The news ca early the next morning.
After the investigation by Imperial Envoy Li Qingmu and Capital Prefect Zhao ngran, the case of the Duanmu Family cursing the Emperor sixteen years ago proved to be completely baseless. The local governnt acted without receiving orders from the Capital City, exceeding their authority. The officials involved in the case back then were punished, and all honors of the Duanmu Family were restored. The ancestral hall was repaired and incense offered to comfort their spirits.
The imperial decree shook both the court and the public again.
The Emperor issuing such an edict was almost self-defeating, admitting to his past negligence and oversight. This could send a wrong signal, suggesting that the Emperor had begun to weaken and compromise with ministers and the populace.
This was actually good news for the ministers.
A weak Emperor is easier to manipulate!
Throughout history, a strong Emperor ans weak ministers, and vice versa; they complent each other.
However, this Emperor is known for his unwillingness to concede, even if it ans the empire’s downfall. So, what is happening now?
The ministers left the court in confusion and puzzlent, while Li Qingmu personally went to the dungeon to fetch Duanmu Nan.
Duanmu Nan had saved his life twice and also saved Yue’er’s life, a debt of gratitude as heavy as a mountain. Such a courtesy is necessary.
"Let Mr. Duanmu suffer, please forgive us."
Li Qingmu bowed.
Duanmu Nan smiled lightly: "It’s fine, it was quite alright here, the Emperor did not treat harshly, A Mu just rest assured."
Duanmu Nan was five or six years older than Li Qingmu, indeed he could take on the role of an elder brother.
As they walked along the way, Li Qingmu said, "Mr. Duanmu, the Emperor has ordered people to repair the ancestral hall and build a temple in Guyang County. Would you like to return at that ti?"
Having a temple repaired and offered incense is an imnse honor for a family. Anyone would be excited and might go to supervise personally.
But Duanmu Nan just looked up at the light cloud in the sky and softly said, "No need, building a temple and offering incense is just for inner peace after all."
However, he didn’t say that it was aningless, just that he didn’t want to show his inner feelings to others, at least, not to Li Qingmu.
Suddenly, both of their eyes narrowed sharply!
Not far away, a graceful figure held a paper umbrella and held a piece of silk, idly looking around with a maid. Turning around, she saw the two n walking together.
"Master!"
Long Yue happily greeted them.
The face of a certain man who was ignored slightly twitched and turned completely black.
This little woman, it seems he hadn’t pampered her enough last night, making her dissatisfied, looking at her master but ignoring her husband.
"Master, oh, you’ve lost quite a bit of weight. You must have suffered a lot inside, right? Co, co, let’s go to Master’s wife. I’ll cook for you to welco you!"
"Cough, cough, cough..."
Suddenly, soone started coughing violently, Long Yue’s eyes shifted, looking at him with a smile: "What’s wrong, husband?"
This voice was extrely gentle, but Li Qingmu caught a special tone in it and quickly said, "It’s nothing, just accidentally inhaled a breath of cold wind!"
"Oh, be careful next ti, Master, let’s go!"
Li Qingmu was speechless, was his little wife planning to run away? He quickly caught up.
At Baicao Lane, Yangxin Residence, Yun Jin had already prepared a lot of food, even heated up so water, and was standing at the door waiting eagerly. Seeing them coming from afar, she quickly ca out to welco them.
"Brother, did the Emperor make things difficult for you?"
Yun Jin paused while saying this and took a quick look at Long Yue and her husband.
Duanmu Nan: "No, the Emperor was quite good to . Younger sister, prepare sothing. Yue’er, A Mu, and let’s have a al together."
"Alright, alright!"
Yun Jin responded repeatedly, turned around, and busied herself.
Today it was a family dinner, just the couple Long Yue and her husband, and the siblings Duanmu Nan and Yun Jin. They didn’t talk about national affairs or family matters, just peacefully had a al.
This feeling of calm and harmony hadn’t been experienced for a long ti.
Because they all knew that an earth-shattering change was bound to happen next.
Consort Li, the mother of Prince Lingjiang Qi Junlian, had regained her youth and was summoned back to the palace. This would inevitably trigger a bloody storm, and now was only the calm before the storm.
Moreover, Long Yue speculated that this turmoil would definitely start from the Sumr Resort at Nanyuan Palace.
The weather was too hot, in previous years the Emperor went there at least half a month early, but this year he delayed, wasn’t it just to wait for Li Qingmu to return?
Now that he has returned and things have been swiftly handled, within a few days, the list of the Emperor’s entourage should be out, right?
Sure enough!
They stayed at Duanmu Nan’s place for an afternoon, had two als, and upon returning to the General Mansion, an eunuch ca to deliver an edict.
The person who ca was Eunuch Xiao Chen, Chen Yan, who had a flattering smile on his face as he delivered the Emperor’s verbal order.
"His Majesty said he wants you two to accompany him! What a great honor, congratulations!"
"Thank you, Eunuch Chen. If we are to accompany, Yue’er is already more than seven months pregnant, shouldn’t a doctor co along?"
"Of course, of course, naturally. Shen Chong and a few other Imperial Physicians will accompany, ensuring your wife’s wellbeing."
Li Qingmu frowned, "I don’t trust those people, except for Shen Chong. I want to bring my own people!"
"Minister Li, bring whoever you want, who doesn’t bring a few extra people along? Minister Li, you’re being too polite!"
Uh, it seems Li Qingmu wasn’t being particularly polite!
"Alright, thank you, Eunuch Chen!"
"You’re too kind!"
After sending off Chen Yan, Long Yue imdiately made arrangents.
She planned to bring only Ning Xiang, then found a maid skilled with her hands and feet to follow, mainly to handle so chores. Then she sent word to Duanmu Nan, asking if they would accompany.
Duanmu Nan had excellent dical skills. Yun Jin, being her master’s younger sister, obviously knew her skills were also excellent.
Moreover, she had witnessed Yun Jin assisting in childbirth. The woman at that ti almost had a difficult labor, but Yun Jin used silver needles to relieve it, ensuring a safe delivery for mother and child.
With things settled here, Long Yue went to see her grandfather.
He too had received the ssage that he would accompany.
Cao Yin was an absolute confidant of Qi Yun. With him around, the Emperor would feel reassured, which was why Qi Yun always kept him in the Capital City and didn’t allow him to return to Xinan.
Over the past two years, the court was filled with shifting clouds and turbulent winds, too many events, as the ruler, he needed to ensure his own safety.
"Father, I want to go too, Le Xi is going!"
Cao Xiao was bustling around, extrely excited.
The so-called visit to Nanyuan Palace was in essence a holiday trip, who wouldn’t want to go?
"Alright!"
Even a strict father dearly loves his sons, Cao Yin agreed without hesitation.
"Where are you all going?"
An unfamiliar voice ca in, and Gouzi suddenly bounced in like a curious child, looking at them eagerly, "Are you going for an outing? Take with you!"
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