When Emperor Yunmeng left, Princess Sisi was already content with her play and brought a large carriage of gifts, saying, "Emperor Father, Yuwen Qing and Brother Changlin said that all the things in this carriage are gifts prepared for you by Miss Tong and Second Prince, many of which are not yet on the market."
"Since it's brought back by your brother, then take it back to your Consort mother to distribute to the palaces. Tomorrow, Si'er, bring your brothers and sisters to the Huo Residence to present a congratulatory gift to the old Marquis on behalf of Emperor Father and your Consort Mother." With the impending war, it was important to strengthen ties with the Huo family.
"Really? Si'er thanks Father Emperor."
"Just happy to leave the palace, are you more focused on playing or wanting to see that boy from the Yuwen family?" Emperor Yunmeng faced the current dilemma with a strange confidence, feeling more relaxed.
"Emperor Father, it's not like what you said. I just want to bring my siblings to the banquet," blushed Princess Sisi.
"Alright, always acting cute with Father. After tomorrow, I will appoint Yuwen Qing to enter the Imperial Academy and teach the princes and princesses. As the eldest princess, you should take good care of your siblings. Before the Spring Festival, study well with Yuwen Qing and learn from your Consort mother about feminine arts. Don't think about leaving the palace anymore." Emperor Yunmeng planned his actions for the next few months, deciding to place the children in a safe place first.
"Yes, Father Emperor, Sier understands." Yuwen Qing coming to teach? Princess Chengsi was reassured by Father Emperor's generous arrangements.
Recently, the most talked-about gossip in the capital was about the second son of the Huo family, who had turned over a new leaf and joined the military after years of indulgence. He had finally lived up to the reputation of the old Marquis, but just when the talk had died down, this young lord started misbehaving again.
Sure enough, as soon as the Emperor came to congratulate the old Marquis on his birthday, the young lord began rallying his friends throughout the city. One moment, he was boasting about the rare treasures he got arranged by his sister's return from the south, and the next moment, he was praising how his family's gifts from his sister had delighted the Emperor so much that even the storytellers in the teahouses had immediately changed their scripts. The result of this behavior was evident the next day at the Huo Residence. Hours before the birthday banquet, the front gate was already bustling with carriages and horses.
Some lively-minded individuals even sent unique and exquisite gifts to the Huo Residence. And this second young master Huo boldly set up a table to receive the gifts, even allowing someone to sing praises loudly as gifts were presented. Yuwen Qing, who had always been regarded as a paragon of purity, sat on the side, recording the gifts, and when particularly precious items were presented, he made sure to confirm the sender with the hosts before jotting it down in the registry. It was truly baffling how this elegant scholar, like a clear breeze, had stuck by the side of the second young master Huo for over twenty years, leading anyone in the capital who respected Elder Yuwen to sigh in regret, wondering how such a promising child had gone astray.
However lavish or modest the gifts were, the Huo family showed no negligence or distinction in receiving them. They warmly filled each table in the order of arrival, at most rearranging the seating among guests according to their relationships.
After the end of the court assembly in the palace, several princes and princesses came to offer their congratulations, and the formal banquet began. Looking at the guests today, it seemed that all the civil and military officials of the entire capital had come.
In the backyard storeroom at this time, Yuwen Qing picked out an item from a separate pile of gifts. "Changlin, take a look at this. It's a Wa sword that has been folded and forged eighteen times with the process of iron smelting through carbonization and tempered in blood. It was sent by Cui Qi, the assistant minister of the Ministry of Revenue, who just arrived in the capital this spring. Cui Qi is the nephew of Minister Cui, who has no son and lost his only daughter. He has been arrogant and domineering these years, relying on his status as the minister's heir."
"I see. In that case, I have a plan," Huo Changlin exchanged his thoughts with Yuwen Qing, and the two complemented each other to refine the details. "Let's do it this way. We'll go to the front hall for the banquet now. During the banquet, you quietly inform Princess Chen Si of our plan to report it to the Emperor discreetly afterward. After the banquet, let's secretly control Cui Qi. Tomorrow in the court, I will present the gifts as inappropriate and implicate Minister Cui."
"Good, this matter ultimately falls under the jurisdiction of the Inspectorate. What about you and Mr. Pei?" Over the years, Yuwen Qing had been quite concerned about anyone who had even a slight disagreement with his Head brother. However, Mr. Pei, the Inspectorate's Minister, was an exception. It was said that there had been long-standing conflicts between him and his head brother Huo, but he had quite a bit of dealings with him. Mentioning this person now, he was very worried about displeasing his head brother.
"He's always been stern and old-fashioned since childhood, quite the opposite of me. When we were studying together, we often had disagreements due to our different personalities, but when it comes to matters of principle, he's the person I trust the most. Little Yuwen, don't worry. Besides, you're also here in the middle of all this, aren't you? I've heard over the years that you two get along quite well." Huo Changlin teased his junior companion.
"Head brother, who told you that? You're my only big brother, in my whole life—" Yuwen Qing was about to express his heartfelt gratitude again.
"Enough, enough. Let's go to the banquet. If you keep talking, I'll think you're about to propose to me. Okay, Little YuWen Qingqing, remember my words about Mr. Pei, he's a good person to befriend."
After the banquet, Princess Sisi handed the secret letter to Emperor Yunmeng and then went to pay respects in her Consort mother's chamber. All the palace concubines gathered there, eagerly awaiting to hear about the events at the Huo Mansion today.
Meanwhile, Emperor Yunmeng, who was contemplating how to detain Minister Cui in the court tomorrow, became more and more excited as he read the secret letter. The meticulous plan, unraveling the knots and weaving the web, was excellent. It seemed that the second son of the Huo family was not as simple as he appeared on the surface. The Huo family, there are no simple individuals there. Fortunately, his beloved son, Mo'er, was capable. From now on, they would truly be one family, wouldn't they?