"As Eunuch Ma's shrill voice rang out, Prefect Lu strode in."
"Greetings, Your Majesty! Long live the Emperor!" Upon seeing a figure in bright yellow, Prefect Lu knelt down.
"Rise, Minister Lu. Today is your day off. Why aren't you home for the family reunion dinner? Is there something important you need to report?" Xiao Jingzhao asked calmly, raising a slight brow.
After rising, Prefect Lu dared not look directly at the emperor's face. He lowered his eyes and said, "Your Majesty, this matter could have been left unattended. I reported it to the Left Prime Minister, who said it was a trivial matter and that I should make the decision myself."
Xiao Jingzhao slightly raised his hand, "Whether it's a big or small matter, Minister Lu, please feel free to speak."
With the Emperor's permission, Prefect Lu boldly reported: "Our yamen has an official matchmaker's office. In order to save expenses, we only use one official matchmaker. Recently, people have been frequently coming to the official matchmaker's office to request an official matchmaker. Your Majesty, I dare not break the precedent and increase the number of personnel. I have come to ask for Your Majesty's opinion."
Xiao Jingzhao said calmly, "If we can't handle it, the official media bureau can just add two more people. There's no need to cut back on these necessary expenses."
"Thank you, Your Majesty. This humble subject will take his leave." Prefect Lu cupped his hands and took a step back.
The recent investigation into corruption and falsification of accounts in various government departments has created a climate of fear, and no one in the court dares to entertain any thoughts of embezzlement.
Seeing Prefect Lu's cautious demeanor, Eunuch Ma asked curiously, "Has something happened in the capital that the palace doesn't know about? Why is everyone in such a hurry to get married?"
Prefect Lu took another step back and bowed to Eunuch Ma, saying, "It's nothing serious. Perhaps it's because the scholars have started discussing marriage after the imperial examinations."
Just as Eunuch Ma gestured for him to leave, he said, "I'm also wondering why everyone is going to the Jiang residence to propose marriage."
His voice wasn't loud, but Xiao Jingzhao, being a martial artist, had excellent hearing and heard every word he said.
"Wait! Which families did they go to propose to?"
Prefect Lu stumbled, surprised that the usually serious emperor actually enjoyed listening to gossip.
He quickly turned around and respectfully replied, "Your Majesty, it is the Jiang family residence on Guixiang Street, a young lady surnamed Jiang."
"Is it Miss Jiang from Jishetang?" Eunuch Ma couldn't help but ask in a low voice.
Prefect Lu suddenly sensed that the Emperor's expression had turned colder. He nodded blankly, "Yes, it's that Miss Jiang, the woman known as Yue Niang."
He paused and then said, "I heard that Miss Jiang is incredibly beautiful and has the medical skills of a modern-day Hua Tuo. In the past few days, people have been coming to propose marriage in droves. It wasn't until the Jiang family announced that the engagement had been made that the matchmaking office finally quieted down."
Since the emperor enjoyed listening to gossip, Prefect Lu simply spilled everything he knew.
For a moment, the hall was so quiet you could hear a pin drop.
After a moment, Xiao Jingzhao asked, "So, there's never been a time when the official media bureau was short-staffed?"
“Never,” Prefect Lu replied definitively.
"Then there's no need to add more people. With war on the border imminent, we need strong and well-equipped troops to protect the peace and tranquility of the people. We should save where we can."
Prefect Lu: "..."
The Emperor changed his mind too quickly. How could hiring two more matchmakers affect the border war?
As if sensing the emperor's intention, Eunuch Ma urged, "Lord Lu, please! His Majesty has already passed the time for serving lunch."
Prefect Lu bowed again: "Your humble servant takes his leave."
Eunuch Ma was still shaking his head as he watched Prefect Lu walk a long way away, while the few eunuchs serving outside the hall pursed their lips and suppressed their laughter.
Eunuch Ma glared at everyone, then flicked his whisk and said, "Serve the meal!"
Xiao Jingzhao barely tasted anything in the meal.
Jiang Shuyue's image kept flashing through my mind.
...
At the Jiang residence, after lunch, Nangong Zeyue returned to the restaurant, while Lin Miaoshou went to the pharmacy on Huanhua Street.
The bright moon hangs high in the sky, the stars twinkle, and silvery moonlight spills across the earth.
The streets were bustling with people, and the shops on both sides were decorated with lanterns and colorful decorations. The shops selling lanterns were filled with all kinds of lanterns, creating a lively and festive atmosphere.
The wooden frame in front of the shop was covered with lanterns, and the owner played a lantern riddle game at the entrance to attract customers.
Suddenly, thunderous applause erupted, and cheers came from the crowd.
A passerby exclaimed excitedly, "Another person has guessed the riddle correctly!"
The girls, dressed in their finest attire, bought lanterns from a shop and agreed to walk together down another street.
At this moment, everyone in the Jiang residence was gathered in the garden admiring the moon.
Su Jin picked up the teapot and poured half a cup of hot tea for everyone sitting at the table. He said to Jiang Shuyue, "Sister, the capital is not like Yannan. The nights are suddenly cool. You should rest early."
Jiang Shuyue picked up her teacup, took a sip, and said with concern, "Get some rest early tonight, and don't read tonight, lest you hurt your eyes."
"Yes, I remember what you told me. I'll take Anan back to the room to rest now."
Su Nan protested, "It's too early, I can't sleep. Big brother, you go back to your room first, I'll look at the moon for a while longer."
As Su Nan spoke, he picked up a mooncake and put it in his mouth.
Chang Le glanced at Su Nan, as if to say:
I don't believe you for a second...
Jiang Shuyue stood up and said, "Changle, Suisui, you should also go back to your rooms and settle in."
"Sister Jiang, please settle in first. I'll take Sui Sui to Shu Mo Xuan."
After dinner, Chang Le wanted to go out to play in the street. However, when she suggested it, Jiang Shuyue said that there were too many people outside and it might not be safe. Jing'er also said that the Empress Dowager had told her not to go around and to just watch the excitement at the entrance of the Jiang residence.
"Okay, I'll go back to my room first. You should come back soon."
"Goodnight, Mommy!" Sui Sui said obediently.
Jiang Shuyue gently patted her son's head and said softly, "Goodnight."
This chapter is not finished yet. Please click on the next page to continue reading the exciting content!
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
