Dragon Boat Festival Lantern Festival

Wen Weili was initially confused, thinking it was something important, but she didn't expect Duanmu Huaixin to simply ask if she wanted to go to the Lantern Festival. She smiled and said, "It's just a Lantern Festival, how could I not agree? Why are you so serious?"

Duanmu Huaixin pinched his fingers and said embarrassedly, "One of my subordinates said that I don't care enough about Sister Wen on a daily basis. I should invite you to visit the Lantern Festival more often and accompany you to buy clothes and jewelry. I think he makes sense. I'm sorry, Sister Wen, I did something stupid again."

As he spoke, it seemed as if two rabbit ears drooped down from the top of Duanmu Huaixin's head, and he hung his head pitifully.

"So that's how it is," Wen Weili thought for a moment, and she reached out and touched Duanmu Huaixin's hair. "I didn't feel that Xinxin didn't care about me enough, but Xinxin invited me to go to the Lantern Festival together, and I was very happy too."

Wen Weili smiled as she saw Duanmu Huaixin suddenly become more energetic. He said with a smile, "Okay, then I'll make arrangements and make sure Sister Wen sees the best lanterns on the day of the Lantern Festival."

"Well, as long as it's from you, it's the best lamp." Wen Weili helped Duanmu Huaixin tie up the scarf that was about to fall off. "Let's go home."

"good."

Duanmu Huaixin and Wen Weili returned to the palace. At this time, the palace was silent, with only the night watchman's light dimly on. The two quietly changed their clothes in the study, looked at each other, and laughed softly.

Early in the morning, Duanmu Huaixin got up from the couch. He knew that today's morning court session was a good opportunity for him to take back the military power.

"Good morning, Xinxin. There are rice dumplings on the table. Enjoy them before going to court." Wen Weili had also gotten up a long time ago. She had already cooked the rice dumplings she had wrapped yesterday.

"Good morning, Sister Wen." After hearing Wen Weili say this, Duanmu Huaixin prepared to eat some rice dumplings at the table first.

He first picked up a dark green rice dumpling, which should be a meat dumpling, with some oil on the surface. Duanmu Huaixin touched his nose embarrassedly. The one with some oil on it must be one of the ones he didn't make well. He didn't expect Sister Wen to keep them to cook.

Duanmu Huaixin untied the thin thread, revealing white glutinous rice wrapped with delicious dried shrimp and diced meat. He took a bite, and a salty and fresh rice aroma burst in his mouth. The pork belly seemed oily but not greasy among the fresh mushrooms, and the glutinous rice combined the two together, making it even more refreshing and delicious.

He finished eating the meat rice dumpling with gusto, then picked up a sweet red bean and candied date rice dumpling, put it in his mouth and chewed it carefully. It had a subtle sweet fragrance, rich but not greasy, and its sweetness became even more lingering among the glutinous rice.

After eating three sweet rice dumplings in a row, Duanmu Huaixin picked up the loquat in sugar water and took a sip, his teeth filled with sweet fragrance.

Duanmu Huaixin saw two rice dumplings placed separately on the edge of the plate, with two small plates beside them, one containing white sugar and the other containing crimson juice.

Curious, he peeled open the zongzi, but was surprised to find no filling inside. It was just a simple white rice zongzi. Wondering how to eat this zongzi without any filling? Duanmu Huaixin glanced at the plate next to it and realized that it must be eaten with the sugar or juice in the plate.

He picked up the white rice dumpling with chopsticks, dipped it lightly in sugar, and put it in his mouth. Hmm, the sugar was soft and sweet, and combined with the slightly bland white rice dumpling, he could taste the fragrance of glutinous rice even better. Looking at the white rice dumpling again, the rice dumpling leaves were emerald green, and the glutinous rice was crystal clear white, which gave a sense of returning to nature.

