Climbing to the Top: A Reborn Queen's Journey-Chapter 683: Trusted Confidant (4)

There are many taboos when it comes to women getting pregnant and giving birth, one must be extraordinarily careful. It is said that childbirth is like passing through the gates of hell.

Therefore, Jiang Shaohua must have absolutely loyal and trustworthy confidants by her side.

Chief Historian Chen personally wrote a letter to Doctor Sun, specifically naming Doctor Sun to bring Sun Zelan to the Capital City. This was for considering the future childbirth of the Empress, in case anything goes wrong, Sun Zelan, skilled in cesarean section and stitching, might be of great use.

Sun Zelan understood this very well. She was just grumbling and certainly wouldn’t genuinely leave the palace and return to Nanyang County.

"I heard that the Grand Empress Dowager is somewhat displeased with the matter of our father and daughter entering the palace." Sun Zelan chuckled softly.

Jiang Shaohua smirked: "She wants everything under her control and is unwilling to see any changes in the palace."

How could that be possible?

Each new emperor brings new courtiers. This principle applies to the harem as well.

She’s not moving against the harem now to stabilize people’s hearts. It’s also because there are priorities. The top priority is to secure the Dragon Throne and control the court, so the harem will have to wait for now.

This absolutely doesn’t mean she would let Grand Empress Dowager Zheng have her way.

The tug-of-war between them has never stopped.

Sun Zelan pouted, uttering words not quite respectful towards the Grand Empress Dowager: "The Grand Empress Dowager is getting on in years. At this age, it’s best to enjoy good food and drink and spend more time with Prince Ping. Excessive worry will shorten her lifespan."

Jiang Shaohua laughed again: "It’s fine to say this in front of me, but you must not say it carelessly in front of others. If it were to reach the Grand Empress Dowager’s ears, it would be a ready-made handle against us."

Sun Zelan also laughed: "I’m not stupid, I wouldn’t dare say this to others."

In any case, chatting with Sun Zelan was indeed relaxed and pleasant.

Since Chen Jinyu became the Imperial Attendant, he had to report a lot of political matters every day, run errands and deliver messages, extremely busy, with hardly any time to chat idly with the Emperor.

Jiang Shaohua smiled and asked Sun Zelan: "Is there anything new happening over at the Personal Guard Camp?"

Sun Zelan said: "There are indeed two things."

"The first is about Lin Huiniang, she got pregnant last year. Three months ago she gave birth to a son. A chubby boy, with jet-black hair and brown eyes, and very fair skin, extremely handsome."

Lin Huiniang was quite daring, actually getting involved with Mani in private. Mani was overjoyed, planning to earn merits and silver to marry Lin Huiniang.

But who would have thought that once Lin Huiniang got pregnant, she cut ties and kicked Mani out of the military camp.

Sun Zelan found it intriguing: "Originally there were quite a few people in the camp secretly envious and jealous of Mani. Especially Cao Da, who was so jealous that his eyes turned red, not daring to take action openly, but often provoking in private."

"As a result, once Lin Huiniang got pregnant, she dumped Mani. Cao Da felt pleased and went to mock Mani. In his anger, Mani fought back, and both ended up slightly injured."

"Commander Liu was also furious at the time and personally applied military law, giving both Cao Da and Mani a heavy beating. They each lay for a month before they could walk around."

The matter of Lin Huiniang wanting to "borrow seed" was nodded upon by Jiang Shaohua, who smiled when she heard about it: "Huiniang didn’t want to get married, only wanted to have a child. Cao Da is Commander Liu’s personal soldier, not easily trifled with, Mani is from the Alien Clan and as a Ma Nu, had no roots or backing in the camp. So she chose Mani."

"In this, Mani didn’t lose out, this works just fine."

Sun Zelan laughed: "That’s not exactly right. Mani is quite stubborn, even if Huiniang doesn’t let him in the camp, he often stands guard outside. With Huiniang heavily pregnant and inconvenienced, he would draw water and do laundry after daily training."

"During childbirth, he was also outside guarding. When the child was born, he wanted to see the baby, but at first, Huiniang refused. Yet he went every day, and eventually, Huiniang softened and let him see the child."

"Mani has decided that his son should be raised by him. He practices with the trusted aides, receiving a salary. He handed his salary to Huiniang, saying it’s for saving silver to build a house and marry a wife for his son."

"Huiniang is tough on the outside but soft on the inside, and before I came to the Capital she secretly confided in me, that they’d just live like that for now."

Jiang Shaohua chuckled: "So, it still sounds like a family of three living together!"

Sun Zelan also laughed: "Not quite. Mani has his own place, Huiniang doesn’t let him stay over, so he must return."

This kind of conduct outside would be considered an illicit relationship and illegitimate child situation. In the camp, it’s somewhat unconventional. However, as Lin Huiniang is now half a military doctor with the Emperor’s backing, people wouldn’t dare gossip recklessly.

"What’s the other piece of news?" chatting idly about family affairs was pleasant. Jiang Shaohua smiled and urged.

Sun Zelan’s brow moved: "It’s about Miss Kong’s father and brother finding their way to the camp."

Six years ago, Jiang Shaohua led troops to Li County to eliminate mountain bandits, rescuing some pitiable women from the mountains. Kong Qingwan was the first among them and the most special. She was born into the Kong Family of Lu County, a legitimate branch, a true noble lady from a prestigious scholarly family, full of poetry and well-educated.

However, fate was unfavorable, she was abducted by mountain bandits, forced to live in humiliation for the sake of her father’s and brothers’ lives.

Yet, her father and brothers were heartless and cruel scoundrels. After being saved, they wrote a farewell letter abandoning Kong Qingwan.

From that day on, Kong Qingwan lost her family. In the following years, she stayed in the camp teaching the trusted aides to read and write.

Over the six years, the Personal Guard Camp grew to over ten thousand soldiers, with everyone literate and one-third able to read military books. This was all thanks to Kong Qingwan’s efforts. She earned the respect of all soldiers in the camp.

Now, with Jiang Shaohua inheriting the throne as Commandery Princess and becoming the first female emperor of Da Liang, sitting on the exalted Dragon Throne, naturally, those around her would rise with her fortunes.

Half of the Nanyang Prince Mansion’s officials entered the Capital, and three thousand elite Nanyang Guards also came to the Capital City. Those left in Nanyang County are also trusted by the Emperor, guarding the land of dragon prosperity for the Emperor.

The Boling Cui Family and the Fanyang Lu Family also rose, the Chen Family soared, even Governor Xue, who became Chen Family’s in-laws, was envied by many.

For people like Chief Historian Feng, Shen Gongzheng, Chief Clerk Wen, old friends quickly increased, some sent letters, others found their way to Nanyang County.

But that the Kong Family dared to come looking was truly unexpected.

Jiang Shaohua raised her eyebrows, her smile full of sarcasm: "The Kong Family now wants to acknowledge their daughter?"

Sun Zelan also held disdain for Kong Qingwan’s father and brothers: "Isn’t it? Over the past years, even if they had sent a single letter or message, it would show some conscience."

"Now they shamelessly come forward. Bah! No shame!"