The Favorite of the Sick and Weak Lady - Chapter 83

After a moment’s thought, Xiao Yu immediately issued an imperial decree.

“That’s a good idea. After all, Li Jun is from an aristocratic family. This will be a good opportunity for him to gain experience, and the Li family won’t have anything to say about it,” Song Luoning said with a gentle smile.

Xiao Yu held her hand tightly: “My wife is right, but Li Jun is still from an aristocratic family…”

She wasn’t too keen on using someone from an aristocratic family, but at the moment, she had no other choice.

The aristocratic families in the capital were deeply entrenched and couldn’t be brought down in a day. This examination also served as a wake-up call for her. Apart from Lin Qingyue, all of the top ten candidates were from aristocratic families, which showed how much these families valued education. If she wanted to select talent from commoner families, establishing schools was imperative.

However, if she acted too rashly, she would surely face opposition and even suppression from the aristocratic families. History was full of such examples.

Being an emperor was truly difficult!

Being an emperor without real power was even more difficult!

Xiao Yu sighed slightly and leaned on Song Luoning’s shoulder.

“Why are you sighing, Your Majesty?” Song Luoning asked softly.

This person had always been optimistic, but now she was worried about these matters. Song Luoning’s heart ached as she looked at her with concern. Her eyes were closed, and her delicate face was filled with fatigue.

Song Luoning felt a little lost and gently stroked her back.

After a long time, a low voice came from her ear: “My wife, I heard that those scholars are causing trouble again. Someone even wrote an article to criticize me, saying that I have no filial piety, am disloyal and unfilial, and am unworthy of being an emperor.”

If the last time it was just the scholars in the capital causing a commotion, now it had become the scholars of the whole country…

Xiao Yu felt disappointed. She had always wanted to be a good emperor, but no one understood her except for her “big sister.”

Upon hearing this, Song Luoning’s heart tightened, and her hand paused before continuing to pat her gently.

She knew how difficult it was for her, especially as an emperor without real power. The common people didn’t understand her, and the court officials made things difficult for her at every turn.

But this country…

Could she really just ignore it?

At this moment, Song Luoning was confused. Growing up by her father’s side, she had been influenced by his words and teachings about working for the welfare of the people. But seeing this rascal in such a difficult situation, she found herself wavering and even thinking of just letting it all go. They could leave the capital and return to Linyang County to live a peaceful life.

How wonderful would it be if that day really came.

Thinking of this, her eyes reddened, and she quickly turned her face away, worried that she might see it.

Fortunately, that person still had her eyes closed and didn’t notice. Song Luoning let out a sigh of relief, curved her lips, and secretly decided that no matter what the outcome, she would stand by her side.

Xiao Yu was not defeated by this matter. After she recovered, she issued another imperial decree, ordering Lin Qingyue to accompany the disaster relief team to Jiangnan to draw a map of the landscape and terrain.

The court’s decision to open granaries and allocate funds was a major one. The national treasury had already been depleted by half due to Xiao Chengan’s extravagance and the subsequent rebellion. Even after confiscating the Prince of Chang’s mansion, it was still difficult to come up with so much money for disaster relief.

Xiao Yu had no choice but to first order people to transport grain and fodder to the disaster areas, and then figure out a plan for the funds later.

According to the memorials submitted by subordinate officials, the north was suffering from a drought, and not much could be collected in taxes. It would also lead to widespread discontent among the people.

Even if taxes were collected, it was not practical. By the time the taxes were collected and sent to Jiangnan, it would take a month, and the disaster victims couldn’t wait that long.

For several days, Xiao Yu couldn’t get a good night’s sleep. As soon as dawn broke, she had to summon her ministers to discuss the matter. The ministers talked a great deal but refused to mention the matter of donating money.

Xiao Yu scanned the officials and knew that it was impossible to get them to contribute money. Her heart sank. How many corrupt officials were among them, whose wealth was even greater than the national treasury’s?

Xiao Yu had the intention of just asking them to contribute some money, but the ministers only wanted to stay out of it.

