My Wife is Unbeatable in the Whole World, Touch Me If You Dare!-Chapter 278 - 160 Desperate Anning

Consort Chun was a dignified and elegant beauty, and it was Li Nuo's first time seeing her. His wife had been called over to her side, with Consort Chun holding her hand, warmly chatting and laughing with her...

King Chun was right about one thing—the reunion dinner was indeed livelier with more people.

If they were eating at the Li Family tonight, Li Nuo could imagine just how desolate the scene would be.

But it was different at King Chun Mansion.

The table was filled with meticulously prepared dishes, and below, dancing girls twirled gracefully to the music.

Seated next to Li Nuo was his wife, and sitting across from him was Li Anning.

King Chun looked towards the three of them and said, "Li Nuo, Jiaren, and Anning, please make yourselves at home... think of the King Mansion as your own."

He lifted his cup of wine and smiled, "Let's toast to the New Year. May Li Nuo achieve great success in the Imperial Examination, Jiaren's cultivation reach new heights, and Anning find a Prince Consort that perfectly suits her wishes..."

Li Yun, sitting in a corner, glanced at his father, waiting for him to wish him something, but King Chun had already started drinking.

The jug in front of Li Nuo and the others was filled with fruit wine, not too spicy, yet with a lingering aftertaste—quite powerful if imbibed in excess.

Watching Li Anning down cup after cup, Li Nuo silently moved the jug closer to himself.

While it was fine to drink and be merry on New Year's Eve, one shouldn't drink as they would water.

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During the meal, King Chun asked Li Nuo, "How are your preparations for the Imperial Examination going?"

Li Nuo replied, "I will do my best."

King Chun then turned to Li Anning and asked, "Anning, the Ministry of Rites has selected so many Prince Consorts, yet none to your satisfaction. What exactly are you looking for in a man?"

Li Anning answered indifferently, "I'm not in a hurry to marry. Li Yun is older than I am, and he hasn't married yet—so what's the rush?"

Upon hearing this, Li Yun, who was busily eating in the corner, shuddered and buried his head even lower.

Mentioning Li Yun, a flash of annoyance appeared on King Chun's face.

What kind of son had he raised? Given the choice of all the beauties in Chang'an, he wanted none, instead treating a wooden girl as a treasure...

Because of this, King Chun had often scolded him.

Today being New Year's Eve, with Anning and the Xuanjing family present, he decided to spare him the lecture in order to save face.

After dinner, his father and King Chun retired to the study to play chess, while Li Nuo and his wife stepped outside.

The couple stood hand in hand in the courtyard, gazing up at the splendid fireworks that occasionally bloomed in the sky.

Not far away, Li Yun also held a figure's hand.

The vast fireworks, reflected in her eyes as clear as colored glaze, painted a kaleidoscope of hues.

In the darkness, those lifeless eyes seemed to sparkle with a hint of vivacity, but even Li Yun, closest to her, did not notice it.

Further away...

Li Anning stood alone.

The outside was bustling with activity today, but this excitement had nothing to do with her.

Watching the figure standing beside Li Nuo, a touch of envy appeared in her eyes...

On New Year's Eve, Chang'an lifted its curfew.

From New Year's Eve to the Lantern Festival, there was no curfew in Chang'an.

The common people were allowed to revel as they wished during this period.

Although it was still possible to return to Li Mansion now, going back at this time would feel somewhat anticlimactic; King Chun had already arranged for them to stay at the King Mansion for the night.

The next morning, when Li Nuo woke up, his father and King Chun had already left the King Mansion.

Li Anning had left with them as well.

Each year on the first day of the new year, the court held a grand assembly.

During the assembly, chief officials from the states and departments reported their duties to the court, which served as a summary of the past year and the commencement of the outlook for the new year.

At this annual assembly, all Princes were expected to attend, and neither Princesses nor Prince Consorts could be absent.

Even some of the lower-level officials who normally had no privilege to stand in court could do so during the assembly.

Since the assembly involved many participants, it usually lasted for three days.

Li Nuo and Song Jiaren returned to the Li Mansion when, within the Imperial Palace, the court assembly had already been in session for a while.

Today's court assembly was vastly different from the past.

Not only were the officials in attendance extremely numerous, but more importantly, His Majesty, who had not appeared for a long time, had rarely made an appearance before the courtiers.

Sitting on the Dragon Chair was a middle-aged man with handsome features.

