Chapter 65

Of course, Zhao Meiren was unwilling.

There were so many women in the Eastern Palace. If the Crown Prince were to be monopolized by Xiao Liangdi, what would happen to the other women?

Would they have to live as widows?

Zhao Meiren did not want to be a flower that no one would care for, one that could only wither in solitude. She also wanted to gain the Crown Prince's favor.

She slightly raised her head and asked cautiously, "Sister, what do you think I should do?"

Li Zhefei leaned in close to her ear and whispered a few words.

After hearing them, Zhao Meiren's face showed hesitation.

"Will this really work?"

Li Zhefei smiled lightly, "The Crown Prince's mother is from Chenliu County, and you happen to be from Chenliu County as well. This is a golden opportunity given by heaven, it will definitely work."

Zhao Meiren nodded, "I will give it a try."

Li Zhefei gripped her hand, "You can't just try; you must give it your all. If you fail this time, Xiao Liangdi will definitely seize the opportunity to crush you. In the future, you will only be left to grow old and die in the cold palace."

Zhao Meiren's delicate body trembled slightly.

She pursed her lips, and her tone became resolute.

"I understand."

Li Zhefei generously gave her many things and then said softly, "Sister, go back and prepare well. I await your good news."

Zhao Meiren left the Jinfeng Hall with a heavy heart.

Li Zhefei leaned against the soft couch, looked down at her freshly painted red nails, and said nonchalantly,

"Caiyun, have someone keep an eye on Zhao Meiren. As soon as she makes a move, come and inform me immediately."

"Understood."

...

In today's morning court, the civil and military officials discussed the drought in the south.

Many people expressed that money must be provided for disaster relief.

The officials from the Ministry of Revenue cried and shouted that the treasury was empty, and if they were forced to provide money, they would rather die by crashing their heads against the treasury gates.

The court was in an uproar.

The emperor was suffering from a headache.

At this moment, Luo Qinghan stepped forward and made a suggestion.

"Your son suggests that we excavate a tributary in the middle and lower reaches of the Yi River, diverting the river water into the heart of Jingshou County. With the river water, the people of Jingshou County can be spared the suffering of the drought."

As soon as these words were spoken, the eldest prince, Luo Yechen, mocked him.

"The Crown Prince speaks so easily. Do you think excavating a tributary is like playing house for children? Do you know how much manpower, resources, and time it will take to dig a tributary? By the time you finish digging, the people in the south will probably have already died of thirst!"

Luo Qinghan replied calmly, "I have already investigated. The Yi River is right next to Jingshou County, and there is a natural ravine in between. We just need to dig an opening in the middle and lower reaches of the Yi River and find a way to divert the river water into the ravine. The river water will then flow downstream into the heart of Jingshou County. This way, we won't need to spend much manpower or time to create a tributary for Jingshou County."

Luo Yechen didn't expect it to be done this way. He wanted to argue but couldn't find the words, so he could only turn away angrily and refuse to look at the Crown Prince.

At this moment, the second prince, Luo Yunxuan, spoke calmly, his tone much more peaceful than his elder brother's.

"The Crown Prince's idea is not bad, but even if it succeeds, it can only save a little more than half of the people in Jingshou County. The people in other areas will still suffer from the drought. The problem of the drought has not been solved."

Luo Qinghan said, "Saving one area is better than doing nothing and watching. It's better to do something."

Luo Yunxuan smiled, "The Crown Prince does have a point."

After careful consideration, the emperor decided to adopt the Crown Prince's suggestion.

As the Crown Prince said, saving one area is better than nothing. The drought in other areas can be addressed later.