Chapter 135
soon.
The news that the Seventh Prince had built a palace and His Majesty had sent his congratulations spread quickly.
The officials who were originally waiting to see the emperor's attitude, as well as some neutral officials, immediately took action and started to cause traffic jams on the streets leading to the Seventh Prince's Palace.
The adults from various mansions got off the carriages, carrying their clothes and rushed to the Seventh Prince's mansion.
When he walked to the door and saw the registration boy, he bowed and said, "I'm sorry, I'm sorry, I had something going on at home, so I'm late!"
The servant picked up the pen and wrote down his name and the gift list: "It's okay, you are the tenth adult who came late, please come in."
Those who arrived late were led to the backyard by Ye Xiaoyuan.
I passed through more than a dozen arches and walked along the corridor for several hundred meters. I was exhausted. Not only did I not see the other guests who had arrived at the banquet early, I didn't even see the food.
"Excuse me, Master Xiaoyuan, where shall we have our meal?"
Ye Xiaoyuan made a gesture of invitation.
"Your Highness has prepared a limited number of seats. Since you all came so suddenly, we cannot be negligent. We can only prepare a hot pot."
They followed Ye Xiaoyuan's posture and looked into the yard.
I saw that there were already several tables surrounding a large vegetable patch.
Two big dogs, several puppies and two sheep were looking at them with their heads tilted.
My Lords: “…”
Ye Xiaoyuan apologized: "Your Highness doesn't like the fact that there are too many servants in the mansion, and there is a shortage of manpower. I thought that the adults would not come at this time, so... the water tank is next to it, and the adults can treat this place as their own home. Whatever dishes you want to eat, just wash them and eat them directly."
So there’s not even anyone to wash the vegetables for them, right?
Ye Xiaoyuan: "Of course, you gentlemen can leave. His Highness will send a gift to express his apology someday."
His words were flawless.
Anyway, they were the ones who had no intention of coming at first, and they were the ones who rushed here after hearing His Majesty's decree.
The banquet has already started, so you can’t blame the Seventh Prince for not preparing everything.
Besides, this is quite complete! There is food, drink and animals to see.
They waved their hands and said, "No need, no need. This place is quite wild and interesting. It's wonderful."
-
The other side.
Eunuch Yu returned to the Zichen Palace.
Nearly two years had passed, and the gray color on Emperor Chongzhao's temples had increased significantly. The creases between his eyebrows had been imprinted on his skin, leaving traces even when he was not frowning.
Seeing him sitting at the table with his head propped up, Eunuch Yu walked over lightly and said, "Your Majesty, if you are tired, go to bed and take a nap."
Emperor Chongzhao pinched his temples and said, "It's okay. Have you sent the gift?"
Eunuch Yu: "It's all done."
Emperor Chongzhao nodded but said nothing.
Eunuch Yu said consciously, "Now, I guess a lot of people will come to the two streets outside the Seventh Prince's mansion. The prince always likes lively places, so more people will be good."
"Those ministers are used to changing their stance according to the situation," Emperor Chongzhao said calmly, "Let's not talk about the top and second teams for now. The others are not qualified to decide who will go to the palace construction banquet and who will not. When will it be their turn to choose my son?"
Eunuch Yu: "That's right. It's still your Majesty who supports the Seventh Prince."
Emperor Chongzhao: "He established his palace the latest, and Concubine Xuan is not the type to use her mother's family's influence to win over court officials, so it is reasonable for me to support him."
In fact, they knew very well why everyone was hesitant to go to the Seventh Prince's banquet.
After all, when the Seventh Prince and His Majesty fell out, they would definitely stand on His Majesty's side.
However, there is no need to point this out. The moment the gift was bestowed, the rumors of the breakup that had been going on for nearly two years were completely shattered into pieces by His Majesty.
Eunuch Yu: "Your Majesty is right."
