Selling wife for fame? Kick out the scumbag and marry the new emperor to enjoy the harem of favors

Chapter 146

"I saw that your father and brothers were in good spirits at the morning court session this day, so you don't need to worry too much," Zhao Xingjin said in a deep voice.

He sighed again, “According to the rules, when one’s parents die, your elder brother should observe a hundred days of mourning before returning to court to handle official business. However, the current situation is special. I need him to handle the reception of the envoys from Xichi Kingdom, so I can only issue an edict allowing him to observe a seven-day mourning period.”

According to the rules of the Great Jing Dynasty, when an official's parents pass away, he must observe a three-month mourning period before he can leave the capital to conduct official business. When he returns to the capital, he must remain in private and observe mourning for the full three-year mourning period.

If the court requires that one cannot observe the three-month mourning period, the emperor will issue an edict to reinstate one's official duties, meaning that one can remain at work during the mourning period, wear plain clothes to perform official duties, and refrain from participating in auspicious ceremonies.

“State affairs are also important. Since you have entered the court as an official, you must prioritize the affairs of the court. Filial piety is of course important, but my mother was the most gentle and considerate person who loved the younger generation. She would certainly not blame my brother. Besides, there is my sister-in-law at home who is taking care of my nephews and nieces to fulfill my filial duties in my brother’s place,” Xie Jiu said.

But while he said that, he knew in his heart that Zhao Xingjin's request for Xie Wei to return to court as soon as possible was definitely not because he valued him.

Indeed, Zhao Xingjin doesn't have many capable people in the court right now, but it's not like he's going to hold Xie Wei, who is in mourning, back down.

"I think that your father and brothers are serving in the court, and you are serving in the palace. Your mother manages the household and has raised you and your siblings to be so outstanding. She must have worked very hard. I plan to posthumously confer upon your mother the title of First-Rank Lady of the State, which can be considered as a token of my appreciation."

Zhao Xingjin suddenly brought it up.

Xie Jiu was a little surprised.

"A first-rank imperial consort?"

“You are worthy of being called a mother,” Zhao Xingjin said.

Furthermore, bestowing the title of Lady of the Imperial Decree is not the same as granting a man an official rank or title. It is the same as posthumously bestowing honors upon a deceased person. No matter how much mourning glory one receives, it has no real impact. Therefore, Zhao Xingjin was not stingy with such honors.

Xie Jiu realized what was happening and immediately stood up to bow, saying, "Your Majesty, I thank you on behalf of my mother."

"Get up." Zhao Xingjin waved his hand, his gaze gentle. "You must take care of yourself. Your mother, if she were alive, would certainly not want to see you so distressed and hurting yourself."

"Your Majesty, I understand." Xie Jiu's lips curled up slightly, this time appearing much more sincere.

After sitting down again, Xie Jiu brought up something.

"Your Majesty, the Imperial Kitchen recently presented us with a new menu for the banquet to welcome the envoys from the Western Chi Kingdom. It's a newly arranged menu, but I find it lacks originality and is similar to the banquets of the past. It doesn't really reflect the grandeur of our Great Jing Dynasty."

When she brought this up, Zhao Xingjin's expression didn't change much.

He simply said, “Although there are many different kinds of dishes in the palace, we’ve eaten them all at every banquet, so we rarely come up with anything new. You don’t need to put in too much effort; just follow the usual procedures.”

He doesn't make things difficult for anyone in this matter.

Exquisite dishes can indeed enhance the quality and class of a banquet, but it is indeed difficult to innovate in the dishes served at imperial banquets, so it is fine to stick to the old system.

However, Xie Jiu shook her head.

"Your Majesty misunderstands. I did not mean to complain to Your Majesty. I just had some ideas about the dishes for the state banquet and would like to ask for Your Majesty's opinion."

"Go on," Zhao Xingjin gestured for her to continue.

Xie Jiu then said, “The banquets used to be all imperial dishes. The taste, ingredients, cooking methods, plating and regulations are all required. Although the taste is fine, it always lacks some flavor. It’s like the food made in the small kitchen is more refined and tastes better than the food from the imperial kitchen.”

“But the dishes prepared for state banquets are too numerous. Making them like in a small kitchen would be too time-consuming. After much thought, if we want freshness while also respecting the rules of the palace, why not try having the imperial kitchen staff make some folk dishes?”

This suggestion piqued Zhao Xingjin's interest. Back in Anlu Prefecture, the cooks at the Prince's residence didn't strictly adhere to the so-called rules; the food was delicious, varied, and had fewer restrictions, making it much more comfortable to eat than in the palace.

“That’s one way,” Zhao Xingjin said in a deep voice, but added, “We can’t be too stingy.”

State banquets are meant to showcase national strength; this must not be forgotten.

Xie Jiu immediately nodded, "That's natural. So there are certain requirements for selecting folk dishes. Then, the people in the imperial kitchen will make some slight modifications according to the palace rules, change the names of the dishes, and improve the ingredients. It should be quite good."

"Well, you can decide for yourself. It's a good idea," Zhao Xingjin said.

Xie Jiu responded, "Your Majesty, I will have the servants make some first. If they find any good ones, I will send them to Chengming Hall for His Majesty to see and taste."

Her arrangements were so meticulous that Zhao Xingjin had nothing to say about them.

After exchanging a few more pleasantries, Zhao Xingjin got up to leave.

Just as they were escorting the person into the courtyard, Qingfang hurriedly walked in from outside, her brows furrowed.

He bumped into Zhao Xingjin and Xie Jiu coming out of the house, and his expression immediately changed slightly. He stepped aside.

"What's going on here?"

Zhao Xingjin keenly noticed Qingfang's unusual behavior and asked her what was wrong.

"No, it's nothing. I'm just a quick-tempered servant and walked too fast. I offended Your Majesty. Please forgive me!" Qingfang hurriedly knelt down.

This answer clearly did not satisfy Zhao Xingjin, whose face immediately darkened, and he lowered his eyes without saying a word.

Seeing this, Xie Jiu frowned slightly, "Just say what you have to say, there's no need to hold back."

Upon hearing this, Qingfang pursed her lips before whispering, "The bandit leader who escaped and murdered the lady still hasn't been caught. He even has a new fake household registration."

These words surprised everyone present.

Whether or not the robbers are caught is not important; what's important is the fake household registration.

According to the laws of Dajing, household registration is an official document of the government. Forging household registration is considered forgery of official documents, which is a serious crime and can result in imprisonment, exile, or even the death penalty.

The fact that Qingfang used the phrase "there are new fake household registrations" indicates that the escaped bandit leader forged more than one.

Ordinary robbers wouldn't have such abilities; they must have connections in the Ministry of Revenue to act so easily.

Zhao Xingjin immediately realized the intricacies involved.

"Alright, I understand. You may leave now." Xie Jiu waved his hand, a look of both annoyance and helplessness on his face.

Just as Qingfang was about to leave, she heard Zhao Xingjin say, "To be able to obtain forged household registrations, these robbers are no ordinary people. I'm afraid there are people in my Ministry of Revenue who have been blinded by money. It's time to clean them up."

Upon hearing this, Xie Jiu looked up at him, as if she had suddenly thought of something. Her beautiful eyes widened, and then her delicate brows furrowed.

"It was my oversight that I didn't think of this. I should have reported it to Your Majesty earlier when I discovered that he had forged the household registration."

"It's alright. You're so focused on investigating your deceased mother's affairs that it's normal that you didn't think of that. Besides, such things aren't uncommon outside the palace." Zhao Xingjin's expression was calm, but there was a hint of coldness in his eyes. "I'll return to Chengming Palace now and come to see you another day."