On New Year’s Eve, officials of the fourth rank and above would enter the palace with their families to pay homage to the emperor and attend the annual palace banquet.
It was Mu Wanqing's first time to participate, so she specifically asked the emperor for two palace maids, one of whom was an etiquette maid. After learning etiquette for a few days, she was able to perform well.
A nanny is well versed in pharmacology and can make delicious medicinal food.
She promised to take care of them in their old age, and they did their best to teach her and the Mu family members.
As for etiquette, you may not use it, but you have to understand it.
Du Shaoxuan was also going to the palace to meet the emperor, so he came around to pick her up. They didn't bring their families with them, so it was just right for her to keep him company.
He was stunned when he saw Mu Wanqing's makeup, "You don't wear women's clothes?"
Mu Wanqing had two sets of clothes to choose from, the palace dress of Princess Qingping and the formal dress of a second-rank official.
Compared to the complicated palace dress with layers of layers and dozens of pounds of pearls and jade jewelry, the official dress was lighter, so she naturally chose the latter.
Well, definitely not to show off.
“Doesn’t it look good?”
In Du Shaoxuan's eyes, she is the most beautiful girl in the world.
"It looks really good. You look so majestic in this dress. It makes you look so heroic and graceful. Your beauty transcends gender."
Mu Zicheng, who is a wallflower:...I didn't expect you to be such a Marshal Du.
Mu Wanqing's lips curled up slightly, thinking he could talk.
She put on a light and warm fiery red fox fur coat, her cheeks were as red as new lychees, her nose was white, her teeth were white, and her eyebrows and eyes were as beautiful as a painting. "Let's go."
Goose feather-like snowflakes were flying, and the whole place was covered in silver, as if it was a beautiful fairy tale. Mu Wanqing lifted the car curtain and took a look. It was beautiful, but in this kind of weather it would be more comfortable to stay at home and eat a steaming hot pot.
Du Shaoxuan seemed to see through her thoughts, "It only happens once a year, just endure it and it will be over."
"No one is taking leave?" Mu Wanqing said that if possible, she really didn't want to go out in the heavy snow and wouldn't be able to eat well.
Du Shaoxuan explained softly, "Unless someone is truly seriously ill, no one would want to miss the palace banquet. There will be various rewards at the banquet, and it is a serious crime to be found out that someone is faking illness to deceive His Majesty."
This is the only chance for officials and their wives to see the king and his concubines. It is the supreme honor and a good opportunity to show off. Who would be willing to miss it?
It would be a great blessing if you could gain the favor of the superiors at the palace banquet.
Only Mu Wanqing doesn't care about these.
Mu Wanqing asked curiously, "What reward?"
Du Shaoxuan grew up in the palace and was familiar with everything in the palace. "For example, officials who performed well this year could get a Ruyi, which was an honor that all the civil and military officials in the court wanted. As for the female relatives, those who were particularly outstanding could get a good marriage."
Countless noble ladies beg for the emperor to choose their marriages, and once they are married, their husband's family dare not treat them badly.
After all, that would also be a slap in the face of the emperor.
Mu Wanqing suddenly realized that there were quite a lot of tricks. "Then I can get a Ruyi this year." The things don't matter, but the honor must be there.
She was very sure about what she said, and Du Shaoxuan nodded, "Yes, you will definitely have a share."
The driver outside twitched his lips. One dared to say it, and the other dared to believe it. Did Princess Qingping forget that she had only been back in Beijing for a few months? She didn't meet the requirements.
The palace gate was blocked by a row of carriages, and only those who had passed a strict inspection could enter.
Du Shaoxuan stuck his head out to take a look, and the imperial guards immediately asked him to come over, and then let him go after a quick inspection.
Beyond the central axis is the inner palace. Carriages were prohibited from entering, so officials got off and walked. The snow was getting heavier, and walking in the snow was also a sight to behold.
Du Shaoxuan was no exception. He jumped off the carriage lightly, turned around and carefully helped Mu Wanqing down.
A painted umbrella was held firmly above her head to block the wind and snow, and the two walked forward slowly side by side.
Wherever they went, they attracted countless people to watch, extremely curious.
Most people know Du Shaoxuan. He is a powerful and influential person, the best husband candidate in the minds of countless people, and his every move attracts attention.
Everyone's impression of him is that he is arrogant, cold and hard to get close to, so when they see him being so caring towards the woman around him, they are dumbfounded.
Several female relatives could not help but discuss, "The woman brought by the King of Xiliang is his family? Why haven't we heard that he got married?"
"What family member? Didn't you see what she is wearing?" The lady of noble birth had received all kinds of training since childhood and was familiar with official uniforms. This was basic common sense.
However, some people still didn't react. "Ah, this is an official uniform? Why did the King of Xiliang let her wear this kind of clothes? How can she be so rude? This is a palace banquet. Aren't you afraid that the emperor will punish you? Ah, am I wrong?"
"This is a second-rank dress. Only second-rank officials are qualified to wear it."
"The King of Xiliang is a first-rank noble, how can he have a second-rank official uniform..."
Suddenly, the daughter of the Right Assistant Minister of the Ministry of Revenue widened her eyes, "She is not... Could she be the Princess of Qingping County? No way?"
Her mother came from a good family and was smart and capable. "It's her. She is the newly appointed Minister of Revenue and your father's immediate superior."
The husband missed this opportunity, drank alone at home, and scolded Mu Wanqing, but it could not change the result.
The daughter of the Right Vice Minister of the Ministry of Revenue was more and more surprised. "This is incredible. I thought she was big and strong like a man. I didn't expect her to be so beautiful and so... weak in attack power."
