Facing Han Yunxi's cold questioning, Baili Yuanlong showed an innocent expression.
It has to be said that if the eldest daughter hadn't confessed again and again, he would definitely not be forbearing at this time, let alone put on such a pitiful appearance.
He was aggrieved and helpless, and sighed, "Your Majesty, this pearl is nothing special. There were countless casualties in the northern calendar avalanche, and our Daqin people were hungry and cold, and displaced. These days, the old man can't sleep at night and can't eat every day." , has been concerned about the disaster in the north and the soldiers who rescued the disaster. I really can't spare time to prepare a congratulatory gift for His Royal Highness. Although the gift is small, the old minister's heart is sincere. The old minister and Taifu Gu are of the same heart and are both victims of the disaster in the north. I also pray for the mercy of the royal family for the people of Daqin, and wish me no more disasters in Daqin."
Not to mention Han Yunxi and Long Feiye, even those who were not very familiar with Baili Yuanlong were surprised that Baili Yuanlong could say this.
What Baili Yuanlong said was ironic enough!
First of all, before the natural disaster, the empress still had so many thoughts to prepare for the prince's first birthday, but the empress clearly didn't have the disaster in the north in mind;
Secondly, pulling Gu Beiyue to his side forced a misinterpretation of Gu Beiyue's real intention of sending the map; pulling Gu Beiyue into his side was also a satire on Han Yunxi. No matter how you say it, Gu Beiyue is also Han Yunxi's most trusted subordinate.
Thirdly, to force the crown prince to accept this small gift, if His Highness does not accept it, it will be superficial, only value the value of the gift, and not understand the meaning of the gift. Of course, the prince is still young and doesn't understand anything. When Baili Yuanlong satirized the crown prince, he was mocking Han Yunxi, the mother.
In short, Baili Yuanlong's words were full of sarcasm and polite criticism of Han Yunxi.
At this moment, everyone was looking at Han Yunxi, unable to guess how the empress would react.
Her response to Baili Yuanlong's provocative approach will directly determine the attitude of other ministers.
Han Yunxi was silent for a long time, her face gradually turned gloomy.
The audience was silent, and no one said a word.
And at this moment, Long Feiye opened his mouth. He said, "The one with the most serious intentions is the big gift! Prince, don't you want the big gift from the Duke of Zhen?"
"yes!"
Rui'er's voice is childish, her voice is immature, but her eyes are serious. He walked down personally and walked up to Baili Yuanlong.
Baili Yuanlong was surprised and pleasantly surprised, he quickly knelt down and offered the gift with both hands.
At this time, the ministers below all smiled! The emperor is indeed wise!
The emperor has said this, so what are they afraid of? Straight talk!
Therefore, Cheng Guogong Xiao An also stood up, presented a very unusual small gift, and said that the meaning of Baili Yuanlong was similar to what Baili Yuanlong said. While expressing his worries, he satirized Han Yunxi.
The other two dukes also presented gifts, but the gifts were neither big nor small. They didn't mock the queen, nor did they mean something, but congratulated in various manners.
After the Duke of the Four Kingdoms, there are several first-rank officials. Only two of these first-rank officials presented their gifts in a regular manner, and the others followed Baili Yuanlong's example and sarcastically denounced them.
Han Yunxi sat motionless, expressionless. Seeing her aggrieved look, Baili Yuanlong finally let go of the long-suffering cowardice in his heart. The corner of Xiao An's mouth turned into a sneer, he never cared whether Long Feiye had to slap the Queen in the face out of consideration for the overall situation, or whether he really couldn't understand the Queen's first birthday party. He only knew that if there was an opening for everything, it would not be difficult in the future. If there is a first time, there will definitely be a second time and a third time!
After presenting the congratulatory gifts, Han Yunxi still had a sullen face. She glanced at the table and reminded with a displeased face, "Your Majesty, the dishes are all served, please use your chopsticks. The recent dishes are all prepared by my concubine herself." .”
As soon as these words came out, Baili Yuanlong was about to stand up, but Baili Lixiang held him back, and Baili Lixiang was still very cautious.
Long Feiye nodded, and Han Yunxi ordered the maid who was standing beside her to serve her.
The court lady respectfully opened the largest porcelain pot on Long Feiye's table under the gaze of everyone.
As soon as the lid was lifted, the hot air came out, and at the same time, a burst of fragrance rushed to the face. This is the taste Long Feiye is very familiar with, the taste of old hen soup!
The maid carefully took a bowl and put it in front of Long Feiye, and he backed away.
"Your Majesty, this is whole chicken soup. Three-year-old hens are selected, and a variety of precious medicinal materials such as century-old snow ginseng are added. It has been squatting since morning. This soup combines the essence of chicken and medicinal materials. This dish only eats soup and does not eat meat. .” Han Yunxi introduced seriously, feeling much better.
Long Feiye looked down at the chicken soup in front of him, frowned slightly, and didn't move for a long time, as if he was thinking about something.
Everyone also sighed in their hearts. A small pot of soup used one chicken and a lot of precious medicinal materials. For this dish alone, more than a hundred old hens were used!
