Chapter 108 Severe Drought in the Suburbs of Beijing: Guanyin Goddess Saves from Suffering

When the carriage arrived at the gate of the manor, people were already waiting there.

Zhuang Shutong, supported by her maid, hurriedly greeted them, "Zhaozhao, Ziheng."

"Mother, why are you waiting outside? Is Grandfather getting impatient?" Li Yang slapped Chen Junbai's hand away and smiled as she took her mother's arm.

Zhuang Shutong couldn't force a smile. "Your maternal grandfather is discussing matters with someone in his study."

Unaware of his presence, Li Yang simply said "Oh" and followed her mother quickly into the flower hall.

Zhuang Rong was nowhere to be seen in the flower hall.

Zhuang Lingshi nodded to the others with her two daughters. Zhuang Jielong rolled her eyes and went to talk to her mother. Zhuang Jieling smiled apologetically and sat back down next to her mother.

"Mother, where is Uncle? Is he also in a meeting?" Li Yang asked curiously as Zhuang Shutong helped him sit in the armchair, and his mother reached out and touched his neck.

Li Yang was taken aback. He raised his hand and covered his mother's fingers with his own. His face immediately turned red, and he chuckled, "It's hot, and the insects bit you."

Zhuang Shutong glanced sideways at Chen Junbai, "This bug isn't small either."

Chen Junbo turned his head to look at the sky.

A maidservant suddenly came to report: "Miss, the master wants the young master to go to the study to discuss matters."

Chen Junbo quickly clasped his hands in greeting and left the scene to avoid further trouble.

A moment later, another maid came to report: "Miss, the gatekeeper received the visiting card, but dared not deliver it to the study, so he sent someone to deliver it here instead."

Zhuang Shutong received the visiting card, and his face darkened.

"Mother, what's wrong?"

"Yes, Fourth Prince." Zhuang Shutong lowered his voice, "The Fourth Prince will be coming to talk to your maternal grandfather tomorrow. You should go back after dinner and not stay overnight at the Zhuang residence tonight."

Li Yang suddenly asked, "The Fourth Prince? Is that the Fourth Prince who is associated with Consort Li?"

"Do you know Consort Li?"

Li Yang nodded, then told his mother about the conversation he had with Master Fei in Tianxiang Tower, "Mother, is what Master Fei said true?"

Zhuang Shutong remained silent, only two drops of cold sweat appeared on his forehead.

"mother?"

"Is that Master Fei from Tianxiang Tower?"

"Yes, Mother knows about Tianxianglou?"

Zhuang Shutong turned her head to look at Zhuang Lingshi, who understood and said, "Jielong, Jieling, come with your mother to the garden for a stroll."

Zhuang Jielong refused and had Zhuang Jieling carry her away by twisting her arms.

"Zhaozhao, how did you meet that Master Fei?"

There is nothing in Liyang that is not told.

"Zhaozhao, do you know who your father is?"

Zhuang Shutong bit her lip and slowly revealed the secret of that year, "Your father was a guard by the Second Prince's side. He followed the Second Prince since childhood, and that's how your mother met your father."

Later, as the princes grew up, the brotherly affection of their youth was gradually overshadowed by factional power struggles. Your maternal grandfather, not wanting me to be involved in factional strife and distrusting your father, wanted to arrange a marriage between us. That's why your mother asked your father to elope with me.

"Mother, you're asking Father to elope with you?" Li Yang seemed to be listening to something incomprehensible.

Zhuang Shutong's face showed arrogance, "Yes, it was Mother who suggested it. If you like someone, you should do everything you can to be together, cherish every day you can spend together, and not worry about how it will end. Make your own choice and bear the consequences yourself."

"Hmm, but didn't your maternal grandparents come after you back then?"

"Your maternal grandmother was even more unconventional than your mother. Back then, your maternal grandmother personally went to the examination hall to choose a husband. She was impressed by your maternal grandfather's high level of learning and upright character, which led to the current Zhuang Prime Minister's Mansion." Zhuang Shutong said with a smile, "Your maternal grandmother told your mother that we women cannot be mere appendages of men, cannot be confined to the inner quarters, and cannot rely on the secrets of the mansion for sustenance... Your maternal grandmother was a very special person."

