The next morning, during the Imperial Court Assembly.
As if it had become a habit, Lin Muyu would wake up early every Imperial Court Assembly. After washing up, he would bring Wei Chou, Situ Sen, Situ Xue, Fengxi, and the others to Ze Tian Hall.
The spring breeze in January already brought with it a wisp of warmth. The annual Spring Plowing Festival was not far away. In the past, Lin Muyu did not care about the production of grain, but now it was not a normal relationship. He would always calculate the grain output of the various provinces from the Ministry of Revenue and calculate the grain consumption of every army in the empire. Now, his biggest wish was for the weather to be good this year and for the empire's land to produce more grain. As long as there was enough grain for the army, perhaps the empire would take the initiative to send troops this year.
After all, he had a trump card in his hands — the Magic Crystal Cannon!
It was not the first or second day that the Ziyin Flower Chamber of Commerce had been purchasing Magic Crystals in large quantities. The news from Qin Ziling was that the development and improvement of the Magic Crystal Cannon had reached about 70% progress. In just a few more months, the technology of this weapon would mature. Once the Magic Crystal Cannon was mass-produced, the empire's army would gain the upper hand in the war!
"Yu!"
From afar, Feng Jixing walked over with Zhang Wei, Xiahou Sang, Luo Yu, and the others. He smiled and said, "What have you been up to recently? I couldn't even find you for a drink."
"Busy inscribing the Heavenly Book!" Lin Muyu answered truthfully.
"Hmph, another Heavenly Book."
Feng Jixing was brave and brave, but he seemed to be slightly biased against the Heavenly Book. He said with a taboo tone, "Did you know that someone wrote a Lower Grade Heavenly Book last night? And it was someone from the Heavenly Book Pavilion."
"Oh, who?" Lin Muyu was slightly stunned. This person should be the first person to write a Heavenly Book in Lanyan City, right? He had the Divine Book, but he could not write a Heavenly Book of the Heavenly Book level. This person actually wrote a Heavenly Book. It seemed like his aptitude and comprehension were above his! Lin Muyu frowned and said, "Is it Manager Ji Lin?"
"No." Feng Jixing shook his head, "It would be great if it was Ji Lin. The bad thing is that the person who wrote the Lower Grade Heavenly Book is actually the kid from the Liu Residence, that person called Liu Feng!"
As he spoke, Feng Jixing clenched his fists and said, "Liu Feng has been fantasizing about Her Royal Highness. You should know that. This time, he has written the Heavenly Book. I wonder how arrogant he will be!"
"Doesn't that mean that he's going to be the manager of the Heavenly Book Pavilion?" Lin Muyu asked.
"I don't know. We'll find out in court today. Let's go, it's almost time to go to court."
"Yes."
…
In the spacious main hall of Ze Tian Palace, the civil and military officials were divided into two sides. The military officials were Feng Jixing, Xiang Yu, Lin Muyu, Su Yu, and so on. The civil officials were Tang Lan and Su Muyun, standing side by side, followed by Zhen Yifan, followed by the six ministers. These three people's status in the imperial court was evident. Behind the six ministers were the manager of the Heavenly Book Pavilion, Ji Lin, and Prince Zhong of the Prince Zhong's Residence, Qin Yong. What was different was that the person standing behind Ji Lin was not Liu Yan, Ouyang Ping, or the other masters of the Heavenly Book Family, but the young Liu Feng. At this time, Liu Feng naturally looked like he was riding on the crest of success. He was dressed in the white robes of the Heavenly Book Pavilion and looked handsome and refined.
At this time, a group of female officials surrounded Qin Yin, who was wearing a golden empress robe, and walked to the front hall. Qin Yin held Tang Xiaoxi's hand and arranged a seat next to the Emperor's throne. Just like that, Tang Xiaoxi sat there.
"What … what's going on?" Feng Jixing looked up at Tang Xiaoxi with a puzzled expression.
Lin Muyu was also a little confused. She had never seen such a scene before.
Tang Xiaoxi seemed to see the confusion of Lin Muyu, Feng Jixing, and the others. She just smiled sweetly and didn't say anything. After all, this was the imperial court. Solemnity, tension, unity, liveliness, and so on were ancient teachings that couldn't be disobeyed.
