"Father, mother," Ban Heng sent away the eunuch from the palace and said to his family with a confused expression, "What's wrong with His Majesty these past few days? He keeps sending things to our family. Does he think we have too many good things?"
"Maybe it's because we lent the imperial physician to the Xie family?" Ban Huai was even more confused than his son. After he gave the memorial written by Rong Xia to Emperor Yunqing, although Yunqing was slightly moved after reading it, he didn't feel that the other party was so moved that he couldn't control himself. Why was it that after only two days, he kept sending things to their family?
"Duke, I found out," Ban Huai's servant trotted in, "His Majesty didn't just reward our fu. Marquis Cheng'an's fu is also endlessly rewarded. Outside, it's said that our two families are favored by His Majesty.
"When has our family not been favored by His Majesty?" Ban Huai waved his hand to dismiss the servant. He felt faintly uneasy. Although His Majesty treated the Ban Family well in the past, he didn't send things to their family every day like now. It was as if he couldn't wait to prove to the world how good he was to the Ban Family.
"His Majesty doesn't value the Xie family that much," Ban Heng said with some hesitation, "How could he do so much for the Xie family? I heard that after such a big thing happened to the Xie family, His Majesty and the Empress only sent people to ask twice. The rewards they received weren't even half of what we received. "
"Sister, did you say something to His Majesty last time when you went to the palace to ask him to treat our Ban Family better?" Ban Heng turned his head to look at Ban Han. Recently, his sister had been bored. When she saw that there was an embroiderer at home who could embroider beautiful things, for some reason, she also wanted to learn embroidery.
After learning for a few days, she barely understood how to hold the needle and how to arrange the thread. However, she couldn't even look at the things she embroidered. If he hadn't bumped into her today, he wouldn't have known that his sister was so bored.
"I didn't say anything." Ban Han's left index finger was hurting. She was not in the mood to listen to what Ban Heng had just said. Now that she heard his question, she was stunned for a moment before she said, "How about I send someone to Marquis Cheng 'an to ask? Maybe it's because he did something that made His Majesty treat me differently."
"That's possible." Ban Huai nodded in agreement and turned to look at the silent Yin Clan. "Madam, what do you think?"
The Yin Clan member nodded slowly. "Yes, it's appropriate to ask."
Inside the Marquis Cheng 'an Mansion, there was an endless stream of visitors and eunuchs from the palace who came and went, almost flattening the threshold of the Marquis Cheng' an Mansion. These people didn't visit Rong Xia when he was injured. Rong Xia didn't blame them, but now that they were here, Rong Xia wouldn't warmly welcome them. However, no one thought that Rong Xia's behavior was bad. On the contrary, they praised Rong Xia's character even more, as if he was a saint.
When the Ban Family's guards came, Rong Xia was talking with his retainer, Wang Qü. When he heard the servant report, he said to Wang Qü, "Wait a moment."
Wang Qü watched Marquis's back as he hurriedly left. He felt slightly anxious. He admitted that Princess Fule was a very good woman, but Marquis' attitude towards Princess Fule was too much. There was nothing wrong with a gentleman loving beauty, but he couldn't indulge in beauty.
Just a servant of the Ban Family made Marquis so anxious. If the commandery princess of the Ban Family came, what kind of attitude would Marquis have?
When Rong Xia saw the guard, his expression softened, "Why did your commandery princess send you here?"
"This one greets Marquis." The guard bowed to Rong Xia and then said, "The commandery princess sent this one to ask about recent events."
"Oh?" Rong Xia raised his eyebrows, "Your commandery princess is worried about the matter of His Majesty's reward?"
The guard didn't expect Rong Xia to guess it before he spoke. He froze for a moment, then bowed his head and said, "Replying to Marquis, it's precisely this matter."
"If you didn't come today, I would have sent someone over." Rong Xia smiled, "Go back and tell the commandery princess not to worry. It's not a bad thing. Oh right, I recently found a few interesting stories. Bring them back to your commandery princess. "
The guard took a box of books and thanked Rong Xia.
When he walked out of the gate of the Marquis Cheng'an fu, he suddenly remembered that Marquis Rong didn't say anything.
