Chapter 12 I'll use something else to hit you later!
The tea is fragrant and the snacks are sweet.
Jiang Yingcheng sat on the couch with two extremely thick cushions stuffed behind his back.
She swung her little feet leisurely, ate and drank, and listened to her handsome father discussing state affairs with several uncles.
Because 007 kept telling her stories about these uncles, she didn't find the scene boring.
On the contrary it's quite interesting.
[Wow, this uncle doesn’t accept bribes or form cliques for personal gain, he’s a good official! ]
Jiang Yanchuan looked calmly at the person the young man was staring at, and memorized his name on the white list in his heart.
Lu Yao had gone to the palace to report early this morning, proving that the soil used by the Ministry of Works to repair the riverbank was indeed cultivated soil. The credibility of the young man's voice was raised to a higher level in his mind.
If he could prove that Liu Zhengqing had indeed sold official positions and titles, then his next plan could proceed smoothly.
【Hmm?】
Just as I was thinking about it, I suddenly heard the little guy laughing as if he heard something funny.
【Hahahahahahahahahaha, is it true? Is it true? Is this uncle really so miserable?】
The familiar tone slightly piqued Jiang Yanchuan's interest.
It must be that "Brother Tong" who has discovered some of the officials' secrets and is telling them to the kid for fun.
[Is it true that this uncle was sent to sleep in the study because he had no money to buy a nice bracelet for his wife? ]
[Hmm... Father doesn't pay Uncle a salary? ]
Jiang Yanchuan: “…”
Although I don't know what she means by salary, it's probably something like salary.
This man's official position is not high, but his salary is not too low either. He should not be unable to afford even a bracelet.
The young man's inner thoughts soon answered his doubts.
[Oh? Uncle's salary is all used to pay for his youngest son's tuition? Oh, uncle's child has to go to school so early, so pitiful...]
Hu Hongyuan, Acting Vice Minister of the Ministry of Personnel, was still talking. Jiang Yanchuan slowly turned the teacup in his hand and finally realized what was wrong.
The boy seemed to feel from the bottom of his heart that going to school was a very pitiful thing.
Although the princess's talent is not as important as that of the prince's, he still wants this little girl to grow up to be the well-educated and well-mannered person he envisions.
"Your Majesty?" Hu Hongyuan spoke eloquently, but when he looked up, he found that Emperor Mingze's attention did not seem to be on him.
Jiang Yanchuan narrowed his eyes slightly, the emerald green tea surface reflecting the depth in his eyes: "Continue."
Hu Hongyuan paused. He had already reported everything he needed to report, and for a moment he didn't know what to say next.
Fortunately, Pu Yuanzhou, the Minister of Rites, calmly took over the conversation: "Your Majesty, on New Year's Day..."
Hu Hongyuan cast a glance of gratitude secretly.
New Year's Day is the most festive day of the year, and envoys from various countries will come to the court to celebrate. It is indeed a very important day, but such celebrations are held every year, and the Ministry of Rites has long been familiar with all the procedures. In previous years, they would not be summoned to the court for Emperor Mingze to personally inquire about it.
There would not be a princess around to eat and drink when summoned.
Hu Hongyuan couldn't help but complain in his heart.
Although the princess is still young, she can't...
When Hu Hongyuan was looking at it absentmindedly, he happened to meet the little princess's eyes. The little princess smiled generously, but she could hardly hold the dessert in her mouth, so she quickly covered it with her hands.
Well, the little princess is so cute that he can't help but think of his own daughter's childhood appearance.
The little princess is still so young, how can she decide where she should appear?
Even if the little princess's appearance today is against etiquette, it is definitely not her fault!
Hu Hongyuan thought like this in his heart.
The next moment——
[Hehehe, this uncle also thinks what the uncle next to him says is boring, just like Chengcheng. Chengcheng is not the only one who thinks so.]
Hu Hongyuan: ???
If I remember correctly, the eleventh princess of Emperor Mingze had the character "Cheng" in her name.
But, the little princess clearly didn’t say anything?
Could it be that I didn’t sleep well last night and I’m hallucinating today?
Not sure, he'd have to wait and see.
He lowered his head, seemingly listening carefully to the report of Minister Quan from the Ministry of Rites, but in fact he was always glancing at the little princess's face out of the corner of his eye.
To be precise, he was aiming at the little princess' mouth.
The gurgling sound of milk continued to be heard.
[It's Brother Tong, your gossip is too boring. 】
[Oh? You have something even better? I want to hear it!]
Hu Hongyuan was filled with shock.
As expected, the little princess' mouth did not open, but her voice continued to come out one after another.
What is this?
Before he could fully digest the shock in his heart, the little princess's voice dealt him another heavy blow.
[Oh my, this uncle named Pu Yuanzhou secretly bought clothes and toys for his concubine's son under the pretext of shopping? ]
[He also contacted the Minister of Personnel, hoping to buy an official position for his eldest son born to a concubine? ]
Hu Hongyuan's pupils suddenly shrank and he took a deep breath of cool air.
“Cough, cough, cough, cough…”
I didn't breathe in properly and started coughing immediately.
After finally stopping, the Emperor Mingze's voice came from above: "Are you all right, my dear?"
"Ahem...I am fine now. Thank you for your concern, Your Majesty."
Hu Hongyuan silently glanced at Pu Yuanzhou, who was looking worried, and thought to himself that you can never judge a person by his appearance.
Although this man was older, he had always been a famous loyal man in the court. He and his wife Zhang lived in harmony with each other. Moreover, he only married this one wife in his life and never took a concubine. Because of this, he also earned a lot of good reputation.
However, the little princess's voice was too terrible.
No matter what she just said, if it is confirmed to be true, she will be in big trouble!
It's really terrible.
【Wow! 】
Hu Hongyuan quickly put away his other thoughts.
So shocked?
Could there be some even more shocking news?
Jiang Yingcheng had a hard time swallowing the snack in his mouth, fearing that the scene of almost falling out would happen again.
[He, he was so bold that he kept his mistress in Chunyin Lane, which was only two alleys away from his mansion! ]
Jiang Yingcheng's round little face was full of anger.
Jiang Yanchuan's knuckles tapped on the table again and again. The faint muffled sound was particularly clear in the silent environment.
Hu Hongyuan's eyes were determined. He had made up his mind to go to Chunyin Lane in person in the next few days to find out the situation and confirm whether what the little princess said in her heart was true.
The other officials felt a little confused when they saw the sudden strange atmosphere.
Pu Yuanzhou, who had just reported the celebration process, was even more suspicious.
Could it be that there was something wrong with the content of his report?
Jiang Yingcheng suddenly stood up from the couch.
[Bad guy, he treats his mistress's child so well, but when he gets home he abuses his wife's child. Bad guy!]
Jiang Yingcheng picked up the snacks at hand and was about to throw them towards Pu Yuanzhou, but he stopped himself just before the snacks slipped out of his hand.
She glanced hesitantly at the plate on the table, which she had eaten till only a piece of it was left. Her expression remained twisted for a long time, and finally she viciously stuffed the snack into her mouth.
[Hmm... I'll use something else to hit you with later! ]
Jiang Yanchuan: “…”
Hu Hongyuan: “…”
Pu Yuanzhou: ???