In the following time, Li Qing did not pay too much attention to Jin Yiwei's development. He focused all his energy on treating Queen Ma.
Acupuncture, playing the piano, prescribing medicine...
In a flash, a month passed.
During this period, he tried his best, and the effect was very significant. Queen Ma's condition was stabilized to a large extent.
Zhu Yuanzhang would also spend part of his time with Queen Ma every day. The old couple would stroll around the Imperial Garden and tease their grandson, enjoying themselves happily.
Li Qing picked a flower, put it on the tip of his nose and smelled it. He moved further away from the couple, leaving them some space to be alone.
It's not that he wants to be a light bulb. Lao Zhufei asked him to follow. What can he do?
"Li Qing, come here quickly." Zhu Yuanzhang's voice came from a distance.
"Coming!"
Li Qing dropped the flowers in his hand and stepped forward quickly, "What's wrong, Your Majesty?"
"Can our girl eat fruit?"
“It’s okay to eat less.”
"That's it," Zhu Yuanzhang said, "Xiao Guizi will go get some fresh fruits."
"My servant obeys the order." Xiao Guizi went away staggeringly. After a while, he hurried back with a basket of crystal fruits, "Your Majesty, water... fruits."
Zhu Yuanzhang picked up an orange, peeled it off, broke off a piece and brought it to Queen Ma's mouth, "Ah~"
"Oh, I can peel it myself."
"It will be sweet for us to peel." Zhu Yuanzhang said seriously.
Queen Ma rolled her eyes at him, but did not refuse again. She opened her mouth and ate the oranges her husband offered.
"Well, it's so sweet." She said with a look of enjoyment, "I haven't eaten these things for a long time."
"If you want to eat it, I'll peel it off for you."
"One is enough." Queen Ma sighed, "Just try it. I can't digest it if I eat too much."
After saying that, he said to Li Qing, "You should also eat some, it tastes good."
I'm full of dog food... Li Qingqian smiled and said, "I'm not thirsty."
"You can eat as long as you are told." Zhu Yuanzhang said angrily, "We are most annoyed by pretentious people."
"Hey, thank you, Your Majesty."
Li Qing stopped being polite and started building directly.
Queen Ma said: "Li Qing, it's the emperor's birthday in two days. I also want to participate. You can prescribe some medicine to make me look better."
"Sister, please don't participate." Zhu Yuanzhang advised, "When the time comes, just let Chen'er, Fan'er, Di'er... stay in the capital for a few more days."
Queen Ma said softly: "This is the last time. I want to participate."
Zhu Yuanzhang opened his mouth and turned to look at Li Qing, "Are there any side effects?"
"It's okay if it's just for one day." Li Qing swallowed the orange, "But after the emperor's birthday, the empress needs to rest for two days."
Queen Ma smiled and said: "Two days is all, go and prescribe medicine!"
"Then...I will retire."
…
Household Department.
Wang Wenlu said in an anxious tone: "My lord, in response to your instructions, I have been paying attention to the development of Li Qing's power during this period.
They lead more with less, and the old lead new people. Their development speed is not unsatisfactory, and we cannot wait any longer. "
"What's the rush?" Guo Huan said displeased, "Calm down, it's not the time to take action yet."
Although he said this, he was also a little panicked. He was always paying close attention to Li Qing's movements and his power. How could he not understand these? He was also anxious.
However, if he can reach the high position of minister, how can he be an ordinary person? He knows that there is no chance of winning at this time.
Empress Ma's illness requires Li Qing's treatment. Even if he commits a heinous crime, the emperor will cover it up and there is no chance of success.
"This Li Qing really has a lot of skills. He actually recruited three thousand people in such a short period of time and trained them well. Damn it..." Guo Huan cursed in a low voice.
"Master Minister, we have to think of a solution quickly!" Wang Wenlu said, "Those people under my command are used to eating meat, and now they are asked to become vegetarians. How can they stand it? My subordinates can hardly hold it back."
"Let them endure it for a while longer." Guo Huan said, "In the past few months, Li Qing has been running to the palace all day long. If my prediction is correct, the empress' condition should have worsened.
Waiting for the day when the empress is buried, it will be the time when his head falls to the ground. "
Guo Huan glanced sideways at Wang Wenlu, "Don't worry, we are not the only ones who want Li Qing to die. How many of those nobles and royal relatives have clean butts?
Even if we don't move, they won't just watch Li Sin grow bigger. "
Wang Wenlu sighed, thought for a while, and then said, "The Emperor's birthday will be in two days. Do you want to disgust him at the banquet?"
