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◎Emperor Xingwu protects his daughter.◎
On the first night back in the palace, the little princess slept in for the first time ever. At noon, the familiar sound of a bell came from the inner room.
The senior palace maid Qinfang, who had been prepared long ago, went in with four younger palace maids who were carrying warm water, towels and other toiletries. Jie Yu stayed outside, watching with a smile the four younger palace maids who were eager to serve the princess.
There was a floor heating in the bedroom, but it was not as warm as spring. Qinfang first helped the little princess put on the satin jacket that had been warmed up in advance. When the little princess put on her pants herself, Qinfang lifted up the two layers of gauze curtains.
Qingyang looked up and saw two smiling faces peeking out from both sides of the screen. The ones on the left were Fuliu and Lianzhou, and the ones on the right were Jinsulu and Yinsha. They were all palace maids chosen for her by her mother and the imperial concubine when she first moved to Jiuhua Palace. There were six of them at first, but two of them had unpleasant personalities, so Qingyang directly released them from the palace.
They weren't released together. Qingyang remembered that when she was about to release the first young palace maid who had contradicted her twice in a row, Qinfang suggested that they send her back to the Shanggong Bureau. Qingyang explained, "She even dared to talk back to me. Even if she were sent back to the teaching nanny, she wouldn't necessarily obey. If she didn't obey, she would be beaten, and eventually assigned to the hardest and most tiring tasks. Rather than letting her resent me in her misery, it would be better to give her some money and send her home. This would complete the fate between her and me."
Qinfang must have told her words to the little palace maid who came from a wealthy family. When the little palace maid left, she kowtowed to her several times while crying.
When the second young palace maid often gossiped and framed others in order to please her, Qingyang wanted to let her go again, and Qinfang did as he was told.
The remaining four Fu Liu also had some minor problems at first, but they were smart enough to correct them quickly, so Qingyang has stayed until now.
"Didn't we meet last night? Why are you still surrounding us like this?" Qingyang said with a smile.
Fu Liu, with her thin eyebrows, was the first to fully emerge from behind the screen. She continued to stare at the little princess intently while saying, "Your Highness went to bed early last night, and I haven't seen enough."
Lian Zhou, whose appearance was not particularly outstanding but she was very beautiful, said: "Your Highness has lost weight, and I feel sorry for you."
Jin Su, with round cheeks and a sweet smile, said: "I was worried that Your Highness would get tanned outside, but I didn't expect you to be so fair."
Yinsha, with a soft voice, looked at the little princess who had just stood up and said happily, "Your Highness has grown taller again!"
Qingyang loved to hear Yinsha's words the most. After coming out of the bathroom, she didn't rush to wash her face. She first asked Qinfang to bring a tape measure specially used for measuring height. Then she stood upright and Jie Yu, the tallest person in Jiuhua Palace, helped her measure.
After measuring, Jie Yu pressed the scale with his thumb at the same level as the little princess's head, and put it down for the little princess to review.
Qingyang smiled, and Qinfang said happily, "Six feet one, two inches and seven inches taller than when I measured him on New Year's Day last year."
After saying this, Qinfang was filled with joy and envy: "Your Highness is truly a goddess sent from heaven. I am considered tall among the palace maids, but I am only six feet nine. Your Highness is already this tall before he is ten years old. When you reach the age of marriage, perhaps you will grow to seven feet two or seven feet three."
Qingyang looked at Qinfang and then at Jieyu, who was a head taller than Qinfang, secretly hoping that what Qinfang said would come true. She also hoped that she would grow taller.
For this reason, the little princess ate more breakfast and went to see her father after that.
Emperor Xingwu was already reading memorials. There were six large piles of them on the imperial desk. When the little princess approached, Emperor Xingwu gave his daughter a look that said, "Father is very busy today."
Qingyang said succinctly, "Father, I measured my height again this morning, and it's already six feet one."
Emperor Xingwu smiled and said, "Yes, your elder sister is seven feet one foot tall. If Lin'er eats well and practices martial arts, he should be able to surpass your elder sister."
