"The construction of the Grand Canal already requires enormous financial and human resources. And to build an imperial mausoleum at the same time? If that's the case, wouldn't the national treasury be completely depleted?" Ye Qingxue asked directly.

"If the Heavenly Eagle Holy Kingdom is not satisfied with the amount of grain it has obtained, and uses Princess Lingyang's death as an excuse to invade directly, what will the Great Zhou do?"

Yun Zhuo said, "That's what I also advised my father, but the Prime Minister led the charge in saying I was unfilial, even delaying the construction of my father's mausoleum!"

At the morning court session, many officials followed Prime Minister Ning's words and used this as a reason to accuse him of being unfilial. However, the emperor made a decisive decision: both the Grand Canal and the mausoleum should be dug.

"..." Ye Qingxue bit her chopsticks and fell into deep thought.

This is very strange. If a woman like her can see the problem, how could the emperor and the prime minister not see it?

But they still went their own way.

On one hand, the emperor appointed Yunzhuo as the crown prince, on the other hand, he took in many concubines in hopes of having several more princes, and on the other hand, he ordered Yunzhuo to undertake time-consuming, labor-intensive, and money-consuming tasks such as digging the Grand Canal and building a mausoleum. What exactly was the emperor's purpose?

It's not that mausoleums can't be built, but it's best not to do so at the same time as the construction of the Grand Canal.

The national treasury and manpower are simply insufficient to support the simultaneous operation of these two major projects.

However, if the Grand Canal leading to Nanming Port is completed, it will be a great thing for the country and the people... The emperor also put Yun Zhuo in charge of it. What kind of trap is this?

Ye Qingxue almost bit through the sandalwood chopsticks.

Yun Zhuo placed the steamed shad into Ye Qingxue's bowl: "This steamed shad uses the tenderest part of the belly. Eat it while it's hot, it won't taste good when it's cold."

When Ye Qingxue took the chopsticks out of her mouth, they were already dented from being bitten.

Yun Zhuo was slightly taken aback, then burst into laughter and told the servants to bring the chopsticks back.

After dinner.

Yun Zhuo went to the study to busy herself, while Ye Qingxue went back to her room to wash up. Late at night, Yun Zhuo came over after washing up.

Ye Qingxue was already lying on the bed, her slender white hands resting on her abdomen, and asked him, "Do you think the baby is in my belly yet?"

A smile appeared in Yun Zhuo's eyes. He took off his shoes, got into bed, and pulled her into his arms. "It shouldn't be that easy, but if the Crown Princess and I do it a few more times, the chances of success will be higher."

The candlelight illuminated Ye Qingxue's face, making her cheeks flush. She wrapped her arms around Yun Zhuo's neck and said, "I think His Highness the Crown Prince is right."

Afterwards, Yun Zhuo embraced Ye Qingxue, inhaling the fragrance of her hair, and fell asleep with her.

Neither of them noticed that a pair of eyes were watching them from the darkness outside the window, just watching silently.

Zhuang Xin had something on his mind lately and couldn't sleep, so he got up and went to the roof to look at the moon.

Suddenly he noticed a shadow appearing in the main courtyard. His heart skipped a beat. Could it be that something had happened to the Crown Prince and Crown Princess?

A few days ago, he heard that the Crown Princess had transferred several guards to the main courtyard to keep watch. Could it be that she had sensed the presence of assassins in advance?

Zhuang Xin immediately rushed towards the main courtyard, but unexpectedly bumped into Mi Rao. He was surprised: "It's so late, why are you still awake and here?"

The moonlight made Mi Rao's face appear somewhat pale. She glanced at the sky, moved her lips a few times, and then said:

"The moonlight is beautiful, and I'm reluctant to go to sleep... I habitually came over to ask the Crown Prince and Crown Princess if they wanted a midnight snack, but when I got to the door I realized they should already be asleep, so I turned back."

Mi Rao slapped her head: "Brother Zhuang Xin, look, I'm so stupid and confused."

Zhuang Xin grinned and said, "You're not stupid, you're just too dedicated, it's cute."

After saying that, he blushed deeply and then tried to change the subject, so he said, "I also think the moon is beautiful tonight. Would you like to come with me to the rooftop to watch the moon?"

Mi Rao looked at him with bright, sparkling eyes: "Can we really go up? I've never tried looking at the moon from a rooftop before."

"I'll take you up! I'm very good at light footwork!" Zhuang Xin put his arm around her waist and led her up to the roof.

After sitting down, Zhuang Xin realized how inappropriate his behavior had been, but Mi Rao seemed oblivious, only looking up at the moon with a joyful expression.

Zhuang Xin let out a silent sigh of relief and sat stiffly beside her. She looked at the moon, and he looked at her.

Later, Mi Rao fell asleep on his shoulder. Zhuang Xin looked at her sleeping face for half the night, reluctant to close his eyes.

The moonlight shone softly, illuminating not only them on the rooftop but also Yun Zhuo's sleeping face.

His brows were furrowed, his forehead was covered in a fine layer of sweat, and he gripped Ye Qingxue's hand tighter and tighter...

"Why, why did you do this!" Yun Zhuo roared. He suddenly opened his eyes, sat up abruptly, and looked at his hands, which were covered in blood!