"Well..." Guo Huan pondered for a moment, "Okay, let's take this opportunity to see who our potential allies are. Can't he compose poetry?
You are very popular in the Hanlin Academy. When the time comes, force him to write a poem to the emperor. If he cannot do it, charge him with disrespecting the emperor. Those who are unhappy with him will also come forward to help;
If he can do it well, you will over-interpret it and take it politically. "
He sneered, "If you can't kill him, you can still disgust him to death. When the day of disaster strikes, it can be used as evidence of guilt."
"Aiya..." Wang Wenlu's eyes shone and he said with admiration, "Your Excellency, I think I'm humble enough to contact my friends in the Hanlin Academy."
"Wait a moment." Guo Huan warned, "Don't reveal your secret."
"Don't worry, sir. I understand this humble position."
"Well, go ahead."
Guo Huan looked at Wang Wenlu's leaving figure with a wry smile on his lips. Once something was done, it would be difficult to get out.
Now even if he wants to wash his hands in a golden basin, the people under his hands will not agree. The people below will push him forward. If he doesn't move forward, those people will trample him under their feet.
As Wang Wenlu said, if you are used to eating meat, who can bear to change to a vegetarian diet?
Those people also gathered under him because they wanted to have meat to eat with him, giving him the status he has today.
After all... with that little salary, I might not be able to afford a vegetarian diet.
Being in the center of the whirlpool of power, he couldn't just retreat if he wanted to. Besides, he, Guo Huan, didn't want to be a vegetarian either!
——
Zhu Yuanzhang's birthday was approaching, and officials and vassal kings from all over the country came to congratulate the emperor on his birthday. No one wanted to miss this opportunity to please the emperor, and the capital became lively.
In Caishikou, the execution platform where criminals were executed was deserted. The officials involved in the Kongyin case were temporarily spared and were imprisoned.
The emperor's birthday is a big event. Although the whole country is not celebrating, every shop in the capital is decorated with lights and colorful decorations, which is more lively than the New Year.
Li Qing walked on the street, looking at the congratulatory messages posted everywhere, and marveled.
It was a September day, and it was already a bit cool at night. Li Qing bought a few blankets, added two sets of thicker clothes for the three girls, and made a few sets himself.
The Ming Dynasty treasure banknotes are still very durable. The money rewarded by Zhu Yuanzhang and his son still has two thousand taels left.
~
September 18th.
Queen Ma's face was rosy and her complexion was excellent. Her phoenix crown and rosy plumage showed her nobility and kindness. After drinking the decoction prescribed by Li Qing, her body was supported by vitality and there was no trace of illness.
The emperor did not attend court early today, but the officials came earlier than usual. Li Qing came out of Qianqing Palace and arrived at the banquet, which was already crowded with people.
There were two hundred tables set up in the square outside the Fengtian Palace. Officials from the capital, local officials, nobles, and members of the royal family sat down in different areas. The eunuchs and maidens shuttled back and forth, bringing melons, fruits, and snacks.
Many people came from the Jiaofang Division, playing with musical instruments.
Mao Xiang, Zhang Heng, Liu Ming and others also came from Bashu to congratulate the emperor on his birthday.
The emperor and empress have not yet arrived, so the main course will naturally not be served. Everyone is having tea and chatting, which is very lively.
Li Qing rubbed his hands. The standard of today's banquet is much higher than that of future class reunions. It's really nice to not have to follow the crowd.
"Li Qing, this way." Liu Ming waved.
"Coming."
Li Qing came to the table and sat down, clasped his fists and said with a smile, "Hello, my lords!"
Several people returned the favor with friendly smiles. They already knew about Li Qing's promotion, but they were not unhappy.
Firstly, Li Qing did not share their power, and secondly, Li Qing was the number one contributor to expanding Jinyiwei's influence, and they were also the beneficiaries.
Mao Xiang said with a smile, "In just over a month, we have recruited all the people, and they are well trained. They are doing a good job."
"Boss, that's a reward."
After chatting and laughing for a while, Li Qing looked at a table not far away and asked in a low voice: "Those wearing the python dragon robes are the vassal kings who have already joined the vassal, right?"
"Yes." Liu Ming took over, "The tallest one is His Highness Prince Qin, the taller one is His Highness Prince Jin, and the one holding the little prince is His Highness Prince Yan..."
"Stop talking about this." Mao Xiang interrupted, "Talk about something else."
Li Qing explained with a smile, "The humble position is just curiosity, nothing else."
"Don't be curious about the royal family." Mao Xiang glared at him, "Let's talk about the royal guards."
"okay."
Li Qing said a few words, but unconsciously looked at King Yan not far away...
