Chapter 378 Starting Again
Xie Yun, who had been ignored by the two, complained somewhat resentfully: "Sigh, I'm the one who's superfluous."
The Empress Dowager smiled and, unusually, joined in the banter, saying, "It's alright. Your grandmother has known you for so many years. Just bear with it for a while and pretend to be invisible."
Xie Yun was both amused and exasperated.
The two had dinner with the Empress Dowager and chatted for a while before she asked about the day's events.
The county magistrate has always been seen as a positive figure, and many people even love and respect him.
The news of the county magistrate's house being raided spread like wildfire, and it's no wonder the Empress Dowager found out so quickly.
The Empress Dowager pulled the two aside and asked, "This county magistrate, even I was fooled by him, thinking he was a reliable person. Can you tell your grandmother how you discovered that this county magistrate was two-faced?"
This stumped Sheng Sheng; she couldn't very well say that the little fox had told her.
Fortunately, Xie Yun had already prepared her explanation.
“I told Grandmother that we had contact with Prefect Tang a few days ago when we passed through the provincial capital of Heshan County. By chance, I learned about Magistrate Nong from Prefect Tang, and I had some doubts at that time. After arriving in Jinzhou City yesterday, I sent people to investigate secretly. We were lucky enough to be able to find his weakness so quickly.”
The Empress Dowager nodded: "I see."
The Empress Dowager sighed, her brows furrowed with sorrow: "I have been in Jinzhou City for over a year, and I have been completely deceived by that Magistrate Nong. Who could have imagined that he would dare to do such an absurd thing right under my nose? My stay has only become his shield."
Sheng Sheng hurriedly stepped forward to support the Empress Dowager's arm, her fingertips gently grasping her sleeve: "What are you saying, Grandmother? That county magistrate was just too convincing; even the officials who dealt with him every day didn't notice anything amiss. How could you have predicted it?"
Xie Yun-yang bowed and replied in a steady tone: "The county magistrate dared to take advantage of this loophole because he is always considerate of the people's plight and does not scrutinize too harshly. If he hadn't used your name here as a cover, he wouldn't have dared to be so blatant—in the end, it is he who has gone too far in deceiving you, what does it have to do with you?"
He slightly raised his eyes, his gaze sweeping over the Empress Dowager's slightly furrowed brows: "Now that his disguise has been exposed, I have ordered people to recover all the embezzled grain and money, which will be distributed to the affected farmers tomorrow. The actions of the county magistrate have also been reported to the court by Prefect Tang, so Your Majesty need not worry."
"Good, good." The Empress Dowager was extremely pleased.
"It's true that the younger generation surpasses the older generation. When I was in charge of the palace and managing state affairs, I considered myself to be meticulous, but now that I'm this age, I've been outdone by the younger generation."
"Grandmother, what are you saying?"
Sheng Sheng took the Empress Dowager's arm and said a few playful and witty words, which immediately cheered the Empress Dowager up.
The Empress Dowager laughed, then sighed, "Alright, alright, let's get down to business. What are your plans next?"
"Replying to Your Majesty, after leaving Putuo Temple in three days, we will proceed south according to our original plan."
Xie Yun said, "Our last stop in Yu Kingdom was originally supposed to be Nanli County, but when we left the palace, we promised Consort Shu that we would pass something to our elder brother on her behalf. So, we plan to change our plans and go to Xiyun County instead to see our elder brother."
"Mmm." Sheng Sheng nodded and added, "We were still hesitating about whether to change our plans, but this time we came to Putuo Temple and met the Empress Dowager. Sheng Sheng and the Crown Prince were very happy! Was the Empress Dowager happy to see us too?"
The Empress Dowager pondered for a moment, then feigned seriousness: "Hmm... a little bit."
"Liar! Grandmother is clearly happy too." Sheng Sheng pouted, not wanting to expose the Empress Dowager any further, and said, "So we thought that since the eldest prince hasn't seen his family for so many years in the southwestern border region, he would be very happy if we could go and see him! Besides, Sheng Sheng hasn't met the eldest prince yet. I heard that he is now the commander-in-chief leading the expedition, he must be very handsome!"
"Yes, not bad. Although your eldest brother left the capital impulsively back then, he was indeed a good boy. His Majesty has also seen his achievements on the frontier over the years."
"Uh-huh!"
Sheng Sheng nodded excitedly, then turned her little head and asked the Empress Dowager, "Grandmother, when will you return to the capital?"
"I have no plans yet. Although life at Putuo Temple is uneventful, I am a Buddhist. Listening to the bells and chanting Buddhist scriptures every day at Putuo Temple is much more peaceful than being entangled in trivial matters in the palace."
The Empress Dowager raised her hand and gently rubbed Sheng Sheng's head, her fingertips carrying a hint of warmth. "I've been in Jinzhou City for so long, yet I didn't notice anything wrong with that Magistrate Nong. I truly feel ashamed before the people of Jinzhou City. I intend to personally oversee things here. Once things are completely settled in Jinzhou and the people are living peacefully, it won't be too late for me to consider returning to the capital."
"Great! Great!" Sheng Sheng counted on her fingers. "It's the third day of the seventh month now. If all goes well, we'll definitely be able to reach my eldest brother before November. When that time comes, shall Sheng Sheng and my two brothers send a letter to our grandmother together?"
The Empress Dowager chuckled at the way the girl was counting on her fingers, and reached out to pinch her soft cheek: "Alright, I'll be waiting for your letter."
Laughter echoed through the room.
The Empress Dowager's slightly rough fingers rubbed against her soft cheeks, making her feel a little itchy.
Before coming, Sheng Sheng was worried that she might not be liked, but after meeting the Empress Dowager, she realized that her worries were completely unnecessary.
Grandmother, she was clearly a very kind old woman.
Five days later.
The incident involving the magistrate of Jinzhou City caused a huge uproar. Magistrate Tang personally escorted the man to the provincial prison. The prison cart was smashed with countless rotten leaves and rotten eggs along the way out of Jinzhou City.
The people's anger has only subsided somewhat today.
While awaiting the court's decision, Prefect Tang ordered someone to temporarily replace the magistrate of Jinzhou City, and with the help of people sent by the Empress Dowager, he handled the aftermath of the matter.
Besides this, Sheng Sheng and his group are also leaving.
Five days of contact, not too long, but enough for Sheng Sheng to completely like this elder who was somewhat cold on the outside but warm on the inside.
As the morning light once again bathed the glazed tiles of Putuo Temple, it was time for the group to set sail again.
The morning bell tolled softly outside the palace. The Empress Dowager waved her hand and said, "Go, be careful on the way."
The two bowed in response, turned around, and stepped into the carriage, their footsteps echoing with the sound of dew dripping from the steps, gradually disappearing into the thin mist of the mountains.
In the morning light of Jinzhou City, lay the direction they were heading.
There were not many words of farewell, because Sheng Sheng firmly believed that their hearts would not be separated and that they would soon meet again.
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com