u wash yourself." 。While others can't even afford water, you can still take a bath. 。Have fun in secret, be careful not to attract envy from others. 。"Got it, Grandma" 。"Gladly, home's happy and peace...Some people speculated about the role the Li family played in today's major upheaval.
Or maybe the Emperor was simply trusting of the Li family...
And they didn't ponder for too long. After the Crown Prince served the Emperor to his seat, he opened with a greeting towards Li Laoer, bowing and saying, “Li Elder, how have you been recently For many years before this, while this prince was out observing the people’s sentiment, I relied on your care.”
Li Lao'er hastily got up, bowed deeply, and looked extremely frightened.
"Your Highness has truly astounded me. I was unaware of your identity back then, and for any shortcomings in my care, I humbly request your forgiveness."
The crown prince personally helped him up and smiled, "Uncle, rest assured, during our time at Suijin Beach, they were the most carefree and happiest days for this prince."
Li Laer lowered his head, unwilling to speak, only smiling dryly.
The Emperor waved his hand and smiled, beckoning the Prince over. "Come sit here, I wasn't at ease with you out there. Thankfully, Lord Hou brought the Li family to Jiangnan, and they established Broken Gold Beach. Now everyone envies the prosperity of Broken Gold Beach. When you think about it, your hard work is a part of it."
The prince nodded and smiled, "My son took the opportunity to help the county princess manage her business to travel south and north, gaining experience of different customs and folkways, and also experiencing the hardships of the common people."
"Thanks to Father Emperor's wisdom, he chose such a good place as Suijin Beach for me to settle."
Everyone listened attentively from beginning to end and finally understood what was going on. Looking at Li Lao'er's eyes, they were starting to turn red with anger!
They were still racking their brains, trying to figure out how to get closer to the Crown Prince.
As it turned out, the Lee family had been secretly planning and acting long ago.
The crown prince grew up on the Shattered Gold Beach, always taking care of business for the princess!
This is no longer a case of "dragon raising," this is like raising a dragon from birth in your own home!
And this time, the prince wasn't being secretive at all. He openly said it, apparently willing to rely on the Li family's favor!
One could say, based on this old friendship, as long as the Li family doesn't rebel and doesn't hold a blade to the imperial family's throat, they can walk freely in Tianwu, enjoying wealth and glory as they please!
Dingbei Hou's knuckles were even turning white with rage!
All the good things have been taken by the Li family!
He was simply unwilling to accept it!
His eyes rolled around, as if making a casual joke, he said, "I heard the county princess is very good at business. Whether it's Baiyunjian or Huobuli, or Baiguoyuan, they all make a fortune every day. I suppose His Royal Highness the Crown Prince must have been exhausted before"
This visitor is not friendly. Although the Li family took in the crown prince, they also treated him like a servant.
But as the Crown Prince was young and cared about his reputation, he might feel uneasy in his heart because of this sentence.
And this kind of discomfort is more, who knows, perhaps his gratitude and protection towards the Li family will turn into hatred and disgust.
If the Li family were to be considered a stain on his past, then perhaps the Li family would have no reason to exist.
A few high-ranking officials frowned slightly, displeased with the Duke of Dingbei's words.
But Lao Er seemed to have only heard half of it, still lowering his eyelids and smiling warmly and humbly.
The Crown Prince glanced at the Duke of Dingbei and calmly replied, "What the Duke of Dingbei said is not wrong. The county princess's business is doing well, so her requirements are naturally strict. Therefore, this prince still has to thank the county princess for teaching this prince a lot."
Furthermore, the county princess also allocated one tenth of the profits to this prince. Even after this prince later used the excuse of going out to study and resigned from his position as manager, he still received over a thousand taels of silver every month, never missing a single copper.
As a woman, the county princess is so faithful to her word. It's truly something many people could learn from and emulate.
"After all, people cannot stand without trustworthiness, aren't they right, Lord Dingbei"
The Marquis of Dingbei's face was flushed red, and he wanted to scream in anger.
He just said a word, testing the waters.
