Surprises and accidents
The most shocking things in Shengjing in the new year happened one after another.
At the last morning court session before the New Year, Prince Zhen'an requested Your Majesty: I will retire and return the throne to you.
The entire court, both civil and military, was filled with astonishment. The most commotion was felt by the military officers, many of whom even stepped out of their ranks, clinging to Luan Zhengya's shoulders and arms, begging him not to "abandon" his fellow soldiers.
Qilian Jingyao's mouth twitched as he looked at his cousin, who looked so happy and satisfied, as if he was just waiting to go home and spend time with his wife.
The last time he left the hall with a cold wave of his hand was a long time ago. Qilian Jingyao still showed reluctance on his face and sighed deeply.
"I understand Prince Zhen'an's intentions. Although the internal and external affairs are at peace now, I cannot do without Prince Zhen'an. Just take a sinecure and come to court occasionally." Although he said this, the two had actually reached an agreement in advance, and now they were just doing it for the ministers to see.
"Thank you, Your Majesty, for your help. If Your Majesty needs anything in the future, I will certainly not let you down." Luan Zhengya spoke in a high voice. Anyone could see that the Prince of Zhen'an was not a miserable person who would be abandoned after all his life was over.
But I really would be happy to retire early.
The second thing was the palace banquet on New Year's Eve. His Majesty had first agreed to start the beauty pageant in the spring, which made some ministers very excited.
But the most shocking thing was His Majesty's reward to the Princess of Zhen'an. This reward sounded so strange.
"Princess Qin Yuyao, the Princess of Zhen'an, is knowledgeable and diligent in the development of the Women's Court. She works day and night for the people's livelihood. I am deeply pleased to have such a virtuous and capable person. I have specially appointed Qin Yuyao as the President of the Hanlin Academy and the Minister of Rites. All subsequent matters concerning the Women's Court will be handed over to Minister Qin."
After all, it was a New Year's Eve palace banquet, a solemn occasion, so it was difficult for anyone to directly challenge the emperor's order. They simply stared at the newly appointed Minister Qin with wide eyes.
The president of the Hanlin Academy, who was supposed to retire this year, now has gray hair and looks cheerful, without any sign of anger at losing his position.
After receiving the imperial edict, Qin Yuyao was a little surprised, but she did not show it on her face, making others think that she had known about it for a long time.
Seeing her calm expression and no signs of guilt after staring at her for a long time, the ministers withdrew their gazes in frustration. They absolutely refused to admit that they were forced by the evil spirit sitting next to Minister Qin.
Even though the Demon God had retired, His Majesty had assigned him another group of imperial guards to maintain order in Shengjing. Even those with ulterior motives calmed down completely after learning about this.
"I remember that Princess Zhen'an had an exiled father. How could she have such a bright future?"
"He really should not be underestimated. Could he be following the path of Prince Zhen'an?" A civil official put down his wine glass, feeling drunk, and couldn't help but look in the direction of Qin Yuyao several times.
Such an obvious gaze quickly attracted the attention of Luan Zhengya who was standing next to Qin Yuyao. She looked over coldly, which made her body stiffen immediately. She turned her head away and dared not look again.
"You are really talking nonsense. The Prince of Zhen'an has already handed over the military power. So what if the princess becomes a minister? Maybe it's just a nice-sounding name." Seeing his colleague was frightened, a man in a purple robe whispered hurriedly.
It was just persuasion, but it was also a way to comfort herself. After Qin Yuyao attended court, she realized that the affairs of the court were not as simple as she, a princess, thought.
The imperial court was no simple palace, nor was it a business like running a shop. If one acted without following their wishes, they would inevitably be expelled from the official ranks.
Qin Yuyao endured all the fiery gazes and ate and drank calmly. However, she secretly took advantage of Luan Zhengya's time to move over.
Covering her mouth, she whispered, "You asked for this for me?"
Seeing her eyes sparkling with obvious excitement and joy, Luan Zhengya couldn't help but touch her cheek and said, "I'm surprised by this. I was thinking of having fun with you every day in the mansion, but who knew that when I came here, you would have to attend the morning court every day."
Hearing the slight grievance and complaint in his tone, Qin Yuyao smiled glumly.
"Don't worry, I will bring you some delicious food when I come back from court in the future. I will protect you in the future." After saying that, Qin Yuyao patted his thigh, her eyes full of pride.
Seeing this, Luan Zhengya's heart was burning. If this wasn't a palace banquet with so many people around, he would have immediately wanted to hold her cheeks and kiss her bright eyes, and then her red lips that were stained with wine and looked so smooth.
"Yes, I will rely on the princess from now on." As he said this, Luan Zhengya solemnly put the fish meat in front of him into the small bowl in front of her, like a subordinate offering food to his boss.
Qin Yuyao naturally ate it with a smile, and the two of them looked at each other with smiles in their eyes.
Ye Jiajia, who was not far from the two of them, sighed deeply. How could she feel that she was at a disadvantage by being named a princess? Although Sheng Kingdom did not have any princesses at the moment, her position was particularly prestigious.
But no matter how you look at it, Sister Yuyao's position as the Minister of Rites and President of the Hanlin Academy is more attractive!
