Chapter 71 Presiding over the Silkworm Ceremony
The atmosphere was extremely cold and no one dared to breathe. Only the rustling sound of the breeze blowing through the branches could be heard.
Xu Miaohua was still kneeling on the ground, shivering for no apparent reason.
The emperor then said slowly, "Yang Shangyi has been in charge of the six palaces for a long time. She is a role model for the court. She should be the one to preside over the silkworm ceremony."
Yang Manyan suddenly raised his eyes, slightly surprised.
Xiao Yan looked calm, as if he was not surprised. "It is Yang Shangyi's fortune to be praised by the emperor and entrusted with an important task by him. I, your son, would like to thank the emperor on his behalf."
The emperor pursed his lips, quite dissatisfied with his son's silent declaration of sovereignty.
"Is it Xu, the daughter of Duke Wei?" He once again looked down at Xu Miaohua who was kneeling not far away.
"Yes." Xu Miaohua nodded slightly.
Just when she thought the emperor looked up to her because of her background, she heard the emperor sneer.
"The daughter of the Xu family has no respect for her superiors and is spreading rumors. She should be taken away and beaten with a hundred sticks to serve as a warning to others."
Having been firmly on the throne for many years, he could control his power at will, and a moment of emotion revealed could scare people to death.
As soon as he finished speaking, several young eunuchs came forward and held down the frightened Xu Miaohua.
Yang Manyan was stunned, "Your Majesty, is a hundred strokes of the cane too much..."
Not to mention a young girl, even a strong adult man might not survive after being beaten with a stick a hundred times.
The emperor lowered his eyes to look at Yang Manyan and asked casually, "Oh? Yang Shangyi, how do you think we should punish her?"
After pondering for a moment, Yang Manyan said hesitantly, "How about punishing her to copy the Daliang Law Collection from beginning to end?"
The Daliang Law Collection is divided into twelve chapters and sixty volumes, totaling about 200,000 words. Even if one works without sleep, it would take about ten days to copy it word by word.
However, Xiao Yan did not quite agree. This was not the first time that the Xu family had offended his sweetheart.
Last time, Xu Chengzong spoke without thinking in front of him, and afterwards he was stripped of his position as the prince's companion and deprived of his qualification for the title.
In other words, although Xu Chengzong could still inherit the title of Duke of Wei, he could no longer obtain an official position by virtue of his status as the descendant of a founding hero.
Unless he personally took the imperial examination and obtained fame, he could obtain an official position step by step. But Xu Chengzong himself was not outstanding in talent and learning. If he really took the examination, he might not even pass the examination for a scholar.
The Duke of Wei's Mansion, which had been prominent for a hundred years since the founding of the dynasty, ended with his generation.
Now his sister still doesn't repent, which shows that their family is truly hopeless.
Xiao Jing clasped his hands and said, "Your Majesty, I think that 100 strokes of the cane is indeed a bit too heavy, and Yang Shangyi's suggestion is a bit too light. It would be better to let his father and brother take the punishment instead, 50 strokes of the cane each, and Xu should copy the law as Yang Shangyi suggested."
The emperor was a little surprised that his son, who was always known for his generosity and humility, would actually try to implicate his family members.
It seems that the people from Duke Wei's Mansion have really offended him.
This time, Yang Manyan did not say anything to dissuade him.
Xu Miaohua's face turned pale, her whole body trembled, and she murmured, "I just said something wrong for a moment, how could I..."
How come even her father and brother were to be punished? If this got out, the Duke of Wei's Mansion would be in disgrace.
She shouldn't have allowed Yang Manyan to enter the palace and participate in the selection of concubines, otherwise how could things have come to this point!
The emperor waved his hand impatiently, signaling his men to take her away.
The noble ladies from aristocratic families who were staying in Changyin Pavilion were all sighing with regret after watching the whole process, and no longer dared to look down on Yang Shangyi, who came from a humble background.
Seeing that it was almost lunchtime, Chang Ying's mind raced, and he suggested with a flattering smile, "A new batch of roe deer and deer eggs were delivered to Nanyuan this morning. Now that it's still cold and warm, it's a good time to eat roasted meat. Your Majesty, why don't you let the Crown Prince and Yang Shangyi go to the Palace of Heavenly Purity to feast on their food?"
The emperor did not comment, but just looked at Yang Manyan with burning eyes.
Chang Ying hurriedly introduced it vividly: "This venison is much more delicious than beef and mutton. When it is roasted until crispy on the outside and tender on the inside, and then brushed with honey, it will leave a lingering fragrance in your mouth after one bite, and it will be endless aftertaste..."
Just by listening to his words, Yang Manyan swallowed quietly.
Xiao Yan had no choice but to take the greedy Yang Manyan with him to the Qianqing Palace, even though he knew he was a sheep walking into a tiger's mouth.
The beaded curtain swayed gently, and the group walked straight into the dining room of the east warm pavilion, and several eunuchs from the imperial kitchen came in carrying a sizzling, greasy roasted whole deer.
Yang Manyan adjusted her skirt and wanted to sit down at the side of the dining table, but the emperor grabbed her arm forcefully and made her sit in the main seat in the middle.
The dining table was a long square table made of golden nanmu wood. If she sat on the side, there would be a prince between them. If she sat in the main seat in the middle, she would be surrounded by her father and son.
If it were in the past, when the current emperor and the crown prince were sitting below her, Yang Manyun might have been flattered, but now she has gradually gotten used to it.
The emperor generously cut a large piece of venison leg with a knife and put it in Yang Manyan's bowl, "Try it while it's hot, my dear."
Xiao Yan, however, picked up a small piece of deer ribs that had been cut in advance by the imperial kitchen and put it on Yang Manyan's bowl. "The meat of deer ribs is more tender and delicious. You should try it."
Yang Manyan is able to deal with such situations with ease.
She lowered her head slightly and whispered softly, "I can eat it all, take your time, don't rush..."
Seeing how gentle she looked, the two men naturally followed her wishes and no longer forced her to make a choice.
After lunch, someone from the Cining Palace came to summon the prince, and specifically instructed that the prince should go alone.
Yang Manyan's heart was beating like a drum, and he vaguely guessed that Queen Mother Jiang's purpose was to fill the Eastern Palace with someone.
Xiao Yan saw Yang Manyan's worry, so he held her little hand and squeezed it soothingly.
He lowered his voice and said, "Don't be afraid, Yuanyuan. I will only have you in my life and will never let irrelevant people enter the East Palace."
Yang Manyan nodded obediently, and when the prince left in a hurry, she also bowed and took her leave to return to the East Palace.
The emperor tried to persuade her to stay, "I've heard that Yuan'er is an excellent chess player, but I haven't played against you yet."
Hearing this, Yang Manyan's breathing stagnated slightly, and his cheeks instantly turned red...
Ever since the last ridiculous incident, she didn't have the courage to let anyone take out the crystal Go set for several days.
She blushed and stammered, "Your Majesty, I am not very good at chess, so let's not do it..."
Seeing her reaction, the emperor also recalled the erotic scene of that day. His eyes darkened and his Adam's apple moved.
At first, he really just wanted to play chess with her, but people always want more.
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