His Majesty this year had passed the age of sixty, but he appeared not a day older, with black hair without beard, and not a single wrinkle on his face; compared to the older princes, he looked less like a father and more like a brother.

Following the order of public duty reporting at the grand court assembly, the Three Provinces and Six Ministries were first, followed by the Nine Si and Guard Mansion, and then it was the turn of the local officials.

During the reporting process, the nobles of Daxia could report at any time.

Today was the first day of the court assembly, and generally after the reports from the Three Provinces, Six Ministries, and Nine Si, the assembly for the day would end.

In the meantime, taking advantage of the rare occurrence of His Majesty presiding, the nobles began to eagerly accuse Minister of Justice Li Xuanjing.

Accusations such as corruption, murder of the loyal and good, disregard for human life, abuse of power, threatening courtiers, and interference in royal affairs... One by one, the charges were concrete, and the facts indisputable.

"During the time Your Majesty was not presiding over the court, the Minister of Justice, relying on his power, acted recklessly and lawlessly!"

"I do not know how many officials have been captured by him with trumped-up charges, taken to the Ministry of Justice and Spiegel Bureau, leaving the court trembling in fear, shrouded in a haze of gloom..."

"We plead for Your Majesty to revoke his authority over the Spiegel Bureau!"

"We request Your Majesty's discernment!"

...

Minister of Justice Li Xuanjing, standing in front of the courtiers, listened to these words with an expressionless face.

Those officials of the third rank and above also showed no emotion.

Some officials in the back of the court wore slight expressions of anticipation; the Minister of Justice's intimidation over these lower-ranking officials had been too great.

At his whim, he could render their decades of effort futile; without him in the court, they could sleep peacefully.

However, for the officials who had experienced several grand court assemblies before, they held no hope for such accusations to succeed.

Every year there were those who accused Li Xuanjing.

Yet until now, he still stood here just fine.

It was those who accused him who had been replaced over and over again.

Indeed, His Majesty paid no mind to these nobles, and after a prolonged silence in the Great Hall, the Assistant Minister of Rites could only stand to report on the behalf of the Ministry of Rites.

This year was the Imperial Examination year, the busiest for the Ministry of Rites, so the content of the report was also more than in previous years.

At the end of the report, he also took the opportunity to mention that Princess Anning had turned eighteen and it was time to select a Prince Consort for her.

In a certain spot of the Great Hall, Li Anning's face showed a nervous look.

This time, the figure seated atop the Golden Hall did not remain silent and unusually asked, "Has the list of potential Prince Consorts been selected by the Ministry of Rites?"

The Assistant Minister of Rites respectfully replied, "Previously, several candidates were chosen, but Lord Li, the Minister of Justice, felt that those men's talents and appearances were not worthy of Princess Anning, and the Ministry of Rites is currently reselecting..."

Emperor of Daxia spoke again, "Whom has the Ministry of Rites selected?"

The Assistant Minister of Rites answered, "The son of the Right Assistant Minister of the Ministry of Personnel, the grandson of a grand scholar of Hongwen Academy, the son of the Assistant Minister of Ministry of Rites... These individuals are all distinguished among their peers, both in family background and in talent; if they are not suitable, then there are few left to choose from."

Emperor of Daxia pondered for a moment, then said, "My daughter should be matched with Daxia's most outstanding young talents. The Imperial Examination is approaching, and Anning can choose her own Prince Consort from the top scholars or the scholars of the Six Arts of this examination round."

Upon hearing this, Li Anning's complexion turned deathly pale.

The courtiers mostly internally remarked that His Majesty truly doted on this little princess.

Specifying the top scholar to be Prince Consort was already setting a precedent in Daxia, and allowing the princess to choose her own Prince Consort was unprecedented and even against traditional rites.

But with His Majesty's golden words, no one dared to oppose.

The Assistant Minister of Rites bowed and said, "As You command."

Though His Majesty had not made a formal decree, the words he had spoken in front of the officials were no different from an imperial edict.

His Majesty had spoken; surely, the Minister of Justice could no longer object, could he?

If he dared to object now, it would be tantamount to defying imperial orders, and even His Majesty wouldn't protect him.

Following the Ministry of Rites, the Ministry of Personnel continued their report, the officials having long since forgotten the earlier episode, only Princess Anning, standing among the princesses, bit her lower lip tightly, her face incredibly pale...

Father Emperor had spoken personally; this time, no one could help her...