Chapter 66 Southern Floods
Sweet days are always short-lived, like that plate of braised pork that was snatched up as soon as it was served.
Just as Jiang Mianmian was basking in the joy of being "spoiled and arrogant," preparing to train the two nannies sent by the Empress Dowager into professional technicians, an urgent document arrived like a thunderclap over the capital.
"Report—!"
"Urgent report from Jiangnan! Continuous torrential rains have caused the dike to breach! Floodwaters have submerged thousands of acres of farmland, and people are displaced!"
"Report! The 100,000 taels of disaster relief funds allocated by the imperial court... have vanished en route! The prefect of Jiangnan has hanged himself!"
This series of bad news instantly brought the atmosphere in the Golden Palace to a freezing point.
The young emperor, Shen Xingchen, was so frightened that his face turned pale, and he sat on the dragon throne, at a loss for what to do. The entire court was in complete chaos, with some advocating for a thorough investigation, others for allocating more funds, and still others... shifting the blame among themselves.
Shen Jin stood in the main hall, dressed in a python robe, his expression as cold and stern as iron.
One hundred thousand taels.
That was the people's life-saving money.
Embezzling disaster relief funds at this critical juncture is not just greed; it's sucking people's blood and forcing them to rebel!
That's enough.
With a cold, resolute shout, he silenced all the commotion.
"I will personally investigate this matter."
His gaze swept across the room like lightning. "Minister of Works, immediately allocate grain and fodder. Ministry of Revenue, raise another 50,000 taels of silver. I will personally travel south to see just how murky the waters of Jiangnan really are."
...
The Regent's Palace.
Jiang Mianmian was lying on the silk beanbag chair, enjoying the massage skills of the newly appointed "massage nanny" while humming a little tune in her heart.
[To the left, oh yes, that's it.]
[I must say, the palace maids' techniques are excellent, so professional! Shen Jin, that straight man, just randomly presses things; he needs more practice.]
Just as I was enjoying myself, Chen Jin returned.
As soon as he entered the room, Jiang Mianmian keenly sensed that something was wrong.
On ordinary days, when he returned home, though he carried a chill, his eyes were warm. But today, he was like a drawn sword, exuding a heavy aura of killing intent and...exhaustion.
"What's wrong?"
Jiang Mianmian dismissed the nanny and sat up from the sofa. "Is the Empress Dowager up to her again? Or has the young emperor caused trouble again?"
Shen Jin walked to her side, sat down, and instead of hugging her as usual, remained silent for a moment before whispering:
"Mianmian, I need to leave the capital for a while."
"Leaving Beijing?" Jiang Mianmian was taken aback. "Where to? On a business trip?"
"Jiangnan".
Shen Jin briefly explained the flood and the corruption case, saying, "This matter involves a wide range of issues. If we send someone else, I'm afraid they won't be able to handle it. I must go there myself."
"And..." He looked at Jiang Mianmian, a hint of reluctance flashing in his eyes, "This trip will last at least a month, and possibly three months. You must take good care of yourself while you are at home."
"Jiangnan?!"
Jiang Mianmian's eyes lit up instantly, as if she hadn't heard the following sentence, "Take care of yourself."
How beautiful is Jiangnan! Its scenery is familiar from long ago!
That's a land of fish and rice! A food paradise! There's West Lake Fish in Vinegar Sauce, Longjing Shrimp, Dongpo Pork, Osmanthus Lotus Root Starch... Slurp...
Moreover, I've heard that Jiangnan is home to many talented men and beautiful women, and its scenery is picturesque—it's a perfect tourist destination!
She grabbed Shen Jin's hand, her eyes fervent: "Take me there!"
Shen Jin frowned: "Nonsense. That's a disaster relief mission, not a sightseeing trip. The journey is long, and not to mention the dangers, your health..."
His gaze fell on her lower abdomen, his words carrying a hidden meaning: "You're pregnant now, how can you withstand the hardships of travel?"
