How can I bow my head and serve the powerful officials?

Li Dongyao accompanied the princes to see off the royal team and then returned to the government office.

Just as he was preparing to write a memorial to report on the progress of the Ice Sculpture Festival, the chief clerk came over with a box in his hand and said to him, "Sir, this is sent by someone from the palace. He said that he had a lot of fun at the Ice Sculpture Festival, so he specially gave it to you."

"Oh? Do you know which gentleman it is?" Li Dongyao raised his hand to signal the clerk to open the box, and then he found that there were two pieces of dark-colored aromatherapy inside.

Li Dongyao immediately showed a look of disgust.

Why give him this woman's household stuff?

Oh yes, in the capital, all the dignitaries, both men and women, love to use this incense. He has been in Liaozhou for a long time and has been influenced by the local customs, so he has forgotten about this.

"The servant who brought the gift didn't mention which master it was for." The chief clerk shook his head, "I guess the other party just sent it for fun."

So there is no intention to win over.

Li Dongyao waved his hand and said, "I don't need this thing. You've worked hard these past few days, so I'll give it to you as a reward."

"Oh! Thank you, sir!" When the chief clerk heard this, his face immediately lit up and he quickly put the box into his sleeve.

He thought to himself that the gift from this nobleman must be a good thing. He would light it for his wife when he got back. He thought she would like it.

……

On the way back to Beijing.

Inside a carriage.

"Sir, something happened at the Salt Office."

"What's the matter?"

"Something happened to the salt official of the Salt Yamen. I heard that he was insane when he got sick, and his whole body was in great pain..." The servant whispered a few times. Inside the car, the purple-robed man slowly raised his lips and said sarcastically, "There are always people who don't follow the rules and insist on being disobedient. It's their own fault. I gave them a chance to live well, but they don't cherish it, so that's fine."

"Have someone deliver the antidote on time." Sheng Shihuai's smile was ambiguous, "Since he is not obedient enough, then make him completely obedient."

"Yes."

The servant stepped down from the carriage and blended into the team quietly, as if he had never appeared.

"Father, what are you looking at?"

Xie Zimiao asked Emperor Jian, who was looking at something after lifting the curtain of the carriage. He was returning to the capital with Emperor Jian and Concubine Rou this time. Although he was reluctant to leave his second brother, he had to follow the emperor's order and Xie Zimiao had no choice but to follow the large army back to the capital.

"Nothing, just looking at the snow."

Emperor Jian withdrew his gaze and coughed twice.

"Why haven't you recovered from your cold yet?" Perhaps it was because he stayed on the ice rink for too long, but Emperor Jian had been coughing constantly these past few days, and the medicine prepared by the imperial physician didn't help.

Xie Zimiao dug into his small package and reluctantly took out a piece of old ginseng, "Father, how about you hold it in your mouth?"

"Cough, cough, cough, my son is so filial." Emperor Jian reached out to take it, but unexpectedly it seemed as if something was triggered, and he started coughing violently again, as if he was going to cough out his lungs.

“Cough, cough, cough!” Emperor Jian covered his mouth and tried to suppress the sound. Eunuch Zhao outside heard it and lifted the carriage curtain worriedly, “Your Majesty…”

"No, cough, cough, it's okay." Emperor Jian pulled down the heavy curtain and after coughing twice, he slowly calmed down and put down his hands.

"Father!" Xie Zimiao's pupils shrank suddenly when he saw the dazzling red on Emperor Jian's palm. "You!"

"Hush." ​​Emperor Jian made a quiet gesture and wiped the blood off his hands calmly. Then he slowly said, "Father knows that you are the most strict-mouthed, Fourth Son. You are the child that Father trusts the most."

Xie Zimiao bit his lip.

"Miao'er, what do you think of your second brother?" Emperor Jian looked at Xie Zimiao gently, but there was a sharpness in his eyes that was difficult to detect.

"My second brother is very good." Xie Zimiao lowered his head and scratched his head. "He cares about the people and can find a way to solve any difficult problem. I admire my second brother very much."

"How about compared to your third brother?"

Xie Zimiao's whole body stiffened for a moment. He looked up at Emperor Jian and said, "Crown Prince is also very good. Why does your Majesty ask this?"

"Don't you think that Ze'er is more suitable for governing the country than the prince?" Emperor Jian coughed twice again and said in a deep voice, "You have been with Ze'er for so long, you must have seen it most clearly. When it comes to governing the country, the prince cannot compare to Ze'er."

"Father, governing a country requires not only governing the people, but also commanding all officials. My second brother is simple-minded and kind-hearted, and he doesn't understand the art of power and intrigue at all. How can he be compared with my brother, the crown prince?" Xie Zimiao shook his head hurriedly. "In my opinion, if we want to build peace and stability, power and intrigue are naturally more important."

Emperor Jian's gaze lingered on Xie Zimiao, and after a long while he smiled, "You are right, it is Father who is sick and confused."

"If your second brother and third brother quarrel in the future, who will Miaoer help?"

"I am not very capable and cannot help you." Xie Zimiao shook his head. "But my second brother has such a good temper, I don't think he will quarrel with the Crown Prince."

"Hahaha." Upon hearing this, Emperor Jian couldn't help but chuckle, "That's right, that kid always has a good temper and never gets angry."

Even if I get angry, I will calm down quickly.

Just like his mother was back then.

Emperor Jian stroked Xie Zimiao's head lovingly and said, "Good boy, when we return to Beijing, I will grant you a palace, and it's time for you to start your own business."

Xie Zimiao looked up suddenly.

Looking at the blood that had not been licked clean from the corner of Emperor Jian's lips, he seemed to realize something.

No wonder my father, who never liked to spend lavishly on himself, was suddenly willing to go to great lengths to bring his harem and officials to Liaozhou to celebrate the festival. It turned out to be because...

"Yes." Thinking of this, Xie Zimiao bit his lip tightly, and his eyes turned red. "Your son obeys your command."