Chapter 92

Chapter 92

Geng Shuning was most adept at taking advantage of opportunities. Knowing that the Grand Empress Dowager was easy to talk to, she always treated her as if she were her own grandmother.

This was evident when the Grand Empress Dowager, though she wouldn’t wield a firewood stick, always managed to leave Geng Shuning wanting to vent.

She used the charm of prophecy to retort several times, making the old lady cackle with laughter, and she never got angry.

This time, she didn’t let the Grand Empress Dowager leave her speechless for nothing.

She hummed softly and leaned close to the Grand Empress Dowager, her moist apricot eyes wide open, nodding slowly.

The Grand Empress Dowager smiled and patted her forehead, "What are you up to now?"

Geng Shuning raised an eyebrow, "From the Grand Empress Dowager's admonitions, Geng Shuning has fully realized her mistakes."

The Grand Empress Dowager also raised an eyebrow, her plump face showing obvious disbelief.

This girl was very much like the Mongolian women of their tribe.

Though she appeared delicate, her actions were completely unlike those of the noblewomen in the capital, doing whatever she felt like, as long as it made her happy.

Could she really recognize her mistakes?

Geng Shuning grinned, "For example—I shouldn’t have thought only Qiao He could buy meat, clearly you, old lady, can get your own meat... as long as the Emperor doesn’t keep a close eye on you."

The Grand Empress Dowager: "..."

"And for example..." Geng Shuning drawled, her little face brimming with pride, "You avoid doctors, don’t let the imperial physician diagnose you, and even threaten the imperial physician not to tell anyone."

"The medicinal soups prescribed by the imperial physician must have been poured out by you or Nanny Wuyunna."

Given the Grand Empress Dowager’s gluttony, if Imperial Physician Zheng dared to properly take her pulse, he would surely diagnose something.

Then the old lady wouldn’t have to take medicine every day while worshipping Buddha, yet still suffer from headaches and dizziness.

Nanny Wuyunna, who had just come in from outside: "..."

*

The Grand Empress Dowager sighed to Nanny Wuyunna in Mongolian, "No wonder Xuan Ye is reluctant to let this girl go easily, the little devil has become quite the character, could Fourth Brother’s wooden nature withstand her?"

Nanny Wuyunna: "...This servant also doubts he could handle her, so are you still going to help her?"

The Grand Empress Dowager glanced disdainfully at Geng Shuning, who stood obediently to the side. Though a bit mischievous, she was quite charming and likable.

When it was time to speak, she was more talkative than anyone.

But when others were speaking, she never interrupted if it wasn’t her place, making her more pleasant to be around than Guo Luoluo.

She didn’t answer Nanny Wuyunna’s question, switching back to Manchu, she asked Geng Shuning, "Are you going to tell me? I’m old but still sharp!"

Geng Shuning: "..." I know you’re old ginger!

She hesitated for a moment, having been pondering over this for a while, she still hadn’t made up her mind.

Actually, the choice wasn’t that complicated, either to only care for herself, or to trust Yinzhen.

In her past life, she was used to being selfish, only trusting herself, and it was hard to believe that others would care for her as much as she cared for herself.

Seeing Geng Shuning nod, Nanny Wuyunna waved her hand, signaling the serving women in the room to leave.

Geng Shuning sat on the embroidered stool beside the Grand Empress Dowager, and after a while, she sighed softly and spoke in a low voice—

"The Retired Emperor did not make things difficult for me, but he gave me two paths to choose from, each with its own pros and cons."

"A few days ago, I received a letter from His Majesty Yinzhen, telling me not to worry too much. He said he would persuade the Retired Emperor to make me the empress."

Not wanting to trouble the Grand Empress Dowager too much, Geng Shuning briefly explained the Retired Emperor's intentions.

Speaking of Yinzhen's letter, Geng Shuning felt somewhat lost: "I know one path will be very difficult, even to the point of taking up His Majesty's energy in ruling the empire, causing him distress because of me. Should I still move forward?"

The Grand Empress Dowager looked at Geng Shuning and suddenly burst into laughter.

Geng Shuning looked up gloomily, thinking, "You're laughing so much, is that even polite?"

The Grand Empress Dowager laughed even more heartily, "I understand now. You're afraid of being disappointed, not that Fourth Brother won't help you, but that you... aim higher."

