Chapter 81 Chapter 81 Patrolling the canals, the emperor died
Lan Nongnong's body went limp, allowing him to caress her as he pleased. Luckily, he remembered her weakness, struggling to breathe, so he would occasionally pull away, allowing her to catch her breath, before kissing her deeply once more.
When the shadow that had enveloped her finally left, she was already too tired to open her eyes, her head was dizzy, and her ears were ringing. Naturally, she could not hear what he whispered in her ear.
After his breathing gradually calmed down, Biyu and others helped him wash, eat, and take medicine, and then he fell into a deep sleep.
For the next few days, she rested in the guesthouse. Qin Jingyao left early and returned late, often leaving her still asleep when he left and fast asleep when he returned. Although they shared the same bed every night, they hadn't spoken a single word to each other for days.
While she remained calm and composed, Qin Jingyao could no longer contain himself. He immediately arranged his official duties overnight and set aside a whole day to spend time with her. Fortunately, the discomfort caused by the unfamiliar climate had subsided, and she felt much better.
It was a rare occasion for them to dine together. Perhaps because they missed each other, they would often serve each other food, whispering to each other with affection. After she finished her medicine, they walked out hand in hand.
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Although Wangquan Prefecture lacked abundant water resources, it was far from barren. The people here were known for their toughness, and most were tall and strong. As soon as one entered the market, the resounding shouts of merchants filled one's ears.
In the capital, the summer heat would have dissipated by this time of year, but here, with abundant sunshine, the air still carried a hint of dryness. Furthermore, the low humidity created a lot of dust, so when she went out, Qin Jingyao deliberately put a veil on her head. To prevent dust from entering, she also covered her face with a veil, light as mist, almost imperceptible.
Unlike later generations, when clothing became more uniform, the local people had their own unique style of clothing, very different from any other city she had seen. Most men wore only a short jacket with long pants, while women wore a variety of light jackets underneath, with a skirt underneath.
At first glance at their attire, you can tell that the people here have a casual and straightforward demeanor.
As the saying goes, oranges grown south of the Huai River are oranges, while those grown north of the Huai River are bitter oranges. People are always curious about things they rarely see. In this city, besides selling essential clothing and utensils, a small number of shops and stalls advertise exquisite southern craftsmanship or fashionable items from the capital, attracting many travelers in various attire to stop and linger.
Lan Nongnong was curious about new things, but the air and environment here made her feel uncomfortable. The noisy sounds from the buildings on the street were like invisible sound waves hitting her eardrums, making her dizzy, her heart beating rapidly, and her breathing difficult.
Although she wore a veil, one of her hands was always held by Qin Jingyao, and his thumb pressed lightly on her pulse from time to time. Therefore, he could detect the slightest curling of her fingertips, the disturbance of her pulse, or the slightest change in her breathing.
Without a moment's hesitation, he leaned over and lifted the man horizontally. With a sweep of his phoenix eyes, he quickly headed for a relatively quiet alleyway and strode straight ahead. His attendants moved silently, forming a human barrier in front and behind the two of them. Though the bustling city noise was still throbbing, it felt as if shielded by a layer, no longer as harsh and piercing.
Biyu hurriedly asked the palace guards to unfold the folding stools they carried with them, took out the thermos from the food box, poured a cup of hot tea, and hurriedly served it. Mo Chou had also stepped forward and was waiting for instructions.
Qin Jingyao held her and sat her down, placing her on his lap. He gently lifted her veil and fed her half a cup of warm tea. Then he bent down to study her pale face. His eyes were concerned, his brows slightly furrowed. He wiped the water marks on her lips with his fingertips and asked softly, "Where are you feeling unwell? Are you feeling better now? Can I let Mo Chou take your pulse?"
Lan Nongnong leaned against his neck, shook her head gently, and said softly, "I'm fine... I'm just used to the quiet, and suddenly hearing such a noise made my heart beat faster."
--She used to love the hustle and bustle, but now she can't stand the noise.
Qin Jingyao's breath barely registered, but when he spoke again, his tone was normal: "People in the northwest have a rough and resonant voice, which is indeed a bit noisy. Nongnong, would you like to go back and rest? If not, we can take a car to find a quiet place outside the city. Although there are no green mountains and beautiful waters here, the loess wilderness has its own unique grandeur."
Lan Nongnong still felt unwell, but she knew it was rare for him to take the time out of his busy schedule to accompany her, and she didn't want to let him down. Her thoughts were clear on her face, and she said softly, "Then let's leave the city. By the way, can we go to the canal?"
At this point, her interest seemed to be ignited. She placed her hand on his shoulder and stood up. Her pale face was shining with a pair of eyes. "The construction of canals has always been a major project that benefits the people for generations to come. I have never seen how a canal is built with my own eyes. Since I'm here, even if I can only see the prototype, it will be worth the trip."
