Phoenix Reborn: the Prime Minister’s Scheming Daughter - Chapter 363

Baili Junyi and Shen Ninghua stood side by side with indifferent expressions on their face. At a glance, they looked particularly similar.

The Third Prince was so angry that his chest felt stuffy. His fierce eyes swept over Shen Ninghua and Baili Junyi. “Okay! You’re right! I’m making a fuss!”

Baili Junyi looked askance at the Third Prince’s dismayed expression. The Third Prince used the animals to harm others, but when others counterattacked, they committed a great sin. How could he be so bossy?! He was just giving him a taste of his own medicine. He was unlucky to be injured!

Baili Jinchuan slowly let go of his clenched fist. He felt the enormous pain coming from the meridians, but he did not show it on his face.

The New Year banquet almost became a crime scene. Baili Qingcang frowned in great dismay as he shouted, “Shut up, all of you!”

“Your Majesty, please calm down.”

Baili Junyi and Shen Ninghua turned around and bowed. Under the cover of their wide sleeves, Shen Ninghua held Baili Junyi’s hand and quickly wrote a few words on his palm. Baili Junyi focused his gaze and nodded slightly.

On the throne, Baili Qingcang rubbed his forehead. “Alright, I will have people check if these animals have been drugged. This matter will be shelved first. Damn, the New Year banquet has been ruined!” Baili Qingcang’s blood was boiling. He slammed the table hard, shocking everyone present. The hall became eerily silent.

Baili Jinchuan suddenly asserted, “Father Emperor, the performance at this year’s banquet is indeed unlucky. However, I would like to suggest that Father Emperor not pursue the fault of the performers.”

“Huh? Why is that?”

“Actually, when Third Younger Brother went to find the folk performers to perform for you, I heard about this matter. At that time, I had doubts, but in the end, I did not stop him.”

Baili Qingcang looked down. “Why?”

“Because I found out that the people were delightful when they heard that these performers were going to perform in the Palace in front of Father Emperor. Some even cried with joy. They were touched because, unlike the previous dynasty, you are close to the people. Some time ago, Father Emperor had told the people about the submission of the previous dynasty’s descendants. With Third Younger Brother inviting folk performers, the people loved Father Emperor’s rule even more. If Father Emperor punished these performers, even if the people knew that they deserved it due to their fatal mistakes, the people would inevitably be sad.”

Baili Qingcang pondered as his eyes fell on the trembling performers. A dark light flashed in his eyes, and he thought, “Jinchuan is right. I can execute these performers for all I care, but I can’t ignore the thoughts of the people. If they had high hopes for the performers entering the Palace, the death of the performers would have instigated doubt among the people. It’s better to show the people that the royal family is tolerant through this matter.” Thinking of this, he sighed.

“All of you, rise. I know that you didn’t do it on purpose. In addition, Second Prince pleaded for you. Let’s forget about this matter. Go to Internal Affairs Department and get the reward. Go back and have a good New Year.”

“Yes! We thank Your Majesty for your grace. Long live Your Majesty, long live Your Majesty!” The performers were full of gratitude. After kneeling and kowtowing repeatedly to Baili Qingcang, they got up and walked out. Before leaving, they looked at the Second Prince with gratitude.

Shen Ninghua’s eyes sank slightly, and a mocking smile flashed through her eyes. The Third Prince this time played into Baili Jinchuan’s hands. He probably wanted to win the Emperor’s heart by inviting the folk performers to perform in the Palace, but the accident ruined the performance, and he was even injured. On the other hand, the Second Prince won everyone’s favor with just a few words. Shen Ninghua bet that after the performers went out, the news about the Second Prince being considerate of the people and being benevolent would soon spread out. At that time, the Third Prince would be even more annoyed.

At this time, the Third Prince’s expression was extremely grumpy. He knew that his effort had been wasted and even boosted someone else’s reputation! He shot a sinister glare at Baili Jinchuan, wishing he could kill him with his glare!

With a cold expression, Baili Jinchuan ignored the Third Prince’s glare and turned to the Emperor. “Father Emperor, the bloody scene in the banquet today is an extremely ominous sign. You are blessed by the heavens and are protected by the golden dragon, so you are not afraid of the blood. However, the people may have doubts. I think we should think of a way to remedy the situation.”

Baili Qingcang nodded. “You’re right. Do you have any good suggestions?”

Baili Jinchuan shook his head slightly. “I’m sorry, Father Emperor. I have a rough suggestion, but I haven’t thought of a specific idea. Please forgive me.”

Baili Qingcang waved his hand. “I’m exceptionally relieved because you are able to share my worries. Dear associates, do you have any good ideas?”

Shen Ninghua raised her head and glanced at Baili Jinchuan. By the time he noticed her gaze and looked at her, she had already lowered her eyes. It was impossible that Baili did not have any ideas. He probably had already had a plan in his mind, but he didn’t want to say it out loud directly in case the Emperor became suspicious of him. That was why he claimed that he didn’t have an idea. When Baili Qingcang asked the officials for their opinions, Baili Jinchuan would naturally be able to present the proposal through his trusted aides. He was really thoughtful as he could clear the suspicion on him and not stand out.

“Your Majesty, today is the New Year’s Eve banquet, the last night of the previous year. What happened today should be an incident in the last year instead of the New Year.”