"You're afraid Fourth Brother will regret it. You've already given so much, so you must... get what you want."

With a hint of reminiscence, the Grand Empress Dowager's gaze was firm: "When the time comes, you will hurt each other. Whoever wins, it will still be painful. That's not what you want."

"You want to abandon Fourth Brother, hahaha... Fourth Brother is more pitiful than Taizong, poor guy, and you are more... rational than your aunt. I like it!"

Because the Grand Empress Dowager's Manchu was not very good, she stumbled over her words, making it difficult for Geng Shuning to follow, but somehow, she understood.

Yes, because Fourth Master treated her so well, the kind of deep devotion where his eyes were only on her, made her feel a bit embarrassed to admit her own flaws.

She wasn't afraid of him falling for someone else, nor was she afraid of fighting hard, even striving to get everything she wanted.

But if... Yinzhen regretted it, and he, like a proper emperor, restricted her, hurt her, she would not hesitate to use every means to fight back.

That would be no different from the Ula Nara family, where there are no winners in victory or defeat. If it really came to that, she didn't know what she would become, and she didn't want to reach that point.

The Grand Empress Dowager called out loudly for Nanny Wuyunna to come in, as there were some things she couldn't express clearly in Manchu.

*

Qiao He and Qingfang were standing guard outside, and Nanny Wuyunna entered to translate for the Grand Empress Dowager.

The old lady did not judge Geng Shuning's character, nor did she offer any advice, but instead told her a story, neither too long nor too short.

"Your aunt was the brightest jewel under the Eternal Blue Sky. The old shaman said she was destined to be a phoenix, even more powerful than Xige!"

Bumbutai (meaning a heavenly blessing).

The old shaman prophesied that Xige, meaning whoever gains Xige gains the empire, but Xige's tribe declined, and she never found peace until her death.

But the old shaman said that your aunt would bring her family supreme glory, and all the tribes tried every means to propose marriage, not daring to use too harsh tactics against Khorchin.

"Your aunt did not like Taizong because Taizong only cared about war and did not give the Grand Princess the honor she deserved."

"After the marriage, your aunt feared she would lose favor, not because losing favor was good or bad, but because she knew she would stop at nothing, using every means to bring glory to Khorchin."

As the Grand Empress Dowager spoke, the smile on her face gradually faded.

"Taizong disappointed her, but she fulfilled her promise. Mengguqing and even Fulin were part of her unrelenting efforts."

Everyone knows the story of Huang Taiji's death, but no one knows what triggered his inability to go on—Hailanzhu, and how the little prince, whom Huang Taiji treasured, died.

Mergen Daicing's loyalty to your aunt is still privately criticized to this day.

But no one knows how your aunt won over Mergen Daicing, or how, under the watchful eyes of Hooge and Huang Taiji's brothers, she secured the throne for Fulin.

The Grand Empress Dowager didn't know much either, only glimpsing a small part from the aftermath of Shunzhi establishing the pitiable yet detestable Donggo Shi as a pawn in the Manchu-Mongol conflict.

"Auntie... also suffered because those she loved were in pain, yet she never regretted her choices." The Grand Empress Dowager closed her eyes, her voice softer.

Nanny Wuyunna looked at her mistress with some heartache.

Her mistress, who had grown up eating and drinking heartily, was a vibrant flower on the grasslands. For the Grand Empress Dowager's strategies, she plunged into the devouring palace and was trapped there for a lifetime.

The Grand Empress Dowager suddenly opened her eyes, looked at Geng Shuning, and smiled again, even pinching her unconsciously serious face.

"No, it should be said, Auntie regretted once, when she was young." Her voice carried a hint of laughter.

"The brightest jewel of the grasslands, stunning and sharp-witted, always looking out for herself. Overthinking naturally leads to anxiety, wanting to try different choices."

Seeing the Grand Empress Dowager shed her sorrowful expression, Geng Shuning's curiosity was piqued. Could it be true that Empress Xiaozhuang and Dorgon eloped?!

The Grand Empress Dowager immediately cleared her confusion: "A month before marrying Taizong, Auntie tricked Dorgon behind a cairn, wanting to sleep with him, to make him her fallback."

Geng Shuning was dumbfounded. This is so scandalous!

