The case of the burning of Prince Xin's Mansion exposed certain things, which made the two Yamen in Kyoto and the City Patrol Department responsible for public security in Kyoto be very careful.
Fortunately, in the next few days, everything went as smoothly as before, and no similar vicious incidents occurred again.
The Li family's New Year's Eve dinner this year was undoubtedly much more lively than last year, with less Lin Wanru and more Zui Mo and Ruo Qing.
Lin Wanru often writes letters, mostly talking about business matters. The Lin family's business is now flourishing in Qi State, not only involving the jewelry industry, but also flourishing all over the country.
Of course, the Lin family's business is now the Li family's business. The two families have a mutually beneficial and win-win relationship, which is a symbiotic relationship.
The two girls were still a little unfamiliar with this place in the first few days after they moved here, but a few days were enough for them to become familiar with everything.
Even Xiaocui and Xiaozhu got along with the maids of the Li family. Xiaohuan also had two more playmates. Usually the maids of the Li family treated her as half a mistress and did not dare to speak or do anything.
They were too presumptuous, and gradually, she stopped playing with them.
Friendship between women always comes very easily. Xiaocui has an eccentric temperament and is easy to accept. In just half a day, the mutual vigilance and resistance between the three disappeared without a trace.
The first day of Jinghe's fifth year was the long-awaited imperial meeting.
Li Yi got up very early. This was one of the few times when he did not resist going to court, because many major events were going to happen today, some of which would be earth-shaking for the courtiers, the people, and Jingguo...
It was still dark, so except for some servants who needed to get up early, most of the people in the house did not get up.
Ruyi helped him iron his court clothes, and Ruoqing came in with a bowl of porridge and said softly: "Let's go and have a bowl of porridge. The court meeting will last for several hours. I'm afraid it won't be until noon when I get back, so I'll be hungry."
Ruyi came over and said helplessly: "If Miss Ruoqing is a guest, I'm sorry to trouble you to cook in person..."
Ruo Qing smiled, not caring at all, and said, "It's okay. I'm used to getting up early. I used to make breakfast for Zui Mo and the others. There's still one in the kitchen. When they wake up later, I'll have someone take it over."
Li Yi gulped down the bowl of porridge, not even a grain of rice was left. Ruoqing took out a handkerchief out of habit and wanted to help him wipe off the rice grains from the corner of his mouth. He just raised his wrist, then slowly put it back and picked it up.
The bowl smiled, turned around and walked out.
Ruyi came over, wiped the corners of his mouth, and said unconsciously: "Miss Ruoqing is smart and virtuous, and she is also a very good woman."
"There are things about Ruoqing that are very similar to the lady. The most similar thing is that she is virtuous..." After Li Yi clicked, he looked at the sky and said, "It's getting late."
He reached out and took Ruyi into his arms, and pressed his lips gently on her forehead. When he turned around, he waved his hand, "It's still early. Madam, please go sleep for a while. I'm leaving..."
…
There was no snow in the winter in Jinghe for four years, but it was undoubtedly colder than the previous winters.
When the sky was getting slightly brighter, the courtiers were already rushing to the palace gate one after another to prepare for this year's great court meeting.
On weekdays, when going to court, officials are required to be well-groomed and cannot wear too thick clothes under the court uniform, otherwise they will be found out by the censors. It is unlikely that they will lose their official position, but it will be a big loss.
The morning breeze was biting, which was undoubtedly a great torment for the officials who only wore a thin court dress.
Therefore, in front of the palace gate, there were countless officials hugging their shoulders, rubbing their hands and stamping their feet. The censors turned a blind eye to them. After all, if they were bothered carefully, their noses that were about to freeze would be regarded as poor appearance.
Of course, there are also those who are not cold. When Li Yi came over, he saw at a glance the veterans dressed like bears among the crowd.
The imperial court is considerate of officials and gives preferential treatment to older people. For example, Prime Minister Qin and Prime Minister Shen don't have to stand here and wait until all the courtiers have entered the hall. For example, these veteran generals don't have to worry about appearance.
It's not because Your Majesty is merciful, it's because the censor doesn't dare to take care of it.
