PFC Chapter 729 Phoenix Returns to Its Nest (15)
Chapter 729 Phoenix Returns to Its Nest (15)
"We beg Your Majesty to rescind your decree and spare the lives of the women in the harem."
Xiong Bufan glanced sideways at the handsome man kneeling on the ground. They seemed to have only met twice, yet this man dared to order her around. "Say it again."
"Your Majesty, I beg you to rescind your decree. As the Empress, I will bear all the consequences."
Xiong Bufan scratched his head. Was this guy here to put on a show of the male lead returning to reality? A mere empress dared to shout at the emperor.
What if I don't?
"Then I will kneel here and not get up. The ministers in the court will not easily allow Your Majesty to dismiss the harem."
Xiong Bufan's patience was gradually running out. "Believe it or not, with just one decree from me, your entire family will never be able to rise again."
"If you know what's good for you, hurry back home, or I won't bother with you."
Zhao Yuanxin: "Your Majesty, the women in the harem are all talented. Please let them stay here, even if they are just servants."
Xiong Bufan suddenly changed his mind; if all else failed, he would kill them all.
"Call them all over, I have a great idea."
Kongkong wanted to persuade Xiong Bufan not to break the rules of the Feng Dynasty, but Xiong Bufan was a mission taker and the emperor, and many things should be decided by her.
They simply watched from the sidelines without interfering.
Zhao Yuanxin's influence was still quite strong. Apart from Wang Shijun, most of the other talented men came, and Xiong Bufan was meeting them for the first time.
Xiong Bufan: "What can you guys do? I never keep useless people around."
"Bring Shangguan Yi here to me."
"Yes."
Zhao Yuanxin: "Your Majesty, everyone has arrived."
"I saw it."
Some of the young men were seeing the emperor for the first time and were a little nervous. After asking his question, Xiong Bufan remained silent.
They were already asked what they were good at during the draft, so I don't know if it's still useful to say it now.
Zhao Yuanxin looked at the group and stepped forward first. “Your Majesty, before I entered the palace, I had read some books and was also good at arranging flowers and plants.”
Do you understand national affairs?
"I do not understand."
Xiong Bufan: "Then you can go and manage the Imperial Garden. Remember to find people to plant more fruit trees. I like to eat fruit."
"It's Your Majesty."
The change from being the Queen to a lowly servant tending to the flowers and plants in the Imperial Garden was quite dramatic, but Zhao Yuanxin accepted it nonetheless.
The talented young man, Yu Xin, mustered his courage and stepped forward. “Your Majesty, I am skilled in needlework and have also read some books.”
Xiong Bufan yawned. "Is your family rich?"
"Somewhat."
"Do you want to change your identity and live outside the palace, or do you want to be an ordinary servant in the palace? I'm giving you three days to contact your family."
"Thank you, Your Majesty."
This was a rare moment when Xiong Bufan showed kindness; otherwise, it wouldn't have been unreasonable to execute all of them.
With one or two leading the way, the others followed suit. However, Xiong Bufan's optimal solution was to have them pay money to redeem themselves rather than become lowly servants in the palace.
The palace servants all received a monthly salary, and Xiong Bufan felt that every penny saved was a penny earned.
Xiong Bufan didn't ask Zhao Yuanxin, simply because Zhao Yuanxin himself said he wanted to be a eunuch.
With the seven or eight people all settled, Xiong Bufan breathed a sigh of relief. After all, it was almost the end of the month, and this way she not only saved a lot of money but also made some.
But where to find a successor? Xiong Bufan didn't want to be emperor forever.
Being an emperor was so tiring that there was never any time to rest.
Apart from the King, all the concubines in the palace had been assigned positions.
Busy with this and that, autumn arrived in no time.
After the autumn harvest was completed, Xiong Bufan held a harvest festival in accordance with tradition to celebrate this year's bumper harvest and to pray for favorable weather next year.
The palace also served fresh fruits and melons. Xiong Bufan looked at the ministers below the stage. He still had injuries on his face, but everyone seemed to be having a good time.
Xiong Bufan was still unable to drink alcohol. Shangguan Yi replaced the tea in the wine pot with hot water. The minister took a closer look and noticed that the wine was still steaming when it was poured out.
Zhao Yuanxin sat not far from Xiong Bufan; his position as emperor and empress seemed to remain unchanged.
Wang Shijun composed himself, sat at the very back, and looked longingly at Xiong Bufan. He truly knew he had made a mistake.
There was so much food at the banquet that Xiong Bufan didn't even notice Wang Shijun.
Besides, shouldn't the emperor be the center of attention?
After a month, He Jie was able to sit at the very end of the banquet. She was extremely grateful to Xiong Bufan for giving her this opportunity. She proved to her mother that she was also suitable to be an official.
Imperial Censor Li sat in his seat, drinking wine and chatting with his colleagues. No matter what, he was full of anticipation for the future.
Halfway through the meal, a group of dancers arrived at the banquet. They danced on stage, while the audience watched quietly.
The lead dancer was a handsome young man who twirled and leaped on the stage. Sometime later, the backup dancers produced a white cloth, and the handsome young man began to draw on it.
Xiong Bufan had always thought that dancing and drawing at the same time was just bragging, but now that he saw it, he realized it was true.
The person who arranged the dance was happy because Xiong Bufan was happy.
Harvest Festival is a big day; there's no need to make yourself unhappy about it.
After the dance, the men respectfully stepped down from the stage to receive their reward.
But then other performances came on, and Xiong Bufan was overwhelmed with choices.
Because of Xiong Bufan's previous outrageous act of having ministers redeem his concubines, no minister dares to allow Xiong Bufan to hold another selection of concubines now, for fear that Xiong Bufan will repeat the same tactic in the future.
Hunting follows the harvest festival, mainly because the game is at its fattest and most delicious at this time. Hunting a few animals is considered auspicious for the new year.
Xiong Bufan's size had doubled since he transmigrated before. Only the strongest horse in the imperial city could carry him, though the horse wasn't very fast.
The ministers rode their horses and obediently followed behind Xiong Bufan, but because the horses were not fast, it was no different from walking.
They arrived at the hunting grounds at dusk or night.
Xiong Bufan disliked this sluggish pace, so he jumped off his horse and, without hesitation, hoisted it onto his shoulder and charged towards the hunting grounds outside the city.
Before the ministers could even react, their emperor had vanished.
General Su: "Your Majesty is truly blessed with superhuman strength."
"His Majesty has disappeared! Go after him!"
"Protect the emperor!"
The general leading the way heard the sound and was about to turn around when he saw a huge black shadow rush past, kicking up a cloud of dust.
Shangguan Yi chased after him, calling out, "Your Majesty, Your Majesty, wait for me!"
"Your Majesty! Your Majesty!"
The minister leading the way shouted as he chased after them, "Quickly, protect the emperor! Protect the emperor!"
Xiong Bufan could only hear the commotion behind him, but he didn't slow down.
He hadn't run for several months, but his speed was as good as ever, which made Xiong Bufan very satisfied.
A true strong person is one who excels in both literature and martial arts, just like her. Those ministers are all useless; they can't even catch up with her on horseback.