"Host, do you really think the Grand Emperor will agree to all those conditions you just proposed?"
As An Ning was respectfully ushered into the warm pavilion by a group of palace attendants and barely settled into her seat, the system couldn't help speaking up in her mind.
The demands included practicing temperance with women, maintaining emotional equilibrium without excessive mood swings, reducing mental strain and avoiding exhaustion. Most importantly, she'd suggested the oppressive palace environment wasn't suitable for long-term residence and recommended moving to some scenic retreat with pleasant weather year-round...
The other points were manageable, but those last few requirements would essentially mean relinquishing most of his political power.
Though the Grand Emperor had abdicated earlier, he still frequently summoned the unfortunate new emperor for "political consultations." Their relationship appeared filial on surface, but the power struggle between them was no secret.
Hadn't they staged that ridiculous "family visit" spectacle last year? And that Jia family - jumping so eagerly into the fray when father and son were secretly wrestling for control!
The system, occasionally peeking at this political drama, couldn't help clicking its tongue. After all, this ruler didn't seem like someone who'd willingly give up power.
Indeed, how could anyone not crave power?
Not just ancient emperors - even ordinary people desire authority.
Playing with the jade pendant in her hand - its exquisite grain and comforting warmth confirming it as top-quality warm jade - An Ning noted how generous the Grand Emperor had been. Or rather, how generous he was with things concerning his own survival.
These past few days, whether it was the palace quarters or the food and utensils provided, everything represented the absolute finest.
Surveying the dazzling array of treasures before her, An Ning mused that this ruler had already made his choice long ago when he voluntarily abdicated instead of stubbornly clinging to the throne like other emperors.
For the next few weeks, An Ning maintained her routine of sleeping early and rising late. Beyond daily pulse readings, she simply wandered about her palace quarters, tinkering with her little inventions, carefully avoiding proximity to any nobles including the Grand Emperor.
She embodied laziness to perfection.
Meanwhile, in the Daming Palace...
Amid curling incense smoke, Emperor Qianlong awoke well past morning hours. For once, he hadn't suffered insomnia or the usual bodily discomfort from chronic fatigue - this sleep had left him remarkably refreshed.
The feeling was truly addictive...
Even Chief Eunuch Dai Quan on night duty noticed his master's unusual vigor.
Carefully assisting with washing and dressing, then directing attendants to light the newly delivered incense burner, the old eunuch's wrinkled face unconsciously broke into a smile:
"Your Majesty's complexion has improved dramatically in just these few days. That Miss Chen truly has remarkable skills."
Just this calming incense - no matter how others tried to replicate it, even master perfumers couldn't achieve the same quality.
Recalling the girl's recent behavior, Dai Quan stole a glance at his master's expression before feigning complaint:
"Ah, if only her temperament weren't so... lacking in proper deference!"
"Deference? Do I lack for deferential people?" Seeing right through his subordinate's act, Emperor Qianlong shot the bootlicker an amused look, clearly in good spirits today:
"Truly capable people always have some pride!"
In the past, the Grand Emperor might have taken offense, but now he found such independence preferable.
Only someone with absolute confidence in their abilities could remain so composed amidst overwhelming power.
Feeling the unprecedented lightness in his body - ten more years of life, perhaps even longer...
Considering the girl's current age, Emperor Qianlong narrowed his eyes and quickly reached a decision:
"Summon the Emperor."
What exactly transpired in Daming Palace that day remained known only to the two emperors. But from that day onward, their previously strained relationship seemed to warm overnight. The current emperor went so far as to spare no expense constructing a suburban retreat to ensure his father's greater comfort.
Even An Ning received numerous rewards from the new emperor.
With the emperor's urgent prioritization, the hot springs retreat was completed within months. On the official departure day from the palace, An Ning also received her own imperial decree.
"A... county princess?"
Staring dumbfounded at the obsequious palace attendants before her, the system's mouth formed a perfect "O" in her mind.
Since when was the Grand Emperor this generous?
It had expected at most a minor noble title or perhaps a palace position. After all, royalty in its experience were notoriously stingy - just look how those imperial physicians, among the era's finest medical experts, were treated.
Not only did they work under constant threat of execution, but verbal abuse and physical punishment were routine.
Honestly, if it hadn't witnessed everything firsthand, the system might have thought its host had developed some miraculous new medicine.
Accepting the imperial decree from the attendant, a rare smile touched An Ning's lips. On the return journey, she chatted with the system in unusually good spirits.
The system nodded vigorously.
An Ning couldn't help a light laugh.
"Whether county princess or commandery princess - while a tremendous honor for someone like me - what does it truly cost these rulers?"
Just a casual phrase, a single character's difference.
"But you're right about one thing, system - royalty are indeed stingy."
An Ning nodded in agreement.
Truthfully, had the Grand Emperor been ten years younger, or not facing mortality, or lacked an ambitious new emperor waiting in the wings - if any one of these factors were absent, no matter her skills, he'd never have been this generous.
The outcome didn't surprise her. For a deeply suspicious ruler, the way to prevent this "human life-extending machine" from being lured away by better offers was simple: make his own offer unbeatable.
Barring extraordinary circumstances, county princess represented the absolute limit for an outsider commoner like her - even the current emperor couldn't possibly offer more.
"And system, do you think this title is purely a reward?" Tucking away the decree, An Ning clicked her tongue:
"In reality, by granting such extraordinary favor today, should I later defect to the new emperor for any perceived advantage, it would constitute a major moral failing."
"Under such circumstances, even if I switched allegiance, would the current emperor ever truly trust me?"
And for a physician, losing the ruler's trust carried obvious dangers.
"Holy crap, these royals are downright devious!"
It took the system a full minute to process this.
And here it had just praised the man's generosity!
"But host, doesn't this maneuver completely cut off any chance of you joining the new emperor's faction? Won't that cause problems with the current emperor later?"