Chapter 2429 Excitement
Because he knew the news in advance, Manbao got up very early the next day. He got up early, washed early, put on his official uniform early, and then sat obediently at the dining table waiting for breakfast.
It was the first time that Xiao Qian had seen her get up so early. She first looked at the dark sky outside in disbelief, and then wanted to check the hourglass in the main hall. Manbao immediately said, "Don't look at it, sister-in-law. I got up early on purpose."
She said seriously, "I haven't attended court meetings for a long time. Since this is a rare opportunity, I naturally have to get up early and prepare."
Xiao Qian didn't know that she was going to be rewarded, and she thought it made sense, so she nodded.
She asked, "Do you want to eat bread or noodles?"
Manbao was confused. "Do you want me to choose?"
She wants to choose both.
Xiao Qian smiled and said, "I wanted to make you a bowl of noodles, but I didn't know you'd be back yesterday, so I didn't prepare the sauce in advance. I wanted to chop some meat to make noodles for you, but I haven't pulled the noodles yet. How about I just make you a pancake?"
Manbao said seriously, "Sister-in-law, I'm not in a hurry. Let's eat noodles."
Xiao Qian calculated the time and felt it was enough, so she went to make her some noodles.
First, add oil and fry the minced meat, then add water to cook the noodles. Finally, take out the noodles, add the minced meat and some salt, sauce and vinegar, and it tastes delicious after mixing.
Xiao Qianshi reminded her, "Don't drink too much noodle soup."
I heard that during a grand court session, you cannot leave to go to the toilet, so people who attend the morning court will not eat any soup or water.
Xiao Qian cooked two bowls and took one through the main hall to Mr. Zhuang.
It just so happened that the Bai family also sent food to Mr. Zhuang, which were steamed buns and cakes. Mr. Zhuang liked Xiao Qian's noodles very much, so he gave half of the steamed buns, cakes, eggs and other things to Manbao.
In the end, Manbao only accepted one egg, and the rest went into the stomach of Lao Zhoutou, who had just gotten up and washed.
Old Zhou was also very surprised, "Why are you up so early today?"
He was thinking of getting up early to wake his daughter up. In the past, he had to go and wake her up every time she went to attend a big court meeting.
Manbao suppressed her excitement and said to her father, "It's been a long time since I last saw His Majesty. I miss him."
"That's right," Old Zhoutou had a good impression of the emperor. He had just returned from the busy farming season and, seeing the vast expanses of official farmland, he couldn't help but like the emperor. So he said, "When you go to the palace to see the emperor, give him my regards."
Manbao nodded: "No problem."
The father and daughter chatted while eating. When Mr. Zhuang was ready, they went to the morning court together. Bai Shan had just gotten up. He washed up quickly and came to see them off. He said to Man Bao, "Be good at the court today. Don't argue with others. If someone scolds you, just pretend you didn't hear it."
Old Zhou, who was standing by, was unhappy after hearing this and said, "That won't work. Wouldn't that be in vain? Manbao, is someone from the court scolding you? Really, how can a bunch of grown men bully a young lady?"
Before Manbao could say anything, Mr. Zhuang looked at Bai Shan and said unkindly, "How can you teach people like this?"
After saying this, Mr. Zhuang turned around and said to Manbao, "It's common to argue with ministers in court. There's no need to argue about who's better."
He said, "Different perceptions of the future, different political views, different interests—all of these will lead to disputes. If we argue back and forth over each and every one of them, what's the difference between that and arguments over weight in the market?"
"Officials must learn to express their own opinions, but also learn to think about and accept the opinions of others. They should refute those they disagree with and humbly accept criticism of those they agree with. This is the right path."
After Mr. Zhuang finished speaking, he glanced at Bai Shan.
Bai Shan immediately said, "I know, sir. From now on, I will never be frivolous and impetuous again, and I will only think about refuting others."
Mr. Zhuang nodded in satisfaction, then said to Manbao, "However, today is a good day for you, so it's really not appropriate to argue with others. Xiao Yuanzheng already entered the palace yesterday. Even if His Majesty has questions today, it will be Xiao Yuanzheng who will answer. Don't forget, although you are an editor at the Chongwenguan, you are also the deputy minister of the Imperial Hospital, and you have the chief official above you."
So don't speak up without thinking.
It’s okay at other times, but today I have to be more steady.
Mr. Zhuang gave Manbao a look, and the master and disciple got into the car together.
After their carriage had gone far away, Old Zhou finally realized what was going on and asked, "What's going on today?"
Without a clear order, Bai Shan certainly couldn't tell Old Zhou, so he smiled at Old Zhou, turned around and ran away, "Uncle Zhou, you'll find out when you wait."
Old Zhou couldn't even call out to stop anyone.
Manbao and his friends arrived early, and when the master and disciple arrived at the Taiji Hall, they only saw a few officials vaguely inside.
They were all of low rank. They greeted each other and then sat down in their seats with their necks hunched.
In April, it is still a bit cold in the morning.
Manbao took out a heater from his sleeve and gave it to Mr. Zhuang, then found his seat, sat down and looked around.
Once dawn broke, the sky brightened very quickly. In just a few moments, the light outside became brighter and brighter, and finally the light shone into the hall, and Manbao saw the first ray of morning sun.
Then a lot of officials came in from outside, including Xiao Yuanzheng. He stood diagonally in front of Manbao, and the distance between them was not far.
After greeting the people in front, behind, and around them, they sat down and waited for the emperor to arrive.
County Magistrate Tang arrived breathlessly. Before he even reached his seat, he saw Zhou Man and exclaimed, "Huh?" "Why didn't your Dean Xiao give you a break? You actually came to the grand court meeting?"
Manbao thought, it would be a shame if she didn't come to see the reward in person today.
County Magistrate Guo came in a step later than County Magistrate Tang. His posture was quite graceful, but he was a little out of breath. The Taiji Hall was still a bit far from the palace gate.
He saw Manbao was also stunned for a moment, then greeted her as usual, "Master Zhou is here too."
Manbao greeted them and finally had a chance to talk about them, "Master Tang and Master Guo are a little late."
County Magistrates Tang and Guo curled their lips at the same time. They had been sitting in the same place for so many years, and they had always said these words to her.
The two decided not to hold grudges and not to argue with her, so they greeted each other and sat down in their seats.
As a result, as their buttocks just touched the mat, they heard the sound of whipping outside, so they had to stand up again.
As they stood up, a loud announcement came from outside: The Emperor has arrived.
All the civil and military officials stood in unison. When the emperor walked to his seat and sat down, they all bowed deeply to the emperor and said, "Your Majesty, may your Majesty be blessed with good health."
It's better to update both chapters at the same time, otherwise I'm afraid you will scold me.
(End of this chapter)
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
