"Don't you know? His Majesty announced a general amnesty this morning at the court session."
Zuo Miaomiao replied.
"All death sentences will be waived and replaced with life imprisonment; sentences of six months or less will be waived."
Xiao Qingyin suddenly felt that the melon seeds in her hand no longer smelled good.
According to this pardon, not only would Yao not have to die, but the old lady of the Xiao family would also not have to go to jail.
The previous lawsuit was all for nothing.
Is this emperor an SSS-rank card issued by the Xiao family?
She thought for a moment and asked, "Is it because of the earthquake a few days ago?"
Granting a general amnesty was always a routine practice for emperors in response to various natural disasters.
Zuo Miaomiao nodded.
"In addition to granting a general amnesty, they also exempted the people in the disaster area from rent and taxes, corvée labor, and provided them with subsidies in silver and grain."
Xiao Qingyin was a little surprised.
These measures not only alleviate the urgent needs of the people in the disaster area, but also greatly benefit post-disaster reconstruction.
It seems that although Emperor Chengtai's private life was a bit chaotic, he handled state affairs quite well.
"His Majesty is quite considerate of the people."
"No, that's not true."
Zuo Miaomiao looked around, then leaned close to Xiao Qingyin's ear and whispered:
"The earthquake relief was timely, and the casualties were less than two hundred. His Majesty originally planned to issue an edict of self-reproach and grant each of the deceased two thousand coins for coffin expenses.
"Then why..."
"Someone found a piece of jade in the cracks caused by the earthquake, with the words 'When the emperor loses his virtue, the people suffer' written on it."
Xiao Qingyin raised an eyebrow.
This is the start of a rebellion.
Could it be that the owner of those eight cannons did this?
"Those characters are perfectly natural, with no trace of human intervention."
Zuo Miaomiao spoke softer and softer.
"His Majesty was furious and immediately ordered a news blackout."
But the news had already spread among the disaster victims.
His Majesty consulted his court officials and took appeasement measures in order to silence these disaster victims.
Do you know who proposed these measures?
Xiao Qingyin shook her head.
She never cared about politics, so how could she possibly know?
"It's Bai Hanlin, no, now we should call him Scholar Bai, he's just been promoted to Hanlin Academician and Imperial Edict Drafter."
There are two types of Hanlin scholars in Da Xi.
One type does not include the title of Imperial Edict.
One type comes with a belt.
The former was merely a member of the emperor's advisory group.
The latter was the emperor's secretary, responsible for drafting important state documents and imperial edicts, and was always filled by the most prestigious scholars.
The next level up from this position is prime minister.
That ungrateful wretch only passed the imperial examination with top honors a short time ago, and he's already been promoted three ranks.
He might even become the youngest prime minister in the Great Hee Dynasty.
Thinking about this, Xiao Qingyin felt terrible.
It's true that a dead ex is a good ex.
He was promoted after he went to the disaster area on behalf of His Majesty to offer condolences and distribute money.
These measures were met with great praise from the disaster victims.
His Majesty's reputation for benevolence spread far and wide, and the Emperor was overjoyed. In his delight, he promoted him. My father said that everyone in the Hanlin Academy was incredibly envious.
Now, even the Third Princess isn't afraid of him anymore; all the powerful families want to marry their daughters to him.
Zuo Miaomiao was still talking non-stop.
Xiao Qingyin: That was a very good compliment. You don't need to compliment me next time.
Seeing Zuo Miaomiao's envious expression, she couldn't help but feel worried.
"You wouldn't happen to have a crush on him too, would you?"
"How is that possible!"
Zuo Miaomiao shuddered.
"How could I, a mere weed, possibly afford to provoke such a swarm of bees and butterflies?"
Xiao Qingyin smiled and cracked open a melon seed.
"You're not a foxtail grass, you're a sunflower, cute and heartwarming."
"Sister Xiao, you're so kind!"
Zuo Miaomiao gave her a bear hug.
Xiao Qingyin handed her a handful of melon seeds.
Zuo Miaomiao started smacking her lips, finally stopping her little mouth from smacking.
But after only a few taps, she remembered something else.
"Oh, by the way, there's another piece of news, I don't know if you've heard it?"
"What news?"
"Your younger sister from the Xiao family has become the Third Prince's concubine."
Xiao Qingyin: "???"
Xiao Qingrong is practically a living dead person, how could she still have this ability?
When did this happen?
"A couple of days ago, they carried it over in a sedan chair. Not many people probably know about it."
Xiao Qingyin seemed to be deep in thought.
She remembered that Xiao Qingrong desperately wanted to marry the Crown Prince, but her dream must have been shattered after she was seen sleeping with her cousin.
Because the person who witnessed the incident that day was on good terms with the Yao family, the news didn't spread much, but if someone wanted to inquire, they would definitely be able to find out.
The Third Prince couldn't possibly be so clueless as to not understand something this simple.
What is it about Xiao Qingrong that allows her to enter the Third Prince's residence after her mother has been sentenced to death and she herself has become a living dead?
The whole family is like an unkillable cockroach, so annoying.
It seems that in the future, we must nip the problem in the bud.
Otherwise, if things start to grow back like spring breezes, she'll have to sharpen her knife again.
How do you know so much gossip?
Xiao Qingyin asked Zuo Miaomiao.
This girl is definitely a gossip queen.
“Hehe,” Zuo Miaomiao grinned mischievously, “My dad is an imperial censor, so what he’s best at is gathering gossip, no, public opinion.”
"Like father, like daughter."
After chatting for a while, Zuo Miaomiao looked at the sky outside and said, "It should clear up in a couple of days. It's time to go hunting in the fall."
"Autumn hunt?"
"Yes, an autumn hunt is usually held around this time of year. You should be able to participate. Have you prepared your riding gear?"
"No."
Xiao Qingyin replied.
She had no idea that this was true.
"How about we go shopping now and order some riding gear?"
Xiao Qingyin pressed her stomach; her abdomen had been aching since last night, and she didn't really want to move.
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