As she spoke, she looked at her daughter and reached out to stroke the stray hairs at her temples. “You are just like your maternal grandmother. The Zhuang family’s current business is all thanks to your maternal grandmother’s management back then, which is why your maternal grandfather was able to serve as an honest official and a loyal minister in the court with peace of mind.”

"But, Zhao Zhao, do you know who that Master Fei is?"

Li Yang shook his head, bewildered.

"Master Fei, this is the Second Prince."

Your Highness?

Her eyes suddenly flashed, "Is Master Fei of Tianxiang Tower the Second Prince? The Second Prince that Father protects?"

Zhuang Shutong nodded, "Your father only told me these things later. Tianxiang Tower is the Second Prince's base of operations, used to gather information and discuss matters with court officials. That's why he used the alias Fei Ye."

"Zhaozhao, you said you were taken care of by Master Fei as soon as you arrived in the capital. Your mother is worried."

"Mother, are you guessing that Father was arrested by the Second Prince?"

Zhuang Shutong frowned and remained silent.

Li Yang lowered her eyes, then suddenly asked, "Mother, is the Fourth Prince's visit tomorrow also related to this matter?"

"Perhaps. His Majesty has deposed the Crown Prince, but has yet to appoint a new one. Both the Second Prince and the Fourth Prince are determined to win the position." Zhuang Shutong felt uneasy. "The war in the Southern Frontier is currently intense, and I'm afraid things are not going to be peaceful."

As the two were talking, a series of footsteps sounded.

Zhuang Shutong stopped talking, turned his head and smiled, "Father, did the meeting go smoothly?"

Zhuang Ziyang's expression remained calm. Zhuang Rong said, "Sister, there is a severe drought in the outskirts of the capital. The Second Prince has come here today specifically to discuss disaster relief with Father."

Zhuang Shutong looked at Zhuang Xiang, puzzled, and heard him slowly say, "It's only the beginning of summer, and there has been no rain for several months. Disaster relief is not difficult, but I'm afraid some people will take the opportunity to cause trouble and disturb His Majesty's peace of mind."

The people in the room remained silent.

Throughout history, natural disasters have often been followed by man-made calamities. A drought in the outskirts of the capital would disrupt the autumn harvest, impacting the entire year's agricultural taxes. If someone with ulterior motives were to use this opportunity to spread rumors and sow discord, the emperor would have to set an example, and ultimately, it would be clear who would be punished.

Currently, there are only three powerful figures in the court: the Second Prince, the Fourth Prince, and the royalist Chancellor Zhuang Ziyang.

“Father, then our Zhuang family should take the lead in providing disaster relief, as long as this doesn’t lead to widespread protests from the disaster victims…”

Zhuang Ziyang roared, "Foolish!"

Seeing this, Zhuang Shutong quickly said, "Brother, don't be anxious. We don't know who the enemy is yet. They haven't made a move. We just need to be prepared. We must not act rashly."

Zhuang Rong scratched his head and then chuckled twice.

Li Yang suddenly asked, "What if the disaster relief is initiated by the people?"

All eyes turned to her, and she chuckled, “Back in Songshan Town, I helped the salt merchants with flood relief, food aid, and arrangements for disaster victims. Perhaps we could handle these things under the name of Miaoxiang Tea House.”

Miaoxiang Teahouse was named by the Emperor. The merchants, grateful for the Emperor's favor and eager to serve the court, voluntarily donated silver for disaster relief; there shouldn't be any problems with that.

Zhuang Ziyang remained silent for a moment, while Li Yang said urgently, "Now no one knows that I am a descendant of the Zhuang family. Besides, he is a salt merchant who always donates to the family during major disasters. My maternal grandfather..."

When Chen Junbo was mentioned, he whispered in agreement, "Two years ago, when Gao County was flooded, the disaster victims poured into Songshan Town. Many adults and salt merchants were involved in disaster relief in Gao County. At that time, Zhao Zhao was the one who directed the teahouse staff to carry out disaster relief. She also offered suggestions and helped the disaster victims return to their hometowns to rebuild their houses."