The prince retorted with such force, even striking him down for his lack of qualification to speak of promises.
This is like stripping his face off in front of everyone!
Li Lao'er still smiled without speaking, and none of the other heavy ministers were willing to help General Dingbei.
For a moment, the atmosphere in the room felt rather strange.
In the end, the Emperor still couldn't bear to take the sword from the Marquis of Dingbei. He changed the subject, saying, "The ceremony for crowning the Crown Prince in a few days, and the subsequent selection of a bride, will require all of you loyal ministers to work hard."
"We are deeply afraid and honored to serve the Emperor and the Crown Prince, for this is our duty."
"Indeed, Your Majesty, such a momentous occasion should be recorded in the annals of history. We officials are merely basking in the glory of Your Majesty and His Highness the Crown Prince."
While ability is crucial for one's success, the art of sweet talking is equally important to get ahead in life.
But soon, the Emperor was coaxed into giggles.
Actually, there wasn't anything important discussed when everyone was left behind. It was just to make it clear that the crown prince had once been in charge of the Li family's affairs.
It's much better to be upfront and say it directly than to have people speculate wildly later on.
Of course, it was also a way to lay the groundwork for future favors shown to the Li family by the prince.
After some laughter, everyone saw that the emperor looked tired, so they all took their leave.
Leaving the Imperial Study and walking toward the palace gate.
Someone couldn't help but be curious and pulled Li Lao Er aside to ask.
But Li Laosi was well-prepared, listening attentively, smiling often, and bowing frequently. He spoke very little, though.
None could force open his mouth, let alone with the eccentric Duke of Dingbei watching on.
So until they left the palace gates, everyone was empty-handed, could only watch helplessly as Li Laoer got into the carriage.
Li Lao Er hadn't even settled down before being sandwiched between Mr. Wen and Liu Zhiheng. He wiped the sweat from his forehead furiously and immediately begged for mercy.
I've been struggling all morning. Let me have a glass of water before you talk to me anymore. Otherwise, this time next year you'll be drinking in front of my grave.
Mr. Wen and Liu Zhiheng quickly helped pour iced tea and fan him, wishing they could throw Li Lao Er into an ice cave to cool him down immediately. They hurried to bring down his temperature and calm him before explaining things to him.
Li Lao Er drank half a pot of iced tea before finally letting out a long sigh of relief.
Liu Zhiheng immediately asked, "How did Gu Li Guguan become the crown prince Did your family know about it all along and just not say anything I almost jumped up in court!"
Mr. Wen also said, “This is amazing, it’s like a dream!”
Li Lao Er smiled wryly, "I'm really not trying to hide anything from you. Because of this matter, before I wasn't even sure myself, I only knew a vague hint about it. Even the Marquis probably didn't know for sure."
"Think about it, Your Majesty is hiding this son of such a large size from the Empress Dowager and the entire world. How could anyone possibly know! Or, let's say, whoever knows will soon be meeting their demise!"
"That's right!" Liu Zhiheng snatched the remaining half-pot of tea and drank it in one gulp, but he was still unable to calm down.
"Don't mention what happened before, even now if you know, pretend you don't. You must keep the prince's background a secret, otherwise, if people find out that the prince served as a servant in your home, it will be embarrassing for the prince and bring misfortune to your family."
Speaking of which, Li Laoer actually smiled.
"Don't worry about this for now. The Crown Prince brought it up in front of all the ministers just now, and even bowed to me in thanks. Ding Beihou and the others almost glared their eyes out of their heads with jealousy!"
"Really!" Mr. Wen was overjoyed and praised again and again, "Your Highness has such a broad mind, it is truly a blessing for the Heavenly Martial Dynasty!"
It's late again today. I had an injection at noon and a parent-teacher meeting this afternoon, which delayed things until now. There's another injection tomorrow, and it might be late then too. But the day after tomorrow, I'll definitely be back on schedule!fat, she looks just like a bear demon."Wow!" she cried at that moment.Mrs. Cui and the old woman were frightened out of their wits, quickly lifting her up to examine her carefully. "What's wrong Did t...