"Court is about to end. Let's go this way."
The old eunuch Chang De glanced at the crowd in front of him. After crossing a stone bridge, he bypassed them and chose another path on the left.
He entered the palace just in time to end court. Were the people walking toward him the civil and military officials of the Jing Kingdom?
Walking out of the palace door, the crowd was bustling. Li Yi glanced around and did not see anyone familiar.
"The one walking in the front is Prime Minister Qin." Chang De did not turn around but suddenly said lightly.
Li Yi was not unfamiliar with the words "Prime Minister Qin." Hearing this, he turned around and saw an old man walking in the front. Because of the distance, he could not see his face clearly.
Even though they had not met, Li Yi did not have a good impression of this Prime Minister Qin.
Not to mention how good he was in politics, he had taught Qin Yu, such a grandson. How good could he be?
After passing through a palace wall, he could no longer see the scene of the officials leaving court. Li Yi also put this matter to the back of his mind. Miss.Liu was waiting in Bowen Hall while Chang De took him to see Emperor Jing.
At this time, the officials who had not yet walked out of the palace door were gathered in twos and threes, discussing something in low voices.
"Is His Majesty finally dissatisfied with Prime Minister Qin?"
"The Minister of State Affairs has not heard anything. It was His Majesty who personally issued the edict. It seems that His Majesty deliberately bypassed Prime Minister Qin."
"Recently, His Majesty's thoughts are becoming more and more difficult to guess. The appointment of the heir has been delayed again and again. Now he wants to weaken the Qin family. Could it be that the King of Shu is not a prince that His Majesty likes? His Majesty still wants to …"
"Be careful with your words!"
…
…
When the topic of conversation turned to certain matters, the crowd realized that this was not something they could discuss in private. They hurriedly stopped talking and looked around. Seeing that no one was paying attention, they quickened their steps and walked out of the palace.
The edicts that His Majesty had just issued in court had become the only thing on their minds.
For no reason, an important figure of the Qin family in the Hall of Governmental Affairs had been moved out of the center of power. Although his rank did not change, the meaning he represented was different. How could an empty position compare to a Renunciate of the Hall of Governmental Affairs, who could directly participate in political affairs?
But this was not all. Several of Prime Minister Qin's students in the capital, who had a close relationship with the Qin family, were also affected to varying degrees. What should have been a bright and boundless future suddenly became uncertain. In addition, there were also some large and small transfers. Without exception, they were all related to the officials of Prime Minister Qin's faction. When these matters were put together, the meaning behind it was very thought-provoking.
Was His Majesty finally going to make a move against the group of civil officials led by Prime Minister Qin?
For many years, many of His Majesty's decrees had been strongly opposed by these conservative factions. For the stability of the court, His Majesty would often choose to give in. Could it be that this time, His Majesty wanted to take advantage of the peak of the court's prestige to settle old scores with them?
Most of the people in the imperial court could not participate in these matters, and they did not dare to continue guessing. It was better to let Prime Minister Qin and the others have a headache.
As for whether the King of Shu could become the Crown Prince, although this matter was closely related to them, at least for now, at least it was not very important.
The ancestral rules could not be violated. Even if His Majesty did not think highly of the King of Shu, two of the Empress's sons died prematurely in her early years. It was not until Princess Yongle was born that the Imperial Physician in the palace concluded that the Empress would never be able to conceive another child in this lifetime. Therefore, it was justifiable for the Prince born by Concubine Cui to become the Crown Prince.
Moreover, countless officials in the imperial court, including Prime Minister Qin, supported the King of Shu's ascension to the throne. Under the circumstances of righteousness, even His Majesty could not violate the ancestral rules and the wishes of so many officials at the same time.
Without any preparation, such a big shock suddenly occurred in the imperial court. Compared to this, other matters were naturally not so important.
For example, yesterday, they learned from the juniors in their families that the King of Shu's invitation last night ended in discord. The Crown Prince of Ning, Li Xuan, and the King of Shu had a falling out. The little duke of Prime Minister Qin's family seemed to have encountered an assassin.
These were all jokes between the juniors. No one would connect these two matters. His Majesty's small purge of Prime Minister Qin's family did not affect them. At the moment, the most important matter was another matter.