Tang Lan, who was more experienced, stepped forward and cupped her fists. "Your Highness, why is Xiao Xi …"
Qin Yin smiled faintly and said, "Don't be surprised, Seven Sea King. I was about to announce it … Come, summon her!"
"Yes!"
The female official, Shangguan Jingyue, walked forward with the golden imperial edict in her hand. After unfolding it, she said in a clear voice, "In accordance with the Emperor's decree, Tang Xiaoxi is well-educated and reasonable. She is considerate of the overall situation and has saved the empire from disaster. She is specially conferred the title of Princess Who Supports the Nation and bestowed the Sword Seal. If the Emperor can't decide, Princess Who Supports the Nation can decide on her own!"
"Princess Who Supports the Nation …" Feng Jixing was startled and couldn't help but laugh. "Your Highness is really different … In the past, it's always the older officials who are conferred the title of Princess Who Supports the Nation, but Your Highness actually conferred the title of Princess Who Supports the Nation at such a young age. However … it seems that no one is more suitable than Princess Xi."
Lin Muyu nodded. At this moment, Tang Xiaoxi had already stood up to express her gratitude and took the Sword Seal from Qin Yin's hands. In this way, Tang Xiaoxi's power and status in the empire had already faintly surpassed Tang Lan and Su Muyun. This must be another move that Qin Yin thought of to keep the two great feudal vassals in check.
Tang Lan couldn't say anything, so she took a few steps back and stood beside Su Muyun.
Su Muyun remained silent and didn't say a word. He only looked at Lin Muyu with a different expression. Half of it was helplessness and the other half was resentment. Su Muyun hated that Lin Muyu couldn't be used by him, but he was helpless because his godson Luo Xin's cultivation was still not as good as Lin Muyu's. He couldn't make Lin Muyu, Feng Jixing, and the other empress's forces submit to him in terms of martial arts.
A few minutes later, Ji Lin, the manager of the Heavenly Book Pavilion, stepped out and bowed respectfully. "Your subject, Ji Lin, is here to report to Your Highness. I have a piece of great news."
"Oh?"
Qin Yin smiled faintly. "What good news does the manager have?"
Both of Ji Lin's arms were slightly trembling as he said excitedly, "The second young master of the Liu residence, Young Master Liu Feng, is indeed an outstanding talent in the empire. He is exceptionally talented and outstanding. Last night, he actually wrote a low-grade Heavenly Book. The embryo of the Heavenly Book is here, please examine it, Your Highness!"
He respectfully raised both of his arms and put down the jade tablet in his hand. He took out a white and lustrous jade hook and said, "This is the embryo of the Heavenly Book!"
The jade hook was a tool that the nobles used to hook their belts when they wore loose embroidered robes. In reality, only the rich or nobles would use this kind of fragile artifact as an everyday item. As for generals like Feng Jixing and Lin Muyu, their belts were all specially made from animal skin, which was sturdy and easy to use.
The jade hook glowed with a faint flame. This was a low-grade Heavenly Book of the Law of Fire!
Shangguan Jingyue walked forward and took the jade hook. Then, she turned around and handed it over to Qin Yin. Qin Yin only stretched out her hand and touched it lightly. Immediately, a fiery red divine rune appeared on the jade hook. It was scorching hot. She couldn't help but smile. "The power of heaven and earth is indeed vigorous. Congratulations to Young Master Liu Feng for entering the ranks of the Heavenly Book Pavilion's Heavenly Scholars. Ze Tian Palace will naturally reward you. Men, take this embryo away and put it into the Heavenly Book Pavilion according to the rules!"
"Yes, Your Highness!"
Qin Yin smiled sweetly at the officials and said, "Lords, Young Master Liu Feng is the first genius to write a Heavenly Book. Does anyone have any suggestions on how to reward him?"
Su Muyun cupped his fists and said, "Liu Feng wrote the highest grade Heavenly Book. Logically speaking, he should enter the Heavenly Book Pavilion and become its master."
The current manager of the Heavenly Book Pavilion, Ji Lin, was from the Seven Seas Province. He was also Tang Lan's subordinate. Naturally, Su Muyun hoped that someone would replace him.
