"I'm not very familiar with some of the people here, but since you've chosen them, they shouldn't be too far off." Li Yi put down the list in his hand and said, "That's it. Let's settle it for the time being. After a while, we'll have another assessment."
The Eldest Princess nodded. She thought of something and said, "Today is Imperial Concubine Cui's birthday. Although you don't get along well with the Cui family, according to etiquette, you should also send a gift. Otherwise, I'm afraid it will attract criticism."
The Old Madame had already warned him about this matter two days ago. According to etiquette, with Imperial Concubine Cui's rank, there were only a few people in the harem who were higher than her. After all, she was an Imperial Concubine. Since the Cui family had sent an invitation, even if he didn't intend to go in person, he had to prepare a gift to not appear disrespectful.
Nowadays, he carried too many titles and wasn't as carefree as before. There were some things that he still had to pay attention to.
"Then send a few boxes of fresh vegetables. They're green and not commonly seen in this season."
In the future, it would be very inappropriate to give such a gift, not to mention that it was given to an Imperial Consort. However, it was different here. In the current season, a handful of fresh vegetables could not be bought with money. In the past, when the old Emperor bestowed the important officials, which of the vegetables were not wilted? They were definitely not as green as the ones he gave himself.
"That's fine. Although this gift isn't heavy, it's just a token of appreciation." MIngzhu nodded and said, "A few years ago, the Cui family failed to win over Prime Minister Shen. The Shen family only sent an ordinary painting. Those important officials in the court who were unwilling to take sides were probably the same."
"Let's leave this matter as it is. Recently, there hasn't been any major events in the court. After this matter, you should rest for a while …" Li Yi warned her, got up and said, "I'll go back first. I'm boiling soup at home. It should be almost done …"
He didn't know if it was because she was about to give birth in two months, but Ruyi had recently lost her appetite. He had developed several new kinds of soup, which were nourishing and had the effect of stimulating the appetite.
MIngzhu walked him to the door of the hall and suddenly asked, "Why don't you bring soup when you come here recently?"
"Forget it, it doesn't seem to have any effect. I won't wear it in the future …" Li Yi shook his head and sighed.
"Next time you come, bring some more. I quite like the soup."
Her body stiffened slightly as she spoke in a calm tone. Then, she turned around and walked back into the bedroom.
In front of the bed, the Eldest Princess, the first person in the Jing Kingdom to personally lead the state affairs and supervise the country on behalf of the emperor, took off her coat and loosened her corset a little …
Since a few days ago, if the girdle was as tight as it used to be, he would find it hard to breathe.
…
Every August, there would be two grand events in the capital.
One of them was the night of the Mid-Autumn Festival on August 15th. It was a carnival for all the people in the capital. There was no curfew on the night of the Mid-Autumn Festival. The whole capital was decorated with lanterns and streamers. The brothels, wine shops, and brothels were also open all night. It was very lively.
Although Noble Consort Cui's birthday could not be compared with the Mid-Autumn Festival, the curfew was only delayed for two hours for the convenience of the guests. However, on August 23rd, the carriages and sedans lined up in front of the Cui family's house occupied at least two streets.
The night had just fallen. Two people were walking on the crowded street. One of them looked ahead and said in surprise.
"Your Excellency, during Noble Consort Cui's birthday last year, the carriages and sedans of the guests were all lined up here, right?"
County Magistrate Liu nodded and said, "I remember that there was a whole street less this year than last year."
Detective Zhao thought for a moment and said, "No wonder. At this time last year, the King of Shu was still in the capital. Many officials naturally had to give face to the King of Shu …"
County Magistrate Liu did not continue, but he knew in his heart that even if the King of Shu was still in the capital today, the scene in front of the Cui family's house would not be much better than now.
That was because some of the owners of the carriages that had been parked here last year had died. Some had been imprisoned, some had their properties confiscated, and some had been exiled. Some felt that there was no need for them to come here this year or in the future.
Detective Zhao did not continue this topic, but asked again, "Your Excellency, are you still going to put down the gifts and go in for a while this year?"
