Help! The cunning and treacherous minister and I were reborn together!

Add wine and relight the lamps, let the joy continue.

Duan Sheng, holding a wine cup, sang praises to His Majesty, while Li Kai remained unperturbed, responding with a faint smile throughout.

Duan Sheng tightened his grip, glanced at Consort Zheng beside His Majesty, his gaze darkened, and he uttered a startling remark.

"May the weather be favorable and the country prosperous and strong, all thanks to Your Majesty's blessings. The Year of the Dragon is approaching, and Her Majesty is pregnant with the dragon's child. This is a decree from Heaven, proclaiming that Your Majesty has received the Mandate of Heaven, and may Your Majesty's dynasty last for thousands of years!"

"Such an achievement is unprecedented in history. Your Majesty, I humbly request that you proceed to Mount Dai to perform the Fengshan ceremony!"

The banquet erupted into chaos the moment the words were spoken.

Throughout history, the Fengshan ceremony at Mount Dai has been the highest honor for emperors, reserved for wise and virtuous rulers. The Imperial Observatory Director's long build-up was all to bring this event to a close!

Li Kai was somewhat tempted, not because of Duan Sheng's words, but because he was nearing fifty and his health was declining. If he could climb Mount Dai while he was still alive, it would be a worthwhile life!

"What do you, my esteemed ministers, think?"

The officials had different expressions. The emperor's travels were complicated and costly, and the journey to Mount Dai was long. What if they encountered rebels or bandits and harmed His Majesty's health?

With no crown prince yet established, the Eastern Palace vacant, and the emperor away from the capital, who will oversee the country?

One troublesome matter after another needed to be resolved, causing headaches for the officials. They were unwilling, but their mouths were sealed shut, and no one voiced their opinions.

After all, the supervisor had just said a lot of flattering words. If they stood up to refute him now, wouldn't that be saying that His Majesty's achievements were all fake?

The wrath of Heaven is unpredictable; it's best to be cautious!

Several senior figures chose to protect themselves, but Xiao Zong and Feng Quan exchanged a glance and stepped forward to be the first to do so.

After listening to their reasons, Li Kai said, "You two ministers are right, but your concerns are not without a solution."

"The temporary palace hasn't even broken ground yet; the previously approved funds can be used for the Fengshan ceremony. As for the capital… the eldest grandson is still young, so the left and right prime ministers will assist in governing, with the cabinet advisors handling all affairs. If any issues arise, memorials can be sent to Daizhou via the 800-li express courier. Do you two gentlemen find this arrangement feasible?"

"Your Majesty's considerations are thorough; I have no objections!"

Xiao Zong understood that His Majesty had already made up his mind; he was merely asking a perfunctory question, and the ministers' objections were futile. Feng Quan wanted to persuade him further, but Xiao Zong stopped him, signaling that he should not act rashly.

Li Kai smiled and said, "Good! Then the day of the Fengshan ceremony shall be set for the Lantern Festival next year! Except for officials who remain in the capital, all officials of the third rank and above shall accompany the emperor. The Leopard Guard and the Three Great Camps shall be responsible for the security and defense of this trip. The Ministry of Rites shall hurry up and draft the regulations, with the Imperial Observatory and the Court of Imperial Sacrifices assisting. I want to see the report by the fifteenth of the month at the latest."

The official bowed to receive the decree, and Xiao Zong and Feng Quan returned to their respective positions, neither of them looking too pleased.

Yuan Zhi was in a good mood and personally poured Xiao Zong a cup of wine and placed it in front of him.

Xiao Zong glanced at her sideways. He was still angry, so why was she coming closer again?

"Take it!"

Yuan Zhi lifted her eyelids and said in a voice that only the two of them could hear, "The fragrance on my husband is exactly the same as that of Consort Zheng. I was just trying to help you suppress it, why are you so ungrateful?"

He turned his head. "My relationship with her isn't what you think!"

"I don't care." Yuan Zhi wiped the rim of the cup. "I just want to remind you that His Majesty is not a fool. Don't play with fire and get burned!"

