Chapter 30: Harmless? She? Song...
As Song Youning stepped into the vermilion-painted palace gate, she suddenly saw a bright yellow figure rushing towards her like an arrow.
Before she could even salute, the man hugged her tightly in his arms, and the familiar scent of ambergris instantly enveloped her.
"Ning'er, it's been a long time since we last met. I miss you so much!"
Song Luoshu raised his head and held his daughter's face, looking left and right. The jade beads of the emperor's crown jingled with his movements. He didn't look like the supreme ruler at all. This made Song Youning even more certain of one thing!
She must be his biological daughter, otherwise why would she be as out of tune as his father? This shows that her Song family bloodline is like this! It's no surprise that she's such a mess as a princess!
Song Luoshu's eyes suddenly turned red: "My son is sleeping outside in the open air, he must be hungry and cold..."
Before he finished speaking, he saw dozens of palace maids holding jade plates walking towards him.
Things like South China Sea blood bird's nest, Western Region honeydew melon jerky, and Northern Xinjiang snow ginseng soup...anything precious is here.
Song Luoshu looked at these rare treasures and still felt that they were not enough, so she ordered Eunuch Guo to go to the warehouse and bring all the precious items that had been recently tributed to her.
Song Youning's eyes flickered, and suddenly he grabbed Song Luoshu's sleeve and shook it gently: "Father..."
Her drawn-out tone was like honey. "I simply can't finish all these delicacies and supplements. How about..."
"Would you mind granting me the Fengya Pavilion I built in the palace for everyone to appreciate?"
"Fengya Pavilion?"
Song Luoshu repeated, his eyes suddenly lighting up. "Oh, I remember now! The other day, the Grand Tutor even sent a memorial praising Ning'er for building a palace in the palace for me and the aristocratic families... He also praised your elegance and noble character, saying that you have the demeanor of a sage ruler governing his subjects..."
Song Youning pretended to be shy, and her eyes revealed a bit of just the right shyness: "You are indeed too kind, Grand Tutor. It's just that I am lonely in the deep palace and want to find some playmates to relieve my boredom..."
"These girly things are not worthy of being displayed in a formal room!"
"Your Highness, you are too modest." The Grand Tutor Chen behind her was too lazy to play along with her, but he couldn't lose his composure, so he could only hold the handrail and bow with a respectful look on his face.
"It's been a long time since I last saw Prime Minister Li. I wonder how he's been doing lately?" Song Youning changed the subject and his gaze fell on Prime Minister Li who was standing next to Grand Tutor Chen.
Her eyes moved and her gaze quickly swept over Li Funing beside her.
When he heard Song Youning calling him father, the black official robe moved slightly.
"Thank you for your concern, Your Highness. I am doing my best as usual. Apart from attending court and handling government affairs, I just drink tea and play chess in my spare time." The prime minister in purple robe and jade belt took a step forward, his eyebrows still filled with that kind smile that made people feel like spring breeze.
Song Youning looked him up and down, and sure enough, he looked the same as always. She pretended to be nostalgic and said, "Speaking of this, I remember that when I was little, I loved going to Prime Minister Li's residence to play with Lord Li."
"At that time, your old housekeeper knew that I loved almond cakes, so he specially traveled all over the capital to learn the folk secret recipe..."
She closed her eyes and reminisced, seemingly lost in the memories of her childhood. Her tone suddenly softened, "It's just that since I grew up, I've been to the Li Mansion less often. I haven't seen that loyal old housekeeper in a while. I wonder if he's doing well."
"If I have the chance, I'd like to try the almond cakes made by the old housekeeper..."
"Butler Li..."
The Prime Minister stroked his long beard, a trace of melancholy in his eyes. "Back then, I met him in the countryside and thought he had talent, so I gave him some advice. Later, he resolutely gave up his official position and told me that he wanted to repay my kindness by working in the Li Mansion. He was determined, and I couldn't refuse... So he really worked as a steward in the Li Mansion for more than ten years..."
"Perhaps the tedious affairs of the Li Mansion made him weary of the worldly affairs, so he resigned from his post and traveled far and wide. I, this old minister, do not know where he is now..."
Song Youning's eyes moved slightly, and he thought to himself, it was exactly as Li Funing said.
Now, this loyal old butler has probably already gone elsewhere.
Song Youning's eyes quickly passed over the Prime Minister and stopped at Grand Tutor Chen. A faint smile appeared on the corner of his mouth, and he agreed with a smile: "Butler Li is a man of affection and righteousness!"