"But upon learning that Dorgon wanted to marry her and even replace Taizong to avenge his mother, which was somewhat unrealistic and naive, Auntie immediately regretted it."

"She coaxed Dorgon into exchanging jade pendants with her, then came back and married Taizong."

While translating, Nanny Wuyunna explained the meaning of the jade pendant.

"It's similar to a waist token, often hung on a necklace at grand banquets or embedded in ox horns, representing titles and noble status."

"At that time, wars were frequent, and military tokens were mainly relied upon. The jade pendant was more of a keepsake."

However, Empress Xiaozhuang used that jade pendant to trick Dorgon into promising her in his mother's name, leading Dorgon to support Shunzhi's ascension to the throne. This matter need not be mentioned.

It was just something Sumal joked about, and no one knows if it's true.

But Nanny Wuyunna felt that, given Empress Xiaozhuang's intelligence and tactics, it was likely true.

*

Geng Shuning was thoroughly satisfied with this gossip, even a bit overwhelmed.

She lounged on the soft daybed, resting her head on her arm, and felt a bit more at ease.

She smiled and asked the Grand Empress Dowager, "Are you trying to persuade me, like Empress Xiaozhuang, to find a fallback before entering the palace?"

The Grand Empress Dowager shook her head with a smile, "No, I just want to tell you that when Auntie entered the palace, it wasn't relying on the Khorchin tribe's support or a fallback, but her own intelligence and tactics."

"She clearly knew what she wanted. No backup plan is perfect, but giving up out of fear would lead to lifelong regret."

She looked down gently at Geng Shuning, "I know you're just like Auntie—no innocent little lamb."

"Even if things don’t turn out as planned, just go for it. Others, other paths, have nothing to do with you."

She endured a lifetime of hardship. Auntie understood and sympathized, but she knew Auntie would choose the same path again.

Geng Shuning was stunned. All the confusion in her mind dissipated with the Grand Empress Dowager's words.

Yes, focusing only on herself, she feared she would betray Yinzhen's affection. Trusting Yinzhen, she feared she would wrong herself.

But no matter which path, it actually has nothing to do with Yinzhen. Isn't she striving to achieve her own ambitions?

If she can't let go, then don't let go. If that rascal lets her down, she’ll use her own wits to claim her place in the Palace of Compassion and Tranquility!

Once Geng Shuning stopped worrying about a backup plan and no longer felt anxious about gains and losses, her mind cleared up, and she even found her previous obsession quite ridiculous.

After confronting the old man, her knees were almost worn out. Why must she follow the path he laid out?

Who said she only had two options? Even if there were only two, she could always forge a new path!

She tapped her head in frustration and muttered, "Love really does make you blind. I've turned into such a fool."

The Grand Empress Dowager rolled her eyes, "Clever. Now get going. Don't stick around here."

Geng Shuning chuckled and winked at the Grand Empress Dowager, "What if I just can't bring myself to leave you?"

Seeing the Grand Empress Dowager about to lose her temper, Geng Shuning quickly soothed her, "If I stay, I can make sure you have meat every day."

The Grand Empress Dowager's eyes suddenly lit up, "Then stay until I'm gone!"

Geng Shuning: "..." Can we talk about something a bit more upbeat?

*

Finally sorting out her worries, Geng Shuning felt a wave of relief and wished she could kick back with a bottle of good wine and a big slab of braised meat!

Oh, how she missed her boyfriend... and those fancy dishes from the palace kitchen!

Maybe because what you think about during the day comes to you at night, before Geng Shuning could write to Yinzhen, he arrived in person.

The Grand Empress Dowager wasn't an early riser, and she didn't call on Geng Shuning to serve her in the morning.

Emperor Kangxi didn't impose any rules on her either, and no one else had the authority to do so. Geng Shuning resumed her habit of sleeping until late morning.

With her worries gone, she planned to sleep in until lunch... then take a nap and finally get around to replying to her boyfriend's letter.

But before dawn, in the dead of night, while she was deep in sleep, she suddenly dreamed of a cold wind slapping her face.

Then a blizzard hit, and a snow monster roared and lunged, its claws slashing at her waist.

"Ow! That really hurts!" Geng Shuning cried out in pain, startled awake to find herself held in the arms of what felt like an ice block.

That familiar ambergris scent... no guessing who it was.

Geng Shuning angrily pounded his chest, "Can't you be gentler? I was just about to meet my man in my dream!"

