Chapter 206

The light in the study gradually dimmed.

Dai Quan lit the tinder and illuminated the lamp on the imperial desk.

Emperor Yongchang sat on the dragon throne, holding a memorial and reading it carefully.

The fourth prince stood beside the imperial desk with his head down, waiting quietly for Emperor Yongchang to speak.

After reading it, Emperor Yongchang showed an expression of admiration on his face. He then put down the memorial and said to the Fourth Prince, “The Ministry of Revenue has always done a good job, especially you, who coordinated the work and managed to transport the scarce grain to the capital in such a short time. This is rare!”

The fourth prince knelt down immediately and said, “This is my responsibility, I dare not trouble you, father!”

Emperor Yongchang looked at him and said: “Then let’s enjoy it together next time.”

The fourth prince’s heart skipped a beat. He had only said a few polite words, but his reward was gone?

He pondered for a moment and said, “This time, Jia Yucun worked diligently to coordinate the transfer of surplus grain from various provinces to the capital. He accompanied me for more than ten days without taking off his clothes, and collected grain everywhere. This solved the urgent need of the court. I think he should be praised.”

Emperor Yongchang nodded and said, “That’s right. Anyone who works wholeheartedly for the court should be rewarded. How should we reward them?”

The Fourth Prince: “The Ministry of Revenue currently has a vacancy for the Left Vice Minister. I think that promoting Jia Yucun is the right choice.”

Emperor Yongchang seemed to see through his thoughts, and a smile appeared on his face: “As ordered.”

“Father, your Majesty is wise!” the Fourth Prince answered loudly.

Emperor Yongchang: “Since you are fasting today, I will not invite you to eat.”

“Yes.” The Fourth Prince bowed respectfully, then stood up, bowed and walked out.

Emperor Yongchang watched his back disappearing out the door, snorted and said after a while: “If the second son can be half as good as him, I can also sigh~”

Dai Quan pretended not to hear, picked up the copper kettle from the compartment, and made tea in front of the imperial desk.

At this moment, a red-robed eunuch from the Imperial Household Department came in holding an urgent document.

The chief eunuch said, “Your Majesty, an urgent message from Qufu.”

Dai Quan took the urgent letter and handed it over.

Emperor Yongchang took it, tore open the seal and looked at it. He was stunned at first, and then he laughed.

Dai Quan looked at him in surprise.

After reading it, Emperor Yongchang placed the urgent letter in his palm and clapped it twice, then said loudly: “Good, this Kong Xiaosi is brave, he’s great! The sage Confucius traveled around the countries with a sword. The Kong family finally has another brave man.” At this point, he couldn’t help laughing.

After laughing, Emperor Yongchang shook the urgent letter and said to Dai Quan: “Kong Xiaosi stabbed Kong Laoer, but it was a pity that the old man fainted from anger again!”

Dai Quan smiled. The emperor liked the inappropriate names that Li Hu gave to others.

Emperor Yongchang said to the eunuch, “Tell the Qufu County Magistrate that this matter cannot be pursued, otherwise it will hurt the family ethics of the Kong family.”

The chief eunuch: “Yes.” He bowed and walked out.

Dai Quan smiled, and Kong Xiaosi would become even more unscrupulous, and Kong Laoer would definitely take action to protect himself. If this continued, someone would die sooner or later, and the first and second wives would fight to the death.

It all depends on whether Duke Yansheng has the ability to break this situation!
This day seemed to be a very rare auspicious day, and the happy things were like icing on the cake.

The chief eunuch went out, and the chief eunuch on duty came in again, holding the urgent letter with both hands, and reported to Emperor Yongchang: “Your Majesty, this is an urgent letter from Shengjing.”

Emperor Yongchang took the express letter and tore it open to read. His face became more and more excited as his eyes moved over the express letter. Then, he slammed the express letter shut, closed his eyes, and said, “It’s confirmed. That Fu Kang’an is Qian Xiaosi’s son. Li Hu is not talking nonsense.”

Dai Quan perked up and winked at the eunuch on duty.

The eunuch on duty retreated and closed the palace door from the outside.

