After transmigrating into a stepmother, I transformed my whole family to work on farming

Qin Yao refused Jin Yuanniang's offer to prepare a carriage for her to take back home, and took Mi Li with her, leaving through the back door of the princess's mansion the same way she came in.

The result of this trip was better than she expected. Although she knew that the eldest princess would not give up on winning her over, it now seemed that Her Royal Highness did not intend to use force on her.

In this case, both parties should continue to maintain their previous relationship.

Now Qin Yao has plenty of time and money. The only thing that makes her worry about is her brother in Xibei Wangcheng.

It's not that she is unwilling to help, she just doesn't want to take sides.

On the premise of maintaining neutrality, the eldest princess can afford the compensation she wants, and she doesn't mind going out occasionally to earn some extra money.

But it's too early to say that now.

Qin Yao first went to the counter in Nanshi and told Liu Fei that the matter had been settled and asked him to rest assured.

She also told him that she would take care of the trip to the princess's mansion herself in the future, and he wouldn't have to worry about it anymore.

"Oh, right." Before leaving, Qin Yao suddenly remembered how comfortable she was when she washed her hair in the Princess's Mansion today, and smiled and suggested to Liu Fei:

"You haven't thought about what kind of business to start yet? I have an idea."

Liu Fei was delighted and asked hurriedly: "Third sister-in-law, what do you think? Tell me."

His third sister-in-law is smart and good at business, so she would definitely not bother to talk about ordinary methods.

But now that it has been said, it must be a very good method! Liu Fei thought confidently.

Qin Yao couldn't help but smile when she saw how trusting he was. She led him to an empty corner next to the store and said,
"A hair salon is a business that specializes in washing people's hair. The charges are lower. A few beds are made for customers to lie down on while they wash their hair. Massage techniques are also provided to give customers a comfortable experience."

Qin Yao said a lot in one breath. Liu Fei was full of suspicion at first, but the more he listened, the brighter his eyes became.

After Qin Yao finished speaking, he seemed to have many new ideas running through his mind, and he stood there for a long time without coming back to his senses.

Qin Yao shook her head with amusement, said hello to the store owner, and went home.

When walking through the main street that leads straight to Ziwei Palace, I suddenly saw two fast horses running from the north gate.

The messenger rode his horse and shouted all the way: "Eight hundred miles in a hurry, anyone who is idle, please get out of the way!"

Qin Yao followed the crowd and quickly retreated to the roadside stall, making way, and watched the two messengers rush straight into the Ziwei Palace.

"Is there another report of war at the border?" The people couldn't help but feel panic and talk about it.

After all, the only urgent reports that could be sent at an 800-mile express speed, apart from special orders from palace dignitaries, were border wars.

But soon someone waved his hand and said, "It shouldn't be. We have already stopped fighting with the Northern Barbarians. Last year they sent envoys to pay tribute."

"Alas, they say it's tribute, but everyone knows they're just asking for money. It's really hard for our princess, marrying to that wild land, I don't know how she's doing now."

The topic then turned to Princess Huiyang, talking about her husband, her sister-in-law and uncle the Regent, as well as the little Yanshi (the barbarian king's other women) in the Northern Barbarian Palace.

The news of the messenger entering the palace quickly spread throughout Kyoto.

Qin Yao listened to the people's curious speculations all the way back home. Just as she was about to enter, she saw the door of Qi Yushi's house next door opened.

Censor Qi dressed neatly, got on the carriage in a hurry, and went straight to the palace.

His family had just received an imperial decree from the palace, ordering officials from the Honglu Temple, the Ministry of Rites, and the Censorate to enter the palace to discuss matters.

When the Qi family's housekeeper was closing the door, he saw Qin Yao standing at the door. He suppressed his displeasure and nodded at her politely.

Kuanzhengfang is not very big, and the colorful glazed carriages of the Imperial Master's Mansion appear from time to time. The news that Liu Ji joined the Imperial Master's Mansion as a personal servant of the great scholar has spread throughout the whole neighborhood. Although he is just a servant, can a servant who serves a great scholar be an ordinary person?
It was known before that Liu Ji was a juren, but there were many juren in the capital, so naturally no one cared.

But things are different now. A great scholar like Gong Liangliao is not someone that ordinary people dare to underestimate, even if he becomes his foot-washing servant.

What's more, he was picked up and dropped off by the Imperial Master's Mansion, and with his status as a juren, if Liu Ji's name was not on the list of the imperial examination next spring, the Qi family's housekeeper would suspect that there was something wrong with the examiner's brain.

Therefore, the previous incident with Wusheng was treated as if nothing had happened. When the two families met, the Qi family's housekeeper also politely asked about their well-being.

Qin Yao took the opportunity to find out what Censor Qi was doing in the palace at this moment.

Butler Qi shook his head. In fact, he didn't know either. He just heard that there was a letter from the border regarding the envoys' visit to the capital, and the palace urgently summoned the Ministry of Rites to discuss the reception arrangements.

"What's the connection with the Censorate?" Qin Yao asked curiously.

Butler Qi suppressed the urge to roll his eyes, walked out, and explained to Qin Yao the general process of the envoy's audience.

There are two types of envoys' audience with the emperor.

One type is that the small vassal states surrounding Sheng State would come to pay tribute at fixed times and locations every year.

There is also another type that comes spontaneously, such as the countries around Sheng State that have not surrendered but are in a state of balance.

The first one is easy to handle. The Ministry of Rites can take full charge of it. They will collect the tribute, treat the people with good food and drink for a few days, then inspect them again and finally send them back.

The second option is not so easy to deal with, because other countries send envoys with the intention of finding out the strength of Sheng State.

When entering the country, the border garrison will send an urgent message to Kyoto over 800 miles, and His Majesty will personally review whether entry is allowed.

Generally, it would be allowed. After all, when other countries take the initiative to send envoys, it is also a recognition of the powerful national strength of Shengguo.

But the reception issue after permission is more troublesome.

This is a contest between the two countries. In addition to the Honglu Temple responsible for the diplomacy of the two countries and the Ministry of Rites responsible for reception, the Censorate will also strictly supervise the officials and civilians in Kyoto during this period to prevent the leakage of the secrets of the prosperous country.

In short, when you let an outsider into your home, you must show hospitality as a host, but you must also be careful to prevent your secrets from being discovered.

Qin Yao nodded, indicating that she had learned something new.

“By the way, which country is sending the envoy this time?” Qin Yao suddenly remembered, and she stepped back as she was about to step into the door, and stretched her head to ask next door.

The Qi family steward was frightened by her, sighed, and shook his head, "We have to wait until my master comes back to know."

But it’s actually easy to guess.

Since the marriage with the Northern Barbarians, they have not sent envoys to the capital. Excluding the delay on the way, it has been more than a year since the princess arrived in the Northern Barbarians.

Even if Beiman had been preparing before, it was time for him to come to Beijing to thank his mother-in-law.

But it's just a guess. We'll have to wait until those who entered the palace come out to find out.

Because of what Qin Yao left before she went to the princess's mansion, Liu Ji worked in fear and trepidation the whole day, as if he was about to take an exam!
I finally made it to the afternoon, prepared dinner, and immediately threw off my apron and rushed home.

Gong Liangliao was so angry that he cursed: "You unfilial son, you forgot your master when you got a wife!

Liu Ji didn't care. Cursing wouldn't hurt anything.

He just wanted to go home quickly to see if his beloved wife was lying in the rocking chair in the yard, enjoying the cool air while eating snacks on the table. (End of this chapter)