The grass in the factory should be plucked

Ten years later.

At this time, the Great Chu was the richest and most powerful country in the world. The world was at peace, and its territory was vast. The southern border, the northern border, the western region, and even the countries of the East Sea had all been incorporated into the territory of the Great Chu.

The Great Chu Dynasty had become the leading power, attracting tribute from all nations and offering gifts from thousands of states.

In particular, the capital of the Great Chu was the most magnificent and splendid city in the world. In the eyes of foreigners, it was a place where immortals lived, with its magnificent palaces, carved beams and painted rafters, built of gold and piled with pearls and jade!

The Jing'an Prince's Mansion.

The sky was already bright, and the winter sun shone through the lattice window, casting dappled shadows on the gilded canopy bed.

Jiang Li turned over, her fingertips touching the brocade quilt embroidered with lotus patterns, and she opened her eyes groggily.

Xie Chang'an went to the military camp early in the morning, and the four children were all busy with their own things. She was the one who was most free at the moment.

Xie Buli is already a fifth-rank Wude General, and he is usually stationed in Tianji City, only returning during festivals.

Xie Buqi took a sinecure as an assistant secretary in the Ministry of Revenue, but was actually in charge of the daily affairs of the General Administration of Commerce.

Xie Wuyou was already the designated next Celestial Master and had been cultivating in seclusion on Longhu Mountain.

Xie Wuchou was also appointed as a Martial General of the fifth rank, commanding the armies of the sea tribes and aquatic tribes, and was stationed in Liuli City in the South China Sea.

After dumping all her heavy responsibilities on her four children to "share the burden," Jiang Li finally began to live a life of leisure, sleeping until she naturally woke up every day and having everything done for her.

"My lord, are you awake?"

Hearing the noise, the head maid, Chai'er, who was guarding the outer room, tiptoed in, first lifting a corner of the curtain, then turning around to bring over a cup of warm Pu'er tea.

Jiang Li lazily sat up from the bed, took the teacup, took a sip, and then handed it to Chai'er.

Another head maid, Huan'er, brought over a copper basin. The warm water in the basin had been heated in advance by a charcoal stove, and a few fresh white plum blossoms floated on the surface.

Huan'er offered a wrung-out plain face towel, which Jiang Li took and used to wipe her face. The refreshing scent of white plum blossoms mixed with the warmth of the water instantly dispelled any lingering drowsiness.

"Did His Highness go to the military camp today?" Jiang Li asked.

"Yes, I got up at 3 AM, and before leaving I told the kitchen to stew more bird's nest." Chai'er replied with a smile.

Huan'er carefully arranged the toiletries: a tooth powder box with gold-painted cloud and dragon patterns, a fine-toothed comb with an ivory handle, and a diamond-shaped silver box filled with salt, each item polished to a shine.

After washing up, Jiang Li sat in front of the dressing table, her stunning face reflected in the bronze mirror.

She is thirty-five years old this year, but the passage of time has not left any marks on her. She is like a peony in full bloom, radiant and elegant.

Chai'er took out an ivory comb and gently combed her long, shiny hair.

"We're not going out today, so just do a simple, homely hairstyle," Jiang Li instructed.

Chai'er then styled her hair into a loose, droopy bun.

"Would Your Highness like to use the rose rouge that was sent from the palace yesterday?"

"can."

Chai'er took out a mother-of-pearl box from her dressing case, which contained delicate rouge, as red as a newly blooming rose.

She dipped her fingertip in the ink and gently blended it on Jiang Li's cheeks. Then she took a light blue eyebrow pencil and carefully drew out willow-leaf eyebrows.

Huan'er handed over a hairpin inlaid with kingfisher feathers and pearls. Chai'er carefully inserted it into Jiang Li's hair bun, instantly adding a touch of languid beauty to the woman in the bronze mirror.

After she finished dressing, a maidservant whispered from outside, "Your Highness, breakfast is ready."

Jiang Li got up and changed into a moon-white casual dress embroidered with orchid patterns. The soft hem of the dress swept across the ground without making a sound.

