My sister became the empress, but I'm still growing vegetables and raising chickens

Did you notice anything amiss in Chapter 451?

Everything in the imperial court is constantly changing.

After all, the changes in the court officials after the change of leadership were quite significant. The cabinet submitted the list of newly appointed officials, and the young lady stared at these names with a headache.

The relationships here are complex and intertwined. How many people got their positions by paying bribes, and how many were simply trying to build up their own power base?

She knew it, but there was nothing she could do.

The court is already extremely anxious when it comes to selecting personnel. If she is picky about everyone and cannot trust them, the court may not be able to function properly.

She approved most of the memorials, making minor changes to a few.

For example, a new person was added to the cabinet, namely Governor Bi, who had just returned from Lingnan.

This Lord Bi had been immersed in officialdom for many years and had close relationships with the court officials. However, no one understood why Lord Bi was given such an important position as soon as he returned.

Furthermore, the position of Vice Minister of the Ministry of Personnel was surprisingly given to a young man, Zhou Feng, who had served as a probationary official last year.

Logically speaking, the top few in the imperial examination should first enter the Hanlin Academy for training, which would take anywhere from six months to three or four years, before being granted other official positions.

This official, having completed less than a year in office and without starting as a sixth-rank official, went directly to become a third-rank Vice Minister of the Ministry of Personnel.

Even with outstanding talent, experience is still insufficient.

Feng Ziheng frowned and objected: "Your Majesty, I think it would be better to appoint Lord Bi to a position first, and then appoint him as a cabinet minister after he has integrated into the officialdom of the capital?"

"No need."

Feng Ziheng added, "As for this Zhou Chuanlu, he really lacks experience. If Your Majesty thinks he is useful, why not let him start as a principal officer in the Ministry of Personnel?"

The younger sister looked up at Feng Ziheng and said seriously, "Ability is important, but loyalty is more important to me."

Feng Ziheng was surprised, wondering when these two people had become involved with his younger sister, and why she trusted them so much.

The younger sister added, "But don't worry, Minister Feng, if they are not competent, they won't be able to enjoy such high positions and generous salaries for long."

Therefore, Feng Ziheng said nothing more.

After everything settled down in Kyoto, Si Muyan returned. The harsh winter weather caused her business dealings in many places to encounter problems.

It took a lot of effort to deal with.

Although she was surprised to hear of the late emperor's death and her younger sister's succession, she didn't pay much attention to it.

She was different from others; in her mind, there was nothing special about a woman becoming empress. She was just a little worried about whether her younger sister could handle the role.

After finishing her work and settling her parents in, she took Xiaoxia back to the Marquis's residence.

Upon returning, he found the Marquis's residence quite deserted, which piqued his curiosity.

The steward informed Si Muyan, "The princess has been staying at the Dali Temple recently and hasn't been coming back much. I sent someone to the Dali Temple to inquire, and they found that the princess seems to be unwell; she has lost a lot of weight, but she doesn't want to come back. The young master is busy with his studies and only comes back once every ten days..."

Si Muyan frowned, nodded and said, "I'll go to Dali Temple to find my second sister first."

When Si Muyan saw her second sister, she was shocked. She didn't expect that her younger sister would become so thin after only a few months.

It seems the person in charge wasn't lying.

When the second sister saw Xiaoxia, a smile appeared on her face. She wanted to pick Xiaoxia up, but she simply couldn't lift her.

Little Xia asked in confusion, "Mother, has Xia'er grown stronger?"

The second sister smiled and patted her head, then kissed her cheek: "Yes, Mom's little Xia'er has grown up and gotten strong. Mom can't carry her anymore."

Xiaoxia shook her head: "But Auntie can still hold Xiaoxia. It's just that Mommy is too thin, so she can't hold her. Mommy needs to eat more and grow strong."

The second sister nodded: "Okay, Mother promises Xiaoxia."

When Feng Zizhou heard that Si Muyan had come, he followed. Knowing that the two sisters had something to say, he picked up Xiaoxia and said, "Xiaoxia, your aunt and mother have something to say. How about your uncle takes you to find someone else?"

Xiaoxia was initially reluctant, as she hadn't seen her mother in a long time. However, upon seeing the small, short blade in Feng Zizhou's hand, she couldn't resist taking it to play with.

Feng Zizhou chuckled: "I can't let you play with this one, it's sharpened and will hurt you. But your uncle knows where there are unsharpened ones, your uncle will take you there."

He carried Xiaoxia to Prince Ning.

Prince Ning was extremely busy. He spent the morning handling government affairs in the palace and the afternoon coming to the Dali Temple. He was quite tired.

Upon hearing that Feng Zizhou had come in, his attitude turned sour: "Have you dealt with those cases that were submitted from the Northeast last year? Feng Zizhou, you're an adult now, you can't leave all the heavy responsibilities of the Dali Temple on my shoulders!"

"Alright, I'll take a half-day off today."

Prince Ning was even more displeased.

But then a childish voice said, "Your Highness, you must know how to balance work and rest."

Prince Ning was taken aback, then looked up with delight in his eyes. He quickly got up and walked over, reaching out to take Xiaoxia'er in his arms.

Xiaoxia didn't know he was her father, but she liked him very much every time he came to the village.

"Xia'er, what brings you here? Did your aunt bring you? Have you seen your mother yet?"

"Hmm." Xiaoxia nodded, pointing to Feng Zizhou's short blade, "Your Highness, my uncle said you have such a short blade that won't hurt anyone. Can I play with it?"

Prince Ning looked at Feng Zizhou. Where would he get any? He did have a few short blades, but they were all sharpened. How could he give them to a child to play with?

However, Feng Zizhou shrugged and remained silent, saying in colloquial language: "I've brought the child to you; figure it out yourself."

Prince Ning shook his head helplessly and said, "Yes, I have it, but... I don't have it with me. How about this, I'll take Xiaoxia to get it?"

"Okay, okay."

Prince Ning carried Xiaoxia out on horseback. Looking at the bustling market street, Xiaoxia danced with joy. Back on the estate, it was never this lively.

You should know that Prince Ning has always been impartial and incorruptible. He only goes about official business. He has never been seen strolling around the streets. That was only a few years ago, when he was forced to do so by the late emperor or the eldest princess.

The guards accompanying Prince Ning were somewhat speechless and exchanged hushed conversations.

"I told you, our prince's feelings for Princess Xintong are special. It's a case of loving the house because of the house; he likes Princess Xintong and by extension, he likes her daughter."

"You know what, I don't think the Prince and Princess Xintong's daughter look somewhat alike?"

"Haha, isn't it obvious!"

Ah Song listened to their discussion from the side, and when he heard the last sentence, he couldn't help but prick up his ears.

These guys finally got smart for once and figured it out! Si Yunxia is the prince's biological daughter!

"Isn't it obvious? They should be a family. Princess Xintong's daughter looks just like our Prince!"

Ah Song almost spat out a mouthful of blood.

Forget it, these roughnecks, expecting them to figure anything out is harder than climbing to heaven.

He's different. He knows the inside story, he knows that Xiaoxia'er is his own prince's daughter, hehe.

He needs to buy more things to appease this young master!