The envoy of the Qi Kingdom had arrived in the capital. He requested to see His Majesty twice in a row, but was rejected by His Majesty.
The envoy of the Qi Kingdom was waiting at the Office of the Herald of Honour. His Majesty was preparing to hold another banquet in the palace to celebrate General Xu Dingyuan's victorious return. All the civil and military officials in the imperial court and all the nobles in the capital had to attend. This was like stabbing another knife in the chest of the envoy of the Qi Kingdom.
Without a doubt, the envoy was sent immediately after the war ended. It must be to discuss the matter of the two cities that had been captured. Judging from His Majesty's intention, it should be to give them the cold shoulder first. This was the first time in many years that he could hold his head up high like this. How could he not send a congratulatory gift?
General Xu Dingyuan would return to the capital today. The day of the celebration was chosen to be tonight. All the officials hurried home to have a good rest in preparation for tonight's grand event.
Li Yi did not know that the old emperor was going to treat everyone to dinner tonight. He secretly rejoiced in his heart. Fortunately, he was careful this morning and did not eat too much for breakfast. Otherwise, he might eat too much later.
It was still the same garden and the same pavilion as last time. Even the dishes on the stone table had not changed much.
The dignified emperor of a country now looked like an ordinary middle-aged man. He sat opposite Li Yi and ate a bowl of porridge and a few side dishes with relish.
"I heard from Shouning that you are teaching her how to cook?" Jing Di asked casually, just like an ordinary person chatting with his neighbor.
Li Yi had gradually adapted to the old emperor's face. It was normal for an important person to have some eccentricities. Perhaps this emperor had the hobby of disguising himself as a commoner after leaving court.
"Princess Shouning wants to personally cook for Your Majesty and Her Ladyship. At such a young age, she is filial. This official also admires her." Li Yi did not stand on ceremony and said as he ate.
Jing Di nodded. When he thought of Princess Shouning, a smile appeared on his face.
All the princes and princesses were respectful to him. Only Shouning was different. She could let him experience the true feeling of being a father. This was something he could not experience from his other children.
He put down the bowl and let Chang De pour another bowl of porridge. He said, "I heard from MIngzhu that you are treating Yongning's illness. How confident are you?"
Jing Di looked at Li Yi and a glimmer of hope flashed in his eyes. Although the imperial doctors in the palace and countless folk doctors were helpless against Yongning's illness, Li Yi was different. If there was someone in this world who could give him a glimmer of hope for Yongning's illness, this person would only be Li Yi.
Speaking of this, Li Yi's face became slightly solemn. He said, "To be honest, there is not much hope. I can only try my best."
Jing Di's expression froze for a moment. Then he sighed and said, "That child has suffered a lot since she was young. Although I am the emperor of a country, I can do nothing about her illness. I know that you are a truly capable person. I hope that in my lifetime, I can see her like a normal person …"
Li Yi did not speak. Although this was also what he wanted, he was really not confident about it. He could only plan slowly.
He did not know if he would see her again on the stone steps next to the Bowen Hall.
"I know what you did in the Cold Mountain Temple. Master Tan Yin also praised you very much. Very good. The territory of the Jing Kingdom is not a place for the monks of the Qi Kingdom to show off …" Jing Di quickly changed the topic. Li Yi began to be distracted from that moment. When he passed by the Bowen Hall, he did not seem to see her …
…
…
The Imperial Palace was not a fun place. Liu Ruyi stood outside a palace and watched Li Yi teach a group of princesses and princes. She was even more uninterested in it. She looked at the slowly moving clouds in the distant sky with boredom.
There was a slight sound of footsteps coming from the left corridor. She turned around and looked at the young woman who was walking towards her. Both of them were stunned.
…
Li Yi walked out of the Bowen Hall and looked at the stone steps around him. There was a trace of disappointment on his face.
Compared to him, a group of princesses and princes rushed out of the hall like a swarm of bees. Everyone had an excited smile on their faces, especially Prince Jin. His round body wished he could do a few somersaults on the ground.
How could they not be happy? This was their last arithmetic class in the near future. For a long time to come, they would not see the teacher who would put their names on the palace wall. What else could make them happier than this?
As for the homework he left for them — let them read and study arithmetic by themselves?