The Qin family has a good bloodline. He and his younger brother often didn't have enough to eat when they were young, but they still grew to eight feet tall. When the five children were growing up, they had enough food and clothing, so they must have all stood out from the crowd.
Qingyang: "Then can I ride the horse by myself?"
Emperor Xingwu: "...Yes, but you can only jog at the palace racecourse, and Mr. Wu must ride beside you on horseback."
After getting permission, the little princess immediately went to the racecourse.
At this time, He Yuanjing announced at the door: "Your Majesty, the Left Prime Minister requests an audience."
Emperor Xingwu looked at his daughter and saw that she had no intention of hiding from Yan Xizheng, so he agreed.
So, when Yan Xizheng was walking into the imperial study, he bumped into the little princess who was walking out. After not seeing her for several months, Yan Xizheng only felt that the little princess had become thinner, and her pair of eyes that looked like the emperor's had become more lively because of her increased experience.
Qingyang deliberately stopped and waited to receive a proper salute from the Left Prime Minister, instead of rushing past and the Left Prime Minister bowing casually.
The little princess's meaning was very clear. Yan Xizheng had no choice but to stop and bow, saying, "Greetings, Princess."
Qingyang smiled and said, "No need to be polite, Left Prime Minister. It's been a long time since we last met. How is your health?"
Yan Xizheng: "...I am fine. Thank you for your concern, Your Highness. But I have never understood why the palace guards were so strict..."
Qingyang: "Left Prime Minister, please don't worry about such trivial matters. Father is waiting. Please go in quickly, Left Prime Minister."
The little princess smiled and walked away as if nothing had happened.
Yan Xizheng looked back before walking inside and reported to Emperor Xingwu the conditions drafted by the Secretariat for agreeing to the Western Hu's submission and tribute. The Western Hu envoys had entered the capital a month ago, and Emperor Xingwu was only waiting for his return to receive the envoys' audience.
Emperor Xingwu reviewed the list from the Secretariat and realized that the tribute the Western Hu could offer consisted of little more than gold, silver, fine horses, and furs. After a moment's thought, he said, "Reduce 50% of everything."
Yan Xizheng: "Isn't this too much of a favor to them? The Western Hu just suffered a crushing defeat and are now terrified that the Emperor will send troops to attack them. I believe that no matter what conditions the Emperor proposes, they will have no choice but to agree."
Emperor Xingwu said: "I do not lack their gold, silver, and fine horses. What I want is that they will submit to me and never invade the borders of Great Qi again. First, I will intimidate them through war, then I will gain their gratitude through mercy. If I push them too hard and make it difficult for their own people to make a living, they may become angry and ally with the Donghu, which will be disadvantageous to Great Qi."
Yan Xizheng said admiringly: "Your Majesty has a long-term vision, which I, your servants, cannot match."
Emperor Xingwu glanced at him and couldn't believe that his founding prime minister had never thought of this.
After finishing the business, Yan Xizheng could finally talk about the little princess who was accompanying the emperor on his border patrol: "Princess Qingyang..."
Emperor Xingwu picked up a memorial and flipped it open, saying, "You're referring to her escaping the palace? The Third Prince helped her leave. I've already severely reprimanded them. I wanted to send Lin'er back, but she was so reluctant to leave that her face turned purple. I couldn't bear it, so I let her go just this once. Fortunately, she's been very well behaved all along the way and hasn't caused any trouble for the army."
Yan Xizheng also didn't believe that the third prince had such great ability. The imperial guards were very strict. If the little princess wanted to leave the palace smoothly, she definitely needed the cooperation of the Imperial Guards. So who would Fan Zhong and the Imperial Guards listen to?
Yan Xizheng said bluntly, "Your Majesty has indulged the princess time and time again, causing her ambition to grow even bigger. Isn't Your Majesty afraid that a small princess mansion will not be able to accommodate her ambitions in the future?"
Emperor Xingwu suddenly stopped writing with the red brush in his hand and looked up at Yan Xizheng.
