Chapter 56 The Old Fox
"This matter is of great importance. I will discuss it with Elder Du after careful consideration."
Upon hearing this, Du Zhong said, "Your Majesty is wise."
The emperor greeted him with a smile, "Does Elder Du have anything else to discuss with me?"
Du Zhong clasped his hands in a fist and said, “Your Majesty, there is only one matter.”
He finished speaking, but did not get up; he remained seated.
Du Zhong, slightly out of breath, said, "Your Majesty, I am old and frail, and I am exhausted from the journey. Please allow me to rest here for a moment."
The emperor immediately smiled and said, "Minister Du has worked hard. Hong Dequan, bring Minister Du a cup of ginseng tea."
"Thank you, Your Majesty."
After Du Zhong finished speaking, he sat quietly to the side as if he really wanted to rest.
However, the ginseng tea in Grandpa Hong's cup was all gone, and Du Zhong still hadn't gotten up.
Instead, the emperor said, "Your Majesty, may I have another cup? This ginseng tea is indeed potent; I have regained some of my strength."
"Hong Dequan, bring Minister Du another cup of ginseng tea."
Du Zhong then sat down respectfully to one side without saying a word.
The emperor put down the memorial and said, "I heard that a few days ago, Jinzhi had a quarrel with one of your juniors and they even got into a physical fight. I wonder if she was injured?"
Du Zhong said calmly, "It's just children's playful banter. It's not worth Your Majesty taking it to heart. I have already disciplined Du Chong. He should be punished for offending Princess Jinzhi. After some time, I will have him go to apologize to her."
The emperor quickly said, "Hey, what's this about punishment? I know Jinzhi's personality well; she's very mischievous. Please don't take offense, Minister Du."
Naughty? Your Majesty, would you please look me in the eye when you speak?
My entire face has been pierced through by the same thing, and now I can't even speak. All you can say is "naughty"?
Du Zhong said calmly, "The princess is clever and lovely. How could this old minister take offense? Your Majesty, please don't take the matter of the younger generation to heart."
Your Majesty, please don't meddle in the affairs of the younger generation!
The emperor chuckled and said, "If you ask me, only Minister Du is of one mind with me. If the whole court were filled with people as magnanimous as Minister Du, I would feel at ease."
Minister, you are magnanimous; don't take the affairs of the younger generation to heart!
Even Du Zhong's usually calm and collected demeanor was starting to crumble!
The shameless old man raised a shameless little brat!
You shameless brat, you've caused trouble!
Shameless old man, pretending to be dead!
Du Zhong forced a smile and said, "Thank you for your praise, Your Majesty. This old minister has rested enough and will take his leave now."
"Hong Dequan, see Minister Du off."
The emperor watched Du Zhong leave with a smile.
After Du Zhong left, the emperor's expression turned cold.
The war had just ended, and everything needed to be rebuilt.
These people have no compassion for the people, so they started plotting.
Old fox!
After returning, Eunuch Hong stood beside His Majesty to serve him.
The emperor turned to look at him. "What are you waiting for?"
Eunuch Hong stared wide-eyed. What did His Majesty say? He didn't understand.
What is he waiting for?
The emperor clicked his tongue, "Hurry up and find someone to copy the palace rules for this scoundrel!"
"This servant will go immediately!"
Okay, okay!
What emperor would remember to have his granddaughter copy palace rules after discussing matters with his ministers?
What kind of emperor would have his granddaughter copy palace rules?
It was His Majesty who issued the order!
Qin Jinzhi sneezed and asked Feiyan to pour wine for her and the Empress.
The Empress snorted, "I knew that old man had hidden the wine there! Turns out he was hiding it right under my nose!"
Qin Jinzhi said with a grin, "If he hadn't been hiding here, the two of us wouldn't have been able to get a drink."
Feiyan said with some lingering fear, "Princess, you drank all of His Majesty's wine. Won't His Majesty be angry?"
"It's alright. My grandfather will definitely come secretly tonight to change the location of the wine. What does it have to do with me if the wine disappears because he hides it somewhere else?"
