204: Undercurrents rise

Tu Nan held the Two Children, watching Kong Jiamu enter the military port.

Soon, the transport ships took off one after another.

The Two Children could finally no longer hold it back, sobbing softly.

"Mom, I'm going to miss... Uncle Kong."

"Me too."

For the first time, when facing separation, they confronted their reluctance to part and expressed it.

Tu Nan softened her expression and held them tighter.

"It's okay, Mom is going to miss him too. But we separate so that we can meet again."

"The person who left is also missing us, so we must live well."

The little ones looked thoughtful.

Upon returning to the palace, Tu Nan realized that there were always things that could not be avoided.

The Empress Dowager's Chief Attendant waited inside the palace gate, blocked their group, and demanded with no room for refusal.

"The Empress Dowager invites you and the Two Children to sit with her in her palace."

She commanded Captain Peng unceremoniously.

"Captain Peng, please return. Since we have already returned to the palace, surely there is nothing worth being alert about."

Captain Peng did not hesitate at all and arrogantly retorted.

"His Majesty's order is: follow her today and ensure she doesn't lose a single hair." He tapped his bracelet and said bluntly.

"It's only ten-thirty. The royal order cannot be defied, sorry."

He meant that the day had just begun and was far from over.

The Chief Attendant did not expect the other party to show her absolutely no Face; she hadn't endured such Qi in a long time.

Tu Nan stepped forward.

"Lady Female Official, surely the Empress Dowager wouldn't mind if her palace were a bit livelier."

She smiled and pointed at the twelve awe-inspiring Male Beasts standing sternly, teasing.

"Wherever these gentlemen stand, it makes people feel at ease and full of vitality~"

The Chief Attendant knew it was impossible to take Tu Nan alone today, so she had to nod.

"Then come with me."

She gave a cold warning, "Please keep quiet when you arrive at the Empress Dowager's palace."

Captain Peng looked displeased, and Tu Nan pursed her lips and smiled.

This dark-faced captain was quite useful at times like this.

It was truly appropriate for His Majesty to make him the captain of the Royal Guard.

This was a position that didn't require much emotional intelligence or approachability.

Royal authority, by nature, had no room for negotiation or concession.

When the Empress Dowager saw this long line of people in the garden, her expression darkened.

However, unlike her ignorant attendant, she clearly had more knowledge about Captain Peng.

"Is Captain Peng executing a royal order today? Thank you for your hard work."

She recalled the words "send a team" from His Majesty yesterday, but it turned out to be an entire squad of the Royal Guard?

Captain Peng saluted, waved his hand, and the team members stepped back, standing in the corners of the garden in a surrounding formation.

He himself did not retreat far, maintaining a position where he could not participate in their conversation but could provide support at any time.

Major General Kong was not here now; if there were any accidents, he had to be ready in time.

"Good morning, Empress Dowager." Tu Nan pulled the Two Children over, "Come and greet the Empress Dowager."

The two little ones obediently greeted her.

Even though they had lived here for some time, they had almost never seen the Empress Dowager.

They were not familiar with her.

"Good Children, go play in the yard."

The Empress Dowager didn't care and dismissed the Children directly.

"I summoned you today because I had some heart-to-heart words..." Her smile was faint, but her eyes were calm. Her voice, however, was kept very low.

How wonderful... Tu Nan struggled to hold back her laughter. She had never seen the Empress Dowager speak so softly before.

"Please just give your orders, Empress Dowager." She pretended to be submissive.

The Empress Dowager examined her, "Why haven't I seen you wearing the jewelry set I gave you last time?"

"It was too valuable, and I am usually disheveled and buried in research, so I really have no opportunity."

"That's true... you need an occasion, and it should be paired with a formal dress."

The Empress Dowager sighed, "Tell me, how can there be such occasions without a mistress in this palace?"

Tu Nan's gaze flickered; the main act was coming.

"Last time, I misunderstood you, thinking you were loose." The Empress Dowager patted her hand.

"Oh my, if The Emperor had clarified earlier, I wouldn't have thought too much."

"Kong Jiamu is a good boy; you must hold onto him."

After a pause, she complained to Tu Nan: "Look, even that playboy Kong Jiamu has you, but His Majesty never considers marriage..."

"At this rate, when will I have a grandson?"

Looking at the Children in the garden, she said earnestly to Tu Nan: "His Majesty needs to have an imperial heir as soon as possible, so they can grow up with these Two Children, and their bond will be deep. Just like His Majesty, Kong Jiamu, and Hain."

"Do you understand?"

Oh my, such an obvious temptation.

"I understand, but if I were to ask about His Majesty's private affairs, would it be..."

Tu Nan appeared moved but timid.

The Empress Dowager looked at her with amusement, "Why would I ask you to urge him? How about this... I plan to hold a palace ball and invite suitable Young Misses from noble families. You can help out."

"You are a Third-Class Female Official and happen to be in the palace, so you cannot slack off."

Tu Nan looked troubled.

"Empress Dowager, His Majesty keeps a close eye on our research. I get scolded just for asking for leave to go out. You see... even sending off Kong Jiamu required special approval."

"Oh? What kind of research is so important?"

Tu Nan glanced at Captain Peng and kept her mouth shut.

The Empress Dowager understood; this Captain Peng was clearly a watchdog.

"Fine. Then, you only need to do one thing for me."

The Empress Dowager smiled.

"I have a few eligible Young Misses here who I think are very suitable. Go ask Kong Jiamu to help advise which Young Miss is most likely to gain His Majesty's favor."

"He grew up with His Majesty, so he must know. You must pay close attention."

The Empress Dowager had someone hand over the information.

"There is no need to let His Majesty know about this; otherwise, without that bit of freshness, it wouldn't be beautiful."

"Don't you think?" Although the Empress Dowager was smiling, she was clearly warning Tu Nan.

Tu Nan hesitated slightly.

"Look, although you are living in the palace under royal order, if others ask, it would ultimately be inappropriate to explain."

"How about I announce that I value you and have kept you in the palace?"

Well, thank you very much.

Tu Nan didn't buy it.

She didn't care much about reputation; as long as she could cast off this pressure, the weight of being kept in the palace by The Emperor would be much greater.

"Look at what you're saying; why would I ask for anything in return for doing something for the Empress Dowager?"

Tu Nan took the information with a smile.

And sincerely refused the "reward."

The Empress Dowager nodded slightly. This Female Beast was quite sensible.

"Then go back and get busy." Having achieved her goal, she quickly dismissed Tu Nan.

That information appeared in The Emperor's hands without any delay.

He flipped through a few pages with no interest, his gaze indifferent, as if he had seen through these little tricks, and tossed it aside impatiently.

"What do you say?" He asked; it seemed this Female Beast also had something to say.

"Your Majesty," she had already flipped through it on the way, "on the surface, the Empress Dowager is just worrying about your marriage. However..."

She naturally stepped forward to take back the information.

"Perhaps you would like to investigate the fathers and brothers of these young ladies?"

"Oh?"

"Don't you think all of this is too coincidental? I, too, would rather act with caution."

Tu Nan looked up and saw The Emperor's smile.

Indeed, he had also seen it.