Natural disasters

After hearing Ping An's words, Cui Shenzhi didn't know what to say. But Ping An's birthday had passed, and no matter how guilty he felt, he couldn't undo what had happened. He could only try his best to make amends.

He thought for a moment, then opened the top drawer of his desk and took out a palm-sized brocade box from the very back. Inside was a longevity lock engraved with the word "peace" that he had found in a corner of the Kunning Palace.

He didn't know who the longevity lock belonged to, but since it was found in Kunning Palace, he had always assumed that it was given to him by Fu Yunjin. But now it seemed that the longevity lock was clearly meant for Ping An.

Cui Shenzhi walked up to Ping An and solemnly placed the brocade box in her hands.

"Ping An, your birthday isn't something nobody cares about; at least we all do. But what's past is past. I can't turn back time, but the gift is still a must. Open it and see if you like it."

Ping An was somewhat disgusted by the slightly old brocade box, but she couldn't show it in front of everyone, so she forced herself to open it and saw a somewhat dull, probably quite old, pure gold longevity lock.

A bad feeling suddenly arose in her mind.

Could this longevity lock be something Fu Yunjin left for Cui Shenzhi? Why would someone give away something from a dead person?! Wait, could this be Cui Shenzhi using this opportunity to express his feelings for her? No, if this longevity lock really has that meaning, putting aside the need to be prepared for danger in times of peace, Qi Kang's expression shouldn't be so calm.

Ping An thought and thought but couldn't come up with an answer, so he could only pretend to be overjoyed and say, "It's so beautiful, Shenzhi, what is this?"

"This is a longevity lock, meant to bless you to live a long and healthy life. The words on the front are your name, and the lotus and bat on the back are blessings for you, representing purity, beauty, happiness, and good fortune."

Pure and beautiful, happy and auspicious.

What a wonderful blessing! It's just a pity that it has nothing to do with her, isn't meant for her, and carries the bad luck of the dead; it's ultimately an ominous sign.

Ping An carefully closed the lid of the brocade box, seemingly treasuring it but actually disdainfully putting it into her bosom.

"Yes, yes, I will definitely protect this longevity lock well!"

Cui Shenzhi was both amused and exasperated.

“Ping An, I meant that this longevity lock is to protect you, not that you should protect this longevity lock.”

"I know, but this is the first birthday present I've ever received, so of course I'm going to take good care of it!"

Choi Shin-ji's smile faded somewhat.

He leaned down slightly, looked directly into Ping An's eyes, and said, "Ping An, this is the first birthday gift you've received, but I promise it won't be the last. I will prepare a different birthday gift for you every year from now on."

Ping An didn't believe this seemingly false statement, but she still smiled and agreed.

*****

Not long after Siwei's birthday, the end of the year arrived, and Cui Lingxian's health also 'improved'.

As the year draws to a close, Shen Meiwu is too busy to manage everything and is unwilling to delegate power to other concubines. Every year, she asks Cui Lingxian to help her. So even though Cui Lingxian's health has improved, she still doesn't have time to go to the East Palace to see Ping An.

Although she couldn't see Ping An, Cui Lingxian still wrote a letter to Ping An with great enthusiasm and asked Cui Shenzhi to read it to Ping An.

Seeing Cui Shenzhi beaming with joy at Cui Lingxian's letter, Ping An deeply resented her for not thinking things through enough, and hated Lu Fengping even more.

Since you've already decided to administer the drugs, can't you stick to it from beginning to end? Why are you switching between administering the drugs and not administering them at the same time?

Well, that's great. Although Cui Lingxian didn't come, things weren't delayed at all. A single letter drew Cui Shenzhi's attention to Chengqian Palace. No matter how much she said, Cui Shenzhi only saw Cui Lingxian's words, "You're feeling much better."

She also had to rack her brains to write a reply that suited her speaking style and reflected her recent literacy level. She also had to constantly pay attention to the characters she wrote, refusing to use any she hadn't yet learned. It was truly troublesome.

