Chapter 44: Banquet 4
On the other side, Yin Jingyi arrived at the gate of the East Palace and separated from Sheng Yixuan. He went to the Yanx Palace where Concubine Yin was, paid his respects to her, and then went to the Changchun Palace to find the Fourth Prince Sheng Yiming.
After entering Changchun Palace, Yin Jingyi followed the eunuchs' instructions and went directly to Changchun Palace where the Fourth Prince was. At this moment, Sheng Yiming, wearing a silver-white robe, was lying leisurely on a low couch, eating iced watermelon and drinking mellow wine.
Sheng Yiming saw Yin Jingyi coming and took the lead to speak: "Jingyi is here! Don't bow, come and sit down, and have a drink with me."
Yin Jingyi clasped his hands together, bowed briefly, and sat down opposite Sheng Yiming.
After Yin Jingyi sat down, Sheng Yiming personally poured Yin Jingyi a glass of wine. While pouring, Sheng Yiming said, "Jingyi, I haven't seen you for a long time. Are you doing well? Is there anything that brings you here?"
After Yin Jingyi drank a glass of wine, he spoke: "To be honest, Jingyi does have something to trouble you, Your Highness. This matter concerns my sister. For the sake of my sister's innocence and reputation, I hope Your Highness will not spread it."
Sheng Yiming asked with a puzzled smile: "Oh? Jingyi, what you said really aroused my interest! Tell me about it."
Yin Jingyi nodded and looked around. At this time, Sheng Yiming continued, "Don't worry, there is no one in the room. When I am drinking alone, I don't like a lot of maids and eunuchs.
It seems that Jingyi, you really dote on your sister! So cautious. ”
After listening to what Sheng Yiming said, Yin Jingyi finally felt relieved and told Sheng Yiming what had happened. The more Sheng Yiming listened, the more serious he became and he couldn't help but sit up straight.
Yin Jingyi finally said: "Fourth Prince, actually it is my sister who wants to see you, but my sister is in the inner house and cannot come to see you in person, and my sister is weak..."
After listening to what Yin Jingyi said, Sheng Yiming understood what Yin Jingyi said and said with a smile: "I understand, Jingyi wants me to be a pervert and climb your wall!
Well then! I also want to go and see that woman.
Anyway, I am not interested in state affairs. Drinking wine and tasting tea are my main business. Otherwise, my father would always call me to attend every meeting, so I have plenty of time. ”
Yin Jingyi said: "Then Jingyi would like to thank you on behalf of my sister."
Sheng Yiming smiled and said: "I didn't expect that the fourth prince of the Great Sheng Dynasty, the Prince Jing personally appointed by my father, would also have to climb the wall..."
Half an hour later, Yin Jingyi left Changchun Palace and walked out of the palace gate. Yin Jingyi left the palace and got on the carriage before he heaved a long sigh of relief. Yin Jingyi thought to himself: "Zijin, I have almost done everything for you. I am just waiting for a reply from the Crown Prince."
On the other side, in the study of the Palace of Heavenly Purity, Emperor Sheng Muxu, wearing a bright yellow dragon robe, sat on the dragon throne and looked expressionlessly at the ministers standing below him.
Next to Sheng Muxu stood Feng Sanxiang, the eunuch in charge of the Imperial Household Department, and below him in order of rank stood Crown Prince Sheng Yixiuan and the eldest prince, Prince of Lu Sheng Yize. There are five people in the cabinet, plus two ministers of the Ministry of Revenue and the Ministry of Personnel.
The ministers standing below were very confused at this moment. Now that the emperor had summoned them, there must be something urgent!
Sheng Muxu asked gently: "Lord Yang, you are the Prime Minister of the Cabinet. I would like to ask whether the drought in the four northern provinces is controllable."
Yang Xi bowed and said, "Your Majesty, the drought in the four northern provinces is under control. Your Majesty, rest assured."
Sheng Muxu snorted coldly, grabbed the inkstone on the table in front of him and smashed it on Yang Xi, saying angrily: "But I got another piece of news. The drought in the four northern provinces is very serious. There is no grain harvest and the rivers are dry. The hungry people are eating each other and epidemics are frequent.
In order to survive, many starving people flocked to the capital. Endangering the safety of the capital. This is going to shake the foundation of the country!
And Yang Aiqing actually said that the disaster was under control. I wonder whether Yang Aiqing was deceived by those below, or whether he was involved in it, colluding with officials from the four northern provinces, and enriching himself from it..."
Yang Xi had already knelt down tremblingly the moment the emperor smashed the inkstone on him. Hearing the emperor's words becoming more and more serious, Yang Xi stumbled and said, "Your Majesty, please investigate clearly. My loyalty to Your Majesty is evident to all. The news I received is indeed that the disaster is under control."
Sheng Muxu sneered and said, "Alright, I don't want to hear these words. Yang Aiqing, pack your things and go to the disaster area tomorrow to see if the disaster is under control as you said. By the way, secretly investigate and find out who is deceiving the superiors and subordinates, disregarding the safety of the people, and trying to shake the foundation of the Great Sheng. This will atone for your sin of not investigating."