Just as the situation was at a standstill, a palace attendant came to report: “Your Majesty, Her Majesty the Empress Dowager has arrived.”

As soon as the words fell, the front palace gate was pushed open from the outside, and four palace attendants carried two red wooden boxes into the hall, placing them in the center of the hall under the watchful eyes of the officials.

The Empress Dowager and her attending nanny followed closely behind. She gave a look to her nanny, who immediately stepped forward and opened both wooden boxes. One box was filled with neat rows of silver ingots, and the other contained gold and silver jewelry, which were clearly the Empress Dowager’s personal belongings.

Xiao Yu immediately understood the Empress Dowager’s intention. Just as she was about to speak, another palace attendant came in. Xiao Yu’s eyes lit up when she saw her “big sister.” She couldn’t sit still and hurried down from the throne: “Why did the Empress also come?”

Song Luoning’s gaze was gentle: “Your Majesty is discussing state affairs with the ministers, and I shouldn’t have disturbed you. But thinking of the people of Jiangnan who are suffering, Your Majesty is worried, and the Empress Dowager cares about Your Majesty, so we have come together to raise some disaster relief funds for Your Majesty, hoping to share your burden.”

Xiao Yu understood. Her “big sister” said this to make the officials feel ashamed. Their sense of duty as court officials was not even as good as that of the women in the deep palace. She smiled and turned to the Empress Dowager: “Thank you, Empress Dowager.”

The Empress Dowager waved her hand and her gaze swept over the officials: “This is just a small gesture from the women of the palace. The Emperor doesn’t need to take it to heart. When you encounter problems, think more about the common people. When you don’t understand something, discuss it more with the ministers. Everyone here is a pillar of the Bai Sheng dynasty. The Emperor must listen to their opinions and not act on his own.”

She deliberately emphasized “pillars,” which made the officials blush.

“Yes, thank you for your reminder, Empress Dowager,” Xiao Yu said respectfully.

“Alright, you can continue. The Empress and I will go back now and not disturb your meeting.” After saying that, she raised her hand, and the nanny immediately helped her up.

“Respectfully sending off the Empress Dowager,” Xiao Yu said, bowing.

The ministers also knelt down and said: “Respectfully sending off the Empress Dowager.”

The Empress Dowager waved her hand, and as she turned, her eyes met with Chancellor Song’s. She said as if by chance: “I wonder how much money Chancellor Song has donated this time? Oh, my memory, Chancellor Song is not only the Chancellor of Bai Sheng but also the Emperor’s father-in-law, so he naturally won’t donate too little.”

“…”

“Alright, all of you can get up now.” Without waiting for the officials to react, the nanny had already helped her out of the main hall.

With the Empress Dowager setting an example, Xiao Yu didn’t have to waste any more words. The ministers all took the initiative to donate money, and the disaster relief funds were quickly raised and sent to the affected areas.

The disaster relief issue was temporarily resolved, and the gloomy expression on the Emperor’s face was replaced with joy.

After the morning court session, Xiao Yu rushed to find her “big sister.”

These past few days, she had been worried about disaster relief, and her “big sister” had been with her every day and had lost a lot of weight. Now that she had some free time, she had to spend it with her.

Along the way, the chrysanthemums in the garden were just beginning to bloom. Xiao Yu suddenly remembered that the Mid-Autumn Festival was approaching. It had been half a year since she had transmigrated. A lot had happened in these six months, and her relationship with her “big sister” had grown stronger.

Xiao Yu stopped in the garden for a moment before continuing on her way back.

To her surprise, she found no one there. Her “big sister” had gone to the Empress Dowager’s Palace of Longevity and Peace.

Xiao Yu had no choice but to sit alone in the palace, staring at the scenery in the courtyard, waiting for her “big sister” to return.

Not long after, a palace attendant came to report that an official sent by the disaster relief envoy, Lord Li, had arrived at the palace and was waiting outside the hall.

Upon hearing this, Xiao Yu thought, “He’s only been gone for a few days, so why did he send someone back?” She didn’t dare to delay and immediately ordered the palace attendant to take the visitor to the imperial study. After giving a few instructions, she also went to the imperial study.

