The Empress's No.1 Lackey

Seeing Zhao Douan struggling to keep from laughing, he remembered doing similar things when he was a child.

After the brother and sister finished pasting the Spring Festival couplets, nearby official families came to visit. This wasn't considered a New Year's visit, so Zhao Douan amiably chatted with them.

By noon, the family had a satisfying meal, and Zhao Douan changed into his official robe, setting out for the palace.

You Jinhua and Zhao Pan also had plans, arranging to view lanterns with several noblewomen in the capital.

...

...

After leaving the house, Zhao Douan first went to the Imperial Court to join the main group.

During the Grand Banquet Ceremony, the Jinyi Guard, as part of the imperial guard, also needed to enter the palace to maintain order — in truth, they served as the honor guard.

"Come over here." Ma Yan saw him approaching and waved him over to share the carriage.

Zhao Douan was slightly surprised, stepping into the carriage and sitting down before curiously asking, "Senior brother, do you have something to tell me privately?"

Ma Yan's long, thin face remained calm, glancing at him, he said:

"At today's Grand Banquet Ceremony, Li Yanfu will also be present."

Wasn't that obvious? He's the Prime Minister, of course he's there... Zhao Douan was momentarily taken aback but quickly realized:

"Are you implying that Li Yanfu is planning something? It can't be, right? It's New Year's Eve today. And hasn't the Li Party been keeping a low profile lately? They played dead the whole time against Cao Mao before."

Ma Yan said, "There's news from below that several key ministers of the Li Party met privately yesterday. Officially it was a New Year's visit, but in truth, it was called by Li Yanfu."

"Because of me?" Zhao Douan asked blankly, unable to grasp the logic.

Ma Yan shook his head and said:

"No. It should be because of the latest memorial sent back from Hu Ting two days ago, which startled them. You might not have noticed, but Feng Ju, responsible for the New Policy Chamber of Commerce in Hu Ting, sent back the news. I'm not sure of the details, but it's definitely good news, likely because the new market you worked on has shown progress, and Feng Ju probably wants to present it as a gift to His Majesty for the New Year."

Zhao Douan suddenly realized and laughed, "It seems these southern gentry are getting anxious seeing the court's open market policies bearing significant results."

He was not surprised.

Although Li Yanfu had been exceptionally quiet lately, Zhao Douan knew this was just the calm before the storm.

The underlying conflict between the scholarly families behind the "Li Party" and the New Policy could not be reconciled.

Previously, since the New Policy had not shown its full power, Li Yanfu did not face much pressure, but as the New Policy proved effective, the pressure from the whole Li Party would force Li Yanfu to make a move.

"They shouldn't be so urgent. Even if the Li Party plans to take action, it would at least wait until spring next year." Zhao Douan calmly said, "Does my senior brother have any inside information? What might these people do?"

Ma Yan said:

"Recently, the Shipping Governor from the south has been urging the court for a prompt appointment of new officials to Jiancheng Road to fill the vacancies. It's not just Jiancheng Road. As far as I know, the court will finalize a list of officials after the New Year to be transferred south to assist the Shipping Governor in driving local New Policy reforms, but the final personnel haven't been decided yet."

Zhao Douan curiously asked, "So, the Li Party might try to make an issue out of this?"

Ma Yan shook his head and said, "I don't know. I'm just giving you a heads-up."

Zhao Douan couldn't help but laugh:

"The appointment of southern officials isn't my responsibility, and even if Li Yanfu wants to make trouble, it has nothing to do with me, right?"

Ma Yan had an expression of "you're too young":

"Not to mention your influence on the development of New Policy. If I were Li Yanfu, facing pressure from the entire party, I'd have to make some statement or do something to stabilize the 'morale' of the Jiangnan gentry. Sometimes, making a statement is necessary."

Zhao Douan grinned:

"So, you suspect that Li Yanfu might pick on me to make a statement for the entire Li Party?"

He thought about it and realized it was quite possible, since the opening market at Hu Ting was established by Zhao Douan, full of symbolic significance attached to him.

But, what kind of trouble could Li Yanfu cause for him?

Ma Yan neither confirmed nor denied it, saying: "You understand those intrigues better than I do."

"..."

No, Little Ma, what's with your attitude? When did you also learn to sarcastically make veiled comments? What happened to your former cold and domineering style of just cutting with a knife?

Zhao Douan looked regretful.

...

...

While the two bantered, the Jinyi Guard team arrived at the Imperial Palace.

The Grand Banquet Ceremony was set up at the "Fengtian Hall", with a massive new year lantern constructed outside the Meridian Gate, almost as tall as the palace walls.

At the moment, a large group of craftsmen, under the "protection" of the imperial guards, were busily working.

And outside the Imperial City, on the main streets, countless lanterns had already been hung, emphasizing the festive atmosphere.

The banquet was organized by the Ministry of Rites and prepared by the Guanglu Temple.

According to the rules.

Personnel from the Treasure Department would set up the imperial seat within the Fengtian Hall.

The Jinyi Guard was responsible for placing yellow flags on the east and west sides outside the hall.

Jin Wu and other guards stationed 24 Guard Officers on the east and west sides inside the hall.

The Teaching Bureau, under the Ministry of Rites, was responsible for performing nine pieces of music and songs inside the hall, grand music outside, and setting up three dance troupes beneath the hall.

The Guanglu Temple was responsible for setting up the wine pavilion on the west side beneath the imperial seat, and a food pavilion on the east. On either side of the Food and Wine Pavilion were the delicacies pavilion and pickled fish sauce pavilion respectively.

Banquet tables were set up on the east and west sides of the imperial seat, with the Crown Prince's seat on the east, facing west — but since the Crown Prince had fallen out of favor, this position was removed.

The princes were arranged on either side of the banquet tables, facing each other from north to south in order — however, no prince came to the capital this year, so this part was also removed.

Ministers ranked fourth-rank and above were inside the hall, while those fifth-rank and below were in the corridors on the east and west sides outside. Personnel from the Si Hu, Shangjiu, and Food Bureau were in attendance nearby...

It was organized with a sense of order and clearly defined responsibilities.

When Zhao Douan arrived, he found the entire Fengtian Hall already set up. He, adopting an idle demeanor, wandered around, occasionally joking with familiar court ladies. Gradually, officials began to enter the palace, and Zhao Douan happily welcomed them, posing as the "master of ceremonies."