frightfiction Chapter 1250 What is Lin Wan's current situation?
Chapter 1250 What is Lin Wan's current situation?
The first day of the first lunar month in the fourth year of Jingtai.
In this grand ceremony, the grace is not only present within the palace walls and among the civil and military officials.
Nangong Xuanyu knew very well that sharing happiness with the people was the cornerstone of a stable country.
The decree of amnesty and exemption of taxes and levies was spread to all states and counties at the fastest speed through express couriers and official announcements.
Every word and sentence is like the warm spring rain, falling on the hearts of countless common people.
In the dark and damp prison, prisoners who were not guilty of the most heinous crimes, upon hearing the news of their sentence reduction or release, all kowtowed and wept towards the capital, shouting, "Long live His Majesty! The Emperor's grace is immense!"
In the fields, the farmers who had worked hard for a year heard that taxes would be reduced this year, and smiles from the heart bloomed on their weather-beaten faces.
They were all thinking about how to save a few more buckets of food or buy new clothes for their children.
This tangible favor, better than any empty praise, can make the people feel that the 500th anniversary celebration of the founding of the country is closely related to themselves, and thus they will sincerely feel grateful and support for the court.
In addition, the imperial court also issued a clear order that all prefectures, counties and districts must hang up lights and decorations to celebrate the prosperous times.
The government officials took the lead and hung up New Year lanterns with auspicious patterns on the tall city walls and in front of the majestic government offices.
In an instant, whether it was the bustling streets of the capital or the remote rural houses, wherever the eye could see, there was a festive sea of red.
The main streets and markets in the capital are a hundred times more lively than any previous New Year's Eve.
There are a lot of cars and horses, and people are rushing around, shoulder to shoulder.
The cries of hawkers, laughter and the sounds of children playing merge into a sea of joy.
The restaurants and teahouses were packed with people. The storyteller was telling the legendary story of how Emperor Taizu wielded a three-foot sword and wiped out the heroes, which aroused cheers from the whole room.
The troupe beat drums and gongs, performing plays in succession that sang praises of the culture and military prowess of the Great Zhou Dynasty, as well as loyalty, filial piety, chastity and righteousness, to the constant applause from the audience.
Even the old man selling sugar figures on the street skillfully made sugar paintings of dragons, phoenixes and the word "five hundred", attracting children to rush to buy them.
The air was filled with the aroma of various foods.
Freshly baked snow-white steamed buns, fried fruits of various colors, sweet malt sugar... mixed with the faint smell of gunpowder after the firecrackers are set off, constitute the prosperous atmosphere unique to the peaceful and prosperous times!
……
It was not until noon that there began to be movement in the inner chambers of Zhongcui Palace.
After a tiring New Year holiday and staying up until midnight yesterday, Shen Zhinian got up around noon.
Although there was a hint of weariness between her eyebrows, it could not conceal the majesty that emanated from her inside out after she was promoted to Imperial Noble Consort.
Fuqiu came in carrying warm toiletries and reported in a steady voice, "Your Majesty, Chief Steward Hu from the Imperial Household Department has been waiting outside for quite some time. He has personally delivered this month's salary to Your Majesty."
"Also, I have already compiled a preliminary list of the gifts sent by the empresses and ladies of the various palaces. They will be stored in the warehouse after Imperial Physician Tang comes to inspect them."
She paused and added, "Also, Commander Zhan is also outside seeking a meeting."
Shen Zhinian nodded slightly, very satisfied with Fuqiu's thoughtfulness and meticulousness.
After washing and dressing up, she moved to the outer hall.
Hu Zhongcai immediately bowed and stepped forward, his face filled with an almost fawning smile: "Your servant greets Her Majesty the Imperial Concubine. May Her Majesty be blessed with good health!"
Shen Zhinian said calmly, "Get up."
"Thank you, empress!"
