Every year, on the first day of the new year, the leader's palace would select 100 families from the three northern provinces to come to the Winter Palace to participate in the banquet. As for these 100 families, they had to be people from the North with good roots. They also had to be people that supported Duan Mu An Guo. Half of them had to have a daughter that had entered the Winter Palace.
Either way, these 100 families had to be deeply grateful to Duan Mu An Guo. Only then could they sing his praises at the banquet.
Feng Yu Heng's group from the Illusory Hall stood outside the hall. Inside, there was an old man in his seventies kneeling on the ground while trembling. Facing Duan Mu An Guo, he said with tears of gratitude: "This year, the weather in Jiang Zhou got cold early. Most of the crops in the fields froze to death. After leader heard about this matter, he exempted 80% of Jiang Zhou's taxes without saying a word. He also told us not to hand over the remaining food. We can keep it for ourselves. Leader's grace in saving the lives of the citizens of Jiang Zhou is something that we will never forget! "As the old man spoke, he kowtowed to Duan Mu An Guo.
Duan Mu An Guo sat at the head of the table. Holding a cup of wine, he very seriously listened to the old man speak. He then nodded and said: "I am the official of the North. All of the citizens are my, Duan Mu An Guo's, citizens. If you are in trouble, I naturally cannot sit by and do nothing."
With these words, Dashun's citizens became Duan Mu An Guo's citizens. Feng Yu Heng thought that Feng Jin Yuan had also gone to the North to deal with the disaster last year; however, she did not know what the citizens of the North were thinking at that time.
After the old man finished giving his thanks, he was helped back to his seat. Immediately following this, a middle-aged woman came forward with a child. The woman kneeled on the ground and loudly said: "This is this commoner's son. His name is Nian En. Nian En is remembering leader's grace. Ever since this child came out of his mother's womb, his body was weak and sickly. There were a few times when his life was in danger. For the sake of treating his illness, the family spent nearly all of their savings, but it was still a drop in the bucket. Because we didn't have the money to pay the consultation fee, the medical centers in Song Zhou didn't dare to let us in. The child was about to die, but fortunately, we met the commander. Not only did he give us the consultation fee, he also ordered that all seriously ill citizens in the city could receive financial aid from the Commander-In-Chief's palace. No medical center could refuse patients because they didn't have the money. This child's life was given to him by the great commander. When he grows up, he will definitely do his best to repay the great commander's kindness in saving his life. "
It had to be said that the words that the old man had said earlier had not moved Feng Yu Heng too much, but this woman's words immediately caused her to think of the "universal medical care" and "medical treatment for serious illnesses" that she had always wanted to promote. It was just that Dashun was too big, so there were always some obstacles when it came to implementing it. Moreover, her energy was really scattered, so she couldn't focus on one thing. That was why it had been delayed until now. However, who knew that this idea would have a beginning in the North. Although it was not mature, she had to admit that Duan Mu An Guo could indeed be considered to have made a contribution in this regard.
Thinking like this, she could not help but begin to think about how she would make it easier for the Ji An County Exam. However, it was at this time that the sound of footsteps came from behind her. They were very forceful. At the same time, a soft voice sounded out "If it wasn't for your family's eldest daughter being chosen to enter the Winter Palace, how could there be such a good thing as not needing to pay for medical treatment."
Feng Yu Heng's mind moved. In her memory, three voices overlapped. One was Qian Zhou's Prince Lian, one was the woman that had broken through the ice to fish, and the last one was the current one. It was no wonder that when she saw that woman, she only felt that her voice was familiar; however, she never thought that it would be like this.
Everyone turned around. Feng Yu Heng had only turned halfway when she saw a large patch of red rushing toward her. A cloak was blown by the wind, covering her face.
Feng Yu Heng wiped her face in irritation. Although her face was covered by an ice silk veil, she could still smell the faint scent of rouge on the cloak. It smelled good, but it also caused people to feel surprised.
At this time, the person that had come spoke up once more. This time, it was directed at Duan Mu An Guo: "All of the citizens that are seriously ill? There is an additional condition. The family that receives this treatment must send a daughter that has not yet reached marriageable age to leader Duan Mu. If they do not, they will not be able to enjoy this treatment. "
Feng Yu Heng laughed. So it was like this.
This sudden "exposure" caused Duan Mu An Guo's expression to become very ugly. At the same time, the officials and citizens sitting in the banquet hall all revealed looks of shock. Nobody thought that there would be such a bold and blind person that dared to insult a leader on the first day of the new year.
But Duan Mu An Guo's expression was only ugly. He did not have any other reaction. He even personally stood up and quickly adjusted his mood. Very quickly, he had a smile on his face and walked down from his seat. Facing the woman in red that had entered the hall, he lifted his robe and kneeled. At the same time, he loudly said: "This official, Duan Mu An Guo, greets your Highness Prince Lian!"
Once these words were said, everyone immediately reacted and bowed. It was just that some people still could not understand. Was this Prince Lian the ruler of Dashun or the ruler of Qian Zhou? If she was from Dashun, why did Duan Mu An Guo call himself a minister? If she was from Qian Zhou, did that mean that the rumors of the North returning to Qian Zhou were true?