"Boy, 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!"
Li Yi was not so enthusiastic about General Xue this time. He was almost certain that these veterans must be the first to know the old emperor's decision. For so long, he and Mingzhu have been deceived by their superb acting skills...
General Xue patted him on the shoulder and sighed: "Hey, boy, you can't blame us. You knew about that matter too early, so it's no good..."
Li Yi shook his head and no longer struggled with this issue. The matter was over, and the previous things were meaningless. At least, that person was Li Xuan, not King Qi or King Xin...
Speaking of the arrival of King Qi, King Qi was dressed very energetically today. He was wearing only a thin python suit. He walked with his head held high and walked in the wind. He seemed not to be afraid of the cold weather at all.
"Young people, your body bones are hard." Old General Xue shook his head and said: "Unlike us old guys, if you wear such thin clothes in this weather, you will die if you go back..."
General Ma glanced at him and said, "You can't harden up now because you were like him when you were young..."
General Xue was furious: "Old man Ma, who can't be tough?"
General Ma said disdainfully: "You try harder..."
"How about a comparison!"
"Afraid of you!"
…
I'm afraid these two are the only people in the civil and military circles who can drive openly in front of so many courtiers.
Most of the courtiers did not care about which of the two generals was stronger than the other; their focus was on the King of Qi.
"His Royal Highness King Qi!"
"See Your Highness!"
"Your Highness, please..."
…
The arrival of King Qi caused a brief commotion in front of the palace gate. The censors looked at each other and ignored it.
One moment and another, after today, His Highness the King of Qi may become the crown prince below one person and above ten thousand people. It is not a wise move to choose to offend him at this time.
King Qi's face was full of joy, and he was very satisfied with the results of his arrival. He liked the feeling of being sought after by others. Now that the overall situation was decided, a big stone in his heart finally fell.
However, he ignored the officials whose names he couldn't even name and walked straight ahead.
In front is where the top officials from the three provinces and six ministries gathered.
"Yan Shangshu..."
"His Royal Highness King Qi..."
King Qi bowed his hand to Yan Bing, the Minister of the Ministry of War, and Yan Bing returned the salute. Then he turned and looked at the Minister of the Ministry of Finance beside him, and said with a smile: "Where is the pretty good teahouse that Mr. Qin mentioned last time...
…”
Qin Huan smiled and said: "It's in Yangliu Lane. If Mr. Yan wants to go, why don't we go to court together today..."
"So good!"
…
Looking at the two ministers chatting happily, King Qi's open mouth closed again, and a look of displeasure quickly flashed across his face.
Soon, a smile appeared on his face again, and he turned to look at the other people.
Before he could speak, the sound of conversation could be heard from the crowd.
"Ah, Mr. Zhang, why do you smell so good? Did you steal your wife's perfume?"
"Can you smell this too?"
"Master Wei looks particularly energetic today!"
"Really? Does that thing really work?"
"what?"
"Master Qi still doesn't know that the new product Ruyilu launched by Ruyifang a few days ago is specially designed for men. It can refresh the mind, regulate emotions, relieve stress, reflect the taste of life, and improve one's own charm..."
"Really, there are such good things, I would like to try them..."
…
King Qi found that he had been ignored again. The officials who had been waiting quietly just now suddenly started chatting enthusiastically, and he had no way to get involved.
He walked towards his seat with a gloomy face.
"Brother Qi Wang!"
"Hello, Brother Qi Wang!"
"I've met Brother Qi Wang!"
King Qi was the older among the princes, and several princes saluted him one after another.
Li Yi looked at King Qi, who was surrounded by stars, and asked in surprise: "What are they doing?"
General Xue said calmly: "They may think that King Qi has already entered the East Palace with one foot."
"Who said this..." Li Yi shook his head and said, "It's inexplicable why King Qi just stepped into the East Palace with one foot. Rumors are harmful..."
General Ma looked at Li Yi, then suddenly looked at General Xue and said, "Old Xue, I think this guy has a bit of your demeanor when you were young."
General Xue was furious, "How dare you scold me, Ma!"
