Chapter 51: Continuous Rain This year's rain seems to be particularly heavy

Just now, the guard told her that Song Yanxuan was still waiting in the main hall. Min Shi'an felt a headache. Why did Song Yanxuan wait for her in the princess's mansion until midnight instead of going back to his own residence to sleep?

She forced a proper smile and asked, "What's the matter?"

"After the banquet, I came to the princess's residence to wait for Your Highness. I was so engrossed in reading that I forgot the time. I hope Your Highness can forgive me." Song Sheng closed the book, stood up and was about to leave.

"In that case, I will not disturb you any further since it is late at night. Your Highness, please rest as soon as possible."

Min Shian stopped him and said, "Come with me to the study."

After all, she couldn't fall asleep for a while. She didn't believe what Song Yanxuan said about forgetting the time. She might as well listen to why he had waited until now.

Song Sheng chuckled and replied, "Yes."

The main hall was not far from the study, and soon the two of them were sitting on either side of the desk, staring at each other.

Under the flickering candlelight, Min Shi'an took in Song Sheng's expression. The corners of his lips raised habitually at this moment, but his eyes were dead, and that vague sense of estrangement reappeared in him.

It was obvious that Song Yanxuan was in a bad mood at the moment.

Min Shi'an came to her conclusion in a split second. She sighed softly and said helplessly, "Sir, we're alone here, so just tell me what's going on."

"I was just thinking that the King and Princess of the Western Regions will be returning to the Western Regions tomorrow, and Your Highness Linglong will be staying alone in Shangjing."

Song Sheng lowered his brows and continued, "Life is difficult for most women, especially those who sacrifice their freedom in marriage for the sake of profit. If I were lucky enough to cultivate some true love with my husband, it would be easier."

"But if they dislike each other, it's no big deal for a man, he can just take in some concubines to amuse himself, but for a woman, it means she's trapped for life."

"Not to mention women who marry far away, whose situation is even more difficult."

Min Shian's eyes were sore. She couldn't help but think of Song Tinglan, who also married far away for the sake of her family. She also understood why Song Yanxuan was in a low mood.

He loved Song Tinglan so much that the sight of the scene reminded him of her, how could he not be worried?

"As soon as Yuan Ge left, Ting Lan..."

Song Sheng didn't finish his words and fell silent.

After a long while, so long that Min Shian felt sleepy, Song Sheng said in a hoarse voice, "I heard that Tinglan's hair turned completely white overnight."

"I think Tinglan also has true feelings for Xiao Yuange."

Min Shian was also feeling bad. She said, "Why not wait until Tinglan gives birth safely and is healthy, and then bring her back to Beijing."

According to etiquette, this is against etiquette.

But so what?

Under absolute power, no one dared to have any opinions on these details.

"That's fine." Song Sheng also thought it was a good suggestion and agreed, "If Tinglan is willing, I will do my best."

"The rainy season is approaching, and flood control in the Jiangnan area is another major project."

Min Shi'an's confused mind suddenly became clear. The water of the Yangtze River was surging and turbulent. Water control had always been an arduous task in all dynasties. Now that the rainy season was approaching, it was indeed necessary to take it seriously.

"Have arrangements been made with the Dushui Envoy and the Minister of the Left?" Min Shi'an continued thoughtfully, "For such a major event, the cooperation of the local governor and prefect is essential for smooth progress."

Whether the money can be spent where it should be spent is the most important thing.

There are some things Min Shian can't say too clearly.

Fortunately, Song Yanxuan immediately understood and responded, "The water envoy and the Minister of the Left have made all the necessary arrangements. The river bank officials from various regions have also completed consultations with the governor and have prepared plans for the coming rainy season."

"From top to bottom, everyone is under surveillance by Song Chen, so nothing will go wrong."

Min Shian nodded, finally relieved, and began to drive the guests away, saying, "My lord, please go back home and rest. You still have to attend court later, so take a break if you can."

"Your Highness, please take a rest soon. I'll take my leave."

After sending the big Buddha away, Min Shian began to take a bath and wash off all the fatigue in his body, and then fell asleep peacefully.

The weather in May and June is the most changeable. It was hot yesterday, but today it is pouring rain. The rain falls on the rubble like pearls falling to the ground, and the crackling sound makes people feel uneasy.

Min Shian was woken up after sleeping for less than an hour. She looked at the dark sky outside the window and felt inexplicably annoyed.

She doesn't like rainy days.

"Chun Tao, has Ting Lan sent any letter?"

Chun Tao entered upon hearing the sound and whispered back while helping Min Shi An get dressed: "Not yet, Master, don't worry. It must be the rain that delayed the progress. Madam Song will be fine."

Min Shian said worriedly, "How can I not be anxious? Tinglan is already in her advanced stages of pregnancy. I feel uneasy when I can't receive her letters."

"Then Master, why don't you write another letter and send it to Madam Song?"

Min Shian thought for a moment, quickly washed up, and then took Chuntao to the study.

She refused Chuntao's offer to hold an umbrella for her, and walked slowly alone holding the oil-paper umbrella. The rain was getting heavier and heavier, with no sign of letting up. The lightning that flashed from time to time seemed to tear the sky in two.

"The rain this year seems to be particularly heavy."

Chun Tao followed closely behind her. Upon hearing this, she looked up at the sky and replied, "It is bigger than in previous years. Master, please watch your step."

