The case of the burning of Prince Xin's Manor had exposed certain matters, causing the two yamens in the Capital and the city patrol office, which were in charge of security in the Capital, to be extremely careful.
Fortunately, in the next few days, everything was as calm as before, and no similar malicious incidents occurred.
The New Year's Eve dinner of the Li family this year was undoubtedly much livelier than last year's. There was less Lin Wanru, but more Zui Mo and Ruoqing.
Lin Wanru would often send letters, mostly about business matters. The Lin family's business was doing very well in the Qi Kingdom. Not only did it involve the jewelry industry, but it was also flourishing everywhere.
Of course, the Lin family's business was the Li family's business. The two families were mutually beneficial, and it was a symbiotic relationship.
When the two girls had just moved in, they were still a little unfamiliar with this place, but a few days were enough for them to familiarize themselves with everything.
Even Xiao Cui and Xiao Zhu had gotten along well with the servant girls of the Li family. Xiao Huan also had two more playmates. Usually, the servant girls of the Li family treated her as half a mistress, and they didn't dare to speak or do things too presumptuously. Gradually, she didn't play with them anymore.
Friendship between women always came especially easily. Xiao Cui had a strange personality, and it was very easy for people to accept her. In just half a day, the wariness and resistance between the three of them disappeared without a trace.
The first day of Jing He's fifth year was the long-awaited court conference.
Li Yi woke up very early. This was one of the rare times that he didn't resist going to court because many major events were going to happen today. Some of them would be earth-shaking to the officials, to the people, and to the Jing Kingdom …
The sky was still dark. Other than some servants who needed to wake up early, most of the people in the manor hadn't woken up yet.
Ruyi helped him iron his court clothes. Ruoqing came in with a bowl of porridge and said softly, "Have a bowl of porridge before you go. The court conference will go on for several hours. By the time you get back, it will probably be after noon. You'll be hungry."
Ruyi walked over and said helplessly, "Miss Ruoqing is a guest. I'm sorry to trouble you to cook personally …"
Ruoqing smiled and didn't care at all. She said, "It doesn't matter. I'm used to getting up early. I used to make breakfast for Zui Mo and the others first. There's more in the kitchen. When they wake up later, I'll ask someone to bring it over."
Li Yi gulped down the bowl of porridge, leaving not a single grain of rice. Ruoqing habitually took out a handkerchief, wanting to help him wipe the rice off the corner of his mouth. She had just raised her wrist when she slowly retracted it. She picked up the bowl, smiled, turned around, and walked out.
Ruyi walked over and helped him wipe the corners of his mouth. She said casually, "Miss Ruoqing is smart and virtuous. She is also a very good woman."
"In some ways, Ruoqing is very similar to my wife. The most similar thing is that she is virtuous …" After nodding, Li Yi looked at the sky and said, "It's getting late."
He reached out and pulled Ruyi into his arms. His lips gently pressed on her forehead. When he turned around, he waved his hand. "It's still early. Go to sleep for a while, my wife. I'm leaving …"
…
There was no snow in the winter of Jinghe Fourth Year, but it was undoubtedly colder than the previous winters.
When the sky was slightly bright, the officials had already rushed to the palace gate one after another, ready to participate in this year's grand court meeting.
On weekdays, the officials were required to be well-groomed. They couldn't wear too thick clothes under their court robes. Otherwise, they would be caught by the censors. It was unlikely that they would lose their position, but it would be a great humiliation.
The morning wind was biting. For the officials who only wore a thin court robe, it was undoubtedly a great torment.
Therefore, in front of the palace gate, there were countless officials rubbing their hands and stamping their feet. The censors turned a blind eye to this. After all, if they were to scrutinize them, their almost frozen snot would be considered as not caring about their appearance.
Of course, there were also those who weren't cold. When Li Yi came over, he immediately saw the old generals in the crowd who were dressed like bears.
The imperial court sympathized with the officials and gave preferential treatment to the elderly. For example, Prime Minister Qin and Prime Minister Shen didn't have to stand there and wait. They could only go in after the officials had entered the main hall. For example, these old generals didn't care too much about their appearance. It wasn't because the Emperor was being merciful, but because the censors didn't dare to interfere.
"Brat, why are you here so early today? I haven't seen you in court for more than half a year. I thought you wouldn't come today!"
