It’s hard to break a phoenix’s destiny

Chapter 491: Winter Solstice has many variables

The Luoyang Imperial Palace was filled with singing and dancing. It was an unprecedented quiet and harmony. Even the veteran ministers who had experienced three dynasties of the Jin Dynasty found it a little unreal.

Sima Chi was in a good mood because since the end of Hong Tianquan's case, not only did he become more powerful, but he also confiscated the property of the idle prince Sima Hu and beheaded him. All his property became the property of the national treasury, and the gold, silver and other items stolen from the armory were returned to the armory.

Sima Chi now holds the key to the armory. Yang Xianrong closed the door of Tianyuan Palace and ignored everything.

Concubine Pei was in a bad mood because she didn't get the money, so she didn't go to the palace to see Yang Xianrong for a long time.

Yuan Heshuo's youngest daughter Yuan Caidie entered Tianyuan Palace and became the female teacher of Qinghe Princess Sima Jing. The two of them had a very good relationship, one was willing to teach, the other was willing to learn, and when Yang Xianrong came to see them, there was laughter and joy.

Sun Ying and Yang Xianlian were also there to read and write, and I actually had the illusion that life was peaceful and tranquil.

Zhang Du, Daxi and Cao Tong disappeared after that day.

Yang Xianrong explained that Zhang Du and Da Xi were allowed to return to their hometown to retire. Because they were old, Cao Tong was asked to escort them and return after they arrived at their destination.

Sima Chi didn't care much about these things, because he had more things to do. For example, because so many people died in the main hall of Hanyue Palace, he felt upset, so he moved the court to Taiji Hall, which was where the late emperor Sima Yan discussed matters with his ministers. Every time he attended the morning court, he saw the ministers' increasingly respectful eyes, and his mood became better and better. He also began to discuss government affairs with everyone, and to examine some scriptures and books, showing that he was extremely knowledgeable and cultured. As a result, he was flattered by a group of ministers, and he became very proud.

There are many people flattering me, and I can hear endless compliments.

Some even shouted to his face: "Today we see the era of Emperor Wu again!"

Sima Chi gained power, and Empress Liang Lanbi was naturally very proud. The Liang family also stepped to the forefront and had more power. However, Liang Lanbi was still unhappy, and a new problem arose. Now it was no longer her job to help the emperor choose beauties, but some ministers were competing to send beauties to the emperor.

The harem was in a mess, and Liang Lanbi didn't know how to manage it. She was worried all day long, but she couldn't complain to Sima Chi, otherwise people would think she was a jealous woman.

Sima Yue was still fighting with various forces in the northwest, especially Liu Yuan's main force, which was all pressed forward. The two armies finally stopped due to the cold weather. However, because of the war, people's livelihood was in decline. East of Yongzhou, most people were hungry and exhausted, selling their children to each other, fleeing and migrating, and there were countless people. Six states including You, Bing, Si, Ji, Qin, and Yong suffered from a locust plague, and all the grass, trees, and hair of cattle and horses were gone. There was also an epidemic, coupled with famine. People were killed by robbers again, and floating corpses covered the river and bones covered the fields.

But so what?

Luoyang is still prosperous and bustling.

The officials who were newly promoted by Sima Chi were even more proud, and they galloped on the streets of Luoyang in their fine clothes and on their horses. Those who hoped to get promoted and make money were trying their best to please the emperor. Winter had arrived, and spring was in sight.

But the falling snow made people feel that life had no hope and was extremely cold.

At this time, two things happened in the Luoyang Palace.

The first was that Yang Zongguan, who was by Sima Chi's side, died in a very strange way. It was said that he fell off the bed while sleeping, and the back of his head hit the copper chamber pot, and he died.
The second thing was that Yuan Heshuo from the Shangshu Office dared to write a letter to criticize Sima Chi for indulging in wine and women, eating, drinking and having fun all day long, and ignoring the affairs of the court. He even let his relatives take power and let Liang Fen, the father of Queen Liang, sign and approve memorials. Sooner or later, he would destroy the country of Jin. Faced with his petition and admonition, Sima Chi was naturally furious. People including the Liang family were so angry that they cursed and even wanted to drag Yuan Heshuo out and kill him. However, there were still people among the civil and military officials who pleaded for him. Even Yuan Caidie, who got the news, ran out of Tianyuan Palace and knelt down to beg Sima Chi to let her confused father go.

Sima Jing was studying politics with Yuan Caidie at the time. Seeing her female teacher so flustered, she ran over. Since Sima Chi was usually quite nice to the little princess, Sima Jing boldly said, "Your Majesty, people say that a prime minister's heart can hold a boat, so your heart must hold the whole Jin Dynasty. Why do you have to argue so much with old man Yuan? He is confused and can't tell good people from bad people, but you are different. You are a wise ruler."

Hearing this childish words, Sima Chi was immediately happy and asked, "At such a young age, what do you know about a wise ruler?"

"Yes, I don't understand, but my mother does. She often says that the emperor is a wise ruler, especially the emperor's recent instructions, such as amnesty, abolition of the criminal law of exterminating three clans, etc., are all very powerful and very popular among the people." Sima Jing has a pair of eyes that resemble Yang Xianrong's, clear and bright like a deer's eyes, which makes Sima Chi feel a lot happier.

At this time, some ministers pleaded for Yuan Heshuo, and Sima Chi finally decided to dismiss him from office and send him back home to reflect on his actions.

Yuan Heshuo was also crazy, but even so he still shouted a few words: "Stupid king! The Jin Dynasty is going to perish!" His voice was hoarse and extremely desolate, echoing in the Taiji Hall. No one spoke, but just lowered their heads and sighed.

Yuan Caidie cried bitterly and kowtowed to Sima Chi to express her gratitude.

Sima Chi originally felt a little regretful that Yuan Caidie did not become his beauty, but now seeing her bloated figure and chubby face, he felt bored and waved his hand, letting her do what she had to do.

Yang Xianrong was very angry when she heard about this, mainly because she was not satisfied with Sima Jing's nonsense in the court and lost her status as a princess. But Yuan Caidie was not strict enough in her discipline, which led to such a thing. Therefore, she also sent Yuan Caidie back home, and she no longer needed her to teach Sima Jing.

How could Sima Jing agree to this? She burst into tears and even ran to the palace gate shouting and screaming.

However, no one could persuade Yang Xianrong not to agree. Even when Sima Chi saw it passing by the door, he couldn't help but say a few words, but Yang Xianrong retorted, saying, "How can the daughter of a guilty minister stay in Tianyuan Palace? The emperor is wise and powerful, so he will naturally agree."

Sima Chi grinned and had to reward Sima Jing with a set of excellent study treasures as compensation, but finally let Yuan Caidie go home.

The Yuan family had already bought land in Luoyang, opened a mansion, and had many family members. Now, after such a commotion, everyone scattered. Half a month later, even Yuan Heshuo and Yuan Caidie all left Luoyang sadly and disappeared.