fter hearing Hongtu's account, had already formed a guess in her mind. After organizing her thoughts, she outlined the pirates' plan.Ringlets nodded in agreement with Anne's analysis, then said:"For o...After twelve years, Lianyi saw General Meng again. He was truly old, his hair already white. However, because he practiced martial arts all year round, his frame was still straight and upright. His eyes were bright, and his voice was loud.

"The old minister bows to the Empress!"

"Father, please rise. There is no need for you to treat your daughter like this."

Liàn Yī directly stepped forward and personally helped General Mèng up, smiling as she said.

"Courtesy is indispensable."

Although General Meng stood up, he did so with utmost courtesy.

"Did your father bring your brothers this time"

The old minister only brought Guang Shen. Guang Dong is still in the border city."

"This time, your father achieved a great victory. The emperor was overjoyed. However, your daughter is worried about your health. She has already informed the emperor that you are preparing to lay down your arms and retire from military service. Perhaps matters of war should be left to the younger generation."

"As Her Majesty said, the old minister also agrees."

General Meng looked at the stunning and beautiful woman before him, a paragon of femininity. He couldn't help but feel empathy, understanding the resentment his own wife might harbor. However, he knew deep down that his own daughter was incapable of reaching this level.

"Father, you've labored hard all the way. Go back and rest first. When Your Majesty has finished bestowing rewards upon the heroes of this campaign, we father and daughter can reunite."

"Great!"

General Meng was taken to the courtyard, which had already been tidied up, while Meng Guangshen was waiting for his father.

"Father, how is my little sister"

Meng Guangshen asked.

"Good, you look better than when you were at home. It seems this imperial city does nourish people."

“This is natural. The imperial city has a good climate, and there’s no shortage of precious medicinal herbs. My younger sister's body is well-nourished, so her complexion naturally improves.”

Meng Guang smiled and said.

"Tomorrow, I have to go to the palace to receive rewards and show gratitude. Get some rest early!"

Yes, Father!

On the second day, all officials gathered, and the emperor was in high spirits. He allowed Quanfu to read the imperial edict and bestow honors upon all the meritorious officials. This time, it was a joyous occasion for everyone, as the rewards were not limited to Meng Jiajun's officers but also included non-family officers, preventing any single family from dominating.

After everyone received their rewards, Meng An stepped forward and submitted his retirement papers. This move surprised the court officials, but only the Emperor knew that this was the Meng family showing him weakness, which made him feel even better.

"General Meng, this great victory is all thanks to your skillful command. The Qianglang tribe has even submitted a surrender letter. You are getting stronger with age, how can you possibly retire"

"Your Majesty, thank you for your trust in me. However, due to this recent battle, my old injuries have flared up, and my body aches unbearably. I'm simply too old for this."

General Meng said helplessly.

"This matter, I disapprove of. We shall discuss it later."

The Emperor simply waved his hand and dismissed the matter.

Although the Emperor didn't give a direct answer, everyone in the court knew that General Meng's retirement petition would be approved. Even if the Emperor put on a show of reluctance, he had to try and keep him. Otherwise, after General Meng just helped defend the border and won a victory for you, you would go back on your word and betray his loyalty. That wouldn't look good for a wise ruler at all.

Ripples Nature received the news first, but she only nodded slightly. With the Meng family's assurance, the emperor's worries were dispelled, making it easier for her to act.

As expected, two days after the celebratory palace banquet, the Emperor finally "reluctantly" approved General Meng's request. He bestowed upon General Meng the title of Duke of Yongding and gifted him a five-entry manor, allowing General Meng to bring his family from the border to the capital to enjoy their golden years.

Liàn Yī only let out a cold snort. "Your Majesty, this is simply a veiled way of keeping the families of border generals under your control in the capital. This prevents high-ranking generals guarding the borders from easily defying imperial orders, after all, their families are held hostage by Your Majesty."

Liàn Yī smiled and greeted the Emperor, bowing in gratitude for his grace. She expressed that her family was deeply grateful for the Emperor's favor and had already sent messengers to the border to inform their relatives there. They would soon come to the capital city to settle down.

"Thank you, Your Majesty, for granting me this opportunity to see my family often. I haven't even met a few of my nieces and nephews yet!"

The ripples of a smile on her face couldn't be hidden, and she eagerly served the emperor soup.

The Emperor was also very pleased with Lian Yi's attitude. He revoked Meng Jia's military power and weakened their influence. Lian Yi still had to thank him; now she could finally sleep soundly.

"As your emperor, I cannot bear to see you suffer. You have borne children for me, managed the harem, and been separated from your family for years. Moreover, General Meng is truly not as strong as he used to be, and needs to recuperate properly. Tomorrow, you should summon the imperial physician to examine General Meng."

The emperor immediately presented a candied date.

"I apologize, Your Majesty."

Rill ripples smiled in response and personally handed the bowl of soup to the emperor.

When Meng's wife from Bian received the news sent back by her father, a smile finally appeared on her face. She immediately summoned the steward and began packing her belongings. She was going to enter the imperial city with her grandchildren at once.

Just as this time Lady Meng was halfway there, news arrived that the Emperor had fallen ill.

At this time, within the imperial city, many officials were feeling a bit unsettled. Although the Emperor's face was grim, he was still able to attend court, indicating that the situation had not yet reached its worst point.

Only Quanfu knows the truth. Once he leaves court, the emperor is carried to his study every time. His petitions are helped by the Empress, but he has to help cover it up because he knows clearly that if the emperor dies, the only one he can rely on is the Empress, and only the eldest prince can inherit the throne legitimately.

The new director of the Imperial Hospital is Qúan Tàiyī. He gives the Emperor his pulse every day and uses all 18 martial arts, but the Emperor's body continues to weaken gradually and there's no way to reverse it.

With a sigh, Lian Yi said after hearing the full diagnosis from the head physician:

"Everything is in the emperor's hands. We should do our best and leave the rest to fate. The emperor has been unwell for some time now, it must be due to overworking himself with state affairs."

Actually, you should know this yourself. Even before the Emperor lost his ability to bear children, his body began to show problems. It's just that he didn't take it seriously at the time.

"It is my fault that I have not studied diligently enough."

The whole court could only blame Dao, letting the Empress finish speaking. What else could he say

When the Emperor couldn't even attend court, all the officials knew that his time was up.

The ripples had no intention of concealing this from the court officials. The next day, she brought the imperial edict for succession, drafted by the emperor, and the eldest prince to meet with the officials. She read out the edict and allowed officials ranking three grades or higher to enter the palace to visit.

The emperor lay in a dazed coma for two days. When he awoke, he learned that he had only a few days left to live. Despair washed over him instantly. Looking at the queen's tear-stained face and his three despondent children, all he could do was try his best to select capable regents, hoping for a smooth transition of the throne to his eldest son.

"The ripples stayed by the emperor's side all night, expressing her sorrow to the fullest."

"Your Majesty, how could you abandon your consort and three children Without your protection, you know how difficult the children's future will be! Your consort is afraid! Afraid that she can't protect the children! Your consort just wants to go with you!"

Ripple wept.

"Don't cry, if you came with me, who would protect the children You must stay and watch over them, and guard this great Sheng Dynasty."

Your Majesty

Her little head, filled with tears, finally looked at the other person as they swallowed their last breath before breaking down and sobbing.

In the year 345 of the Great Saint Calendar, Emperor Qingshang, the sixth emperor, passed away. abbot passed away. The current abbot of Guocheng Temple is the third disciple of the old abbot, said to be a highly accomplished and enlightened monk.Since the ripples came to the foot of the Guogong...