Yang Xi quickly replied: "Yes, yes, I will go back now." Then Yang Xi retreated quickly in embarrassment.
Then Sheng Muxu called out, "The Minister of Revenue, come out."
Wang Hu, the Minister of Revenue, who was standing at the back, hurried out, knelt in front of Sheng Muxu and replied: "I am here."
Sheng Muxu immediately ordered: "Wang Hu, go back to your Ministry of Revenue immediately, gather all the people in the Ministry of Revenue, and immediately formulate a disaster relief plan. At the same time, mobilize food and grass from all over the country, set up resettlement sites in the north and other places, and ensure that the victims have basic food and clothing, and also solve the problem of epidemics.
The Prince of Lu was in charge of the Ministry of Revenue to ensure that everything was implemented. ”
The two men received the order and quickly replied: "Yes, Your Majesty, I obey your order. Yes, Father, I obey your order."
Sheng Muxu stood up, walked to Prince Lu, patted Prince Lu on the shoulder, and said earnestly: "Zer, the Ministry of Revenue is of utmost importance, and you have a great responsibility. Work hard, and the emperor believes in you."
Sheng Muze bowed and said, "Yes, Father. I will not let you down."
Sheng Muxu waved his hand and said, "Go!"
After receiving the order, Prince Lu and the Minister of Revenue quickly retreated.
"Minister of Personnel!"
The Minister of Personnel Zhang Tu hurried forward, knelt tremblingly and said: "Your Majesty, I am here."
Sheng Muxu looked at Zhang Tu with cold eyes and said in a bad tone: "Zhang Tu, you are the Minister of Personnel. You are responsible for the communication and assessment of officials throughout the country.
Now the victims are rushing to the capital quietly, and the court is completely unaware of it. Have the officials from the four northern provinces bribed you? The rich have wine and meat, but the poor freeze to death on the streets. What do you think of this picture? ”
Zhang Tu begged for mercy: "Your Majesty, this is really none of my business! But the Ministry of Personnel did make a big mistake in this matter, and I am willing to make amends..."
Sheng Muxu sighed and said, "Zhang Tu, you should know what to do!"
Zhang Tu kowtowed and said, "Your Majesty, I know."
Sheng Muxu said: "Go back!"
"Yes, Your Majesty. I will take my leave."
Sheng Muxu looked at the remaining people and said, "Crown Prince, Minister Lu Yin, please stay. Qi Kan will temporarily take charge of the cabinet affairs. Don't go home these few days. Hurry up and coordinate with all parties to implement the disaster relief work."
"Yes, Your Majesty." Qi Kan then led all the cabinet members out.
After everyone left, Sheng Muxu looked at Sheng Yixuan and Yin Xu and said earnestly: "Xuan'er, Lord Yin, I left you here because I have the most important task to give you."
Sheng Yixuan said: "Father, please give me your orders. I will do my best to complete the task."
Yin Xu also replied: "Your Majesty, please give me your orders. The disaster is serious and the people are suffering. I am worried about them."
Sheng Muxu said: "Now in the court, the four northern provinces are hard to distinguish between human and ghost, and there are many termites. If it weren't for Xuan'er's intention to send Jinyiwei to investigate, we would not know that the disaster has reached such a serious level. If no one was sent to investigate, it is possible that the victims have already poured into the capital before we knew about it.
I am worried about sending Yang Xi over there. My dear Lord Yin, I appoint you as the Imperial Commissioner to inspect the country on behalf of the Emperor. Go secretly to the four northern provinces to investigate, uncover corrupt officials, and supervise whether the orders issued by the court are implemented one by one? He was also given the imperial sword, which gave him the power to execute first and report later. My dear Lord Yin, please don't let me down. ”
Yin Xu quickly knelt down and saluted: "Yes, Your Majesty. I will not let Your Majesty down."
Sheng Muxu lifted up Yin Xu from the ground and shouted, "Feng Sanxiang, go and announce the decree and ask Liu Jun to come to the palace to see the emperor."
Then he told Sheng Yixuan: "Xuan'er, I know you want to go to the front line of the disaster. But guarding the capital is equally important. According to the report of the Jinyiwei, in three or four days, the victims will arrive at the gate of the capital.
Xuan'er, your mission is to guard the gates of Shangjing, prevent the victims from entering the city, and set up resettlement sites outside Shangjing to resettle the refugees and do a good job in disaster relief and epidemic prevention.
This is a dangerous matter. We will really send the Imperial Guards to protect you and Lord Yin separately. ”
Sheng Yixuan said: "Father, I will do my job well and will not let you down."
Sheng Muxu patted Sheng Yixuan on the shoulder, sighed and said, "It would be fine if you didn't have that kind of hobby."