Emperor Chongzhao waited for a while, but didn't hear any follow-up words from Eunuch Yu. He frowned and asked, "Didn't the boy say anything else? Like coming to the palace to thank me or something like that?"
Eunuch Yu: “Uh…”
Emperor Chongzhao: "Tell the truth."
Eunuch Yu: "Your Highness's original words were 'Your Highness, I accept your order and thank you for the gift.'"
"That's it?"
Eunuch Yu said sincerely: "It's really gone."
Emperor Chongzhao was a little angry and snorted.
"Forget it. Anyway, he has to go to court tomorrow and take up his post. He has to see me even if he doesn't want to."
-
In the evening, the banquet ended.
Everyone left the Seventh Prince's Mansion with their own thoughts.
Before leaving, Master Fang winked and said, "See you in the morning court tomorrow. Don't be lazy and don't get up like I skipped classes in the future."
After Qu Dubian sent him away, he muttered, "That's hard to say."
Everyone left, but Xi Zixing did not leave.
Today he played the role of a waiter serving dishes, listening to the officials at various tables talking, and did not eat much.
Qu Dubian was free at this time, so he invited him to sit in the pavilion in the courtyard and have something to eat as a reward.
Xi Zixing: "I heard from Master Fang that you have been to the Ministry of War and the Ministry of Works quite a few times in the past few days. Do you have any plans to go to these two departments?"
Qu Watanabe: "You will know after the court is dismissed tomorrow."
Xi Zixing looked at him for a moment and said, "You have changed a bit. Your age is a disadvantage. It is the most difficult for you to compete now."
"I never wanted the throne, I just wanted to fight for other things," Qu Dubian raised his eyebrows, "and, I failed because of my age, not necessarily because of other things."
Xi Zixing: "No matter what you are fighting for, you always need someone to help you."
Qu Watanabe looked up in surprise: "You're talking so strangely today, just say what you want to say. Don't beat around the bush."
Xi Zixing: "You must be recruiting staff in your mansion. You will also need them when you go to your fiefdom in the future."
"There will be quite a few candidates who will enter the capital this year for the next spring examination. There must be many students in the three counties of Xianghe who want to take advantage of the favor of the drug test and come to you to seek a path to success."
"Have you decided who you want to recruit?" Xi Zixing said, clearing his throat and straightening his sleeves. "It would be best if it's someone with a clean background and someone you know well."
Qu Watanabe: "I promised the deputy director of the Astronomy Department to promote the art of mathematics. So I'll recruit more people who are knowledgeable about mathematics as my staff."
Mathematics, how important.
All the drawings he draws require parameters.
Xi Zixing: "Anything else?"
Qu Watanabe wondered: "What else?"
Xi Zixing smiled slightly, and said through his teeth: "I am one of the top three candidates for next year, why don't you consider me?"
Qu Watanabe: "Oh, do you think I don't know your booklet? Stop joking, which brother of mine did you choose? Can you tell me?"
Xi Zixing's gaze fell quietly on his face.
Qu Watanabe looked at him for a moment.
“………”
“………”
Both were speechless.
Qu Dubian let out a deafening cough.
He immediately stood up and looked at Xi Zixing as if he had seen a ghost: "You are not!!"
"I'm not feeling well, you said I don't have a booklet!!"
"Now tell me, you want to be my staff?"
Who are you backstabbing?
Xi Zixing: "The pamphlet is the pamphlet, and you are you."
Qu Watanabe: "Different?"
Xi Zixing: "Why are you so resistant?"
Qu Watanabe: "I don't want to work myself to death to be an emperor. You and I have no future together."
"A king also needs to manage his fiefdom," Xi Zixing blew on his tea, "Governing a city or a country, in my opinion, both are possible."
He already had the image of a handsome gentleman, dressed in a green bamboo scholar's robe, with bright eyes. A person who had been silently choosing a master since childhood would never back down because of rejection.
Qu Dubian now really sensed Xi Zixing's seriousness, but he did not see Xi Zixing's determination to push him to the top, so he felt a little more at ease.