Feiyan covered her mouth and chuckled.
Qin Jinzhi said to Feiyan, "Fill it with water later and then put the wine jar back."
Feiyan widened her eyes and said, "Huh? Then Your Majesty will know it's water once you drink it."
Qin Jinzhi laughed out loud, "He dares not drink it. The fragrance of 'Ten-Mile Fragrance' can travel for miles. Just opening it releases its aroma. He dares not let the Empress Dowager smell it."
Fei Yan imagined that His Majesty would be furious if he discovered that all the wine inside had turned into water.
It's terrifying to even think about.
The Empress took a sip and squinted her eyes in satisfaction.
It's been a long time since I've had such a satisfying drinking session.
She couldn't even remember the last time she was drunk.
As soon as Liu Yiyi smelled the alcohol, she appeared, her eyes fixed on Qin Jinzhi.
Are you out of your mind?!
No alcohol!
She's going crazy!
A patient who doesn't follow medical advice is not a good patient!
Qin Jinzhi pursed her lips and put down the wine bowl in her hand.
Luckily, she had a drink earlier.
Liu Yiyi was so angry at the sight of the wine bowl that she was about to mutate!
They even drink from bowls!
Drinking so much!
They think they have too much time on their lives!
Qin Jinzhi asked her with her eyes.
Why don't you care about the Empress Dowager!
She drank it too!
Liu Yiyi's eyes almost popped out of their sockets!
The Empress was not poisoned!
What's wrong with her drinking?
"Jinzhi, why aren't you drinking?"
Liu Yiyi quickly stepped forward and said, "Princess, you are sensitive to the cold. This wine is very hot and not good for your health. It would be best to drink less of it. However, Your Highness, you may have some. This Ten Mile Fragrance contains top-grade snake spirit grass, which is quite nourishing for your body."
The Empress laughed and said, "What a pity, it's no fun for me to drink alone."
Liu Yiyi stepped forward and said, "If Your Majesty does not mind, this humble woman may drink with Your Majesty the Empress."
This is a 20-year-old fragrant flower!
A true gem!
She has to try it!
The Empress was surprised to hear this. "Miss Liu is quite the heroine! Very well, she shall drink with me! Jinzhi is out of luck."
Qin Jinzhi had been thinking about the Ten-Mile Fragrance for quite some time.
They searched the entire palace but couldn't find where the emperor was hiding.
If it weren't for calling Shen Liuying to the lotus pond that day...
She smelled the fragrance of the wine from somewhere; who knows how long it's been hidden away.
Qin Jinzhi glared at Liu Yiyi.
Why can you drink so much!
Liu Yiyi looked completely innocent.
I'm not poisoned!
Qin Jinzhi remained silent.
He turned his head away from the two people who were drinking happily.
Yu Guangli saw Shen Liuying standing in the corner as if waiting for her.
"I'm going to the kitchenette."
Nobody paid any attention to her.
Qin Jinzhi walked to the corner.
Shen Liuying whispered, "Princess, His Highness the Crown Prince has already gone to sleep."
Qin Jinzhi nodded. "The Crown Prince will be staying in the palace these next few days, and the Jiaofang Palace will be closed to guests. If the Crown Prince cannot take you with him when he leaves, you will be of no use to me."
Shen Liuying was not shocked. "Princess, please rest assured, Liuying will definitely not let you down."
Qin Jinzhi took out a letter from her bosom. "This is a letter from your stepmother and your brother. Go back and read it slowly. Don't worry, they have already arrived in the capital. I will take good care of them."
Shen Liuying immediately knelt down on the ground, "Thank you for your great kindness, Princess."
Qin Jinzhi turned and left.
Shen Liuying eagerly opened the letter.
She burst into tears instantly; it really was her mother's and brother's handwriting!
They really escaped that den of wolves!
Shen Liuying forcefully wiped away the tears on her face.
After taking a deep look at the Crown Prince's bedroom, she returned to her own room.
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