During these few days of the annual holiday, without those annoying memorials, the old emperor was admiring a famous painting sent by the third prince, Zhu Chen, in the imperial study.
The newly appointed Consort Ye stood behind the old emperor.
"Your humble servant greets Your Majesty. Long live the Emperor! Long live the Emperor! Long live the Emperor!" Upon entering the Imperial Study, the Duke of Zhenguo and Lu Yucheng knelt down and bowed respectfully.
The old emperor lifted his eyelids slightly.
He said softly to Consort Ye, who was clinging to his arm, "Go to the side hall and wait for me."
"Your Majesty~" Consort Ye's voice was charming, the kind that could melt a man's bones.
"Listen to me, I'll be there in a moment."
The Duke of Zhenguo and Lu Yucheng knelt with their heads bowed, both of them frowning slightly, almost imperceptibly.
When Consort Ye passed by the two of them, she paused slightly.
Zhang Zhongwei bowed and said, "This old servant will serve you, young master."
Lady Ye then flicked her sleeves and walked away from them.
The old emperor reluctantly turned his gaze away from Consort Ye, and immediately put on a smile: "Duke Zhenguo, Prince Lu, please rise quickly, you must be tired from your journey. Zhang Zhongwei, offer the Duke Zhenguo and Prince Lu seats."
"Thank you, Your Majesty."
Zhang Zhongwei asked two eunuchs to bring over stools, and the two thanked him and sat down.
The father and son observed the old emperor's expression. Although his face was thin, his complexion was somewhat better. The Duke of Zhenguo asked, "Is Your Majesty's health well now? What does Physician Jiang say?"
The old emperor waved his hand: "My health is just like this, it's an old ailment, it's nothing serious."
His gaze lingered on the weathered face of the Duke of Zhenguo, and he chuckled softly, "We're practically in-laws now. When the two children got married, you didn't return to Shengjing. I was thinking that the New Year was approaching, and since the Southern Frontier is now at peace, I wanted to summon you back."
"I didn't expect the heavy snow in Mu City to delay your journey. Why don't you stay in Shengjing for a while before going back?"
The Duke of Zhenguo bowed and replied.
Lu Yucheng didn't show it outwardly, but he was actually very happy. Guarding the southern border was the Lu family's ancestral precept, and as the heir of the Duke of Zhenguo's mansion and the future Duke of Zhenguo, it was his duty to protect the country and its people.
He used to think about finding a husband for his younger sister, Xiaoyun, in the southern borderlands. With him, her older brother, doting on her, no one would dare to bully her.
As a result, by a twist of fate, he ended up entering the Prince An's mansion.
If it weren't for the customary requirement to first enter the palace to see the Emperor, he would have long wanted to go to Prince An's residence to see Xiaoyun.
I haven't seen Xiaoyun for two years. I wonder how she is doing, whether His Highness Prince An treats her well, and whether she is still being bewitched by his stepmother.
When he left last time, he left her 10,000 taels of silver, telling her to remember to buy herself some food and clothes, wondering if it would be enough.
He sent so many letters back, but she never replied with a single word. Why doesn't this girl miss her brother?
Ugh, I really want to see Xiaoyun today, what am I going to do?
"How was the journey? Was it smooth?" The old emperor's deep voice interrupted Lu Yucheng's thoughts.
"Your Majesty, everything went smoothly. However, when we passed through Mu City, we saw that it had been snowing heavily for several days. If this continues, I am afraid there will be a snow disaster. I saw that many houses have collapsed and the people have not been able to have a good New Year. I am really worried."
The Duke of Zhenguo stood up and bowed deeply to the old emperor: "I urge Your Majesty to send someone to investigate as soon as possible. It would be best if a prince could be sent to investigate, as members of the royal family can reassure the people."
The old emperor was very impatient that the Duke of Zhenguo would bring up such troublesome matters as soon as he arrived. The prefect of Mucheng hadn't even reported it, so it must not be anything important.
What does it mean for a soldier guarding the border to interfere in local affairs?
Snow falls every winter, and it's already snowed several times in Shengjing this winter. Why must his son be sent?
eventful.
"Alright, I understand. I will send someone to investigate. The Duke of Zhenguo has just returned to Shengjing; he should go back to his residence and rest as soon as possible."
This means they're kicking people out.
The Duke of Zhenguo knew that his words might displease the Emperor, but with the people of Great Zhou suffering in Mucheng, how could he return to his residence in peace?
"Your Majesty, the snowfall in Mu City this time is far too heavy, and it coincides with the New Year. Mu City has a large population, and if more and more people are affected by the disaster, I'm afraid it will not be good."
"While the disaster is not yet severe, we should immediately send high-ranking officials to control the situation. This will minimize the losses from this disaster, and the people can live their lives in peace."
"Of course, it would be even better if a prince could be sent. Your Majesty's five princes are all adults. Their presence represents Your Majesty and the court. The people will know that Your Majesty and the court are concerned about them, and they will naturally be even more grateful to the royal family and support our Great Zhou."
The old emperor frowned as he listened. Here we go again. It's so annoying. This Lu Zhongyi shouldn't have been allowed to return to Shengjing. It's just a few snowfalls. The local officials aren't worried, so why is a general stationed on the frontier in such a hurry?
It's all Zhu Yu's fault. Why did he have to hand over the Tiger Tally of the Northern Army? Now he's in a difficult position and has no choice but to recall the man back to the capital.
The old emperor picked up the tea beside him, took a small sip, and slowly put it down before saying, "Alright, I will consider this matter. Once the prefect of Mucheng submits his memorial, I will immediately send someone to handle it."
"If no memorials are submitted, my dear minister, there is no need to worry. I suppose the heavy snow in Mu City is not as severe as you imagine."
"Your Majesty!" We still have to wait for the prefect to submit his memorial; how long will it take for this back and forth to happen?
"This old minister is willing to go immediately."
“That’s not appropriate! You and Prince Lu have just returned to Shengjing. There’s no reason for you to go again. You’ve traveled a long way. Go back to your residence and rest for a few days.”
"emperor……"
Seeing that the Duke of Zhenguo was about to persuade him, the old emperor interrupted him, his voice turning cold: "The prefect of Mucheng didn't even report it. What if it's just a small matter? Why make such a fuss? Nothing has happened yet, and you've already sent my son. Originally, there was nothing wrong, but the people saw my son and it made them panic."
"Besides, it's only been a few days since the New Year. You should let my sons rest for a few days."
"Alright, let me send someone to investigate the situation first. If the situation is as you say, I will send a prince immediately. The Fifth Prince is not in Shengjing City, and the Fourth Prince is injured and cannot go. Let's choose one of the three: the Crown Prince, Zhu Chen, and Zhu Heng."
The Duke of Zhenguo frowned. This matter of disaster relief was of utmost urgency, yet the Emperor was still thinking of sending someone to investigate first, and then sending his son.
How long does it take for this round trip to take?
Even at top speed, it would take four or five days. In those four or five days, who knows how many people would starve or freeze to death.
Along their journey, they had seen too many people suffering from the disaster. They had emptied their pockets of everything they had to eat and keep warm, but it was all just a drop in the ocean.
The old emperor, holding a cup of tea in one hand, glanced at him and said, "Duke Zhenguo, please sit down."
"Your Majesty..."
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