Chapter 147 Then just leave him alone!
Lin Qingyue's idea was very simple. Dongfang Qi was the future emperor. While she had a good relationship with him now, she should be more closely tied to him and ask for more titles. The more the better.
Although they are all honorary titles without real power, no one can guarantee that those honorary titles will not become real power in the future?
Of course, in return, she would do her best to teach Dongfang the art of talisman-making. As for whether she would keep it secret or not, that depended on her mood.
"Then... when will you teach me?" Dongfang Qi asked.
Lin Qingyue said, "As long as you have time."
Dongfang Qi continued to coax him: "You have to take care of official business at the Xuanjing Division during the day, and I also have government affairs to deal with during the day. How about I come to your house after dusk?"
Then she thought that it would affect her reputation if a man and a woman were alone in the same room, so she added, "I'll let Xiao Hui come too."
Good boy, there's even one more! Looks like she wants to learn all her skills!
But it doesn't matter, she's not afraid. So she said, "Okay."
Dongfang Qi said, "Then from now on, Xiao Hui and I will go to Lan Garden to find you at 3:15 PM every day. Remember to save some food for me."
Lin Qingyue was shocked: "You are so shameless! You don't even pay a cent for tuition, and you still want to eat for free?"
Dongfang Qi smiled brightly. "Isn't that right around dinner time? I usually have to go to the Cabinet to work in the afternoon. If I rush back to the East Palace to change clothes and eat, it will be after the hour of Xu by the time I get to your house. After class, I can't just talk about it on paper. Theory plus practice will take at least... an hour or two. If that happens, it'll be the middle of the night, and it won't be good to disturb your rest."
Lin Qingyue thought about it and it made sense, so she nodded: "Alright then, let's do this for now."
Finally, he added, "Meals must be paid. And tuition, too. Tuition cannot be reduced."
Dongfang Qi got what he wanted and happily agreed to everything.
Lin Qingyue also got what she wanted: she could earn money and establish a master-disciple relationship with the prince. Wouldn't she be able to control everything in Qi from now on?
The two men each had their own plans, but they smiled at each other and enjoyed themselves.
Not long after, Dongfang Qi and his group arrived at Duke Li's mansion.
The guard stepped forward and knocked on the door. "His Royal Highness the Crown Prince heard that the Duke was seriously ill and came to visit him in person. Open the door quickly to welcome him!"
The gatekeeper was shocked when he heard this and hurried to report to his master.
Not long after, the Li family's chief steward hurried over. After bowing and greeting, he said, "Your Highness, please forgive me. My master is seriously ill and has been unable to leave his bed for several days. To prevent his illness from spreading outside, I have ordered my servants to close the door and not allow him to see guests."
The guard asked, "Besides Duke Li, is there no other man in the Li family who can come forward to answer the question?"
The housekeeper said respectfully, "Except for the Duke, who is ill and unable to get up, the other masters and sons are all out. Only the wife, concubines, and unmarried daughters remain in the backyard. I'm afraid I'd neglect the distinguished guest and dare not come out to see you."
This is the confidence of the thousand-year-old aristocratic family. Even if the prince comes to visit, they still have the courage to refuse.
Dongfang Qi gave a look, and his guards produced a handwritten edict, saying arrogantly, "The Emperor is concerned about the Duke's health and has specially ordered His Royal Highness the Crown Prince to visit him. Here's the edict. Does the Li family need a steward to receive it?"
As soon as the imperial edict was issued, the butler's face changed immediately.
The Crown Prince's visit could be considered a private matter, and could be declined. But once the imperial edict was revealed, it became a matter of state.
Even though the Li family is a powerful family, they dare not openly deceive the emperor.
So the butler had to go in again to report.
Soon, the main gate opened wide, and Madam Li, accompanied by a group of female relatives, came out to welcome His Royal Highness the Crown Prince into the mansion.
The men of the Li family were now gathered in Duke Li's study.
"Father, His Royal Highness the Crown Prince has never had much friendship with our Li family. I'm afraid he has other intentions for his sudden visit."
"Our Donglin Prefecture's mines were wiped out by Duke Luo, resulting in heavy losses. The Crown Prince just happened to be returning from that direction. Perhaps the imperial court is targeting our Li family behind the scenes."
"So what if he's the Crown Prince? So what if he's the Emperor? Emperors come and go, but the aristocratic families remain forever! Without the support of aristocratic families like us, how could they possibly hold on to this world?"
"Shut up!" Duke Li shouted. "Don't talk nonsense!"
"Brother!" The speaker was Li Xiu, Duke Li's younger brother. "Li Duo went out to look at jade, but tragically died in the mine! And you, brother, not only gave the mine away, but you also made Li Duo bear the blame and permanently expelled him from the family! He was your own son, the future head of our Li family! Brother, are you really not going to avenge this?"
"Revenge? How to take revenge?" Duke Li sighed helplessly.
Li Xiu said, "Of course, we should unite with other aristocratic families to drive Dongfang and his son out of that position!"
"Ridiculous!" Duke Li scolded, "Do you really think our Li family is omnipotent?"
"Isn't that so?" Duke Li's third son echoed Li Xiu. "I think Second Uncle is right! Even the royal family is jealous of us, the aristocratic families. Father, you hold such high rank and power, commanding the support of hundreds. Why do you have to consider the royal family's wishes?"
"Do you really think things are as simple as you think?" Duke Li snorted.
"It's true that we are a thousand-year-old aristocratic family, but Qi has a strong national destiny. The major military governors control a certain area, and they check and balance us, the aristocratic families. No one wants to upset this balance and start a war. Moreover, the royal family has the support of several major aristocratic families. The Luo family is the first to bear the brunt of the attack. They have military power and authority, and they are also the prince's uncle. Who can be sure of victory and bring down the royal family? One careless move could lead to the danger of genocide."
"Now that His Majesty is wary and willing to keep the Donglin Mansion quiet, we naturally have to give His Majesty some face."
Li Xiu said, "Since you want to give face to the emperor, why are you avoiding meeting the crown prince?"
Duke Li said, "I originally just wanted to give the Crown Prince a warning, but who knew he would actually bring the imperial edict with him."
Li Xiu angrily said, "Dongfang Qi is truly cunning. He didn't reveal the imperial edict at first, but only revealed it when we said there were no male heads of household. Now we're stuck in a dilemma, and can only send the women to welcome them."
Duke Li said, "That's fine. The house is full of women, and it's not convenient for a man like him to stay for long. If he knows what's best for him, he should leave immediately."
"That's right, we won't come out. He's a stranger, and it's not right for him to barge into the backyard to see my father. Otherwise, he'll ruin the reputation of the women in our family. We can just go to His Majesty and file a complaint against him!"
As he was speaking, the housekeeper came running over.
Duke Li asked, "How is it, Prince, do you plan to leave?"
The steward shook his head and said, "No."
Li Xiu asked impatiently, "It's been over half an hour, and he's still not leaving? There's no man at home, how can he have the nerve to stay?"
Steward Li said, "The Crown Prince said he would wait until the male master of the family returns before visiting the Duke. Otherwise, his mission of visiting the patient would be unfulfilled, and it would be difficult to report to His Majesty."
"He really thinks he's here to visit the sick!" Li Xiu snorted angrily. "Everyone knows that claiming to be sick is just a way to explain yourself to the outside world. Even if you come to see the doctor, it's just a formality, to express the emperor's concern, and then you can leave! What does he want to do by staying here? Does he want to see you, big brother, lying in bed sick?"
Duke Li pondered for a moment and said, "Then let's just leave him alone!"
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