The music played by the musician is soothing and full of ancient meaning, like a clear spring, refreshing the heart and mind.
Although it is already winter, the dancer in the court is still wearing only thin clothes. As she spins and dances, her soft body is like a light swallow, and the glistening beads of sweat on the tip of her nose are faintly visible.
At the guest of honor table, the atmosphere among the young officials playing drums and passing flowers became increasingly lively, while in contrast, the atmosphere among the senior officials was silent.
Chen Xun frowned slightly and was silent.
He did not expect that Wang Ao would refuse so simply.
This banquet was indeed not just for catching up with one another. Wang Ao guessed correctly that the reason why he and Gao Gu hosted such a banquet was to discuss joining the cabinet.
These days, Wang Ao's aggressive style in the cabinet has made the two of them very depressed.
But he also has his own shortcomings, that is, he lacks connections in Beijing.
The three of them were all Jinshi in the 13th year of Yongle, but their promotion paths were different.
Chen Xun was the number one scholar and entered the Hanlin Academy directly. He started as a common scholar and worked his way up to the position of president of the Hanlin Academy. It was natural for him to join the cabinet and participate in politics.
Takagu's grades are worse and he can only be ranked in the middle of the second class, but he has strong ability and good luck.
After passing the imperial examination, he was assigned to the cabinet and started as a scholar in Zhongshu. Later, he won the favor of Sanyang and entered the Hanlin Academy from the cabinet as an assistant lecturer. Then he jumped back to the cabinet from the Hanlin Academy and became a bachelor.
But no matter what, the promotion path of the two of them is basically to be the official of the central government.
But Wang Ao was different. After he won the imperial examination, he was first appointed as the principal of Zuosi Temple in Dali Temple and served as the prison chief. Later, he was promoted to censor by the late emperor, and he has been circulating in the imperial court ever since.
Moreover, he is not a censor in Beijing, but has been out patrolling, regulating, and supervising military affairs or civil affairs.
Except for the two years when he just won the election, he basically didn't stay in the capital.
Therefore, as Wang Ao himself said, his personal connections in the capital are actually very weak.
Chen Xun took a fancy to this and boldly took over all three cabinet seats.
But after all, supplementing cabinet ministers is something that is beneficial to the entire cabinet. Especially for Wang Ao, the chief minister of the cabinet, his voice in the court can be greatly improved.
Although it was a bit excessive for him and Takatani to take all three seats.
However, this kind of exchange of interests is originally asking for a high price and paying back the money on the ground.
Chen Xun and Gao Gu had an agreement in advance, and their final expected result was that each of the three would recommend one person to the cabinet.
In this way, he and Gao Gu can continue to unite and, after all, compete with Wang Ao.
It should be said that they did not usurp Wang Ao's original authority.
On the contrary, they are working together to expand the authority of the cabinet.
It's just that, relying on their long-term connections in the capital, he and Gao Gu want to occupy a larger share of this expanded authority.
He had thought that Wang Ao would be unhappy. After all, he was the one who had to take the lead in this matter.
But I didn't expect that Wang Ao refused so simply.
After pondering for a moment, Gao Gu persuaded.
"The words of the Chief Assistant are wrong. Such major events involve the whole cabinet, and the Chief Assistant should take the lead. If Brother Chen and I come forward, it will inevitably cause the government and the public to talk about the discord between my cabinet and the ministers."
In this regard, Wang Ao's attitude remained firm, and he said slightly coldly.
"It's too much to worry about. We are all ministers of the imperial court. It is normal to have different political opinions. Besides, I am not opposed to you two promoting talents."
"It's just that I have just arrived in the capital. I am not familiar with all the officials and have no talents to recommend. If I rashly agree with you, I will be suspected of forming a clique and ruin the two of you who are dedicated to serving the public good."
This means there is nothing to talk about...
Gao Gu glanced at Chen Xun helplessly and saw that the latter's face didn't look very good, so he wisely stopped mentioning the matter.
The sweet music of the piano was still flowing, the graceful figures of the dancers, and the laughter from time to time as they played drums and passed flowers, making this banquet look lively and exciting.
Chen Xun and others no longer talked about the affairs of the court, but instead talked about poetry and romance. They were all academics, and they naturally got along well with each other when talking about the splendor of various places.
As a result, the banquet lasted until late at night, and each of them said goodbye and went back home...
On the winter solstice festival, God gave me face and it didn’t snow.
Although the moon in the sky is not very round, it is also very interesting.
After a busy day of tedious court rituals, Zhu Qiyu went to Cining Palace and Jingyang Palace to visit the empress dowagers of the two palaces respectively, and then returned to Kunning Palace.
As soon as he entered the palace gate, Mrs. Wang had already brought the palace servants to greet him in the palace. He bowed from a distance and said.
"See the Emperor."
These days, Mrs. Wang has been following the imperial doctor's instructions to take good care of her. Zhu Qiyu also asked Mrs. Wu to take care of things in the harem for her.
Therefore, although he often comes to Kunning Palace, every time he comes, he can still visibly feel that Wang's complexion is getting better and better.
