Dream of the Red Chamber: Start by gaining Zhao Yun's martial prowess, and be ennobled in a sin

After receiving the imperial edict and leaving the court, Jia Jing did not leave the palace immediately. Instead, amidst the shocked, fearful, or obsequious gazes of the ministers, he went straight to the Qianqing Palace to request an audience with Emperor Jingsheng.

Meanwhile, in the Qianqing Palace, Emperor Jingsheng had just returned and was removing his imperial crown and changing out of his heavy robes, being attended by palace maids and eunuchs.

However, the emperor's complexion reflected in the bronze mirror at this moment did not look very good.

I didn't sleep a wink last night, and coupled with the endless problems in the court, I was filled with worry and indignation, so I looked more haggard than usual.

Just as the eunuchs were helping Emperor Jingsheng change his clothes, Empress Zhou, dressed in a bright yellow casual robe, personally emerged from behind the screen carrying a tray.

On the tray was a celadon covered bowl filled with lotus seed soup, next to which were a dish of yam and poria cocos cake, a dish of osmanthus-flavored lotus root, and a dish of shredded ginger.

The morning light slanted in through the window, casting a warm yellow glow on the blue brick floor.

This beautiful woman, with her graceful and elegant demeanor, had her hair loosely tied up with only a white jade hairpin. Her face was free of makeup, clean and pure, like a piece of jade that had been washed with water.

Her eyebrows were light, as if they hadn't been drawn up much, but they still made her look delicate; her eyes weren't big, but they were very deep, and when she looked at people, she was unhurried, with a sense of composure and gentleness that had accumulated over the years.

She walked gracefully into the morning light, quiet and still, like a white lotus that never blooms.

"Your Majesty has worked tirelessly all night. Please have something to eat first before dealing with state affairs!"

Empress Zhou gently placed the tray on a corner of the imperial desk and spoke softly to Emperor Jingsheng, her voice filled with concern.

She had heard from the eunuch that Emperor Jingsheng had been busy all night because of the assassination case last night and hadn't slept. He hadn't eaten breakfast this morning and went to the morning court. She was worried about his health, so she personally made some soups and snacks and sent them to Emperor Jingsheng.

Don't be fooled by the fact that these dishes may seem few and simple; they are all very particular!

Lotus seeds, which are used in lotus seed soup, are said to "nourish the middle and calm the mind, and boost energy." They are a common calming ingredient in the palace. Since it is past mealtime and breakfast should be mild and not greasy, a bowl of lotus seed soup is both warming and gentle on the stomach.

Yam and Poria cake was a favorite food of the emperor. Yam can strengthen the spleen and stomach, while Poria can calm the mind and soothe the nerves, making it perfect for people who have not slept all night and whose spleen and stomach are weak.

Needless to say, osmanthus-flavored lotus root is a seasonal ingredient, as the saying goes, "The lotus is a treasure from head to toe, and autumn lotus root is the most nourishing."

At this time, fresh lotus root is crisp and tender, clears heat and promotes body fluid production, strengthens the spleen and stimulates appetite, and can relieve dry mouth and tongue caused by autumn dryness. Adding osmanthus makes it warm and moist without being cold.

Emperor Jingsheng had just changed his clothes when he heard this. He glanced at Empress Zhou, his gaze falling on the dishes. A slight smile appeared on his lips, his expression softening considerably. He said softly:

"I'm so sorry to have troubled you, Zitong!"

Empress Zhou gently comforted her:

"While matters of state are important, Your Majesty must also take care of your health!"

As the two were talking, Xia Shouzhong slowly walked in from outside the door, bowed to the Emperor and Empress, and then reported in a low voice:

"Your Majesty! The Duke of Jing has submitted his memorial and is on his way!"

Emperor Jingsheng couldn't help but smile, and said gently:

"He must want to discuss military reorganization with me! When Zijie arrives, there's no need to announce him; let him come in directly!"

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

Seeing that Emperor Jingsheng was dealing with state affairs, Empress Zhou, who was about to leave, stopped in her tracks upon hearing this. She smiled sweetly, her voice carrying a hint of curiosity and gentleness, and said:

"Is that Jia Zijie? I've heard so much about him, but I've never had the chance to meet him properly. Today, I'll take this opportunity to see this extraordinary minister whom His Majesty and Biao'er have spoken of!"

After Emperor Taizu of the Han Dynasty founded the dynasty, he learned from the lessons of the previous dynasty and established the ironclad rule of "palace politics", strictly ordering that "officials and their wives may only pay homage to the empress on holidays, and may not enter the palace to seek an audience without a valid reason".

Its core purpose was to isolate the inside from the outside, minimizing contact between the empress and foreign officials.

Even on New Year's Day, the Winter Solstice, and the Empress's birthday, "Qianqiu Festival," only the wives of officials who had been granted official titles would wear formal attire and go to Kunning Palace to pay their respects to the Empress, not the officials themselves.

Therefore, since last year, Empress Zhou had heard of Jia Jing's name many times, but in reality, she had never actually met him.

Emperor Jingsheng smiled and said:

"Since we've arrived today, it's good that you meet him, Zitong! I have just officially issued an edict appointing him as a second-rank General of the Cavalry and Minister in charge of military affairs. From now on, half the burden of the Han Dynasty will depend on him!"

A look of surprise flashed in Empress Zhou's beautiful eyes beneath her arched eyebrows. "A Second-Rank General of the Cavalry?"

At present, it seems that there is no military officer of the second rank in the Han Dynasty. To be granted such a high position at such a young age is truly no exaggeration to call him the number one military meritorious official in the Han Dynasty!

As for the Minister of Military Affairs, although I have never heard of this position, judging from the name, one can roughly guess that its power is even greater than the former!

She had never seen a minister whom His Majesty trusted so completely that he was completely unguarded!

Thinking of this, Empress Zhou lowered her bright eyes slightly, her heart filled with even greater anticipation to see just how outstanding Jia Jing truly was!