What a joke. If they could understand those Heavenly Books by themselves, why would they need the teacher?
In short, for a period of time, they would not have to face those strange symbols. It would be best if they would not see him again!
Li Yi stood outside the hall for a while. He was slightly disappointed that he did not see the person he wanted to see. But other than that, he felt that something was missing. After a while, he realized that Miss.Liu was also missing!
The palace was not the Willow Leaf Village, nor was it the Viscount's Mansion. It would be a big deal if he just barged in. Miss.Liu was obviously not the kind of person who would surrender to the palace guards. If they fought, there would be big trouble!
Fortunately, as soon as this thought appeared in Li Yi's mind, he saw her and MIngzhu walking towards him from another direction.
"You are very good." Miss.Liu tilted her head and looked at MIngzhu. She said very seriously.
"You too." MIngzhu adjusted her cuffs and said with a smile.
Li Yi looked at the two of them suspiciously. When did they hook up?
Could it be that they did it when he was teaching?
But when they were in Qing 'an Prefecture, Her Royal Highness often came to visit them. At that time, they never talked …
"Where did you go just now?" Li Yi looked at Miss.Liu and asked in confusion.
Miss.Liu glanced at him and obviously did not want to talk.
At this time, MIngzhu had already let go of a prince who rushed out of the hall excitedly. She looked at Li Yi and asked in confusion, "Li Han said that they don't need to attend mathematics class anymore. You let them learn mathematics by themselves?"
Li Yi nodded. He looked at the little fatty Prince Jin, who was so excited that he wanted to fly to the sky. The corner of his mouth curled up. Did he really think that he could completely let go of himself without going to class?
When he came back next time, the little fatty would understand what was called naivety.
"Why? How can they learn mathematics by themselves? "
MIngzhu looked surprised. Even she had a hard time learning that kind of thing, let alone these children?
In her opinion, this was simply an impossible task.
"Teacher's role is only to inspire and guide them. He can teach them very little. Mathematics is like the starry sky at night, vast and endless. In the end, they still have to explore and discover it by themselves …"
Li Yi looked at Her Royal Highness and explained, "Although these princes and princesses are young, they will grow up eventually. I am cultivating their ability to learn independently and also to solve problems by themselves. I can't let Teacher solve all the problems. Moreover, I have already written the textbooks for them. With their current foundation, it is not a problem for them to understand what is written in them."
"Actually, you are too lazy to teach them, right?" MIngzhu looked at him and asked.
For this matter, he actually found such a dignified excuse. If she did not know him very well, she would think that what he said was very reasonable.
No, although she knew that this was just an excuse, she could not deny that at this moment, she really felt that what he said was reasonable.
Being tactful and reserved was a fine tradition of the Hua Xia Nation. When speaking, people would often beat around the bush before expressing their meaning. Even the Liu Family's Second Young Mistress, who had always been aloof from worldly affairs, was no exception.
For example, he owed Miss.Liu 100 taels of silver. Although she would be very serious about anything that involved money, at least Miss.Liu would not point it out directly.
For example, she would say that she wanted to buy a bolt of cloth and that it was exactly 100 taels of silver.
For another example, she would ask him with great concern for the 100 taels of silver she borrowed from him last time. Was the 100 taels of silver she borrowed from him last time?
Also, she would tactfully ask Li Yi if the cloud floating in the sky looked like the 100 taels of silver she borrowed from him last time.
Obviously, Her Royal Highness did not know how to be tactful like Miss.Liu.
Therefore, the atmosphere began to become awkward.
"Did Father agree?" She looked at Li Yi and asked.
"Of course."
Li Yi replied without hesitation. Just a moment ago, he had reached an agreement on this matter with the old Emperor.
What a joke. He was able to fool an eminent monk like Master Tan Yin and the monks of the Qi Kingdom. It had always been the monks who fooled others. Would the old Emperor be more difficult to deal with than them?
Since Father had already agreed, MIngzhu naturally had nothing to say.
She shook her head helplessly and said, "I don't know if Father has told you that the palace ban will be lifted tonight. There will be a banquet at Yonghe Palace for the officials. At the same time, it will be held to welcome General Xu. As the county magistrate, you will also have to attend."
"Really?" Li Yi looked surprised. No one had told him about what MIngzhu said just now.
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