There were some citizens that were bold enough to ask this question. Duan Mu An Guo laughed loudly and loudly said: "The three northern provinces were originally part of Qian Zhou's territory. Over the years, they have been forcefully taken away by Dashun. The citizens are no longer citizens, and they are not close. How many relatives have been separated, and how many families have been torn apart. I know where your roots lie in your hearts. I also know what is the most important thing for a parent or official. In a person's life, the most difficult thing to give up is their roots. The roots of the North are in Qian Zhou. Even if we have been separated for thousands of years, my citizens still have the blood of Qian Zhou flowing in their veins. Today, your Highness Prince Lian of Qian Zhou has personally come to the North to celebrate the new year with everyone. This official will use this opportunity to announce to the world that the North has returned to Qian Zhou! "
These words were too sudden for the citizens, but even if it was sudden, it still caused the citizens to cheer loudly. The kowtows rose and fell, as the people expressed their joy for the return of the North to Qian Zhou.
This scene shocked everyone present. The people from the Illusory Hall also kneeled on the ground. Feng Yu Heng also had no choice but to kneel, but two questions began to fill her mind. Could it be that all of the citizens of the North had this sort of hope for returning to Qian Zhou? Qian Zhou's Prince Lian was actually a woman?
She could not help but secretly look up, but she saw that the red-clothed Prince Lian had already walked past Duan Mu An Guo and headed straight for the seat of honor. At her side were two servants holding ice lotus lanterns. They stood on either side of the seat and respectfully welcomed Prince Lian into her seat.
Duan Mu An Guo awkwardly stood up on his own and returned to his seat. The two once again received the kowtows from everyone in the hall.
Because of Prince Lian's arrival and Duan Mu An Guo's timely announcement that the North had returned to Qian Zhou, the order of the performance was changed once more. Before the illusion that should have been performed, two more songs and dances were added. Shen Yu Ning frowned and said: "It's Qian Zhou's song and dance. This flattery really is quite good."
Duan Mu An Guo used this as a pretext to make a fuss: "Over the past 100 years, there have been too many people of Qian Zhou's bloodline that have been cut off from the country. You all know that I have a daughter that entered Dashun's imperial palace and became Emperor Dashun's imperial concubine. But because she has Qian Zhou's bloodline, even if she gave birth to the third prince, she could not escape her tragic fate. As for the third prince, not too long ago, he was put to death by Emperor Dashun. "
This matter was not much of a secret, and everyone sighed upon hearing this.
Duan Mu An Guo continued: "Although Dashun sends money to the North every year, the clothes that they give are not as warm as the ones from Qian Zhou. It's such that there are people that freeze to death on the streets every Winter. Qian Zhou is so close to us. Unfortunately, there is a home that we cannot return to. This is the tragedy of the North. "
The atmosphere that he had created caused the citizens to begin crying. As they cried and cried, someone finally stood up and loudly said: "We want to return to Qian Zhou. We want to go home!"
In an instant, the citizens' cries became louder and louder. As for Duan Mu An Guo's expression, it became more and more apparent. Feng Yu Heng squinted her eyes and looked forward. She happened to see Prince Lian roll her eyes at Duan Mu An Guo with a look of ridicule on her face.
Finally, the performance of the illusion began.
The illusionist led the girls into the hall. Through the illusionist's wondrous hands, the ice and snow themed illusions were displayed one after another, causing the people to cry out endlessly.
Feng Yu Heng and the other girls did not have any important tasks. They just stood on the stage and occasionally waved their sleeves and spun around a couple times. They were like flower vases, cooperating with the illusionist to create a colorful atmosphere.
Of course, the most important part was when the illusion ended. As expected, Duan Mu An Guo had the girls stand in front of him. He then removed their veils and stepped forward one by one to report their names. It was just like the imperial concubine selection. Those that were chosen would be given an ice flower. Those that were not chosen would have their veils put back on by servants.
Every year, the Illusory Hall would send out a group of girls after the performance. Duan Mu An Guo liked the girls that the Illusory Hall had trained because these girls could sing and dance. They also knew some small illusions and could amuse him.
One girl after another walked forward. There were those that had been left and those that had been eliminated. Shen Yu Ning and Zhang Lingxi were both successfully given ice flowers. Feng Yu Heng heard Zhang Lingxi sigh softly, expressing the bitterness in her heart.
Finally, it was her turn to go on stage. She lowered her head and slowly stepped forward, bowing: "This servant, Fu Ya, greets great leader."
Her voice did not have the same expectation as the girls from earlier, nor did it have Zhang Lingxi's lack of confidence. Her voice was more calm and cold.
But it was this coldness that attracted Duan Mu An Guo's attention. It was just that when his attention was focused on Feng Yu Heng's face, Duan Mu An Guo suddenly stood up, his eyes wide open. With an expression of complete disbelief, he pointed at her and said: "You! You actually dared to come? "
Feng Yu Heng was puzzled, "Why can't I come?"
The illusionist's heart skipped a beat. Fearing that something would happen, he quickly stepped forward and asked: "This is the Fu family's daughter, Fu Ya, from the Fu family in the Southwest of Song Zhou City. Great leader, is there something wrong?"
"Fu family?" Duan Mu An Guo was startled then looked carefully at Feng Yu Heng. The girl in front of him had the same appearance as the one that he had seen on the day of the fire in the leader's palace. For a while, it gave him the misconception that the two were the same person.
He shook his head and said with a heavy expression: "What Fu family. You are clearly the one that I could not find …"
"You are clearly the ice flower fairy that I could not find!" A voice suddenly spoke up.
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