*****

On the first day of the first month of the twenty-sixth year of Hongjia, Cui Sugong put down his pen, and Cui Shenzhi also had some free time.

He first went to pay his respects to Cui Sugong for the New Year, then had lunch with Cui Sugong, Shen Meiwu, and Cui Lingxian, and then left the Qianqing Palace under Cui Lingxian's 'sorrowful' gaze.

Seeing Cui Lingxian's 'reluctant' gaze as she looked at Cui Shenzhi, Shen Meiwu and Cui Sugong exchanged a glance, their emotions quite different.

Cui Sugong's eyes held a mixture of satisfaction and displeasure. He was satisfied that things were progressing steadily in the direction of the plan, but he was also unhappy because Cui Lingxian seemed to have a good relationship with Cui Shenzhi. He had already decided that once Cui Lingxian gave birth to a son, he would get rid of Cui Shenzhi and directly let the grandson of the emperor succeed to the throne.

Shen Meiwu's eyes were filled with joy. After all, the better the relationship between the two children, the easier it would be to handle the rest. When she presented the 'truth,' Cui Shenzhi would be less likely to doubt her, and Cui Lingxian's future would be brighter.

However, the truth was completely different from what they thought. Cui Lingxian's so-called 'reluctant' gaze was just their wishful thinking. In fact, Cui Lingxian was glaring at Cui Shenzhi.

Cui Lingxian hadn't seen Ping An for almost a month and a half and missed her terribly, but she couldn't leave. She could only rely on Cui Shenzhi to express her longing. She thought of asking Cui Shenzhi to make more trips every day to pass messages between her and Ping An, but Cui Shenzhi refused. That's why she kept glaring at Cui Shenzhi until he left.

*****

On the Lantern Festival, the fifteenth day of the first lunar month, Cui Shenzhi was still asleep when he heard Qi Kang's panicked voice.

"Your Highness! Something terrible has happened!" Qi Kang shouted as he rushed to Cui Shenzhi's bedside. "Your Highness, His Majesty has sent word that a major earthquake struck Nanzhou last night, and he requests your immediate presence!"

Upon hearing this, Cui Shenzhi immediately woke up from his sleep. As he walked out, he frowned and asked, "Nanzhou is over a thousand kilometers away from the capital. A major earthquake occurred last night, and the news has already reached the palace today... Is the situation very bad?"

"This servant asked the eunuch who came to deliver the message, but he knew nothing. He only said that His Majesty's expression was not good, and that he had summoned Lord Yan to the palace to discuss how to write the edict of self-reproach!"

Upon hearing this, Choi Shin-ji pursed his lips with a hint of displeasure.

Is an edict of self-reproach really the most important thing now? Isn't the life and death of the people the most important thing? Why summon ministers to the palace not to discuss how to treat the disaster victims, but to write an edict of self-reproach?

Just then, the man Qi Kang sent to gather information returned.

The young eunuch bowed and walked to Cui Shenzhi and Qi Kang's side, saying with a hint of fear, "Your Highness, this servant has not heard much. I have only heard that most of the houses in the towns near Nanzhou have collapsed, and the number of people affected by this earthquake is countless. I am afraid that the situation in Nanzhou is even more serious."

Upon hearing this news, Choi Shin-ji became even more worried.

Now that the New Year has just passed and the weather is freezing cold, most of the houses in the surrounding towns of Nanzhou have collapsed, and there are probably even fewer houses left in Nanzhou. Therefore, the most important thing now is not to issue an edict of self-reproach, but to send clothes and food to the disaster victims so that those who are still alive will not starve or freeze to death.

He grew increasingly anxious, so much so that he rushed out towards the Qianqing Palace without even washing up, his coat unbuttoned.

*****

As soon as Choi Shin-ji arrived at the Qianqing Palace, before even entering, he heard Choi Suk-gong's voice.

"Good, Minister Yan, you have excellent writing skills. This edict of self-reproach is truly eloquent and moving. Let's issue it first. As for the matter of Nanzhou, we'll discuss it later when we have more detailed information."