A trace of surprise flashed across Ji Lin's face. However, he didn't show it and only stood silently on the spot. If Qin Yin really stripped him of his position as the manager of the Heavenly Book Pavilion, he wouldn't have any complaints. Who asked the Liu residence to have such a genius like Liu Feng!
However, unexpectedly, Liu Feng stepped out of the ranks. He held the jade tablet and knelt on both knees. "Your Highness, Liu Feng is only a mediocre person. The reason why I can write a low-grade Heavenly Book is because I admire Your Highness. Liu Feng doesn't want any title. I only hope that Your Highness can grant Liu Feng a chance to have a meal with Your Highness alone. I hope that Your Highness will not refuse!"
As he spoke, he bowed deeply and bowed deeply.
Feng Jixing couldn't help sighing inwardly. This Liu Feng was really throwing caution to the wind. Was he willing to give up the title of Marquis just for a kiss?
Many of the generals were already furious. Zhang Wei, Wei Chou, Situ Sen, and the others knew that Lin Muyu and Qin Yin were already lovers. Now that Liu Feng was pestering them, it was truly infuriating. In the end, Wei Chou, the Vice Commander of the Dragon's Courage Legion, stepped out of the ranks and cupped his fists respectfully. "Your Highness, Wei Chou has something to say!"
Qin Yin couldn't help but smile. She raised her hand and said, "General Wei, please speak your mind."
Wei Chou said, "The Heavenly Book Pavilion is the Empire's Heavenly Book Realm's Mount Tai and the North Star of the Empire. It is a place that accepts famous scholars from all over the world. However, the Heavenly Book Pavilion has always existed for the Ze Tian Palace. Everyone in the Heavenly Book Pavilion is Your Highness's subjects. They receive the emperor's salary and the emperor's grace. Writing a Heavenly Book is also the subject's business. If someone were to threaten Your Highness with a mere low-grade Heavenly Book and force Your Highness to be alone with him, this general believes that such a person has evil intentions and should be executed for overstepping his boundaries."
As he spoke, Wei Chou knelt on one knee and said, "This subject requests the golden-armored warriors to go to the palace and drag Liu Feng out to be beheaded in public!"
Lin Muyu was stunned. She felt extremely gratified in her heart. She didn't expect Wei Chou to say such words that no one could refute.
Situ Sen touched his nose and laughed in a low voice. "Wei Chou, this brat … really has guts. What he said simply touched the bottom of my heart."
Situ Xue chuckled and didn't say anything.
…
Qin Yin was slightly stunned. Although she agreed with what Wei Chou said, she was the Emperor after all. If she really killed Liu Feng, wouldn't it disappoint the hearts of the scholars in the world? Thus, she looked at Tang Xiaoxi for help.
Tang Xiaoxi smiled as she stood up and said, "Although Liu Feng's words and actions have overstepped his boundaries, the Empress is benevolent and won't fuss over it with you. Liu Feng, listen to the announcement. Because you wrote a Heavenly Book, the Empress will confer you the title of Marquis Wen Xi. You will be rewarded with five thousand gold coins.
Liu Feng's body trembled. He was somewhat unwilling, but there was nothing he could do. He could only respectfully say, "Liu Feng accepts the decree. I thank the Empress for her kindness!"
Tang Xiaoxi looked at Liu Feng from afar. A trace of displeasure flashed past her beautiful eyes as she smiled and said, "Liu Feng, you have to remember that Her Highness is your subject and ruler. Her Highness will only be alone with the man she likes. It's a pity that it's not you. Don't force it. Otherwise, the crime of deceiving the ruler will exterminate your entire family. Do you understand?"
"I … I will remember …" Liu Feng nodded repeatedly.
At the side, the Liu residence's patriarch, Liu Yan, the eldest son, Liu Heng, and the youngest daughter, Liu Ying, turned pale. No one expected that writing a low-grade Heavenly Book would cause such big trouble.
Lin Muyu finally understood the painstaking efforts of Qin Yin to confer Tang Xiaoxi the title of Fu Guo Junzhu. The Empress was benevolent and some words couldn't be said. Therefore, it was up to Tang Xiaoxi to say it. One played the good cop and the other played the bad cop. This was the only way to win the hearts of the people. Unknowingly, Qin Yin's imperial skills seemed to have improved.
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