On the night of the Mid-Autumn Festival, when the moon is full, the emperor and empress sleep together, naturally in peace.
Because of the Mid-Autumn Festival banquet, the court also had a three-day holiday, but not attending court did not mean that the Emperor's Funing Hall was free of memorials.
Although he slept well last night, Pei Yuanhui was still not in good spirits when he came out of Kunning Palace today.
Last night, Pei Yuanhui summoned Song Jijiu's youngest son, **Yu, to the palace to read a memorial. When he returned to Funing Palace, **Yu was already waiting outside.
He stood as upright as a pine tree and as gentle as jade. Although he was summoned during his leave, he wore a warm smile on his face.
After listening to reports for half a day, Pei Yuanhui was finally not so tired.
Whether a subject has a day off or not depends entirely on the emperor's will.
Moreover, this is actually a blessing and an honor for the Song family.
After reviewing the memorial, Pei Yuanhui waved his hand and sent Yu to the library to look for books.
He was unusually lazy and slept soundly in the Funing Palace.
However, he didn't sleep very comfortably. He always felt that something was missing from his ears, but at other times he felt that something was added to his ears and body.
Pei Yuanhui didn't sleep for long. When he woke up, he found himself surrounded by General Tan's lazy cries, and on top of him was General Tan, who had gotten even fatter.
This cat only becomes so clingy when it's hungry. Pei Yuanhui finally grabbed Tan Nu by the scruff of its neck, got up, and went barefoot off the bed to find food for this little darling.
He probably used all his rare patience on Tan Nu.
Pei Yuanhui bent down and personally fed Tan Nu dried fish.
He slept in the Funing Palace for as long as this guy lay on top of him; no wonder he was hungry.
Watching Tan Nu eat the dried fish slowly and with great enjoyment, a figure inexplicably popped into Pei Yuanhui's mind.
There were quite a few women who enjoyed their meals with him, but when it came to eating with both relish and beauty, there was truly only one.
After feeding Tannu, Pei Yuanhui stood up and wiped his hands with a handkerchief.
"Jinyang".
Upon hearing the sound, Jin Yang lowered his head and went inside.
"Please give your orders, Your Majesty."
Pei Yuanhui tapped the table and sat down casually: "Has anything happened in the last few hours?"
Jin Yang first hummed in agreement, then secretly glanced at the Emperor: "Grand Tutor Zhou submitted a petition to the palace saying he wanted to see Your Majesty. He said that he is now too old to bear Your Majesty's heavy responsibilities. He also said that Your Majesty should rescind the decree. He only wishes to retire and return to his hometown."
Grand Tutor Zhou wasn't afraid to take on the important task; he was clearly dissatisfied with the Emperor's arrangements.
Jin Yang felt a chill run down his spine after saying those words.
Upon hearing this, Pei Yuanhui was so angry that he laughed instead. He chuckled and said, "I think he really should retire and return to his hometown."
His original intention was to appease the old ministers, or more accurately, to silence the censors in the Censorate.
Giving that old scoundrel the title of Grand Academician Pei Yuanhui of the Zhaowen Hall was already a great honor for the Zhou family, yet they actually accepted it.
Shameless.
Pei Yuanhui picked up the paperweight beside him, but only held it; he made no intention of throwing it away.
"Go tell the Empress Dowager, I want to see what she does."
Jin Yang readily agreed.
"Also... Madam Cao didn't have a good appetite after waking up. I heard she didn't eat much at lunch."
Pei Yuanhui then put down the paperweight in his hand, clapped his hands, and remained silent for a few seconds.
Well, it seems I can't summon Xiao Huo to see her for dinner tonight.
He said yesterday that he was going to see Cao Shanlu.
Pei Yuanhui was a man of his word; of course, he didn't need to keep his word to a villain.
However, when Pei Yuanhui went to Zhongcui Palace to have dinner with Consort Cao, he still couldn't help but drift off and think about Xiao Huo.
Cao Shanlu really didn't have any appetite right now. She was indeed frightened by what happened last night, but she felt better when she woke up this morning. It was just that she had no appetite for no reason.
Her appetite was poor, which naturally affected Pei Yuanhui's appetite as well.
Halfway through the meal, Zhu Shi, who was standing next to Cao Shanlu, suddenly entered.
"Your Majesty, Your Highness, Consort Xie of the East Annex knows that Your Highness has a poor appetite, so she specially sent some sour apricots from home, saying that they are specially made at home and are the best for stimulating the appetite."
Why didn't Madam Xie send anything at noon? Now that she knows the Emperor is here, she's all eager to curry favor.
Cao Shanlu's expression changed, and she showed a look of disgust.
"It sounds unappetizing, Your Majesty. Please move it further away."
Pei Yuanhui glanced at the tray in Zhu Shi's hand and waved his hand, "Take it for your wife. Take it out next time your wife doesn't have an appetite and see if she wants to eat."
Cao Shanlu pouted, meaning she was being coquettish: "This concubine would never crave sour apricots. Just hearing about them makes my teeth ache."
Pei Yuanhui glanced at her upon hearing this: "I remember that a few days ago someone loved sour foods the most, but now they don't?"
Cao Shanlu glanced at the bamboo and stone first, and then said relentlessly, "A pregnant woman's appetite changes every day, Your Majesty, are you not even willing to accept this?"
Pei Yuanhui didn't dwell on the topic too much; he simply hummed in agreement with Cao Shanlu's statement.
"Just tell the imperial kitchen to make whatever you want to eat." Pei Yuanhui glanced at Cao Shanlu's empty bowl.
Cao Shanlu sniffed and still said coquettishly, "With Your Majesty here, my appetite seems to be better."
Pei Yuanhui stared at her intently, and naturally saw through her intentions.
"Then I will have Jinyang come every day to check on your appetite."
Pei Yuanhui didn't have time to visit Consort Cao at Zhongcui Palace every day.
Jin Yang entered from outside at some unknown time. Upon hearing the Emperor's instructions, he nodded respectfully in response.
After having dinner with Consort Cao, Pei Yuanhui did not stay at Zhongcui Palace.
"What's wrong?"
Pei Yuanhui left Zhongcui Palace and asked Jinyang directly.
"The Empress Dowager said that this is a matter of the previous dynasty, and it is inconvenient for her to interfere. Everything should be decided by His Majesty."
What do you mean by "matters of the previous dynasty"? This clearly means they don't want to get involved.
Pei Yuanhui sneered: "Zhou Cheng is now the transport commissioner of Jingdong Road? Tomorrow, summon Xue Qi to the palace. I have given the order. As for that old fellow, let him wait."
He wanted to see how long the Censorate could impeach him.
It's just that he doesn't care about the feelings for his old and loyal ministers.
The process of upgrading and replacing equipment can take a year or two, so Pei Yuanhui isn't afraid to wait.
The power struggles in the imperial court are all about who has more patience.
"Please invite...Mr. Fu to come tomorrow afternoon."
Pei Yuanhui hesitated before finally choosing Fu Shi, even though the small Huo was almost on his lips.
The Fu clan is still needed today.
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