What are the best things to do in autumn?
Aside from the universally applicable answer of sleeping in late, the most important thing is to follow the season and properly fatten up for winter.
With clear skies and gentle breezes, it's the perfect time to gather around a fire, enjoy a hearty meal, and savor the delicious food.
If there's anything more pleasant than simply eating hot pot, it's sitting by a bubbling hot pot while listening to the sizzling of grilled meat and the aroma filling the air.
The main courtyard of the Sixth Princess's residence was bustling with activity at this moment.
Two large eight-immortal tables were set up side by side, and maids, guards, masters, and guests all sat around in the courtyard, without regard to rank, just enjoying themselves.
Although it's already autumn and the evening breeze carries a slight chill, sitting by a steaming hot pot, paired with a cup of chilled, sweet and rich milk tea, is just the right amount of comfort.
Ping An sat firmly with his burly body as steady as a mountain, the empty plate in front of him piled up like a small mountain, and he still devoured large pieces of meat with great speed, chewing loudly.
The sight of him thoroughly enjoying himself made Qin Zhaoyue feel her appetite return and increase.
Sure enough, no place is as comfortable and cozy as home.
Jiang Wuyai and Chu Xinglan readily accepted these novel ways of eating, such as hot pot, barbecue, and iced milk tea.
Without the slightest air of pretension, they ate with lightning speed and without any restraint.
The food consumed by a group of martial arts practitioners is extremely fast, not to mention the presence of Ping An, a bottomless glutton.
The mutton slices were cut as thin as cicada wings, and they were brought up one bowl after another, only to collapse back down at a speed visible to the naked eye.
While skillfully simmering the meat slices, Sui Mo took the opportunity to report to Qin Zhaoyue on the various changes that had taken place in Fengjing City over the past month.
It was inevitable that the court would experience upheaval, especially given His Majesty's prolonged absence from public view.
The rumors and gossip circulating among the public intensified.
The most widespread rumor is that His Majesty has already passed away, but the news of his death is being kept secret.
Based on this speculation, there were several attacks against Pei Xuanyun in the imperial court.
"Heh..." Qin Zhaoyue chuckled and shook her head upon hearing this, "Old Pei's popularity is really terrible."
Having sat alone in the position of Prime Minister of the Phoenix Pavilion for fourteen years, overseeing all affairs of the three pavilions, his immense power inevitably aroused envy.
Those who are stirring up trouble probably feel they have an opportunity to take advantage of.
Of all people to target, why did they have to target Pei Xuanyun?
That old fox, with eight hundred schemes in his body, really thinks he can sit back and relax all thanks to the Empress's support?
"What was the result?" she asked casually.
"Corruption, dereliction of duty, forming cliques... the charges are numerous."
The officials involved have been dealt with swiftly and decisively: some have been dismissed, some have been convicted, and others have been exiled.
Qin Zhaoyue was not surprised by this result at all.
Putting aside Pei Xuanyun's own abilities, in this special period, maintaining stability in the court is the top priority.
It's likely that the third sister, Qin Zhaowan, tacitly approved of, or even supported, this swift and decisive action.
Perhaps it was also because of the Empress Dowager's instruction before she fell into a coma: "If you doubt someone, don't use them; if you use someone, don't doubt them."
That old fellow Pei Xuanyun seems to be frowning and glaring, single-mindedly aiming for the position of a veteran of three dynasties.
If in the future it really is the third sister, the fourth sister... never mind, let's add the fifth brother too.
Whichever of the three of them succeeds to the throne, they will likely be given the honorary title of "Imperial Tutor".
"Oh, right," Suimo paused, then added,
"The Ministry of Ceremonial Affairs, taking advantage of the opportunity to handle the imperial examination fraud case, purged a group of officials with rather stubborn ideas."
Qin Zhaoyue immediately understood the deeper meaning of the word "stubborn".
The Department of Ceremonial Affairs was in charge of the imperial examinations. Seeing that the women's examinations were inevitable, it took this opportunity to purge out those officials who clung to outdated ideas and resisted new policies, paving the way for subsequent reforms.
"Young Master Pei has not been promoted, but he has been assigned to oversee the promotion of girls' schools."
Three days ago, all ten of the most prestigious academies in Fengjing City had posted notices announcing their plans to open girls' schools.
At this point, Suimo paused slightly and glanced at His Highness discreetly.
Qin Zhaoyue glanced at her sideways, "Why stop? Keep talking."
Sui Mo continued calmly, "Young Master Pei is actively lobbying within the Imperial Academy. Although no final decision has been made, the matter of increasing the number of places for girls should be almost settled."
“Also,” she said, her tone slightly somber, “it seems that Young Master Yan’s condition is not good.”
Qin Zhaoyue tilted her head, looking puzzled: "Who?"
Broken Ink: "..."
“The renowned scholar from the Shuofeng Kingdom, Yan Zhibai.”
Qin Zhaoyue then suddenly remembered that it was the extremely handsome Shuofeng scholar.
What a pity...
"From now on, there's no need to deliberately collect any news about him, nor to report it to me," she said calmly.
"Your Highness doesn't want him anymore?"
Qin Zhaoyue rolled her eyes. "What do you want?"
The two countries are at war. At this time, recruiting a man from the Northern Frontier into the government—what about the lives of those soldiers who died for their country in the north?
If relations between the two countries are normal, after the peace talks, taking in a few talented foreign men would be nothing more than a romantic affair, harmless and innocuous.
But her elder sister had been fighting bloody battles on the front lines in the North, and it just didn't feel right for her to find a man from the North in the rear.
Moreover, after wandering for more than a month and experiencing so much, the allure of Yan Zhibai had long since faded.
It's a bit of a shame, but... that's all.
"There's one more thing," Suimo changed the subject.
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