.
.
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In the afternoon, He Yuanhao ate his al, rested for a while, and prepared to go into the palace to et the Empress Dowager.
Even though the Empress Dowager was no longer in power, marrying the Princess still had considerable political influence.
This influence is not too big, but not too small.
If an ordinary third or fourth rank official were to have the Princess as his daughter-in-law, it would inevitably an that he would be drawn in by the ng family and choose to side with them. But He Yuanhao was different. The He family has deep roots and is a military general, almost all of whom are under the pri minister. Anyone with a discerning eye would understand that a non-favored princess would not be enough to sway He Yuanhao from replacing the familys 120,000-strong elite army.
Although Nanzhus unpopularity makes the He family feel less pressure to marry, she is still the pearl of the late emperor, the first princess of Qi with a proper na.
This was different from the average family.
In ordinary families, even if there was a slight difference in status between the two families, when the elders t each other, they had to be polite, treat each other as equals and call each other in-laws.
But the ng family was not an ordinary family. It was the imperial family of the Great Qi.
Theoretically, He Yuanhao had won the Princess Nanzhu as his daughter-in-law, and in theory, he was tied to the royal family.
But this is only theoretical. In reality, even if he takes the Emperors sister, the Princess, as his daughter-in-law, the Emperor is still the Emperor and the Empress Dowager is still the Empress Dowager. None of the courtesies that should be perford by a courtier could be missing. There was no exception for marrying the Princess.
For example, although He Yuanhao was going to talk about marriage, he still had to put on the official uniform, which represented his status as a subject.
When Zhang Jingxian was serving him to put on the official uniform, He Yuanhao specifically instructed, Be careful.
I dont see your Lordship this careful when going to court.
This ti we are going to see the Empress Dowager to discuss the marriage of the little brat, it is not as simple as going to court.
Zhang Jingxian humd, Other people go to court with fear and trepidation, like walking on thin ice, but Master is at leisure, so relaxed.
He Yuanhao laughed, You dont understand. If you have sothing in mind, if you want sothing, then you will be worried and anxious. Just like those courtiers who are restless in their position. I dont have so many thoughts and ideas, as long as I can have a bowl of chicken soup when I get out of court, Im satisfied.
Zhang Jingxian tidied the folds on He Yuanhaos official uniform and laughed helplessly, Your Lordship just said dont an what you say in his speech, but you broke the rule yourself and reminded of it.
After finishing dressing, He Yuanhao touched the official uniform with two smooth sleeves and said with satisfaction, I am not a monk, my mind is free of distractions. I am not looking for wealth and prosperity, only peace for the people. Lets go.
The Marquis wife sent the Marquis on his horse, but after riding a couple of feet, the Marquis jumped off again, and ran towards the Marquis residence.
Jingxian, take the horse, there is sothing I forgot to take.
Didnt you already take the gift invitation?
Theres sothing else.
Sothing else?
Zhang Jingxian didnt quite understand.
What else do you need to take when you go to the palace to propose?
A sword?
Impossible. The palace is not our ho. How can he take a sword in?
***
The six ministries of the court, three to Han and three to ng, are a subtle balance that the Qi dynasty has been trying to maintain since the previous emperor divided power.
Even when the Empress Dowager was in power, the ng clan held at least two ministries.
After the Empress Dowager took power, she was able to combine grace and power, and had already secured the three ministries of Rites, and Labor in her hands. The ng clan is gradually overpowering the Pri Minister in terms of the number of civil officials.
At this mont, outside ng Qinghaos bedchamber, Changhe Palace.
Li Gongqin, the father of Li Jin, the Minister of Rites, Huang Qinghe, the father of Huang Buren, the Minister of Rites. Yang Zhe, the father of Yang Dong, and Yang Xingguang, the Minister of Labor, the three second-ranking officials of the ng clan, were all standing outside the door of the eldest princess.
Huang Qinghe, who had arrived early, stood around for a while, but did not see the Princess call for an audience, so he asked Li Gongqin, who had just arrived. Brother Li, Her Highness suddenly asked us to co here today, do you have any clues?
(Subtext: The boss suddenly shakes people, so Im a bit panicked, youre the boss cousin, give a clue.)
Li Gongqin rushed all the way here, sweating profusely, and said, Minister Huang, how can I guess the heart of Her Highness?
(Subtext: I cant!)
Even though they were all ngs confidants, they didnt often get together. Taking this opportunity, Yang Xingguang said, Brother Li, Brother Huang, Her Highness will soon be twenty. Although it is not a big birthday, but a coming-of-age ceremony, we should not fail to take care of it and make Her Highness lose face. I wonder if you two have prepared?
(Subtext: Have you thought of any gifts for the boss birthday?)
Li Gongqin said, Her Highness doesnt like mundane things, and in this eventful season, it is a great gift to minimize trouble.
(Subtext: Tell Yang Zhe not to be a demon. My cousin doesnt see him.)
Huang Qinghe said, What brother Li said is very true.
(Subtext: So do I.)
(Subtext: Ill do the sa.) Yang Xingguang arched his hand, smiled, and although he saluted, he didnt thank them, but turned to face Changhe Palace, silent.
(Subtext: Well see.)
In a short while, the palace maid led the three into the palace.
As usual, ng Qingqian was dressed in a long dark red dress and leaned back on the seat by the tea table. The folding of the mo did not leave her hand for a mont.
Jian Ling, on the other hand, was not standing not far from ng Qingqian, as he had done when Li entered, but behind her, with his eyes closed, and his sword clasped, not saying a word.
The three Shang Shu entered the hall and imdiately fell to their knees.
Your Highness, I pay my respects.
ng Qingqian said, Get up.
She took one last look at the mo, tossed it onto the table, then rose from her chair, trailing her long skirt that touched the ground, and, under the gaze of the three second-ranking courtiers, ca to the back of their side, to a position they had not noticed when they entered the room.
The three courtiers, from the mont they entered the room, did not dare to look at the eldest princess more than once. Most of the ti, all that appeared in their view was the hem of their long red dresses.
At this mont, when the Princess abruptly walked behind them, they only dared to glance at her. but their bodies were still facing in the direction of her original seat, and they did not dare to move.
It was not until ng Qingqians clear and crisp voice rang out.
You three, this palace has a happy event to tell you today.
Only when the three heard ng Qingqian speak did they dare to turn around and face her, saying, I congratulate Your Highness.
When they did, they realized that in their field of vision, in addition to ng Qingqians long dress, there was an official uniform.
ng Qingqian smiled and said, There is no need for pleasantries, look up and et an old friend.
When the three of them looked up, they suddenly found that beside ng Qingqian stood a minister in a third-rank officials uniform.
Lu Liang, the minister of the Honglu Temple!
Wasnt Lu Liang on Han Wenxins side? Why is he.
ng Qingqian held out her slender jade hand and gently patted Lu Liangs shoulder.
Lord Lu has always been a top minister of our dynasty, his eyesight, ability, and talent are all first class. From now on, you are all friends, so you dont have to worry about much and can visit from ti to ti.
He waited for the Princess to finish speaking before he arched his hand with the three officials and said, My lords, we are all friends from now on. I would like to work with all of you and serve Your Highness.
The three n were all in court, so how could they not know what the reversal of Lu Liang, the Pri Ministers inner circle, ant?
Li Gongqin said, Congratulations, Your Highness.
Huang Buren said, Your Highness is wise.
Yang Xingguang said, I, together with Yang Zhe and other mbers of the Yang clan, will follow Your Highness to the death and serve the country!
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