She smiled and dropped the pleasantries, turning to the Grand Tutor beside her: "Speaking of which, I heard that the Grand Tutor's nephew is in his prime, his talent is unrivalled among the Chen family, and he is also outstanding in Cuju and Touhu in the capital!"
Her fingertips gently stroked the nail polish in her hand, and her eyes flickered with stars. "Grand Master Chen has watched me grow up since I was young. How could he not know that I have loved Cuju and Tou Hu since I was a child? Young Master Chen is such a talented person, why doesn't Grand Master invite him to Fengya Pavilion so that I can get to know him a little bit?"
"Could it be that Master Chen looks down on my skills and doesn't want to compete with me?"
The Grand Tutor's expression froze a little when he heard this. He had not included the child in the roster because the child was the only nephew of his Chen family. Therefore, the whole family doted on him, leading to him not being able to control his words. Now the princess actually asked for the child to enter the palace. No one knew what she was up to.
He was about to refuse...but he saw the princess looking at him with a smile. Although the smile was gentle, it could not be rejected.
"Your Highness, thank you for your compliment."
The Grand Tutor bowed slightly, his fingers clenching secretly in his sleeves. "But the child is young and full of vigor. I am afraid he might be too rude..."
"Grand Master, you are too modest!"
Song Youning raised her fair wrist slightly, and her mutton-fat jade bracelet jingled in the sunlight. "Who in the capital doesn't know that Young Master Chen is a brilliant writer? I love talent the most, so please don't keep it to yourself, Grand Tutor."
Song Luoshu laughed out loud and said, "Grand Master, please don't refuse. This is the first time I see Ningning admire someone so much." He glanced at the corner of her eyes and saw the corners of her lips slightly raised. His daughter's plan almost broke his face.
"Since Your Majesty has said so..."
He bowed deeply and said, "Your humble servant...I would rather obey your command than disobey." Now that it had come to this, it would be difficult for him, as a subject, to refuse.
Song Youning looked at the helpless Grand Tutor, then suddenly raised her eyes and smiled: "Since the Grand Tutor has agreed to let my nephew enter Fengya Pavilion, why don't you take me to Fengya Pavilion now? It's a good opportunity... to see where your nephew studies."
"Your Highness..." Grand Tutor Chen bowed deeply, his official hat swaying and casting a shadow, "I leave it to Your Highness to make the decision."
A group of people followed the eunuchs in the palace and came to Fengya Pavilion. In order to facilitate Song Youning, the Minister of Works specially built it not far from Youning Palace.
In order to prevent her from being disturbed during her rest, the distance between them was specially tested by a dedicated person to ensure that it would be the closest possible while not causing any noise.
Everyone stopped in front of a red-painted palace with a golden plaque, red bricks and green tiles. A dozen minutes' walk ahead was the Imperial Garden, which was just right for the royal family children to entertain themselves after school.
Song Youning approached and looked at the pavilions and towers before him. His wide sleeves brushed against the vermilion columns. Suddenly, he stopped and looked back: "This Fengya Pavilion is very exquisitely built. The flying eaves and brackets are all modern styles."
The Minister of Works stepped forward and said flatteringly, "Your Highness is using the best, so I wouldn't dare pass off inferior materials as good ones!"
Song Youning nodded with satisfaction, "Has the list been drawn up?" Song Youning's hand that was stroking the corridor column suddenly stopped, and he thought of something.
The Minister of Rites flicked his sleeves and took out a gold-embossed list from the sleeve pocket of his official robe.
Chuntao was quick-witted and quick-handed. She took the book in small steps and bowed to present it to Song Youning.
Song Youning casually stroked the red lacquered corridor column, his eyes passing over the Minister of Rites and the Grand Tutor who were making eye contact.
This guy has secretly become a disciple of the Grand Tutor a long time ago, so this list will probably not be what she wants.
You can tell what kind of people the names outlined in red ink in that book are without even looking at them. They are either the running dogs of the Grand Tutor or some scoundrels who curry favor with the powerful. Even if some of them are sons of the royal family, their names are not written in a way that can be seen in public.
A cold smile flashed in Song Youning's eyes.
She had anticipated that the Ministry of Rites would tamper with the list, so she asked Chuntao to secretly draw up a list in advance. All of the names on the list were powerful members of the royal family or talented people from famous families.
Want to get rid of her casually? No way!
