Chapter 228 Wash Together

Seeing this, everyone present looked even more surprised.

Although Princess Chang'an was of noble status, she was always humble in front of them and treated everyone gently and kindly. When had she ever spoken in such a sharp tone?

Chang Lei frowned and said, "What's so funny about that?"

Chunzhi said sternly, "You compare women to hens—how ridiculous! When Xizhou City was engulfed in war, countless women risked their lives to treat the wounded, cook porridge for the refugees, and make winter clothing for the soldiers. Their contributions were indispensable to the post-war reconstruction of Xizhou City, and you turn a blind eye to this! How ridiculous! I'm sitting here today wanting to know firsthand how you can benefit Xizhou, and yet you assume I'm trying to meddle in politics—how ridiculous!"

She said several sentences in a row, her tone clear, "Master Chang, you are ridiculous!"

Chang Lei's expression faltered slightly. "If the princess really doesn't want to get involved in politics, why are you here?"

This time, before Chunzhi could speak, Mu Kaiji stood up and said, "The princess said she came here to hear how you can benefit the people of Xizhou. Chang Lei, are you deaf?"

Chang Lei was still that stubborn and rude, "I'm not deaf."

"Then listen carefully." Mu Kaiji would not tolerate anyone saying anything bad about her sister, and said sternly, "You have enough food to eat and clothes to keep warm now, all thanks to the Song family's generous support. Yet you are saying that the princess doesn't even have the qualifications to be an observer! What? If those who contribute money and effort don't have the qualifications, then how dare you speak so arrogantly here?"

Chang Lei blushed after being confronted by Mu Kaiji, "I... I don't know..."

Prince Chang'an was leading troops to fight the enemy in Xizhou and had been short of money and food for a long time. It was only after the arrival of the princess that this predicament was alleviated.

But Chunzhi was low-key and didn't want to take credit in front of others. She just wanted Huo Zheng to remember the kindness of the Song family. So, except for Gu Yuanjia and others, most of the officials in Xizhou didn't know the truth and thought that the military pay was allocated by the court.

Until today, when Chang Lei said in public that the princess should not appear in such occasions, Mu Kaiji got angry and retorted him, saying it in public.

Everyone then realized that the princess was not only the one who contributed the effort, but also the one who paid for it.

Mu Kaiji looked at Chang Lei and spoke again: "You didn't know before, but now that you know, what do you think?"

Chang Lei was speechless and stunned for a moment.

Huo Zheng held Chunzhi's hand, expressing his admiration for her words and actions. He then said, "This is not the imperial court, and the princess is not interfering in government affairs. Besides, in my opinion, knowledgeable people, regardless of gender, can be employed as long as they can do practical things to benefit the people."

Upon hearing this, everyone present began to speak: "Your Majesty is wise."

Chunzhi glanced at Huo Zheng sideways, a smile in her eyes, and thought to herself: I also think my prince is very wise.

Huo Zheng said calmly, "Alright, everyone sit down."

"Yes." Mu Kaiji and the old civil servant both responded and sat down.

Only Chang Lei was left standing there in a daze. How could the princess go to such lengths for Xizhou?

Gu Yuanjia said calmly, "Master Chang, either sit down or get out."

Chang Lei seemed to come to his senses after hearing this and sat down in a daze.

Gu Yuanjia was the first person to speak about the important affairs of Xizhou, as if it was natural for him to have the princess here. He even spoke in a more plain and understandable way than usual.

Even people like Chunzhi, who were attending the meeting for the first time, could understand it.

With Master Gu setting a good example, the rest of the officials also started talking.

Now that the war in Xizhou has ended, everything is being rebuilt. People are returning one after another, but it is extremely difficult to restore people's livelihood to its previous state.

Chunzhi watched Huo Zheng listen to everyone's suggestions one by one, and said to them: "No matter how difficult it is, we must do it step by step. The more we do, the less suffering the people will suffer."

It was Chunzhi's first time to sit in on the officials' meeting. She just listened quietly without saying anything.

In different occasions, she seemed to see different Huo Zheng.

Rather than rebuilding Xizhou, most officials present were more concerned about Xiling's request for peace with Daxing.

Now that we have Princess Xiling as a hostage, it is time to ask for the most.

Huo Zheng said, "When the two countries are negotiating, the people should be the most important. As for the terms of the peace talks, my father will send an minister soon. You can discuss them first and then reconsider them with the minister in charge."

The generals had fought with the Xiling people for such a long time that they were eager to take this opportunity to bite off some of their flesh.

But the King of Chang'an said that he would put the people first, so he certainly couldn't put forward any conditions that were too excessive.

If any other prince had said the words "put the people first", everyone would have thought it was just a polite remark. But now that the person who said it was Prince Chang'an, no one would doubt his intentions.

Although Huo Zheng said that the conditions for peace talks would have to wait until the emperor sent someone to Xizhou for review, everyone was still excited and continued to discuss it enthusiastically.

How could those princes and ministers far away in the capital know what Xizhou needs most? Their suggestions are the most reliable.

The meeting lasted until midnight.

As the night deepened, the crowd dispersed.

Huo Zheng and Chunzhi walked hand in hand to their residence. Huo Zheng whispered to her, "We've been sitting there for so long without saying anything. Aren't you feeling suffocated?"

Chunzhi is not a talkative person, but she definitely talks a lot.

Everyone discussed the matter for such a long time today, but she just listened quietly without saying a word.

Chunzhi said, "I'm just here to listen. I don't understand a lot of things. If I speak rashly, I'll just make people laugh at me."

"What don't you understand?" Huo Zheng said patiently, "I'll explain it to you in detail."

Seeing that he really looked like a teacher, Chunzhi couldn't help but laugh and said, "Why? You really want to teach me?"

"In fact, many things were not taught to you by me, but by you." Huo Zheng said, "If I hadn't met you, I might never have known the vitality and kindness of the common people. They are not just a string of data on the roster, but the cornerstone of the great prosperity of the country."

Huo Zheng was born into the royal family and grew up in the palace. He had seen too many conspiracies and fratricide.

Those princes and ministers could decide the life and death of many people with just a word or a wave of their hands. The teacher also said that with only a page in the history book and millions of people involved, chaos and sacrifice were inevitable.

You have to stand high enough, hold power, abandon love and put interests first.

But it was only after he met Haruji that he felt the warmth of human heart.

During the time in Linshui Town, because of the ordinary people Chunzhi met, Huo Zheng was determined to put the people first.

Chunzhi smiled and said, "What can I teach you? You always flatter me."

Huo Zheng said seriously, "I'm not trying to make you look good, you're already very good."

Chunzhi smiled with her eyes curved.

No one doesn't like to be praised.

She is no exception.

When I returned to my residence, the candlelight in the room was flickering.

The maids had prepared hot water for them to bathe and wash.

When Chunzhi saw Huo Zheng undressing to take a bath, she turned and walked into the inner room. As soon as she took a step, he grabbed her wrist.

Huo Zheng leaned over and whispered behind her ear, "Why are you leaving? Let's take a shower together."