Inside the West Nuan Pavilion of Kunning Palace.
Empress Zhang gave seats to all the ladies. Li Guang stood aside.
Liu Xiaoyan sat under Queen Zhang. The ladies cast envious glances at Liu Xiaoyan.
She is not even the royal wife, she is just pleasant. Every time she entered the palace, she would sit next to Queen Zhang. This is a supreme honor.
Empress Zhang was chatting and laughing with the ladies. Liu Xiaoyan frowned and said nothing.
Near noon, the married ladies dispersed.
Empress Zhang asked: "Sister, are you worried?"
Before Queen Zhang entered the palace, she exchanged birthday invitations with Liu Xiaoyan and worshiped as sworn sisters. In a place where there are no outsiders, Empress Zhang always calls her "Sister". And don’t call yourself “this palace”.
Liu Xiaoyan said softly: "No, there is nothing to worry about."
Empress Zhang was a little anxious and held Liu Xiaoyan's hand: "Sister, is there anything that sisters cannot talk about?"
Liu Xiaoyan knelt down to Empress Zhang and said, "Queen, I didn't mean to hide it from you. The troubles I encountered are related to the government, and I don't dare to talk nonsense in the harem."
Empress Zhang quickly helped Liu Xiaoyan up and said, "Sister, please get up quickly. We are god-sisters who have exchanged posts. You can talk to me about politics and family matters."
Liu Xiaoyan could only say: "My father serves as the chief envoy in Beizhili."
Empress Zhang said: "I know this. I participated in the East Palace audition. It was my father-in-law and my sworn brother-in-law who helped me change my name so that I could be selected."
Liu Xiaoyan said: "My father seems to be on the list of those who are ordered to serve."
Empress Zhang wanted to help Liu Xiaoyan, but she couldn't say enough. She turned to look at Li Guang: "Please pay attention to this matter."
There have been personnel changes in the cabinet, as well as changes in the ceremonial department.
The position of the palm seal belongs to Huai En and is untouchable.
Xiao Jing, Li Guang and Qian Neng joined the Bureau of Ceremonies and served as Bingbi.
Xiao Jing used to be the steward of the East Palace. The Lord of the East Palace ascended the throne and became the emperor, so it was natural for him to join the ceremonial department.
Qian Neng used to work as a guard eunuch in Nanjing. This masochist is Wang Shu's loyal little fan. In the month when Emperor Hongzhi ascended the throne, Qian Neng began to write letters repeatedly recommending Wang Shu.
Emperor Hongzhi felt that although Qian Neng was an eunuch, he had a good eye for recommending people. Wang Shu was planning to lay off officials in the Ministry of Civil Affairs, and Qian Neng could cooperate with him if he entered the ceremonial department.
Therefore, Emperor Hongzhi asked Qian Neng to write the pen. Qian Neng's godson Qian Ning is now serving as a bannerman under Chang Feng.
As for Li Guang. He identified one. The emperor's exclusive doting on Queen Zhang is comparable to the former emperor's doting on Concubine Wan Gui.
Since Wang Zhi and Shang Ming relied on serving Wan Guifei well back then, they gained power in the government and the public.
Then if I serve Queen Zhang well, I will definitely be able to hold great power in the future.
According to the rules, even if Bingbi, the Chief of Ceremonies, serves as the steward of any palace, he does not need to serve his master every day.
However, Li Guang would come to Kunning Palace to serve Queen Zhang personally whenever he had time.
Queen Zhang sent a message, asking Li Guang to "pay attention." Li Guang immediately kept this matter in mind.
Coincidentally. The next day, Li Guang was on duty at Qianqing Palace.
Emperor Hongzhi was looking at the latest batch of lists of people ordered to serve as officials from the Ministry of Civil Affairs. Li Guang was studying ink for him.
Emperor Hongzhi picked up the ink pen and circled it.
If the person's name is circled, he is ordered to become an official. Those whose names are marked with a red dot will be demoted and appointed.
The tip of Emperor Hongzhi's pen was about to fall on "Liu Bingyi, the former Chief Envoy of Northern Zhili".