The guard felt guilty for not doing his job well. After returning to the Ban Han fu, he handed the stories to her and apologized.
"It's just a small matter. Don't take it to heart." Ban Han shook his head with a smile and said to the guard, "Since Marquis Rong said it's not a bad thing, then it must be a good thing. You can leave."
"Yes." The guard suddenly realized that the commandery princess seemed to trust Marquis Rong.
"Commandery Princess." Ruyi came in with a bowl of iced soup. Ban Han pointed to the table, "Put it on the table and leave."
"Yes." Ruyi bowed and led the other servant girls out.
The room quieted down. Ban Han opened the box and took out the thread-bound book. Suddenly, a piece of paper fell out of the book.
[The pouch that Huahua embroidered for His Majesty is very beautiful. When will you embroider one for me? Jun Po writes.]
In addition to this line of words, there was also a drawing of a pouch. The pouch was crooked and didn't have any beauty to speak of.
Ban Han paused. When had she ever embroidered a pouch for His Majesty?
Suddenly, she clenched the paper in her hand and tore it bit by bit. Only then did she let out a long sigh.
She understood. No wonder His Majesty suddenly treated the Ban Family so well. It was because she had "presented" a pouch to His Majesty. Rong Xia had secretly done this behind the scenes. How did he do it? And … why would His Majesty treat her so well just because of a pouch?
She turned and picked up the book to read the story inside. In a strange book, there was a story that had been folded. In this story, there was an old man who was seriously ill and had nightmares all night. No matter how much he prayed to God, it was useless. However, his younger generation personally prayed for him and he gradually got better. He no longer had nightmares.
Ban Han closed the book. Was this just a simple story, or did Rong Xia want to tell her something through this story?
"Huahua." The Yin Clan stood outside Ban Han's door, "The people from the garment workshop are here. Let them take your measurements."
"They're here." Ban Han smoothed out the fold and put the book back on the shelf. She picked up the round fan on the table and hurried out the door, "Didn't they just make more than ten sets of clothes a few days ago?"
"This is for you to make autumn clothes," Madam Yin said. "The weather is hot, and the embroiderers' work will also slow down. Won't it take one or two months? Autumn is just right for you."
Ban Han waved the round fan in her hand and looked up at the pale white sun in the sky. She didn't know if it was because she was afraid of the heat, but she always felt that this year's summer was especially difficult to endure. It wasn't even June yet, but it was already unbearably hot. Fortunately, there was enough ice in the fu. Otherwise, she might go crazy.
This year, His Majesty couldn't move freely, so he probably wouldn't go to the summer. If His Majesty didn't leave the capital, the nobles and officials naturally didn't dare to leave the capital without permission. Otherwise, if they were investigated, even the Ban Family wouldn't be able to bear the consequences.
When the people from the garment workshop saw Ban Han, they smiled politely. Two well-dressed and beautiful women came forward and bowed to Ban Han, "Greetings, Junzhu."
"No need to be so polite." Ban Han opened her hands, "I know you are busy, so I won't waste your time."
"We won't waste your time, we won't waste your time. Junzhu is our honored guest. To be able to make clothes for you is our greatest honor." Even though they had measured Ban Han's measurements not long ago, the woman still carefully measured every inch of her body, afraid to miss anything.
"This season's autumn clothes are lighter in color." Ban Han raised her chin and let them measure the length of her neck, "I can't use purple and red colors."
"This concubine will remember." The woman was stunned for a moment. This princess was someone who loved bright colors the most. Last autumn, she had ordered many sets of bright clothes and jewelry in their shop. Most people would look frivolous when wearing them, but this princess would only make people feel that she was beautiful and alluring when wearing them. No one dared to have the slightest intention of blasphemy.
She suddenly remembered that the Princess Royal was this Junzhu's grandmother. Last year, the Princess Royal had died in order to save the Emperor. It was easy to understand why this Junzhu avoided bright colors.
It took him nearly an hour to finish measuring the body's size. After the people in the workshop left, Ban Han sat weakly in the chair, "Why is this year's summer so hot?"
Last year's winter was exceptionally cold, and this year's summer was so hot that it made it hard for people to breathe. Was the Heavens deliberately making things difficult for her?
