Caiyun stepped forward and served her master another half bowl of porridge, feeling extremely envious of Shuiyun and Shuiling.
Although she was valued and trusted by the princess, she was ultimately a servant.
Princess Kang Le genuinely regarded these two maids as family...
Not long after the meal, a young eunuch from Eunuch Feng's staff came running to deliver the news.
"Third Princess, Princess, Eunuch Feng sent me to report a few words. Just now, Eunuch Li from the Censorate requested an audience with the Emperor. The matter of the imperial carriage being blocked at the palace gate has been resolved."
“Deputy Commander Qu did not participate in the instigation, but bears the responsibility for dereliction of duty. Several soldiers, due to drunkenness, disobeyed their superiors and offended the princess and the county princess. The emperor dismissed Deputy Commander Qu from his post, and the soldiers were exiled to the southwest to do hard labor.”
The third princess frowned upon hearing this and asked angrily, "Is that all? You didn't even find out who ordered those soldiers? How could they be so audacious as to humiliate me, a princess, just because they've been drinking?!"
The young eunuch was somewhat embarrassed and stammered, not daring to say anything more.
Jiayin thought for a moment and comforted the little eunuch, "The princess is not blaming you, don't worry. You should go back now and thank Eunuch Feng for us."
After saying that, she glanced at Shui Ling.
Shui Ling immediately stepped forward, smiling as she handed the little eunuch a purse, and then led him out.
The Third Princess looked aggrieved and remained silent for a while before asking Jiayin, "Father also said that he would love me in the future and would not let me suffer any grievances."
"See? It's still the same! He knows perfectly well that those soldiers couldn't have stopped my carriage just because they were drunk; someone must have been behind it, but he just lets them fool him!"
Jiayin could only offer words of comfort, saying, "Perhaps Your Majesty has his own unavoidable difficulties; too much clarity leaves no room for fish."
Remembering the arrangements Mu Xu had made, she smiled again, "But don't be angry. Good deeds will be rewarded, and evil deeds will be punished. Even if someone plots against us behind our backs, they will definitely not have a good ending."
The third princess looked up with red eyes, her expression full of confusion, but Jiayin smiled and refused to say anything more...
Three or four days later, the Ministry of War finally reached a conclusion regarding the destruction of the Northern Expeditionary Army's military supplies.
Almost half of the military families in Xindu were involved.
This shocked many people, but upon closer reflection, they fell silent.
No one wanted the Marquis of Xinting to claim such a tremendous achievement as the recovery of half the country alone.
If you can't get a share of the pie, then drag the whole thing down.
It has to be said, human nature is just that ugly!
The Emperor was furious and immediately punished all those involved.
Whether they were generals or soldiers, they were all sent to the southwest to do hard labor and eat sand.
Upon hearing this, the Third Princess was extremely surprised and grabbed Jiayin, pressing her for answers, "Do you know something? Are these ungrateful wretches who ruined the military rations also the masterminds behind bullying our soldiers?"
Jiayin was pruning the flowers and trees in the yard, holding the shears in her hand. Afraid of hurting her, she quickly put them down and replied helplessly, "I'm not a prophet, how could I know? It was just a casual remark!"
"However, the saying 'evil begets evil' really holds true. Shall we make roast duck wraps tonight to celebrate?"
"Of course!" The Third Princess was in a great mood and readily agreed, instructing the palace servants to go to the imperial kitchen to get two ducks.
Jiayin then added that she asked the palace servants to ask for a few more.
It takes about two hours to bake them, and the weather is hot, so it's not easy to be drenched in sweat. It's better to bake them several times.
The Emperor sent two to the palace, and the maids and eunuchs of Zhilan Palace also got to try them out.
Hearing that they would also get a share, all the palace maids and eunuchs were overjoyed and happily helped out.
As a result, when the sun was setting, the roast duck was ready, and Lu Zong actually entered the palace.
The Third Princess was overjoyed. She led Lu Zong inside and smiled as she presented Bao'er, "Brother Lu, you've come at the perfect time! Jiayin roasted a duck, and we're going to have roast duck pancakes."
