Allure of a Country Maiden
Chapter 789 - 787

Chapter 789: Chapter 787

Shangguan Wanru asked Xiao’er why she had come today. With it being year-end and coinciding with the emperor’s birthday, she knew Xiao’er would have been busy.

"I’ve been fairly busy lately, with no time to catch up with you. Today, I’ve finally gotten most things done, so I made a point of coming to spend time with you. Besides, I brought some pills for the Crown Princess."

The maid behind Shangguan Wanru paused in adding tea when she heard these words, yet she inconspicuously filled the teapot and retreated behind Shangguan Wanru.

"What happened to your sister-in-law?" Shangguan Wanru found this odd - hadn’t her illness been cured?

During their maidenhood, she and Du Yijin didn’t interact much. After Shangguan Wanru married and fell ill, she kept her distance from Du Yijin so as not to disturb her recovery. While they were not close, Shangguan Wanru was aware that Du Yijin had recovered from her illness.

"Your sister-in-law had a hard life growing up, and her body was frail to begin with. Recently, she has caught colds twice, weakening her further. Women are particularly susceptible to cold, and the imperial doctor can’t do anything about it. So, I brought her some pills to strengthen her body." Xiao’er initially wanted to simply say that Du Yijin had a minor case of ’gynopathy’ that could easily be cured with some adjustment, but when she saw the maid freeze upon hearing the word ’pills’, she deliberately exaggerated the issue.

"Is it that serious? Thank goodness for you. Without you, our family could have lost its lineage! You’re just as kind-hearted as before." Shangguan Wanru had absolute faith in Xiao’er’s pills.

"Friends help each other, and we’re practically family now," Xiao’er responded nonchalantly.

Shangguan Wanru nodded.

"Didn’t the Crown Prince of Nangong Country come back with you this time?"

"No, the Emperor’s illness is severe, so he must stay by his side." Had it not been for the desire to help her husband, she too wouldn’t have been able to return.

"So you’re returning to Nangong Country after the Longevity Festival?"

"Indeed!" Although Shangguan Wanru was reluctant to leave her parents, she was also worried about Gong Zixuan.

The maid suddenly had a thought. Despite the presumption, she still spoke up, "Crown Princess, I have something to say, but I’m not sure if I should."

Upon hearing this, Xiao’er briefly glanced at the maid, then casually withdrew her gaze and picked up her teacup to take a sip.

If Shangguan Wanru hadn’t been so impolite in front of her own family, she wouldn’t have noticed her. Without sparing her a glance, Shangguan Wanru said, "If you’re unsure whether it’s appropriate to say, then don’t say it!"

"But this matter is of the utmost importance. It concerns the Crown Prince." The maid fell silent after saying this.

A cold glint flashed in Xiao’er’s eyes.

"Stop beating around the bush! Just tell me if there’s something!" Since it concerned Gong Zixuan, Shangguan Wanru indeed took it seriously.

The maid glanced at Xiao’er before saying, "I heard that the Crown Prince’s life was saved by the pills gifted by Princess Rui. I wonder if Princess Rui could give another bottle of pills to the Crown Princess, so she could give them to the Emperor. If the Emperor’s health improves, he will certainly be touched by the Crown Prince’s filial piety."

At these words, Xiao’er smiled coyly, "I don’t even know what illness your Emperor has. How can I casually present him with drugs?"

"Aren’t Princess Rui’s pills a cure-all?" the maid retorted, looking directly at Xiao’er.

Shangguan Wanru would be lying if she claimed that she wasn’t tempted by the maid’s suggestion. The Emperor didn’t particularly value the Crown Prince. If she could get the pills and he improved, the Emperor would surely see the Crown Prince in a new light. However, such pills must be expensive, so she found it difficult to ask Xiao’er for them.

"You’re a maid, and you are worrying about too much! Fine, you can leave now! We don’t need your services here! Xiao’er, please don’t mind my maid’s prying."

Xiao’er shook her head and gave Shangguan Wanru an apologetic look, "It’s fine, only, I only have one of those pills left. I was planning to save it for myself, to guard my life when I have a child. I can’t give any more away. The pill was given to me by my master. He said I could give it to others, but I must save one for myself. So, sorry."

People from Nangong Country were really eying her pills!

Shangguan Wanru responded with embarrassment, "It’s fine, my maid’s words have put you in an awkward position. The truth is the Emperor is recovering day by day after taking the medicines prescribed by the imperial doctor."

When Xiao’er heard this, she nodded.

The two continued talking about other matters, but Shangguan Wanru has yet to recover from the pain of losing her child, her mood was low.

Seeing this, Xiao’er politely excused herself using some pretext.

...

For the Emperor’s birthday, envoys from Eastern Jin Dynasty, Nangong Country and even distant Korea had arrived.

Having not visited for several years, they were all astounded at the transformation of Minze Country.

There were more bridges, roads, and new houses. Most importantly, walking on the streets, they saw more smiles on the faces of the population, signaling prosperity and contentment. All these changes meant that the population was content and the Imperial Court was popular!

Each envoy marveled at these changes, realizing that Minze Country has far surpassed their own nations.

And the zoo, and the large circus, how and where did they get so many animals? How did they tame those ferocious animals? How did they train the animals to perform in coordination with humans?

During the palace banquet, foreign envoys lost interest in the fascinating performances.

They all sought to have their burning questions answered by the Emperor.

...

"Your Majesty, how can your country build roads so quickly? It has certainly widened my horizons this year! When a carriage moves on these roads, it is smooth with no bumps."

Building roads requires money as well as human and material resources. How many silver coins would it take to build so many roads and bridges? How did Minze Country, which used to be poor, suddenly become rich?

The Emperor was in high spirits today. Seeing the envoys from other countries showering praises on his nation, he felt his vanity greatly satisfied.

"The majority of these roads were voluntarily built by our common people. Any household contributing money or labor to road construction is exempt from toll fees for that particular stretch of the road! Provide a laborer, and the entire family is exempt from the toll fee. Our people were eager to contribute to road building. Moreover, now, anyone who commits a crime is not held idle in jail wasting food. Instead, they are made to..." The Emperor went on and on about some basic national policies, which weren’t secret but unbeknownst to foreign envoys.

Everyone commended the Emperor’s wisdom.

The power of one person, or one household, is limited. But when households throughout the country participate in road construction, the collective force is immeasurable!

Over the years, not only were main official roads built in all towns and counties, but some wealthy villages even completed construction of all village roads! Every family lived in a new house. Of course, such villages were few, but they did exist.

If envoys sent on missions to Minze Country in the past seemed arrogant, they certainly didn’t feel superior any longer.

Now, it was the turn of Minze Country’s envoys to strut when visiting other countries, full of pride and triumph.

The palace banquet lasted late into the night. The Emperor spoke until his mouth felt dry, and smiled until his face ached!

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