As soon as he heard that King Duan was coming, Xining immediately put down the zhazi in his hand, raised his head and shouted in surprise: "Brother Huang is here!"
He turned his head and glared angrily: "Why didn't you tell me earlier?" He stood up to greet him.
The chief steward stood nearby, smiling and saying nothing.
King Duan was still kneeling. When he saw the empress coming to help him, he quickly saluted and stood to show his humility and did not dare to accept the help.
Xi Ning's face was filled with a sincere smile: "Brother Emperor, why do you have time to come here?"
Prince Duan looked at the busy scene inside and outside the palace and felt a little sorry: "I heard that His Majesty insisted on relocating his residence to open up wasteland today. I am here to express my gratitude."
"Don't mention trivial matters, there are only five hundred people. For the sake of the emperor brother, this trivial matter is nothing." Xining grinned broadly, as if he was extremely generous.
The chief manager muttered next to him: "It's nothing. When it's done, those old ministers have given up."
Xining glared at the chief steward, then continued to smile stupidly at King Duan.
Prince Duan's mood at this time was indescribable. He said that this empress had no brother-sister relationship with him. How could this be the case? She would rather offend all the old ministers than let him get what he wanted.
If it were him, he might not be able to withstand such great pressure, which is something that all humerus ministers are opposed to.
It would be better to offend him than offend all the ministers.
After all, the situation is no longer what it was before. If he launches troops to force the palace again, it will really be considered a rebellion.
Maybe those killers were really not sent by her.
"My lord, my lord..." King Duan was so moved that he couldn't even speak.
"Brother Emperor, have you had lunch? Stay and eat!" Xining waved his sleeves: "Go and prepare, roast chicken, roast leg of lamb, minced meat, whatever is delicious, just bring it up."
"I've already had lunch." King Duan wanted to refuse. He just came to the palace to thank him. If he stayed to eat, he didn't know how long he would last.
"But I haven't eaten yet, so please help me with some!" Xi Ning pulled Prince Duan's sleeve and walked out: "It doesn't matter if it's rough, just bring it up first. The ministers who are doing the work also prepare some food for them. After eating, read through as many of this month’s notes as possible.”
"Yes!" The chief steward followed behind, while the deputy steward and two eunuchs followed him. After listening to the chief steward's arrangements, they immediately left to do things.
The banquet was held in a small pavilion in the courtyard outside the palace. The imperial chef listened and saw that the chicken was not cut but served whole; the lamb chops were also served whole.
The ministers who were looking at Zha Zi also had similar dishes, as well as steamed buns. Everyone ate meat, cakes, and drank lump soup. Everyone rolled up their broad sleeves, shredded chicken, and took lamb chops with their hands. They laughed and talked while eating. Although they were a bit thick, they were quite enjoyable.
It was a rare occasion to eat together with the empress. The meal was so special that they would remember it for a lifetime.
Prince Duan looked at the empress grabbing a roasted lamb rib and eating the mutton. At this moment, she didn't look like an empress at all, but just like his own little sister.
Every time he entered the palace, the empress would let him have dinner. He suspected that the empress was looking for a reason to have a big meal on her own.
Xining bit off a piece of mutton, chewed it in his mouth, and said vaguely: "Brother, you are free to do as you like, I won't greet you." After saying that, he picked up the slightly thin pimple soup and took a sip.
King Duan reached out and grabbed a mutton rib and started to bite it.
Well, it tastes delicious when eaten like this!
After taking the first bite, I let go. Eating like this is a bit uncivilized, but the empress also eats like this, and everyone eats more and more confidently, talking and laughing constantly.
Xining proudly grabbed the half-eaten mutton bone and said: "Not sticking to trivial details and being free and casual is what a true official is and how elegant he is."
Prince Duan smiled. This imperial sister was so special. There was no pressure when he was with her. He also had a delicate heart and played tricks on her, which only made him feel uncomfortable.
After eating a few more bites, Xining threw down the bone and said, "I'm done."
The maid next to her immediately brought a basin for washing hands with flowers soaked in it.
King Duan also put it down and motioned to wash his hands in the basin.
Xining washed his hands: "Brother, keep using it. I want to see Zha Zi, there are so many more." With helplessness.
King Duan washed his hands: "Your Majesty, thank you for your hard work. The state minister cannot help. Otherwise, I will help share your Majesty's worries."
Xining's eyes lit up and he picked up the cotton cloth to wipe his hands. Putting down the cotton cloth, he looked at Prince Duan with sincere eyes: "Okay, brother, please help me share my worries."
King Duan was stunned and saw the empress looking at her expectantly like a kitten or puppy again, innocent and porphyrin-shining eyes.
"This is inappropriate. This is a state matter. If I help review the memorial, it will be said to be usurping power..."
Xi Ning waved his arm: "I ordered you to assist the government. Now go and criticize Zha Zi."
Then he changed his face and looked pitifully: "Brother Emperor, I'm almost exhausted. Just help me approve my papers for half a day, just half a day, half a day!"
This change of attitude must have happened too quickly. King Duan was really convinced and couldn't stand the entanglement. Besides, it was an imperial edict, so he could only reluctantly nod: "Then half a day, half a day as promised."
"Okay!" Xining jumped up and said, "Brother Huang will approve it first. If you need anything, just tell the people below. I'm going to take a rest first. I'm almost exhausted today."
After saying that, he walked out quickly. King Duan stared at him as he watched the empress run away without even sitting in the dragon chariot.
In the blink of an eye, he walked out four or five steps, quickly stood up and saluted: "Best farewell to Your Majesty."
Those ministers also quickly stood up and saluted. If it were later, there would probably be no need to pay tribute, and the empress would have to leave the courtyard.
Xining went straight back to the bedroom, took off his clothes, and planned to sleep.
The chief steward said worriedly next to him: "Your Majesty, are you really going to let King Duan review the papers?"
"Why not?" Xining felt that the palace maid was too quick to help, so she took off her clothes herself: "He wants to be the emperor, so let him try and see if he feels comfortable being the emperor."
"This~" The chief manager was very worried: "Don't think that you are doing well. Government affairs are nothing more than this. You are addicted to it."
"Then stay in the capital. Don't be a county king. Be an auxiliary minister." Xining had let go of his hair and lay on the bed: "Don't stay here either. Go and serve King Duan. If you have anything to do, come over. Report, remember, big things will happen. Small things will be spared!"
"Hey~" After the chief steward agreed, he thought of something and hurriedly asked: "Your Majesty, what is the big deal?"
Xi Ning's head was already on the pillow: "The sky is falling is a big deal. As for ministers who want to give advice or bump into pillars, there is no need to shout. They will be tied up and sent to prison to watch."
"Ah?" The general manager was stunned. Okay, it's not a big deal for the minister to remonstrate to death. But compared to the sky falling, the sky falling is indeed a bigger thing.
Since the empress said so, hurry up and wait.
Xining was snoring comfortably, but King Duan felt that it was not easy to be the emperor.
Before I finished reading the papers here, another stack came in and was placed on the table. He was so dizzy that he wanted to throw away, tear or burn all these papers.