Qin Jingyao's heart was already warmed by her forcing herself to be considerate despite her being unwell. Now that he saw the light in her eyes again, how could he bear to refuse her? He immediately agreed with a smile, and the emotions in his eyes were hidden under his drooping long eyelashes.
He picked the person up steadily and put him on the carriage waiting at the intersection.
-
The Yunze Canal was constructed in sections, progressing simultaneously. For example, the Wangquan section was constructed with laborers recruited from nearby areas. The canal's reputation as a "lasting achievement" stems not only from its immense scale and enormous cost, but also from the tens of thousands of laborers and thousands of officials it mobilised. Had the Sheng Dynasty not been strong, its treasury overflowing, its people secure, and its adequately distributed silver, money, and food, such a large-scale mobilisation would have shaken the nation's foundations.
Perhaps because officials conducted frequent inspections, when they arrived, almost no one among the servants even glanced at them, except for the supervisor who recognized Qin Jingyao, came forward to greet him, and report on their progress.
Since the beginning of last year, within a year, not only has a seemingly endless canal been excavated, but a sluice gate dozens of feet high has also been built upstream. On the canal, a throng of people, like ants, yet operates in an orderly fashion. Climbing scaffolds, cranes, material transporters, and other equipment are constantly operating. The loess piles up, the dust fills the air, and the view is like a magnificent scene of reshaping the mountains and rivers.
The corvée labor recorded in historical records often exploited the people's labor. Money and food were repeatedly deducted, and the laborers were even required to provide their own rations, ultimately leading to widespread resentment. During the entire journey, Lan Nongnong had mostly rested in the carriage and had never witnessed the laborers' plight firsthand.
Now, the men I saw before me, young and old, all of them strong and robust. Even the shorter ones had muscular bodies, and though they were all tanned, their eyes were bright and vivid. Although the guards occasionally shouted at them, there was no whipping or punishment.
It was almost noon when smoke from cooking began to rise. It turned out to be a group of strong women, pushing food carts in pairs, chatting and laughing. At the warden's command, servants from all over responded one after another and gathered towards the food carts.
"Your Majesty, please forgive me!"
The official bowed and explained, "It's not that I and the laborers are intentionally slacking off. The sun has been scorching for the past two months, so after consultation with our superiors, we've decided to start work at 1:00 AM, rest for an hour at noon, and finish at 1:00 PM. Although it's almost noon now, digging the canal and repairing the dam are both hard work, and this project won't be completed overnight. We dare not delay the work schedule, let alone overdraw the labor. Besides, people need to be well fed to have the strength to work, so we've moved up the mealtimes a bit on the canal."
Qin Jingyao had been informed of these arrangements during his inspection a few days ago. The official had made a point of explaining them now because he had noticed Lan Nongnong paying close attention to the servants receiving their meals and wanted to share his thoughts with her.
After saying this, he received the signal and bowed respectfully and quietly withdrew.
The laborers who responded to the call were mostly farmers, hunters, and craftsmen from the surrounding towns and cities, earning their livings through manual labor. Needless to say, the farmers, facing a shortage of water in their fields, had low harvest costs, and once the busy farming season was over, they were free. The diligent were willing to earn their hard-earned wages, while the lazy were left to fend for themselves with their meager reserves of food.
Hunters who only hunt small game enjoy a safe life, but their gains are limited. Hunting larger animals involves risking their lives. Furthermore, craftsmen, though skilled, earn little for small pieces, while larger ones, while more rewarding, require long work periods and are not always available.
Therefore, as soon as the news of the imperial court's recruitment and the pay spread, these strong men eagerly responded. Although digging the canal was hard work, the wages were adequate and they could also enjoy a daily meal. More importantly, the project could be completed over several years, making it much safer than occasional short-term work or risky hunting trips.
Even the women who came to cook and wash dishes were delighted by this opportunity to earn money. Not only did they earn wages to supplement their families, but once the canal was completed, they could also irrigate their fields and grow more fruits, vegetables, and grains. Thus, even before the canal was completed, it had already become a well-deserved project praised by the people.
This place was far from the city walls, and for the servants' midday rest, a number of thatched huts had been erected. Though simple, they were adequate for shelter. The servants, who finished their meals quickly, placed their bowls and chopsticks in baskets and walked off in groups of three or four, chatting and laughing, to the huts.
Although the emperor hoped to achieve success, he did not treat his people harshly, and the officials did not disobey his orders in public.
This scene is really beautiful.
Lan Nongnong sighed inwardly, her eyes accidentally passing by a group of figures in the distance. She felt that they looked vaguely familiar, but without thinking too much, she leaned towards the person next to her and whispered, "I'm tired, let's go back."
Even though the canal was dry and there were supervisors on duty, and she was frail and guarded by palace guards, Qin Jingyao remained tense, perhaps because of the lingering memory of her last time jumping into the river. It wasn't until he heard her say she wanted to go back that his grip on her hand suddenly relaxed, a smile playing on his lips.
"Okay, let's go back."
