Allure of a Country Maiden
Chapter 848 - 846_1

Chapter 848: Chapter 846_1

Besides fishing, Xiao’er spent every day on the boat, interacting with the soldiers in various ways, living a carefree and happy life.

After spending a lot of time with Xiao’er, the soldiers realized how down-to-earth the Princess was. She was open-minded and didn’t get angry at jokes. Moreover, she was highly skilled and knowledgeable!

From fishing to shooting birds with a bow, from eating and health care to farming and business, astronomy and geography, military strategy and poetry, as long as they asked her for advice, her insights would always convince them.

No wonder Prince Rui cherished Princess Rui so much, the soldiers all felt a bit of "If one has a wife like this, what more could a husband ask for?"

In a blink of an eye, half a month had passed.

When the Emperor received Shangguan Xuanyi’s secret report, he was furious!

First of all, the actions of the prefect of Nanyue Prefecture and the county magistrate of Zhenyang County had already incensed him!

Furthermore, the second Prince of Nangong Country dared to openly abduct his daughter-in-law under his throne?!

This was outright contempt for him as the monarch of a country!

This was a blatant challenge to the authority and dignity of his dynasty!

This matter definitely could not be ignored. Nangong Country must pay the price.

Shangguan Xuanyi mentioned in the secret report that he wanted to seek justice for himself; the Emperor had always trusted his son and daughter-in-law in handling matters, so he agreed.

The furious Emperor quickly issued an imperial edict and several secret orders...

Soon, the whole Minze Country had posted imperial notices to arrest Sun Liang and his accomplices.

The Emperor also dispatched an envoy to thoroughly investigate the corruption, abuse of power and treason of the Prefect of Nanyue Prefecture and the county magistrate of Zhenyang County!

Since such a thing had happened in Shangguan Xuanhao’s fief, the Emperor ordered him to investigate and deal with the matter. After all, he was usually free, either teasing his son or growing herbs. He didn’t even know about the big incident in Zhenyang County!

What kind of Prince was he?! He still wanted to stay in the Imperial Capital and tease his son, forget about it!

He and Empress could take care of his grandson!

It was extremely unfair for Shangguan Xuanhao; he hadn’t even taken over the fief, could he be blamed for the incident in Zhanyang County?

He hadn’t even blamed the Emperor for choosing such a bad place for him as a fief!

His family of three had been waiting to live off the meager income from this fief!

Now there was this incident, it was like adding frost to snow, such a mess, how was he supposed to clean it up?!

How much time would he have to waste to manage this mess?!

If this goes on, would he still be able to study medicine and teach his wife and child?

Every Prince had a fief, which was still a part of the national territory, but the Prince had administrative and personnel appointment powers in his fief and could have his own armed forces.

Therefore, the Emperor didn’t bother with the Zhenyang County issue anymore, he gave it all to Shangguan Xuanhao to take care of it.

This son of his is living a more free and easy life than his father!

In the main hall, Shangguan Xuanhao looked at everyone and said, "Does anyone have a suitable candidate for the position of Prefect of Nanyue Prefecture?"

The officials in the fief also needed to be rotated every few years. Now there were several vacancies in Nanyue Prefecture, and many officials wanted to secure a good path for their family’s younger generation.

Among them, the position of the Prefect of Nanyue was the most popular, because it was a fourth-rank vacancy.

If they were transferred back to the Imperial Capital after a few years, the rank of fourth-rank would surely stay, they might even be promoted to third-rank. This was a good thing that even a lantern couldn’t find, since it was difficult to be promoted from fourth-rank to third-rank.

Therefore, everyone used their eloquence to glorify their family members.

Shangguan Xuanhao had the eunuch keep a record, and he would choose who to appoint as prefect from it.

Then there were the local magistrate, the commander...

Everyone was arguing fiercely.

When Shangguan Xuanhao mentioned Zhenyang County, everyone shut their mouths.

That place was full of holes and unproductive! Sun Liang had made it miasma-ridden! Who would want to manage it? Such a mess, who could guarantee that they could clean it up? If they couldn’t, wouldn’t they always be a seventh-rank official?

Moreover, it was said that there were frequent pirate raids there. What if they lost their lives due to carelessness?

The ministers who had family members who passed the imperial examination this year backed away even more!

Shangguan Xuanhao, seeing everyone’s silence and refusal to answer, was furious: "What’s wrong? When there were vacancies for the prefect, local magistrate, and commander, weren’t you clamoring and arguing? Why are all of you silent now? Have you all become mute? Minister of Personnel Affairs! What do you say?"

The Minister of Personnel Affairs, who was called out, felt very uncomfortable. He stepped forward and said, "Your Majesty, Prince Xian, the position of county magistrate of Zhenyang County is not for those who are not exceptionally capable! Most of this year’s imperial examination candidates are too young, I am afraid they cannot handle it, I dare not lightly recommend."

How could he say, recommending anyone was a way of offending people!

"Just now, didn’t all the officials praise their prodigies to the skies? I heard quite a few with outstanding talents. Why don’t you dare to recommend them now?"

The Minister of Personnel was sweating profusely.

At this time, Shen Chengyao stepped forward: "Your Majesty, Prince Xian, I boldly wish to recommend someone."

When Shangguan Xuanhao saw Marquis Shengping stepping forward, his eyes brightened!

If Shen Jingrui could become the magistrate of Zhenyang County, he would certainly be able to rest easy!

Shen Jingrui was the older brother of Xiao’er, the only triple top-scorer in history; he was certainly not incompetent!

Even if he couldn’t manage well, Xiao’er was talented! Seeing her older brother helpless, could she not help?

Even if Xiao’er couldn’t help (although the probability of this was only one in ten thousand), the sixth prince couldn’t just stand by and watch!

In conclusion, Shen Jingrui was the perfect person to become the magistrate of Zhenyang County. This way, he could focus on studying medicine, enjoying his wife and children!

The Emperor also guessed that Marquis Shengping wanted to recommend Jingrui, but he asked anyway: "I wonder who Marquis Shengping wants to recommend?"

Several officials looked nervously at Shangguan Xuanyi, hoping that he wouldn’t recommend one of their own people! If he did, they couldn’t guarantee that they wouldn’t send someone to dig up his ancestral tomb.

"My son mentioned to me yesterday that he wanted to go to Zhenyang County for some experience, so today I am boldly begging the Emperor and Prince Xian!"

"Haha, good, indeed there are always talented people in the country! It’s rare that at his young age, he has this courage and momentum! I knew I wasn’t wrong about him!"

The other officials looked at Shen Chengyao and thought that he and his son must have been hit by a door!

Jingrui is currently a compiler at the Hanlin Academy, which is a stepping stone for future entry into the cabinet. So many people would break their heads to get in, but he gave it up easily!

Both father and son must have been hit by a door!

But this was also a good thing. Now that Shen Jingrui was going to Zhenyang County, their people didn’t have to go! Moreover, there was another vacancy in the Hanlin Academy!