At this moment, in Cining Palace, Yan Chaoyang chattered like a happy little bird, recounting the fun she had had with her husband on their journey, creating a warm and joyful atmosphere.
The Empress Dowager, sitting at the head of the table, looked at Yan Chaoyang, who had a beaming smile on his face, and nodded repeatedly.
Seeing Princess Chaoyang's happiness, the Empress Dowager's eyes unconsciously drifted into the distance. At that time, she, too, must have longed for such a carefree and happy life.
"Prince An has arrived!"
The Empress Dowager was very puzzled when she heard this. Shouldn't Ling Feng be attending court at this time?
How did he end in the harem?
Has the court session ended?
Seeing the excited Prince An, the Empress Dowager's lips unconsciously curled up.
Upon seeing this, Empress Lin couldn't help but have a guess in her mind.
May the Empress Dowager be blessed!
The Empress Dowager was visibly pleased to see Prince An.
"What brings you to the Empress Dowager's palace at this hour?"
Prince An glanced at Princess Chaoyang, who was at the very front and whose smile hadn't yet faded.
"Mother, I missed you so much!"
"Still being cheeky at your age, did you upset your elder brother?"
Prince An immediately retorted,
"Mother, how could that be? I've been helping my brother with a lot of things lately, cough, cough... I just heard that Chaoyang is back and is here distributing gifts, so I came to check."
The Empress Dowager did not believe it.
Empress Lin: It seems there's definitely something fishy about Chaoyang!
...
On the other side, the Golden Palace.
As Emperor Jingyuan watched Prince An walk away, he gave a look to Grand Steward Defu, who immediately ordered his men to search for the 5-year-old child in the villages outside the capital.
Wang Defu: Little Princess, I hope you are alright and healthy.
[Guagua, look, Chief Steward Wang Defu has gone out again!]
Host Emperor Jingyuan definitely needs him to do something! You know, he's a favourite, a trusted confidant!
Ahhh, host, Prince Consort Liang is so shameless! In broad daylight, he actually... he actually did that in the princess's bed!
[Guagua, poor Princess Chaoyang, she's got a huge green meadow on her head, just like my older brother, Minister Su, and Prince An!]
Shen Qinghong: Sitting at home, his embarrassing story was brought up again, but he was completely unaware of it and was happily enjoying himself at home.
Minister Su: I'm in the main hall, and I'm being cuckolded again. I know it all, but I can't say it.
Prince An: He is in the Cining Palace, feeling very happy. He is loved by his mother and sisters-in-law. He is the most favoured son of the Great Yan.
Shen Changyuan: This matter can't be let go, right?
After saying that, he glared fiercely at Su Qingshan and said, "It's all your eldest granddaughter's fault for almost cuckolding my son!"
Su Qingshan: Is it my fault?
I'm helpless, too.
I'm so embarrassed.
I want to leave too!
Looking at Emperor Jingyuan at the head of the table, he thought: "These are the talents of our Great Yan." Suddenly, he placed even greater emphasis on this imperial examination and selection process.
Gu Ci listened to Shen Mingzhu's inner thoughts and covered his mouth to chuckle.
Snort!
However, thinking of his two legitimate daughters, he was in a very bad mood.
At the Duke of Li's mansion, he wants a divorce for his daughter there, while at the Marquis of Changping's mansion to block his daughter's path and thwarting her desire to marry into the family.
Daughter, don't blame your father. It's all for your own good.
[Host, there are so many melons in the harem of the Ministers in Shengjing! More melons than you can possibly eat, absolutely more than you can eat.]
[Guagua, i will eat as much as i can! I just bought some sweet potato seedlings to plant on my new farm, on the hilltop!]
[Okay, host, no problem.]
Now, many ladies of Shengjing have gone to the Changping Marquis's residence to "exchange" sweet potato seedlings, and each family has started planting them in their own estates and fields.
Shen's mother had mentioned this matter to Shen Mingzhu, and Shen Mingzhu thought it was a good thing, as the more grain there was, the more beneficial it would be for the Great Yan
It benefits the country and its people, so why not do it?!
