The High Gate Mistress of Rebirth

Chapter 456
Upon receiving Li Ling's announcement, Mr. Zhang, Minister of the Ministry of Rites, was led into the imperial study by the palace servants.

The courtiers couldn't look directly at Tianyan, Master Zhang lowered his eyes, and was about to kneel down to salute the emperor, when he heard a childish voice: "Hello, Master Zhang!"

The old minister was shocked, the voice made him forget the etiquette rules that had been engraved in his bones in an instant, and subconsciously raised his head suddenly.

He met the bottomless eyes of the previous emperor.

Master Zhang was shocked again, he quickly lowered his head again, knelt down and repeatedly apologized: "I am rude, I hope your majesty will make amends."

"Ai Qing, please get up!"

After hearing the calm voice, Mr. Zhang also said that he just heard the immature child's voice because of his tinnitus, but just as he got up, he heard the person at the head ask again: "Master Zhang is looking for my father, why do you want me to go home?" Why?"

Master Zhang raised his eyes and saw a fluffy little head with two thongs pierced under the imperial case, so he understood.

It's outrageous to bring the princess to the imperial study to mess around!

Thinking in Master Zhang's heart, his complexion could not help but darken, and he replied loudly: "Your Majesty, I have something important to report to you this time."

Li Ling said: "Zhang Aiqing, please tell me."

Master Zhang breathed a sigh of relief, and said in a loud voice: "There is a saying in "Zuo Zhuan", 'The major events of the country are sacrifices to the army.' The sacrifice to the gods of heaven and earth is the top priority. , Sacrifice the five grains, and worship the ancestors are solemn sacrifices. As the so-called order of the sun dynasty, the palace has rituals. It has been more than a year since His Majesty ascended the throne. "

Before Master Zhang could finish his rambling, Sister Bao interrupted him childishly: "Master Zhang, what are you talking about? Why can't I understand a word?"

Old Shangshu was talking vigorously, when he heard Sister Bao's words, he almost couldn't breathe and choked.

Li Ling pulled his daughter over, looked at Zhang Shangzhu and said, "I understand what Aiqing means. It's just that I just sacrificed to the Five Priests a few years ago. What is Aiqing doing all this? To put it bluntly."

If it hadn't been interrupted suddenly by Sister Bao, Zhang Shangshu would still be full of energy when he was eloquent. Now seeing Li Ling asking questions directly, although he felt that he was not enjoying himself, he had no choice but to reply briefly: "Your Majesty bowed according to the rules a few years ago. Five sacrificial offerings, but only His Majesty, the Empress did not attend, so this sacrificial offering cannot be regarded as a ceremony."

Li Ling smiled helplessly, and replied: "The queen just gave birth at that time, and her body is very weak. How can she have the energy to participate in the sacrifice?"

Zhang Shangshu came here to persuade Li Ling to enrich the harem.

He hurriedly replied: "According to the rules and etiquette, if the empress cannot participate in the sacrificial ceremony, a concubine above the rank of concubine should do it for her. If so, it will be considered a ceremony."

"It's just that the father has no concubines, only the queen mother." Sister Bao blinked at Zhang Shangshu with her big black eyes, and replied in a childish voice.

This old Shangshu took the opportunity to persuade him to accept his concubine again.

Li Ling was getting more and more bored, he glanced at Zhang Shangshu, and said perfunctorily, "Let's discuss this matter later."

Zhang Shangshu saw Li Ling's perfunctory attitude again, and he continued his efforts: "Your Majesty, the royal descendants are prosperous, and the country and society can be passed on stably. Your Majesty's harem only has the empress. This is against the rules both emotionally and rationally. Now the affairs of the court are stable and the world is peaceful. Returning to my heart, Your Majesty should accept the harem widely."

"Father said earlier that he would not accept any other concubines except mother." The old Shangshu was talking in a hurry when Sister Bao interrupted him again.

Zhang Shangshu held his breath secretly, but he gave up without letting it go. He continued: "Your Majesty, according to the rules, the emperor's harem should be considered as full if it has three palaces and six courtyards. Now, your majesty only has the middle palace when entering the palace."

"Father, why is this inkstone purple?" Sister Bao held the inkstone on the imperial case high in front of Li Ling, and asked childishly.

Li Ling replied with frowning eyebrows: "This is different from the stone inkstone, it is made of Zijin."

"Your Majesty, there is a certain number of people in the harem of the emperors of all dynasties. For the sake of the prosperity of the royal heirs, 72 concubines in the Six Courts of the Three Palaces are the minimum standard."

"Father, is this mill Huimo?" Old Shangshu was here chattering to persuade Li Ling to accept the harem, and Sister Bao picked up another mill and asked Li Ling.

Li Ling touched his daughter's head and replied with a smile, "This is Huimo."

Before the old Shangshu could speak, Sister Bao said again: "I have learned calligraphy recently, can my father give me a piece of Hui ink?"

Li Ling hugged his daughter on his lap, and said with a smile, "My little princess has finally started to learn calligraphy, so the emperor will give you a piece of Hui ink as a reward, okay?"

"Thank you, Father."

Zhang Shangshu glanced at the emperor and princess who were loving and filial, he sighed helplessly, and cupped his hands again: "Your Majesty, in view of the emptiness of your Majesty's harem, I propose that the Ministry of Rites should start selecting beautiful women to enrich the harem. Grace."

This old Shangshu had an audience with Li Ling's concubine every now and then. Although Li Ling refused every time, he still became more and more courageous and tireless.

Li Ling was very annoying, even more helpless!

Li Ling winked at the daughter in his arms, Sister Bao understood, and immediately said to Zhang Shangshu: "Master Zhang, you are so knowledgeable, you are really a great Confucian."

Hearing Zhang Shangshu's words, he showed a little complacency on his face, now the old man finally sees the troublesome little princess more pleasing to the eye.

"It's just that you always persuade father and emperor to accept concubines, which is really annoying."

The pride on Old Shangshu's face disappeared immediately, and even his beard trembled slightly.

"Father is a dedicated person. He only likes the mother and queen, and will not accept another daughter, this one. Father is too busy with the government to have time to play with us, and how can he have the energy to deal with so many women? This is the second. Also, my father has always advocated frugality in the harem, so how much money would you have wasted if you chose so many concubines to come in?"

"Therefore, Lord Shangshu will not bother the emperor with the concubine from now on."

The old Shangshu who was always eloquent was choked for a moment, and his gray beard trembled even more.

Li Ling looked at his daughter proudly, and then comforted the old Shangshu: "The princess is still young, and she has no sense of restraint in her words. Don't be angry with Ai Qing."

"Master Zhang is a great Confucian, how can he be as angry as a child." Then, Sister Bao pulled Li Ling and yelled: "Father Emperor promised me that Master Zhang will accompany me to play after the announcement, father The emperor is not allowed to slip up, let's go, my father will play with me."

Li Ling got up with a smile, and pretended to be helpless to the old Shangshu: "The child is used to messing around, and I have nothing to do with this child. Aiqing, please go back."

Sister Bao pulled Li Ling and jumped out of the imperial study room. When he reached the door, the little guy turned around and yelled at the stunned old Shangshu: "Master Zhang, you are very knowledgeable. I like you very much. Next time, please see your father again." Emperor, I'm still here."

(End of this chapter)