marriage to the many unmarried soldiers, he could feel those soldiers growing even more devoted to him.

At this point, the Grand Noble Consort had already given birth to two children, a boy and a girl—just right to form a good character; looking at the smile on her face, you can see how content she is now.

The Little Emperor said calmly, "Rest assured, Uncle's medical skill surpasses that of the Imperial Physician Director; no matter how much blood the Retired Emperor vomits or how often he faints, he won't die." Then he grinned mischievously, showing his teeth, "Uncle said that getting angry can even treat low blood pressure—I'm a filial son!"

I heard the Emperor intends to further raise the status of generals; perhaps one day joining the army will become the ideal for the children of Liang.

With just a little training, she could be made wholly devoted to her husband's family—what an excellent choice for a wife!

"Your Majesty, your own father isn't even dead yet, and you're already scheming to cast out your stepmother? This is blatant revenge! But even if it's revenge, you ought to consider the opinions of the Grand Noble Consorts, shouldn't you?"

These younger brothers are really mischievous; he wants a thoughtful little sister.

As her military merits kept rising, her teacher—Jiang Nine—had cultivated in Liang an astonishingly high‑yield grain per mu; the soldiers in the army could finally eat to their heart's content.

Xiangqing devoted himself to scholarship; in his early years he wandered among mountains and rivers, his character pure—he was no match for a palace‑intrigue champion.

The Imperial Physician Director couldn't help but sigh in relief, then hurriedly gave him a bitter blood‑tonic decoction.

No good—start training right away.

"The Place: Inner Palace is empty now." The Little Emperor felt satisfied.

His uncle, Jiang Nine Lang, is also a remarkable person.

Shu Fei's marriage went smoothly.

Another soldier said, "Sweet potatoes are also delicious—roasted they're fragrant and sweet!"

The Noble Consort sat astride a tall, fine horse, her heroic bearing shining, and she earnestly asked, "Little Master, you really won't go to the frontier with me? We could fight side by side, slaying the enemy and defending our Liang."

The Noble Consort departed full of hope, heading for the frontier she longed for, while Shu Fei remained in the capital.

Shu Fei made a move, and Xiangqing quickly surrendered his arms.

Upon learning the man Shu Fei had chosen, the Little Emperor was especially pleased, "So I've been the matchmaker after all."

But there's no denying that the Little Emperor truly is a good child; they haven't spoiled him in vain, they've plotted for his benefit!

Although this residence falls short of the deposed crown prince's mansion in size and grandeur, it excels in being clean and safe; its neighbors are all nobles, the Five City Garrison Patrol often passes by, and the mother and daughter have kept it neat and orderly, living very comfortably.

As soon as these words were spoken, both civil and military officials were greatly moved.

"Mother, Qiu'er feels the Prince Consort looks familiar." Qiu'er whispered, "His gaze toward Qiu'er is warm; Qiu'er wants to speak with him—may I?"

Upon hearing this, the Little Emperor stopped worrying about Shu Fei; instead he worried about Mountain Chief Xiangqing, feeling he was a little white rabbit while Shu Fei was a big wolf.

Time passed in the blink of an eye.

Thinking back, the assignment his uncle gave him was: how to resolve land consolidation; the high‑yield grain has been achieved, and more land is being unlocked.

The Little Emperor hasn't married yet, so the palace servants have grown accustomed to the old terms and haven't changed them; Shu Fei and the others also don't like being called 'Grand Noble Consort' or such, as it makes them sound old, which would hinder their remarriage or going to the battlefield.

After hearing the Little Emperor's words, Shu Fei broke into a sweat, "The Retired Emperor will surely vomit blood."

He has killed too many people before, his merit keeps dropping; now he is desperately planting potatoes, cotton, and other crops, hoping to accumulate more merit in this world.

The three women gathered again, and the Little Emperor also came.

Shu Fei had also wanted to feign death and remarry, but the Little Emperor wasn't happy about it.

Whenever he heard that another consort had remarried, the Retired Emperor would vomit blood once; later he may have become numb, and finally stopped vomiting blood.

When the Noble Consort returned to the capital, she was not only the Grand Noble Consort but also became a female general.

The little emperor said: "Shu fei... Shu tai fei is my elder; when she marries, I will certainly give her a dowry. If your family has a man of similar age, and you can obtain Shu tai fei's consent, you may bring him before me; I will later regard him as half an elder."

Later, sea ships became faster and faster, land became less and less valuable, landlords no longer wished to buy land, they all turned to commerce; this also made Great Liang the world's earliest to enter capitalism.

The Great "Xiaozi" Little Emperor issued an edict, and all civil and military officials were stunned by him.

Moreover, the emperor will back them up; as long as they don't cause trouble, their husbands will surely respect them, and good days await them!

"This potato is really delicious." The soldiers rubbed their bellies, "No wonder they're from the Jiang family—good at fighting, and governing the country is just as good."

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