In the Taiqing Palace, the minister has long been dissatisfied.

As the first year of the new emperor's accession to the throne, the New Year's Day worship of ancestors in the first year of Taifeng is not a trivial matter.

But as it approached, neither their emperor nor empress appeared.

"Such contempt for the ancestors, how could it be done by the Empress Mingjun!"

Because Xi Zeyan was not at ease, he could only drag his sick body out of the mountain again, and he couldn't help but feel angry at this time.

It's a pity that there are few civil and military officials below Fang Handong who dare to speak out.

Only the nouveau riche who had followed the emperor in the past were talking.

"Isn't there something going on in the palace? Do you want someone to take a look?"

"Yes, yes, yes, I think something in the palace has stumped up! The emperor is not such a person!"

While they were talking, they sent men to see them.

The Siji Palace, not far from the Taiqing Palace, is a small and compact palace for the emperor to rest halfway.

Xiao Shaotang sat on a chair in the hall, took a cup of tea, and drank it slowly.

When the people sent by the Marquis of Wuguo, Wang Dashun, hurriedly ran in front of the Four Poles Palace, they glanced at it at random, and actually caught a glimpse of the emperor, and immediately rushed in to salute.

"Long live the emperor, long live, long live!"

The man saluted, and without him having to speak, Xiao Shaotang put down the tea in his hand:

"But your masters are in a hurry?"

The man never expected that the ministers were waiting for the emperor not to come, but the emperor was drinking tea here slowly, kneeling on the ground, and did not dare to tell the truth, and said again and again:

"No, no ......"

"Go back and tell your master, no matter what means, let whoever should shut up shut up shut up. ”

Xiao Shaotang said lightly, without the slightest intention of getting up and going.

The man was confused by the emperor's attitude, but he didn't dare to say anything, so he quickly got up and retreated, and told the master what the emperor meant.

Wang Dashun was shocked, the emperor was not late, but deliberate!

What does the emperor want to do?

However, to shut up the person who should be shut up shows that the emperor is not satisfied with the talkative person -

Wang Dashun immediately called Yao Zezan, the Duke of Ningguo, and after the two whispered, a team of Imperial Forest Army was called over and surrounded the Taiqing Palace.

The ministers were suddenly frightened and looked at each other, but no one dared to make a sound, only Taishi Xi shouted angrily:

"What does Ning Guogong mean by this?"

Yao Zezan is no longer the humble son in everyone's memory, and it is not even the emperor who rehabilitated the Ningguo Mansion, no one can see that this middle-aged man who has experienced vicissitudes of life is Yao Zezan, who is still less than thirty.

And Yao Zezan, who has experienced ups and downs and a broken family, laughs at this time, which always makes people feel eerie, quite a bit of a smile but not a smile:

"The emperor is only a moment late, and some people are talking, intending to slander the emperor, since the prince is the emperor's courtier, then he has to share the emperor's worries, if anyone dares to criticize the emperor again, then don't blame the prince for being polite!"

As soon as these gloomy words came out, the hall that was originally full of discussions suddenly fell silent.

Taishi Xi wanted to say something, but was pulled by the juniors who came to take care of him behind him:

"Grandfather, grandson looks at something strange today, you might as well wait and talk!"

Although Taishi Xi felt very angry, his reason was still there, and he quickly understood that the emperor had not appeared, and he said that no matter how much he said, it would not work, but it would be easy to fall into the hands of others, so it was better to wait for the emperor to come and see what the emperor said.

How did a group of people know that the emperor was still waiting for the empress who woke up naturally, so they could only be silent again and began to wait.

It wasn't until about two quarters of an hour later that the shrill singing of the eunuchs came from outside the main hall:

"The emperor has arrived!

The emperor in the dragon robe and the dignified queen of Fengyi walked in hand in hand.

Originally, there were ministers who felt that it was not appropriate for the emperor and queen to walk side by side at such a time, but looking at the Imperial Forest Army holding a sword on one side, and then looking at the emperor with an unknown expression, they didn't dare to say more.

After the ministers saw the salute, Taishi Xi suppressed his anger and asked reluctantly calmly:

"According to the rules of the ancestors, the ancestor worship needs to be carried out at the time of Yin, why did the emperor and the queen come so late?

The new chief eunuch standing behind the emperor was suddenly frightened, Hu Dexi had just been expelled from the palace for a few days, and he couldn't sit on his ass without sitting hot, so he was unlucky for no reason!

The ministers, who were already frightened, lowered their heads one after another, lest the emperor be angry and implicate them.

Xi Zeyan was also ready to quarrel with the emperor.

At his age, all the glory, wealth, reputation and prestige that he should have had in this life have been passed, and he felt that the new emperor was a malleable talent, so he was willing to give full play to the last bit of residual heat and assist wholeheartedly.

