Chapter 024 If You Are Willing to Die, I Will Be Willing to Bury You
The second prince has always been known for his virtue and was known for being as gentle as jade, but at this moment his face was as ferocious as a beast that was choosing its prey.
The green jade bamboo-joint pen holder was smashed to pieces, and a corner of the Huizhou pine soot ink stick was broken, revealing the fine, paste-like ink inside that stained the gold-sprinkled rice paper.
Duan stone lotus leaf inkstone, celadon landscape brush holder, copper enamel paperweight, plain plum vase brush washer, boxwood pen holder, celadon candlestick... all littered the floor.
The staff seemed to be accustomed to this scene. Their expressions did not change at all. They stood quietly by and waited for him to vent his anger.
"Your Highness, the Empress has been partial to the princesses for a long time. This visit is actually a good thing."
Qin Jingheng took two steps forward and came so close that his breath could touch his face. "Good news! You told me it was good news?"
The staff stood straight with their backs erect, their eyes as clear as mirrors.
"First, the fact that she skipped you and chose the Fifth Prince shows that the Empress is already wary of you;
Your Highness has always been known for his virtue. You were the one who initiated this fundraising initiative, yet you were excluded. Many people in the court secretly felt sorry for you.
Moreover, when women hold power for one generation, it is a matter of necessity, but when the second generation succeeds, it is a different matter.”
“Secondly, the Junior Secretary of the Ministry of Civil Affairs is officially the Chief Envoy, but everyone knows that the real decision maker is the Princess.
The reason why the fifth prince was sent to accompany him was so that he would not pose a threat to the eldest princess.
If the disaster relief work goes well, the princess's reputation will naturally rise.
But if things don’t go well, there may even be…”
The Second Prince lowered his eyes, suppressed his anger, and took a step back. Suddenly, he put on a respectful demeanor and said, "Please teach me, sir."
His staff held his arms to prevent him from saluting. Having served this master for many years, they knew very well that there was a brutality beneath his virtuous reputation.
It is precisely because of this obvious defect that it is easier to grasp and more valuable to support.
"This is what I should do. Your Highness, please be patient and listen to me as I explain in detail..."
At Fenggetai in the inner city, Prime Minister Pei Xuanyun was busy.
He was blocked all the way from the Phoenix Palace to the palace gate. If he hadn't used the emperor's order to refuse, he would probably still be trapped.
He had already prepared a draft for the officials from the three divisions who accompanied him, and submitted the memorial early in the morning.
Now I can still hide away in Fenggetai, but I am very busy with the transportation of disaster relief supplies, the accompanying imperial guards, and other matters along the way.
Near noon, Pei Xuanyun stretched and stood up to relax.
At this time, the servant reported that the young master had arrived.
"What is he doing here?"
"You said you were sending lunch. You are truly filial, young master. I know you have worked so hard for the flood relief efforts."
Pei Xuanyun laughed, "Yes, he is very filial."
Not long after, the eldest son Pei Xueqiao came in carrying a food box and bowed respectfully, "Father."
"Well," Pei Xuanyun stroked his beard, "it's rare that you have such filial piety. Leave it there and go back to the government office to rest early."
"Um...Father, I brought two portions and wanted to have lunch with you."
"Is that so? Alright."
After opening the lid of the box, the old prime minister raised his eyebrows.
Kirin walking on snow is the first of the three specialties of Bazhenlou!
Use air-dried deer tendons from the north to rehydrate for three days, then simmer with broth until they turn amber. Stew the blood bird's nests from the South China Sea in water until melted, and pour in a glazed sauce made with twenty-year-old girl's red wine.
This dish...is not cheap.
The second layer is a glass crystal cup, with shrimps chilled and pounded into a rainbow shape, and jade jelly condensed at the bottom of the cup.
The third layer is the Green Lotus Fragrance Dew, which is made of fresh lotus leaves wrapped in chilled mung bean paste, with peeled Xiang lotus and coconut meat embedded in the paste.
Pei Xuanyun picked up his chopsticks frequently, as if he was really hungry. He just ate without saying a word. He glanced at his son several times and saw that he wanted to say something but hesitated, but he just didn't respond.
Seeing that the plate was almost empty, Pei Xueqiao couldn't help but ask, "Father, I heard that the relief team has been decided?"
"Yeah." Pei Xuanyun agreed, without any intention of elaborating.
Pei Xueqiao was silent for a while after seeing this. "Father, I also want to go to provide disaster relief."
"Nonsense! As a Hanlin scholar, do you know how to control floods or lead troops?"
Considering the three dishes, the old prime minister spoke calmly but refused decisively.
"My son is well-read and wants to contribute to the disaster victims and the cause."
"Well, that's a good idea. Maybe next time."
"Father!"
Pei Xuanyun raised his eyebrows and said, "Forget it this time. You are a weak scholar, weak as a chicken, how can you withstand the fatigue of traveling by boat and carriage?"
Pei Xueqiao suddenly stood up.
The words "weak as a kitten" had become his Achilles' heel, and his face immediately turned red.
"I'm not weak, not at all! Of the six arts of a gentleman, I excel at archery and charioteering!"
"I know, I know," Pei Xuanyun waved his hand, "Tell me why you want to go. If you don't tell the truth, then forget it."
After waiting for a few moments without receiving any response, he stood up and made a gesture to leave.
Pei Xueqiao hurriedly stopped him, his face gloomy and uncertain, and finally gritted his teeth and said, "Even the Sixth Princess, who is uneducated and unskilled, can go to provide disaster relief, why can't I go?"
Haha, Pei Xuanyun sneered, it’s already this time and you’re still hiding something from your old father.
"Don't even think about it. You're not worthy."
"Father, what are you talking about!" Pei Xueqiao's cheeks flushed red with embarrassment after his thoughts were exposed. "The Sixth Princess's morality is indeed flawed..."
"You are not worthy of her."
Pei Xueqiao: ???
"Father, are you getting senile?"
He is a top scholar, a Hanlin scholar, and the prime minister's legitimate son. Am I not worthy of him?
No! Whether they are suitable or not has nothing to do with that!
Pei Xuanyun said nothing.
Disaster relief is of great importance, affecting the lives and property of hundreds of thousands of victims.
As the prime minister of the current dynasty and a veteran of two dynasties, he was not a puppet of the empress.
Without his approval, the secret decree would not have been stamped with the national seal through Fengtai Pavilion.
After hearing the report from the Imperial Study, Pei Xuanyun realized that killing the chicken to scare the monkeys, collecting grain at ten cents a dou, and mixing bran into the relief grain were all the ideas of the Sixth Princess.
Absurd behavior, lack of talent and morality? It's absolutely ridiculous!
After experiencing the ups and downs of his official career, Pei Xuanyun believed that he knew how to appoint the right people to the right positions and never made mistakes.
The royal family is accustomed to hiding and disguising themselves, such as the Second Prince who is renowned for his virtue, but he has never seen the inner beauty beneath the Sixth Princess's absurd appearance.
It's really not easy to escape his eyes.
When the secret decree came out, Pei Xuanyun knew that disaster relief was one aspect, and it was possible that His Majesty also wanted to test the Sixth Princess.
A powerless princess would be fine, but if she caught His Majesty's eye and had a chance to become the crown prince...
The key is hidden so deeply, what can this stupid son of mine use to fight against others? I'm afraid he will be sold and still happily count the money for them.
"Father, I really want to go!"
Pei Xuanyun pondered for a long time and thought, let it go. Children and grandchildren will have their own blessings.
"Okay, if you're willing to die, I'm willing to bury you."
Pei Xueqiao:?
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