"Your Highness."
"My mother is not here?" Seeing the palace maid's embarrassed expression, the King of Qi stopped and looked at him.
"Your Highness, early this morning, the Mingyue Palace came to ask the queen to copy scriptures for the people's blessing."
The King of Qi handed the carved wooden box in his hand to the palace maid and said, "I will give this to you when you come back, mother. When I was shopping, I thought this pair of bracelets would suit you very well, so I bought them."
Copying scriptures?
Everyone in the entire palace knew that Concubine Su disliked poetry, calligraphy and painting. I'm afraid the only ones who copied the scriptures were the concubines she disliked, and she herself would not touch a single 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 the King of Qi and saluted with a smile: "Hello, Fourth Prince."
"Eunuch Liu is well." The King of Qi looked into the palace and asked, "I wonder if Father is available right now?"
"The emperor said that if any of you princes come at this time, there is no need for me to inform you, your princes can just go in." Liu Zhongbao smiled and opened the door for the King of Qi.
Walking through the solemn corridor, the King of Qi heard laughter coming from the bedroom. He stopped, straightened his clothes, stepped over the threshold and walked in.
"Your son pays respects to the Emperor."
The King 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 the Prince of 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 had to prepare breakfast for him."
The King of Qi looked at the King of Chen who was sitting at the table, lowering his head to eat, and said with a smile: "Fifth brother has always been a casual person. When he gets married, it will be better if he has a princess to take care of him."
"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 grown man like me let a little girl control me?" 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 to buy, report it directly to the Palace Department and let them prepare it for you."
"The Ministry of Palace and the Ministry of Rites are very concerned about my son's marriage. I came 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 imperial concubine and the other ladies in the harem went to copy scriptures and pray for blessings."
"That's a good thing." Prince Chen lazily leaned back in his chair. "Thanks to God's blessing and my father's diligence and love for the people, the people of Dacheng can live and work in peace and contentment. Your majesties' actions will be a good thing if they are spread out."
The King of Qi chuckled and said, "Fifth brother, what you said makes sense. I think that not only should the ladies copy the scriptures, but I, as a prince, should also copy the scriptures to pray for the people of the world."
Prince Chen glanced at Prince Qi out of the corner of his eye. It 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, sincerity is the key. I'm afraid there are too many scriptures to copy, and the gods can't finish reading them." Prince Chen stopped Prince Qi's plot to drag all his brothers and sisters into it: "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 and said, "Yan Ze, your wedding is coming soon, so you don't need to do trivial things like copying scriptures."
"Yes." The King of Qi lowered his eyelids: "It's because I didn't think it through."
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 such a thing?
"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, a strong physique, and 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 the prince 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 the emperor?
"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 affairs, many of them are related to schools and imperial examinations. Your Majesty insisted on letting the Fifth Prince go to the Ministry of Rites, all of which is paving the way for Your Majesty.
"Fifth brother." Prince Qi walked out of the hall and came before Prince Chen: "Congratulations, fifth brother."
"What's the good news?" Prince Chen raised his eyebrows: "Are you unhappy in the Ministry of Revenue?"
The King of Qi smiled calmly: "It is rare that my fifth brother takes the initiative to offer 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."
After saying that, he turned around 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 shook her head.
"The handwriting is perfunctory, their hearts are not sincere." She sighed and said, "I will continue copying tomorrow."
"Your Highness." Xiang Juan whispered, "The Emperor has issued an edict, asking you to go to the Ministry of Rites and learn how to do things."
Concubine Su sat up from the chaise longue and asked: "How old is the Minister of Rites?"
"I'm just over 40, and I have a good temper."
"Oh." Concubine Su lay back lazily: "Then it's okay."
However, the officials of 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 them?
"The Minister of War is old and can't stand being bullied."
"The Minister of Industry has a bad temper and is prone to violence."
"His Royal Highness Prince Qi is in the Ministry of Revenue."
"His Royal Highness Prince Huai is in the Ministry of Justice."
"Isn't there a Ministry of Personnel?"
"You know what the Minister of Personnel does when he disagrees with something, he likes to bang his head against the wall and make a fuss."
"Then when Prince Chen arrives at the Ministry of Rites, who will guide him?"
Everyone was silent and no one spoke.
There were footsteps outside the door, and everyone turned around. 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, think positively. 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 discovered that his colleague, with whom he had quarreled a few days ago because of political differences, was also smiling at him with an old face, and his smile was extremely sincere and friendly.
There were two assistant ministers in the Ministry of Rites. The other assistant minister, Zhou Rui, saw that Ming Jingzhou 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 it not count to 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 was amazed: "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 mansion is sending a food box for Minister Ming. Please pass it on for them."
"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.
My father is so capable that he can hold this position.
The sound of horse hooves could be heard. The moment Jiuzhu turned around, she smiled with eyes curved: "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 that 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, unlike a little girl like you who has nothing to do all day long."
"Your Highness is so awesome." Jiuzhu looked at Prince Chen with blinking 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 shining 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 lived a clean and upright life. After his death, countless people spontaneously wore mourning clothes and guarded his tomb, calling him the upright and honest Lord. He was a man 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..."
"Your humble servant greets His Majesty." Ming Jingzhou walked up to Prince Chen and bowed, "I didn't know Your Majesty was coming. I am sorry for not coming to greet you. Please forgive me."
Prince Chen helped Ming Jingzhou up and returned the half-junior greeting: "You and I work in the Ministry of Rites together, 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 working together?
"Father." Jiuzhu handed the food box to Ming Jingzhou and happily bowed to Prince Chen: "I didn't expect that Your Highness and my father are colleagues. I hope Your Highness will take good care of my father in the future."
"Okay, okay." 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 hugged the food box tightly in his arms as he looked at Prince Chen, who smiled at him in a friendly manner and returned his gift as a junior.
Your Highness, there is something wrong with you!
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