Consort Yu sat in the warm pavilion of Jingyang Palace, the teacup in her hand long since cold.
As she listened to the palace maid's whispered report of Hongli's suicide and Niohuru's madness, her fingertips trembled slightly, and she nearly knocked over her teacup.
"How dare this child be so audacious!" Consort Yu murmured to herself, her eyes filled with horror.
She recalled the rumors circulating in the palace that the emperor had been murdered, and realized that it was Hongli who had done it. She was filled with lingering fear.
She quickly ordered her personal maid, "Go and summon the Fifth Prince!"
A moment later, Hongzhou rushed over. Seeing that Consort Yu looked solemn, he immediately put aside his usual playfulness and bowed respectfully: "Mother, did you want to see me?"
Consort Yu grabbed his hand, her voice trembling slightly: "Hongzhou, you'd better behave yourself lately, and don't upset your father!"
She paused, then lowered her voice and said, "You've heard about your fourth brother's situation, haven't you?"
Hongzhou nodded, a complex look flashing in his eyes.
Although he wasn't particularly close to Hongli, they were brothers after all, and he couldn't help but feel a pang of sorrow at Hongli's current predicament.
Seeing his silence, Consort Yu quickly instructed him, "Remember, in this deep palace, one wrong step leads to another. Your mother does not ask for you to be rich and powerful, but only for you to be safe and sound."
As she spoke, her eyes reddened slightly, "Now that the Imperial Concubine trusts me and has allowed me to manage some affairs, our lives have become a little easier. If you were to do the same... I really don't know what to do."
Seeing Consort Yu's worry, Hongzhou nodded solemnly: "Mother, rest assured, your son understands the importance of this matter."
Consort Yu was slightly relieved and then gave many more instructions, which Hongzhou agreed to one by one.
After he left, Consort Yu sighed and stared blankly at the falling leaves outside the window.
She thought to herself: Fortunately, I chose to stand on the side of the Imperial Concubine back then, otherwise the fate of Niohuru might be a warning to me...
---
The atmosphere in the imperial court was heavy.
News of earthquakes has come one after another from Gansu, Shaanxi and other places. The disaster is severe and people have been displaced.
Emperor Yongzheng sat upright on the dragon throne, his face calm, but the worry between his brows was hard to hide.
"Your Majesty, the Governor of Gansu has sent an urgent report that eight or nine out of ten houses in Pingliang and Qingyang have collapsed, resulting in countless deaths and injuries. The disaster victims urgently need resettlement," Minister of War Li Xianfu stepped forward to report.
Minister of Revenue and Grand Councilor Zhang Tingyu then stepped forward: "Your Majesty, fortunately, the cultivation of potatoes and corn has been promoted in recent years, and the granaries in various regions have sufficient reserves to cope with the disaster."
However, there is a risk of plague following the earthquake, and precautions must be taken as soon as possible. I suggest that grain be immediately transferred from neighboring prefectures and counties for disaster relief, and that imperial physicians be dispatched to prevent and control the plague.
Emperor Yongzheng nodded: "What Minister Zhang said is absolutely right."
He glanced at the assembled officials: "Do any of you have other good ideas?"
Ortai, who had just been promoted to Minister of Works, stepped forward and said: "I believe that the most urgent task is to build temporary shelters to settle the disaster victims. Local officials should be ordered to organize able-bodied men and use the timber that has not been completely collapsed to build simple sheds as soon as possible."
"In addition," Tang Zhiyu, Minister of Justice, added, "bandits are prone to emerge after disasters, so it is necessary to strengthen patrols and maintain order."
After a moment's contemplation, Emperor Yongzheng decisively issued an edict: "Immediately transfer 100,000 shi of grain from Shaanxi and Shanxi to the disaster area; the Imperial Medical Academy shall select skilled physicians and send them with medicines; local garrisons shall assist in building shelters and maintaining order. Anyone who neglects their duties shall be severely punished!"
"Your Majesty is wise!" the courtiers shouted in unison.
The Minister of Rites suddenly stepped forward, looking worried, and said, "Your Majesty, the earthquake is a celestial warning. Should we hold a grand ceremony to appease the people?"
Yongzheng's gaze turned cold, and he said indifferently, "Disaster relief comes first, and formalities can be postponed. If there are unusual celestial phenomena, I will reflect on my actions, but right now the lives of the people are at stake, how can we delay because of sacrifices?"
The Minister of Rites was rendered speechless by the rebuttal and retreated in embarrassment.
Yongzheng then looked at the commander of the Sticky Rod Office: "Investigate secretly. If any official is found to have embezzled disaster relief funds, he shall be executed without pardon!"
"Yes, sir!" The commander of the Sticky Rod Office accepted the order and left.
After the court meeting ended, Emperor Yongzheng remained alone in the Hall of Mental Cultivation, his brow furrowed as he gazed at the pile of memorials on his desk.
He picked up his pen and wrote several secret edicts, ordering them to be sent to the disaster area by fast horses.
At this moment, he was not only concerned about the disaster victims, but also about the local officials who were eyeing him covetously.
In the face of natural disasters, man-made disasters require even greater vigilance.
---
Inside Yanxi Palace, Lin Yun was sitting opposite Daiyu, embroidering.
Chunlan rushed in and whispered the news of the earthquake.
Lin Yun paused in her needlework, her brows furrowing slightly: "Is the disaster serious?"
Chunlan nodded: "I heard there have been many deaths and injuries. Now that it's autumn and the weather is getting colder, the disaster victims are lacking food and clothing, so it will probably be even harder for them to get through this."
Lin Yun put down her embroidery frame, pondered for a moment, and suddenly said, "Go and invite Consort Qi, Consort Yu, and Consort Mao over. Tell them I have something important to discuss with them."
Before long, the three arrived one after another.
Lin Yun said directly, "The earthquakes in Gansu and Shaanxi have caused great suffering to the people. I was thinking that the sisters in the harem might be able to help. For example, they could sew some winter clothes or donate some of their own money, which would be a small contribution."
Consort Qi readily agreed, "That's great! I still have some cotton and silk fabrics there, which we can use."
Consort Yu said softly, "Although I am not wealthy, I am willing to do my part."
Consort Mao sneered, "Those ministers are always full of benevolence and morality, but now they expect us women to do the work. However, since Your Highness has spoken, I naturally have nothing to say."
Lin Yun smiled slightly: "In that case, let's begin tomorrow. I will ask the Emperor to set up a special place in the palace for everyone to sew clothes. As for the money, it's entirely voluntary, and there will be no coercion."
After everyone had reached a consensus, they went back to prepare. Lin Yun then got up and went to the Hall of Mental Cultivation to request an audience with Emperor Yongzheng.
This chapter is not finished yet. Please click on the next page to continue reading the exciting content!
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