This time around, Li Yi wasn't as warm to Old General Xue. He was almost certain that these old generals were the first to know of the old Emperor's decision. For so long, he and MIngzhu had been deceived by their superb acting skills …
Old General Xue patted his shoulder and sighed, "Sigh, brat, you can't blame us. There's no benefit in knowing about that matter too early …"
Li Yi shook his head and didn't dwell on this problem anymore. Since things had already come to this, there was no longer any meaning to what had happened in the past. At the very least, that person was Li Xuan and not Prince Qi or Prince Xin …
Speaking of the King of Qi, the King of Qi arrived. Today, the King of Qi was dressed in a particularly spirited manner, brimming with health and vigor. Wearing only a thin embroidered robe, he strode with his head held high, seemingly unafraid of the bitter cold.
"Young people are really tough." Old General Xue shook his head and said, "Not like us old fellows. If we were to wear such thin clothes in such weather, we would be in trouble when we return …"
Old General Ma glanced at him and said, "You can't get hard now because you were the same as him when you were young …"
Old General Xue was enraged, "Old Man Ma, who can't get hard!"
Old General Ma said disdainfully, "Why don't you try getting hard …"
"Why don't we have a competition?"
"I'm afraid of you!"
…
Out of all the civil and military officials in the imperial court, there were probably only these two who dared to do this openly in front of so many officials.
Most of the officials didn't care about who was tougher between the two generals. Their focus was on Prince Qi.
"Your Highness, Prince Qi!"
"Greetings, Your Highness!"
"Your Highness, please …"
…
Prince Qi's arrival caused a brief commotion in front of the palace gates. The censors looked at each other and ignored him.
That was then, and this was now. After today, the Prince of Qi would likely become the heir apparent, second only to one. Choosing to offend him at this time was not a wise decision.
Prince Qi was beaming with joy. He was very satisfied with the results of his arrival. He liked the feeling of being fawned over by others. Now that the situation was settled, he could finally relax.
However, he naturally wouldn't pay attention to those officials whose names he didn't even know. He walked straight ahead.
In front of him was where the top officials from the three provinces and six ministries gathered.
"Minister Yan …"
"Your Highness, Prince Qi …"
The Prince of Qi cupped his hands towards the Minister of War, Yan Bing. Yan Bing cupped his hands in return, before turning to the Minister of Revenue at his side. With a smile, he asked, "Where is the tea house that Lord Qin mentioned last time …"
Qin Huan smiled and said, "It's in Willow Alley. If Lord Yan wants to go, why don't we go together after the court today …"
"That would be great!"
…
Looking at the two ministers chatting happily, Prince Qi opened his mouth and closed it again. A trace of displeasure flashed across his face.
Soon, a smile appeared on his face again and he turned to look at the other people.
Before he could say anything, voices came from the crowd.
"Ah, Lord Zhang, why do you smell so good? Did you secretly use your wife's perfume?"
"You can smell it too?"
"Lord Wei looks especially spirited today!"
"Is that so? Is that thing really effective?"
"What is it?"
"Lord Qi might not know, but Ruyi Workshop released a new product a few days ago, Ruyi Dew. It's specially designed for men. It can refresh the mind, adjust emotions, relieve stress, reflect one's taste in life, and enhance one's charm …"
"Is that so? There's such a good thing? I want to try it too …"
…
Prince Qi found that he had been ignored again. The officials who had been waiting quietly had suddenly started chatting. He had no way of interrupting them.
With a gloomy face, he walked to his seat.
"Brother Qi!"
"Greetings, Brother Qi!"
"Greetings, Brother Qi!"
Prince Qi was the eldest among the princes, so they all bowed to him.
Li Yi glanced at the Prince of Qi, who was surrounded like a moon surrounded by stars. Flabbergasted, he asked, "What are they doing?"
Old General Xue said indifferently, "They probably think that Prince Qi already has one foot in the East Palace."
"Where did you hear this from …" Li Yi shook his head and said, "How strange. How did Prince Qi already have one foot in the East Palace? Rumors are harmful …"
Old General Ma looked at Li Yi and suddenly turned to Old General Xue and said, "Old Xue, I think this kid has some of your demeanor when you were young."
Old General Xue was furious. "Ma, how dare you scold me!"
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