Amidst the discussions, the eldest prince had returned to his seat, while the second prince, Yun Yizhong, walked to the center of the hall.
"Grandmother, your grandson has copied a scroll of poems for you to wish you a long and healthy life, and may you live a long and prosperous life." Yun Yizhong ordered someone to bring up a painting and calligraphy.
The scroll was filled with birthday poems by poets from previous dynasties, and next to the poems was a painting of pine and cypress trees, which perfectly matched the poems.
"Hmm, Zhong'er's painting skills are good, and his calligraphy is also quite good."
"Don't worry, keep it safe." The Empress Dowager looked at Yun Yizhong with affection.
"Father, the gift I present is my plan for constructing all the waterways in Nanyang. I wish for the prosperity of Nanyang and the happiness of its people!"
"Hmm, is that so? Bring it to me."
When Yun Beiye heard about the method of constructing the irrigation canal, his eyes lit up; he was very interested.
Seeing Yun Beiye's reaction, Consort Chen covered her mouth with her handkerchief and smiled.
[I knew it all along that only my son had made any achievements in politics; the other princes were simply no match for him!]
Zhao Zhongquan presented the scroll to Yun Beiye with both hands.
Yun Beiye examined it carefully, and if there was anything she didn't understand, she would ask Yun Yizhong for clarification, which Yun Yizhong would explain and answer one by one.
"If this southern irrigation canal can be built, it will be able to divert the excess water from the south to the north, which will not only alleviate the floods in the south, but also the drought in the north."
Wow, is this the South-to-North Water Diversion Project?
Yun Duoduo pondered in her heart that she could solve the problem of water shortage in the north by building canals and relocating people.
Yun Beiye praised it highly, "Good, good! Zhong'er's actions are truly for the benefit of the people. This is a benevolent act that benefits the country and its people and will bring blessings to future generations!"
"Your subject dares not take credit. Your subject read a great deal of books and, through conversations with local officials during their visit to the capital, learned about the topography of the south and was able to create this map."
So, Second Brother, the reason we haven't seen him for so long is because he's been busy with this matter.
"Hmm, very good. Zhong'er, all the ministers involved in this matter will be rewarded. The construction of this canal will be entrusted to you in full charge!" Yun Beiye rubbed his hands together, his gaze sweeping over the crowd.
"Yes, Father, I obey your decree."
"Zhao Zhongquan, keep this scroll safe, and after you've finished painting it, send it to officials in various parts of the south."
"Yes, Your Majesty."
"A reward for the Second Prince: ten thousand taels of silver and a gold belt!" Yun Beiye said happily.
"Thank you, Father Emperor."
Upon hearing that Yun Beiye had bestowed a gold belt upon her son, Consort Chen was overjoyed, her face contorted with delight. She glanced triumphantly at Empress Zhaoyuan, then gave Consort De a disdainful look.
The ministers discussed among themselves, "This gold belt is the highest reward before the crown prince is established!"
"Does Your Majesty favor the Second Prince?"
"I don't think so. The eldest prince is the legitimate son and has the Empress's support. Although the second prince's birth mother, Consort Chen, is a favored concubine, she is still just a concubine."
"In my opinion, His Majesty is rewarding the Second Prince for presenting the painting."
"Yes, it depends on the construction progress of the irrigation canal. If it can be completed, then we will certainly be credited."
"If we were to use this canal incident as an opportunity to appoint the Second Prince as Crown Prince, I doubt the court officials would have any objections."
"If the Second Prince has no political achievements whatsoever, it would be controversial to choose the Second Prince over the First Prince!"
...
After Yun Yizhong took his seat, Yun Yishu ordered several palace maids and eunuchs to bring up a large box.
All eyes fell on the large box, their faces showing curiosity.
"Wow, what's in such a big box?"
Who knows?
"They're probably some strange gadgets."
Yun Yishu opened the large box, revealing a jade screen symbolizing longevity. The jade had a soft luster and a bluish-green glow, with shimmering silver birthday wishes on it.
"This, this is a jade and gold screen?!" the ministers at the banquet exclaimed in surprise.
"This is a rare item!"
This jade and gold screen is extremely rare, as it is painted on a single, intact piece of green jade using a unique needle and gold thread.
The craftsmanship is extremely complex, and the slightest mistake could damage the jade. However, this gold and jade screen is intact, with not a single crack in the entire piece of jade.
In Nanyang, it is extremely difficult to find such an embroiderer, and to buy such a large piece of jade would cost an astronomical price.
Yun Beiye nodded slightly; he too rarely saw a gold and jade screen in such good condition.
"Grandmother, Father, I hope you like this golden jade screen. May you have boundless happiness, longevity, and a bright future!" Yun Yishu said loudly.
"Okay, okay, you're very thoughtful."
The Empress Dowager smiled and looked at Yun Yishu. The gold and jade screen was beautiful, but it was easy to break no matter where it was placed, which was quite troublesome.
After receiving praise from everyone, Yun Yishu returned to her seat, where Consort De gave Consort Chen a smug and provocative glare.
Then, the other princes also presented their congratulatory gifts.
Finally, the youngest princess, Yun Duoduo, presented a gift.
"Grandmother, Father." Yun Duoduo jumped down from the stool and walked to the center of the hall.
“Grandmother, this is a gift from Duoduo to you.”
"Oh?? What did Duoduo prepare for her grandmother?"
The Empress Dowager looked at Yun Duoduo with curiosity, wondering if the little one would give her something like calligraphy or paintings.
Yun Duoduo clapped her hands. "Someone, bring this here!"
Upon hearing Yun Duoduo's instructions, the palace maids carried up a huge food box.
This food box contains the creations she worked on all night yesterday. She spent the whole night making these dishes, and her neck is still very stiff.
Wow, such a big box?
"What's in there? Is it another screen about half a person's height?"
"It smells so good!"
"This tastes somewhat sweet, a very refreshing flavor."
"This is food that the Ninth Princess ordered the imperial kitchen to prepare?"
Everyone frowned, puzzled. Was this food?
A huge, round food box, about half a person's height, how many dishes and pastries could it hold?
[However, what kind of food wouldn't the imperial kitchen have? The Ninth Princess's gift is far too careless!]
The ministers and their families present couldn't help but shake their heads and sigh.
[This Ninth Princess, relying on her favored status, is utterly disregarding the congratulatory gifts from His Majesty and the Empress Dowager!]
They just prepared some food and that was it; it's incredibly rude!
As Tan Biao watched the ministers discussing amongst themselves, he pondered that this might be a good opportunity to bring down the Ninth Princess.
Before Yun Duoduo could deliver her congratulatory remarks, Tan Biao stood up and said in an unfriendly tone: "Your Majesty, Your Majesty the Empress Dowager, Your Majesty, the New Year's Eve banquet and the offering of gifts to celebrate the New Year are major events that occur once a year."
"And the Ninth Princess only prepared food; such a perfunctory approach is highly inappropriate, in my opinion."
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