Zhu Qiyu stepped forward to help Mrs. Wang up, and said gently.
"Didn't I tell you a long time ago that you are a queen, so you don't need to be so polite to me."
Mrs. Wang was helped to stand up, her face was a little red, but it was not because she was tired after meeting the fateful woman all day.
It was because, after someone helped her up, he grabbed her hand and refused to let go.
They have been married for a long time, but Wang is still not used to such inappropriate behavior in front of so many palace people.
Blushing, she twitched her hand, but found that it couldn't be moved, so she could only spat lightly and followed him into the palace gate.
Then, her hand was let go.
Because as soon as they sat down, there was a female doll with her legs tied up, crawling around in the carpet-covered hall with bare feet.
Seeing the two people coming in, the little girl quickly crawled over, holding the hem of Zhu Qiyu's robe with her little hands, her big eyes flashing, and she wanted to hug him.
Zhu Qiyu leaned down, lifted the pink and jade little man high, and rubbed her face against her. The beard on his face made the little man giggle.
After holding it in his arms and weighing it, Zhu Qiyu said with a smile: "It's heavy again. It's stronger than Brother Ji."
This is his eldest daughter, named Zhu Minghui by Wu herself.
Mr. Wang stood aside and said with a smile.
"No, Sister Hui is four months younger than Brother Ji."
"Brother Ji is smart and speaks early, but he is generally weak and sickly. Although Sister Hui can't speak yet, she is very strong and has not been sick this winter."
There is a ground dragon growing in the hall, and it is so hot that the little girl is not afraid of the cold even if her feet are bare.
After resting on Zhu Qiyu's body for less than half a moment, he twisted around and continued to get off the ground.
The little girl has been sleeping all afternoon, so she is not sleepy at all now.
After struggling, Zhu Qiyu put her on the ground. The little girl immediately crawled away and continued playing.
Seeing her babbling, Zhu Qiyu slowly relaxed his body. Under the service of the palace maid, he changed into his casual robe and leaned on the couch, his eyes full of doting.
"After this new year, Sister Hui will be one year old. If I remember correctly, her title is still the princess given by the Emperor when she was born. After this birthday, I will give her the title of princess. Why?
Sample?"
This is what it should be. In her previous life, Sister Hui was also a princess who was promoted to the title of Princess in the first year of Jingtai.
Mrs. Wang sat down aside, with a kind smile in her eyes. She put a cup of tea into Zhu Qiyu's hand and said.
"The princess and princess are just a false title. No matter what the title, she is always my concubine's daughter. I only hope that she will be safe and happy throughout her life."
It should be said that during this period, the Wang family has changed a lot from before.
In the past, she attached great importance to etiquette and order.
In her previous life, Sister Hui took the initiative to mention the title of Jin to Zhu Qiyu.
But now, when Zhu Qiyu took the initiative to talk about it, she declined.
Zhu Qiyu sighed softly in his heart and understood.
This is because in his previous life, he was not kind to the Wang family.
At that time, he favored the Hang family and did not give Wang family enough respect as the main queen, so she had to maintain her status as queen from other places.
But since he woke up, he has untied the previous knot with Wang.
Even though Mr. Wang can't serve him now, he still spends most of his time in Kunning Palace, which gives Mr. Wang a sufficient sense of security.
Naturally, I don't care about those external names.
Thinking of this, Zhu Qiyu suddenly felt a little unable to speak, but it was impossible to bypass her, the queen, in matters concerning the harem.
While hesitating, Wang looked at him with a half-smile and said.
"My mother-in-law has told my concubine about the talent show!"
Seeing Wang's unblinking eyes, Zhu Qiyu found it difficult to express the reason he had originally determined.
"and you……"
As soon as he said two words, he saw Mrs. Wang staring at him closely and speaking seriously.
"I am very happy."
Zhu Qiyu thought for a while and said.
"I did this because..."
Just after he finished speaking, Wang interrupted him.
"My mother and concubine have explained the pros and cons of this matter to me in detail. The draft was originally something that I and my mother had discussed and decided to handle."
"However, the emperor is willing to come and ask me today, which makes me very happy."
Seeing Mr. Wang's rare naughty smile, Zhu Qiyu was stunned for a moment.
Immediately, he reached out and covered Wang's soft hair, just like the day he woke up in the small carriage.
Zhu Qiyu held up the broken hair around the woman's ears, held her delicate hand tightly, and said softly.
"Don't worry, I will protect you and Sister Hui well."
Although there were many palace people around, Ms. Wang did not hide this time. She gently put her head against Zhu Qiyu's chest and said softly.
"I believe it."
The fire in the house was making a soft "chichi" sound, and Sister Hui was crawling around not far away, babbling happily.
Zhu Qiyu held the person in his arms and felt peaceful in his heart, but his body felt a little warm.
At this time, Xing'an walked in quietly, walked up to Zhu Qiyu and said.
"Your Majesty, Eunuch Shu from Dongchang is outside asking for an audience. He said he has something urgent to report to your Majesty..."