Chapter 534: Four-Year Promise
Translator: Henyee Translations Editor: Henyee Translations
Great-Grandma Jiang was the wet nurse of the current empress dowager. She originally had a glorious identity, if not for the previous war.
When the late Emperor was in power, he worked hard to rule. Everyone thought that he would be a benevolent ruler and would definitely lead the Great Chang to a golden age.
However, they did not expect that about 30 years ago, the late Emperor suddenly became obsessed with the art of victory and longevity.
At that time, the late Emperor was only 30 years old and was in his prime. Why should he pursue the path of longevity?
The Empress had tried to dissuade him many times, and there were even officials who remonstrated with him, but the former Emperor did not pay any attention to them.
In the end, the treasury was exhausted, causing there to be no supplies during the disaster year. The people suffered unspeakably, and the vassals rebelled.
The Crown Prince in the Forbidden Palace was only a young man at that time, but he had no choice but to raise the flag of saving the country amidst the pleading of the court officials.
Before he could meet his father’s weapon, the former Emperor was killed by the eunuch beside him. When he died, he was still swallowing medicinal pills.
He even muttered a lot of things, as if he was leaving behind a testament.
However, when the Crown Prince asked the eunuch what the late Emperor had said, the eunuch laughed and said, “The Emperor is tyrannical but he still wants to think about his funeral? No way!”
After that, the eunuch bit his tongue and committed suicide. The last words of the previous Emperor became a mystery.
The Empress originally wanted to commit suicide and follow the previous Emperor, but she was stopped by the new Emperor who had hurriedly ascended the throne.
“She’s also suffering in her heart. I originally advised her to build her own nunnery and live a peaceful life, but she said that she had no Buddha in her heart. So who would she be putting on an act for? For the next ten years, she sat at the entrance of the hall in a daze every day. She didn’t cry or laugh, nor did she care about others.” Great-Grandma Jiang’s heart ached when she mentioned the current Empress Dowager. “Ten years ago, she happened to see me massaging my legs and waist. She insisted that 1 go home to recuperate and refused to let me accompany her anymore.”
Old Madam Wang did not have much of an expression. “Big Sister Qin’s life is tough.”
Great-Grandma Jiang said, “She misses you too. For many years, she hasn’t given up on sending people to look for you. There aren’t many people around her who can be used, and almost all of them have been sent out. Even for me, most of the people I sent were disciples of the clan, but there’s no news of you. Little Darling, where have you been all these years? Why didn’t you send a message?”
“I’m tired, so 1 went to a place to rest.”
“You don’t want to go back?”
“Go back for what?” Old Madam Wang asked.
Great-Grandma Jiang sighed and patted the back of her hand. “You’re a good child. If you don’t want to go back, then don’t go back. Although our Jiang Family isn’t a big family, we can still support your children a little. Back then, when I said that 1 was taking care of you, you were actually the one taking care of me. Now that my wish has been fulfilled, I won’t feel uneasy when 1 go underground.”
One was Princess Yong Chang, who was loved by the Emperor and Empress, and even all the nobles. The other was the nanny who had grown up with the Empress. It was obvious who had the higher status.
Seeing that Old Madam Wang did not want to talk about the past,
Great-Grandma Jiang stopped mentioning it and talked about the marriage of the two children.
Great-Grandma Jiang had many descendants. Some were her biological children, and some were from other uncles’ families.
There were more than ten children in the family.
When she heard that Old Madam Wang’s direct descendants had seven grandsons and a granddaughter, and that her youngest daughter-in-law was pregnant, Great-Grandma Jiang smiled from ear to ear.
“It’s good to have more children. It’ll be lively in the future,” Great-Grandma Jiang said. “Our granddaughter, Jun’er, can’t be compared to your granddaughter, Ah Yu, who’s cute, but she’s also a good child. She’s a little like you, kind and intelligent. She’s also extremely insightful in major matters.”
She casually picked out a few things related to Jiang Wujing and shared them to give Old Madam Wang a better impression.
When Old Madam Wang heard this, she said, “Since you think it’s good, we’ll settle on that for now. However, it’s still too early for the children to get married. Let him take the imperial provincial examination first and get married after he passes.”
Great-Grandma Jiang was surprised. “Is it the imperial provincial examination in two years?”
“I’m afraid it won’t be possible for him to pass the one in two years. Let’s wait until the next one, four years later. He can get married then,” Old Madam Wang said.
It was actually a four-year promise?
“No way!”
Unexpectedly, the first to object was actually Little All Yu, who was nestled in Old Madam Wang’s arms like a cat.
Little All Yu’s eyes widened as she shook her head. “Four years later, Second Big Brother will—”
She calculated in her heart and gasped. “He’ll be 21 years old! They’ll all become old and no one would want them anymore. Third Brother will be 20 years old by then, and Fourth Brother will be 19 years old. They’re all too old! No beautiful Big Sister will marry them!”
Old Madam Wang:”…”
Great-Grandma Jiang was stunned for a moment before she said, “That… makes sense..”