When the concubines came to pay their respects to Li Wei, the noble concubine mentioned the emperor's birthday and came to ask Li Wei for instructions on the matter.
Li Wei has been a little anxious recently. She thought for a while and said: "Firstly, the service is not full and it is not suitable for big events. Secondly, the emperor's leg is injured and he has difficulty moving. I can reduce the ostentation as much as possible. All the officials congratulate me." There is no need to watch it, I’m afraid he can’t bear it at his young age.”
As soon as she finished speaking, Concubine Ning interrupted: "The Emperor is the most blessed person in the world, so why can't you bear it? Besides, this is a rule handed down from our ancestors, so don't worry about it."
"Rules are dead, people are alive. If the emperor is lying on the bed and unable to move, why should we let him toss back and forth? In my opinion, these arrogance should be avoided. We concubines and concubines should give him a simple life That’s enough for a family birthday party.”
As soon as Li Wei said these words, there was no other voice from everyone present. The concubine Jing Gui thought that the Queen Mother was stingy, and now she was unwilling to celebrate the emperor's birthday. She must have been concerned about the money, so she wanted to imitate the petty family's arrogance and celebrate a family birthday. Although she was dissatisfied in her heart, she thought that she could not disobey the Queen Mother's will, so she should not be thankless. If the emperor is unhappy, it is also the queen mother who is to be blamed.
Li Wei said: "Now that the lotus flowers are blooming well, the emperor's birthday banquet will be held at the Furong Pavilion by Taiye Pond. It is close to the water and the place is not small. It is suitable for people to tidy up. It is also a good place for flower appreciation. Simple tidying up Three or four tables of food don’t need to be too lively, but the main thing is to bring warmth. In principle, the birthday gifts you prepare for each place should not exceed twenty taels of silver.”
"My concubines, please obey the Queen Mother's instructions."
Li Wei added: "The congratulations from all the officials are exempted, and the tributes from everywhere are also exempted." She knew that there were many people below who wanted to curry favor, and would spend a lot of money on this. This kill kills the unhealthy trend.
After Li Wei made this decision, he told Fu Guang personally.
After hearing this, Fu Guang said approvingly: "The queen mother is more thoughtful, so let's do it this way."
"It may sound crude, but the current situation is really not suitable. I feel wronged to you."
Fu Guang smiled and said: "How can I be wronged? Birthdays are celebrated every year, and they don't stick to this one time. Besides, I haven't completed the imperial examination yet, so there is nothing wrong with keeping a low profile. For the sake of my son, the queen mother has put a lot of thought into it." "
Li Wei said: "If you call me Queen Mother, I should naturally be able to bear this title."
A shy smile appeared on Fu Guang's face, and he assured Li Wei: "Mother, I will work hard to cooperate. I hope I can take a few steps on my birthday."
Li Wei said: "There is no need to rush, take your time." She regretted her previous behavior. She was the one who put pressure on Fu Guang. It was not Fu Guang who was anxious but herself.
The news of congratulating the emperor on his birthday reached the ears of the old foxes in the cabinet. Zheng Guangliang said: "Our Queen Mother is quite independent."
Liao Qi said: "What kind of idea? I think it's just a fool's errand, but what can a little girl do in a movie?"
Du Yu twisted his beard and said: "I passed by Laichunfang yesterday. The foundation of the house over there has been laid and the walls have started to be rammed. It seems that it will be completed in another month. There are five houses in a row, square and square. It looks pretty good.”
"Is it the Hui Medical Department that is repairing it?"
Du Yu said: "Yes, it has really been built. I heard from Doctor Fang that the Queen Mother wanted it to be put into use before the Double Ninth Festival. She also said that some kind of training center would be built to train doctors."
"Is this what we were doing with the salary cuts?" Liao Qi's eyes widened.
Du Yu smiled calmly and said, "Otherwise."
Zheng Guangliang said: "I just said it was a fool's errand. Isn't this a clear attempt to compete with those medical clinics for business? I'm afraid these doctors in Beijing will stop doing it."
"So what if I don't do it? This is the will of the court and the decree of the Queen Mother. Could it be that those officials don't want to live a stable life, so can they still rebel?"
Liao Qi's words expressed the overwhelming helplessness.
Du Yu sat there quietly, thinking about one thing in his mind. The Queen Mother has been acting more and more recently. It seems that she is not a law-abiding woman. Could there really be a second Queen Mother Xiao
If a woman messes with the rules of the court, that is the sign of a country being destroyed.
The Queen Mother's intervention out of thin air is a threat to the cabinet. There used to be a regent who could balance the power of all parties, but after several contacts, it was discovered that the regent was from the same camp as the Queen Mother.
As the chief minister of the cabinet, he must make careful plans for the future of the cabinet. It happens that the regent is not in Beijing, so it is time to take some measures. Also let that little girl know what is ginger or old and spicy.
The birthday gift Li Wei prepared for Fu Guang was a pair of newly made shoes. She started making these shoes a month ago. Every stitch and every stitch was made by her own hands, full of the best wishes in her heart.
According to Li Wei's decree, the value of gifts prepared in each palace must not exceed twenty taels of silver. Most of the gifts currently prepared are needlework.
The birthday party was paid for by Li Wei, and the Thirteenth Yamen came forward without any trouble. She took out thirty taels of silver and made suggestions on the dishes, excluding some extravagant ones. Just make it more delicate.
In order to be able to go to the Queen Mother on his birthday, Fu Guang would go for a walk after finishing his rehabilitation every day. This time, he no longer rejected the crutches. With the support of the crutches, he moved step by step, trying not to be supported by others. He wanted to stand up with his own strength.
Zhang Chaoen met him and secretly said that although the emperor was young, he was a resolute man and he should be a wise king and holy master in the future.
In a blink of an eye, it’s the ninth day of July. This day is Fu Guang's birthday, and he will be seven years old after this day. On the Longevity Festival, although officials are not required to pay birthday gifts, they are still given a day off.
The Furong Pavilion was cleared out early, and was covered with apricot-yellow felt. The tables and chairs were covered with yellow embroidered satin, and various bonsais were placed. The vases were filled with freshly picked flowers. Roses, roses, dianthus, and roses that Li Wei likes.
Several boats were also prepared on the lake early for the Queen Mother, Emperor and others to use when visiting the lake. The eunuchs who served as boatmen had been ready a few days ago.
Early that morning, Li Wei had eaten, went to offer incense to the Bodhisattva, changed into a pair of newly made clothes, and then came to Furong Pavilion. Then the other concubines came.
Concubine Dun came over with Xiaoliu in hand. When she saw the boat prepared, she asked Li Wei: "Is the Queen Mother planning to swim on the lake today?"
Li Wei said: "I'm afraid it was prepared by the managers." She stood under the window and looked up, the lake was rippling with blue waves, and clusters of lotus leaves and lotus flowers decorated Taiye Pond. It makes people feel like they are in a painting.
(End of chapter)