Some were kind, some were malicious, some were envious, some were jealous … all sorts of gazes were instantly cast over.
Yan Li lightly grasped his wine cup and slowly took a sip. At this time, a cold wind blew past, two unknown flower petals falling on his hair. He reached out and plucked them, bringing them to his nose and sniffing them. He couldn't help but close his eyes, revealing a slight smile of joy. It was as if he felt supreme joy at the divine vitality amidst this bitter cold, and thus felt boundless inspiration.
Just as that young miss was filled with anticipation, Yan Li calmly and leisurely said, "I don't know how."
Sitting beside him, LianHai Changjin powerlessly rolled her eyes, thinking, Don't tell me you still have to put on an act for so long.
"What did you say?" The bashfulness on that young miss's pretty face seemed to instantly be frozen by this bitter cold.
Yan Li casually threw away the flower petals, fiddled with his wine cup, and casually said, "I only know how to kill."
An indistinct killing intent lingered in the Hundred Garden, as if wanting to dance with this bone-piercing cold.
"Whether you know how is one thing, and whether you do it or not is another."
A clear voice came from the other side. The one speaking was Liu Chengfeng, one of the commanders of the Guard Department who had once escorted the Buddha Sanskrit Painting back to Youzhou. His father Liu Cheng was the commander of the Guard Department, commanding thirty thousand guards. He could be considered to have a high status and authority, so both father and son were present.
Liu Chengfeng smiled, saying, "You are a savage from the mountains, used to wandering. Just because you know how to play the zither and recite some poems, you think you are so great, very unromantic. Why does Miss Junyi have to lower herself?"
"It's fine." That young miss smiled sweetly, her beautiful eyes naturally revealing some alluring charm. "It is Junyi's fault. Let Young Master Yan know that this one's surname is Fang, given name Junyi, the Jun in the character of a gentleman, Yi in the heart. In my life, I have admired young heroes like Young Master Yan the most. Just now, because I saw Young Master Yan in person, I was unable to restrain my emotions and thus did this … "
She stopped here, seemingly thinking of her own actions just now. Her entire face turned as red as an apple, and she would occasionally sneak glances at Yan Li.
Yan Li finally looked over. The banquet was held in an open space in the Hundred Flower Garden. Ji Tiansheng was seated on the east, and the officials were seated on the left and right. He sat in the middle of Ji Tiansheng's left, while Fang Junyi sat diagonally across from him. Her seat was even further back.
This woman stood in the bitter cold, like a delicate lily swaying in the cold wind. She looked very pure, and in her innocence, there was a trace of indescribable charm.
Most importantly, she actually had a figure comparable to Tang Sanghua, especially the tight jade belt around her slender waist, completely highlighting her two peaks. Moreover, they stood proudly, causing countless wolves to drool endlessly.
It would be a very enjoyable thing for anyone to be admired by such a woman.
Unfortunately, Yan Li did not buy it. With a straight face, he said, "What you did was indeed lacking in restraint. How could you take the initiative to talk to a stranger in public?"
"You …" The blush on Fang Junyi's pretty face completely turned into embarrassment and anger. Seemingly feeling ashamed, she stomped her foot in anger, turned around, and ran out.
Shen Liuyun said, "You've met Chen Ping?"
Yan Li said, "No."
Shen Liuyun was rather surprised, "Then why are you speaking the same way as him today?"
Fang Xianhuai's father's name was Fang Xianhuai. He was a fair-skinned and chubby middle-aged man. Seeing this, he couldn't help but turn pale with fright. He hurriedly said to the maidservant, "Hurry up and chase after the Young Lady!"
The maid hurriedly followed him.
Fang Xianhuai walked up to Ji Tiansheng and bowed, saying fearfully, "My daughter is arrogant and willful, leaving without saying goodbye. This humble subject will definitely teach her a good lesson when we return."
