After Rebirth, She Becomes the Revenge Queen-Chapter 480 - 332: To Become an Admirable Woman (Requesting Monthly Votes)_2

Chapter 480: Chapter 332: To Become an Admirable Woman (Requesting Monthly Votes)_2
Fu Zhen stepped over the threshold; a coughing sound echoed from inside the hall, followed by a slightly hoarse female voice: "Have you taken the Divine Pill this morning?"
"I have. How dare I not take it?"
Such a conversation could only be between the Empress and the Emperor.
Fu Zhen looked at her feet, stepped three feet across the threshold, and lifted the corner of her robe to kneel down: "Your servant Fu Zhen greets Your Majesty and Your Grace."
The previous conversation ceased, and soon there was a jingling sound of jewelry; Fu Zhen recognized this subtle fragrance as the magnolia scent used by the palace maids.
Following the magnolia scent, the aroma of herbs gradually grew stronger, accompanied by the steady, slight sound of footsteps.
"Lift your head." The Empress’s voice was clear in front, her hoarse voice sounding weary, yet the familiar gentle grace of the founding Empress was still present.
Fu Zhen raised her head, addressed her as "Your Grace," and looked straight ahead, meeting the Empress’s gaze on the phoenix throne.
"Truly a girl who endears affection," the Empress smiled, extending a hand towards her, "rise and sit."
Fu Zhen expressed her gratitude, sitting on the edge of a brocade stool beside the Empress.
Though she couldn’t casually meet the Empress’s eyes, her peripheral vision allowed her to observe the Empress clearly.
Six years had passed, and the nearly sixty-year-old Empress appeared much more haggard than before. She still wore simple clothes, her almost entirely white hair tied with a jade hairpin, and an eight-treasure golden phoenix hairpin barely matched her royal dignity.
Her hands, resting naturally on her lap, were entirely exposed to Fu Zhen’s view; hands veined and thin, with deep lines etched on them.
"Take a sip of tea," the Empress spoke warmly once more as two cups of fragrant spring tea were handed over by palace maids, "I’ve heard of you long before and mentioned many times to Ming Zhi about bringing you into the palace for a talk. Unpredictable events delayed it until today."
"Your Grace assists the Emperor with countless affairs, wearing out the phoenix body. How could your servant not know? Please forgive your servant for not requesting an audience sooner to inquire after Your Grace’s well-being."
The Empress laughed, "You’re so cautious, you hardly resemble the Pei family. Your mother-in-law never observed such decorum with me."
"No wonder she often remarked that her current leisure was entirely thanks to Your Grace’s indulgence."
"Such a sweet tongue for a young one!" the Empress laughed heartily, taking a sip of tea. She continued, "You needn’t flatter me. Don’t be afraid; you’ve been summoned for commendation for capturing a court-ordered criminal. Our idle chat can wait; I’ll first put your mind at ease."
With this, she glanced at the female historian standing to the left and took a piece of yellow silk from the thickly held tray:
"This is for your mother. Your maternal grandfather, Ning Poci, once served the court meritoriously, and his efforts in raising military funds were instrumental in Great Zhou’s eventual conquest of Dayue.
"Moreover, he secretly escorted the crown prince to the capital; although the result was not favorable, he contributed heroically to that journey.
"Thus, after much deliberation, the Emperor posthumously honors Ning Pochi as the Marquis of Loyal Prestige, with rites befitting the third rank.
"The title should rightfully pass to male heirs, down three generations, yet you have no uncles; thus, the title of county marquis of the fifth rank is granted to your younger brother, Ning Jia.
"Your mother, of the Ning Family, is bestowed as ’Pure Grace Lady,’ with a stipend of the third rank.
"This is the imperial edict of conferment. An official will be sent to deliver the decree later."
The Empress unfolded the yellow silk for Fu Zhen to see.
Fu Zhen hurriedly knelt: "On behalf of my family head and mother, I thank Your Majesty for your grace! May the Emperor reign eternal and Your Grace be blessed for a thousand years!"
The Empress nodded, rolling the decree aside and reaching for another document, sealed with a red stamp: "This is your reward. It’s not much, merely some gold, silver, and silk. Now that Great Zhou is in rebuilding, the treasury isn’t abundant, be aware."
Fu Zhen bowed again: "I dare not claim any merit. All court traitors deserve retribution, and I merely had the fortune to apprehend one. Being summoned by Your Grace is honor enough—how dare I privately request reward? Your servant feels unworthy of such honor!"
The Empress smiled, "Take it. I still have words to say."
Fu Zhen had to accept first.
The Empress then picked up a longsword: "Earlier, I asked Ming Zhi what would be a good reward for you. He told me you know martial arts and some military strategies; if we find a place where you can employ them, that would be the best reward.
"This Jade Spring Sword is personally presented to you by the Emperor. During Great Zhou’s pacification of the land, there were several female generals like Mrs. Cao of the Liang family, who was our very own General Cao.
"Even though Great Zhou is now internally and externally stable, with the soldiers free to let their horses roam, I hope that you will not yield to men, becoming a woman admired by future generations."
The Empress held the sword with both hands, extending it to Fu Zhen.
Fu Zhen’s hands trembled as she accepted the sword; her eyes brimmed, gradually moistening.
She never truly cared about what the Empress might reward her with. Her sole desire upon entering the palace was to meet the Empress.
During her years as a young lady at her family’s house, she lacked nothing; becoming Lady Ning’s daughter only enriched her further.
Thus, whatever money the Empress offered, however much it was, she earnestly declined.
But the sword, and the words that came with it, outweighed all treasures!
Liang Ning’s dream was to become a female general, a protector of the realm like every brave son of the Liang family on the battlefield.
Yet no one had ever taken her dream seriously; her two brothers and sisters-in-law kept her close, taught her military tactics, and guided her in battles, but constantly monitored her, never letting her out of sight.
They were unwilling to let her take risks.
While Liang Chen believed the Liang family had enough men, thus there was no need for her to fight.
Liang Zhi, though her supporter, couldn’t bear to see her harmed.
During her years in the Northwest, the encounters on battlefields were few and more often than not, she was left to clean up post-battle.
She had never expressed to Pei Zhan her ambitions, yet he accurately guessed and conveyed them to the Empress!
Pei Zhan’s earnestness took her by surprise.
Thinking over the recent turmoil, her hands began to tremble even more.
"I pledge to uphold Your Grace’s teachings, never failing in this pass,"
Fu Zhen bowed low, touching her forehead to the ground.
She was aided up by the palace maids.
Once reseated, the Empress gradually returned her face to a solemn demeanor: "Mr. Ning was of great righteousness, and naturally, his descendants are loyal too.
"Today, I summoned you for a few questions."
"Please, Your Grace, ask."
The Empress deeply gazed toward the Emperor’s seat beyond the curtain, then said: "Back when Mr. Ning finished raising the funds, the Emperor and I met him once.
"After he returned to Huzhou, we lost track of him.
"Recently, I heard Mr. Ning passed away from illness and was later brought to the capital by your mother for treatment."