[Guagua, look at those gossips we talked about before. Are there any follow-ups?]
Host, this is a must!
Su Qingshan: just attending the court quietly. This isn't exactly something to be proud of.
Tian Xuezhou: This general has a clear conscience.
Censor Wang: This censor is currently trying to conceive...
Pei Siyan: I've already spoken with my wife, and we're doing great now. We're truly happy, like immortals.
Xiao Yanzhi: I made a small fortune and am working hard to improve myself. My goal is to achieve the highest honours in the imperial examinations, become the top scholar, and bring glory to my family.
Wang Chuanzong: I'm being scolded and punished; my heart is breaking...
Hope has been rekindled; we'll fight again tomorrow!
I will definitely come back!
Lord Shen, are you ready?
Shen Mingzhu: Always ready!!!
Ye Rongyi: Now that everyone knows who I am, I've relaxed and accepted my hobbies with equanimity.
The entire court: Speak quickly, speak quickly, and we love to hear it.
Besides, we also love to hear what happens next in this story, and we're really looking forward to it.
[Guagua, what were the endings?]
Host, Liu Wentong, a student from the North, has been secretly executed. Xue Kaijie has been secretly imprisoned; he wants to die but can not. The Xue clan is already on their way to the North. Emperor Jingyuan has ordered them to go gold mining with the Chai clan.
[Indeed, the gold mines over there have only been developed recently, and there's a lot of gold. They desperately need manpower right now. Your Majesty is making the best use of them, squeezing out every last bit of value. Truly befitting an emperor, exceptionally intelligent, and meticulous in everything you do.]
Crown Prince Yan Beichen: This was my suggestion. Just taking it as Mingzhu praising me.
Host, Xu Shunshun, the second wife of Minister Su, is being held captive in her own courtyard. As for Yuechan, she was beaten half to death. The second young master of Su ordered her to be sent to the Xu family in Jiangnan for them to deal with. At the same time, Xu Shunshun's younger brother, Xu Kaiming, also returned with her. Along the way, Xu Kaiming was almost driven mad with anger. He was in a bad mood and verbally abused Yuechan, causing her no peace the entire journey.
[Guagua, it seems the Su family still gives the Xu family quite a bit of face.]
Host, the Xu family are the Salt Commissioners of Jiangnan, in charge of inspecting salt affairs. They are confidants of Emperor Jingyuan. Although their daughter married the second son of Minister Su, he is a loyal subject, devoted only to Emperor Jingyuan. However, now that their daughter and son are disappointing, I wonder if Minister Xu will compromise and get even closer to the Su family, forging a deeper bond.
Emperor Jingyuan frowned; he hadn't really thought of this before today.
He glanced at Crown Prince Yan Beichen, and the father and son exchanged a look, immediately understanding the meaning in each other's eyes.
Despite Crown Prince Yan Beichen's frequent presence by Shen Mingzhu's side, he has actually made numerous plans since waking up.
He often works in his study until the early hours of the morning.
The entire court: Deeply intertwined?
Look, Master Shen's choice of words is so tactful.
Su Qingshan's lips twitched. "You're the smartest one."
You're the most troublesome one.
This minister is suffering in his heart, but he will not say it.
Shen Mingzhu looked at Su Qingshan, the Minister of Works, who was swaying slightly in front of her and couldn't help but ask the system.
[Guagua, I still want to know how my older brother's ex-fiancée, Su Ruoxue, is doing?]
Su Qingshan: Stop publicly executing members of the Su family.
No, Ruoxue has already been removed from the family tree; she has nothing to do with him.
Host, Su Ruoxue has been much more well-behaved since her failed attempt to find your older brother last time. This time, her husband Qian Xiucai is going to take the exam. She's already decided that if he passes, all will be well; if he fails, she'll divorce him and remarry. She's already chosen someone!
[Guagua, is Su Ruoxue really that decisive?]