That night, Zhang Chen stayed at the General's Residence.
It must be said, this General's Residence was truly grand and luxurious. One side room was actually much larger than his own room in the Prefect's Residence.
With gauze curtains, a firm pillow, and warm quilt, Zhang Chen slept soundly all night, feeling incredibly comfortable.
The next day, after the court session ended, He Jin returned to his residence, bringing back good news.
His Majesty has issued an imperial decree, restoring the Prefect system and conferring Liu Yan as Prefect of Yi Province. As for other provinces and commanderies, they have not yet been established.
Zhang Chen thought to himself, Emperor Ling has been in power for many years and naturally knows the pros and cons of the Prefect system. He likely still has reservations about it. Therefore, although the system was restored, he did not extensively grant titles. If this is the case, He Jin's recommendation of him as Governor of Ji Province might still face many twists and turns.
However, Zhang Chen was not anxious about this. With He Jin's guarantee, the matter would likely still succeed. For now, he should first focus on building connections. In the capital, he must have his own backing.
He must also go to Zhang Rang's side as soon as possible to appease those eunuchs and avoid any complications.
Just as Zhang Chen was about to leave the residence, He Jin sent someone to summon him to the front hall and said to him, "My virtuous nephew, get ready. Come with me into the palace this afternoon to pay respects to the Empress."
Upon hearing this, Zhang Chen couldn't help but be startled, "The Empress? Esteemed Uncle, my status is humble. To pay respects to the Empress, this..."
He Jin smiled and said, "Oh, it's fine. Since this old man has acknowledged you as a nephew, I naturally have to take you to see the world. Hurry back and get ready. You must not be negligent when meeting the Empress."
Zhang Chen responded and quickly returned to bathe and change clothes. Meeting the Empress was a significant matter; he dared not be negligent in the slightest.
In the afternoon, He Jin took Zhang Chen out of the residence gate and headed directly towards the imperial palace.
The grandeur of the imperial palace goes without saying; it surpassed even the General's Residence.
He Jin held the position of General and was also the brother of Empress He; his esteemed status was unmatched. When his carriage reached the palace gate, no one dared to stop him.
The Emperor had specially permitted carriages to enter the palace via the imperial road. Zhang Chen sat in He Jin's carriage, traveling unimpeded all the way. Before long, they arrived at Changqiu Palace.
The two then alighted from the carriage. He Jin said, "Wait here for a moment. After I inform the Empress, I will have you summoned inside."
"Yes."
Zhang Chen responded, and He Jin then entered the palace complex along with the eunuchs.
Before long, a eunuch came out from inside and said that the Empress had an imperial decree, summoning Zhang Chen inside.
Zhang Chen felt uneasy. Since transmigrating, this was his first time entering the palace and his first time meeting a significant figure like the Empress.
Unofficial historical accounts rumored that this Empress He was also a beauty; he wondered if it was true or false.
Ancient people married early. The eldest imperial son, Liu Bian, was born in 173 AD and is only twelve years old this year. If Empress He gave birth at sixteen, then she would only be twenty-eight this year, which is the prime age of youth and beauty in modern times.
Zhang Chen cautiously followed behind the palace attendant.
Upon arriving inside the hall, he saw He Jin sitting upright to one side. In the center of the couch, a graceful and noble beauty was leaning.
He saw that beauty had crescent moon eyebrows, eyes like autumn waves, full crimson lips, and a charming smile that revealed her moth-like brows. Her hair was pulled up in a high bun, adorned with a hollowed-out flying phoenix gold hair ornament that swayed with movement, and a filigree phoenix tail hairpin inlaid with pearls was slanted in her hair. She wore a purple wide-sleeved deep garment with a curved hem, appearing dignified and regal.
Beside the beauty was a child of twelve or thirteen, wearing a bright yellow robe. Although his eyes were youthful, he possessed a certain demeanor.
Even without activating his "Insight Eye," Zhang Chen could guess that this must be Empress He and the eldest imperial son, Liu Bian.
Immediately, Zhang Chen stepped forward, knelt down with both knees touching the ground, and bowed deeply, "Your humble servant, Prefect Zhang Chen, pays respects to the Empress, and pays respects to the eldest imperial son."
"Dispense with the formalities."
"Thank you, Empress." Zhang Chen bowed again, then slowly rose.
