"Your Highness."
"My mother is not here?" Prince Qi saw the palace maid's embarrassed expression and stopped to look at him.
"Your Highness, early this morning, the Mingyue Palace came to invite the Queen, saying that they wanted to pray for the people and copy scriptures."
The prince of Qi handed the carved wooden box to the palace maid and said, "When you return, mother, I will give this to you. When I was shopping, I thought this pair of bracelets would suit you very well, so I bought them."
Copying scriptures?
Everyone in the palace knew that Concubine Su disliked poetry, calligraphy, and painting. Perhaps the only people who copied scriptures were the concubines she disliked, and she herself would never touch a drop of ink.
Whenever Concubine Su was in a bad mood, there would always be concubines in the palace who would suffer misfortune, without exception.
"Your Highness." The attendant reminded quietly, "It is not advisable to stay in the harem for long. You should go to Taiyang Palace to pay your respects to His Majesty."
Outside the Taiyang Palace, Liu Zhongbao saw Prince Qi and saluted with a smile: "Hello, Fourth Prince."
"Hello, Lord Liu." Prince Qi looked into the palace and asked, "I wonder if Father is available right now?"
"The emperor said that if several princes come at this time, there is no need for me to inform them. The princes can just go in." Liu Zhongbao smiled and opened the door for Prince Qi.
Walking through the corridor of Sumu, King Qi heard the sound of laughter coming from the bedroom. He stopped, straightened his clothes, stepped over the threshold and walked in.
"Your Highness, I pay my respects to you, Father."
The prince of Qi's posture when performing the salute was very elegant, and even the picky etiquette officials could not point out any mistakes.
"Get up and sit down to talk." Emperor Longfeng asked the palace servants to bring a stool for Prince Qi: "Your fifth brother just came to complain to me that he didn't have a meal, and the palace servants were so tired that they prepared breakfast for him."
Prince Qi looked at Prince Chen, who was sitting at the table, eating his meal with his head down, and said with a smile, "Fifth brother has always been a carefree person. When he gets married, he will be well taken care of by the princess."
"Have you had breakfast?" Emperor Longfeng pointed to the empty seat on the right: "If not, come and eat with your brother."
"Thank you for your kindness, Father. I have already used it."
"How can a little girl control me, a grown man?" Prince Chen put down his chopsticks and accepted the service of the palace servants of Taiyang Palace very naturally. The palace servants served him skillfully, as if he was the young master of Taiyang Palace.
Emperor Longfeng smiled but said nothing. He raised his hand and asked the palace servants to clear the table. "Yan Ze, your wedding is coming soon. If you need anything, report it directly to the Palace Department and let them prepare it for you."
"The Palace Department and the Ministry of Rites are very concerned about my son's marriage. I went to the palace today to pay my respects to my father and to see my mother." Prince Qi glanced at Prince Chen and said, "I found out after entering the palace that the noble concubine took the other concubines in the harem to copy scriptures and pray for blessings."
"That's a good thing." Prince Chen lazily leaned back in his chair. "Thanks to the blessing of the heaven, my father is diligent in his work and loves the people, so that the people of Dacheng can live and work in peace and contentment, and have enough food and clothing. Your majesties' actions will be a good thing if they spread out."
The King of Qi chuckled and said, "Fifth brother, what you said makes sense. I think that not only the ladies should copy scriptures, but as a prince, I should also copy scriptures to pray for the people of the world."
Prince Chen glanced at Prince Qi out of the corner of his eye. This was the first time in his life that he saw someone take the initiative to offer to copy a book.
What kind of spirit is this?
"When it comes to copying books, it's all about sincerity. I'm afraid there are too many scriptures to copy, and the gods can't finish reading them." Prince Chen stopped Prince Qi from dragging all his brothers and sisters into the water: "Why not donate some money to a charity? That's also a good deed. Father, does what I say make sense?"
Emperor Longfeng nodded slightly: "Yanze, your wedding is coming soon, you don't need to do such trivial things as copying scriptures."
"Yes." King Qi lowered his eyelids: "It's my fault that I didn't think it through enough."
