The Lucky Farmgirl

This time, they changed their dining venue. Instead of going to Primus Pavilion, they went to a newly opened restaurant in the inner city—Nine Blessings Building.

Bai Shan had reserved a table in advance. Upon entering, it was crowded and bustling with activity.

He held Manbao’s hand and went straight to the third floor, saying, "I’ve heard their boiled lamb slices are incredibly delicious and tasty."

They arrived first and had just sat down when Yin Huo and Liu Huan joined them shortly after.

The two of them came together. Yin Huo is still studying at Chongwen Pavilion, but he can easily take leave to come out, which isn’t difficult for him.

As long as Chongwen Pavilion doesn’t dismiss him, he should continue studying there indefinitely.

They had just sat down when they heard footsteps from outside the door. When the door pushed open, Bai Erlang and Princess Mingda entered.

In the private room, only two personal attendants were left to serve, while the other attendants and guards had retreated outside.

Bai Erlang first pulled out a chair for Princess Mingda, then sat next to Yin Huo with a sigh, "There are so many people downstairs. A lot of them were watching us as we came up."

Manbao curiously asked, "Did they recognize the princess?"

Mingda, somewhat embarrassed, replied, "I accompanied Sister Changyu here twice before, so the manager recognizes me."

Nine Blessings Building is a newly opened restaurant. Just a couple of days after it opened, Princess Changyu had already dined there. After finding it quite good, and having many dishes she hadn’t tried, she pulled along Mingda for another visit. Finding the taste quite excellent, they returned once more a few days later...

So, the manager of Nine Blessings Building recognized them.

Manbao then said, "I think Princess Changyu’s three-story building in New City shouldn’t be made into Treasure Pavilion, but rather Delicacy Restaurant."

Mingda couldn’t help but laugh.

Even though Changyu has already returned to the princess’s manor for half of her meals, half of her dining is still done outside.

She seems to have little resistance to food.

In the palace, it’s alright; there are various rules with the emperor and empress overseeing her, so even if she likes it, she restrains herself. But outside the palace, without these constraints, she indulges.

Manbao said, "Next time, I’ll send her a few dishes."

Mingda was curious, "What dishes?"

Bai Erlang guessed, "Medicine?"

Manbao said, "Am I that kind of person? I said dishes, so they’re dishes."

Bai Shan had already called for the waiter to take their order. After hearing the menu, he ordered a few of the signature dishes he had long heard about and then looked at the others, "You all order some more."

Everyone ordered one dish each, and that was enough.

As the private room’s door closed, Yin Huo raised his teacup with a smile, "The dishes may take a while, so let’s first toast you with tea to congratulate your promotion."

Bai Shan raised his cup with a smile, "Thank you."

After drinking tea, Liu Huan curiously asked, "I heard from my grandfather that the emperor plans to elevate the rank of the Middle Secretariat co-editor."

Bai Shan was startled by the tea, asking, "Has the emperor officially proposed this?"

"It was mentioned in a minor meeting. So, my grandfather said you have a promising future. Right now, the Middle Secretariat co-editor is of the sixth rank; if it gets elevated a rank, it’ll be fifth."

Bai Shan frowned, "Why elevate the Middle Secretariat co-editor for no reason?"

"Because the position of Zhongshu Ling has been vacant, and it’s rumored the emperor doesn’t plan to fill it anymore. Setting a precedent here means that for the next dynasty, and even the saints afterward, the Zhongshu Ling might remain unfilled."

With the crucial Zhongshu Ling vacant, it made sense to promote the subordinates, delegate the work of Zhongshu Ling to them, and anything that couldn’t be delegated would be assumed by the emperor.

Bai Shan instantly understood the emperor’s intentions, even lowering his gaze in contemplation. The vacancy doesn’t stop at Zhongshu Ling; there’s also Shangshu Ling to consider.

Only the Imperial Secretariat had Wei Zhi responsible, which is why Wei Zhi is called Prime Minister Wei.

