Empress Xiaozhuang calmed herself down and then came up with an idea.
"Bao Cheng is right. The snow disaster coincided with Lunar New Year's Eve. If it is not handled properly, it will leave a bad example for others to criticize."
Seeing that Empress Dowager Xiaozhuang's mood had eased, Guarjia said, "Now that Father Emperor is not in the palace, all matters concerning the harem still need to be decided by the Empress Dowager."
Empress Dowager Xiaozhuang fiddled with her prayer beads, her mind preoccupied. After a long while, she looked at Sumalagu and said, "Go and tell Consort Wenxi that there will be no singing or dancing at tomorrow's banquet, and all concubines attending the palace banquet must not be extravagant."
Sumalagu accepted the order and went to carry it out, and Guarjiashi finally breathed a sigh of relief.
That night, the concubines in the harem were all preoccupied and there was no festive spirit at all.
Several imperial edicts were issued from within Yuqing Palace, and when the ministers emerged from the palace under the cover of night, they all fell silent.
Someone started, saying, "It's unbelievable that His Highness the Crown Prince can handle such an emergency so well. He's truly not to be underestimated."
"Yes. Suzhou is a place that has only ever heard of flood prevention, and this is the first time they have encountered a snow disaster. They probably don't even have basic disaster relief experience. Fortunately, His Highness the Crown Prince made arrangements quickly, so I think the losses can be minimized."
A few people were chatting together when Zhang Tingyu walked out with a solemn expression.
"Lord Zhang, the disaster relief efforts are now in your hands."
Zhang Tingyu frowned.
"Suzhou has been hit by a snowstorm, and there may not be any emergency supplies available. It will probably be difficult to go there for disaster relief."
Zhang Tingyu was truly uncertain.
"I suppose the Emperor has already arrived in Mongolia. I wonder how he will react upon hearing this news."
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