Emperor Longfeng originally wanted to say a few words about the need for husband and wife to support each other after marriage, but seeing Yun Yanze's respectful look, he turned to look at Yun Duqing.
"Father, I am also engaged. Although there is still some time before the wedding, I still have a lot of things to do." Prince Chen said quickly: "I think the Ministry of War is pretty good. How about you let me stay there for a few days?"
I don't want to copy books. Who in their right mind would like to do this?
"The Minister of War is old." As an emperor, Emperor Longfeng still had some sympathy for his trusted ministers. At least he did not intend to let his son harm the old man.
"I think the Ministry of Rites is pretty good." Emperor Longfeng thought for a moment and said, "You should stay in the Ministry of Rites for a while."
The Minister of Rites has a good temper, good eloquence, and a strong physique, and he is not easily sick from anger.
More importantly, the Minister of Rites was Ming Jingzhou.
"Father, I think we can discuss this matter further..."
"A gentleman's word is as good as gold. I will send an edict to the Ministry of Rites tomorrow." Emperor Longfeng waved his hands, with a headache on his face: "Kneel down and pay your respects."
"Father, father, dear dad..."
"Liu Zhongbao, please ask Prince Chen to leave."
Seeing that Prince Chen was "invited" out by Liu Zhongbao, Prince Qi stood up and bowed: "Father, I will also take my leave."
Among the princes, except Yun Duqing, who dares to act like this in front of my father?
"Your Highness." Liu Zhongbao stood at the door with a smile: "Please don't be angry, Your Highness, His Majesty arranged for you to go to the Ministry of Rites for your own good."
Of course, it is also for the good of the Minister of War.
Although the Ministry of Rites has many miscellaneous matters, many of them are related to the imperial examinations in schools. Your Majesty insisted on letting the Fifth Prince go to the Ministry of Rites to pave the way for Your Majesty.
"Fifth brother." Prince Qi walked out of the hall and came to Prince Chen: "Congratulations, fifth brother."
"What's there to be happy about?" Prince Chen raised his eyebrows: "Are you unhappy in the Ministry of Revenue?"
Prince Qi smiled calmly: "It is rare that my fifth brother takes the initiative to share father's worries, so he deserves congratulations."
"I accept Fourth Brother's congratulations." Prince Chen said with a half-smile, "But verbal congratulations alone are not enough. Remember to send the gift to my house when you return."
Having said that, he turned and strode away.
Liu Zhongbao watched this scene with a smile on his face, and bowed when Prince Chen left.
In Mingyue Palace, Concubine Su ate a piece of fruit fed to her by a palace maid, picked up a copied scripture, took a look at it, and nodded her head.
"The handwriting is perfunctory, their hearts are not sincere." She sighed and said, "I will continue copying tomorrow."
"Your Highness," Xiang Xian whispered, "The Emperor has issued an edict, asking Your Highness to go to the Ministry of Rites to learn how to do things."
Concubine Su sat up from the Concubine's couch and asked: "How old is the Minister of Rites?"
"I've just turned 40, and my temper is good."
"Oh." Concubine Su lay back lazily: "It's all right then."
However, officials from the Ministry of Rites felt that something was wrong, and it was a big deal.
There are six ministries in the court, why would the devil go to any other department? Why did he have to come to this department?
"The Minister of War is old and cannot stand being bullied."
"The Minister of Industry has a bad temper and is prone to violence."
"His Royal Highness Prince Qi is at the Ministry of Revenue."
"His Royal Highness Prince Huai is in the Ministry of Justice."
"Isn't there still a Ministry of Personnel?"
"You know what the Minister of Personnel does, he loves to bang his head against the wall and complain when he disagrees with something."
"Then when Prince Chen arrives at the Ministry of Rites, who will guide him to work?"
Everyone was silent, no one spoke.
There were footsteps outside the door, and everyone turned around at the same time. When they saw that the person coming was Ming Jingzhou, their eyes lit up with dazzling light.
It’s him!
Ming Jingzhou was shocked by the looks of his colleagues. He took two steps back and asked in confusion, "Why are you looking at me like this?"
"Brother Ming, be more open-minded. There is nothing in this world that cannot be overcome."