The visitor was an official who had gone with Li Jun. When he saw the Emperor, he knelt on the ground with a thud: “Your Majesty, something has happened. The floods in Jiangnan are rampant, and the disaster victims in many areas have rebelled, plundering everything. The people who have suffered from the disaster are already in a state of misery, and now they are being harassed by bandits. Even the unaffected areas are in danger.”

“What?” Xiao Yu suddenly stood up. Why did something like this have to happen at this time?

“Where are Lord Li and the others now? Are the disaster relief funds and grain safe?”

Xiao Yu clenched her fists, her heart already bracing for the worst.

As expected, the visitor’s face showed sorrow, and he continued: “As soon as we arrived in Jiangnan, Lord Li told me to rush back to report to Your Majesty. As for Lord Li and the others, they should be at the county yamen now.”

Hearing this, Xiao Yu’s expression softened a little. As long as the disaster relief funds and grain were still there, there was still a way.

The visitor knelt in the hall and, seeing that the Emperor was silent, he secretly glanced up. The new Emperor had only just ascended the throne. He was a low-ranking official of the sixth rank and usually never got to see the Emperor. He sighed in his heart.

Since the late emperor’s death, the throne had changed hands twice. He wondered how long this young emperor would sit on the throne.

Now that troubles were occurring frequently, he couldn’t help but take another look at the young emperor.

“Where is the garrison in Jiangnan?” Xiao Yu asked.

The visitor replied truthfully: “The head of the garrison said that he could not mobilize the troops without the tiger tally.”

“Idiot!” Xiao Yu cursed silently, knowing that this was not the time to pursue the matter. She pursed her lips and told him to leave first.

The visitor bowed, looked up at the new Emperor, and sighed. Since the young Emperor’s ascension, she had been thinking a lot about the people’s livelihoods and had a lot of the late emperor’s youthful style. Unfortunately…

Xiao Yu sat for a moment and ordered someone to summon the Grand Princess. Among all the court officials, the only one she could rely on was this person.

The father-in-law who should have been the closest to her seemed loyal to the country but made things difficult for her at every turn. She had no one to confide in.

Did she really have to watch the country fall apart and experience what it was like to be an inept ruler of a fallen kingdom?

Xiao Yu was not willing to accept that.

Soon after, Xiao Qinya arrived. Disregarding formalities, Xiao Yu went forward to support her: “Something has happened in Jiangnan.”

Xiao Qinya was stunned. As she listened to her detailed explanation, her heart grew more and more alarmed. Floods were a common occurrence in Jiangnan in previous years, but as long as the court’s relief efforts were timely, there had never been a situation where bandits caused trouble.

“What does Your Majesty intend to do?”

“I plan to send troops to suppress them. What do you think?”

Sending troops to suppress them was a must, but who should she send? And what about the garrison in Jiangnan?

Xiao Qinya’s heart sank. The tiger tally for the Jiangnan garrison was in the hands of General Yuwen. The Yuwen family was an aristocratic family. Although it had declined, it still had some foundations. For many years, General Yuwen had been stationed at the border. If he were recalled now, with the Dongjun kingdom still posing a threat at the border, it would be…

She hesitated and then asked: “Who does Your Majesty intend to send?”

Xiao Yu replied: “I’ll send a team from the Imperial Guards.”

The Imperial Guards were responsible for the security of the imperial city. They were the Emperor’s personal troops and the last line of defense for the imperial city. To send them…

Xiao Qinya’s eyebrows furrowed: “Has Your Majesty considered that this might be a trap, and that the enemy might take advantage of the Imperial Guards’ absence from the capital?”

She knew very well that the masterminds behind the two cases had not yet been caught, and sending the Imperial Guards away was the most unwise choice. But what could she do? She couldn’t ignore the lives of the people. She was in a position of power, and she had to act accordingly.

Xiao Yu smiled. She herself had not expected that one day she would be in such a situation. Before she transmigrated, she was just an ordinary college student.

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