Allure of a Country Maiden
Chapter 954 - 952_1

Chapter 954: Chapter 952_1

Under the same sky, there are always those who rejoice and those who grieve. As Nangong Country was in the middle of its 81-day mourning period, almost the entire Minze Country was in a state of jubilation!

About the Wanli Shitang earthquake, only a few people were slightly injured in Nanyue Prefecture, but no one lost their lives due to the earthquake. Jingrui drafted a memorial to report to the Emperor, and Shangguan Xuanyi sent a message back via Pigeon Post, of course, he also mentioned the construction matters of Wanli Shitang and Zhan’er Island.

In the Imperial City, within the Imperial Palace, upon receiving the news from Shangguan Xuanyi, the Emperor exclaimed in cheer during the morning court session: "Good, good, good! Haha..."

Initially, he was annoyed at Shangguan Xuanyi for not coming back to the Imperial Capital, but now he had no resentment left. He even regretted delegating so much work to him, what if it caused him to overwork!

All the ministers in the Imperial Court bore smiles upon hearing the news. They all worked for the Imperial Court, a collective family. Only when the court was doing well could they thrive; they all sought favor from the Emperor, only when the Emperor is pleased would their lives improve!

The overjoyed Emperor waved his hand: "Let’s have a banquet in the palace to celebrate, and in the spirit of nationwide jubilation, there will be a 10% tax reduction for next year."

At the banquet, all the officials told the Emperor what he wanted to hear.

"The Emperor cares for the people, reducing taxes by 10%, sharing joy with the citizens, the entire country must be over the moon now!"

"If it were not for the Emperor’s compassion for the world, which touched the Heavens, how could we have managed to keep the people safe in the face of natural disaster?"

"Not only were the people unharmed, but we also seized the opportunity and occupied Wanli Shitang first! The southern border is secure in the future!"

Hearing everyone’s praises, the Emperor joyfully responded: "All the credit goes to the eldest son of Marquis Shengping, he saw the abnormal weather in those days and suspected a disaster, then Prince Rui and Princess Rui also noticed the unusual behavior of the animals and suspected there might be an earthquake. With their timely precautions and astute observations, we were able to avoid the disaster! Good! Haha! They are truly exemplary!"

Shen Chengyao immediately stepped forward, modestly bowed and said, "This is what duty calls for, an official should always care for the people."

The other officials looked at Shen Chengyao. They couldn’t help feeling envious, why was there such a gap between the sons they had and those of others!

Others’ sons became the top scorer in the examination, becoming a Magistrate, amassing great achievements all within a year of their appointment!

In a few years’ time, wouldn’t his rank rise as swiftly as one being lifted up in a carriage!

"Haha, excellent! ’Duty calls for it’, ’An official should always care for the people!’ Reward, I shall grant a substantial reward!" The Emperor was so delighted that he invited the ministers to drink with him, one cup after another.

Many people didn’t understand why the Emperor was so delighted, thinking it was because Wanli Shitang expanded their national territory and they had managed to seize it first. But what made the Emperor happy was not merely the expansion of Wanli Shitang, but the fact that amidst the powerful natural disaster, only a few people in the entire Nanyue Prefecture suffered minor injuries and there were no casualties.

As an emperor, despite his constant complaints about being trapped in a golden cage, he is diligent and cares for his people. He earnestly hopes that the Minze dynasty will last for thousands of generations, never to perish.

He deeply understands a principle: the ruler is the ship, the people the water; water can carry the ship, but also capsize it.

Hence, for a dynasty to enjoy long-term peace and stability, the most fundamental thing is to win the hearts of the people.

When the people are content and happy, the ocean remains calm and the ship sails steadily.

When the people are panicked and resentful, the ocean turns turbulent, the ship sways, and a big wave can overturn it at any time!

What made him happy was that, step by step, his people were starting to live peaceful and productive lives, their sense of security gradually stabilizing! What reason he had to rejoice was that, during his lifetime, he would be able to guide all his subjects to improve their lives step by step, leading the entire dynasty to prosper and grow stronger!

During these days of nationwide celebration, the Emperor got drunk and lay on the dragon bed, holding the Empress’s hand and passionately sharing his theory of monarchs with her!

The Empress, having heard so much that calluses formed in her ears, could only keep nodding in agreement!

"After I’m gone a hundred years from now, I will be able to face our ancestors with pride! Even though this kingdom wasn’t something I built. It has indeed grown stronger in my hands!"

While helping him cleanse his body, the Empress nodded, "Yes, the Emperor is the most remarkable!"

Despite agreeing outwardly, the Empress thought to herself: these achievements seem to be due to her son and daughter-in-law! Therefore, she was the real powerhouse, for giving birth to a great son and choosing an outstanding daughter-in-law!

"As the saying goes: it is easier to conquer a kingdom than to keep it! When I took over this molten hot realm, it was riddled with holes! The national treasury was empty, floods and droughts plagued the lands at every turn, Xiyue Country was looking at us with hungry eyes, and pirates often causing trouble. All these adversities were enough to turn my hair white early!"

"Pfft!" The Empress couldn’t help but laugh at the thought of the Emperor’s white-haired image.

In his drunken haze, the Emperor asked, "Did I say something wrong?"

"Not at all, the Emperor was absolutely right!" The Empress quickly suppressed her laughter.

The Emperor was satisfied and continued, "Fortunately, every year when I pray to the heavens, I ask for a well-regulated weather and a happy life for the people! Finally, the heavens heard my pleas! Ha ha...Oh yes, the New Year is coming soon. During the New Year prayer, I should continue to pray for my subjects to enjoy living in peace and harmony!" Saying this, the Emperor finally fell asleep.

The Empress sighed with relief. Every time the Emperor got drunk, he would get very chatty, keeping you up for about four hours!

She was exhausted!

The Empress yawned and lay down as well.

Not long after the Empress had fallen asleep, a maid came to report that the wife of Prince An requested an audience with her.

The Emperor, having drank too much, was sound asleep. The Empress, with the assistance of her maids, got dressed and stepped outside to meet her.

The two sisters-in-law had a close relationship privately, so the Empress knew that if her sister-in-law didn’t have an urgent matter, she would never call on her at this late hour. Therefore the Empress hurried out to see her, her hair still uncombed.

As soon as she saw the Empress, the wife of Prince An hastily bowed and then relayed the situation.

Hearing this, the Empress was taken aback and instinctively asked, "What about Wanru and her newborn child? Her baby was just born not long ago, right? As for the Nangong Emperor, it does not matter since he is old, but what about her child, Zixuan...? He shouldn’t have! As the Crown Prince, how could he personally intervene to save people! What were the guards and protectors doing!"

Just a while ago, she had sent gifts over for the birth and the full month anniversary of Shangguan Wanru’s child, and it had not been long since the gifts reached them!

How did such dreadful news come so quickly!

"Exactly, there’s more to this matter than meets the eye! I fear Wanru and the child are in danger, so I want to ask Ruixi to bring them back here."

Upon hearing this, the Empress nodded: "That’s only right. Wanru is a princess of our Minze Country. We cannot let her be arbitrarily bullied by the people of Nangong Country! We need to demand an explanation from them! This was such a fine Crown Prince, how can he be gone all of a sudden!"

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