"We're fine. Even if it's hot, we can hide in the room to enjoy the cool air." Yin Clan sighed, "If the entire country is this hot, the common people will suffer."
It had been hot for so many days, but there hadn't been any rain. There would definitely be a drought, and the common people wouldn't be able to live. Her daughter had never suffered since she was young. The only place she could see was the capital. The capital was under the Emperor's feet. Even the farmers had better days than the common people in other places. If they suffered some disasters, there would be someone to solve it. But in some remote places, it all depended on the local officials. In any case, the mountains were high and the Emperor was far away. No one could manage those places.
Ban Han opened her mouth, but couldn't say anything. She couldn't even stand this little bit of heat. She didn't dare to imagine what kind of life the common people were living.
It was getting hotter and hotter in the capital, but there hadn't been any rain for over ten days. When the weather was hot, there weren't many people on the streets. Even the naughty children would hide in their homes and not come out.
There were constantly memorials from various places reporting the disaster. However, the Second Prince used the reason that the Emperor was seriously ill and couldn't be provoked to suppress these memorials. He only sent a few imperial envoys to deal with the drought.
There were some people in the court who were dissatisfied, but the Emperor didn't easily see the officials. Some impatient officials even went to find a few of the Emperor's favored families, hoping that they could enter the palace and pass on a message.
But who dared to pass on this message?
Even the Second Prince didn't dare to do something, so they, as officials, didn't dare to interfere. Thus, the imperial relatives who usually liked to idle around all hid in their homes. No matter who came, they all said they were sick. Some even said they had a heatstroke that hurt their hearts and veins and needed to rest.
Did heatstroke have anything to do with the heart?
That wasn't important. What was important was that they didn't want to help.
The actions of these imperial relatives made some important officials bitterly disappointed. Normally, these people ate delicious food and wore fine clothes. However, when it came to matters of state, none of them were willing to take responsibility. If the entire Great Ye Dynasty was like this, what hope did the common people have?
A few officials who were worried about the common people gathered together to think of a way to enter the palace.
"Why don't we send a gift to Wang De? This eunuch is the head eunuch of the Emperor. He will definitely be able to say something in front of the Emperor."
"That won't do." An official retorted, "These eunuchs are the best at steering with the wind. At this time, he definitely won't take any risks. Furthermore, you and I don't have much money in our hands. How many things can we give him that he would like? "
A eunuch with a position like Wang De's had seen all kinds of riches and had come into contact with all kinds of important people. Wang De probably wouldn't even look them in the eye.
"This won't do, that won't do. Are we just going to watch the common people in these places suffer?" A slightly younger official angrily said, "Prince Ning doesn't care about the lives of the common people at all. Those so-called imperial envoys are all his disciples. What can they do in those places?"
All of the officials immediately hung their heads in dejection.
That's right. The Emperor didn't care and the Second Prince was someone who didn't care about the lives of the common people. It was only the common people who suffered. They lived in an abyss of suffering and no one could save them.
Ten days later, a piece of news suddenly spread to the capital. The imperial envoys that Prince Ning sent to Yangniu County got into a conflict with the local people. They were actually beaten to death by the local people.
When this news reached Prince Ning's ears, Prince Ning was so angry that he flew into a rage at court. He immediately ordered the troops stationed near Yangniu County to pacify the rioters and catch the main culprit. Some of the officials objected to Prince Ning's order. However, Prince Ning turned a deaf ear to these objections and even had the guards drag these officials away.
For a time, the court was filled with complaints.
More and more people were dissatisfied with Prince Ning. One of the officials used some unknown method to finally see Emperor Yunqing. Who knew that before he could say a few words, he was unhappily kicked out by Emperor Yunqing. It seemed that he was making a mountain out of a molehill.
"It's only a few rioters, yet they dared to assassinate the imperial envoys. I think they're too daring!"
The official who asked to see the emperor was scolded badly. When he walked out of the palace, he looked back at the luxurious palace and let out a long sigh.
Since ancient times, the court had always gone from chaos to prosperity and prosperity to decline. The great empire … was it also going to walk down this old path?
