The atmosphere in the morning court today was rather strange. The expressions of the ministers were at two extremes. Some were overjoyed, while others were extremely sad.
The reason for the joy was easy to understand. In the great victory at Yangxian, General Zheng Dai led only 30,000 soldiers to beat the rebels back step by step. Finally, the rebels had no choice but to open the city gates and surrender.
In addition, Prime Minister Lu, who had been ill for a long time, also appeared in the court today.
This was truly double joy! However, this was only for a few people.
Most of the court officials were shrewd. They all knew what the great victory at Yangxian really meant.
This was the first time in many years that Prince Regent Shang Mozheng had taken control of the military power. As soon as he took over, he came back with a victory, and it was a rare victory with fewer troops against more.
Once this news spread, his popularity among the common people would surely surpass that of Shang Luoshu. The Emperor of the Great Qi would have even less reason to take back the military power in his hands. Instead, he would have to reward him and his subordinates!
Sure enough, after the Emperor appeared and the court officials shouted long live, Shang Mozheng stepped forward first.
"Your Majesty, General Zheng Dai of the Xuanwu Army has, in just a few days, quelled the rebellion at Yangxian with fewer troops against more. Later, he also persuaded 80,000 rebel troops to surrender. He is truly a rare general in the Great Qi. I dare to ask Your Majesty for a reward for General Zheng on his behalf!"
Shang Luoshu's already ugly face darkened a bit more. He didn't respond immediately but first asked for the opinions of the two prime ministers.
"Prime Minister Lu and Prime Minister Zhang, what do you think?"
During the period when Lu Wenhan was on sick leave, the Emperor relied heavily on Prime Minister Zhang. Recently, for some unknown reason, this man had been acting very cautiously. He would never speak unless necessary.
Even when the Emperor named him, he still looked like he didn't care, which was really strange!
Lu Wenhan didn't know these things. Seeing that Zhang Chengen had no intention of speaking, he stepped out of the line first. "Your Majesty, I think the Prince is right. General Zheng Dai has made great contributions to the country and should be rewarded."
As soon as he finished speaking, the court officials held their breath for a moment. They subconsciously thought they were hallucinating.
Was Prime Minister Lu out of his mind today? He actually didn't oppose the Prince Regent!
Since Shang Mozheng had repeatedly hinted that he wanted to adopt Lu Yinxi as his god - daughter, Lu Wenhan had openly opposed him in the court.
Whenever he opened his mouth, he would surely ridicule the Prince Regent. So when they saw him standing on the same side as the Prince Regent today, many people were stunned.
Among them, of course, was Shang Luoshu.
If they really rewarded Zheng Dai, wouldn't all the efforts he had made before to weaken the Prince Regent's power through Kong Ren be in vain?
The young emperor couldn't figure it out. So after the morning court, he naturally left Prime Minister Lu in the imperial study.
In the Su Family in Longxi
Lu Yinxi held the prescription left by the doctor and stared intently at the sand - pot in front of her, from which the fragrance was constantly wafting. Her expression was nervous and apprehensive.
This was the medicinal diet she had made.
Shang Luoshu's injury was quite serious. Later, due to his long - distance travels without proper recuperation, the doctor could only prescribe a milder prescription for slow recuperation.
As the saying goes, every medicine has its side effects. So Lu Yinxi, who was eager for Shang Luoshu to recover soon, thought of the medicinal diet.
Among the common food ingredients, many had medicinal effects. Combining them with Chinese herbal medicines and making them into delicious food according to the medical ratio was the medicinal diet.
It could be a delicious dish or a tonic for recuperating the body.
If Shang Luoshu was recuperated in this way, it would surely be much better than simply taking medicine.
After having this idea, Lu Yinxi immediately told the doctor about it. After a little thought, the doctor nodded in agreement. Then he went back overnight to study the prescription for the medicinal diet and handed it to the girl the next day.
However, the medicinal diet couldn't completely replace the medicine. Shang Luoshu still had to take the medicine prescribed by the doctor before.
"Miss, this medicinal diet must be ready by now," Hongmei said.
"Are you sure?" Lu Yinxi asked doubtfully. But thinking of the previous pot of medicinal diet, which had to be redone because she didn't listen to Hongmei, the girl was a bit more willing to believe her.
"Shall we take it out and have a look?" she asked Hongmei.
After getting a positive answer, Lu Yinxi immediately picked up the sand - pot from the earthen stove.
Even through the thick cotton cloth, the girl could feel the heat from the sand - pot, and her heart also felt warm.
Originally, the tasks of decocting medicine and making the medicinal diet were carried out by Hongmei and Hongrui. But Lu Yinxi took on the task of making the medicinal diet herself.
He was injured while protecting her. She also wanted to do something for him.
However, Lu Yinxi was not good at cooking. Hongmei had taught her for a long time. She had failed countless times in the middle, and there were so many blisters on her hands. Finally, the medicinal diet she made was barely passable.
When she lifted the lid, the previously half - hidden fragrance was completely unshackled. It filled the entire kitchen and even spread outside the room. So as soon as Lu Yinjian approached here, he smelled the alluring aroma.
"Did Xi'er's medicinal diet succeed?"
Pushing open the door, he immediately saw his younger sister and the maid squatting in the middle of the room, staring straight at something on the ground.
At first, Lu Yinjian didn't agree with his sister cooking for Shang Luoshu.
His sister was a well - bred young lady. Everything about her food, clothing, and daily life should be taken care of by others, not the other way around. Even for Shang Luoshu, it was not acceptable!
But no matter how he tried to persuade her, Lu Yinxi insisted on her own opinion. Helplessly, Lu Yinjian had to compromise. At the same time, he also secretly made a note in his heart for his future brother - in - law.
Especially when he saw the blisters all over his precious sister's hands, Lu Yinjian became more determined that in the future, he would never let Shang Luoshu marry Xi'er easily.
"Brother?" Seeing his figure, Lu Yinxi quickly greeted him. "Brother, please taste it for me. Is it good?"
Compared with the previous failed product, this pot of medicinal diet in front of the girl was much better. It could even be said to be delicious in color, aroma, and taste. Hongmei also gave full affirmation.
But Lu Yinxi still wasn't at ease. After all, she had failed so many times before. It was understandable for her to have such a mentality. Since her brother was here, she might as well let him try the taste.
Lu Yinjian saw through her mind at a glance. He deliberately darkened his face and said, "You didn't make this for me. Why should I taste it?"
"Please taste it! This is your sister's first time cooking and the first time she has made a successful medicinal diet. Don't you want to be the first one to taste it?"
With three "first times" in a row and the alluring aroma of the medicinal diet, the brother, who was gradually becoming a sister - control, was really tempted. But his face remained unchanged. "Am I really the first one?"
"Of course. I haven't even tasted this pot of medicinal diet myself. Brother, please taste it!"
Lu Yinjian was satisfied. He took the bowl she handed him and drank it in one gulp without hesitation!
That afternoon, the doctor who often came to the Su Family was called to the Su Mansion again because the young master of the Lu Family in the mansion had scalded his throat.
The freshly cooked medicinal diet, with the steam still rising, was drunk by Lu Yinjian in one go. It would be strange if he wasn't scalded!
The people in the capital didn't know what was happening in Longxi.
After all, at this moment, Shang Luoshu was only thinking about the matter of rewarding Zheng Dai.