Jiayin didn't insist. She took Shuiling and Shuiyun back to the side hall to wash up and change.
Shui Ling asked softly, "Princess, shouldn't we try to persuade the princess? She seems very unhappy; her brows are all furrowed."
“No need,” Jiayin shook her head. “People always have to grow up. It’s better to see things clearly sooner, become cautious and steady, and avoid causing trouble than to wake up after getting hurt.”
Shuiyun nodded and agreed, "What the princess says is true. The princess is already very fortunate, born into a life of luxury. If she were born into a farming family, she would have to worry about filling her stomach from birth. If she could be betrothed to a good family at this age and not be sold into slavery, she would already be considered lucky."
Shui Ling blinked twice and then smiled, "So, we're lucky. Although we're maids, we're maids of a princess. We always eat and drink well, and we don't get scolded or beaten for making mistakes."
Last time I went home, my mother said I was dressed elegantly and was becoming more and more like a lady from a wealthy family, and told me to take good care of the princess!
Jiayin and Shuiyun both laughed when they heard this; this girl was truly content with what she had.
After saying a few words, Jiayin instructed, "There's a bowl of ice cream in the kitchen, go and eat it. Don't eat too much, or you'll get a stomachache."
"Yes, Princess." Shui Ling and Shui Yun replied in unison and then withdrew.
Jiayin took out a bowl of peach-flavored ice cream from her spatial storage and placed it on the table.
Sure enough, Mu Xu climbed over the wall in no time.
He picked up the spoon with practiced ease, took a big bite of ice cream, let out a long sigh, and laughed, "It's so hot! I've been dreaming of eating this!"
Jiayin glanced at him, picked up her makeup box, tidied up the loose pieces of jewelry, and laughed, "There are a lot of mosquitoes on the tree, you're lucky you didn't get eaten."
"Hehe," Mu Xu laughed guiltily, "You noticed? I almost fell because I lost my balance."
Jiayin asked curiously, "I remember my godfather said that he arranged two bodyguards by my side. Besides you, where is the other one?"
Mu Xu waved his hand dismissively, "I sent him away not long after he entered the palace."
Jiayin guessed that he was afraid people would find out that he was climbing through the window at night, so she smiled and didn't ask any further questions.
Mu Xu then said, "If I have nothing else to do later, I'll go to the Earl's mansion. Do you have any message for the Earl?"
"Yes," Jiayin quickly replied. "The Emperor is coming tonight and wants the Third Princess to get married soon. There will probably be changes in the court in the next few days, so I want my second uncle to be prepared and to prioritize stability in all matters."
Mu Xu nodded and smiled, "I've found out some things and I also suspect that the court is about to take action. We've thought of the same thing; wouldn't you call that being of one mind?"
Jiayin's ears turned slightly red, and she scolded playfully, "Who says we're telepathic! Hurry up and eat, then we'll leave the palace. I want to go to bed early."
Mu Xu smiled roguishly, finished his ice cream in a few bites, then took out a small object from his pocket and placed it on the table.
“I saw this on the street today and thought you would like it, so I bought it for you to play with.”
Having said that, perhaps fearing he wouldn't accept the good news, he jumped out of the window and left.
Jiayin stepped forward, picked it up and took a look. It turned out to be a Yuhua stone about the size of a child's fist, and what was rare was that the pattern was clear.
Countless lines form black mountains and deep green grasslands, where a simply sketched pony runs with all its might...
Jiayin couldn't help but laugh. Mu Xu knew she was born in the Year of the Horse and bought it especially to coax her.
etc!
Jiayin's heart suddenly pounded, and she remembered something else.
Previously, Brother Lu had also intended to give her a pair of jade horses, but she gave them to the Third Princess instead.
Could it be...?
That night, the lights in the side hall remained on for a long time.
The next day was the grand court assembly, in which all officials of the fifth rank and above in the new capital were required to attend.
Since the beginning of spring, there has been very little rain, resulting in a severe drought near Xindu, and the reduced yield is a well-known consequence.
But how to ensure that production does not stop is the most important thing now.
Some officials said they would organize the people to dig ditches and divert river water for irrigation.
Some officials suggested digging wells to combat the drought, while others suggested holding a rain-making ceremony.
In short, everyone expressed their opinions, and the court was as noisy as a marketplace, just like always.
As it was Liu Zhiheng's duty, he couldn't help but chime in, but he managed to please everyone and offend no one.
As for Mr. Li and Mr. Wen, they were counting the floor tiles with their heads down.
Of course, they kept their ears open, letting everything go in one ear and out the other, which was considered the greatest respect they could give to the court, and they had done their best.
Half an hour later, perhaps tired of arguing, the "fighting" parties finally stopped, restoring peace to the court.
At this moment, the Grand Emperor, who was over seventy years old and had gray hair, walked out shakily, knelt down on the ground, and said loudly, "Your Majesty, this old minister has something to report."
"Uncle, please rise. Let's talk this out." The Emperor quickly raised his hand, signaling Chief Eunuch Yi to help the man up, and then offered him a seat.
The Grand Master of Ceremonies smiled broadly, quite satisfied, and sat down steadily.
In this imperial court, he was the only one who could sit and speak with the emperor, which was something to be very proud of.
With this confidence, he spoke with less hesitation.
"Your Majesty, although you are in good health, if Tianwu is to be passed down steadily, shouldn't we establish a crown prince as soon as possible?"
"If the Crown Prince is chosen, you should take him under your wing and teach him more, so that he may become as wise and powerful as you. Only then can Tianwu enjoy a prosperous and peaceful era for thousands of generations."
No one expected Zongzheng to say such a thing, and they were all extremely surprised.
Even the officials who were secretly dozing off kept their eyes wide open, secretly watching the emperor on the throne, afraid of missing the slightest change in his expression.
The Emperor frowned slightly at first, then relaxed and sighed softly, replying, "Uncle is right. I have been considering this matter recently. But since it concerns the inheritance of the Heavenly Martial Sect, we must be cautious."
Everyone was on tenterhooks, especially the officials who had already extended olive branches to the Second Prince and the Imperial Concubine; they wished they could grab the Emperor and roar at him.
What are we waiting for? We only have one son. If we don't make the second prince the crown prince, are we thinking of having a few more?!
The Emperor then turned to several key ministers and asked, "What do you gentlemen have to say?"
The six ministers were all frequent attendants of the emperor and knew the saying that serving the emperor was like walking on thin ice. So they all replied in unison, "Your Majesty is wise. We will follow Your Majesty's arrangements."
A look of satisfaction flashed in the Emperor's eyes. He addressed the assembled officials once more, saying, "What are your thoughts on this matter, my esteemed ministers? Feel free to submit your memorials and share them with me. We will discuss it further at the next grand court assembly!"
After saying that, he stood up.
Chief Steward Yi quickly called out, "Court adjourned!"
The crowd quickly knelt down to see them off, and then lined up to leave.
The selection of a crown prince was a momentous event, and before they even left the palace gates, the crowd couldn't help but start discussing it.
An official who loved gardening and often associated with Li Lao Er cautiously approached Li Lao Er and asked, "Lord, what do you think of this matter?"
Two updates today!
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com