On the return trip, Lan Nongnong leaned against a soft pillow and chatted with him about her experiences on the canal, lamenting that if completed, the canal would benefit generations to come. Qin Jingyao followed her lead and recounted a few more interesting stories about the canal construction, causing her to open her eyes and sigh softly, sometimes sighing with emotion, and a warm and peaceful atmosphere filled the carriage.
After taking a day off, Qin Jingyao had to go inspect another canal section three hundred miles away. He had originally wanted to take her with him, but she had been so exhausted from the previous day's outing that she couldn't be woken at her usual time. If Mo Chou hadn't repeatedly assured him that she was just exhausted and sleeping soundly, he would have barely been able to hold himself together.
He had the Emperor's order, so he had to go. He suppressed his uneasiness and left Tongze and half the palace guards with her. Outside, the officials and carriages were waiting for orders. In the end, he was unable to say goodbye to her in person. He could only write down the details of his itinerary, asking her to wait patiently and not to wander off. Only then did he leave, looking back every few steps.
Little did he know that this separation would become a deep regret for the rest of his life, and every time he recalled it, he felt heartbroken.
-
That day, Lan Nongnong slept until the afternoon before waking up. She immediately saw the letter he had left beside her pillow. She couldn't help but frown after reading it, her eyes filled with a mixture of helplessness and nostalgia.
She didn't even have lunch. She washed and changed her clothes with the help of Biyu and the others, then sat down at her desk to write a reply letter and ordered it to be delivered by express horse. Yingcheng, where Qin Jingyao was going, was over 300 miles away, and even at the fastest possible speed, it would take a day and a night. The letter stated that she would stay for three days, and the fastest round trip would take five days.
For the past few days, she had indeed stayed at the guesthouse as promised. The two of them exchanged letters constantly, as if they had returned to the days of wild geese. At dusk on the fourth day, a pigeon arrived, announcing that he had completed his official duties and would be returning soon, scheduled for the following evening. He also specifically instructed that he would decide whether to join her on the next leg based on her health.
But by the fifth day, an hour had passed since the twilight hour, and there was still no sign of the men. Lan Nongnong was restless, fearing he had met with misfortune during his night journey, and she repeatedly urged the guards to come and help. She was already frail and hated to work and stay up late. Mo Chou, Biyu, and the others repeatedly reassured her, saying that the master was accompanied by dozens of elite soldiers and must have been delayed by something, and that they were safe and sound, and asked her to go to bed.
Lan Nongnong finally couldn't bear the fatigue anymore and returned to the couch with a heavy heart. Even in her dreams, her beautiful eyebrows didn't relax.
When she woke up the next day, Biyu handed her a letter without waiting for her to ask. Lan Nongnong hurriedly took it and unfolded it, but when she saw what was written in the letter, she gasped. She was so shocked that she couldn't breathe. Her hand loosened and the letter fell out of her hand and she fainted.
Biyu and Qingluo were terrified by her sudden fainting. They hurried forward, calling out repeatedly and urgently ordering the maid to fetch Doctor Mo. After they had taken her pulse, they exchanged a sudden glance, finally breathing a sigh of relief, their backs already drenched in cold sweat.
The two men carefully adjusted the lady's sleeping position. Just as they were about to pick up the fallen letter, the upward-facing page caught their eyes without any room for avoidance.
"The emperor has passed away. Return quickly and wait for his return."
The six words danced like a dragon and a phoenix, like a thunderclap, making the two men's knees buckle and fall to their knees in panic. In the dead silence of the room, only the letter remained quietly spread out on the quilt, as if it was holding a heavy pressure.
---
On October 3, the 34th year of the Chengping reign, Empress Guo was chatting with the Crown Prince when she suddenly received a secret letter from the Imperial Household Steward. The news that the Emperor had suddenly died after taking a poisonous elixir left even Empress Guo stunned, unable to composure, and she staggered to her knees, trembling uncontrollably.
Yet, the Son of Heaven is the ruler of a nation, the pillar of the world's stability. Even if he hasn't achieved unparalleled achievements, he must not allow this absurd ending to happen. Empress Guo didn't have time to think, having already clutched the letter tightly in her palm. No one but her could see a single glimpse of it.
She suddenly looked up, her eyes red and her face as hard as steel. She waved away the panicked palace servants and tightly grasped the hand the little prince had extended with concern. She leaned over and stared into his eyes, emphasizing each word, "Your father is seriously ill. I have sent you and me to see him immediately at the Wanshou Palace!"
Without waiting for the little prince to react, she grabbed his wrist and walked quickly, issuing a series of commands in a resounding voice: "Send the Imperial Guards' General Fu Zhirong and Vice Minister Lu Tingwen to the palace to await your orders!"
"Order the commander of the imperial guards to seal off the harem. No one is allowed to move without permission. Violators will be severely punished!"
After saying this, she took the prince on a sedan chair, and the sedan chair carried the mother and son through the numerous palace gates and went straight to the Wanshou Palace surrounded by guards.
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