She looked up at the upper steps and saw that the woman at the head of the table was also looking at her. So she took Xiao Zong's wine cup, raised it to the other woman, and drank it all in one gulp.

The woman's gaze suddenly sharpened, and as she inadvertently glanced at the man beside Yuan Zhi, she suddenly felt a chill and couldn't help but shiver.

At the end of the banquet, everyone watched the fireworks from the steps before dispersing.

Yuan Zhi was drunk and followed Xiao Zong unsteadily, staggering every few steps.

Xiao Zong reached out his hand several times, but the other person always managed to stop before he could touch him, which frustrated him greatly.

"Did you do it on purpose?"

The person in front of her seemed to have the ability to create clones, splitting into several figures in succession. Yuan Zhi shook her head, trying to clear her mind, but the more she shook, the dizzier she became.

"Men and women should be different, sir... sir, please don't get so close to me, otherwise..."

Xiao Zong forcefully pulled her close to the back of her neck. They had already done what husband and wife did, and now she was talking about the proper separation of men and women?

"What else?"

Yuan Zhi was stared at by a pair of fierce eyes and momentarily forgot what to say.

The man's large hand rubbed against the back of her neck, making a small patch of skin burn hot, as if urging her to answer quickly.

In her desperation, she said, "Otherwise, I'll go tell my father!"

Phew——

Xiao Zong was both amused and exasperated, never expecting such an answer. Taking advantage of her dazed state, he gently rubbed her fierce face.

"You dare to lay a hand on me? Believe me or not, I'll get my dad and brother to break your legs!"

Xiao Zong bent down, cupped her face in his hands, and sighed.

She's only cute when she's drunk!

"You won't have a chance, because before that, I'll take advantage of you and leave you completely!"

After saying that, he squatted down, picked her up, and swaggered out of the palace gate.

"Help! Someone is trying to kidnap a young woman!"

Yuan Zhi pounded his waist and shouted loudly.

No noise was allowed in the palace, so Xiao Zong couldn't shut her up. He pretended to fall. The little girl on his body almost fell off, so she quickly covered her eyes and shut her mouth, not daring to say another word.

When Feng Quan saw this, his eyes nearly popped out of their sockets. Was this really Xiao Zong? It was terrifying!

Two palace maids followed behind him, one of them blushing as she said, "Lord Xiao and his wife are so loving!"

Feng Quan shrugged and jumped forward a step. "Don't get too close to me, I'm not used to it."

The two women smiled at each other. "His Majesty has bestowed us sisters upon you, so we belong to you now. You will have to get used to it."

Feng Quan stretched out his arm. "We'll talk about the future later! For now, keep this distance and don't cross it!"

The two women replied reluctantly, "We will obey your orders, sir."

The next morning, Yuan Zhi opened his eyes and found his waist as if it had been broken in two, unable to move at all.

Her eyes were glazed over. Wait, what had she done last night?!

Could it be... that beast Xiao Zong took advantage of her drunkenness and made love to her?

She looked down; the clothes were intact, so it shouldn't be her.

and many more!

What is this black cloth?

She stared at the irregularly shaped piece of silk in her hand, looking at it from both sides twice. Why... does it look familiar?

Luo Mei walked in and saw her holding the cloth, sometimes deep in thought, sometimes puzzled. She said directly, "Miss, don't think about it anymore. This cloth belongs to the young master."

"Why did he give me a piece of cloth?" Yuan Zhi asked, clutching her back. "Also, did he use me as a sparring partner last night? How come my back is about to break after just one night's sleep?"

Luo Mei sighed, "You've wronged my son-in-law! You were the one who threw a tantrum last night, and you were the one who laid a hand on me. Otherwise, where would this piece of cloth have come from?"

"You mean... I tore this piece of cloth off?"

"Some of it! The rest was torn by the son-in-law himself, otherwise he wouldn't have been able to get out of this room at all!"

Yuan Zhixin was heartbroken: "Luo Mei, go to the kitchen and find a piece of tofu. I'm going to end my own life right now!"