Late at night, in the Yangxin Palace, Xuan Ling went to the back hall with a book.

A jade mat was spread on the dragon bed, which was made of the finest mutton-fat jade.

Eunuch Fu helped him take off his boots, "Your Majesty, this is the jade mat that Yecheng sent as tribute."

Yecheng in Xinjiang produces white jade, green jade and black jade. Located in the middle section of the Kunlun Mountains jade mines, it is an important tribute jade production area.

Xuan Ling climbed onto the dragon bed and stroked the delicate jade, which was pure in color, cool and warm.

"Has anything happened in the harem in the past half month?"

"There's nothing unusual, except that today, Concubine Chen Zhaoyi is providing free medical consultations to palace maids in the South Garden. This is truly a unique sight."

Eunuch Fu observed the emperor's words and expressions and found that he did not show any special reaction.

Did he hear "Yan Yan" when he ran into the palace that night? Did he hear it wrongly?

The next morning, I helped him wash and change clothes.

Xuan Ling said, "The jade mat is quite nice. Send it to Consort Chen. Also, have Ye Cheng make another one of the same kind and send it to me."

Eunuch Fu carefully stroked the dragon robe.

"Your Majesty, the weather is hot. Please use this first. I will ask Ye Cheng to make one and send it to Empress Zhaoyi. What do you think?"

"Dog slave, have you learned to be my master?"

Xuan Ling raised his leg and kicked him in the butt.

"I was wrong. I was too talkative. I will immediately send the jade mat to Guanju Palace."

After the morning court session, the atmosphere in the Hall of Supreme Harmony was gloomy.

Lord Shangshu Ling Lian and Lord Sikong Li knelt on the ground.

Sitting on Xuan Ling's throne, his tone was calm and he was majestic without being angry.

"Lian Xianzong, do you know your sin?

I used to think that you were diligent and responsible, and a loyal minister to me, but now you have formed a clique for personal gain and have completely forgotten your original intention.

He was so audacious that he even went so far as to sell official positions."

Lord Lian hurriedly explained, "Your Majesty, I dare not. I absolutely dare not!"

"You have received the Emperor's grace, yet you are corrupt and pervert the law. If I were to go easy on you, how would I be able to lead all the ministers?

Announce the decree: Minister Lian will be dismissed from his post and investigated, exiled three thousand miles away, his residence confiscated, and his family reduced to slavery."

After Minister Lian was taken away, Lord Sikong Li knelt trembling in fear.

Xuan Ling said majestically, "Li Chonglou, cherish my trust."

"Your Majesty, I will certainly reflect on myself and be diligent."

Before dinner, in the Yangxin Palace.

Eunuch Fu reminded: "Your Majesty, today is the first day of the new year."

"Go to Jingren Palace."

After one stick of incense, we arrived at Jingren Palace.

Outside the palace gate, Queen Duan was wearing a bright autumn-fragrant peony brocade dress and her makeup was exquisite and dignified.

"Your Majesty, I respectfully welcome you."

Xuan Ling took Le Wen's little hand and entered Jingren Palace.

"Lewen, have you played with Jiangjiang recently?"

Empress Duan said with a smile, "Le Wen has had a runny nose recently. I was afraid of infecting the general, so I didn't let him go out."

Xuan Ling nodded and got on the Fengluan couch.

He hugged Le Yun and coaxed her, then looked at Le Wen.

I feel melancholy. I used to feel happy when I saw children, but now I feel so uninterested, as if I am looking at someone else's children.

Tell yourself that you are their father and should love them.

But a sentence kept popping up in his mind: I want to have a child with Yanyan...

Try your best to persuade yourself:

Have you had enough, do you want her to die?

Forget it, put away the desire.

"Le Yun has lost a lot of weight."

Empress Duan said, "Le Yun is not as obedient as Le Wen. She likes to make trouble and cry a lot. She has grown taller and lost weight."

Let the wet nurse take Princess Le Yun away.

There were delicacies on the table, and Queen Duan served the meal.

"Your Majesty, Minister Lian has been exiled, and I haven't told Consort Lian yet, fearing it might disturb her pregnancy."

Xuan Ling raised his head and glanced at her meaningfully. He was unhappy that what happened in the court at noon was reported to the harem so quickly.

"You're very thoughtful."

Empress Duan didn't understand what was going on and continued, "The Emperor didn't touch Li Chonglou because he was afraid of getting involved with the aristocratic family behind him?..."

Although Queen Duan's mother died early, she was the daughter of a noble family king, and this relationship was not severed. At this time, she was testing Emperor Xuanwu's intentions towards the noble family.

Xuan Ling put down the jade robe and looked at Queen Duan coldly.

Empress Duan understood and knelt down hurriedly.

"I have overstepped my bounds."

Xuan Ling said, "The harem is not allowed to interfere in government affairs, Queen. I hope you will remember this."

"I know I was wrong."

After dinner, a new face came in to serve tea.

She was wearing the crimson uniform of a female medical officer, had an apricot face and rosy cheeks, fair skin and delicate bones, and had an air like that of an orchid.