He sat down: "Then isn't it nice to be friends?"
Xi Zixing: "Okay. I'm just telling you what I think. You don't have to feel burdened."
Xia Fuyang must have the same idea as him.
She wanted to go with the Seventh Prince, but she would never force him to go that way.
I always feel that compared to the cold throne, a brilliant and passionate person like him should belong to a freer and broader world.
Qu Watanabe: "Well said, I'll hold it in next time."
It turned out that all the papers he had given to his brothers over the years were in vain, and in the end he got himself in jail.
Xi Zixing shrugged, "Look at me, I'm not even an official now, how much power can I have? I chose you because I have a good relationship with you, and it can be regarded as a way out for myself. If I can't make it in the court in the future, I will come to you."
Qu Watanabe: "I don't accept junk."
Xi Zixing: "...Your tongue is really poisonous sometimes."
There were two reasons why he said this today. First, Xiaoqi had established a mansion. If he didn't tell her, Xiaoqi would think that he had chosen another prince, and they would be somewhat unfamiliar with each other in the future. He didn't want that.
Second, Jizhigla did not take action himself, but secretly instigated neighboring tribes to plunder the border. Small-scale wars occurred several times, and Xia Fuyang accumulated military exploits in the northern border too quickly.
Fortunately, he is not with the Seventh Prince now.
Otherwise, where would be his place?
The one who is closest to the water sees the moon first.
Those who first express their following and stance will always be different in His Highness's heart.
It is indeed different.
Qu Duanbian felt that he would never forget the fright he had received.
Before leaving, Xi Zixing, who was in a good mood, asked again: "Really can't tell you, what kind of official position do you want to take?"
Qu Watanabe: "Be patient and wait until tomorrow."
After seeing off the curious Xi Zixing, Qu Dubian went straight to the warehouse.
Inside were piled various gifts received today, including, of course, the gift for the establishment of the palace sent by Emperor Chongzhao.
The night breeze in early summer is cool and comfortable, and the chirping of night insects can be heard from the yard.
Qu Dubian looked at the gifts.
He had mentioned all of this to the emperor before my sister's marriage.
Ye Xiaoyuan: "It's all here. I've made a special space for it."
Qu Watanabe: "Where is the box that Eunuch Yu specifically mentioned?"
"That's it. We didn't move."
In the middle of the gift was a simple and elegant wooden box.
Qu Dubian opened it and took a look.
A piece of black brocade was quietly placed in the box, and his fingertips paused.
After a few seconds, he unfolded the black brocade, and on it was a word "promise". It was the black brocade he had left in the Purple Palace more than a year ago.
Qu Dubian put the black brocade back into the box and handed it to Ye Xiaoyuan, asking him to put it away.
He went to the backyard, came to Yidianbai's doghouse, and pulled the sleeping Yidianbai up.
After a little confusion and gradually resentful gaze, he praised: "Good dog, I knew you were not asleep."
Yidianbai yawned, went back to the doghouse, picked up a puppy and gave it to Qu Dubian to hold, then put his dog's head on his legs.
A little white daughter-in-law Jin Lai poked her head out of the doghouse and watched silently.
Qu Du was sitting on the wooden board around the doghouse, stroking the warm puppy.
After a while, Ye Xiaoyuan came after putting away the black brocade box and sat next to Qu Dubian.
Liuliu went to Qingzhou and Jezhou on business, and now he is the only person left around Qu Dubian with whom he can talk frequently.
He leaned on Ye Xiaoyuan's shoulder and said lazily, "When I saw Hei Jin, my first thought was not that he wanted to ease the relationship between father and son, but that he was using this to tell me that since I had accepted Hei Jin, I should not think of competing for the throne after building the mansion."
"Would I have thought that before?"
Ye Xiaoyuan: "People are always changing."
Qu Watanabe yawned.
"Yes, the only thing that remains unchanged is the past."
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