"Lord Zhuang, Zhaozhao's suggestion is feasible."

-

The following day, at Miaoxiang Tea House.

Upon returning from outside, Li Yang promptly downed three large cups of cold tea.

Ziyan gently waved her silk fan, "Slow down, don't choke."

"Sister Ziyan, this sun is really scorching. If only we had some iced drinks." Li Yang waved his hand. "By the way, Sister Ziyan, I just went to the north of the city. They've already set up camp there. I looked around and there are quite a few people."

Ziyan nodded: "It's alright. Based on what you've found out today, we'll send someone over tomorrow to get a general idea of ​​what's going on."

Li Yang nodded. “I checked the accounts last night and I’m afraid we’re a bit short. The sun is getting stronger these days, and fewer people are going out for tea. Our shop’s income is much lower than last month. It’s only the beginning of June now, and if there is a severe drought this year, we may have to plan for disaster relief until September.”

"How about making some iced drinks?" Ziyan suddenly laughed. "In previous years in Songshan Town, every summer night, Mama Sang always loved to make some iced drinks to make guests feel refreshed. If you could get some ice, I'll definitely make your shop's business increase by 20%."

"That's easy, I'll go ask."

Li Yang immediately sent a messenger to the Zhuang family, and kept all matters quiet.

-

On this day, several young women arrived at the North City Camp.

The leader was a woman dressed in plain clothes, with bright eyes and white teeth, and no hair ornaments. Her voice was like a silver bell: "Ladies and gentlemen, I have heard that there is a severe drought in the suburbs of the capital. Miaoxiang Tea House is spontaneously providing disaster relief today... Please come here to register and receive a meal ticket. From today onwards, you can receive a meal every day with your ticket."

The woman on one side was beautiful yet dressed elegantly, sitting gracefully at a table with writing brush, ink, paper, and inkstone laid out, clearly a registration area.

Beside the beautiful lady stood a handsome young man, grinding ink and licking his brush, a scene of adding fragrance to the beauty's life.

The disaster victims felt as if fairies had descended to earth amidst the swirling sand and dust. They all got up and gathered around the fairies. Two large wooden buckets were placed next to the table. After registering, they received a ticket and a bowl of vegetable porridge.

"Goddess Guanyin".

Someone in the crowd started shouting, "Goddess Guanyin, save us from suffering! The Bodhisattva has opened her eyes!"

"Mother, the fairy goddess has come to save us! Quickly, have some porridge."

"Niu Niu, have some porridge."

"Thank you, Guanyin Bodhisattva, who saves us from suffering!"

Li Yang and the others exchanged smiles, and You Feng said loudly, "We are not bodhisattvas or fairies. Today, we are distributing porridge here because of Miaoxiang Tea House. Our signboard has an inscription by the Emperor. The owner is grateful for the Emperor's grace and is doing his part today. If you want to thank someone, thank His Majesty."

"Your Majesty's grace is boundless..."

"His Majesty has saved the people from suffering..."

-

'Snap—'

A delicate white hand swung across, its crimson nails tracing the woman's fair face.

"Your Majesty, spare me! Your Majesty, spare me!"

"You lowly thing, you think you can have a few tricks up your sleeve and start daydreaming."

"Your Majesty, spare my life!"

"Drag her away and slap her thirty times." The woman addressed as "Empress" leaned back against the cushion.

The door closed, and she turned to look at the indifferent man to the side. "Zhao'er! What kind of women haven't you played with? Why do you have to seduce one of my women?"

“Mother, you only have one maidservant who is barely acceptable. She’s just a maid. Just have them send a few more over.” The male protagonist stood up. “Mother, now that the Zhuang family’s daughter is using the teahouse for disaster relief, it’s not a good time to make a fuss.”

"Now is a critical time, so be careful not to give anyone a handle to use against you." Consort Li sat up straight. "Zhao'er, go find your uncle later and ask him to help that girl."

Li Zhao responded, turned and went out, glancing back at the maid standing at the door, spitting out a curse before quickly leaving.