When Chuntao took the roster, she lightly flicked it with her fingertips, and the folded paper that had been prepared in her sleeve was quietly replaced.
She looked normal as she unfolded the scroll and read in a clear voice:
"Those selected to join the cabinet this time are Xiao Lin, the son of the Marquis of Zhenbei; Xie Linlang, the legitimate granddaughter of the Marquis of Pingyang; and Cui Mingyuan, the son of the Imperial Censor of the Lantai Censor..."
Before the list was finished being read, the Minister of Rites suddenly looked up, his pupils suddenly shrank, and his face turned pale instantly. This was not the one he had drafted!
When he heard the name on the list, the Grand Tutor was also startled.
Song Youning looked at the two men, whose expressions changed, and deliberately asked, "Why? My dear ministers, do you have any objections to this list? Didn't the Minister of State submit it himself?"
"Your Highness, there seems to be something wrong with this list. I'm afraid... I'm afraid there was a mistake when transcribing it..." Beads of sweat the size of beans appeared on the Minister of Rites' forehead, and his back under his official robe was already wet with sweat. He caught a glimpse of the Grand Tutor's sinister gaze out of the corner of his eye, and felt as if a knife was being held on his neck.
"Oh?" Song Youning frowned and asked in confusion, "What's wrong with this list?"
Song Youning paused while flipping through the list. She suddenly walked down the steps and leaned forward. Innocent doubt flickered in the girl's eyes: "Could it be that there are some shameful names on this list?"
"I dare not!" The Minister of Rites fell to his knees, and his head hit the turning tile with a crisp sound.
"Then why do we have to re-draft it? Isn't my time the same as yours?" Song Youning was unhappy, looking like a child whose interest was spoiled.
Grand Tutor Chen slowly raised his eyes, his voice filled with just the right amount of respect: "Your Highness, this list is indeed correct. I'm afraid that Master Yu is old and his vision is not good enough to make a mistake."
He bowed and saluted, his eyes like hooks carefully depicting every inch of Song Youning's expression, and a gleam of light flashed in his turbid eyes.
He looked at Song Youning calmly, trying to find clues from the innocent appearance of the girl. Did those idiots in the Ministry of Rites make a mistake, or was this princess who always loved to have fun pretending to be a pig and eating the tiger?
Even if he was old and his eyesight was poor and he was not good at his job, he could not let Song Youning know that the Minister of Rites was his man.
At this moment, Song Youning suddenly tilted her head, looking disappointed, with a gloomy face and the golden hairpins on her temples jingling. "Forget it, forget it, you are wrong, so I will wait a few more days!"
"Thank you, Your Highness, thank you, Your Highness." The Minister of Rites quickly wiped the sweat from his forehead, feeling relieved. He glanced at Master Chen out of the corner of his eye. If the princess didn't mind, Master Chen probably wouldn't punish him either.
"but......"
Song Youning changed the subject and simply sat on the steps in front of the hall, staring at the Minister of Rites with her bright and harmless eyes.
"But, but what?" The Minister of Rites had not yet completely let go, and his heart tightened when he heard this.
He looked at the harmless girl in front of him and swallowed. He always felt that the princess's innocent appearance was not as simple as he had imagined.
Song Youning propped up one side of her cheek with one hand and smiled brightly, "But I've always had a childish nature. I'll never give up if I'm wronged. Since you, Lord Shangshu, haven't been concentrating on your work and have ruined my mood, I'm not someone you can easily get along with. Otherwise, Lord Shangshu, can you please tell me how I should punish you... so that I can dispel the resentment in my heart?"
Song Youning got up, brushed off the dust on her skirt, and walked to the Grand Tutor, staring at him with her big, blinking eyes: "Why don't you...
She curled her lips and smiled brightly: "How about being stripped of my official position and demoted to a commoner?" But the words she said were ice-cold.
The Minister of Rites, who thought he had escaped danger, suddenly fell to his knees and stared at the girl in front of him in disbelief.
He had only made a minor mistake, how could he be demoted to a commoner? Wasn't the princess too willful? But if His Majesty insisted on favoring her, there was nothing a small official like him could do...
The Minister of Rites knelt on the ground, kowtowed and admitted his mistakes, and glanced at the elderly Grand Tutor Chen beside him. Now, this was his only life-saving straw!
Song Youning watched his little tricks and sneered in his heart. The Grand Master had to choose between protecting his roster or a position as a minister, right? Otherwise, there was no way to play chess...
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