Chapter 462 Exposed
What's the best thing to do in autumn?
Apart from the answer that is applicable in all seasons and everywhere - sleeping in, the remaining top priority is to follow the weather and put on some weight in autumn.
The sky is high and the clouds are light, the air is fresh and the wind is clear. It is a good time to gather around the fire, drink and enjoy a feast.
And if there is anything more enjoyable than simply eating hot pot, it is watching the bubbling hot pot while listening to the sizzling and fragrant aroma of barbecue.
The main courtyard of the Sixth Princess's Mansion was bustling with activity at this moment.
Two large round tables were set up side by side, and maids, guards, masters, guests, everyone sat around in the courtyard, regardless of status, just to have a good time.
Although it is autumn and the evening breeze is a little chilly, sitting by a boiling hot pot with a cup of iced, sweet, mellow and rich milk tea is just the right amount of comfort.
Ping'an's sturdy body sat as steady as a mountain. The pile of empty plates in front of him was like a small mountain, but he still put large pieces of meat into his mouth like a whirlwind, chewing with a sound of sniffing.
The satisfying look made Qin Zhaoyue feel hungry and his appetite doubled.
As expected, the grass nest outside is not as good as your own golden or silver nest. Nowhere can be as comfortable and cozy as your own home.
Jiang Wuya and Chu Xinglan also accepted the new ways of eating such as hot pot, barbecue and iced milk tea.
He was not at all pretentious, and ate with his chopsticks as fast as he could, without any hesitation.
The speed at which a group of martial artists consume food is extremely terrifying, not to mention the presence of Ping An, a big eater with a bottomless pit.
The mutton slices were cut as thin as cicada wings. They were brought up in bowls one after another, and then collapsed rapidly at a speed visible to the naked eye.
While Sui Mo was skillfully frying the meat slices, he took the opportunity to report to Qin Zhaoyue about the various changes that had taken place in Fengjing City over the past month.
It is inevitable that the court will experience shock, especially when His Majesty has not appeared for a long time.
The rumors in the community are getting more and more intense.
The most widely spread rumor was that His Majesty had actually passed away long ago, but the news was kept secret.
Based on this speculation, there have been many attacks on Pei Xuanyun in the court.
"Heh..." Qin Zhaoyue couldn't help but sneer when he heard this and shook his head, "Old Pei's popularity is really bad."
He has been sitting alone on the position of Prime Minister of Fenggetai for fourteen years, in charge of the affairs of the three courts, and has great power. How could he not arouse envy?
Those who are stirring up undercurrents probably feel that there is an opportunity to take advantage of.
Why did he want to target Pei Xuanyun?
That old fox, full of tricks, really thinks he can sit back and relax just relying on the Queen Mother's support?
"What's the result?" she asked casually.
"Corruption, dereliction of duty, forming a clique... the charges are endless.
The officials involved have been dismissed, convicted, or exiled. “Those involved have been purged with drastic measures.”
Qin Zhaoyue was not surprised by this result.
Not to mention Pei Xuanyun's own means and abilities, just talking about this special period, the stability of the court is the top priority.
I think my third sister Qin Zhaowan also acquiesced and even supported this quick and decisive move.
Perhaps, it was also because of the Queen Mother’s advice before she fell into a coma: “Don’t employ people if you doubt them, and don’t doubt people if you employ them.”
That old fellow Pei Xuanyun seemed to be frowning and glaring, determined to run towards the position of a veteran of three dynasties.
If in the future they really are the third sister, the fourth sister... then just add the fifth brother.
No matter who among the three of them succeeds to the throne, he may have to be given the honorific title of "Imperial Teacher".
"By the way," Sui Mo paused and continued,
"The Ministry of Ceremonies, taking advantage of the opportunity presented by the imperial examination fraud case, cleared out a number of officials with rather stubborn ideas."
Qin Zhaoyue immediately understood the profound meaning of the word "stubborn".
The Ministry of Ceremonies was in charge of the imperial examinations. Seeing that the imperial examination for women was inevitable, it took the opportunity to remove those officials who clung to the old ways and resisted the new policies, thus paving the way for subsequent reforms.
"Mr. Pei's official position was not promoted, but he was appointed to be in charge of the promotion of girls' schools.
Three days ago, the top ten famous academies in Fengjing City had all posted notices that they would be opening girls' schools.
Having said that, Sui Mo paused and glanced at His Highness secretly.
Qin Zhaoyue glanced at her sideways, "Why stop? Keep talking."
Sui Mo continued calmly, "Second Master Pei has been actively lobbying within the Imperial College. While nothing has been finalized, the addition of women's enrollment quotas is likely a done deal."
