Chapter 39: The Prince's Order, No One Dare Disobey
"Don't worry, Your Majesty. Miaoyan has made sufficient preparations for today and will definitely be able to tame the Qilin." Lu Changqing was afraid that the Queen would doubt Xu Miaoyan's ability, so he quickly made a solemn promise.
Prime Minister Yang looked around and saw that there were no other eunuchs or palace maids in the hall. He then patted him on the shoulder and said, "Changqing, it's just a few thousand taels of silver. As long as you ask, I will definitely help you pay it back. Not only that, I can also promote you to be the Minister of Personnel, in charge of the assessment and promotion of officials."
"I dare not." Lu Changqing felt as if his throat was burned, and his voice was hoarse.
Having been immersed in officialdom for many years, he knew very well that Yang Shijun was by no means a living Buddha.
High positions and generous salaries are what he wants, but Lu Changqing is not the kind of person who is blinded by money and he would never do anything that goes against his principles.
"Hey, why should we be afraid of that?" Prime Minister Yang said, "But you have to remember that Xu was brought back by your Lu family, and she is the Queen's person. You can't let her get too close to Shou'an Palace."
"Your humble servant...knows." Lu Changqing bowed his head and clasped his fists.
When Prince Yong was still alive, he was not Prime Minister Yang's man. It was Lu Changli who suddenly sued Prince Yong, and then Xu Miaoyan came to the capital and was appointed as the female official in charge of silkworms by the Queen. It seemed that their Lu family was tied to the chariot of the Yang family without knowing it.
Now that the Yang family is in power, he is not opposed to forming an alliance with the Yang family, but he also does not want to offend the Queen Mother.
"When Miaoyan tames the Qilin beast and becomes the Holy Maiden of the Nation, everything the Qilin says must go through her mouth." Prime Minister Yang said, "As long as you coax her to be obedient, you will be qualified for a higher position, not to mention a Minister of Personnel. Changqing, I know you are an ambitious person, and you will naturally not be satisfied with a position as an editor in the Hanlin Academy."
If you want to convince someone, practical promises are essential. At the same time, for someone like Lu Changqing, you also need to talk about ideals.
Lu Changqing pondered for a moment and asked, "I will do my best."
Empress Yang said, "My tenth prince is weak and sickly, and has never been favored by His Majesty. Now that Prince Beining has returned to the capital, I'm afraid Shou'an Palace is also eyeing the crown prince."
"Your Majesty, are you talking about the King of Beining?" Lu Changqing's eyebrows were twisted into a "chuan" shape, and he said righteously, "Your Majesty has a son, and the King of Beining left his fiefdom without permission. Isn't this usurping the throne?"
He is a man who has read the books of sages, so how could he allow such a heinous thing to happen?
"Isn't it?" Prime Minister Yang agreed, "Our Tenth Prince is the legitimate Crown Prince."
Empress Yang covered her face with a handkerchief and choked up, "It's a pity that Liangchen is still young, and Prince Beining holds the military power. We are isolated and helpless in the court..."
"Don't worry, Queen, I will definitely tell Miao Yan not to let Shou'an Palace manipulate her," Lu Changqing said righteously, "As long as I am here, I will protect His Royal Highness the Tenth Prince!"
"I was right. Lord Lu is indeed a loyal minister of the Yong Dynasty," Empress Yang stopped crying and smiled. "The Flower Festival banquet will be held soon. Go to the Yangxin Palace and ask His Majesty to go to the Imperial Garden with you. My brother and I are not feeling well today, so we won't join in the fun."
"Yes!" Lu Changqing understood that the Queen wanted Emperor Ming to hear the Saintess of the Nation mention the candidate for the Crown Prince with her own ears, but she wanted to clear herself from the matter, so she asked him to go and invite His Majesty.
"After the matter is settled, you can marry Xu Miaoyan or several other women. I will make the decision for you." Empress Yang smiled and held the armrests of the wooden chair with a phoenix carving. "When Liangchen ascends the throne in the future, you will be the regent of Dayong and have great power over the government and the country."
"I dare not!" Lu Changqing's palms were sweating.
It is true that the bold will die of overeating and the timid will die of starvation. He has worked cautiously and conscientiously in the Hanlin Academy for several years, but could not make any further progress. Now he has only found Xu Miaoyan, and he is even mentioned as the "Regent".
Lu Changqing's chance has come, success or failure depends on this!
***
In the northwest corner of the Imperial Garden, Emperor Ming ordered people to fence off a small horse farm, where horses were raised for the emperor and empress.
Now all the horses have been driven away, leaving only a Qilin beast caged up.
Xu Miaoyan followed the female official He Qiong, and King Beining followed a few steps behind her. The three of them walked into the imperial garden and arrived at the entrance of the horse farm.
Xu Miaoyan deliberately slowed down her pace, waiting for the King of Beining to catch up, and asked shyly, "Your Highness, I will go in to see the Qilin Beast later. I wonder if Your Highness has anything to ask of me?"
Xiao Mingzhe approached absentmindedly and glanced at her with disdain in his eyes: "Whatever I ask you to do, you will do it?"
"No one dares to disobey the prince's orders." The girl smiled softly.
She knew that she was useful to him and to many people in the palace. Since she was going to be used by others, she might as well find a master that she liked.
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