He Huiyuan hesitated for a moment, knowing that this matter could not be concealed, so he told Bei Yiqian everything about He Huaichen poisoning the Crown Princess.
Bei Yiqian immediately guessed what He Huiyuan was thinking. He was so anxious that he almost bit his tongue. "He Fanghua has committed such a serious crime. If you go to the palace to plead for him, it will definitely anger His Majesty, and you might even lose your official position. No, don't dawdle here. Go to the palace now and apologize to His Majesty, and let His Majesty deal with He Fanghua as he pleases..."
Before Bei Yiqian could finish his words, He Huiyuan's expression changed and he said angrily, "Look, are you talking like a human being? He's my own brother. He and I have been dependent on each other for so many years. How could I just leave him alone for the sake of my own fame and fortune?"
Bei Yiqian cried, "If you go to take care of your brother, what will happen to me and the child? Aren't you going to take care of me and the child?"
He Huiyuan was already upset, and hearing Bei Yiqian crying like this made her even more upset. She shook off Bei Yiqian's hand and walked forward without looking back, "I can't reason with an ignorant man like you."
Bei Yiqian wiped the tears from his face, the panic and fear in his eyes completely gone. He lowered his head, hiding the coldness in his eyes. His good days were just beginning, and he didn't want to return to his old life of being bullied just because he had just become the general's concubine. He would definitely find a way to persuade He Huiyuan to leave his vicious brother alone.
…
The celebration banquet was scheduled for three days later.
The location is Changle Palace in front of the Snow Plum Forest.
The greatest contributor to the victory of this battle was Fairy Xuanming. Compared with Fairy Xuanming, General He Huiyuan had to stand behind her.
Ling Shumo raised his glass in the direction of Xuanming Fairy, "I have decided to let you hold the position of Minister of Rites and Director of the Imperial Observatory at the same time."
As soon as these words were spoken, the whole audience was in an uproar.
Xuanming Fairy herself held several positions. Not only did she handle matters related to the Ministry of Rites, but the Ministry of Works also consulted on matters related to military farming and water conservancy. Now, she had been appointed Director of the Imperial Observatory, a position of immense power and the respect bestowed upon her by the emperor—a position truly enviable. After Xuanming Fairy bowed and thanked Ling Shumo, who had risen to her feet, the court officials raised their glasses in congratulations.
The masters in the harem turned their eyes to Fu Yijing who was sitting next to Ling Shumo.
Today's banquet was not only a celebration for Xuanming Fairy and General He, but also a comeback banquet for Fu Yijing, the Empress of the Eastern Palace. Even the usually favored Lu Jinshu had to yield to Fu Yijing today, avoiding his attention.
At this time, the sun was high in the sky, already three feet high. Attendants were constantly coming and going in Changle Palace, shuttling between the tables, serving tea and water. As time passed, the atmosphere in the palace grew increasingly lively, everyone immersed in the singing and dancing accompanied by the chorus of flutes and drums.
Suddenly, He Huiyuan pushed away Bei Yiqian, who was trying to dissuade her. She strode up the stairs towards the throne, finally stopping in front of Ling Shumo. Without hesitation, she knelt down and kowtowed loudly. "I beg Your Majesty to forgive He Fanghua this time. As long as Your Majesty is willing to show mercy, even if you sentence me to exile three thousand miles away or end my life with a single blow, I will willingly accept the punishment."
As He Huiyuan finished speaking, the music on the dance floor stopped. Bei Yiqian's eyes rolled up, and he almost fainted. What did his good wife say? "Exile three thousand miles away, or a single sword kill." If He Huiyuan really died, leaving them alone and a widowed, they wouldn't have to live.
Lu Jinshu's gaze fell unabashedly on He Huiyuan. As expected, just as he had heard, He Huiyuan valued his younger brother, He Huaichen, immensely. Even if it meant losing his position, he would still protect his brother. So, what would His Majesty do?
Ling Shumo looked at He Huiyuan in front of her, and the smile on her face faded little by little, and finally disappeared completely. He Huiyuan spoke respectfully, and her posture was even more humble, but she still felt that the other party's attitude was subtly coercive.
He Huiyuan was sure that the court still needed her as a general, and that Ling Shumo was reluctant to demote her, the general whom she had promoted.
Ling Shumo said, "Since you've already pleaded for mercy, I will show some mercy and demote He Huaichen to the position of Warehouse Manager. After this banquet, he will be confined to his own palace for a year. Are you satisfied with this punishment, Lord He?"
The rank of Si Yi was from the sixth rank, and He Huaichen was demoted from the fourth rank Fang Hua to Si Yi, a drop of five ranks in one fell swoop. However, compared to the crime of poisoning the Crown Princess, this punishment was already a great mercy.
This result was a million times better than He Huiyuan had expected. As expected, the Emperor still needed her. She heaved a sigh of relief and knelt once again to thank the Emperor for his grace, not noticing the fleeting cold light in Ling Shumo's eyes.
At this time, Fu Yijing stood up from his seat and knelt before Ling Shumo, "Your Majesty, the mistresses of the harem and several noble sons of the aristocratic families have talents to present to you and the guests. I wonder when it would be convenient for them to begin their performances?"
Ling Shumo smiled and said, "Everyone is interested, so we can start now."
Zhiqi clapped his hands softly. One by one, the young men stepped onto the dance floor.
For a moment, handsome men were everywhere, charming everyone. While drinking and chatting, countless young men from aristocratic families threw away their usual reserve and flirted with the young king on the high throne.
It was almost three years since the late emperor's passing, and the Ministry of Rites had already put the selection of concubines on the agenda. It would be ideal if we could leave a good impression on the emperor before the election.
Fu Yijing looked at the dignified and charming young men, and a wave of disgust welled up in his heart. He felt that each of them was truly shameless. These were all unmarried young men, who had no idea of the virtues of a man. In such a public place, it was as if they were collectively indulging in lust. As he thought about this, he completely forgot about the first time he met Ling Shumo, when he cried and shouted that he would rather be a concubine than marry Ling Shumo, then the Crown Princess.
Elsewhere, after finally dealing with the officials who surrounded her and fawned over her, Xuanming Fairy turned and saw her son, a look of gnashing teeth on his face. She quickly walked over to Fu Yijing and coughed heavily.
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