Quick Wear: Cousin, Come to the Bowl Quickly

After a while, the excited Old Lady Pei, supported by the husband of Marquis Changqing, hurriedly walked around the screen and was about to kneel down to receive the order.

Lin Xi took a step forward, stretched out her hand to support the old lady Pei who wanted to kneel down, and slowly shook her head, "His Majesty specifically ordered that the old lady be the birthday star today, so there is no need to kneel, just stand and receive the order."

Upon hearing this, the Changqing Marquis and his family looked even happier. They hurriedly thanked the emperor profusely and said some flattering words to express their gratitude for the emperor's grace. Only then, at Lin Xi's signal, did they prepare to receive the order.

Lin Xi pulled out a shiny roll of imperial edict from his sleeve and was about to unfold it, but he seemed to suddenly think of something. He raised his eyes and glanced at the standing Old Lady Pei and the other kneeling officials, and finally set his gaze on the tall screens. After pondering for a moment, he suddenly spoke.

"Your Majesty's decree, if Your Majesty is here in person, should the husbands and ladies behind the screen also listen to your decree?"

Although she asked in a questioning tone, Marquis Changqing immediately understood the implication in her words. After a brief thought, he quickly showed a grateful look to Lin Xi and said to Pei Yun beside him, "Yun'er, ask someone to remove these screens first, and put them up again after all the husbands and gentlemen have heard the order of His Majesty."

If the emperor were present in person, all the people present should kneel together to receive the emperor's decree. However, the screen is placed here, blocking the men behind. Isn't it equivalent to hiding from the emperor? That is a serious crime of contempt for imperial power.

Although all the officials and their families present were friends with Marquis Changqing, who could guarantee that there weren't a few with ulterior motives among them?

The world is bustling with people, all for profit. What if these people become enemies with the Marquis of Changqing's Mansion in the future, deliberately distort today's events, and then report them to the emperor, accusing him of disrespect? Wouldn't that cause endless troubles? Marquis Changqing obviously thought of this, so he was so grateful for Lin Xi's thoughtful act.

When Pei Yun heard his mother's instructions, he quickly sent a servant in to explain the situation to the husbands and wives inside, and then directed people to lift the half-meter-high screens.

After a while, the screen was removed. Lin Xi looked up and took in the situation inside. Then he looked away and asked the Marquis Changqing in front of him calmly, "Are all the guests for today's banquet here?"

Marquis Changqing was slightly startled by Lin Xi's question. He turned his head and looked back. Then he asked uncertainly, "They should all be here. What's this, sir?"

"Nothing." Lin Xi's faint smile disappeared, and he unfolded the imperial edict and said in a cold tone, "Then please ask the old lady and Marquis Changqing to accept the edict."

Marquis Changqing was keenly aware of the change in Lin Xi's attitude, but she had been entertaining guests outside the screen and was naturally unaware that Changsun Yan and his son were missing. Therefore, since she had never dealt with Lin Xi, she just thought that Lin Xi's temperament was simply unpredictable, and she knelt down to receive the order without thinking too much.

Lin Xi finished reading the imperial edict in a businesslike manner, and then handed over the wooden box held by the servant behind him, "This is the Ganoderma Lucidum bestowed by His Majesty to the old lady. I hope the old lady will take good care of her body and live a long and blessed life."

Old Lady Pei took it with many thanks, and then said, "My Lord, you have worked hard on the journey, and I think you haven't had lunch yet. Why don't you stay and have a drink, and let my granddaughter accompany you for dinner?"

"No need." Lin Xi shook her head, thinking about how to ask if the Changsun family had come. Didn't they say they were coming to celebrate the birthday a few days ago? How come they were nowhere to be seen when the banquet was about to start?

As he thought of this, his eyes involuntarily fell on the screen that the servants had rearranged. Looking at the colorful flower patterns on it, an idea suddenly flashed in his mind and he changed the subject.

"I won't eat, but His Majesty told me a few days ago that I was tired of the scenery in the Imperial Garden, and there was nothing new. He also heard that the spring scenery in Changqing Marquis's mansion was the best in the capital, so he asked me to take a good look around when I came to give gifts today, so that I can draw a spring scene to present to the palace next time. I wonder if the Marquis of Changqing can help me?"

"Of course it's convenient, of course it's convenient." Hearing that even the emperor praised his garden for being well-maintained, Marquis Changqing was so happy that he didn't even have time to say anything disappointing about it. He quickly put on a smile and nodded repeatedly, then waved to call Pei Yun to his side and said to Lin Xi.

"Your Majesty's errands, I should have been the one accompanying you personally, but today is my father's birthday, and I'm lucky enough to have the presence of my relatives, friends, and colleagues. I can't leave them behind, and I'm afraid that too many people will ruin your mood. How about letting me, your useless daughter, accompany you for a stroll?"

"Marquis Changqing, there is no need to be so polite. You can just send a servant who is familiar with the scenery in the mansion to lead the way for me. There is no need to trouble Miss Pei." Seeing her sincere attitude, Lin Xi also said politely.

"How can it be troublesome? It is a blessing for me to work for Your Majesty." Pei Yun hurried forward to show his loyalty.

Lin Xi thought for a moment, thinking that she would have to get rid of the person later anyway, so she didn't refuse. She apologized to Old Madam Pei and followed Pei Yun out of the yard.

Seeing the figures of Lin Xi and his group disappear at the gate of the courtyard, the smiling old lady Pei suddenly changed her expression. She took the hand of the husband of Marquis Changqing beside her, lowered her voice, looked serious, and said in an urgent tone: "Hurry up and send someone to find Changsun and his son. We must find them before Lin Sikou does."

"Father, what's this?" Marquis Changqing's wife asked in confusion when she saw his anxious look.

Seeing that her son-in-law was still asking questions at this time, Old Lady Pei glared at him with a look of disappointment and said in a heavier voice, "Don't talk nonsense. Go find someone first. Remember, look for him quietly and don't let anyone find you."

"Okay, okay, I'll send someone to look for her right away. Don't worry, father." Seeing that Old Madam Pei's expression was becoming more and more serious, the husband of Marquis Changqing had to suppress his doubts and turned around to arrange to find someone.

"Father, what's this?" Marquis Changqing, who had just sent Lin Xi out of the courtyard, turned back and saw the stern expression on Old Madam Pei's face and the back of his husband hurriedly leaving through the side door. He immediately asked in some confusion.

"Send someone to Zhang Gelao's residence now to deliver a message, saying that her husband has had an accident at home, and ask him to come quickly."

"Wasn't her husband having dinner in there just fine? When did this happen?" Marquis Changqing was startled and subconsciously looked behind the screen.

"Why ask so many questions? Just do what I tell you to do!" Seeing that she had the same gentle personality as Marquis Changqing's husband, Old Lady Pei became furious.

"Father, you have to tell me what happened so that I can ask for help. He is a minister of the court, not just an ordinary citizen who can be summoned and dismissed at will." Marquis Changqing suddenly got angry and complained with some dissatisfaction.