Riots

Ming Hui corrected her expression and nodded at the eunuch. She then turned her head towards her guests.

"The party ends here. I thank you all for coming here and participate in the training."

The girls refused to accept her thanks. Instead, they bowed back to her saying that they were happy to do anything for the princess and so on. Jun Hua only followed along as she didn't really understand what was going on and was further confused by the sudden turn of events.

Normally, a girl was forbidden to attend the court but as it turned out, the emperor was allowing Ming Hui to do so. She never heard that Ming Hui got special treatment. Maybe, the incident that happened was something that the emperor could not hold back anymore.

Ming Hui walked towards the hall gracefully. There were already several ministers present, along with the emperor and empress who were sitting up above. The glint on Ming Hui's eyes quickly disappeared as she bowed towards the emperor.

"This subject daughter greets the emperor and empress."

Emperor quickly waved his hand indicating that she could rise. Ming Hui hurriedly retreated to the side and she saw Yan who was also among the princes present. Didn't he get grounded? The emperor had never been this lenient before.

Not long after that, a few other ministers also arrived including Lin Tang and Nanglong Souka. Seeing their solemn faces, Ming Hui realized that something must have happened.

With the emperor's order, a eunuch stood forward to announce what the news was.

"There are a few riots on the capital which destroyed a few stores. Among those stores, some of them are owned by the imperial family. Then this sequence of riots is followed by another big riot in a big city nearby. The problem is this city has just been brought by Young Noble Han and he wants the emperor to clear this matter swiftly."

Ming Hui smiled internally. She and Yan had been planning to make some problems for the emperor. It seemed the trouble they incited finally escalates. Now she knew why she was called here. One of the stores that got destroyed must be hers.

Yan put a solemn face, yet he was smiling internally. The emperor thus decreed that they were not allowed to go back until this problem was solved. Yan sighed, 'This is going to be another boring court session.'

…

Jun Hua returned to Jun family residence first. She went to see her grandfather who was busy shuffling through a mountain of papers. Internally, Jun Hua felt troubled when she saw that stack of papers. How long would it take to read all of them?

"Hua'er, you have returned?"

Jun Hua nodded. "The party is over. There was some emergency meeting that required the entire imperial family member to attend."

"It is as expected. There are riots everywhere."

"Riots?" Jun Hua's brows creased. "I guess it must be a big one. What have happened?"

"Some nobles are unsatisfied with what they have and wanting to have more, probably. The Jun family cannot interfere. The emperor is hell bent to use the Lan family," Jun Zhenxian explained. He didn't really bother with the regulation since he knew what the emperor's motives were. Besides, the riots this time seemed a bit complicated.

The people were aware that the politics condition was a bit stiff, but they still executed the riot. He was sure that someone must have incited them to take action at this time and possibly gave them the equipment. Since the emperor told him not to bother, he would not bother to offer any help.

Jun Hua nodded. "He must want to restore their prestige over losing that matter before. Grandpa, when will uncle return to the capital?"

"Soon."

"How soon is it?"

Jun Zhenxian smiled bitterly. "I myself don't really know about it. There is no way he could leave the border without any protection."

"Just ask Yamin and the others to stand guard, they're going to be alright."

"Do you miss your uncle that badly?"

Jun Hua laughed. "I do miss him."

"What about your grandfather? I'm staying in the capital the whole time!"

"I am already staying with you often enough. I want to see my uncle more."

"You lass!" Jun Zhenxian chided. He quickly changed the topic. "Anyway, have you heard the news from the Lin family? Their first daughter is going to be married in two months."

"Two months?" Jun Hua raised her eyebrows. "Is Lin Yuan not going to participate at the year-end exams? It's still in 2 and half months."

"Who knows what they are planning? Their first daughter is already fifteen, so it's going to be alright."

"To whom is she going to be married?"

"I forgot the name," Jun Zhenxian answered. He only remembered that the family they have chosen was a good one. They were not fairly influential, but they have good reputation.

Jun Hua thought that this news must be good for Lin Yuan. What that girl needed to do was to avoid the schemes of Lin San and prepare for her marriage. With the date of her marriage approaching, Lin Yuan also wouldn't go to the school anymore.

Jun Hua chatted with her grandfather for a while before heading back to the Lin family residence. She didn't have anything to do here and she wanted to see how Concubine Sie fared in the span of three weeks.

Arriving at the Lin family residence, she could see that Concubine Sie was still in charged, but the appearance of that woman was a bit haggard. It seemed she had been reducing her sleep to do her job fully so that Chun Maora would not pick on her.

"Third Sister," Lin Yuan smiled. "Where have you been?"

"I visited my Grandfather first. Is your mother alright?" Jun Hua looked over worriedly.

Lin Yuan nodded. "She's fine, at least for now. There are some minor troubles but she can handle them most of the time. She's only tired for trying to hold onto this position."

"I see," Jun Hua nodded then she remembered something. "Congratulations for your arranged marriage. I heard you're getting married in 2 months."

Lin Yuan smiled brightly. "You're correct. Thank you."

"I hope your mother will be fine."

"She will. Madam Lin will be busy on another matter for some time," Lin Yuan smiled. It seemed that there was a piece of news she had missed.

"What is it?"

"Concubine Mia is pregnant."

That sentence made Jun Hua's mind go blank.