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After Yin Jingyi came back, he went straight to his mother Zhang, because he was shocked by what the Crown Prince had just said. If his family held a banquet at this critical juncture, the censors' criticism would follow.
So now that Yin Jingyi knew about it, he had to tell his mother immediately and make corresponding plans. When I entered Yimeyuan, Zhang was lying on a rocking chair under the sycamore tree in the yard, leisurely eating iced grapes and watermelon. Two maids were fanning her, and one maid was lighting mosquito coils to repel mosquitoes. The purple morning glories on the paulownia tree fall down from time to time.
Yin Ziyue sat next to Zhang, and from time to time she would stick fruits on Zhang's plate with delicate golden sticks.
Zhang said happily while lying on the recliner: "Yuer, you can eat too. There is ice cream on the small table. Eat it to cool down."
Yin Ziyue also smiled and said, "Yes, mother."
Zhang glanced and saw Yin Jingyi walking towards her. Seeing Yin Jingyi coming, she quickly sat up and asked with a loving face: "Jingyi, why are you here? What's the matter?"
Yin Jingyi walked up to Zhang and said seriously, "Mother, I have something important to discuss with you. Let's go inside and talk!"
Zhang immediately stood up and said, "Okay, let's go in!"
Yin Ziyue hurriedly walked to Zhang's side and helped her into the inner room. As soon as they entered the inner room and waited for Zhang to sit down, Yin Jingyi dismissed all the servants and quickly told Zhang what the Crown Prince had told her. He also suggested: "Mother, I think the drought in the four provinces is serious now, and it is not appropriate to hold a banquet to entertain guests. Mother, let's cancel the banquet!"
Zhang pondered for a moment and said, "It's too late to cancel now. The people from the three major families are already on their way. We can't cancel. But I haven't sent out the invitations to Shangjing City yet. I was planning to send them tomorrow, but now that a disaster has occurred, I won't send out any invitations to Shangjing City."
Yin Jingyi nodded and said, "That's good. If our family holds a big banquet at this critical moment, we will definitely be criticized by the censors, which will have a great impact on my father's career."
Zhang nodded and said, "Okay, wait for your father to come back and we will discuss it with him. Oh! By the way, Yi'er, you just came back from the palace, have you had your meal?"
Yin Jingyi nodded and said, "I have already had my meal. I paid my respects to Concubine Yin and had my meal in her palace."
Zhang said: "It's good to have used it. In the palace of Concubine Yin, I saw..."
Yin Jingyi knew what his mother wanted to say, so he quickly said, "Mother, did father tell you yesterday? He asked you to lift the house arrest for Zijin and Niao Niao as soon as possible. Both Zijin and Niao Niao know they were wrong, not to mention that Zijin is weak, and Niao Niao is lucky that she has held on until now."
Zhang thought that Yin Zijin had already taken the medicine she was supposed to take, and her body had changed according to her wishes to the point where she could have children and have her period. In the future he will have three-inch bound feet and big breasts. Even if he wants to live as a man, he can't. Others will just treat him as a monster. He has no choice but to live as a woman.
Zhang then said, "Yier, your father and I have already made a decision. When the banquet is over, we will release Zijin and Niao Niao from their house arrest. Zijin will be in better shape by then."
Yin Jingyi said happily: "Mother is really thoughtful. Yier thanks mother on behalf of Niaoniao and Zijin..."
So the three of them chatted in this way until it was already past midnight, and Yin Xu had not returned yet. Seeing Yin Ziyue and Yin Jingyi, who were waiting for Yin Xu to return with her, both looked exhausted, Zhang couldn't help but said distressedly: "Yier, Yueer. It's getting late, you should go back and rest!"
Yin Jingyi said with a little tiredness: "Okay, let's go to bed first. It's possible that father won't be back tonight, so you should go to bed early. Don't stay up all night, it's not good for your health."
Zhang nodded and looked at Yin Jingyi walking out with great satisfaction. Zhang couldn't help but think: "My husband can't give me love between men and women, but I am also happy to have children like Yi'er."
After Yin Jingyi and Yin Ziyue left, Nanny Zhou brought the maids and old women into the inner room and quickly helped Zhang wash and go to bed.
Zhang, who was sleeping on the bed, couldn't fall asleep. She tossed and turned, unable to fall asleep. So she put on her clothes, got out of bed, and walked around the room.
Nanny Zhou, who was on night watch, also woke up and said to Zhang: "Madam, can't you sleep?"
Zhang's heart was pounding, and she said worriedly: "Madame Zhou, the disaster must be very serious this time. Otherwise, the master wouldn't have taken so long to discuss matters. If there is something important, no matter how late the master comes back, he will come to Yimeiyuan.
oh! Nanny Zhou. Go to the small kitchen in Yimeiyuan and ask the cook on night watch to make some ginseng soup and bring those snacks. The master will be here soon, so let him take care of you.
The master has been in the palace for so long, he must be nervous and not eating well. We should make more preparations so that the master can feel more comfortable when he returns home. ”
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