There was a hint of a smile at the corner of Ji Tiansheng's mouth as he said, "No matter. Miss Scholar's story is not suitable for everyone, not to mention he is not a scholar."
"Yes, yes, yes …" Fang Xianhuai wiped the sweat from his forehead and cupped his hands towards Yan Li. "Young, Young Master Yan, my daughter is young and ignorant. If she has offended you in any way, please forgive her."
A dignified fourth-rank Assistant Minister of the Secretariat humbled himself to Yan Li, who was not even an official of any kind. It was really quite lowly.
Yan Li said, "You don't need to be like this. She did not offend me."
Only then did Fang Xianhuai dare to return to his seat.
Ji Tiansheng said, "Today's flower viewing is only the end of the day. We have people prepare some New Year's goods, including some Bamboo Mountain's Clear Stream Tea. My subjects, please take it back."
As soon as the officials heard "Clear Stream Tea", they immediately became excited and said in unison, "Thank you, Your Majesty."
Clear Stream Tea was a famous fragrant tea. Legend had it that drinking a mouthful of Clear Stream Tea would leave a lingering fragrance in one's mouth for three to five days. It had the miraculous effect of cleaning one's mouth and removing bad breath. It had always been a tribute to the royal family, and only members of the royal family could enjoy it. It was believed that when they returned, they would definitely be eager to taste it and enjoy the treatment of an emperor.
"Your Majesty, have you forgotten something?" At this time, a gentle voice rang out.
The person who spoke was a lady dressed in palace attire sitting beside Ji Tiansheng. She was not particularly beautiful, but her pair of bright eyes, which were deeply embedded under her two curved eyebrows, were like two jars of cool wine. They were filled with an astonishing allure, intoxicating one before even tasting them.
For such a woman, no matter who saw her, they would never forget her.
Yan Li remembered that this was the Dowager Concubine.
Ji Tiansheng said, "What did We forget?"
The Dowager Concubine smiled sweetly and said, "The greatest contributor to the battle against the Desolate race has yet to be rewarded. This goes against Your Majesty's style of distinguishing between rewards and punishments." Her voice was soft and gentle, like cotton hitting one's face. It was extremely comfortable.
Towards this Dowager Concubine, Yan Li had a feeling that he had seen her several times.
Ji Tiansheng smiled lightly and said, "It's not that We have forgotten, but We really do not know how to reward him. I wonder if our beloved officials have any suggestions?"
"This official believes that the most important thing for cultivators is wealth. Why don't we reward Young Master Yan with a hundred hectares of farmland and the tenth mansion …"
"This lowly official believes that with such a great merit, he should at least be conferred the title of Marquis of Pingtian, General of the Barbarian Conquest, to show Your Majesty's great kindness."
Yan Li was now a popular person by the Emperor's side. The officials who wanted to curry favor with him began to make suggestions, each one bolder and more exaggerated than the last.
At this moment, Yang An suddenly let out a light cough.
The officials immediately shut up. At times, Yang An represented the Emperor's will.
Yang An cleared his throat and said, "Your Majesty, the Supreme Court has always been without a leader. Young Master Yan has repeatedly solved strange cases, so why don't we let him be the Chancellor of the Supreme Court. Firstly, we can make the best use of his talent, and secondly, we can show Your Majesty's grace."
The smart people immediately understood that this was something that had been decided long ago. It was just that there might be some resistance in the court to let a nineteen-year-old become a Chancellor of the Supreme Court, so it was deliberately delayed until now.
"This official concurs."
"This official concurs."
"This official agrees."
"This is excellent."
"Young Master Yan is a genius at solving cases."
Ji Tiansheng nodded in satisfaction and said, "Yan Li obeys."
Yan Li stood up and walked in front of her with a bow.
