allonlinenovel Chapter 471 Make a Deal
Chapter 471 Make a Deal
The Kunning Palace was deathly quiet.
Everyone looked at the Empress Dowager.
"I've come to see you sisters. You've both just given birth, so I'll have the imperial physician prescribe some herbal medicine to help you recover." The Empress Dowager's gaze swept over the Mu sisters, finally landing on Lu Qingyao's face next to Mu Jiangyue: "Lu San Niangzi, you should also be seen."
"Me?" Lu Qingyao, sitting in the corner, looked completely bewildered.
She's not sick, so why does she need to see a doctor?
She didn't dare say it aloud, she just smiled.
Mu Jiangyue asked on her behalf, "Auntie, that's very strange. Yao Yao hasn't had any children, so why does she need to see them?"
The Empress Dowager looked at her eldest niece and glared at her.
Fortunately, she was not the one who married into the royal family, nor was she the one who became empress.
Otherwise, I'd be worried to death.
So naive.
Princess Yuqing was feeding her little girl when she heard this and looked up.
Wanting to join in the fun, she said, "Grandmother, why don't you let someone see me too? I've been so busy with the palace coup these past few days, I'm exhausted. I even accidentally killed someone, it scared me to death!"
After saying that, he patted his chest.
Miao Miao stared dumbfounded at her mischievous mother.
Wow! This is good tea.
I don't know where they learned it.
"Then take a look at them all. When you leave, take a ginseng root with you to nourish yourself." The Empress Dowager smiled faintly and glanced at the nanny behind her.
Before long, the old nanny led in a female physician.
He took the pulse of each of them.
When it was Lu Qingyao's turn, she remained calm.
If she still doesn't understand the Empress Dowager's intentions, then she's a fool.
What is coming cannot be avoided.
Miao Miao ran over and stood beside her mother, holding her other hand and keeping her company.
She knew about her mother's health.
She injured her body while giving birth to her deceased sister and is afraid she can't have any more children.
And at this age, in his thirties.
In ancient times, some people who married young would probably already have grandchildren.
Regardless of what the godfather thinks, the Empress Dowager would not agree; the lineage of the Duke's mansion cannot be cut off like this.
In ancient times, people valued their offspring more than their own lives.
Moreover, this is someone with a title to inherit.
From this perspective, the Empress Dowager's actions today were aimed at my mother, publicly exposing her shortcomings in order to make her back down.
So insidious!
Sure enough, the female doctor's smiling face disappeared, her brows furrowed, and she started babbling on and on in technical jargon that Miaomiao couldn't understand.
The conclusion drawn was: "Madam must have developed health problems from her previous childbirth and didn't take good care of herself. Given your age, it's unlikely you'll be able to conceive again in the future."
Everyone was somewhat surprised, except for the Empress Dowager.
She must know something.
However, this is not surprising. As the most powerful woman in Daliang, it would be an easy task for her to investigate a woman's medical records.
Lu Qingyao calmly withdrew her hand.
She said calmly, "Your Excellency is too kind. I already have three children. I am divorced and have no intention of remarrying, let alone having any more children."
The imperial physician looked embarrassed: "I apologize for my abruptness, I was unaware of this matter."
The person above meant for her to check if the woman was healthy and capable of conceiving again.
She thought it was a woman from a family who couldn't conceive.
Little did I know she was a divorced woman.
Lu Qingyao nodded slightly: "It's alright."
Miao Miao felt sorry for her mother. She clearly loved her godfather too, but she had said those words so definitively.
There was absolutely no room for maneuver.
Miaomiao was a little annoyed, but she didn't know who to blame.
Perhaps wanting to prove herself to the Empress Dowager, she tilted her little face up and said, "My mother has enough of us siblings; she doesn't need any younger brothers or sisters..."
Princess Yuqing pulled her daughter away and stuffed a piece of candied fruit into her mouth.
For some reason, I felt that her daughter was a bit irritable today, and the atmosphere between the Empress Dowager and Third Sister was also a bit subtle.
It's just not quite right, but I can't quite put my finger on what's wrong.
She was worried that her daughter would lose her temper and say something reckless that would offend someone.
Upon hearing the imperial physician's words, Mu Jiangyue immediately lost her composure and pointed at her nose, yelling, "Incompetent doctor! What nonsense are you spouting? Yao Yao is only three years older than me. I can give birth, so why can't Yao Yao? You've made a mistake in your diagnosis, haven't you?"
He even winked and made faces after he finished speaking.
She knew what her elder brother was thinking. Regardless of whether it was true or not, if she revealed it to her aunt, her aunt would definitely oppose the marriage.
They will also break up couples.
Finished!
My brother's enthusiasm is probably going to be in vain.
With her back to the Empress Dowager, she kept giving the imperial physician meaningful glances, threatening her: "Tell me, did you make a mistake in your diagnosis?"