Yinzhen remained silent, his cold lips pressing against hers, urgently seeking the sweetness he had missed for a month.

He kissed her until their lips burned with heat, leaving Geng Shuning breathless and whimpering. Only then did Yinzhen roll onto his back, pulling her into his embrace.

Under the dim candlelight, though Yinzhen was beneath her, his tone was commanding and icy—

"Why didn't you reply to my letter?"

Geng Shuning studied him closely, noticing the weariness from his journey, his face slightly stiff.

He must have been traveling since midnight, and even after kissing for a while, he hadn't fully warmed up, making her hesitant to provoke him.

She leaned down, wrapping her arms around Yinzhen's neck, and looked at him earnestly, "I swear, I was planning to reply to your letter today. Do you believe me?"

Yinzhen's lips curled coldly: Do I?

Geng Shuning puffed her cheeks, "Really! The retired emperor has been keeping an eye on me. I was afraid he'd find out, so I only had Qiao He find a weakly guarded spot yesterday. That's why I haven't replied to your letter yet."

Of course, the real purpose of finding that spot was better left unmentioned to this jealous man.

Yinzhen gave a faint hum, half-closing his eyes, "What did you want to say in your reply? Tell me now."

Was she planning to continue as the Feng'en General, as the Emperor's wish, or was she being driven by the old man's tactics to think of leaving him again?

As for the position of Imperial Consort mentioned by the old man, judging by her previous antics in the palace, this rascal would never agree.

The little fox's month-long hesitation had already been reported to the imperial court. Yinzhen had hoped for her trust but had never received her reply.

A sharp glint flashed in Yinzhen's half-closed eyes. Since she was indecisive, he would make the choice for her.

Once by his side, she would never think of leaving!

At this critical moment, Geng Shuning added fuel to the fire. She kissed Yinzhen's cheek and spoke with a mix of laughter and reproach—

"Master, I've made up my mind. I won't be the Empress."

Yinzhen suddenly tightened his grip around her waist. The exhaustion from managing the court these days turned into a surge of anger.

He clenched his jaw, "You dare—"

Geng Shuning bit his thin lip, leaving a soft 'pop', and chided with a haughty air—

"Master, don't interrupt, let me finish!"

Yinzhen: "..." The weather's getting cold, maybe it's time to teach the fox a lesson.

Geng Shuning, completely unaware of the danger to her backside, eagerly shared her thoughts with Yinzhen.

"Explaining to my godmother is actually easy. Just say that Liang Chen was on a mission for you, and to protect him, I temporarily took on the title of Feng'en General."

"I don't want to marry you as a widow, in case Liang Chen returns and things get awkward. A hundred years from now, people might slander you for stealing someone's wife."

Yinzhen's palm itched, but seeing the rascal above him so delighted, inexplicably, the fire in his heart gradually subsided.

Geng Shuning also felt his tense body relax a bit and secretly sighed in relief.

She continued, "I won't be the Imperial Consort either, but the Emperor does have a point. The position of Empress is indeed a valuable asset, and the selection of concubines is inevitable."

Yinzhen frowned and opened his mouth, only to be stopped by Geng Shuning's slender index finger.

"I want to return to being an Imperial Attendant." The candlelight faintly reflected in her eyes, forming two twinkling stars.

"As an Imperial Attendant, I can still manage palace affairs, take care of the harem, and be with you day and night."

"More importantly, as an Imperial Attendant, I should serve before the Emperor, no matter where you go or what you need."

As the Emperor said, the struggles in the capital can't be rushed. Things will resolve themselves in time. What's hers, no one else can covet.

Even if Yinzhen leads an imperial expedition, she will follow. Becoming the Empress would prevent her from doing so.

In short, she will fight alongside this man on the battlefield outside the capital.

Her eyes blazed as she looked at Yinzhen, leaning closer to press against his lips, murmuring and urging—

"Are you satisfied with my reply?"

Yinzhen took a deep breath. The rising restlessness and bitterness in his chest choked all his words in his throat.

His Adam's apple bobbed, and he suddenly flipped over, trapping the enchanting little fox, and in one motion, pulled down the just-opened curtain.

After the clothes flew out from behind the curtain, his low, hoarse voice was heard—

"Ning'er, it's snowing outside. I heard it..."