"We can't wait!" Upon hearing this, Cui Shenzhi ignored the need to announce his arrival and went straight inside. "Father, at this moment we should immediately send the generals and soldiers from the disaster-stricken areas to maintain order, rescue the survivors from under the rubble, and also..."

Before Cui Shenzhi could finish speaking, the teacup beside Cui Sugong shattered at his feet.

"Your Highness," Cui Sugong said with a stern face, "are you issuing orders to me?"

Cui Shenzhi barely suppressed his anxiety and respectfully bowed to Cui Sugong.

"Your Majesty, I dare not. I heard that the towns near Nanzhou have suffered very serious damage, and the situation in Nanzhou is even worse. I am really worried about the local people and couldn't help but feel anxious. That's why I inadvertently said something offensive to Your Majesty."

"Heared?" Cui Sugong snorted coldly: "Crown Prince, you are the heir apparent. What kind of behavior is this, believing everything you hear? If you inherit my throne, won't you launch a massive purge at the slightest provocation? That would be unacceptable!"

Without saying a word, Cui Shenzhi knelt down.

"Your son knows his mistake. But Father, you are not only my father but also my monarch. You can educate me at any time, but not now. The situation in Nanzhou is critical. I beg you to be patient and put the people first."

These words made Cui Sugong even angrier.

He slammed his fist on the imperial table in front of him and roared, "Crown Prince, so you mean I don't care about the people? Are you accusing me of being a tyrant?!"

Choi Shin-ji kowtowed deeply.

“Your subject dares not,” Cui Shenzhi knew he should shut up now, but he couldn’t help but add, “But at this moment, I beg Your Majesty to think of the people of the world.”

"you…"

Just then, several aged voices came from outside the Qianqing Palace.

"Your Majesty, we have heard that a major earthquake has occurred in the Southern Prefecture, and we have come to request an audience."

Cui Sugong recognized the voices of several senior officials in the court. If he dared to continue harping on Cui Shenzhi's minor issues in front of them, he would be overwhelmed by memorials accusing him of being an unkind father and an unrighteous ruler tomorrow. He could only shut his mouth in resentment.

"Come in."

Several elders entered and, upon seeing Cui Shenzhi kneeling on the ground and the mess on the ground, they knew almost without thinking what had happened before they entered. They couldn't help but sigh inwardly, yet there was nothing they could do. After all, Cui Sugong was neither a wise ruler nor a foolish one.

Although Choi Suk-gong would occasionally find reasons to punish Choi Shin-ji, he never actually said he would cripple Choi Shin-ji. Although Choi Suk-gong would only run away from problems and never distinguish between priorities, he was still willing to listen to advice, and the final handling of the situation was generally satisfactory.

In this situation, even if they wanted Choi Shin-ji to replace Choi Suk-gong, they couldn't take any action and could only try their best to find a way out.

Several ministers walked up to Choi Suk-gong, blocking Choi Shin-ji who was kneeling on the ground, and reported to Choi Suk-gong the information they had received and the possible countermeasures they had come up with.

Seeing that Cui Sugong's attention had shifted away from Cui Shenzhi, Lord Peng, who was standing at the back, quickly reached out and pulled him up, patted his shoulder and whispered, "Your Highness, His Majesty is in a bad mood right now. You should go down and lay low for a while. We old bones are here to handle things in Nanzhou. We won't let His Majesty act recklessly."

"But…"

"Don't worry, we've known His Majesty longer than you've lived. We know His Majesty's temper very well, nothing will happen."

"Then I'll leave it to you gentlemen. I won't stay here and upset my father or delay the disaster relief efforts."

Cui Shenzhi bowed respectfully to Lord Peng before turning to leave.

Although Cui Sugong was surrounded by several officials, he still noticed Cui Shenzhi's departure. He frowned and was about to say something when the ministers raised their voices and urged him to arrange disaster relief. One asked how many years of tax reduction would be implemented in Nanzhou, and another asked which towns around Nanzhou should send grain. He could only turn around and argue with the ministers.