Chapter 1414: Chapter 1392: Video (October Monthly Ticket Bonus 8)
The Empress, upon hearing this, couldn’t help but give him a glance, her face slightly reddened as she said, “At your age, you still say such things.”
The Emperor held her hand and said, “I speak from the heart. The imperial physician said you shouldn’t think too much. From now on, leave these matters to me and don’t worry. Earlier, it was my fault; I shouldn’t have been angry with you…”
The Empress was slowly coaxed into forgiving him with a sigh.
The couple went together for afternoon tea, and after a short rest, the Emperor went to the front hall to handle state affairs.
He thought for a moment and still called Yin Li into the palace, “On the third day of the festival, the Crown Prince’s wine was swapped at the state banquet. I assign you to investigate this matter.”
Yin Li: …It’s been half a month, the ones who needed to die have already died, where would he start investigating?
The Emperor coughed lightly and pointed to Gu Zhong beside him, “Previously, all these matters were being investigated by Gu Zhong. Ask him if you need anything.”
Gu Zhong: …
The Emperor declared seriously, “No matter who is behind this matter, you must find out.”
Yin Li understood and bowed in acceptance.
Gu Zhong then coordinated with Yin Li.
The Emperor had previously hinted to stop the investigation halfway, so Gu Zhong had been slacking off during this time. Now the Emperor wanted to pursue the investigation again, and looking back, much evidence had already been erased.
Yin Li was a bit troubled but then said, “I need to borrow someone from Your Majesty.”
The Emperor asked, “Who? Just name them.”
“Lord Tang Minghui.”
The Emperor: …
He said, “My beloved minister, Tang Minghui is still a rank higher than you. If you borrow him, is it him listening to you, or you listening to him?”
Yin Li continued, “Lord Tang’s son, Tang He.”
The Emperor raised an eyebrow, then nodded, “Very well, you can have him. Gu Zhong, draft a handwritten order.”
Gu Zhong complied and went to write the decree with utmost respect.
The Empress granted Manbao many gifts, so people from the palace used two carriages to send the items and people back to Changqing Alley.
The palace servants moved the items into the backyard, accepted a purse from Bai Shan, and took their leave.
The trio, having never seen palace people or such rewards from the palace before, couldn’t help but stare in curiosity.
Once the people left, they gathered around the gifts to admire them.
Manbao opened a box, revealing a pair of lifelike golden monkeys, looking exquisitely beautiful.
Mainly, the pair of monkeys were quite large, weighing heavily in Manbao’s hands.
Everyone exclaimed in awe, and one among them couldn’t resist taking a bite, affirming, “It’s real!”
Bai Shan: “…Rewards from the palace are, of course, real.”
This time, the fabrics sent were also very precious; probably because the weather was still cold during the New Year, the Empress also gave her two pieces of fox fur.
Manbao put everything in the room and then opened another box.
Upon opening it, everyone’s eyes were dazzled, even Mr. Zhuang couldn’t help but be amazed.
Inside the box, plump and round pearls gently slid around, each pearl almost identical in size and smoothness.
Manbao softly exclaimed “Wow,” and then looked at Mr. Zhuang.
Mr. Zhuang had already gathered himself, stroked his beard, and smiled, “Since it’s the Empress’s gift, you should accept it.”
Sanya couldn’t help swallowing her saliva and asked, “Little Aunt, if I learn powerful medical skills, can I also receive such rewards in the future?”
Manbao encouraged her, “You probably can.”
Sanya’s ambition soared, with determination bubbling up from her heart, she silently motivated herself: Someday, I too will become as skilled as Little Aunt and earn lots and lots of money!
Everyone moved the items back to Manbao’s room. Bai Shan stayed behind under the pretense of discussing something with Manbao.
Today, Mr. Zhuang assessed their work and thought that Zhou Lixue and Zhou Ligu’s studies were somewhat risky, so he had already started assigning and guiding their lessons.
The trio reluctantly left, returned to the study room to do their homework and read books.
Bai Shan asked Manbao, “Did you have lunch?”
Manbao nodded, “I ate at the Eastern Palace.”
“Has the Crown Prince’s poison been neutralized?”
Manbao nodded, “The antidote was very effective, after detoxification it even repaired some genes, ahem, it also has the effect of strengthening the body.”
Bai Shan then asked in a low voice, “Did you notice anything unusual during your visit to the palace today?”
Manbao shook her head.
“What about Uncle Zhou’s place?”
Manbao replied, “I’ll ask him later.”
Then she just looked at him without moving.
Bai Shan looked back at her innocently.
Manbao said, “You need to go out.”
Bai Shan also reluctantly complied, “Can’t you ask in front of me?”
Manbao shook her head, although she could immerse herself in consciousness to see the videos in the system, she preferred to go inside, as it consumed less energy that way.
Bai Shan had to turn around and leave.
Once he was gone, Manbao stretched lazily, took off her shoes and socks, climbed onto the bed, and then happily entered the system to watch videos.
To be honest, she was quite interested in what the Crown Prince did on a daily basis.
Manbao opened yesterday’s video and glanced at the remaining points before haggling with Keke, “When I treat the Crown Prince, you don’t need to record it. Remember to extend the time accordingly.”
Keke: “…Host, this does not comply with the regulations. Currently, there is no extension function. If not recorded, the points already deducted will not be refunded. Less than a day, it will be charged as a day; more than a day, it will be charged as two days.”
Manbao: …
Manbao felt that Keke was not considerate at all now.
However, she stopped haggling, knowing that they were both under scrutiny now; bargaining wasn’t fun anymore and could easily give themselves away.
As for what could be exposed, Manbao wasn’t aware yet, she just knew not to act too close to Keke.
Manbao opened yesterday’s video.
The video started recording from when the Crown Prince left the Eastern Palace to attend court in the Taiji Hall. Unfortunately, the Empress’ palace and the back palaces were not within Keke’s scanning range.
Manbao watched the court session with wide eyes. Within ten meters of the Crown Prince, everyone was recorded. Those not recorded, their voices were captured by the system.
Thus, Manbao learned that Taiyuan experienced a snow disaster. Although it’s already spring, it’s still very cold north of the Yellow River. This year, the situation in the Longyou Road is not looking good. It’s still snowing heavily, and many pastoralists’ cattle and sheep have frozen to death. The national treasury has to allocate money and grain for disaster relief. Otherwise, the recently pacified northern tribes might raid south, making Longyou unstable.
Manbao also learned that in Qingzhou, the concubine of the Qingzhou magistrate’s family was killed over a land dispute. The magistrate of Qingzhou acted in his own interest, leading the Censorate to file a complaint.
To have a good New Year, the matter was temporarily suppressed, but now that the Lantern Festival has passed, the Censorate brought it up again, suggesting that the magistrate of Qingzhou should be investigated.
However, Wei Zhi believed the matter hadn’t been thoroughly investigated and could be looked into further before an investigation.
The Censorate felt that Wei Zhi was using public office for private gain, suspecting that the magistrate of Qingzhou might freeze to death before even being investigated, as he was detained in a temple outside the city.