If this meal was eaten in its entirety recently, how much grain would it take? How much silver
Everyone unconsciously looked at the steaming pot of soup in front of their desk, wanting to uncover it. However, His Highness hasn't moved yet, and they still can't move.
At this time, after Baili Lixiang made a look at the latter's servant not far away, she kicked his father lightly, and it was finally time to make a move.
It's nothing to dislike the small congratulatory gift.
However, such extravagance and waste are real evidence for all to see.
Han Yunxi, this round, even if the emperor wants to protect you, he may not be able to protect you!
Baili Yuanlong immediately stood up, walked out of his position, and knelt down on both knees.
Suddenly, the audience fell into a deadly silence.
"Baili Yuanlong, what are you doing?" Long Feiye opened his mouth.
"Old minister, please forgive me, Your Majesty, Empress, and Crown Prince!" Baili Yuanlong said loudly.
"What are you guilty of?" Long Feiye asked again.
"Today is the prince's first birthday. It should be festive and lively. The queen's wife organized a birthday banquet for the prince and invited important ministers. Hungry. The old minister is in distress, unable to enjoy such a feast! The old minister implores the emperor to allow the old minister to retire!"
want to go
Everyone knew that Lord Baili was going to denounce the queen, but they didn't expect that he would express his resentment by begging the emperor to allow him to leave the meeting instead of being as fierce and direct as before.
This is not just expressing resentment, it is throwing a difficult problem to the emperor, to put it more bluntly, it is threatening the emperor!
He threatened the emperor to make a choice on the spot, whether to accept the queen's extravagance and waste, ignore the victims, or accept his advice.
If the emperor allowed him to resign, it would be to condone the empress's absurd behavior in front of everyone, and the emperor would be dragged down and lose the hearts of his subjects.
If the emperor does not allow him to resign, he must fight hard according to reason and force the emperor to punish him, so as to appease the hearts of all the subjects.
In the silence, Han Yunxi sat quietly, and Long Feiye was also very quiet, looking at Baili Yuanlong.
"Please allow the old minister to resign!" Baili Yuanlong said again.
At this moment, all the ministers from several Baili camps stood up, knelt down with Baili Yuanlong, and said in unison, "Your Majesty, I am worried about the disaster victims in the north and have no intention of enjoying today's feast. Please allow me to wait for you." Retire!"
This time, Long Feiye frowned.
On the side, Gu Qishao narrowed his eyes slightly, he hadn't put the Baili family at ease before, and today was the first time he seriously slapped Baili Yuanlong in the face.
Gu Beiyue lowered her head and said nothing. At this moment, many people below were staring at him, waiting to see his position!
Baili Mingxiang, who was kneeling behind Baili Yuanlong, secretly looked at Xiao Dong, feeling a little anxious, and said that the Xiao family has been moving for a long time, what do you mean
Seeing the emperor's silence, Baili Yuanlong begged for the third time, "Please allow the emperor!"
At this time, many upright and honest ministers also stood up and knelt behind Baili Yuanlong and the others.
They did not get involved in party disputes, and they have always supported the queen and the prince, but this time, they were also disappointed. Their move was not in line with Baili Yuanlong, but to show their position.
The reason why they didn't stand up in the first place was because of their low rank and little influence. Now that so many senior officials have stood up, they will naturally join in.
They didn't say much, they all kowtowed and begged, "I beg the emperor to allow you to resign!
At this moment, Long Feiye looked at Xiao An who had been sitting still, "Duke Ding, do you want to stay?"
Xiao An always felt that this matter was not simple, but he couldn't find anything wrong. No matter how powerful Han Yunxi was, she would be confused at times, and sometimes arrogant.
Xiao An got up quickly, walked into the hall, and knelt beside Baili Yuanlong, "I implore Your Highness to allow the old minister to retire!"
Seeing this, Xiao Dong and some members of the Xiao family knelt down one after another.
In a short time, two-thirds of the hundreds of people in the hall knelt down.
Long Feiye still didn't express his opinion for a long time. He looked at those who didn't kneel down thoughtfully.
Time, little by little.
Everyone was waiting for Long Feiye to make a decision.
At this time, an eunuch hurried over from the side and whispered in Long Feiye's ear, "Your Majesty, many common people gathered at the north and south gates of the city, and the leaders are all scholars, and they are condemning the empress!"
Suddenly, Long Feiye glared, "What did you say?"
The eunuch was startled, his legs went limp, and he knelt down.
"Say!" Long Feiye snapped.
"Say... say that the empress held a grand birthday banquet for the prince, extravagant and wasteful, and ignored the victims, no... no..." The eunuch was so frightened that his tongue tied up, "I am not worthy of being a queen... no, I am not worthy of being the mother of the crown prince."
"Extravagant waste?" Long Feiye sneered, "Empress, is there such a thing?"
Isn't this a fact right in front of you? Still need to ask? Everyone in the hall was startled and disappointed. The common people are making trouble, so is it possible that the emperor insists on pampering the queen
Han Yunxi let out a foul breath, got up and left the table, she pulled Rui'er to kneel down in front of Long Feiye, "My Majesty, there is absolutely no such thing, my concubine has been wronged!