Qingmei heard the noise and came in from outside.
She saw Bai Zhi’er’s sleeping rosy little face, her small body hugging the quilt, like an adorable marshmallow.
Qingmei smiled brightly, "Princess, you’re awake, just in time. Soon, Prince Rui and Prince Kang, along with the Young Masters, will enter the palace to wish the Emperor a Happy New Year. Shall I help you freshen up now?"
The little one nodded obediently, "The elder brothers are coming?"
Qingmei stepped forward, helping Bai Zhi’er put on her shoes and drape on a festive water-red brocade robe.
"Yes, last night the two princes wanted to enter the palace, but the Emperor refused, wanting to spend the first New Year’s Eve alone with the Princess as father and daughter."
Bai Zhi’er blinked, suddenly thinking of something.
"Hmm, I remember during the offering to the gods yesterday, didn’t father ask Uncle Historian to enter the palace for the New Year’s banquet? Why didn’t he come?"
Last night was so much fun that Bai Zhi’er had completely forgotten about it.
Qingmei replied, "I don’t know either, I just heard that yesterday evening, Historian Wang reported something to the Emperor, and then he left."
"He seemed quite happy when he left, and the Emperor also rewarded him with some things."
Bai Zhi’er blinked in curiosity but didn’t continue to ask further.
Meanwhile, at the Wang Family.
Wang Yi got up and specifically called for a servant to inquire, "Did Second Old Master say anything after returning from the palace yesterday? Did he disgrace himself at the banquet, bringing shame to the Wang Family?"
The servant was puzzled, "Second Old Master? Second Old Master didn’t enter the palace yesterday."
"What?!" Wang Yi turned around abruptly, glaring with wide tiger eyes, "The Emperor summoned him to the palace for the New Year’s banquet, and he didn’t go?!"
The servant, startled by his reaction, nodded knowingly, "Didn’t you know, First Old Master? Yesterday, Second Old Master entered the palace and informed the Emperor that he had something to do and couldn’t attend the New Year’s banquet."
Dining with the Emperor on New Year’s Eve is something many people would pray earnestly for.
Yet his second brother, Wang Lang, outright said no?!
"What could he possibly be busy with? During the holiday season, even the Emperor takes a break from court duties, so what’s he busy with!"
The servant hesitated for a moment, then said, "Second Old Master mentioned that during the sacrifice yesterday, the immortal’s plaque fell."
"He was worried that people would speak ill of the Princess, so he wanted to prepare a rebuttal in advance, intending to argue to the end with those spreading rumors."
"The Emperor seemed very pleased. Although Second Old Master didn’t dine in the palace, he came back with many rewards."
"However, you weren’t at the residence last night, so you didn’t know about this."
Wang Yi gritted his teeth in frustration.
His brother Wang Lang didn’t go to the palace.
Thus, the laxative he had prepared for Wang Lang was of no use.
He had planned for Wang Lang to lose control in front of Bai Xilie.
At that time, with the little princess present, Bai Xilie would surely feel Wang Lang had tarnished the Princess’s eyes, and would demote his position.
But instead, he just inexplicably suffered from diarrhea all night.
Thinking of this, First Old Master Wang Yi couldn’t help but gnash his teeth!
How long does he have to be at the mercy of his younger brother!
If he had known it would come to this, he wouldn’t have agreed to him becoming a historian in the first place!
He had thought that being a historian, how the chronicles were written would be dictated by their Wang Family.
Now, it’s become a life-threatening talisman for the Wang Family!
Wang Yi walked out with a gloomy expression.
The servant hurriedly asked, "First Old Master is going to see Second Old Master?"
"See what! Prepare the carriage, call Xuan Wen, and let’s go wish General Fang a Happy New Year!"
A brother can’t be relied on, so he’ll seek alliance through a noble family’s marriage, strengthening the Wang Family’s power.