Several people in the Ministry of Rites looked confused. Their positions had been arranged long ago and documents had been sent to each government. After such a long time, who would remember who was in front of and behind these two unnamed generals? Woolen cloth?
No one spoke for a while, and Fang Zilan's face was as dark as water. "Very good. Since the adults can't explain it, I'll ask the Minister of Rites to come over and explain it in person."
Before Wei Subaru had time to stop him, he heard her raise her voice and say, "I wonder where the Master of the Ministry of Rites is? How could such a good position go so wrong?"
The Minister of Rites heard the sound and came over. It was Wang Quanrui, the younger brother of Wang Quanzhi, the head of the Wang family in the north, and the celebrity in front of the Empress Dowager.
Although his ears and eyes are not as bright as Fang Zilan and Wei Subaru, fortunately, he is not too far away, so he can hear the story and understand the cause and effect.
"Lord Fang, calm down." Wang Quanrui bowed his hands and said, "The people below are not doing their job well, and these two generals have suffered."
"Master Wang, there is no need to tell me these lies. The festival is coming soon, and if something goes wrong, none of us can bear it." Fang Zilan said with a cold face, "Master Wang, it's better to sort out the rankings quickly."
"Yes." Wang Quanrui stood up straight and shouted at the people beside him: "What's going on with you? Why don't you quickly lead the two generals to their corresponding positions?"
Several people hesitated and did not dare to respond. Fang Zilan snorted coldly, "Is it possible that the nobles are so busy that they have forgotten their places?"
Hearing this, several people gasped. If something goes wrong at this moment, it would be inevitable to die, and there is no chance that the family members would be implicated.
Fang Zilan glanced at the people one by one and said sarcastically: "Isn't it ridiculous that there are so many people in your rites department but no one remembers the rankings of the two generals?"
Everyone in the Rites Department was silent. Zhuge Yu came over at some point and said, "The ceremony will start in a moment. Why don't we just stand in compliance with the court uniforms."
"Boss..." As soon as Vice General Cao spoke, someone said: "My lords, please don't worry, I still remember the ranking."
Fang Zilan followed the sound and saw Xue Haoyu running over in a hurry, "My lords, please don't blame me. I was standing too far away, so I couldn't arrive in time."
Fang Zilan's expression softened slightly, "Master Xue, stop chatting, it's more important to help sort out the seats quickly."
Xue Haoyu cleared his throat and read out the correct position. Only then did Fang Zilan realize that there was indeed something wrong with Deputy General Cao's position, and he had been moved back several positions.
After everyone stood still according to Xue Haoyu's words, he saluted everyone and ran back quickly. At the same time, the voice of the chamberlain sounded, and Li Shengxuan and Fang Ziqin arrived.
"Master Fang, don't delay, go back quickly." Wei Subaru looked at Fang Zilan and saw her nodding, and the two of them quickly returned to their original positions with a tap of their toes.
Fang Zilan let out a long sigh of relief. Fortunately, there was no danger. She lowered her head and kowtowed with all the officials, completing the ceremony in one go.
After the year-end ceremony, all officials entered the palace to pay their respects as usual. Fang Zilan looked at the crowds of people dispersing in twos and threes, and summoned Deputy General Cao and said, "I'll go back to my house to rest for a while. After lunch, you take my token and take Guan Min to the Ministry of Industry to bring the craftsman who came to our house yesterday It’s in my name.”
"Okay." Vice General Cao responded, "Boss, why don't you come into the palace to pay my respects?"
"I still have to save energy to go to the New Year's social opera in the afternoon, so I can just forget about saying hello." Fang Zilan looked tired, "You go ahead."
"Boss, you..." Vice General Cao wanted to say something more, but was stopped by Fang Zilan's look. He turned around and saw Wang Quanrui standing not far from them, seemingly for a while.
Seeing this, Deputy General Cao said no more, turned and left. As soon as he left, Wang Quanrui came over and said, "Master Fang, I'm really sorry for what happened today. Please give me some time and I will definitely give you an explanation."
"Okay." Fang Zilan nodded slightly, "But I have something to say first. If Mr. Wang has not given me an explanation before resuming the dynasty, don't blame me for going to the imperial court to file a complaint against you."
Wang Quanrui didn't expect that she could be so easy to talk to. He couldn't help but froze for a moment, then bowed his hands and said, "Please don't worry, Mr. Fang."
Fang Zilan curled her lips, "You don't have to be like this, Mr. Wang. I just don't think you will do such a stupid thing. On New Year's Eve last year, the former Minister of Rites was dismissed and exiled because something went wrong with the props used in the New Year's social drama. Mr. Wang Only then was he promoted to Minister of Rites. The lesson learned was only a year old, and it was also New Year's Eve. I think Mr. Wang would not forget it so quickly."
"Sir Fang is right." Wang Quanrui lowered his head and did not dare to look at her. He just listened to her and said, "Then I will wait for the good news from Mr. Wang."
After she said that, she left directly. Wang Quanrui looked at her back with a meaningful smile on his face.
*
Fang Zilan returned home and rested for a while, then had lunch and walked leisurely to the tower of the palace city. She arrived a little early, so she leaned against the wall and looked at the stage below, chatting with the young men from aristocratic families and upstarts in costumes who were chatting beside the stage.
This year's social opera is still organized by Yucheng Wang Li Qiyou, and as expected, he is also down there, as if checking the props. Something like that went wrong last year, and he seems a lot more cautious this year.
"I didn't see the Duke of Yue in the palace just now, and I never thought that the Duke of Yue would be blowing the wind on the city." Pei Juqing walked over, "The Duke of Yue has just recovered from a serious illness, so it's better to take more care of him."
"Thank you so much for the reminder, Duke Jun." Fang Zilan coughed, "Why didn't Duke Jun stay in the palace for a while?"
Pei Juqing said softly: "Nowadays, all the people entering the palace to pay their respects are new faces. I just can't stay here as an old person."
He meant something, and Fang Zilan responded tepidly, "I heard that since the Ministry of Personnel implemented the reform of official administration, it has recommended many new people."
"I heard?" Pei Juqing glanced at her, "Is there no new person taking office in the government office of Duke Yue?"
Fang Zilan nodded and said: "Of course there are a few, but I have been lingering on the sick bed recently, and I really don't have the energy to pay attention to any newcomers."
"Really?" Pei Juqing said noncommittally: "I heard that the newcomers in the government office of the Duke of Yue came to the mansion and disturbed the Duke of Yue's recovery. The Duke of Yue must not indulge in it."
"I know how to discipline the people in my office." Fang Zilan looked a little colder, "I don't have to worry about it, Lord Jun."
Pei Juqing didn't speak anymore, and soon other ministers arrived one after another. After that, Li Shengxuan climbed up the tower, and everyone greeted him.
Soon the social opera started, and Fang Zilan watched with little interest. After all, she had participated in the performance once, and she still had an impression of every scene. However, although the content of the social opera has not changed much, the costumes and props are obviously more luxurious and exquisite, and the golden scenery is dazzling.