"Brother Ming is truly extraordinary and elegant today."
"The glory and prosperity of our Ministry of Rites depends on you."
Ming Jingzhou found that the colleague with whom he had quarreled a few days ago due to political differences was also smiling at him with an old face, and the smile was particularly sincere and friendly.
The Ministry of Rites had two assistant ministers. The other assistant minister, Zhou Rui, saw that Ming Jingzhou still didn't know what was going on, so he couldn't help but pat him on the shoulder with a smile and said, "Just now, an imperial decree came from the palace that His Royal Highness Prince Chen is coming to our Ministry of Rites."
Ming Jingzhou: “…”
Not only does he marry his daughter, but he is also required to teach his son-in-law in advance. What kind of suffering is this?
Your Majesty, is there really no pain in your conscience at all?
"Is this the Ministry of Rites?" Jiuzhu got off the carriage holding the food box, looked up at the plaque on the door of the Ministry of Rites, and exclaimed: "What beautiful words."
Chunfen walked up to the guard guarding the gate of the Ministry of Rites and said, "Sir, the family of Minister Ming's family is sending a food box for Minister Ming. Please pass it on."
"Please wait a moment, young lady." It was common for female relatives to come and deliver food boxes. The guard made a gesture and someone went in to pass the message.
It was Jiuzhu’s first time to visit the Ministry of Rites, and even the pair of stone lions at the door seemed particularly majestic to her.
My father is so amazing that he can work here.
The sound of horse hooves could be heard. Jiuzhu turned around and smiled, "Your Highness."
"Why are you here?" Prince Chen jumped off his horse and saw the food box in Jiuzhu's arms: "Are you delivering food to Minister Ming?"
"I have nothing to do. I heard my mother arranged for someone to deliver food, so I followed her here." Jiuzhu looked at the Prince of Chen in confusion: "Why did your highness come here?"
"Of course I have something important to do." Prince Chen raised his chin slightly: "I also work in the Ministry of Rites. I am not like you, a little girl, who has nothing to do all day long."
"Your Highness is so awesome." Jiuzhu looked at Prince Chen with twinkling eyes, and there seemed to be stars falling in her eyes.
Prince Chen, who originally planned to come to the Ministry of Rites to take a look and then leave, looked at the pair of bright eyes and smiled lightly: "It's just a small matter."
"Your Highness, do you know who wrote this plaque? The calligraphy is very beautiful."
Prince Chen looked up at the plaque and thought for a moment: "This character was written by the famous minister Wang Jiaxu. He accompanied our ancestors in conquering the world, established laws, and was honest and upright throughout his life. After his death, countless people spontaneously wore mourning for him and guarded his tomb, calling him the Great Lord of Justice. He was a person worthy of admiration."
"Your Highness knows a lot." Jiuzhu sighed: "He must be a good official to be loved by so many people."
"Of course, it is a blessing for the court and the people to have such a capable minister..."
"I have seen you, Your Highness." Ming Jingzhou walked up to the Prince of Chen and bowed, "I didn't know Your Highness was coming. I am sorry for not coming to greet you. Please forgive me, Your Highness."
Prince Chen helped Ming Jingzhou up and returned a half-senior greeting: "You and I work together in the Ministry of Rites, there is really no need to be so polite."
Work together?
We haven't even stepped into the etiquette department, so we can still be considered colleagues?
"Father." Jiuzhu handed the food box to Ming Jingzhou and happily bowed to Prince Chen: "I didn't expect that Your Highness and father are colleagues. Please take good care of my father in the future."
"Very good, very good." Prince Chen smiled and said, "Master Ming is very knowledgeable and talented. I still have a lot to learn from you."
Jiuzhu felt that what His Royal Highness Prince Chen said was very right, so she turned around and looked at Ming Jingzhou seriously: "Your Highness is still very young, it is normal for him to not understand something, father should teach His Royal Highness more."
Ming Jingzhou looked at Prince Chen, who smiled at him in a friendly manner and gave him a gift of adulthood, and hugged the food box in his arms tightly.
Your Highness, there is something wrong with you!
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