Changning found it amusing, but her heart softened. Over the years, she had come to know Yinzhen's sincerity and respect for her.
Yinzhen truly regarded her as his wife, as the person he would spend his life with.
Leaving aside the fact that he can't live without himself and always puts himself first, the fact that he can place himself on an equal footing with him is already quite rare in ancient times when imperial power reigned supreme.
Su Peisheng felt this even more strongly.
Anything even remotely related to the Empress is considered a momentous matter, even putting aside the Emperor's own affairs.
Just because the Empress liked glass, the Emperor specially appointed a Glass Envoy after ascending the throne, who was solely responsible for finding glass that could be made for the Empress.
Moreover, even someone as noble as His Majesty would only refrain from referring to himself as "朕" (Zhen, the imperial "I") in front of the Empress, and only then could he reveal emotions different from those he displays when interacting with others.
Therefore, Changning understood his desire for her to accompany him in the Hall of Mental Cultivation. It's like when you're very annoyed and tired at work, you just want your husband to be there to comfort and encourage you. It's not a big deal.
Changning readily agreed: "No problem, but I'll come over when I'm free."
Yinzhen's eyes lit up, and he kept kissing her: "Good, good, good, my sweetheart, my darling, my precious little darling!"
Changning knew he was a bit of a brooding man, but she didn't expect him to be this brooding. She was so embarrassed that her face turned red, but the corners of her mouth turned up in a smile.
Inside the Hall of Mental Cultivation, several ministers were busy and overwhelmed. They finally managed to sort things out, but when they looked up, the emperor had disappeared without a trace. The ministers looked at each other in bewilderment.
Zhang Qilin stepped forward at the opportune moment: "His Majesty has something to attend to and has gone to the side hall. You gentlemen may rest first. Her Majesty the Empress has instructed the Imperial Kitchen to prepare dinner."
The group then realized that it was the Empress who had arrived.
Ortai smiled and said, "Please convey our gratitude to Your Majesty. Thank you for your trouble, Your Majesty."
Zhang Tingyu and the others cursed him inwardly for his quick tongue and flattery, and then thanked the Empress one after another.
When we arrived at the dining table, we saw a steaming pot in the center, bubbling away, with about ten plates of mutton, as well as various vegetables, vermicelli, noodles, fish slices, shrimp balls, and so on, making it a very abundant meal.
The aroma of fresh mutton made everyone swallow hard, their stomachs rumbling even more.
Ortai bowed again and praised the Emperor and Empress for their kindness.
Zhang Qilin smiled and said, "Please make yourselves at home, gentlemen. His Majesty just instructed that you may return to your residences to rest after your meal. Thank you for your hard work today."
"Not at all, not at all. It is Your Majesty who has worked the hardest. We have only done our bit of help." Zhang Tingyu finally managed to speak before Ortai could open his mouth.
Ortai, though interrupted, was not annoyed. Instead, he smiled and said, "Lord Zhang is right! Your Majesty, please take care of your health. With such a wise emperor, it is truly a blessing for our Great Qing and for our people!"
Zhang Qilin listened to a long string of flattering words from the Emperor and Empress before finally stepping down.
The ministers looked at each other.
Then roll up your sleeves and start hot pot!
Ah! It smells so good!
Tian Wenjing came from a humble background and had been living in fear ever since he was promoted by the emperor. He never expected to have such a delicious meal, and he ate with great relish!
"This mutton is really delicious. It's no wonder it's from the palace. It's just different from the mutton from the Liu family." Seeing that none of his colleagues were putting on airs, Tian Wenjing decided to eat even more freely.
"Of course, this is all thanks to His Majesty's wise governance..." Ortai opened his mouth, about to start speaking again, when the other ministers suddenly felt dizzy.
You're such a suck-up!
Ortai was also wronged. He was not valued at all during the Kangxi era. Fortunately, he had good judgment and followed the right leader, so his career rose and he saw a bright future ahead of him. Naturally, he never forgot to show his loyalty.
Upon hearing Su Peisheng say that all the officials were already eating and enjoying their meal, expressing their gratitude to the Emperor and Empress, Yinzhen was pleased, and Changning smiled.
"It's just a meal, how could it be considered a great favor?" Changning smiled helplessly. They had also eaten hot pot today, and she was cooking a slice of tender mutton, dipping it in sesame sauce, which smelled delicious.
Yinzhen had a different opinion: "Knowing how to be grateful can be considered as having a heart. Ortai is a talented and loyal man."
Changning didn't want to talk about work during the meal, so she quickly put a piece of meat on his plate to shut him up.
Yinzhen chuckled to himself.
"The New Year is coming soon, and there will be many things to do, both big and small, inside and outside the palace. If you are too busy, let Hutuli and Yierha help you take care of things. You can make the decisions on the important matters yourself."
Changning nodded: "Those two are my right-hand women now. With them around, I can save a lot of trouble. After they get married, they will be able to stand on their own two feet."
Yinzhen ate a piece of frozen tofu that had soaked up the soup and found it very delicious. When he was with Changning, he never paid attention to the rule of not speaking while eating or sleeping.
“After the New Year, Yierha will be sixteen. I have already given advance notice to the Guarjia clan that they will issue an imperial decree to grant the marriage in March next year.”
Changning hesitated slightly: "Why don't we let them meet first? Get to know each other before making a decision? The person you chose is definitely fine. I've also inquired about Fashan. She is indeed of good character and upright. I just don't know if Yierha is willing... After all, we still hope that she can live a happy life."
At this point, the two inevitably thought of the previous incident. Yinzhen frowned: "Yierha is not resolute, I'm afraid he will cause trouble again."
Hearing her tone, Changning sensed that the previous incident still lingered in his mind, and couldn't help but speak up for her: "The child is still young, and it's normal for a young girl to have uncontrollable feelings. Learn from experience. Yierha has already been upset for so many days, so let's not bring it up again in the future."
Yinzhen snorted coldly: "What's wrong with my daughter? Isn't it because the Ulanara clan has failed to properly educate its members? Fine, the Guarjia clan has a clean and upright reputation. After the New Year, we'll find an excuse to let them meet."
Yinzhen still loved his children very much and wasn't so rigid, because he clearly knew that rules were meant to restrain the people, not him; he was the one responsible for setting the rules.
Having convinced Yinzhen, Changning breathed a sigh of relief. Having set this precedent for Yierha, Hutuli would find it even easier.
With Yierha about to get married, the Imperial Household Department would naturally prepare a dowry, but there was also a dowry left to her by her late wife, as well as some she had accumulated over the years. Changning thought to herself that she would have to quickly find the list and make a good decision when she got back.
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