Duanmu Huaixin ate one with the sugar, then opened a white rice dumpling, dipped it in the dish of juice, and put it in his mouth. A faint rose aroma spread in his mouth. It turned out to be rose sauce. The sweet aroma of sugar and rose flowers mixed together, spreading on the almost tasteless white rice, which made the soft and glutinous texture of the white rice dumpling and the delicious and sweet rose sauce more prominent.

Duanmu Huaixin ate to his heart's content. After finishing his breakfast, he got on the carriage to the palace in high spirits.

Early in the morning, the ministers waiting outside the hall began to talk about Prince Huai's defeat yesterday.

"If you ask me, based on the mistakes Prince Huai made, he should..." He should be punished to guard the imperial mausoleum, but the minister did not say it out loud. He glanced slightly in the direction of the Golden Palace, but everyone understood what he had not said. It was just that the emperor was showing mercy to his son.

"Who says it's not true? My poor daughter, who loves Prince Huai so much, was sent to a remote farm by him." An assistant minister who usually kept quiet, this time took advantage of Prince Huai's affairs to stand out among his colleagues.

"Is it really so?" The ministers were indeed very interested and surrounded the minister and asked.

"It's absolutely true. Before my daughter was sent away, she sent a letter saying that the favorite concubine in Prince Huai's palace sent them away, and Prince Huai fully supported it!"

"You can know a person's face but not his heart!"

． ． ． ． ． ．

The Crown Prince was surrounded by several lackeys who pretended to comfort him, "Your Highness, please don't be sad. There's nothing you can do about Prince Huai's affairs. You'd better take care of yourself."

The Crown Prince's face was filled with sorrow as he sighed deeply, "My second brother is foolish and has done such an unfilial and unrighteous thing. How can I rest easy knowing this?"

"Thank you, Prince, for your concern for me. However, you can be happy now."

The prince was furious. Who was so blind? This king? Could it be that bastard...

Duanmu Huaixin walked out of the palace path in high spirits, without a trace of sadness on his face.

Isn't Prince Huai under house arrest in Prince Huai's Mansion?!

The people present knew that Prince Huai probably didn't hear their discussion, but Prince Huai looked as if nothing had happened, which made them look like villains gossiping behind others' backs. They all unconsciously moved away from the person who had just spoken so excitedly.

The prince was even more shocked. Anger and shame made him unable to control his voice. He almost shouted in a broken voice: "Why are you here!?"

"Why can't I?" Duanmu Huaixin remained cold. He gave the prince a barely perceptible smile, as if expressing genuine gratitude. "The prince couldn't sleep for me. Father was deeply moved and summoned me to explain."

How could it be possible? The prince lowered his head helplessly, the flames of resentment in his heart growing stronger. His father, truly his good father, was only after the things in the hands of this bastard.

The prince stood numbly in the crowd, watching Duanmu Huaixin take out the imperial edict, which turned out to be an edict that Duanmu Huaixin had exchanged with the emperor before marrying a concubine: If he meets the person he loves, he is willing to exchange the position of Prince Huai for a lifetime with her.

After reading this, Duanmu Huaixin produced account books and other evidence to prove that his wives and concubines had not been abused. A certain minister once said that Prince Huai was ruthless. Duanmu Huaixin retaliated by producing evidence that the minister had accepted bribes. The other party wanted to shield others, but after being dealt with fairly by Duanmu Huaixin, he held a grudge and made a move yesterday.

"In this case, the prince is innocent, but I don't know who fanned the flames." Duanmu Huaixin calmly sorted out the grievances against him one by one. Everyone realized that Prince Huai, who seemed to be guilty of death yesterday, was actually not at fault.

So, why are they so angry?

The court officials couldn't help but turn their gaze to the Crown Prince. Veins bulged on the Crown Prince's forehead, and he gritted his teeth and said, "My Lords, do you have any suggestions? My brother has been cleared of his grievances. I am so happy!"

Duanmu Huaixin was serious but said sincerely, "My royal brother is so righteous."