Li Guang reminded: "Your Majesty, this man is the father of the Queen's sworn sister Liu Xiaoyan."
No one is perfect. Emperor Hongzhi was good in many ways, but his only flaw was that he loved Empress Zhang too much.
Emperor Hongzhi said to himself: "Oh. The Chang family couple is Ling'er's savior. Since there is such a relationship, it is hard to let Liu Bingyi become an official like this..."
Emperor Hongzhi wrote a small note next to Liu Bingyi's name: This person was promoted to Minister of Taichang Temple.
Although the Minister of Taichang Temple holds a high position, he has no real power. This official position belongs to the "little nine ministers" of the imperial court and has a distinguished status.
But to put it bluntly, he was just an official in charge of military bands and sacrificial rituals.
The local chief envoy was transferred to Taichang Temple minister, which seemed to be a promotion. In fact, it is tantamount to losing real power.
Although Emperor Hongzhi did not allow Liu Bingyi to serve as an official because of Empress Zhang's relationship, he did not intend to reuse him.
Let him have a title of third grade and go to Taichang Temple to retire!
Emperor Hongzhi already gave Empress Zhang and the Chang family a lot of face.
Finished reviewing the list. Emperor Hongzhi handed the list to Li Guang.
Emperor Hongzhi smiled slightly: "The official document ordering the official appointment will be distributed in the name of Liu Ji, the chief minister of the cabinet."
Emperor Hongzhi is too coquettish.
He kept Liu Ji in the cabinet just to be scolded on his behalf. He would always do anything that would make people hate him in Liu Ji's name.
Two days later in the evening. Changfeng returned to his home on business.
Liu Bingyi happily walked over with Tangtang in his arms.
Chang Feng asked: "Lao Taishan is here. My son-in-law will have a nice drink with you tonight."
Liu Bingyi said: "I called the chefs from Fengrunyuan. Let them make a big banquet!"
Chang Feng said: "Old Taishan spends too much money. What kind of banquet can we have if we are not celebrating the year?"
Liu Bingyi's eyes turned into crescent moons when he smiled: "Xian son-in-law, you saved my official status for me. What's a big banquet?"
Chang Feng was a little surprised: "Did you keep your official position?"
Liu Bingyi said: "Yes! The Ministry of Civil Affairs has just issued a transfer document. I will be promoted to Taichang Temple as the minister of the temple!"
"Although the Minister of Taichang Temple is an empty official, he is one of the Little Nine Ministers! Although I lost my real power, I kept my official status."
"Xian son-in-law, you must have asked the old eunuch, right? I know that the old eunuch is a close friend of the official Wang Butang."
Chang Feng froze in place. However, if you don't do things along the way, it will be in vain. After a moment, he answered ambiguously: "Oh, Lao Taishan's official reputation is better. Otherwise, I won't be able to help even if I want to."
At night, the family went to the banquet happily.
Liu Bingyi smiled and said: "I have a cousin who is nine years old this year. He is similar in age to Tangtang. I think it is better to arrange a baby wedding for them? Our Liu and Chang families will continue to kiss each other from now on, breaking the bones and connecting the tendons. !」
Chang Feng almost choked on his wine after hearing this.
Good guy. When I was down and out, you always broke engagements. Now that I'm rich, you're always rushing to give me the engagement?
Chang Feng quickly shied away: "Tangtang is still young. Let's talk about the engagement after we turn thirteen."
After finishing the meal, I sent my father-in-law away. Chang Feng and Liu Xiaoyan returned to the bedroom.
Chang Feng asked Liu Xiaoyan: "Did you find Queen Zhang about your father?"
Liu Xiaoyan denied it flatly: "I didn't."
Chang Feng warned her: "It is a taboo to instigate the harem to interfere in government affairs. Regardless of whether you have it or not, don't do such a thing in the future."
Liu Xiaoyan said: "Oh, remember."
Chang Feng said again: "But it's okay if your father has been promoted to the minister of Taichang Temple. Taichang Temple is comparable to Nanjing's nursing home. He no longer needs to get involved in political affairs, and can just be his idle official. He is as happy as a god on earth. .”
Chang Feng was right. For Liu Bingyi, this was a good result.
