Li Xi glanced gratefully at the sect leader and bowed again: "Thank you for your trust and support, godfather. Xiaoyue will do her best."
Seeing the joy in his eyes at being entrusted with an important task, the cult leader lowered his guard.
In this way, seizing everything would be secure. He left satisfied.
Li Xi returned to her courtyard, wrote down the matter, and had Sui Feng send it out.
Although the leader trusted them, he only discussed matters with the Grand Protector and the Ten Great Protectors each time.
As the cult leader's "adopted daughter" and Situ Feng's nominal adopted son, she had no right to participate in decision-making.
He trusted his protectors who had always followed him, many of whom were probably from the previous dynasty.
Since that's the case, she decided to wait and see.
The Prince of Liang has recently risen in status due to his son, after his wife gave birth to a son. The emperor values him highly and has entrusted him with the task of dealing with the drought.
This job doesn't seem like a good one on the surface, but he knows it's a test from his father.
Fortunately, the Holy Maiden of the Red Lotus Cult helped her followers by contributing money and effort, which saved him a lot of trouble.
He dispatched trusted confidants to investigate the extent of the disaster and discussed countermeasures with his staff.
Secretly, the Red Lotus Cult provided him with a great deal of assistance, which enabled him to handle the matter with ease.
"My Red Lotus Sect has been of great help to you this time. Now, I, the sect leader, also need your help with a small matter." The Red Lotus Sect leader interrupted Liang Wang's self-indulgent reverie.
Upon hearing this, King Liang felt a slight ripple in his heart, but his face remained impassive.
He turned around and said slowly, "What the leader says is absolutely right. I will remember the Red Lotus Sect's great help this time. I wonder what the leader's needs are? Please speak freely. As long as it is within my power, I will do my best."
The leader of the Red Lotus Sect smiled knowingly and slowly approached, saying, "Your Highness Prince Liang is indeed a straightforward person."
The two talked privately for more than an hour before parting ways.
The night was deep, and the moonlight was like a ribbon.
September has arrived in the blink of an eye.
Last year, Prince An conducted thorough investigations and visited various places to understand the local conditions, punished many officials who failed to fulfill their duties, and also resolved many bandit problems.
However, most of the bandit strongholds were destroyed by the Holy Maiden of the Red Lotus Sect and handed over to the local government, winning the hearts of many people.
Nowadays, the Red Lotus Sect is highly praised by the public, and its followers travel openly in various places, no longer acting in secrecy as before.
The good deeds performed by the Red Lotus Sect were turned into folk songs and sung in the streets and alleys.
The trade fair, which ended early last year due to unrest, has reopened this year half a month earlier.
The autumn winds of September not only brought coolness, but also an atmosphere of prosperity and anticipation, permeating the entire imperial city and neighboring towns.
At the trade fair, merchants gathered from all directions, and goods from all over the world were displayed in abundance, ranging from rare exotic spices to exquisite handicrafts.
In the central square of the trade fair, a unique auction is taking place on a temporary elevated platform.
On the stage, the auctioneer, holding a golden gavel, spoke in a booming voice, introducing the treasure to be auctioned—a mysterious gemstone said to have been salvaged from a distant sea.
Its colors are ever-changing, like the brightest star in the night sky, which attracted the crowd below the stage to bid against it, creating a lively and extraordinary atmosphere.
This year, the Prince of Liang is still in charge of security for the trade fair, and Emperor Wenyuan has recently been quite fond of him.
However, what was unexpected was that quite a few sects appeared at this trade fair.
These sects usually live in seclusion and rarely venture into the mortal world, but now they have all appeared here.
What's even more interesting is that they actually set up stalls in the venue just like ordinary businessmen.
It covers everything from clothing, food, housing, and transportation, offering a dazzling array of goods that are overwhelming.
Actually, the reason behind this is not hard to understand.
The relationship between the Jingyuan imperial court and the martial arts sects has always been harmonious.
All of this is thanks to the strong support the retired emperor received from various sects during his reign.
It was precisely because of the Emperor Emeritus's benevolence that the cooperation between the imperial court and the martial arts sects became so close.
The retired emperor knew that for a country to enjoy long-term stability and security, it must have a strong backing.
As a force that could not be ignored, the martial arts sects naturally became the objects of the Emperor Emeritus's reliance.
However, the Red Lotus Cult has also appeared here this year.
Now their reputation among the people is higher than that of other sects, and the retired emperor specifically instructed that they should not be obstructed.
Therefore, Chairman Wang did not show much reaction on the surface, but only ordered people to secretly supervise their actions.
Luo Yue, the Holy Maiden of the Red Lotus Sect, appeared at the venue wearing a thin veil, immediately causing a sensation.
The previously noisy conversations in the hall gradually subsided, and everyone's attention focused on this mysterious and holy saint.
Luo Yue did not speak directly, but simply raised her hand slightly.
"The Red Lotus Sect has always been compassionate and dedicated to relieving suffering and distress." A clear and magnetic voice suddenly rang out; it was Situ Feng.
He stood beside Luo Yue and said, “Today, I am honored to participate in this grand event. My sect will give away one hundred pills, hoping that the light of my sect can illuminate every corner that needs care.”
These words were met with thunderous applause.
"Good, the saintess is righteous!" the onlookers shouted.
Soon the Red Lotus Sect's booth was packed with people.
The Red Lotus Sect has prepared dozens of kinds of pills, each of which can cure different ailments.
Those who had already tried their pills couldn't wait any longer and began clamoring to buy them.
"Don't rush, everyone! Take your time, everyone will get a share!" a Red Lotus Sect disciple shouted.
He stood in front of the stall, holding a small notebook in his hand, recording the quantity and type of pills purchased by each person.
"I want a bottle of Rejuvenation Pill, a bottle of Nourishing Essence Pill, and..." an old man said impatiently.
"Okay, sir, please wait a moment," the Red Lotus Sect disciple replied with a smile.
He quickly took the corresponding medicine bottle from the stall and handed it to the old man.
"Thank you, thank you," the old man said gratefully. He took the bottle of pills, carefully opened the cap, smelled the fragrance of the pills, and a satisfied smile appeared on his face.
"I also want two bottles of Rejuvenation Pills, and..." another middle-aged man said eagerly.
"Okay, sir, please wait a moment." The Red Lotus Sect disciple busied himself again. He skillfully took out the corresponding medicine bottle from the stall and handed it to the middle-aged man.
"Thank you, thank you," the middle-aged man said gratefully. He took the bottle of pills, looked at the instructions on the label, nodded, and indicated his satisfaction.
As time went on, the crowd in front of the Red Lotus Sect's booth grew larger and larger, but the order remained perfectly maintained.
Everyone lined up in an orderly fashion to buy the pills they needed, while the Red Lotus Sect disciples busily and enthusiastically served each customer.
"Your pills are really good; my illness has improved a lot," a young woman said with a smile to the Red Lotus Sect disciple.
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com