“Oh?” Baili Qingcang’s eyes slightly moved when he heard this. Although this statement was novel, it was also somewhat reasonable. “Go on. Tell me more specifically.”

“Yes. I believe that even though the unfortunate event happened, it happened in the last year but not the New Year. In that case, we should turn the page and ignore it. Tomorrow is the New Year. Isn’t it better to hope for better days during the New Year?”

“Your Majesty, I agree with Lord Wang’s suggestion. The New Year’s banquet is originally to get rid of the old and welcome the new. It hasn’t passed midnight yet, so everything that happened during this period of time was in the old time, and it had nothing to do with the New Year. In that case, as long as we properly welcome the New Year, there will naturally be a peaceful and smooth New Year.”

“Although you say it like that, the reasoning is a bit far-fetched. Moreover, every year’s banquet is to pray for the New Year. The safer it is, the better. Now, it has suddenly changed…”

“You’re wrong. Since the founding of the current dynasty, in order to make the people feel that life has not changed much, many customs are in accordance with the previous dynasty, including the New Year’s banquet. His Majesty is blessed by the heavens, and he is the true dragon chosen by the heavens. He is completely different from the Emperor of the previous dynasty. In that case, why can’t we create a new way to welcome the New Year?”

“It makes sense. His Majesty is talented and wise. He should not be burdened by the old customs. All the great Emperors in history dare to break the old customs and create new rules. Our Emperor will definitely do the same thing.”

“I…”

For a moment, the court was in an uproar. Baili Qingcang listened to the arguments of the crowd, and his eyes lit up. Although he did not want to admit it, he was getting older and older. He had ruled Da’an Kingdom for many years and had fought everywhere in his early years to stabilize the country, and his methods were strong and firm, but he did not fully gain the people’s trust and acceptance. This time, the timing was right, and it was a good opportunity to improve his reputation.

Baili Qingcang opened his mouth and said, “Getting rid of the old and welcoming the new is a good idea, but do you have any specific measures to do so? How do I get rid of the old? How do I welcome the new?”

The ministers began to discuss, and the hall was buzzing.

Suddenly, a gentle female voice sounded, “Father Emperor, although the hall has been tidied up, the womenfolk need to go down and fix their appearance. I wonder if Father Emperor can agree to let us rest for a while?”

Only then did Baili Qingcang notice the female guests. The disturbance just now was too serious. Many people were in a hurry to run away and knock over the table. The dishes, tea, and snacks were scattered all over their bodies. Some of them were even injured by accident. It was time to clean up properly. “Alright. Clean up Xuanhua Palace and let the womenfolk use it.”

“Thank you, Your Majesty.” Many of the womenfolk were already unable to endure the dirty and messy clothing. When they heard this, their faces were filled with gratitude. They hurriedly followed the palace servants to the Xuanhua Palace.

Yang Yingxue looked at Shen Ninghua, whose skirt was stained with blood. Instead of looking miserable and awful, she looked even more dignified and beautiful as the stain added charms on the originally dignified and elegant palace dress. “Sister Ninghua, you should go and tidy up. Your dress…”

Shen Ninghua lowered her head and glanced at her dress. She nodded and said, “Alright, thank you for your reminder, Cousin.”

Yang Yingxue smiled and stepped forward to hold her hand. The two of them walked out hand in hand, looking exceptionally intimate.

The discussion in the main hall continued. Meanwhile, when Shen Ninghua and the others arrived at Xuanhua Palace, a palace maid immediately greeted them, “Greetings, Princess Zhaohua. The palace has already been tidied up. If there is anything you need, please tell me.”

Xuanhua Palace was called a palace, but in reality, it was a small courtyard that had been built for viewing flowers and plants. As a result, the courtyard was particularly large and there were many rooms. Otherwise, it would take a long time for so many womenfolk to come and clean up their clothes and makeup one after another.

Shen Ninghua ordered a female official to come out and maintain order. She chose a room and walked in. Not long after she closed the door, Yang Yingxue came to knock on the door. “Sister Ninghua, can you open the door please?”

“Cousin, what’s the matter?”

Yang Yingxue looked a little embarrassed. “Cousin, all the rooms are occupied, and my skirt…”

Her skirt was splashed with tea, and it was still dripping. She really needed to find a place to clean the mess up immediately.

Shen Ninghua opened the door. “Come in.”

Yang Yingxue smiled gratefully. “Thank you, cousin.”

Shen Ninghua couldn’t wash the blood off her skirt, and there was nothing she could do to fix the problem. So at this moment, she had already finished tidying up herself.

“Sister Ninghua, you tidied up so quickly, but my dress is completely ruined…” As Yang Yingxue spoke, she almost cried. The Da’an Kingdom was extremely strict with etiquette. A married woman could not reveal her feet when she walked, or she would be reprimanded as being dissolute.

“But there are no spare clothes here that you can get changed…”

Yang Yingxue bit her lips. “Sister Ninghua, I can’t go out like this. Can you please help me find someone to look for the maids from the Second Prince Mansion at the entrance of the Palace? I had asked them to prepare a spare dress, and it’s on the carriage.”

Shen Ninghua nodded. “Alright, wait for a minute.” After saying that, she walked out and called for someone.

Yang Yingxue slowly released her lips, and an apologetic look flashed in her eyes. “Shen Ninghua, everyone has their own needs. Don’t blame me.”