Before the New Year, there were two of the Three Departments’ chief officers, and now there’s only one left. If anything happened to Wei Zhi, causing him to step down, leaving the chief officer position of the Imperial Secretariat vacant, then...

Bai Shan was struck by the revelation, becoming serious and saying to the still laughing Liu Huan, "Don’t spread this further, nor mention it outside."

Liu Huan, caught off guard, nodded, "Okay."

Yin Huo couldn’t help but give Bai Shan a look, filled with some confusion and incomprehension.

The private room’s door was knocked upon, and the waiter pushed the door open, followed by the waiters serving dishes, entering in a line.

The largest dish was the boiled lamb slices placed in the center. The meat looked not too impressive, but the other dishes were beautifully laid out, including a fish dish, which made Manbao pause and ask, "Who ordered the fish?"

She didn’t recall hearing about it just now.

The waiter smiled immediately upon hearing this, "Madam, this is a complimentary dish from our manager. The Highness often visits our humble establishment, and the manager said that in previous visits, the princess hadn’t tried the fish. Actually, our restaurant’s fish is also quite good, please give it a try."

After they left, Bai Erlang chuckled, "I didn’t expect dining with the princess came with such perks. We never get free dishes."

Manbao said, "Do you think it’s really free? This is an offering of loyalty."

"What does that mean?"

Manbao said, "Perhaps you don’t know, but the emperor loves fish, the crown prince loves it, Prince Gong loves it, Changyu loves it. If Mingda finds this fish delicious, she’ll surely recommend it back to the palace. Isn’t this an offering of loyalty?"

Mingda also eyed the beautifully presented fish, swallowing slightly, but Bai Erlang said, "You can’t eat it, can you?"

Mingda nodded regretfully; she couldn’t eat it.

Since she couldn’t eat it, neither could Yin Huo.

No matter how tempted they were by raw things, they wouldn’t eat them because the physicians cautioned them when they were very young.

So, Manbao and the others didn’t hesitate to indulge themselves.

Manbao dipped the fish in the seasoning; the fish was thinly sliced, tender, with only a slight fishy taste. The seasoning masked the fishiness further, melting gently upon chewing, not inferior to those in the palace, perhaps even more flavorful.

Manbao raised her eyebrows slightly and said to Mingda, "This offer of loyalty can be accepted."

Mingda smiled and said, "I’ll ask Sister Changyu later if she’s tried it. If not, she can be invited to try it."

When it comes to food recommendations, Changyu has more influence.

Manbao nodded.

The fish was good, but the boiled lamb slices were even better.

The lamb was cut into thin and large slices, seemingly freshly rolled in broth, thus maintaining its tenderness and lamb flavor without any gaminess. It was indeed quite excellent.

Everyone enjoyed their meal, even Yin Huo couldn’t resist eating a bit more than usual.

Afterward, they all needed a walk to digest, so after settling the bill, they slowly strolled along the street back. The guards followed behind with horses and carriages.

Yin Huo lagged behind, walking alongside Bai Shanzhou and Manbao, "Is there any issue with the emperor elevating the rank of the Middle Secretariat co-editor?"

Bai Shan shook his head, "No issues for now; it’s just that if one day the position of the Imperial Secretariat Assistant is also gone, the powers of the Three Departments’ chief officers might be divided into two parts: one part to be allocated to the subordinates, and the other to be held by the saints."

This could have its pros and cons. The good part is that power becomes more dispersed, no longer solely dictated by the Three Departments’ chief officers. Even officials like them down below have significant say.

The downside is that power becomes more concentrated in the hands of single saints. If the saints are wise like the present ones, it’s fine. But if a foolish one who doesn’t heed advice arises, there would be no checks on him.

Bai Shan lowered his gaze. Honestly, with his inner desires, he doesn’t wish for this change because although the Three Departments’ chief officers were few, three is still better than one. The latter is much more likely to be obstinate and cling to power.

However, his official rank is too low, and he can’t voice this opinion, nor would it matter if he could.

Perhaps he could discuss it with Lord Wei?

Start with the matter of the Middle Secretariat co-editor’s promotion.