If there's one major event in the court throughout the year, then ancestral worship must be mentioned. At that time, all officials must go to the imperial mausoleum, fast for three days, and pray for the nation's fortune.
Of course, this is often a time of great turmoil, with various assassinations occurring one after another. Even Yun Qing in later generations found it exciting, let alone the scene itself.
Since it's a family ancestor worship ceremony, regardless of which side they're from, they'll all want to bring Xie Rang along.
So much so that Xie Rang had just reached the doorway when he heard Yun Qing's complaints.
【I don't want to go either, but if the little tyrant goes and I don't, what will people think of me?】
Yun Qing had a clear understanding of herself; she was just there to make a show of things.
Meng Wan said worriedly, "Bring more people with you when the time comes. Your parents can't help you, so be careful in everything you do."
Meng Wan knew the situation in the capital. Just because she hadn't brought it up recently didn't mean she wouldn't have to face it. Yun Qing and Xie Rang would have to return to the capital sooner or later.
"I know." Yun Qing replied, then noticed the commotion at the door. She glanced to the side and saw the corner of the young man's clothes. She waved, "Your Majesty has arrived. Let's talk."
Xie Rang did as he was told and sat down next to Yun Qing, his posture upright and straight, looking very well-behaved.
Meng Wan glanced at Yun Qing, then at the young emperor, sighed softly to herself, and remained silent.
Xie Rang began the conversation: "What does the Grand Tutor wish to say?"
Yun Qing said, "We received a letter from the capital, so we should go back. We had just left when the Prince of Pingjiang and Liang Zhigong started fighting. We don't know why yet. Also, the ancestral worship ceremony is approaching, and those two will be furious if they can't wait for us to return."
At least on the surface, Xie Rang is still the emperor, and whichever side he stands on represents that side.
“It’s time to go back.” Xie Rang lowered his eyes, poured a cup of tea, and pushed it in front of Yun Qing, looking quite mature for his age. “The ancestral worship ceremony will be quite a spectacle.”
Yun Qing usually interacted with the little tyrant in this manner, and did not notice Meng Wan's strange gaze. She calmly picked up her tea and drank it, jokingly saying, "Your Majesty, what you should be most worried about is your safety."
If Liang Zhigong were to lay a hand on me again, it would be unacceptable. After all, I am still diligently guarding the frontier with my family and friends. Wouldn't it incite public outrage if word got out?
Xie Rang remained composed, his expression innocent and gentle: "It's alright, I believe the Grand Tutor will protect me."
Yun Qing: “…”
Although my prediction came true, I felt inexplicably annoyed.
You've got some nerve, kid. If you weren't a tyrant, I would have taught you a lesson!
She dared not make a move, fearing she would hold a grudge.
Xie Rang was saddened. When would the Grand Tutor believe that he truly wouldn't hold grudges?
"Ahem." Meng Wan interrupted the exchange between the teacher and student, "When do Your Majesty and Yun Qing plan to depart?"
"The day after tomorrow."
Yun Qing made the decision immediately.
We probably won't see finished glass products; we'll have to have them transported to the capital later.
Upon hearing this, Xie Rang unconsciously tapped his finger on the table, pondering the matter in his mind.
Yun Qing didn't notice Xie Rang's little trick this time, and said more to Meng Wan: "A caravan should be coming soon. If possible, Father and Mother should buy more grain and store it in the granary for the time being."
The late emperor was initially a wise ruler, but as he grew older, he developed the paranoia that comes with high positions and began to favor eunuchs. Meanwhile, restless people below him began to take advantage of the situation to amass wealth. Da Xi may seem alright on the surface now, but Yun Qing knows that there are many corrupt practices hidden beneath the surface.
The initial facade of peace and stability only began to surface after the young tyrant seized power; in reality, the system was rotten to the core long ago. I think it's a miracle he's lasted this long.
Yun Qing felt that seeing a person's true colors with one's own eyes was more credible. The little tyrant was talented, but he was just unlucky to be born at that time.
In the fourth year of Yuanzhao, a famine broke out, and Yunqing must now prepare for it. More importantly, before that, they must send trustworthy people to take over the cities and counties severely affected by the famine.
"good."
Meng Wan believed Yun Qing's words without a doubt. Besides, there was only one day a year, so it was never wrong to prepare more food.
Aside from the arrogant Rouran, other small countries often sent caravans to trade along the border. Many of them sold grain, and since they were not short of money away from home, they stockpiled as much as they could to prepare for any eventuality.
"As for the method of making cement, just focus on getting things done at the border. Don't spread it around for now. His Majesty and I will send someone over when the time is right."
Yun Qing thought about it for a few days and still felt that now was not the best time to spread the word. No one could be sure that it would be used by someone with ulterior motives, so it was better to be cautious.
“That makes sense,” Meng Wan said. “I was just about to tell you that, but you beat me to it.”
They easily reached an agreement on the matter. Meng Wan then briefly explained to them what they needed to be careful about on the way before urging them to return to their rooms.
The next day, Yun Qing stayed in the mansion and didn't go out. She taught Xie Rang half a day and then sent him home. As for what Xie Rang did for the rest of the time, she didn't ask.
A proper distance should be maintained between ruler and subject. Yun Qing's meddling in private matters seems to indicate an excessive desire for control.
So when Xie Rang took out the things he had prepared on the day they set off to return to the capital, Yun Qing was stunned for a moment.
It was a bottle, its body pieced together bit by bit from colorful shards of glass, its edges smoothed out, giving it an unexpectedly exquisite appearance. Bright sunlight streamed through the window, illuminating the carriage and casting a beautiful glow.
Yun Qing was speechless: "This..."
"The Grand Tutor regretted not being able to see the finished glass before he left, so I pieced together this bottle from the fragments and presented it to him."
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