The prince almost fainted from Duanmu Huaixin's anger. He stared at the emperor sitting high on the throne. He just wanted to know how his father would deal with it.

The emperor's eyes were cold beneath his crown, but he tried to comfort Duanmu Huaixin, as if he hadn't been the one who wanted to teach him a lesson yesterday. "Huaixin, you've been wronged in this matter. What compensation do you want? How do you plan to deal with those who are stirring up trouble and making false reports?"

"They were deceived and did not mean to do so," said Duanmu Huaixin.

Most of the court officials put down their worries. They couldn't help but think that Prince Huai was worthy of being called the "Cold-Faced Immortal". Although he didn't say much in his daily life, he had a compassionate heart like an immortal.

Duanmu Huaixin bowed his head slightly and said to the emperor, "I heard that the foreign tribes on the border are invading. I want to return to the frontier army to defend my country."

The emperor frowned slightly. He hadn't expected Duanmu Huaixin to make such a request. He had already been wary of Duanmu Huaixin's reputation within the Frontier Army, and he had finally gotten him to hand over his military power. How could he refuse now? However, Duanmu Huaixin had made the request in the court. If it had been privately, he might have been able to push back, but with all the ministers watching, he couldn't go back on his word.

Finally, the emperor said, "Then, let's do as you say." After that, only the eunuch beside the emperor heard the emperor's almost inaudible sigh and his appearance that seemed to have aged a few years.

Did the Emperor really give that bastard military power?! The Crown Prince clenched the tablet in his hand. Why? This imperial edict was clearly given to that bastard by the Emperor, so why didn't he mention it yesterday? Why did he wait until they thought they had a sure win, and then let that bastard take out the imperial edict today?

The prince was absolutely certain that his father would never be so partial, for he knew his father well. He was a suspicious and cold emperor, and there must be something he had overlooked... Could it be that the medicine had taken effect?! The prince's pupils widened with surprise and ecstasy. He lowered his head tightly, but an idea gradually formed in his mind.

After the morning court session ended, the Crown Prince, contrary to his usual behavior, walked up to Duanmu Huaixin and whispered, "This time, you won, but next time, I want you to be completely defeated."

Duanmu Huaixin nodded, "Come on."

After saying these provocative words, the two brothers walked out of the Golden Palace and went their separate ways. The Crown Prince fled to the East Palace like a lost dog. Duanmu Huaixin was the winner. The court officials were ashamed and afraid, and did not dare to walk with him, leaving Duanmu Huaixin alone to stride out of the palace.

As soon as he returned home, Duanmu Huaixin relaxed and became even more lively in front of Wen Weili, "Sister Wen, I got my military power back today!"

"Xinxin is so great. In addition to rice dumplings, I will also make some food for you today." Wen Weili was also happy for him. Now that he had the military power back, at least he would not be forced to stay indoors by the princes.

No matter what tricks the emperor had in mind, Duanmu Huaixin had temporarily won. Wen Weili thought it was worth a small celebration, so she thought of making four-happiness meatballs, which had good meaning and was a dish that suited the festive mood of the day.

One good news, Dragon Boat Festival.

The second joy is the evening lantern festival.

The third joy is to gain power in every heart.

Four joys, hope of leaving home.

Wen Weili took out the lotus root from the freezer to remove the cold air, chopped it up, minced the pork into stuffing, added ginger, five-spice powder, eggs, cornstarch, etc., stirred, and pinched out four big and round meatballs.

Deep-fry the meatballs for about 15 minutes, then remove and set aside. Heat oil in a wok, add scallions, ginger, sauce, and water, then add the fried meatballs and simmer for 15 minutes. Remove the meatballs, add cornstarch to the broth, add more firewood, and cook over high heat until the broth thickens. Scoop out a spoonful of the broth and pour it over the four large meatballs. Instantly, the aroma of the meat permeates the room.