Helpless, a few officials who were worried about the country and the common people gathered together to drink. After three rounds of drinking, they were already a bit drunk.
"I'm only complaining for the common people!"
"Great empire, great empire!"
Someone leaned on the table and cried bitterly. However, it wasn't clear if he was crying for the common people or for the future of the great empire.
"We still have a chance!" A young official suddenly said excitedly, "There's still one more person. Perhaps she can help us."
This young man was this year's top scholar. He was from the same year as Ban Han's previous fiance. However, his family background was ordinary. When he first entered the court, he was not as successful as Shen Yu. However, ever since Shen Yu was stripped of her official position and scholarly achievements, this new top scholar had become prominent.
Although he was only a minor fourth-rank official and wasn't very eye-catching in the capital, his development was already very fast.
"Who?" A white-haired official asked.
"Princess Fule."
"No, no, she's just a woman who doesn't know the hardships of the world. What can she do to help?" The old official shook his head. He was a bit drunk and didn't care about the principle of a gentleman not speaking ill of others, "Moreover, this imperial princess has always been domineering and extravagant. What can this kind of woman do?"
The new top scholar didn't think so. Last year, when he went out of the city on business, he saw this imperial princess help a woman who was carrying a child into the city early because the child in the woman's arms had a high fever and didn't look well. He had never mentioned this to anyone. Moreover, he was a young man. It wasn't appropriate for him to peek at an unmarried girl.
How could a woman who could show compassion to a sick child not have the slightest bit of kindness?
"Other than Princess Fule, I'm afraid no one else can help," The new top scholar smiled bitterly, "Everyone knows that His Majesty likes this imperial princess very much. He gives her rewards all year round."
"But is she willing to help?" Another colleague asked.
"We have to try."
"Marquis," An inconspicuous manservant walked in front of Rong Xia, "Several officials are preparing to go to Jingting Gongfu to request an audience with Princess Fule. They want the imperial princess to help them persuade His Majesty to change his mind."
"Who are they?"
The manservant reported the names of the officials.
"They are hot-blooded, but they don't have brains." Rong Xia threw the book in his hand on the table and said with a cold face, "I don't think they have much respect for Princess Fule. Why are they asking for help now?"
The manservant didn't dare to speak and stood with his head down.
"Fine," Rong Xia slowly took a breath and the emotions in his eyes calmed down, "After all, these people still care about the people of the world."
The manservant hesitated and asked in a small voice, "Marquis, should we stop them?"
Rong Xia put his hands behind his back and walked to the bed to look at a pomegranate tree in the courtyard. This pomegranate tree was planted a month ago. Even though it was watered every day, the weather was too hot and it still didn't look energetic.
"No need."
"In this matter, I don't have the authority to decide for the imperial princess."
"Yes."
"The officials from the Ministry of Works and the Ministry of Revenue want to see me?"
Ban Han put down the bronze mirror and turned to look at Ban Heng, "Are you sure they want to see me and not Father?"
"Yes."
Ban Han felt that these people were a bit strange. She thought for a moment, "Let them wait outside. I'll go see them after I change." Because of the weather, she didn't dress very well. It was okay to wear it at home, but it would be too embarrassing if she went to see guests.
"Okay," Ban Heng looked at her worriedly, "I feel that this matter is a bit strange. Be careful."
Ban Han nodded.
The officials from the Ministry of Works and the Ministry of Revenue sat on pins and needles in the main hall of the Jingting Gongfu. Especially after they heard that the Duke Of Jingting had accompanied the Duke Of Jingting's wife to burn incense, they felt even more at ease. If this matter spread, would others think that they deliberately tricked the younger generation into entering the palace and risking their lives?
They sat in the room for a while and even changed the tea, but Princess Fule still hadn't come.
"Daren, please sit for a moment," Ban Heng walked into the main hall and bowed to the people, "My sister will be here soon."
"Shizi is too polite. We have disturbed you." The daren hurriedly stood and returned the bow. Ban Heng was the shizi that the Duke Of Jingting had personally conferred. In terms of rank, none of them were higher than Ban Shizi. They couldn't accept the other's bow.