"Really? Then I'm in for a treat!" Lu Zong smiled warmly and happily, waving his gilded fan, exuding the pride and nonchalance of a noble young master.
The third princess blushed as she watched. Just then, Jiayin came in after finishing her work and couldn't help but ask in surprise, "Brother Lu, what brings you here?"
Lu Zong glanced at her and replied irrelevantly, "In this hot weather, the palace servants can do the work. Why are you doing it yourself? Be careful not to get heatstroke."
Jiayin waved her hand dismissively, "I've loved eating since I was little, and I also enjoy cooking. It's like playing for me, and I'm very happy about it. It would be too boring to let someone else do it."
Lu Zong smiled and shook his head, no longer trying to persuade him, and then had someone bring over an exquisite straw basket.
"Here are some dried fruits that my family brought over. I thought they tasted pretty good, so I brought some over for you to try."
The third princess was delighted. She opened a jar, took out a dried fruit to taste, and then handed one to Jiayin. Jiayin quickly waved her hand, saying, "I felt unwell from the smoke from the stove and had no appetite. You guys eat it."
The third princess happily hugged the jar, saying, "Then I'll keep it all to myself."
“Of course I’ll keep it all for myself. Brother Lu originally brought it for you too,” Jiayin said with a smile. “You two talk, I’ll go and pack two roast ducks for Brother Lu to take back and eat when he leaves.”
The third princess beamed and exclaimed, "Thank you, Jiayin! You're the best!"
Jiayin secretly made a face at her, making her blush, and then she went out laughing.
Lu Zong kept his head down and drank his tea, seemingly oblivious to what was happening...
As night fell, darkness enveloped the entire palace, and lanterns were lit everywhere, casting shadows that gave the towering buildings a unique beauty.
Jiayin and the Third Princess ate a roast duck and were both quite full, so they walked arm in arm in the yard to digest their food.
The Third Princess suddenly remembered the Empress Dowager and, somewhat curious, whispered in Jiayin's ear, "Jiayin, why has that old woman suddenly become quiet lately? She hasn't come looking for trouble with us."
Jiayin certainly knew the reason.
All the secret passages leading out of Shou Kang Palace have been discovered, and the Empress Dowager's faction has been completely wiped out. The Empress Dowager is now like a tiger in a cage; she looks scary, but she can't hurt anyone.
But she couldn't say that. The Third Princess wasn't stupid and was willing to listen to advice, but she had been spoiled since childhood. Occasionally, when she lost her temper, she might do or say something wrong in a moment of impulsiveness.
She couldn't bear the responsibility if she ruined the Emperor's plans.
So, it's better to avoid trouble.
"I don't know either. Maybe they think we're not easy to bully and don't want to waste their efforts."
Jia Yin gave a perfunctory reply, which made the Third Princess proudly raise her head, "Haha, she knows what's good for her!"
Just then, someone at the door laughed, "Who are you talking about? Who has offended my precious daughter again!"
The third princess turned around and exclaimed in surprise, "Oh my, Father, what brings you here?"
She went straight over and affectionately took the emperor's arm.
Jiayin smiled and stepped forward to pay her respects, standing on the other side of the Emperor.
The Emperor glanced at the elegantly decorated courtyard and smiled, "I was concerned about your health. I thought that after taking the tonics for a few days, you should be feeling much better. I didn't expect you to be living such a good life!"
"Of course," the Third Princess replied without any modesty, "Even if I'm not suitable, there's always Jiayin. She's good at eating and having fun; I wish I could marry her!"
The Emperor laughed heartily, patted Jiayin on the back, and was very pleased.
"My dear Fu Niu'er, it's a lot of trouble for you to come to the palace and keep my silly daughter company."
"You're too kind, Your Majesty. Princess Sister treats me very well. She does sometimes act silly, but it's within my tolerance." Jiayin made a face, which made the Emperor laugh again.
Soon, a chair was added under the eaves, and tea, snacks, and fruit were laid out.
The Emperor sat in the middle, gazing at the courtyard full of flowers and orange lanterns, feeling the cool evening breeze, and sighed softly…
Two updates today!
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