County Magistrate Liu shook his head and said, "You wait outside for a while tonight. You have sent such a generous gift, you have to eat some of it back …"
At this time, there were not many guests in front of the Cui family's house. County Magistrate Liu walked over and handed over the gift list.
A servant of the Cui family looked through it and immediately bowed and said, "Your Excellency, please …"
…
In a side hall of the Cui family's house, Cui Qingze, the master of the Cui family, was holding a thin book in his hand with a slightly gloomy face.
"Is that all?"
The servant of the Cui family beside him said in fear, "That's all."
Behind him, a middle-aged man had already stood up, and his face was extremely gloomy. "All? The number of people coming to the house this year is not even half of last year's. Do they really think that the Cui family will collapse when Her Highness goes to Shuzhou? "
Another voice came from behind, "Could it be that it's not the right time yet and many people are on the way?"
However, this voice was very low, as if even the owner of the voice knew that he did not have any confidence in saying this.
"Too many things have happened in the past year." Cui Qingze put down the book in his hand, took a deep breath, and said, "Don't mention this again. Her Highness will be here soon. Get ready …"
The Cui family's house today was not as lively as in previous years. The mansion was still crowded. Although the King of Shu's party was temporarily depressed, they were still a force that could not be ignored in the court.
Some important guests would naturally not be with the majority of the people. In another quiet hall, the environment was much quieter than the other places in the mansion.
"His Majesty values filial piety very much. This time, for Her Highness's birthday, he did not allow Her Highness to return to the capital. The memorial jointly submitted by the Ministry of Rites was rejected as soon as it was submitted. Now, he wants the Eldest Princess to govern the country. What do you think His Majesty is thinking?"
There were only a few people in the hall. At this time, the one who spoke was the assistant minister of the Ministry of Rites.
"It seems that what Her Highness did last time really touched His Majesty's reverse scale. Sigh, I don't know who gave Her Highness the idea, but we didn't know anything. Otherwise, things would not have come to this."
"In the past year, you have seen how much we have lost. The Cui family today is completely incomparable to a year ago."
"Now, they want to build an academy and help the poor. Whether it is in the court or among the people, our influence cannot continue to be stable …"
…
Every year on Imperial Consort Cui's birthday, the officials and nobles in the court who had sided with the King of Shu would gather. It was a crucial day for the King of Shu's faction to plot together. Several people in the hall conversed softly. At a certain moment, someone suddenly raised his head and asked, "Now that Her Highness is in a difficult situation, I wonder what Assistant Minister Zeng thinks?"
The few of them turned their gazes over.
Although the Zeng family had only risen in recent years and had a weak foundation, it could not be compared to families like the Cui family and the Chen family. However, Ceng Shichun was an extremely powerful person. After plotting together for so many years, they had long understood this.
Ceng Shichun, who had been sitting there drinking tea since he stepped into the hall, raised his head and looked around blankly. He nodded and said, "The tea is good, not bad … Lord Chen, what do you think?"
Chen Chong raised his teacup and took a sip. He said calmly, "Lord Zeng is right. This tea is not bad."
Just as he finished speaking, there was a commotion outside. A servant of the Cui residence hurried in to report that Imperial Consort Cui had arrived.
…
"Husband, can you really tell so much from single eyelids and double eyelids?" When Li Yi was telling a bedtime story as usual, Ru Yi looked at Li Yi and asked in surprise when she heard him mention something.
"Actually, there are many things in this world that follow a pattern." Li Yi smiled as he tucked her in. "It's not difficult to verify this. All you need to do is find parents with single eyelids and look at their children."
Ru Yi thought for a while and said in surprise, "That's true. In the past, in the Willow Leaf Village, there were a few couples with single eyelids. Their children really don't seem to have double eyelids …"
She looked at Li Yi and said with a smile, "However, who would stare at other people's eyelids when they have nothing better to do? How boring is that? To discover these patterns, one must be very meticulous … But, how did husband find out?"
"That's not necessarily true." Li Yi shook his head and said, "Perhaps there really are people who are meticulous and bored …"
Cui residence.
When the graceful and luxurious Imperial Consort Cui walked in from the front, the guests stood on both sides and nodded slightly. In the innermost part of the crowd, one person quietly raised his head.
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