"Wow, this 'child' is quite sturdy!"
Jiang Mianmian patted her stomach. "Besides, Your Highness, think about it. I'm the target of everyone's attention right now. The Empress Dowager is watching me, and that Lin Wan'er's remnants are watching me. If you leave and leave me alone in the capital... what if I get bullied? What if I get assassinated?"
That's the absolute truth! Without you, this giant statue, keeping me in check, I'd be turned into dried salted fish in no time!
Besides, I have a personal storage space! I can help you transport supplies! I can be your mobile warehouse! Taking me along, you definitely won't regret it!
Of course, she didn't dare to think those last two sentences too loudly in her mind, for fear of revealing too much.
She put on a pitiful expression and tugged at Chen Jin's sleeve, acting coquettishly:
"Your Highness...you wouldn't bear to leave me alone, would you? What if I fall ill from missing you, lose my appetite, and grow thin from hunger?"
"Besides, I've heard that it's very humid in Jiangnan. Your Highness has injured your leg, so if no one warms your bed for you..."
She blinked her big eyes, giving a frantic hint.
Looking at her shameless expression that said, "If you don't take me, I'll cry," and hearing her inner thought, "Dongpo pork is so delicious," Shen Jin's originally heavy mood strangely lightened up a bit.
Take her with you?
Although it was dangerous, as she said, he was indeed worried about leaving her in the capital. The Empress Dowager and her faction hated her to the core, and once he left the capital, there was no guarantee they wouldn't try to harm her.
He could only feel at ease if he kept her close at hand and under his watchful eye.
and……
He had indeed developed a taste for that kind of "human-shaped hand warmer."
"You can go if you want."
Shen Jin relented, but his tone remained serious, "But we must agree on three rules."
"First, do not run around. Second, do not leave my sight. Third..."
He pinched her cheek. "If you encounter danger, hide behind me immediately. Don't do what you did last time... try to catch a knife with your bare hands."
"No problem! Deal!"
Jiang Mianmian cheered and jumped onto Shen Jin, clinging to him like a koala. "Your Highness is wise! Long live Your Highness!"
[Yay! A trip to Jiangnan! A government-funded vacation! Eating our way around the world!]
[As for danger? Hmph, with me, the apocalyptic overlord, who's protecting whom is anyone's guess!]
Shen Jin supported her waist and shook his head helplessly.
This isn't disaster relief; it's more like bringing along a burden... oh no, a mascot.
"Since you're going, hurry up and pack your things."
Shen Jin put her down. "We'll set off early tomorrow morning. Remember, tell everyone... the Princess Consort is going to Jiangnan to rest and prepare for childbirth."
"Pregnancy care?"
Jiang Mianmian chuckled, "Great excuse! Now no one will dare stop me!"
...
The next morning.
The Regent's Palace motorcade set off in a grand procession.
To accommodate the "pregnant woman," Shen Jin specially had the carriage modified, not only widened and reinforced but also covered with thick shock-absorbing pads, making it practically a mobile mini-bedroom.
Jiang Mianmian lay in the car, eating snacks and reading a storybook, with the top-tier handsome man Shen Jin chatting beside her. It couldn't be more pleasant.
Is this what it feels like to be a winner in life?
Goodbye, Beijing! Goodbye, you old hag! I'm off to Jiangnan for a carefree life!
However, what she didn't know was...
Just as they left the city, deep within the palace, the Empress Dowager stood atop a high building, watching the departing convoy with a sinister glint in her eyes.
"Gone? Good, good that you're gone."
“I can’t touch you in the capital, but once you’re in Jiangnan… then you’re far from the emperor’s reach.”
"Send word to our 'own people' in Jiangnan: this great gift... must be received properly by me!"
A storm is brewing.
A trip to Jiangnan filled with corruption, killings, and "eating, drinking, and having fun" has officially begun.
For Jiang Mianmian, this was not only a culinary journey, but also a battle that would allow her to firmly establish herself in Da Gan and achieve legendary status.
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