"I'm sure. What's your thought? What are your thoughts?"
"Mother, the jade you usually use is quite nice. How about we get some of this?"
"You're so beautiful, it's impossible."
Jiang Nuan refused without hesitation.
Those jade stones, imbued with her spiritual energy, have been transformed. She doesn't even have enough for herself, let alone for others.
Besides, too much of anything is bad, and these things are already enough.
They're just offering a small reward to lure us in; why would they give away their best?
“Then let’s leave these chickens and ducks at home,” Old Huang explained with a frown. “It’s so hot, it’s inconvenient for them to come along. They’re too noisy and annoying, and we have to feed them and water them…”
Just thinking about it makes my scalp tingle.
Not to mention the overwhelming aroma.
They entered the capital in a chaotic mess, leaving behind a complete disaster.
"No, absolutely not!" Upon hearing this, Liu An rushed over like a whirlwind, spreading his arms to block the car. "We absolutely cannot abandon them."
There's a personal touch to this.
He had already arranged a destination for each and every one of them, ensuring that they would die a worthy death, sacrificing themselves for the Great Zhou.
"Uncle Liu," Huang Chuan pleaded, "please have mercy, I really can't bring him."
The weather in June is already scorching hot, and before he even set off, he was already imagining the scene of people being instantly transformed into immortals by the heat.
“Mother,” he turned his head, “whether it will work next time or not, we can bring you next time.”
Jiang Nuan looked at her son and explained helplessly, "This was agreed upon long ago, and it can't be changed."
Each one inside was arranged very clearly.
Apart from about ten used for fishing, the rest have all been divided up.
"Mother," Huang the eldest regretted, "can't your son not go to the capital?"
"Of course not," Huang Lao Er rebuked sharply. "Brother, how can you let Mother down for a cartload of chickens and ducks? It's really wrong of you. You don't understand Mother's good intentions at all."
As he spoke, he smiled and moved closer to Jiang Nuan, "Mother, let the two of them go to the capital. Your son will stay here to keep you company."
He absolutely refused to go to Beijing with that flock of poultry.
Before I even left, I saw people throwing rotten vegetable leaves and rotten eggs at me. It was horrible.
“My son’s business is just starting out and he really needs someone to take care of him,” Huang Xiaosan said quickly. “Brother, you can go by yourself. Anyway, Uncle Liu is with you, and there are so many guards. Nothing will happen.”
If he had known this would happen, he would never have begged to go with them.
No wonder Mother agreed so readily; she had already anticipated that I would go back on my word.
“No,” Jiang Nuan’s smile remained unchanged, “You must go.”
"No, please," Huang Lao Er quickly said, "It's fine if only Big Brother loses face, we can just let it go."
Under Jiang Nuan's gaze, Huang Lao Er's voice grew softer and softer until it was almost inaudible.
"I'm not afraid, so what are you afraid of?" Liu An was furious with the three boys. "Now you feel ashamed, but when you were eating, none of you showed any mercy?"
"Exactly, it's fine if you don't go, but don't eat meat anymore."
"Mother," Huang asked, feeling wronged, "aren't you afraid we'll make you lose all face?"
"If you're not afraid, I'm even less afraid. Out of sight, out of mind."
That's heartbreaking!
The three brothers exchanged a glance and lowered their heads in frustration.
"What's the big deal? Why do you look down on these chickens and ducks?" Liu An said irritably. "Our ancestors are better than ginseng and bird's nest. Others may not know, but you do, right?"
“Exactly,” Jiang Nuan said quietly, “One should never forget one’s roots. When you were so greedy that you wanted to hug and gnaw on their fur, why didn’t you complain?”
The three Huang brothers: ...
How can these be the same?
"Alright then," Old Master Huang closed his eyes with a look of grim determination, "If Mother wants to take her, then she can."
Anyway, he decided to walk at the very front, and definitely stay far away.
As for the smell, he tolerated it; he could just take a few more showers.
"Why can't we slaughter them so they're easier to carry?" Old Huang complained indignantly.
"How can we put it out in this heat?" Jiang Nuan said impatiently. "Stop dawdling. The sun is already high in the sky. It'll get hot soon. Let's hurry up and get going, don't delay."
After thinking for a moment, he added, "Remember not to let the chickens and ducks get too hot. Clean their cages frequently and give them plenty of water while we're traveling."
After saying that, Jiang Nuan left.
Although Liu An wasn't very reliable, he was still capable of taking care of three inexperienced children.
"Wait a minute," Huang Xiaosan suddenly spoke up, "Uncle Liu, let's wait a bit longer and call Jiang Chao over as well."
“That’s right,” Old Huang also realized, “It’s so hot now, traveling during the day will make these chickens and ducks too hot, so it’s better to travel at night.”
"I'm going to find Jiang Chao."
Before anyone could react, Huang Lao Er had already ridden away.
“That seems to make some sense,” Liu An nodded gently after thinking it over carefully. “Then let’s set off tonight.”
Anyway, there's still some time.
As for Grand Secretary An, he should be able to hold on for a few more days, so there's no need to rush.
Moreover, he has a few gray hairs. If he gets a prescription from Doctor Hu and keeps taking the medicine, he might be able to give An Zhong and the other person a surprise.
A pear tree in full bloom overshadowing a crabapple tree—that too has nothing to do with me anymore…
Thus, the four people, each with their own agendas, tacitly reached an agreement.
In the capital, Grand Secretary An, in the Imperial Study, bowed and hurriedly explained, "Your Majesty, your subject..."
“Anqing,” Ji Xuan interrupted him, “you’ve come at the right time. The floods in Shandong are getting worse. Have the Ministry of Revenue allocate another 500,000 catties of grain.”
"Your Majesty, this is not a good matter. The grain supplies in the Northwest have been exhausted and cannot be delayed any longer."
"so?"
Ji Xuan fell silent, her brows furrowed in thought.
Seeing this, Grand Secretary An wanted to take the opportunity to reveal his purpose, "Your Majesty..."
"Anqing, you've always been a master strategist, have you come up with any good ideas?"
Upon hearing this, Grand Secretary An's face turned green. "Your Majesty, please forgive this old minister's incompetence."
"It's not your fault. The Jiangnan region has been experiencing continuous rainfall, resulting in a nearly 20% reduction in tax grain. Furthermore, the tax grain in Shandong was washed away by the floods. This is the work of nature."
After he finished speaking, there was another silence.
After a long silence, Grand Secretary An tried to explain again, "Your Majesty, this old minister..."
"What?" Ji Xuan looked at him happily. "Do you have a suitable person to recommend? I have never been particular about the type of people I employ. As long as they can solve the flood problem, I will not hesitate to give them important positions, even if they are just ordinary people."
Grand Secretary An felt his face getting hot and lowered his head, saying, "This old minister does not have a suitable candidate at the moment."
"oh!"
Ji Xuan's smile froze, and she fell into deep thought again.
After a long silence, he sighed, "In this time of crisis, there is not a single person we can rely on."
These words, so scathing and hurtful, are very damaging.
Upon hearing this, Grand Secretary An felt a pang of anxiety. After a moment's hesitation, he gritted his teeth and said, "Your Majesty, this old minister will think of another way and will certainly share Your Majesty's burdens."
"You have good intentions, Anqing," Ji Xuan said with relief. "Just do your best, I believe in you."
"Thank you for your trust, Your Majesty."
After leaving the Imperial Study, Grand Secretary An was momentarily dazed. When he came to his senses, he immediately realized something was wrong. "Oh no, something terrible has happened!"
Going to the palace to explain the rumors not only failed to achieve its purpose, but also created trouble for itself.
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com