Upon entering the outer flower hall, a delicate breakfast was already laid out on the table: a bowl of bird's nest porridge, a plate of crystal shrimp dumplings, a plate of jadeite siu mai; there were also two plates of pickled cucumbers and cold black fungus salad, all refreshing and delicious.

On the small table next to it was a pot of freshly brewed pre-Qingming Longjing tea, with steam rising and the aroma of tea filling the air.

As they were eating, a maid announced from outside the courtyard: "The Grand Madam has arrived."

As they were talking, Shan'er and Hu'er helped Aunt Lian walk in.

Aunt Lian is over fifty years old and her hair is already gray, but fortunately she takes good care of herself, is in good physical and mental health, and has excellent energy.

"Girl, you're finally up!"

Aunt Lian scolded, "If you don't get up now, we'll have lunch right away!"

"The young masters and ladies in our household are all very busy, but their mother sleeps in every day!"

Jiang Li chuckled and said, "Who told our kids to be so capable? So their mother can retire early."

Chai'er and Huan'er quickly bowed to Aunt Lian and brought her a comfortable chair.

"Auntie and I, shall we eat some more?"

Jiang Li instructed Chai'er to fetch bowls and chopsticks.

Aunt Lian shook her head: "No need, lunch will be served soon."

"I've come to ask you, His Majesty's birthday is approaching, have you prepared any birthday gifts?"

Jiang Li slapped her forehead: "Oh dear, I almost forgot about that. I'll have Buqi pick out a few unique items from the Maritime Administration later."

When it comes to choosing gifts, Xie Buqi is more knowledgeable than her.

Aunt Lian asked happily, "When will Bu Li and Wu You Wu Chou return to the manor? I need to have their courtyard tidied up."

On the Emperor's birthday, the four children, as the heirs of the Jing'an Prince's Mansion and the An Prince's Mansion, and the county princesses, were also required to attend the birthday banquet.

I can finally see all four of my darlings at the same time again!

Jiang Li yawned: "They can come back anytime. Auntie can just have Dandan bring back whichever one she wants."

Aunt Lian now knows that Jiang Li's portable cave is actually the Crystal Palace of the East Sea Dragon King, and that "egg" that she often talks about is actually the current East Sea Dragon King!

Thinking of the Dragon King Temples that were extremely popular throughout the Great Chu, where the Dragon King of the East Sea, who was worshipped by the people of Great Chu every day, was now hiding at the bottom of Wangfu Lake and had even become a "chauffeur" for Jiang Li to pick up and drop off her children, Aunt Lian didn't know what to say.

Speaking of dragon eggs, Jiang Li gets angry. Even the eggs laid by the flood dragon and the fire python are about to hatch, but his is still an egg!

Despite the Dragon Palace having the Five Elements Grand Array and its spiritual energy fully restored, and being immersed in the Five Elements spiritual energy every day, the dragon egg still shows no signs of hatching!

Long Dan himself was also very frustrated. Everything was ready except for the right opportunity. He always felt that something was missing.

But when will that "opportunity" come? Even the dragon egg itself can't say for sure.

Jiang Li was so angry that she wanted to manually hatch him.

Just then, a maid's voice came from outside the courtyard: "Your Highness, the Grand Eunuch has arrived."

Jiang Li was quite surprised. Yin Jiu had arrived?

Liao Wuyong has retired to his hometown to enjoy his old age, and Yin Jiu has officially taken over the position of Grand Eunuch and Director of the Eastern Depot.

"Understood, please have a seat in the front hall, Your Excellency."

Jiang Li then instructed Chai'er and Huan'er to help her change her clothes.

She changed into a formal outfit and walked towards the front hall.

Yin Jiu, dressed in a python robe, looked solemn. Upon seeing Jiang Li, he immediately stood up, his face showing anxiety.

"Little Sixteen, something's happened!"

Jiang Li was startled. Under Liao Wuyong's tutelage, Yin Jiu had already developed a deep and shrewd mind, remaining calm even in the face of a collapsing mountain. For him to come in person with such an anxious expression, it must be something serious.

"What happened?"