Thinking about her past days of running around in and out of the palace, the servants of the female students in the female courtyard would inevitably ask about her. Ye Jiajia couldn't help but admire Sister Yuyao's diligence.
Looking at her father who accepted all the ministers' congratulations, she knew what they were planning. It was nothing more than that if there were any good sons in their families, they could be introduced to her for a match.
Ye Jiajia sighed again. The dishes at the palace banquet were the same year after year. She had lost her appetite. Her eyes passed over the loving scene between Qin Yuyao and Luan Zhengya, and then fell on the younger ministers who were sitting in the back.
With her eyes slightly widened, Ye Jiajia subconsciously raised her glass and toasted the other person. She was surprised. Why did this person keep looking at her? Or was it just a coincidence that their eyes met?
Xiao Chengjing grinned. He had just subconsciously stared at the other person, but he didn't expect that the new princess would return the favor with a glass of wine.
They couldn't help but raise their glasses together and drink the wine in the glasses in one gulp. Thinking about what his former boss Luan Zhengya said, he made a bold decision.
Qilian Jingyao had already stated that everyone was free to eat and drink at today's palace banquet, and there was no need to be restrained. However, those present were all shrewd people, and naturally they did not want to be rude in front of His Majesty.
Therefore, when one of the already noisy generals stood up, everyone around him subconsciously looked over.
Qin Yuyao, who was originally concentrating on eating with Luan Zhengya, also looked over curiously. She remembered that this man often came to see Luan Zhengya. He was also a young general who had won many battles.
Originally, the old man of the Xiao family had retired early, and he came to the palace banquet today because his three grandsons had all joined the military camp. Now he has received the imperial edict from His Majesty to enter the palace to enjoy the life.
Now he noticed that his youngest grandson Xiao Chengjing suddenly moved and walked straight towards the Zhennan Palace. His target was clearly the stunned eldest daughter of the Zhennan Palace, Ye Jiajia.
Seeing that Qin Yuyao didn't even bother to eat the food she was curious about, Luan Zhengya quickly glanced at the movement over there and lowered her voice, "Xiao Chengjing came to see me before. If he pursues Ye Jiajia, will it be successful?"
Suddenly, Qin Yuyao, who had been staring at that place, retracted her gaze and asked curiously, "Let's not talk about the matchmaker for now. Why would General Xiao come to ask you?"
Luan Zhengya said, "He used to be my subordinate, but now I'm considered Ye Jiajia's cousin, so it's natural for him to ask me. After all, the Zhennan Palace only has this one young lady. If I don't agree, it's naturally difficult for him to take the initiative."
At this moment, Ye Jiajia was the center of many people's attention. She felt a little embarrassed, but she looked at the people around her and it seemed that they would not look away for a while.
Ye Jiajia gritted her teeth and said, "General Xiao, what do you mean?"
Seeing the girl he fell in love with at first sight blushing, Xiao Chengjing naturally did not dare to arrogantly think that she was shy, but just thought that he had made her angry.
He quickly explained, "I just thought today is a good day, so I came over to toast you. Miss Ye won't refuse me this honor, right?"
The Xiao Chengjing in front of him was among a group of elegant civil officials in long robes and young masters from aristocratic families. He was still wearing a tight-sleeved suit. At this moment, under the golden light at the palace banquet, his eyes were shining.
Seeing that he was looking at her very intently, Ye Jiajia's suppressed restlessness started to surge again, but she still kept her composure and raised her glass.
A sincere smile appeared on his face: "Then I wish General Xiao all the best in the coming year."
On such a good day, with the New Year approaching, Ye Jiajia was reluctant to reject the other party directly at the palace banquet. After all, the other party was only there to toast and didn't say anything out of line.
"I, Xiao, wish Miss Ye all the best in the New Year!" Xiao Chengjing drank the wine in the glass, then turned around and returned to his seat, as if the action just now was not done by him.
The people around him were dumbfounded. It would have been fine if Xiao Chengjing had just offered a toast. But why did he choose Miss Ye from the Zhennan Palace? This person had ill intentions. I just don't know what the Zhennan Prince is thinking.
Everyone looked over cautiously, only to see that the other person seemed to be drunk and was sleeping soundly on the dining table.
However, the area around Xiao Chengjing became lively, and many young players or friends who were familiar with him laughed out loud.
"You weren't going to toast, so why did you toast someone here?"
"Are you shy? Xiao Chengjing is really something. I saw you come back after saying just one word. You are just that courageous." It would have been fine if he couldn't beat him in the martial arts training ground in the past, but now that he had a chance to laugh at someone, he naturally wouldn't miss it.
"Mr. Xiao was drunk just now, so he came back naturally. It has nothing to do with who he toasted. As for you, if you think you can handle the alcohol, why don't you go over and take a walk?" Xiao Chengjing's somewhat lazy voice sounded, and there was no sign of him being drunk at all.
Instantly, everyone who was about to say a few more words looked at each other. They all heard the threat in his words, and thinking about the New Year they still had to celebrate, they couldn't help but shut up.
In fact, Xiao Chengjing's lips had been suppressed for a long time, but they finally lifted slightly the moment he lowered his head. Miss Ye was so beautiful, her smile was more intoxicating than the wine in the palace.
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