However, all her attempts to signal with her eyes were in vain.
The imperial physicians dared not lie in front of the Empress Dowager.
Unless you don’t want to live anymore.
She knelt down abruptly, looking aggrieved: "Empress Dowager, Your Majesty the Empress, I swear to Heaven that I have not made a mistake in my diagnosis. This lady is indeed unlikely to have any more children."
Mu Jiangyue was speechless.
Why is this imperial physician so stubborn and inflexible?
Seeing that the Empress Dowager's expression was not good, Lu Qingyao quickly stepped forward to defuse the situation: "This physician's diagnosis is correct. I did indeed damage my body during childbirth and cannot conceive again. Jiang Yue was just too worried about me and spoke without thinking."
Jiang Yue is the Empress Dowager's niece. Saying a few careless words won't cause any trouble, but if she takes her anger out on this female doctor, she will be committing a terrible sin.
Being a royal physician is not easy.
Becoming a female doctor is even more difficult.
It was from Physician Feng that she learned that the Imperial Medical Bureau's assessment of female doctors was even more rigorous than that of men, yet the status of female doctors was extremely low.
She didn't want to ruin such a rare talent over something so trivial.
The Empress Dowager thought that Lu Qingyao would be nervous and show some timidity after the imperial physician's diagnosis, but she did not expect her to be so calm and even worry about others.
Could it be that there really is nothing between her and Mu Yunji?
Did she see it wrong?
No, that's impossible. She couldn't possibly be wrong.
Even a blind man could see from Aji's expression that he was in love with this woman.
Although Lu Qingyao expressed her opinion, the Empress Dowager was still worried because her nephew was stubborn and inflexible, and there was nothing she could do about him.
The only option is to target the Lu family woman.
She got up and walked to Lu Qingyao: "Third Sister, accompany me for a walk in the Imperial Garden."
What could they possibly say? They finally couldn't hold it in any longer.
Lu Qingyao quickly followed.
Mu Jiangyue was about to follow when her empress sister pulled her back.
"Sister, there's no use in following her. Why don't you send someone out of the palace to tell our brother what happened today?" Mu Qianxue pulled her back to Kunning Palace: "Just wait patiently. Aunt won't do anything to Sister Lu."
My older brother is different this time when he came back.
She praised Sister Lu highly, calling her "Yao Yao" repeatedly, and spoke of the frontier with great enthusiasm, her heart and mind filled with thoughts of her.
She had never seen an older brother like this before.
As the pillar of the Mu family, the youngest Duke, the Empress Dowager's nephew, and a general guarding the frontier.
He carried too much on his shoulders and lived a life that was too tiring.
I've almost lost the ability to laugh.
Now that he has finally found someone who makes him happy and with whom he shares a deep connection, Mu Qianxue doesn't want anyone to shatter his dream.
My aunt won't do either.
Now, just as her aunt wished, she has ascended to the throne of empress.
Then she will be in charge of the Mu family.
Seeing that the Empress and her sister were still struggling, Princess Yuqing had already taken her daughter and followed them by taking a side path.
Behind the artificial hill, a big boy and a little boy peeked out.
You and I were talking back and forth.
"Miaomiao, you must know what's going on, right?"
“Of course,” Miao Miao nodded.
She looked at her princess mother and said, "Your royal grandmother wants to break up my godfather and mother. Why don't you help them?"
“This is difficult to handle, unless your mother can give birth again…” Princess Yuqing thought for a moment and said.
“My mother could still give birth, but she won’t. It’s very dangerous for older mothers.” Especially with the medical conditions at that time, childbirth could easily lead to death.
Too risky.
Miaomiao showered the princess with compliments, tugging at her sleeve and refusing to let go: "Mother, you are the all-powerful Princess, you must have a way, right?"
Princess Yuqing loved it when her daughter flattered her; she was completely under her daughter's thumb.
After racking his brains, he finally agreed to his daughter's plea and came up with another idea: "How about we help them elope?"
Miao Miao: "...Didn't you ancient people despise illicit relationships the most? You'd be condemned to death for eloping, right?"
Princess Yuqing: ...
These words sound so harsh.
Not far away, in the pavilion.
The Empress Dowager sat down, while Lu Qingyao stood to the side.
They just stood there, waiting to be questioned.
"You seem unafraid of me?" The Empress Dowager fiddled with her prayer beads, without looking at her.
"The Empress Dowager is not such a fierce and evil person, so I am not afraid."
Lu Qingyao's words were somewhat against her conscience.
She might not have been afraid in the Empress's Kunning Palace, but now that they were face to face and alone, she felt a little apprehensive.
None of the women in the palace are simple.
In the imperial city, where a mother's status depended on her son, this old woman, having no children of her own, still managed to live through four generations of emperors and reach this age.
They've probably lived like foxes for a thousand years.
