The singing and dancing started, and the banquet seemed to have a lively atmosphere. However, looking at the stiff bodies of several people, Xiao Li knew that they must be chewing wax and sitting on pins and needles at the moment.
Obviously, they were scared by those two times just now.
But she has never been a benevolent superior who respects the wise and humbles herself, nor will she pretend to be hypocritical to deceive others' loyalty.
If you stand in her camp, you must know clearly what kind of master you are following, what kind of things you have to do, and what consequences you will have to bear if you betray her.
Although she is cruel, she does not kill innocent people. If they don't even have the courage to face her, they don't deserve to be under her command.
After the song, the dancers left and the hall became quiet for a while.
Xiao Li spoke slowly, "There was a lot of talk before about the husband-selection banquet. I didn't bother to waste time arguing with them, but since I've chosen you guys today, I still have to explain a few things to you."
"Your Majesty has granted this princess three states as fiefdoms. I sent someone to tour the fiefdoms and was very dissatisfied with the governance there. Therefore, I want to select a group of knowledgeable and capable people from the capital to take away and govern the fiefdoms."
"You've answered those papers, and since I've singled you out, you must understand what kind of governance philosophy I want. I can give you the most authority and let you unleash your talents. The only downside is that your fiefdom is a bit far from the capital."
"Of course, I'm not such an unreasonable person. All those selected will be rewarded with a thousand taels of gold. As for whether you choose to follow this princess, you have three days to consider."
Tang Shuyu and Lin Yici looked at each other and saw intention in each other's eyes.
Although their goal is to become an official in the court and make a name for themselves, the capital is full of infighting and they see no chance of making a breakthrough. If they can follow the princess to govern a state and even implement it according to their own ideas, it is impossible not to be tempted.
"Princess."
Tang Shuyu stood up, his eyes burning with anger: "I, Tang Shuyu, your humble servant, may I ask if the princess really means what she says?"
As expected of a stubborn scholar from a poor family, he asked the question right away. His courage is really admirable.
Xiao Li: "What I can guarantee is that I will keep my word. As for the rest, I will leave it to time to prove it."
She raised her glass and smiled: "Life is a gamble, Tang Shuyu, do you dare to bet?"
Tang Shuyu looked at her in a daze. Before he could react, Xiao Li had already drunk the wine and left, taking the King of Wei away with him.
Song Junzhan stood up, a faint smile on his face: "Don't be nervous, everyone. The princess admires you, but she never does anything that forces others. Everyone, eat and drink well today, and think about it slowly after you go back. In three days, I, Song, will be waiting for my future colleagues at the gate of the princess's mansion."
The young and gloomy Shi Mo looked up at him and asked, "Why would the young master choose to become a staff member of the princess's mansion?"
Song Junzhan wanted to revive the imperial examination system, but he couldn't do it alone. He had to win over supporters, especially children from poor families, and Shi Mo was one of them.
Tang Shuyu and Lin Yici came to participate on their own, but Shi Mo was notified by Song Junzhan to come. Before coming, he had no idea that Song Junzhan had already been a member of the princess's mansion.
Although being selected is a good thing, he also wonders about Song Junzhan's intentions. Is he giving up and not preparing for the imperial examination?
Song Junzhan looked at him, his smile becoming more serious. "I am fortunate to have the princess as my mentor. I will follow her till death."
The two words "Bo Le" were enough to make Shi Mo understand.
-----
The King of Wei was taken away before he had taken a few bites of his meal, and he was very resentful.
Xiao Li was speechless: "You, the dignified prince, are still short of food?"
Xiao Jingyi said confidently: "There is no shortage, but it's not this rich. The emperor has brought it to me. It would be a waste if I don't eat it."
Xiao Li was convinced and asked someone to bring another table so that he could eat as much as he wanted.
Xiao Jingyi sighed again, thinking that the imperial sister really loved him the most. Look, he could eat a table of food and then throw away another. Such treatment was something that not only Prince Yanping and the others, but even His Majesty had probably never enjoyed.
Then, when the emperor sent someone to invite Xiao Li, Xiao Jingyi chose to live and die with the food without any loyalty.
"Royal sister, you go ahead. I'll help you take care of the food. There will be absolutely no problem."
Xiao Li: “…”
Haha, she went away to get scolded, while he stayed here to enjoy delicious food. What a wishful thinking.
Raise your hand and take it away!
Xiao Jingyi wanted to cry: My big abalone, my shark fin soup, and my Ganoderma lucidum chicken soup~~~~~~
There's no way I can enjoy this meal properly, right?
---
Xiao Li had just beaten Xiao Jingzhao and his sister, so he was not surprised to see Concubine Hui sitting in the palace with a sullen face.
Seeing Xiao Li coming, Concubine Hui's sharp eyes glared at her, as if she wanted to cut her into pieces.
"Royal brother..."
Xiao Li was about to greet him, but the emperor couldn't wait any longer and started asking, "I heard you beat Prince Yanping and Jia Ruo?"
Xiao Li: "I didn't invite them, but they came to my house and laughed at me at my banquet. Shouldn't they be beaten?"
Concubine Hui slammed the table and shouted angrily: "He is your brother. You are disrespectful to him and your methods are cruel. It is simply lawless."
Xiao Li: "I only have His Majesty as my brother. Who is he to deserve my admiration? He's so lawless! He went and mocked me. I'm being merciful by not beating him to death!"
Concubine Hui stood up with a bang, her aura fully radiating, and she said arrogantly: "You are so arrogant. Today, I will teach you a lesson on behalf of the late emperor."
Xiao Li was unhurried and glanced at her calmly: "Empress Dowager Hui is just a concubine. Not to mention the Empress Dowager, she hasn't even become a Royal Concubine. Yet, she dares to try to replace the late Emperor. This is insubordination, lack of respect for superiors, and blasphemy against the late Emperor. She deserves death!"
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