"Also," she said in a slightly heavier tone, "Young Master Yan's condition doesn't seem to be very good."
Qin Zhaoyue tilted his head, a puzzled look on his face: "Who?"
Sui Mo: “…”
"The famous scholar from Shuofeng Country, Yan Zhibai."
Qin Zhaoyue then suddenly remembered that it was the extremely handsome scholar Shuofeng.
What a pity...
"From now on, you don't have to deliberately collect information about him, and you don't have to report it to me." She said lightly.
"Your Highness doesn't want him anymore?"
Qin Zhaoyue rolled her eyes, "What do you want?
The two countries are at war. Recruiting a Northwind man into the palace at this time will put the lives of those soldiers in the North who sacrificed their lives for their country at risk."
If the diplomatic relations between the two countries are normal, after the peace talks, accepting a few foreign talents as the bride would be nothing more than a casual affair and would not be a big deal.
But her eldest sister had previously fought bravely on the front lines in the north, and it didn't seem right for her to be looking for a Shufeng person in the rear.
Moreover, after wandering outside for more than a month and experiencing so much, she had long lost her charm for Yan Zhibai.
It’s a bit of a shame, but…that’s all.
"There's one more thing," Sui Mo changed the subject.
"Your Highness, do you still remember that when you were treating patients in Mingyan County, you once saved a young man?"
Qin Zhaoyue recalled, "I have some impression of him. His name was Li...what was it?"
He was the first one to take the initiative and be willing to let her try her best.
Qin Zhaoyue still vaguely remembered his unexpectedly open-minded smile when facing life and death. It was hard to imagine that a young man could have such clear courage.
Sui Mo said, "His name is Li Xuan. On the surface, he's the young master of a pharmacy, but in reality, he's the concubine's youngest son of Li Dajing, a wealthy businessman at Yutai Commercial Bank."
Qin Zhaoyue was stunned.
Since he is considered a wealthy businessman, the scale of his business must be quite large.
However, after quietly swallowing part of the "kickbacks" from the four major families, she has now lost most of her motivation to make money.
"Li Xuan passed the provincial examination this autumn and was settled in Beijing early. He is now preparing for the spring imperial examination.
He has sent several invitations requesting an audience with Your Highness, and has also sent some rare and valuable medicinal herbs that have been preserved for Your Highness for the time being."
Qin Zhaoyue shrugged indifferently, "Just do whatever you think is best for you."
She didn't seek any reward for saving her life.
But if the other party is both willing and capable and takes the initiative to show goodwill, she will not be hypocritical and reject him.
"Don't you always say that in order to achieve breakthroughs in cultivation, you need to use ancient medicine?
I can get in touch with him, the price is reasonable.
She suddenly remembered something and glanced at everyone in the Mo Group.
"Your current cultivation has all improved, right?"
Sui Mo's expression froze slightly.
Yes, she has been promoted to the fourth rank, and all members of the Mo Group have reached the fifth rank.
On the one hand, a lot of stockpiled medicinal materials were consumed during the promotion, but more importantly, during the more than one month that His Highness was away from Beijing, everyone seemed to be holding back their energy and practicing desperately.
At the beginning, due to his low level of cultivation, he was unable to accompany the guard and could only watch His Highness take risks. The unwillingness and humiliation he felt turned into the most powerful motivation.
Once the motivation is sufficient, one will practice without restraint, and the consumption of various auxiliary medicinal materials will naturally be like water.
"Well... yes, no one dares to slack off, and their cultivation is steadily improving." Sui Mo replied after carefully considering his words.
Qin Zhaoyue nodded and asked casually:
"So, how has the consumption of medicinal materials in the mansion been over the past month?"
The whole place suddenly fell into an eerie silence, and the lively atmosphere just now seemed to have been poured with a bucket of cold water.
Finally... I asked the most crucial question.
Sui Mo stood up suddenly and said hurriedly, "Why is the mutton so slow to arrive? I'll go to the kitchen and rush them!"
Mo Yi stood up right after him and said, "It seems that there is not enough barbecue. I'll go check it out."
Mo Er also stood up hurriedly, "The preparations are still insufficient. I'll go to the street and buy some more."
Mo San was even more straightforward, "The milk tea seems to be finished, I'll go mix some more."
…
In the blink of an eye, the members of the Mo Group who were sitting together just now left their seats and ran out under various excuses, and the scene was a little chaotic for a while.
The smile on Qin Zhaoyue's face gradually disappeared, replaced by a bad premonition, and his face darkened.
"Stop! You bunch of losers, how many good things have you ruined behind my back?!"
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