She is elegant and refined, delicate and graceful, with an outstanding temperament. She has a unique beauty in official uniform that makes people unable to look away.
"Don't be fooled by her weak appearance, she is very scheming. How many teenage girls can become ministers of six ministries?"
"She is really not the emperor..." someone gossiped secretly.
"Don't talk nonsense. The emperor would never joke about important matters of the court. Remember, don't offend her and don't get close to her."
When they arrived at the main hall, more eyes turned towards them, but Mu Wanqing didn't care and followed the palace maid to sit in her seat.
The officials were on the left, and the female relatives were on the right, clearly separated, yet able to see each other.
Perhaps it was an order from above that Mu Wanqing's seat was right next to Du Shaoxuan's.
There were a lot of people who came to get close to Du Shaoxuan, but no one paid any attention to Mu Wanqing.
Mu Wanqing didn't care. She took out her notebook and charcoal pencils and started drawing, enjoying herself.
"The Queen Mother has arrived, the Emperor has arrived, and the Queen has arrived."
Everyone stood up to greet them.
The emperor and the empress appeared, supporting the empress dowager on the left and right, followed by the eldest prince, and then the concubines, all of whom were dressed up beautifully, surrounded by pearls and jade, and looked extremely luxurious.
The emperor gave a speech, summarizing this year's achievements and looking forward to next year's prospects. He specifically named and praised several officials who made great contributions.
For example, Du Shaoxuan, who eliminated domestic rebels, kept foreign enemies out of the country, and saved the emperor, should be regarded as the first meritorious official and has been named King of Xiliang. This time, he was rewarded with a jade ruyi and some gold, silver and jewelry.
The second one is Mu Wanqing’s turn.
The emperor said, "Princess Qingping planted cotton and corn in Xiliang, vigorously supported agriculture and developed industry. In just one year, she collected 12 million taels of tax, laying the foundation for the great victory of the Du family army and allowing the people of Xiliang to live and work in peace and contentment. After returning to the capital, she earned 23 million taels of silver for the national treasury in four months, which was a great contribution to the country."
This is the commendation meeting. Mu Wanqing adapted well and nodded slightly to everyone.
Looking at everyone's stunned and shocked expressions, she was quite cocky.
The officials already knew about her military achievements, but her family members and concubines were not so clear. When they heard this, their eyes widened and their worldviews were greatly impacted.
If a woman can achieve this, she can be said to have brought honor to her family.
Oh my god, the tax alone is 12 million taels, how much silver is that? Xiliang is now prosperous.
The Queen looked startled, "Your Majesty, aren't the taxes from Xiliang going to be paid?"
The harem was being streamlined. Except for the Empress Dowager, the Emperor only had six dishes per meal, the Empress had four dishes, and the number of dishes for the concubines decreased one by one. If you wanted to add something, you had to pay for it yourself.
The emperor said calmly, "Xiliang has been at war all the time. The Du family army has been fighting all over the country. All the expenses have been paid by Xiliang itself. This is all thanks to the Princess of Qingping. I will reward you with a jade ruyi and six boxes of jewelry."
The court didn't spend a penny, it was so poor.
If it weren't for Mu Wanqing's sudden appearance, there wouldn't be singing and dancing at this moment, and we wouldn't be sitting here drinking peacefully.
Maybe they all became prisoners.
Everyone looked at Mu Wanqing differently, with great enthusiasm, as if they were looking at a golden doll.
A noble lady blushed with excitement, "Princess Qingping is really amazing. She has set a good example for women all over the world."
She seemed to have opened up a new world, letting women know that they could live this way.
Rely on strength to be equal to men.
The daughter of the cabinet minister suddenly spoke up, "It turns out that women can be so powerful. Your Majesty, can women be allowed to take the imperial examination?"
The scene was silent, and everyone stared at the girl who spoke. The girl blushed but did not back down. She looked at the king eagerly.
She has been studying with her father since she was young. Her father often said that she was much smarter than boys and that if she were a boy she would be able to achieve great things.
She felt particularly uncomfortable whenever she heard such words, and she thought her life was hopeless.
But she saw Mu Wanqing.
Mu Wanqing stood up without hesitation and bowed to the emperor, her brows stern, "Your Majesty, talent is not divided by gender. As long as you have the ability, why bother about gender? I think it is a blessing for the world to have more women like me."
Just so confident and so responsible.
There was an uproar at the scene.
An official from the Ministry of Rites stood up and said angrily, "Your Majesty, this is absolutely unacceptable. The world is upside down, and it is a great misfortune for the country to have a hen crowing at dawn. How can women be equal to us men? How can they discuss national affairs?"
Mu Wanqing didn't know who he was either, so she said bluntly, "This gentleman is not good at studying. The hen crowing at dawn clearly means that you must clearly define your responsibilities and powers. Don't cross the line and interfere in responsibilities that don't belong to you, otherwise there will be chaos."
"You are not worthy of being on equal footing with men? Where do you put your mother? You are such a heartless and unfilial son. You humiliated your mother who gave birth to you and raised you in public. How can you be kind to the people if you don't even respect your own mother?"
She was so venomous that the officials from the Ministry of Rites turned green in the face. "That's nonsense. These are two completely different things."
Mu Wanqing asked curiously, "Why? Your mother is not a woman? Were you born after your father's pregnancy? Wow, what a strange story."
The official from the Ministry of Rites blushed, "You...you are disrespectful..."
"What is Sven? Can you eat it?" Mu Wanqing looked at him with a smile, "Sir, you want to cry, make a scene, or even hang yourself when you can't win the argument? Great, I like to watch this the most, please start your performance."
She also took out a handful of melon seeds and candies, ready to watch the fun.
This made the officials of the Ministry of Rites very angry.
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