After drinking another cup of tea, Princess Fule finally arrived to everyone's anticipation. When the daren saw the person in question, they were a bit emotional. They all stood and bowed to Ban Han.
"Daren, please sit," Ban Han's gaze swept over the people and finally landed on the youngest and most beautiful person, "Daren, what business do you have with this little girl?"
"We don't dare, we don't dare." The daren looked at each other and found it hard to speak.
The new top scholar blushed under Ban Han's gaze. He stood and bowed to Ban Han, "Junzhu, we do have an important matter to ask of you."
"Important matter?" Ban Ti chuckled when he heard this. "Sirs, you really think highly of me. I haven't done anything big since I was born."
The new top scholar: … …
"Junzhu, other than you, I'm afraid no one else can help."
"Normally, when people say this to me, I'm a bit scared," Ban Han picked up the teacup and took a sip, "Tell me what it is first. I can't guarantee that I'll agree."
There were a few ice basins in the hall, so the room wasn't too hot. But the daren were a bit distressed. Ice was a rare item in this season. The Ban Family actually didn't care about ice at all.
"Wine and meat stink behind the door, bones freeze to death on the road. Hmph! "An old official looked at the Ban Family's extravagant enjoyment and finally couldn't help but snort.
"Daren, I'm afraid your words are a bit inappropriate."
The other daren were also complaining in their hearts. How could their colleague be so impatient? If they offended this Junzhu, who else could they ask for help from?
"Yes, yes, yes," the officials hurriedly said, "Junzhu is right."
The official who spoke just now also realized that he was a bit hot-tempered. He stiffly stood up and apologized to Ban Han.
"It's such a hot day, where did the bones freeze to death come from," Ban Han raised her eyebrows, "Daren, are you joking with me?"
The daren: Is that the main point?
"Junzhu, even though there are no bones frozen to death on the road, there are still people who can't survive the drought." The new top scholar said, "Junzhu, the court is in chaos right now, and His Majesty doesn't want to see us. Junzhu, for the sake of the people, please come to the palace."
Ban Ni was stunned for a moment. "Tell me in detail, which places were hit by the disaster?"
The new top scholar saw Princess Fule's reaction and was overjoyed. He hurriedly began to narrate.
Hearing the other person's words, Ban Han was a bit absent-minded. The drought had appeared in her dream, but the dream was too vague. She didn't even know when it happened. She only remembered that many people died, and there was even a riot. In the end, they were suppressed by soldiers. Corpses were strewn all over the place, and the cries of agony reached the clouds.
Thinking of the scene in her dream, Ban Han felt that something was wrong.
Could it be that the incident in her dream happened this year?
"Wait, who did you say gave the order?" Ban Han heard the title "Prince Ning" and frowned, "Jiang Luo is only a regent. What right does he have to mobilize the troops stationed near Yangniu County?"
The new top scholar looked a bit embarrassed: "Junzhu, right now, most of the power in the court is controlled by Prince Ning."
Ban Han's frown deepened: "What about the two prime ministers in the court?"
The new top scholar hesitated, but still answered Ban Han's question: "Prime Minister Yan doesn't support Prince Ning on the surface, but there are rumors in the court that after Prime Minister Yan broke off his relationship with the Crown Prince, he secretly supports Prince Ning."
"Then what about Shi Chonghai?" Ban Han wasn't interested in politics. She never thought that an idiot like Jiang Luo would be able to control the court. "He's the Crown Prince's father-in-law. He can't support Prince Ning, right?"
"Junzhu, did you forget? Ever since the young miss of the Shi Family hired assassins to assassinate your father, the Shi Family has been despised by His Majesty. Right now, in the court, the Shi Family has no power to oppose Prince Ning. "
The new top scholar thought that if His Majesty hadn't injured Marquis Cheng 'an and Minister Yao, the situation in the court wouldn't have become so bad. His Majesty probably didn't expect that the court would become like this.
When did the situation in the court change?
It seemed to have started when Marquis Cheng 'an and Minister Yao were punished by His Majesty, and Prince Ning sent people to replace them.
If only His Majesty hadn't been so impulsive.
"You want me to go to the palace and persuade His Majesty?" Ban Han laughed: "Do you think His Majesty will listen to me?"
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