Putting aside Wang Jiyang, whose heart was already half-broken, at this moment, in Changxi Palace, the residence of Consort De, who was Emperor Mingde's concubine before he came of age, was older than him and was considered the concubine who had been with Emperor Mingde the longest in the harem.

Consort De, who was well past forty, was also very well-maintained. She looked elegant and noble, and her appearance was in no way inferior to Consort Ning. In fact, she was even more beautiful than Consort Ning. She was a woman of enduring beauty and classic charm. Even as she aged, she still retained her charm, and her face became even more kind and gentle, as if she were a very easy person to get along with.

However, at this moment, her face was long and her gaze was like snow in the cold winter, capable of chilling one to the bone even in the sweltering summer heat.

"What did you say? Consort Ning miscarried?" She was shocked, angry, and deeply confused. This was clearly not her doing.

"Yes, she miscarried after falling into the water," the head palace maid Xue'er reported.

Consort De asked incredulously, "I was just strolling in the garden with her when she was perfectly fine. Where did she fall into the water?"

"Your Majesty, in the eastern corner of the Imperial Garden, this servant went to check just now. Oil was spilled on the marble, intended to harm you, but you walked steadily and did not slip. I wonder why Consort Ning slipped," said Xiao Zhezi, the chief eunuch of Consort De. To ensure that there was evidence, he even picked up Consort De's shoe and placed it on the table for Consort De and Xue'er to see.

On a hot summer day, Consort De returned to the palace and walked barefoot on the ground. She was not wearing shoes at the time, and upon closer inspection, it was found that there were traces of oil on the soles of her shoes.

"In your opinion, who did this? Although I have had occasional quarrels with that vile Consort Ning, it's not enough for her to do this to me." Her words implied Consort Ning's miscarriage. In the harem, it was quite common for someone to slip and fall, so she wasn't surprised.

As she finished speaking, her brows furrowed. She couldn't understand how Consort Ning could use the oil stains on her shoes as evidence to frame her. But Consort Ning was not one to waste her time; she would never do something without a benefit. Judging from the current situation, the Emperor hoped for a three-way balance of power in the harem, so Consort Ning would not benefit from harming her.

Besides, that was her own child. What mother could be so heartless? Unless the miscarriage was fake, or that vile Consort Ning accidentally miscarried?

Xue'er and Xiao Zhezi exchanged a glance. Xiao Zhezi said, "Your Majesty, news has come from Taihe Palace that there are major floods in Jiangnan and Shu. The Emperor is currently summoning his ministers to the palace for a meeting. What do you think of this matter?" It must be said that he was not as quick-witted as Consort Ning's chief eunuch, Xiao Liuzi. Even such a major matter was reported half a beat late.

Consort De had served Emperor Mingde for decades. Regardless of how clever her methods were, her ability to avoid danger and seek good fortune was certainly not to be underestimated. Upon hearing Xiao Liu's words, she slapped him across the face, saying, "Fool, why did you only say this now?"

"Your Majesty, Jiangnan and Sichuan are thousands of miles away from the capital. The flood won't reach the capital." Xiao Zhezi thought his explanation was acceptable.

Upon hearing this, Consort De's face turned ashen with anger. If he weren't loyal, why would she keep such a steward by her side? But even a fool has his merits. She thought for a moment and said, "Go, fetch me some ice water."

"Yes." Xue'er was much more quick-witted and hurriedly went down to instruct people to make ice water. Before long, basins of water with ice cubes were brought in and poured into the bathtub.

Consort De looked at the ice cubes floating in the bathtub, reached out and touched the water. It was indeed very cold. She gritted her teeth and said, "Undress me."

Xiao Zhezi withdrew, and Xue'er led two palace maids to help her undress. After undressing, she tested the water temperature with her hand again and found it was even colder than before.

"Go and fetch the imperial physician." After giving the order, she closed her eyes and fell into the bathtub.

At this time, in the Hall of Supreme Harmony.

Emperor Mingde was somewhat surprised, and looked at Zhao Bi with great approval, "Bi'er, do you have any ideas? Tell me, if they are reasonable and feasible, I will send the Ministry of Works to assist you in managing the floods in Jiangnan."

Huo Baichuan, with his sharp eyes, saw in Emperor Mingde's cloudy eyes the emperor's praise for Zhao Bi and his disappointment with the Crown Prince and the First Prince. He sneered inwardly and remained silent.

Zhao Bi cupped his hands and said, "Father, I believe that the Jiangnan region is mainly hilly and should be governed by a system of dredging and clearing. The Shu region is mainly mountainous and is more suitable for building dikes and dams to dredge the riverbeds."

“Your Highness is right,” said Fang Youzhi, the Minister of Works, who had arrived first. But before Zhao Bi could feel smug, he continued, “In previous years, floods were caused by a surge in the water levels of rivers and lakes, which caused dikes to overflow and collapse. It also happened to be the height of summer, which would bring out poisonous snakes and insects. More importantly, floods were often followed by plagues and famines. Your Highness just mentioned that the mountains and rivers of Sichuan were the main source of flooding, and I must add that floods in Sichuan are often accompanied by large-scale landslides and mudslides.”

Emperor Mingde got more and more of a headache as he listened. He had been thinking that he would sweep away the princes in two years at most and then perform the Fengshan ceremony, but unexpectedly, the heavens did not cooperate!

However, Zhao Bi seemed unmoved, displaying a heroic and selfless demeanor, saying firmly, "Father, the sage once said that everyone has their own expertise. I do not know how to manage water resources, but your people are suffering from this disaster. As a prince, I have a duty to boost morale. Moreover, in the face of such a natural disaster, there will inevitably be sacrifices. When you, my capable ministers, have to make some difficult decisions, I am willing to take the lead and bear the blame!"

With that said, Emperor Mingde and the ministers who arrived one after another nodded in agreement. The Fourth Prince had never studied water management and naturally knew little about it. However, if he were to boost morale and issue orders, they would believe in his determination to manage the water.

It must be said that Zhao Bi was extremely eloquent.

Emperor Mingde felt that of all his sons, only this one was somewhat useful at this time. His gaze swept over the Crown Prince and the eldest prince, and he couldn't help but feel much colder. He had tolerated the Crown Prince's trip, which had been fraught with danger, and his return with a gold mine. But his eldest son was thirty years old and had accomplished nothing, which was truly infuriating!

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