After handing over his duties at the Ministry of Rites, Sun Shaozong had also received ten days of regular leave. He first dealt with all the urgent matters one by one, then simply shut his doors to visitors for the remaining days and took his children and "nephew" out sightseeing.
Unlike the rapid changes of later generations, a mere half-year's absence had left almost no trace on the capital.
Of course, that was also because the old noble families had flocked to build gardens in previous years, greatly draining their spending power. With their purses empty, they still had to keep up appearances, leaving them unable to undertake any more grand projects.
As for the newly risen powerful families of recent years, either they had yet to complete their primitive accumulation, or their clan roots remained in their hometowns. With only three or five scattered servants around them, even if they made some moves, they were hardly conspicuous.
The only visible change was probably in the Taoist temples.
Because His Majesty favored Taoists and alchemists, others followed suit. Nearly every Taoist temple had made a fortune. Even if they lacked the means to build a new religious site from nothing like Tianshi Mansion, they could at least afford repairs and renovations.
As the saying went, "Clothes make the man, gold makes the Buddha." Once the Three Pure Ones were coated in gold powder, they too looked radiant and impressive.
And with Consort De having safely given birth to a Dragon Son just days ago, it was practically another live advertisement for the Taoists. Naturally, foolish men and women flocked to them.
Nearly every Taoist temple was packed to the brim, and almost half the visitors had come to pray for children.
The Taoists naturally would not miss such a heaven-sent