"With these words from you, even being skinned, cut, or crushed to pieces would be worthwhile." Xiao Huayong's heart leaped with irrepressible joy, and unable to contain his excitement, he pulled her into his embrace, holding her tightly.
He feared nothing—not her aloof indifference, not her rational decisiveness, not her weighing of gains and losses. The only thing he feared was her indifference or her choosing to evade even when moved.
Fortunately, she could perceive his affection, and being a bold and forthright person, she neither denied nor avoided it once she felt it. To him, this was already a tremendous response, giving him the courage to press forward fearlessly, undaunted by hardships.
As autumn leaves began to fall and brilliant lotuses dazzled the eye, their gentle, lingering embrace was cast in dappled shadows amid the flowers and foliage.
The following morning was the court assembly, which even Xiao Huayong did not miss. Apart from routine matters, the primary focus was the drought in Dengzhou. Fortunately, the civil unrest there had been easily quelled because the people had received grain rations, though this was only temporary.
Anyone could see that if the drought in Dengzhou persisted, unrest would inevitably erupt again. The next outbreak would not be so easily suppressed, and the court lacked sufficient grain to pacify the people once more—this distribution had already depleted over half of the state reserves.
After lengthy deliberations with his ministers, the Youning Emperor found most still advocating for raising grain from the populace, which would require funds from the state treasury. Other court officials suggested that His Majesty take the lead in organizing donations, thereby inspiring wealthy gentry across the land to contribute. Through small accumulations, even if the drought in Dengzhou continued all year, the people could survive the crisis. Once taxes were collected from various regions the following year, the state treasury would naturally be replenished.
These proposals were met with agreement and approval from most ministers, though many also voiced opposition. Organizing donations locally would inevitably lead to some embezzling public funds for private gain, exploiting the disaster and the Emperor’s name to extort the gentry and wealthy households. If mishandled, countless benevolent families could be ruined.
Precedents for such situations existed in previous dynasties and even earlier. As the factions argued incessantly, the Youning Emperor watched expressionlessly. Only after they had exhausted their disputes did he have Liu Sanzhi announce the adjournment of the court. No sooner had Liu Sanzhi spoken than Prince Xin, Xiao Changqing, stepped forward: "Your Majesty, regarding the drought in Dengzhou, your son has a matter to report."
The Youning Emperor, who had been about to rise, sat back down. "Speak."
"During the reign of Emperor Taizong, there was also a severe drought. After he granted amnesty to the Imperial Harem, Heaven-sent sweet rain followed," Xiao Changqing said, stepping to the center and bowing. "Last night, perhaps due to my preoccupation, I dreamed of a wise man who advised that if Your Majesty emulates Emperor Taizong, it might bring rain to Dengzhou."
Xiao Changqing’s words were like a drop of water splashing into hot oil—instantly causing an uproar. Every courtier in the hall stared at him as if they had seen a ghost.
Amnesty for the Imperial Harem? Did Prince Xin even know what he was saying?
At this critical juncture, granting amnesty to the Imperial Harem—whether releasing certain individuals or appointing new ones—would inevitably involve Shen Xihe, who had already received the imperial edict to assume palace authority. Given Shen Xihe’s skill and assertiveness, who could plant their own people under her watch? Wouldn’t this mean the entire Imperial Harem would fall into Shen Xihe’s hands?
Shen Xihe had just seized the power of the Imperial Harem from Xiao Changqing’s birth mother. How could Xiao Changqing now turn around and help Shen Xihe?
Not just help—but help her outright and completely!Those with impure thoughts couldn't help casting peculiar glances at Xiao Huayong—the only person besides His Majesty still seated—wondering inwardly how they had never heard before of Prince Xin being close to the Crown Princess. If not bewitched by feminine charms, how could someone as shrewd as Prince Xin openly side with Shen Xihe at such a time?
"Granting amnesty to the Imperial Harem and heaven-sent sweet rain—how can you be certain?" The Youning Emperor's expression turned cold.