Hu Zhongcai immediately signaled the eunuch behind him to bring up a tray covered in yellow brocade, on which were neatly stacked snowflake silver ingots. "Your Majesty, this is the allowance you are entitled to after your promotion to Imperial Noble Consort. Please review it."
The annual allowance of an Imperial Noble Consort far exceeded that of a Noble Consort. This tangible sum of money was the most direct manifestation of her status and honor.
Shen Zhinian just glanced at it and gestured to Fuqiu to accept it.
Then, Hu Zhongcai cautiously mentioned the matter of moving the palace: "Your Majesty has granted the Imperial Noble Consort the residence in Yongshou Palace, which is a great grace from heaven!"
"It's just that... it's the Lunar New Year, and everything is busy. Moving the palace might disrupt the festive atmosphere. According to custom and the Imperial Astronomical Observatory's instructions, we'll have to wait until after the fifteenth day of the first lunar month to choose an auspicious day to move your palace."
"What does the Imperial Noble Consort think?"
It was indeed not appropriate to start large-scale construction or move residences during the New Year holidays. Shen Zhinian had no objection to this: "Just follow the rules."
Hu Zhongcai breathed a sigh of relief: "Yes!"
As soon as he stepped back, Zhan Weiran, clasped in armor, strode forward, saluted with his fists, and said in a loud voice: "I, General Zhan Weiran, pay my respects to Her Majesty the Imperial Concubine. May Her Majesty be blessed with good health!"
"Commander Zhan, there's no need to be so polite."
"Thank you, empress!"
Zhan Weiran stood straight and stated his purpose succinctly: "I, in compliance with Your Majesty's order, am adjusting the guard and access control regulations of Zhongcui Palace effective immediately."
"The security standards for the Imperial Concubine's bedroom should be improved. The Imperial Guard has dispatched an additional team of elite guards to take turns on duty day and night, strictly restricting access to outsiders."
"All access cards for entering and exiting the palace, as well as the message boards used to convey messages within the palace, must be remade and clearly engraved with the title of Imperial Noble Consort to highlight her special status."
"I have come here to, first, inform Her Majesty of the new guard deployment, and second, to ask Her Majesty if you have any special requirements for the new access control sign."
Shen Zhinian listened carefully and knew that this was the emperor's emphasis on her safety and also a symbol of the imperial concubine's power.
She thought for a moment and said, "Everything can be handled according to the regulations. Thank you, Commander Zhan."
"Your Highness, your words are too kind. This is my duty."
After the important matters were reported, the atmosphere in the hall relaxed slightly.
Shen Zhinian's gaze fell on Zhan Weiran, and her tone was a little more casual than before: "I heard that Madam Zhan is pregnant and the due date is approaching?"
Speaking of his beloved wife, Zhan Weiran's resolute face softened instantly. A hint of anticipation and nervousness of becoming a father flashed across his eyes. He bowed and said, "Your Majesty, the doctor estimates that it will be early next month."
Shen Zhinian smiled slightly: "That's a great event, congratulations to Commander Zhan."
Zhan Weiran saluted again, his voice filled with sincere gratitude: "Thank you, Her Majesty, for your concern!"
Handan, who was standing aside, listened and a sincere smile appeared on her round face.
She once had a naive girlish affection for this heroic commander of the Imperial Guards, but time had passed and that affection had long since vanished.
Now that she sees that he has a happy family and is about to become a father, she has only pure blessings in her heart.
Shen Zhinian seemed to suddenly remember something. Her slender fingers gently brushed the edge of the teacup and asked casually, "I wonder how Madam Zhan's sister, Lin Wan, is doing now after divorcing Liu Shixiu?"
Upon hearing this, the gentleness on Zhan Weiran's face instantly faded, replaced by a complicated expression, mixed with a hint of helplessness and annoyance.
He said in a deep voice, "Thanks to the blessing of the Empress, because my wife's sister delivered the news in time and turned from evil to good, the Lin family was not implicated by the Liu family and the whole family was saved."