But if Xindi doesn't enter the oil and salt, and can't listen to people's advice, then that's it!

But no one expected that the emperor's attitude was very kind.

Xiao Shaotang stepped forward with a solemn expression and personally supported the trembling Xi Zeyan:

"Today's ancestor worship is late, is it me, Taishi, don't blame me, I have no choice but to do it!"

Seeing that the emperor was not annoyed and angry because of his questioning, the anger in Taishi Xi's heart was gone, but his expression was still solemn:

"Then why did the emperor do it?"

Xi Zeyan asked, and in his selfish heart, it was also for the emperor's good.

Ancestor worship is a big deal, and at this point, if you don't tell me why, I'm afraid you won't be able to convince the public.

Xiao Shaotang let go of Master Xi's hand, turned around, and solemnly bowed three times in the direction of the ancestral tablet of the Great Qi Dynasty, and then turned around and said to the courtiers:

"I watched the New Year's Eve last night, and in the middle of the night, I had a dream, and I dreamed that Taizu was in front of me, majestic and awe-inspiring, no different from Taizu's remains, but his face was haggard and worried. ”

Xiao Shaotang said these two sentences and stopped.

The ministers were confused when they heard it, and they didn't know what the emperor wanted to express, and even Bai Chenghuan, who was standing beside the emperor, felt full of doubts.

She had already thought about it on the road, and if she really couldn't do it, she would announce to the ministers that she was pregnant, and on the first day of the new year, when she encountered such a happy event, she could cover up the slightest disrespect for her ancestors.

But Xiao Shaotang's remarks at this time, she didn't know what he was trying to say.

In the silence, the king of Anxi County reacted a little faster, and then the emperor's words asked:

"Emperor Dao Taizu is haggard and worried, but what kind of omen and warning does Taizu have?"

Xiao Shaotang gave the king of Anxi an appreciative look, and then said:

"Uncle Eight Princes is the bloodline of the Xiao family, and he has a soul with me! Taizu does have an entrustment with me. ”

Only then did the ministers suddenly realize that the emperor's meaning was simply that the ancestors had appeared!

"Taizu, Taizu......"

The king of Anxi County was immediately blessed to his heart, and he called Taizu twice, and suddenly with tears in his eyes, he knelt on the ground and kowtowed to the emperor:

"Taizu warns, Zhao I am a great blessing and misfortune, as a descendant of the Xiao family, kneel down to listen to Taizu's instructions!"

When the people in the clan saw the king of Anxi like this, they all reacted thoroughly, and all of them knelt on the ground and shouted:

"As a descendant of the Xiao family, the minister kneels to listen to the edict of Taizu!"

The ministers hesitated, and they all knelt down, although they were not the descendants of the Xiao family, but they were all courtiers of Daqi, if they didn't kneel at this time, if they were provoked by the emperor, it would be a big deal.

Xiao Shaotang saw that the ministers were listening obediently, expressed his satisfaction, turned back and smiled at the dazed Bai Chenghuan, before turning his head again and saying slowly:

Taizu said to me, the founding of the Great Qi for a hundred years, the prosperity of the family and the country, the prosperity of the heirs, he was deeply grateful, but for a hundred years, he received the incense of the heirs in the Taimiao, although he was pleased, but also deeply saddened. ”

"The royal family of Daqi, no matter how big or small, no matter how big or small, all have to go to the Taimiao, or sacrifice in the palace, called to the ancestors, in fact, the teacher moves the people, the people and the people hurt the money, although the ancestors and the ancestors receive incense, but in fact they are uneasy. ”

"Taizu warned us and other heirs that the sacrifice must be moderate, not extravagant, nor too frequent, disturbing the peace of the ancestors. It is also a warning to me, as a monarch, should focus on the society of the country, if you can be wise and well-organized, so that the Great Qi country is eternal, it is enough to comfort the ancestors. ”

"Yes, after I woke up from my dream, tossed and turned, and couldn't sleep at night, I decided to follow the instructions of the ancestors, and from today on, reduce the number of sacrifices, and no major festivals should not disturb the peace of the ancestors. ”

After saying all his intentions, Xiao Shaotang paused and said:

"I don't know what you think?"

There was silence in the Taiqing Palace, and the ministers didn't want to answer, they didn't want to speak, but they were so shocked that they didn't know what to say-

If you heard it right, as a descendant of the Xiao family, their emperor actually wanted to cut the sacrifice, and it was the ancestral motto to say it!

It's just terrifying!

Since ancient times, I have never heard of an emperor who dared to do so!

Bai Chenghuan was also shocked, but she and Xiao Shaotang faced each other day and night, and they were in love with each other, although Xiao Shaotang did not reveal anything to him about this matter from beginning to end, but she didn't even hesitate at all, so she decided to support Xiao Shaotang:

"Everything Taizu wishes and thinks is for the sake of all the people, the emperor obeys Taizu's instructions, and the concubines should follow!"