As Zhang Chen rose, he also quietly activated his "Insight Eye," observing the two.
【Name: He clan】
【Possesses Traits: Mistress of the Six Palaces (Red), Alluring Beauty (Gold), Assertive and Jealous (Purple)】
【Mistress of the Six Palaces (Red)】: You are the current Empress, the mistress of the six palaces. (Reputation greatly increased, reputation of clan members significantly increased)
【Alluring Beauty (Gold)】: You are naturally beautiful, possessing beauty that can overthrow kingdoms.
【Assertive and Jealous (Purple)】: You have an assertive personality, are extremely jealous, and cannot tolerate other women competing for favor with you.
...
【Name: Liu Bian】
【Possesses Traits: Imperial Descendant (Red), Deposed Emperor (Purple), Cowardly (White)】
【Imperial Descendant (Red)】: You are of the Emperor's bloodline, a royal successor. (Reputation greatly increased)
【Deposed Emperor (Purple)】: You have been Emperor, but were later deposed, meeting a tragic end.
【Cowardly (White)】: You have a cowardly personality, timid and afraid of trouble.
Zhang Chen silently scanned the information and immediately understood. It was indeed similar to the historical figures' personalities. Liu Bian was timid and cowardly; even if he was placed on the throne, he would ultimately struggle to control the overall situation.
Pity this mother and son, who ultimately ended their lives with a cup of poisoned wine...
Empress He carefully sized up Zhang Chen and said with a smile, "Zhang Qing, how old are you this year?"
"Responding to Your Majesty, your humble servant reached manhood at the beginning of the year, and is sixteen years old this year."
Empress He couldn't help but exclaim in surprise, "Just now I heard the General speak of Zhang Qing's deeds, but I didn't expect him to be so young yet possess the merit of defeating bandits. Truly, heroes emerge from the youth!"
After Empress He finished speaking, she turned to look at Liu Bian and said, "Bian'er, look at him. He is only four years older than you, yet he has already led troops to kill enemies and fought bloody battles on the battlefield."
Zhang Chen was startled and quickly rose, saying, "Your humble servant would never dare to compare himself with the eldest imperial son. His Highness possesses the true dragon's bearing and will surely rule the world in the future. Your humble servant can only bow his head and await orders, to be at His Highness's disposal."
As soon as Zhang Chen spoke these words, everyone present was startled.
In truth, these words were a taboo. Currently, Emperor Ling had not yet established a Crown Prince. If Zhang Chen's words were heard by someone with ulterior motives and reported to Emperor Ling, he would inevitably face death.
But Zhang Chen had noticed as soon as he entered that the palace attendants around them had already been dismissed, and even the attendant who brought him in had voluntarily withdrawn outside the hall afterward.
Clearly, the Empress and He Jin had made arrangements beforehand to speak some private words that were not meant for outsiders.
Since there were no outsiders, it was natural to say what the people present wanted to hear.
As soon as Zhang Chen spoke these words, a look of both surprise and delight immediately appeared on Empress He's face.
"Zhang Qing, you... you said my son has the true dragon's bearing, and in the future, he can truly rule the world?"
"It is certainly true." Zhang Chen quickly added fuel to the fire, "Your humble servant is slightly skilled in observing auras. As soon as I entered the hall just now, I felt a mighty dragon's prestige pressing upon me. If not His Highness, who else could it be?"
"Haha, good! Excellent! Bian'er, did you hear? In the future, you are certainly going to..."
"Sister, don't speak carelessly..." He Jin quickly stopped Empress He.
He Jin naturally understood that even though these words resonated deeply with him, they could only be spoken in private. If spread, they would surely become grounds for criticism.
He Jin turned his head and looked at Zhang Chen, saying, "Such taboo words must not be spoken carelessly again!"
"Yes, this nephew misspoke. It's just that upon seeing the Empress and His Highness, my heart was stirred, causing me to speak without thinking."
Zhang Chen repeatedly apologized, but Empress He was now filled with joy. She said to He Jin, "Brother, Zhang Qing has greatly pleased this palace. He should be rewarded. Attendant!"
Empress He called out, and immediately a palace attendant walked in.
"Go, bring the pair of 'Dragon and Phoenix Suet White Jade Jue' that the Emperor bestowed last year."