Yan Xizheng bowed his body slightly, but his eyes were neither humble nor arrogant. He was a minister, and it was his duty to advise the emperor to correct his inappropriate behavior.
Emperor Xingwu: "This isn't the first time you've said this. I'd like to ask, what do you think Lin'er's ambitions are?"
Yan Xizheng said without hesitation: "The princess is interfering in politics!"
Emperor Xingwu suppressed his smile and said, "Indeed, the harem is not allowed to interfere in government affairs, but has my son ever interfered in government affairs?"
Yan Xizheng: "Just because it doesn't happen now doesn't mean it won't happen in the future, so Your Majesty must nip it in the bud."
Emperor Xingwu: "What a way to nip a problem in the bud! If I have to guard even my own nine-year-old daughter, then shouldn't I also be on guard against my sons dreaming of replacing me, my two prime ministers monopolizing power, and my entire court of civil and military officials forming cliques and plotting rebellion?"
The emperor spoke calmly, as if he were listing several things that were indeed possible, but each of his words struck Yan Xizheng like thunder in his heart, shocking him so much that he knelt down hastily and kowtowed, saying, "I would never dare to harbor any desire for absolute power. I hope Your Majesty will understand!"
Emperor Xingwu: "Very well, now that it's your turn, you're so confident. Lin'er is only nine years old. She's simply eager to learn and wants to be a princess who can assist her father and brother, care for the people, and set an example. Why do you insist on putting her in danger?"
Yan Xizheng felt wronged and raised his head and said, "I dare not, I am just worried..."
Emperor Xingwu: "You are worried. Does your worry mean you will think the worst of Lin'er? Then will I also be suspicious of you ministers all day long because of the lessons learned from previous dynasties where treacherous ministers came to power?"
Yan Xizheng lowered his eyes.
Emperor Xingwu clapped the memorial in his hand, stood up, and said, "Today I tell you clearly that I believe you will be my wise prime minister, and I also believe that my 'er' will be a virtuous princess in the future. I doubt neither you nor 'er.' Of course, I may not be able to control everything. If 'er' truly makes a mistake in the future, I will punish her personally. If 'er' commits a serious offense after my death, then of course the Crown Prince and you, my wise ministers, will also punish her. But I will never let 'er' be wronged because of a mere 'worry'."
"Let this matter rest here. Whether in public or behind the scenes, I do not want to hear you ever again doubting Lin'er or deliberately trying to alienate the blood relationship between me, Lin'er, and the Crown Prince."
Yan Xizheng kowtowed and said, "I dare not. Your Majesty, I have absolutely no such intention!"
Emperor Xingwu: "Alright, please step aside. I have other things to do."
When Yan Xizheng looked up again, he saw that the emperor's face was blocked by the tall memorial. Knowing how decisive this founding emperor was, Yan Xizheng slowly stood up and backed away to take his leave.
Yan Xizheng stepped out of the imperial study with a serious expression and unexpectedly saw the little princess waiting on the corridor in front. The little princess was standing next to a red-painted pillar, raising her hand and gesturing at the top of her head. When she noticed him, she put it down as if nothing had happened.
Yan Xizheng walked forward with his eyes lowered. When the little princess's skirt appeared in his sight, he bowed respectfully.
Qingyang asked curiously, "Why does the Left Prime Minister look so grim? Did the Emperor scold you?"
Yan Xizheng didn't want to answer: "If your highness has nothing else to do, I will take my leave."
Qingyang: "...I have a question I'd like to ask the Left Prime Minister, but I'm afraid he won't tell me."
Yan Xizheng had no expression on his face: "Your Highness, please feel free to ask. As long as I know the information, I will tell you everything." He was not that narrow-minded.
The little princess looked around and asked in a low voice, "How tall is the Left Prime Minister?"
Yan Xizheng, who was only seven feet three inches tall and had once been touched on the top of his head by Prince Yong, said: "..."
【Author’s words】
Here I come, 100 red envelopes, see you tonight~
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