She dared not let her guard down.
The Empress Dowager put down the beads in her hand and squinted at Lu Qingyao: "You are quite frank. I don't like beating around the bush either. I will state my position here today: I do not agree to your marriage with Mu Yunji. If you stop bothering him and are willing to leave the capital, I will bestow upon you the title of Imperial Merchant."
Imperial Merchant Appointment?
Honestly, Lu Qingyao was moved.
Becoming a royal merchant was quite appealing to her.
If Daliang wins this battle, border trade will reopen.
If one could join the ranks of imperial merchants, one could trade cloth, silk, and tea with foreigners.
This is a highly profitable business; who wouldn't want a piece of the pie?
Especially tea.
Don't underestimate this small leaf; it's as valuable as gold.
The northern region is home to many nomadic peoples who have traditionally consumed meat and dairy products.
Only tea can aid digestion and remove greasiness.
It can be said that foreigners can hardly live without this little leaf.
Having spent several years at the border, she knew very well that, whether through official roads or black market routes, tens of thousands of tea bricks were being transported to foreign countries every year.
Foreigners openly and secretly tried to exchange horses, sheep, and furs with the people of Daliang for tea. Without tea, they could not eat.
But this tea only grows in the south.
What a coincidence.
Lu Qingyao's trade routes connect the north and south, and the method for roasting bamboo fungus that her daughter developed can also be used to roast tea.
With the right timing and location, we have everything we need.
The only thing missing is an identity.
She curtsied and said, "Your Majesty, your offer is simply too tempting..."
"Well, you've agreed?" The Empress Dowager's face lit up with joy.
For a merchant, such a great temptation would be hard to resist.
There's no denying that this girl is very good at making money.
Take Yipinju for example. It was originally Mu Yunji's private property. He ignored it for years, and all the profits were used to subsidize military pay. It was almost bankrupt when Lu Qingyao revived it, and now it is thriving.
It's a pity that silly boy Aji gave her the whole share, leaving her with only a tiny bit.
She's quite adept at managing household affairs.
In the past, she might have agreed to let Lu Qingyao enter the Mu family.
But now, that's absolutely impossible.
Seeing her unpredictable expression, Lu Qingyao just wanted to end the conversation as soon as possible and leave.
Her intuition told her that this person was dangerous.
"Your Majesty, I would very much like to agree to your conditions, but feelings are a matter between two people. I promise not to bother Lord Mu, but what if he does come to bother me? Should I chase him away? Wouldn't that be a disgrace to the Duke's Mansion? I can also agree to leave the capital, but my parents are old and I will eventually have to come back to visit them and take care of them. I don't want to deceive you just to become a royal merchant."
The Empress Dowager's face was very pale, and she tightened her grip on the prayer beads.
This woman doesn't play by the rules.
Every word he said made sense, but it was infuriating.
For many years, no one has dared to anger her like that. The last person to anger her has long since turned to dust.
"So, you're going to go against my wishes?"
Lu Qingyao shook her head: "No, I still really want to be a royal merchant, but I just can't agree to your request."
“Lu Qingyao, don’t think that just because you raised Princess Mingzhu and are going to marry Princess Rong’an as your daughter-in-law, you can talk to me like this. The last person who disobeyed me has already become fertilizer for the flowers in this courtyard.”
The Empress Dowager felt that Lu Qingyao was provoking her.
Her humble yet assertive, calm yet composed attitude and words alone are enough to infuriate people.
Lu Qingyao was speechless.
Originally, she also felt that her situation was indeed not suitable for marrying into the Mu family. The Mu family had treated her and her son so well, and he would never repay kindness with enmity and cause their lineage to die out.
Having learned from past mistakes, she would never again compete with other women for the same man.
Therefore, there is no solution to this problem.
It's good that we're all doing well now.
"Your Majesty, I have never thought of it that way. I did want to agree to your request, but I can control my own heart, but I can't control other people's legs. Your Majesty, why don't you do something about your nephew and tell him not to come to my house to freeload meals all the time, take the children to walk wolves and fly kites, and then linger there and refuse to leave?"
"You... what are you so smug about? Don't think I wouldn't dare to touch you." The Empress Dowager slammed her hand on the table and abruptly stood up.
He roared, "Guards, drag him away..."
Miaomiao was really afraid that the old lady would kill her mother in a fit of anger, so she grabbed Princess Yuqing and rushed over.
She stood protectively in front of her mother.
Looking at the Empress Dowager: "My mother never said she wanted to marry my godfather. My godfather's feelings for my mother are his business. My mother did nothing wrong. Why doesn't the Empress Dowager try to persuade my godfather instead of bullying the weak here..."
Before Miao Miao could finish speaking, she saw the Empress Dowager's chest heaving violently, her face turning bright red.
He fell straight down.
"The Empress Dowager..."
"Empress Dowager..."
……