Ji Tiansheng said, "From today onwards, you will be the Chancellor of the Supreme Court. As for the academy, you are still a student. We will allow you to enter and leave as you wish. Zhao Qiping came from the academy and has followed you through life and death. We will make an exception and promote him to the Chancellor of the Supreme Court to assist you in handling cases. We will also reward you with ten thousand taels of gold, twenty servants, thirty attendants, and the first mansion. Other than this, do you have any other wishes? "
Yan Li shook his head and said, "This official accepts the decree and thanks you for your kindness."
Ji Tiansheng said, "Yang An."
"This old servant is here."
"Let the Hall of Governmental Affairs draft the summons."
"Yes."
Fang Junyi left in shame and anger. Her personal maid finally caught up with her and carefully comforted her, "Miss, don't be angry."
Fang Junyi's face was full of cold arrogance and anger. "I, Fang Junyi, have never been humiliated like this in my life! One day, I will make him kneel at my feet like a dog and beg for my forgiveness! "
At this time, a middle-aged man in luxurious clothes brushed past her. The middle-aged man walked to the entrance of Hundred Garden and turned around to look at Fang Junyi's back, a strange expression on his face.
He turned to ask the guard, "Who is that woman?"
The guard respectfully said, "Reporting to Lord Situ, she is Assistant Minister Fang's daughter, Fang Junyi."
"Oh, this official has heard of this name." The middle-aged man nodded, then smiled and patted the guard's shoulder. "It's cold outside, you've worked hard."
"No, not at all …" the guard said excitedly.
The middle-aged man walked into Hundred Garden, and the second official sitting on Ji Tiansheng's left said with a smile, "Brother Bo Yong, you missed a good show."
…
"Have the New Year's goods been distributed?"
Ji Tiansheng asked as he sat in front of a desk in Zichen Hall, reading memorials.
Yang An smiled and said, "This old servant personally supervised it, don't worry."
Ji Tiansheng said, "Why did you think of distributing New Year's goods to the officials?"
Yang An said, "On one hand, it shows His Majesty's compassion, and on the other hand, there is too much Qingxi tea this year. You don't usually like to drink tea, and it will easily spoil after a long time, so it is better to do a favor at little cost."
"Mm, you are still the most thoughtful," Ji Tiansheng said.
Yang An said with a smile, "I dare not. Your Majesty is busy every day, and this old servant can only help you with some side matters."
At this time, a guard walked in and said, "Reporting to Your Majesty, the commander of the Judicial Department requests an audience."
"Come in." Ji Tiansheng put down his brush and glanced at Yang An.
Yang An understood and immediately left through the small door.
Li Yong strode in and was about to kneel down to pay his respects, but Ji Tiansheng stood up and said, "No need to bow, tell me the results of your investigation."
"Yes."
He organized his thoughts and said, "This subject has already investigated. Twelve years ago, there was indeed an order sent to the Secretariat. It was to execute the entire Bai family, and it seemed to be because Bai Chongxi was related to the assassin who assassinated the Empress."
"Mother?" Ji Tiansheng's pupils shrank slightly.
Li Yong nodded and said, "Yes, as for what the relationship is, this subject does not know. I only know that the former Emperor was furious, and that the order was indeed issued by the former Emperor. At that time, Duke Shen had tried to dissuade him. After the Bai family was destroyed, Duke Shen died of grief. The former Emperor was moved and ordered the Bai family to be rehabilitated. "
Ji Tiansheng said, "Did you mention the Dragon God Ring?"
Li Yong shook his head.
Ji Tiansheng's beautiful eyes lit up, and he said, "In other words, it is also possible that Zhang Huaibi lied to me. Although Imperial Father did give such an order, it was because of the assassin suspected of killing Mother, and not because of his own selfish desires … Imperial Father loved Mother deeply, so it is understandable that he lost his reason. Didn't he rehabilitate the Bai family in the end?"
Li Yong nodded and said with a smile, "It is very possible. The former Emperor's kindness is known to the world."
Ji Tiansheng let out a sigh of relief and said, "Mm, you handled this matter very well. Right, are there any survivors of the Bai family?"
Li Yong said, "According to the records, there were no survivors."
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