Chapter 331: The Envoy from Mobei
The Queen Mother, however, understood the situation better than Ji Yunshu: "This isn't a question of whether we want to fight or not. The people of Mobei are destined to be restless. Your Majesty is right to make early plans."
Ji Yunshu smiled and said, "Aunt is wise. Mother and son are connected by heart. The emperor must think so too."
The Queen Mother smiled but said nothing.
Ji Yunshu knew that the Queen Mother gave up power so decisively, not only because she had figured it out, but also because she was somewhat disheartened.
To fight against the people of Mobei, we have to rely on the Ji family.
But the emperor may not want to see the Ji family continue to grow.
This is an unsolvable situation. The Ji family members sacrificed their lives on the battlefield and still have to face the suspicion of the court. Naturally, they feel wronged.
But no matter who the 200,000 troops in the north are handed over to, the emperor will find it difficult to feel at ease.
Ji Yunshu stayed in Ningshou Palace for one night, and the next day was the palace banquet for the Wanshou Festival.
Considering that accidents were most likely to happen at large palace banquets, Ji Yunshu did not go anywhere that day and stayed by the Queen Mother's side.
When some old ladies in the mansion came to pay their respects to the empress dowager, she refused to leave and waited obediently on the side.
The Queen Mother couldn't help but chase her away: "This palace is not a den of dragons and tigers. You are young, why do you always stay around an old woman like me?"
Ji Yunshu complained, "I've only been with you for less than a day and you already despise me. You weren't like this before."
The Queen Mother said with a smile, "What childish talk! I'm just worried you'll get bored. The palace is bustling with activity today, so why don't you go and meet some people?"
Ji Yunshu understood that the Queen Mother was doing this for her own good. Since she was going to be in charge of the household, social interactions were inevitable.
This palace banquet included almost all the dignitaries in the capital.
"There's no rush. I'll go with you when the time comes."
The Queen Mother had no choice but to let her do as she pleased.
The palace banquet was in the afternoon. The Empress Dowager was of noble status and appeared in the Linde Hall on time with the Emperor.
Ji Yunshu then found a seat in the Marquis of Changxing's mansion and sat down next to Zhao Shen.
Seeing that although Zhao Shen's face didn't show it, there was some bruise under his eyes, he couldn't help but ask: "You haven't rested all this time?"
Zhao Shen said, "I slept for two hours last night. I'll be fine after these few busy days."
Ji Yunshu didn't believe him and glanced at the people sitting in the hall, many of whom were unfamiliar faces.
This means that these people do not live in the capital.
With so many descendants of princes and people from Mobei coming here at once, they will definitely cause great trouble to public security management.
And Zhao Shen is now the prefect of Jingzhao.
She sighed and said, "Can't the emperor change your seat?"
The position of Jingzhao Yin is really thankless.
Zhao Shen understood what she meant and said with a smile, "With me in this position, these people can be more restrained. If it were someone else, there might be a big mess."
Although the princes and grandchildren who returned from the vassal states were noble, they were far away from the center of imperial power, and a powerful prince like Zhao Shen could still suppress them.
But it’s different if other officials are replaced.
As long as these ancestors don't commit any serious crimes, no one can do anything to them, no matter how light or heavy the punishment.
The two were whispering when suddenly the surroundings became quiet. The emperor, who was sitting on top, stood up, said a few polite words, and then announced the start of the banquet.
Next came the birthday congratulations from all the ministers, especially the princes and their families who had returned from various places, who all came forward one by one to present birthday gifts.
Ji Yunshu listened to these people speaking the same old congratulatory words and couldn't help but complain to Zhao Shen, "It's really not easy to come up with so many words of praise."
Zhao Shen glared at her angrily: "Don't talk nonsense."
At first, he just thought that Ji Yunshu had a problem with the emperor, so she always showed disrespect to the emperor intentionally or unintentionally, but gradually he found that she had no reverence for the imperial power in her bones.
I don’t know what kind of environment can produce such a person.
Thinking of this, his eyes darkened slightly.
Ji Yunshu didn't comment on his words and ate the food at the banquet boredly.
Most of them were not very tasty, but there was a soup that really suited her taste, and she couldn't help but drink a few more sips.
Suddenly I felt someone's eyes falling on me.
She couldn't help but look up and saw a woman sitting on a seat not far away opposite. She was dressed in a foreign style, with bright clothes, a circle of small braids on her head, and coral beads and turquoise hanging on her head, which was very eye-catching.
The woman looked even more beautiful in such gorgeous attire.
Seeing her looking over, the other person winked at her and a smile appeared on her pretty face.
Ji Yunshu guessed that this should be the princess from Mobei. Although he didn't understand her intentions, he still smiled at her subconsciously.
After retracting her gaze, she asked Zhao Shen: "Have you noticed that these princesses from other countries, the saints, are all very beautiful?"
Although Emperor Jingming had no princesses, the previous emperor had several princesses. Ji Yunshu had seen them all. Most of them were good-looking, but none of them were particularly beautiful.
Zhao Shen: “…”
He didn't know why his wife's first focus on the princess from Mobei was her beauty when she saw her.
As the birthday celebrations from all parties in the hall came to an end, singing and dancing performances began and the atmosphere became lively.
Seeing that no one was paying attention to them, he simply ignored the question and said to Ji Yunshu, "We came back so hastily that no one has probably told you the details of the envoy from Mobei."
Ji Yunshu nodded.
In fact, the Queen Mother said something to her, but what the Queen Mother said was definitely not the same as what Zhao Shen wanted to say.
Zhao Shen glanced at the seats across from Mobei and explained in detail to Ji Yunshu, "Two princes from Mobei have come this time: the third prince, Batu, and the fifth prince, Bilige. The third prince's mother is the daughter of a noble from a major Mobei tribe, and he himself is a brave warrior. Many people tacitly assume he will be the next King of Mobei. The fifth prince was born to a slave girl and has no status. He seems to be here just to make up the numbers."
Ji Yunshu, however, felt that this was not the case. She had the impression in the original book that the successor King of Mobei did not have a maternal family with a strong background.
Otherwise, he would not have colluded with King Yong and led his troops to invade the south as soon as the old King of Mobei died.
But now was not the time to talk about that. She asked again, "What about this princess?"
Zhao Shen said, "Speaking of which, her status is the most noble among these people. She is the daughter of the Queen and the only legitimate princess of the King of Mobei. In Mobei, someone of her status has the right of inheritance."
This was the first time Ji Yunshu knew that a woman in this world could inherit the throne. She couldn't help but look at Zhao Shen and asked, "Then why do people assume that the Third Prince will be the next King of Mobei?"
Zhao Shen said, "Can't you see? It's said that this princess was pampered by the King and Queen of Mobei and was known for her innocence and kindness. How could someone with such a personality inherit the throne?"
Ji Yunshu frowned: "King Mobei never thought of letting her inherit the throne from the beginning?"
Zhao Shen shook his head: "I don't know. The Queen only has this one daughter. If she doesn't inherit the throne, it won't be a good thing for the Queen."
Ji Yunshu looked at the woman opposite him who was enjoying the singing and dancing with great interest, and for a moment he really couldn't make out anything.
So he asked again: "Is she here to marry a foreign princess?"
If she came here for marriage, then she definitely couldn't be the heir chosen by the King of Mobei.
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