"Otherwise, let me hold the umbrella for you, Master."

Min Shian dodged the puddle in front of him, shook his head and chuckled, "It's only a few steps away, no need to go through so much trouble."

After arriving at the study, Min Shi'an did not let Chuntao wait outside, but asked her to grind ink on the side.

Normally she would do these things by herself, but the rain outside was too heavy, and no matter how healthy Chuntao was, she would inevitably feel the cold.

Min Shian held the ivory purple-hair brush given by Song Yanxuan, but she couldn't put pen to paper for a long time. She didn't know where to start.

In recent letters, the words of concern and comfort written by Min Shi'an are enough to compile into a book, but Song Tinglan's replies are often only a few words.

Sometimes, there is no letter for more than half a month.

She was extremely anxious, but there was nothing she could do.

After a long time, Min Shian finally picked up his pen and wrote a few lines:

The rainy season is approaching, so you must take care of yourself. Your brother and I have agreed that if you are willing, we will take you back to Beijing after you give birth safely, and then you and I can be reunited.

It's a bit strange to think about it. I'm used to the pen given by your brother and I can't use any other pen anymore. I always feel that it's inferior to that purple-hair pen, and the words I write with it always lack some charm.

So I just kept carrying the pen your brother gave me. This pen helped me a lot when I was in Beifeng a few days ago.

Tinglan, I'm doing fine in Beijing.

Hope you are well too.

Min Shian folded the letter and handed it to Chuntao, who was standing beside him. He said calmly, "Tell the messenger to wait until Tinglan's reply arrives before returning."

"If Tinglan doesn't reply, then there's no need for the messenger to come."

Chun Tao quickly placed the letter into the prepared envelope and sealed it, then replied, "Yes, Master."

"Wait until the rain stops."

"Yes, Master."

Min Shian stared out the window in a daze, and couldn't help but wonder what the weather was like in Beifeng at the moment.

Will it rain this heavily?

The rain continued on and off for a month.

Min Shian's mood became increasingly heavy, not only because he had not received a reply from Song Tinglan, but also because Song Yanxuan was so busy that he was nowhere to be seen.

The busier Song Yanxuan is, the more serious the situation in the Jiangnan area becomes.

These days, she would find time to stay in Xianyang Palace when it wasn't raining, and listen to Xie Zhuangwan teach her the methods and techniques of managing the household, as well as the relationship between the Xie family and other families, as well as the secret agents.

Now Min Shian has gradually become adept at handling the affairs of the Xie family. Her style of doing things seems to be exactly the same as Xie Zhuangwan's, and the Xie family has adapted well to it.

Min Shian and Xie Zhuangwan would also talk about some political affairs.

For example, the Water Messenger, who has hardly been on the ground recently.

Shangjing City is located in the center of Huailin, neither south nor north, with a pleasant climate and distinct four seasons.

It is rare that the rain lasted for more than a month like this time.

The situation in Shangjing City is like this. The Jiangnan area is already rainy, and it is even worse now. Fortunately, Song Yanxuan took countermeasures in advance, and now everything is still under control.

Min Shian even had an argument with Xie Zhuangwan at that time.

Xie Zhuangwan believed that if the rain continued for a long time, there would be a flood in the future.

However, Min Shi'an believed that with Song Yanhao personally supervising the matter, the water envoys and riverbank envoys were in place, and now all the ministers were dispatching people to the south of the Yangtze River in order to prevent any disasters.

There will definitely be no flooding of the dam.

At that time, Min Shian thought that Xie Zhuangwan was prejudiced against Song Yanxuan. Now it seems that she was narrow-minded. Xie Zhuangwan clearly had a long-term vision. After all, she had been the queen for many years, and she was still experienced.

Xie Zhuangyi was also sent by Song Sheng to help.

Min Shian looked at the letters translated by Xie Zhuang on the desk, and always felt that Song Yanxuan deliberately sent Xie Zhuang to make it easier for her to know the latest situation in the waters of Jiangnan.

Her fingertips brushed across the envelopes, which were as thick as a book, but none of them belonged to Song Tinglan.

There was still a drizzle outside the window, and the sky looked a little foggy due to the water vapor. Min Shian was walking slowly and aimlessly on the street with an oil-paper umbrella.

The passers-by were in a hurry, and since Min Shi'an was obviously rich or noble, the vendors shouting in the rain on the street did not dare to solicit customers rashly, for fear of disturbing the nobleman.

Min Shian originally came here to relax, but when he saw this, he sighed and walked towards the princess's mansion.

The street behind me gradually became lively again, and the sounds of hawkers could be heard faintly with the sound of light rain.

But just as she reached the gate of the princess's mansion, she saw Chuntao rushing out of the mansion. Min Shi'an's heart tightened, and she hurriedly took a few quick steps to meet Chuntao.

"Master, this is bad." Chun Tao's face was solemn. She took out two letters from her bosom and said, "One is news from the Xie family, and the other is a letter from the Minister of Rites."

Min Shian took the letter and strode to the study with Chuntao. As soon as they arrived at the study, before she sat down, he opened the letter and read it at a glance.

The letter Xie Zhuangyi wrote a few days ago. The events reported were ordinary. She read it roughly and then opened the envelope from the Xie family.

Although there were only a few short words on it, Min Shian felt as if he was falling into an icy cave.