Emperor Yongchang: “The spies also said that Fu Kang’an’s background is no secret among the Eight Banners nobles, especially those Eight Banners noble officers behind him, who know it very well. I heard that these young noble officers are very dissatisfied with the princes and beiles of the Aisin Gioro family, and the two sides often clash. This is an opportunity!”

Dai Quan understood what he meant, thought about it, and said, “Does he dare?”

Emperor Yongchang smiled, gently stroked the armrests of the dragon throne with both hands, and said affirmatively: “No one can resist the temptation of this chair.” Dai Quan nodded.

Emperor Yongchang: “You should personally monitor this matter. Don’t be anxious, take your time. If you provoke a conflict between the two parties, Fu Kang’an will naturally want more power after he suffers a loss and is wronged.”

Dai Quan: “I understand now.”

Looking at a memorial and two urgent documents on the imperial desk, Emperor Yongchang nodded with satisfaction. Apart from those few evildoers who gave him trouble, everything else was fine.

Emperor Yongchang stood up and shouted, “Come on!”

The palace door opened and the eunuch on duty walked in.

Emperor Yongchang: “Tell the imperial kitchen to prepare wine and food. I want to drink tonight.”

The eunuch on duty said, “Yes!” and walked out.

Emperor Yongchang stretched his arms up and took a deep breath. Then he slowly lowered his arms and exhaled a long breath, feeling refreshed: “Let’s go out for a walk.”

Dai Quan was shocked: “It’s very cold outside”

“Don’t go to the Imperial Garden.” Emperor Yongchang waved his hand, “Let’s go sit with Concubine Xian and talk about Zhou Kui’s death.”

As he was talking, a great eunuch came in holding a yellow memorial, walked up to the imperial desk, and said softly, “Your Majesty, this was forwarded by the Ministry of Public Administration.”

Emperor Yongchang stared at the memorial and asked, “Is it from the Second Prince?”

The eunuch replied in a low voice: “Yes.”

Emperor Yongchang was silent for a moment, then took the memorial and began to read it. After reading only a few lines, his face darkened.

Dai Quan took a glance and found that it was indeed another memorial requesting to award Zhou Kui’s son a title. The title was a national honor and could not be granted lightly without great merit. The emperor would never agree to it.

Emperor Yongchang threw the second prince’s memorial to the emperor and said, “Go to Fengzao Palace.” He walked out directly.

The sun has set.

Xue Baochai looked at the back of Nanny Wang as she disappeared outside the moon gate in the courtyard, then turned and walked into the living room.

I saw a little girl squatting in front of a small charcoal stove, fanning herself a few times, wiping her eyes, fanning herself a few more times, and wiping her eyes again.

Xue Baochai walked over and called softly, “Baoqin.”

The little girl was Xue Ke’s sister, Xue Baoqin!

Xue Baoqin stood up, looked at Xue Baochai, and cried, “Sister.”

Xue Baochai sighed, took out a handkerchief from her sleeve and wiped her tears, saying softly: “Don’t worry. Doctor Wang said that as long as you take good care of yourself and rest well, the disease will get better.”

Xue Baoqin: “But the doctor in Jinling said the same thing.”

Xue Baochai smiled and said, “Doctor Wang is the imperial physician of the Imperial Hospital, he is different.”

Xue Baoqin wanted to say something, but Xue Baochai spoke again: “Although the Li family invited Doctor Wang because of your elder brother’s favor, we still have to go and thank him. Your brother is not here, so I will go with you tomorrow.”

Xue Baoqin nodded.

At this time, a coughing sound was heard in the bedroom. At first, the sound was not loud, but then it became more severe, with a sound of gasping for breath.

“Medicine! Bring the medicine quickly!” Aunt Xue’s voice came from the bedroom.

Immediately afterwards, several maids ran out.

Xue Baoqin hurriedly wrapped the handle of the medicine jar with a piece of cloth and poured the medicine into the medicine bowl.

After a flurry of activity, Xue Baoqin hurriedly walked into the bedroom carrying the bowl of medicine.

(End of this chapter)