Chapter 33 What a coincidence!
After leaving the circle, Song Zhimian still asked Yue Siyi a question.
"Master of Ceremonies, you just said that Princess Shou Kang loves to watch wild beasts pounce on live prey."
Then why did you instruct the eunuchs to make sure that the wild beasts are well-fed starting today?
The day after tomorrow is Princess Shou Kang's birthday banquet. She will be coming here to celebrate her birthday, and she will inevitably let everyone see the ferocious beasts she keeps.
If the wild beasts had eaten their fill back then…
Of course, Yue Siyi knew why Song Zhimian asked that question.
Once the predators have eaten their fill, they naturally won't look at the pheasants and rabbits anymore; they'll probably be sleeping soundly with their bellies exposed to the sun!
"Because... the Crown Prince will also be coming the day after tomorrow."
The crown prince could not bear to see overly bloody scenes.
Even though the day after tomorrow is Princess Shou Kang's birthday, she dares not leave the Crown Prince behind and take everyone to see those ferocious beasts.
"At the birthday banquet the day after tomorrow, the Crown Prince will still be the most important!" Master Yue said with a smile.
Song Zhimian suddenly realized what was happening.
It seems that the crown prince has been in poor health since birth.
Because of his poor health, His Majesty did not even allow the Crown Prince to learn riding and archery. The current Crown Prince is the only heir apparent in the history of Dayu who is unable to ride and shoot on horseback...
But His Majesty is also an emperor skilled in horsemanship, and recently he has placed even greater emphasis on the King of Zhao, who is also quite adept at archery and horsemanship.
Some even say that the imperial family has already considered changing the crown prince.
However, some argue that because of the late empress, the imperial family would never depose the crown prince…
Song Zhimian memorized all of this.
There seem to be many secrets in the imperial palace. If we were to film a story about the imperial harem of the Great Yu Dynasty, it could easily be made into a 180-100 episode series...
...
After Yue, the emcee, led Song Zhimian to check all the places and made all the necessary arrangements, she finally breathed a sigh of relief.
"You must be on your toes the day after tomorrow."
"Which palace you go to serve as a lady-in-waiting will be very important to you in the days to come," Yue Siyi reminded Song Zhimian.
Song Zhimian quickly agreed.
You can go to any palace, just not Consort Wu's Ronghua Palace...
"Master of Ceremonies Yue, are you all done with your work?"
Before Song Zhimian could decide which palace she could go to, the head cook from the Imperial Kitchen arrived with two female officials who were candidates for the position.
"Hu Sishan, what brings you from Xiaoyao Terrace?"
"Shouldn't you have come from the kitchen?" Yue, the emcee, asked, somewhat puzzled.
Hu Sishan had no choice but to patiently explain to Yue Siyi.
"Princess Shou Kang sent word that the kitchen should prepare more roasted food the day after tomorrow."
Princess Shou Kang loved to roast food with people in the wild, and the young marquis preferred roasted food even more.
I heard that when he was in the north, the young marquis loved to eat roasted meat that was half-cooked and still had blood on it.
Her Highness said that the smell of roasting was too strong and not suitable for the courtyard, but the Xiaoyao Terrace was much better, so the banquet was held there.
"That's why I'm taking the two of them to see how the dining table will be set up and how many grills we need to prepare. We need to have a clear idea of what to do."
"The young marquis actually enjoys eating undercooked food?" Master Yue was a little surprised.
Hu Sishan nodded immediately.
"Yes, I heard that after the King of Zhao borrowed this courtyard to race horses here, he often roasted food at Xiaoyao Terrace."
Those who served the King of Zhao said that the food the young marquis roasted... the King of Zhao couldn't bring himself to eat it.
Upon hearing this, Master Yue shook his head.
How is this any different from the behavior of barbarians...?
"Okay, then get ready! We'll come back tomorrow for a second check."
Hurry up and get ready, then we'll head back to the inner palace together.
"Oh, we still have to wait for Chief Physician Li!"
As soon as Master Yue finished speaking, Steward Hu smiled.
"Li Zhangyao from the Imperial Medical Academy has taken two female physicians as backups to the back mountain. Let's go to Xiaoyao Terrace and wait for them!"
...
When Song Zhimian followed Yue Siyi toward Xiaoyao Terrace, she saw Li Zhangyao leading Lian Qiao and another female physician candidate down the mountain.
The mountain was overgrown with weeds, and few people went up there. The three men's shoes were covered with weeds and mud.
"Li Zhangyao, are you done with your work?"
"Are there any unusual plants on the mountain?" Master Yue asked with a smile.
Li Zhangyao shook his head.
"They are all common plants and flowers, nothing unusual."
What? Are you all done with your work? If you are, let's go back together!
We need to come back for a follow-up check-up tomorrow.
“Yes, you’ll be coming with us tomorrow. There are two medicinal dishes on the menu, and you’ll need to keep an eye on them!” Hu Sishan said immediately.
After exchanging a few more words, everyone prepared to return to the inner palace.
Song Zhimian glanced at Lian Qiao.
Lian Qiao subconsciously turned around and glanced at the back mountain.
With just one glance, Song Zhimian knew that Lian Qiao was definitely hiding something...
It's not appropriate to ask now, let's wait until we get back...
Just as everyone was about to walk towards the front gate of the villa, the sound of horses' hooves came from not far from Xiaoyao Terrace.
Everyone was taken aback.
The day after tomorrow is Princess Shou Kang's birthday banquet. This mountain is basically surrounded by the Imperial Guards. How could anyone be racing horses here...?
Everyone stopped and looked in the direction from which the sound of horses' hooves was coming...
King Qi, accompanied by two princes, was seen riding his horse and whipping it on...
As the sound of hooves grew closer, and the horses stopped below Xiaoyao Terrace, Yue Siyi and the others quickly bowed in respect.
"Greetings, Your Highness Prince Qi, Prince Shen, and Second Young Master Wei!"
Song Zhimian also bowed along with everyone else.
She had met the leader, Prince Qi, Xiao Huaijin, but as for the other two... she had only heard their names but never seen them!
Shen Shizi is the heir of the Duke of Dingguo's mansion, and General Shen in the north is Shen Shizi's grandfather.
The Second Young Master Wei... is the second son of the former Minister of Justice, Lord Wei.
The Wei family was once a prominent family of scholars and officials, and the most famous Wutong Academy in Dayu was founded by the Wei family.
Later, the Wei family produced an eighteen-year-old top scholar in the imperial examination, who was highly regarded by the emperor and rose all the way to the position of Minister of Justice.
Later, the Ministry of Justice was basically controlled by the Wei family. However, after the current Jin family came to power, the former Minister of Justice suddenly resigned and went back to teach at Wutong Academy...
But this second young master Wei was making a name for himself in the capital by relying on Chun Buwan.
Song Zhimian's mind was filled with news of these two unfamiliar scions of prominent families when suddenly a voice came from her.
"What a coincidence! Song Zhimian, I see you again!"
Did you discover anything interesting during your visit?
"Is it still about your sister-in-law opening the door?" Qi Wang's teasing voice suddenly appeared in Song Zhimin's ear.
Song Zhimian...
Song Zhimian kept her head down, not daring to say a word.
King Qi glanced at the crowd on the Xiaoyao Terrace once more.
"My dear aunts, you've had a long journey! I came from the Crown Prince's residence; have I disturbed you?"
Everyone breathed a sigh of relief.
Oh, so you came from the Crown Prince's villa! That makes sense then.
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