Xiao Shaotang is extremely pleased:

"If you have a wife like this, what more can a husband ask for? The queen can be of one heart and one mind with me, and I am very relieved!"

But not for others.

The king of Anxi, who was originally bent on currying favor with the emperor, did not follow the emperor's train of thought, opened his mouth wide, looked at the emperor blankly, and looked around, as if everyone was at a loss.

After a long silence, Taishi Xi finally spoke:

"The emperor's decision is a private matter of the Xiao family, and it is also a state affair of Daqi, the old minister thinks that when it is in the court, the ministers can discuss it before it can be done accurately, and today's sacrifice will be done according to the old routine for the time being, what does the emperor think?"

Xiao Shaotang didn't intend to solve this matter immediately, and when he heard Taishi Xi say this, he nodded quite humbly:

"What the Taishi said is very true, this is a big deal, of course, the monarch and the ministers must discuss it, and let's do it for the time being. ”

Taishi Xi turned his head at this time, glanced sideways at Fang Handong, who was still stunned, and was not angry and arrogant:

"Lord Fang, what about the people from the Ministry of Rites?

Fang Handong was so angry with Master Xi that he suddenly reacted, hurriedly stood up, led the officials of the Ministry of Rites, and began the sacrificial procedure.

But the turmoil in his heart because of this was not until the end of the ancestor worship, and the emperor went to the Temple of Heaven to worship the sky, but he could not calm down.

Because although the emperor said that the righteousness was awe-inspiring and orderly, Fang Handong faintly felt that the emperor's move would be aimed at him?

After all, to reduce the number and level of sacrifices, the first to bear the brunt is him, the secretary of the Ministry of Rites who is also the prime minister!

Now the emperor not only added Gu Tianxiang and Yuan Zhaoxian to restrain him, but if he wants to reduce the sacrifice and convert it into two pieces of sacrificial silver, he will undoubtedly check his account!

Not only will the oil and water he be able to get in the future be greatly reduced, but even the hands and feet that he had done in the past on the cost of sacrifice will definitely be turned out, so what way does he have to live?

Fang Handong had the most feared New Year's Day in history, but the late arrival of the emperor and the empress for the sacrifice had long been forgotten.

After completely completing all the cumbersome sacrificial procedures and returning to the palace to change clothes, Bai Chenghuan took advantage of no one to torture Xiao Shaotang:

"The emperor is really majestic, he even hid such a big thing from his concubine!"

Xiao Shaotang knew that Bai Chenghuan would definitely settle accounts with him, hugged her with a smile, and sighed:

"Actually, I didn't think about it that much. Originally, I was only thinking of finding a reason to let you sleep a little longer, but when I was waiting for you in the Temple of the Four Extremes, I saw a book. ”

"What kind of accounts are they?"

Bai Chenghuan was also very curious, what kind of accounts could make Xiao Shaotang suddenly make such an unprecedented decision.

"It's an account from the Hai Gonggong of the Needle Work Bureau. ”

Xiao Shaotang said, wrapping Bai Chenghuan's arm and couldn't help but tighten a little:

"That account book, I remember all the sacrificial expenses in previous years, every single one, and even a candle, there is a record, but Cheng Huan, do you know how much difference there is in what I saw?"

"Gonggong Hai, a eunuch of the Needlework Bureau, actually has the accounts of the Ministry of Rites, is it ...... Is there a discrepancy between the accounts and the actual expenses?"

Bai Chenghuan remembered the old eunuch who tailored Xiao Shaotang but was placed by Fang Handong, and quickly understood the reason.

Xiao Shaotang nodded:

"Yes, Grandpa Hai is also our person, but he has been in the dark and has not made any moves...... In fact, my father had long forgotten that among the people he had saved casually, there was such an inconspicuous eunuch. ”

"Inconspicuous? No, he can survive the winds and waves in the palace for so many years, even Xiao Shaoyun once cleaned the palace once, he can be safe and sound, and he is destined not to be a simple person. ”

Bai Chenghuan was very emotional for this father-in-law.

Xiao Shaotang suddenly asked her an irrelevant question:

"Cheng Huan, do you know how much a white candle costs?"

"White Candle ......"

Bai Chenghuan thought about it and found that he had no common sense:

"I haven't gone to buy it myself, but I guess it's about 20 Wen......"

"Wuwen, a good white candle, is Wuwen, and only the best tribute white candle is a fifty-wen. ”

Xiao Shaotang said, and couldn't help gritting his teeth:

"But in the account books of the Ministry of Rites, the white candle is five taels of silver! The price has increased more than a hundredfold!"