Having suffered two major setbacks at Shen Xihe's hands—the uprooting of his northwestern spies and the execution of the An family—the Emperor was least willing to hear anything related to Shen Xihe or anyone aligning with the Eastern Palace. He had grown deeply wary of her.
The various factions in the Imperial Harem had maintained a delicate balance. Having ruled the empire for so many years, the Rong clan had always pleased him immensely, never deceiving him in the slightest. Over these years, the harem had been managed in an orderly fashion. Though he couldn't identify every individual, he had a clear understanding of most people's allegiances through the Rong clan's reports,
and even for those he was uncertain about, he could make educated guesses. If Shen Xihe were allowed to purge the harem, he wouldn't dare enter it again!
During this temporary palace stay, Shen Xihe had managed to eliminate the An family so smoothly precisely because he only visited the temporary palace once every few years, and its personnel weren't under his full control, allowing her to exploit this loophole. How could he let the Imperial Harem become a second temporary palace?
"Your Majesty, since Your Majesty's ascension, the Imperial Harem has not released any personnel for twenty years, yet annual selections have never ceased. The Side Court Palace has accumulated heavy yin energy, much like the great drought during Emperor Taizong's reign a century ago. Although I cannot be certain, I believe we should not disregard our ancestors' wisdom. Releasing palace women would accumulate virtuous merits. Why not give it a try, Your Majesty?" Xiao Changqing argued logically and methodically.
Yet he faced rebuttals from the court officials, particularly the major noble families who had their own people in the palace. A general amnesty in the harem would directly harm their interests, as they didn't want to become blind and deaf to palace affairs thereafter.
"Have you seen the court officials' stance?" The Youning Emperor scrutinized Xiao Changqing.
"Your Majesty, I have no selfish motives in this proposal. I only wish to share Your Majesty's burdens and seek benefits for the suffering people." Xiao Changqing lifted his robes and knelt, straightening his back. "I beg Your Majesty to consider it."
For a moment, the Youning Emperor couldn't decipher what scheme Xiao Changqing was brewing. Based on current evidence, it seemed this fine son of his had secretly fueled the Dengzhou rebellion, though lacking conclusive proof, he hadn't pressed the matter.
He never expected Xiao Changqing to now perform this act of solving crises. By leaking the Imperial Observatory's predicted rainfall dates and stirring public anger, aside from accidentally destroying the Eighth Prince's jade-in-casket scheme, he had only succeeded in tarnishing the Emperor's reputation.
How could someone who secretly relished chaos suddenly transform into someone exhaustively addressing people's sufferings? Was this a hasty attempt to cover up exposed misdeeds, or were there hidden truths behind the Dengzhou rebellion?
"Granting amnesty to the Imperial Harem is a grave matter that cannot be decided lightly." Leaving these words, the Youning Emperor turned and departed.
After seeing off the Emperor, the court officials dispersed. No one expected Xiao Changqing to exit the main hall and kneel once more: "I implore Your Majesty to grant amnesty to the Imperial Harem for the sake of Dengzhou's people."
The gates remained tightly shut with no response, yet Xiao Changqing remained expressionless, kneeling straight as a pine tree.
"Should we add fuel to the fire in Dengzhou?" Shen Xihe asked when Xiao Huayong returned.
Xiao Huayong smiled faintly: "One shouldn't trouble two masters with the same task. Since Fifth Prince has taken this matter up, he will naturally accomplish it."Just as Xiao Changqing had spread the Imperial Observatory's message in Dengzhou, it would be effortless to disseminate his words from today's court session. With just a little fanning of the flames, when the common people heard that granting amnesty to the Imperial Harem could bring rain, they would naturally petition jointly.
The Imperial Harem belongs to the emperor. If the emperor does not grant amnesty to the Imperial Harem, it would be for the sake of indulging in pleasure, disregarding the lives of the people.
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