Chapter 369: Chapter 369

"But... but that person really doesn't seem like someone intelligent!" Thinking about that person's ridiculous maneuvers, the system couldn't help but twitch its metaphorical mouth.

"Intelligence and caution don't necessarily have anything to do with each other!"

An Ning couldn't resist retorting. Besides, in her view, this person's lack of intelligence was actually more reflected in their ignorance of feudal imperial power and their severe lack of political acumen.

Therefore, within the palace, some of their behaviors appeared particularly foolish and laughable.

Probably they were quite young when they arrived here!

Casually thinking about it, An Ning quickly put it out of her mind. However, A-Tong, seeing her , clearly found it somewhat strange:

"That... I thought you, host, would go with the flow and let this person be exposed, so that some history could be reasonably leaked. Perhaps this dynasty might undergo some changes?"

An Ning: "???" She gave the system a speechless glance:

"System, do you think that upon learning the Qing Dynasty would be invaded and destroyed by foreign powers over two hundred years later, those in power would be deeply remorseful and ultimately decide to eliminate malpractices, vigorously engage with overseas nations, and incidentally develop technology?" An Ning's tone unconsciously carried a hint of light mockery.

"Ah... no, isn't that the case?"

They couldn't just wait for destruction, could they!

"Exactly!" An Ning sighed. "Indeed, no one wants destruction, but in reality, for a feudal dynasty, three hundred years is basically the maximum lifespan. No matter how powerful the enlightened ruler or virtuous minister, none can turn back the tide on this point."

"Ancient people doesn't mean they lack vision. Do you really think these intelligent people standing at the peak of power don't understand?"

"Or why is it that whenever a dynasty goes downhill, capable monarchs rarely appear again? Is it because they don't want to?"

But understanding is one thing; as long as they're emperors, who would be willing to relinquish the power in their hands?

Seeing it still looked completely confused, An Ning finally explained:

"In other words, reform might lead to being overthrown in less than a hundred years, while sticking to the old system could maintain power and status for over two hundred more years. System, which do you think those in power would choose?"

The system: "......" It really did seem like a difficult choice.

Alas, not to mention the Qing Dynasty which was autocratic to a certain extent, in An Ning's view, as long as it was a feudal dynasty, basically every dynasty and every emperor would find it hard to be an exception.

Only those who have truly held great power know how difficult it is to remain unaffected by power while in that position...

Not to mention how shocked and incredulous Lady Guargiya would be months later when she discovered her daughter-in-law hadn't become pregnant as hoped.

As the princes were successively granted noble titles, the imperial court became increasingly lively. The faction led by Mingzhu supporting the Eldest Young Master, the crown prince's faction led by Suo'etu, mixed with the muddy waters stirred by the various princes.

It rather had the atmosphere of "when you finish singing, I come on stage."

However, this had nothing to do with her, a childless Imperial Noble Consort. At most, during her leisure time, she occasionally enjoyed some gossip and watched the amusing scenes.

As for Consort Hui, watching the Eldest Young Master become increasingly stubborn, impossible to persuade no matter what, and his actions growing more impatient, in a short time, Consort Hui, who had previously maintained herself well, had gained quite a few white hairs.

Equally distressed was Consort Rong. Thanks to her unlucky son's lack of discretion, not only did he quickly lose the newly acquired Commandery Prince title, but he almost earned a reputation for filial impiety.

Despite this, unaware he was being targeted, he continued hopping around recklessly! After subtly hinting several times, well, it was as if he hadn't heard a thing at all.

Imperial Consort Yi was even more upset. What was this unlucky Ninth Prince thinking, engaging in business and showing himself in public instead of doing something proper!

"After all these years, haven't I, your mother, treated you well enough!"

How could her good son become so money-obsessed? In Yikun Palace, looking at her son before her with his stubborn, unrepentant attitude, Guo Luoluo simply couldn't understand it.

Compared to the current commotion, Yongshou Palace where Consort De resided was relatively quieter.

As the Fourteenth Prince grew older, the relationship between mother and son remained polite yet distant over the years. Whenever the Fourth Brother and his wife came to pay respects, pleasantries alone nearly took up half the time.

For biological mother and son to reach this point was truly remarkable...

An Ning estimated that compared to the original history, they were even more estranged.

The only notable point was that on An Ning's birthday, including Consort De, almost all four consorts sent generous gifts.

Looking at the exceptionally exquisite embroidery and pearl ornaments before her, they couldn't really be considered heavy gifts, but each one was, unsurprisingly, particularly thoughtful and extremely suited to her preferences, clearly requiring considerable effort.

Even the usually proud Consort Hui was no exception.

Sighing that children were all debts, An Ning decisively instructed Chun Lan and others to properly put them away...

The palace, gardens, hot spring villas, spending intimate time with her sister, occasionally accompanying the imperial carriage to the frontier or Jiangnan for relaxation—in short, no matter how chaotic the Front Court and Rear Palace became in the following years, it never affected her spirits in the slightest.

Vividly illustrating that without children and without attachments, she was the happiest. After all, aside from the emperor and Empress Dowager, she was basically the highest-ranking in the entire palace, with not too many rules to follow.

This attitude made the observing Imperial Consort Yi and others quite envious, especially since despite being less than ten years apart in age, when walking together, they looked like two different generations.

Of course, these were Imperial Consort Yi's exact words at the time. Because of this, for a long time, Imperial Consort Yi looked at her unlucky Ninth Prince with particular dissatisfaction, finding fault with everything about him.

However, soon, Imperial Consort Yi, including everyone in the rear palace, no longer had the mind to think about these matters.

In the forty-seventh year, during the Mulan autumn hunting, accompanied by a sudden imperial edict, the Front Court and Rear Palace experienced another intense upheaval.

The only thing An Ning hadn't anticipated was that this turmoil would, through a series of coincidences, unexpectedly blow onto her head.