Chapter 488
~ WELL-INTENTIONED ~
The Emperor was infuriated that he knelt down on the ground above the golden hall.
“I don’t care how you guys usually fight each other. But now, the natural disaster is here, and the people’s wails are still ringing in my ears. If anyone dares to make a move at this time, I will chop their hands off no matter who it is! Do you understand?”
“This Son (This Subject) understands. Please calm your anger, Your Majesty.”
“The Minister of Revenue shall immediately draft regulations for disaster relief and hand them over in paper form. From today onwards, we shall begin to reduce the number of the proportions and various expenses incurred by the Palace. Except for Grand Princess Yi De, the rest of princes, concubines, and officials shall be reduced according to their rank....”
This court meeting lasted for more than four hours. After Jin Wang and Ling Wang returned to their respective residences, they lost their temper. Then, while ordering the household to reduce the number of proportions and various expenses, they summoned their trusted aides to discuss the following regulations.
However, before they could conclude, Su Jin, who was in the prison of Shuntian Manor, suddenly confessed that she knew the inside story behind the river burst. She said that the river burst was not a natural disaster but that someone in the Capital had deliberately sunk the ship carrying the salt tax silver on the Linjiang River in order to destroy the evidence of the salt tax deficit case. In order to prevent people from going to the river to salvage the shipwreck and the official silver, they secretly blew up the embankment to completely destroyed the evidence.
As soon as this remark came out, Shen Binghuai was so shocked that he broke out in cold sweat. Ignoring that it was already late, he immediately entered the Palace to face the Emperor.
When Jin Wang heard this news, he was furious. He paced back and forth in his study, “Can’t we find a way to shut her up?”
The trusted aid advisor on the side shook his head, “Earlier, the poisoning of Zou Min and Yang Lian in the Ministry of Justice’s prison had angered the Emperor, and he ordered the Ministry of Justice to investigate thoroughly. They didn’t imprison Su Jin in the Ministry of Justice was to prevent others from silencing her. Shuntian Manor was Shen Binghuai’s territory, and he had cleaned it up extremely cleanly. As for Su Jin, this important witness, he would send people to take turns to guard her day and night. Thus, we would not be able to find an opening at all.”
Jin Wang pursed his lips slightly and sighed deeply: “I already knew that t the salt policy in Jiangnan was a huge pit, but I still couldn’t resist the temptation to jump down. Now that I want to climb out, I can only grab hold of other people and pay attention to Ling Wang’s every move. I certainly can’t give him the opportunity to slander me in the presence of Imperial Father! In addition, tell the Governor of Linjiang City to confirm the life and death of Yue Wang personally. Once the news was confirmed, it must be transmitted to me immediately without any delay in the slightest. Furthermore, keep a close eye on Yu Wang, and think of a way to disrupt his disaster relief.”
“Yes, Your Royal Highness.”
Jin Wang took a glass of wine from the small table on one side, put it on his lips, and took a sip. The cold wine fragrance lingered in his mouth, causing him to squint his eyes. “As long as Yu Wang couldn’t provide disaster relief successfully, then I will be able to help Imperial Father share his worries in time and grab this credit. In addition, prepare a generous gift and send them to Grand Princess Yi De’s residence. The Grand Princess greatly doted on Yue Wang, and the life and death of Fourth Imperial Brother is unknown right now. As his Elder Brother, I should help him take care of the elders for him.”
“Yes, this servant will do it right away.”
The Minister of the Civil Service gathered officials with experience in disaster relief to jointly formulate the regulations for disaster relief and then handed them over to the Emperor. After the Emperor finished reading it, he called Yu Wang over and told him in detail for two hours. Only that’s when the Emperor allowed him to set off and rush out of the Capital to Linjiang City.
When Yu Wang was at the Palace, he sent his eunuch to visit Mu Yunyao at Qinfang Garden. He thought she should know the news by now and might have some words or letters she wanted him to bring to Yue Wang. However, when he came out of the Palace, he saw the eunuch who went to inquire but learned that after arriving in Qinfang Garden, he didn’t see Mu Yunyao at all.
Yu Wang thought for a moment, then shook his head slightly. He did not tarry any further, getting on his horse and leading the rest of his men out of the Capital hurriedly.
It took six days to arrange all the arrangements for the disaster relief work done. After entering the Palace, Grand Princess Yi De looked at the tiredness on the Emperor’s face and couldn’t help but gently advise, “Your Majesty’s body is no longer the same as it used to be. You can’t work day and night like this. Isn’t that why you have so many officials under your care so they can share the Emperor’s worries like this time?”
Isn’t it all for the sake of helping the Emperor?”
“Imperial Elder Sister, Junyue’s matter....”
The Grand Princess Yi De turned to look at Xu Li. “Take away the tea at the Emperor’s side and exchange it with some body-nourishing soups.”
“Yes, Your Royal Highness Grand Princess.”
“Your Majesty, I’ve heard of Junyue’s matter. However, this child has the luck of the heavens. I believe that nothing will happen to him.”
The Emperor remained silent for a long time. After Xu Li serves the soup, he slowly retreats.
After a long while, the Emperor finally spoke. His tone was choked with emotions, “Imperial Elder Sister, since we found out about Junyue’s accident, I’ve been worrying about him. If he really is … How should I face the Empress …. Rou’er will definitely blame me. Moreover, I’ve been thinking a lot about it. I finally understood that I shouldn’t have treated him coldly because of the guilt in myheart… How can I be so foolish? How can I face and be worthy of Rou’er....”
Grand Princess Yi De looked at the red-eyed Emperor. The sideburns on both sides already had turned white, and his face was now filled with grief and vexation. He no longer had his usual imperial majesty. The incident with the Empress had dealt a terrific blow to the Emperor. He had to stay in the Palace to recuperate for three months before reluctantly standing up and going to Imperial Court again.
He and the Empress, Wei Rou, were a young couple. No matter how flawed the Emperor was back then, the Empress had always been so devoted to him and had even given up her life for him in the end.…
“Emperor, Rou’er has the most docile personality, and she understands the pain in your heart. Therefore, she won’t blame you.”
“Imperial Elder Sister, after this incident, I realized that I’m really old. If Junyue can return safely this time, I’ll definitely make up for him.”
“Mn, you don’t need to worry. Junyue will definitely return safely, knowing his father is worried.”
The Emperor broke away from his guilty thoughts. Seeing the Grand Princess’s worried expression, he could not help but ask, “Imperial Elder Sister, you’re not looking well either. Are you not feeling well?”
“I’m fine, but Yao’er ….” Grand Princess Yi De sighed deeply. “Yao’er left the Capital and went to Linjiang City to look for Junyue.”
“What?” The Emperor subconsciously frowned, “Back then, I didn’t know Yunyao’s identity. Therefore, I didn’t oppose to the matter between her and Junyue. But now...”
The Grand Princess Yi De sighed. “The Emperor is an experienced man. He should know matters of the heart are the most difficult to control. Just like you and Rou’er...”
When he thought of the Empress, the Emperor’s forehead once again relaxed. However, he still disapproved. “Imperial Elder Sister, but there is a difference in seniority between them.”
“Although they are nominally uncles and nieces, they were actually one point further related in blood than those people who married to their cousins. However, there was some difference in seniority, which made people feel slightly different. Junyue had a hard time when he was young. If he found out the truth of that year one day … Just thinking about it makes me feel sad, so as an aunt, I can’t help but want to love him a little more.” Since Yunyao had already made up her mind, as a Grandmother, I had to think of a way to help her eliminate the biggest obstacle. As long as the Emperor didn’t care about their relationship, the others were not even qualified to interfere.