Chapter 27: The Care of Lord Cheng'en
The Minister of Personnel also followed suit and said, "From this memorial, it seems that this person has quite a bit of experience in flood control. That's quite good."
Shen Zhengming and Jiang Xing also came out to agree.
The emperor then struck while the iron was hot and said, "Since that's the case, then this matter is settled.
Ye Yuanda, a doctor in the Ministry of Works, is appointed as the imperial envoy to take charge of flood relief in Lingnan. He will depart for Lingnan tomorrow."
The emperor had made the final decision, and the left prime minister had no choice but to say something else. He frowned and said unwillingly, "The silver for disaster relief..."
After hearing this, Li Yueyao looked at the Minister of Revenue Jiang Xun and said, "Minister Jiang, come to the side hall of Taiji Palace after noon and give me 1.1 million taels of silver for disaster relief, not a penny less.
By the way, I want to discuss with you the issue of the treasury deficit."
Jiang Xun heard this and respectfully stepped out of the group, saying, "I obey your command."
The Left Prime Minister glanced at Lu Xian, the Chief Censor, who then stepped out and said, "Yesterday the Censor impeached Princess Zhaoqing. I wonder if Your Majesty has reached a conclusion today."
The emperor waved his hand and said, "I have already drafted the imperial edict for the punishment of the eldest princess. It will be announced to all officials within two days."
After saying that, he coughed twice.
Li Yueyao saw this and said, "My dear ministers, His Majesty is not feeling well. If you have nothing else to report, please come here for today's morning court session."
At this time, someone stepped forward and said, "I have heard that Your Majesty is not in good health, the Empress has been deprived of her power in the palace, and then the Virtuous Consort is searching the harem.
So I want to ask Your Majesty, is there something wrong in the palace?"
Li Yueyao looked at the person who came out and was not surprised at all.
The queen's father was Duke Cheng'en Xie Zijian.
After hearing this, the emperor rubbed his head and said, "Duke Cheng'en is worrying too much. The queen is still the queen, and no one can surpass her.
I have been in poor health recently, Concubine Shu has also been ill, and even Concubine Gui is not feeling well.
Yesterday, the Imperial Observatory reported that someone in the harem seemed to be doing something illegal, so they arranged for Concubine Xian to search the harem and investigate thoroughly."
Then someone below said, "Alas... Your Majesty's health is of paramount importance. You must believe what the Imperial Observatory says. It's better to check it out."
Li Yueyao took a look and saw that it was her other nephew, the King of Qin.
During the past two days, when the flood disaster in Lingnan was mentioned in court, the King of Qin was like an invisible man and did not say a word.
At this moment, he actually changed the subject of Lord Cheng'en's speech. I have to say, he did a great job.
After hearing this, Duke Cheng'en had no choice but to say, "Your Majesty, please take care of your health."
The emperor heard this and said, "Thank you, Lord Cheng'en, for your consideration."
As he said this, he winked at Sun Fu.
Sun Fu stepped forward and said sharply, "If there is nothing else, leave the court."
After saying this, he walked slowly forward, helped the emperor up, and walked to the back without caring about what the officials said.
"Farewell to Your Majesty."
Li Yueyao stood up and bowed with all the ministers to see the emperor off.
After the emperor left, everyone stood up. Gao Hongchen glanced at Li Yueyao with a forced smile, turned around and left without saying a word.
Li Yueyao didn't care what he meant and followed the emperor back to Taiji Palace.
As soon as I arrived at the side hall of Taiji Palace, I saw Gan Qing standing at the door with a woman.
The girl was in her early twenties, with wheat-colored skin, wearing men's clothing, with thick eyebrows and big eyes, and a heroic appearance.
Seeing Li Yueyao coming over, he stepped forward with a smile and said, "Your Highness Gan Hong pays homage to Her Royal Highness the Grand Princess of Jinyang."
Li Yueyao also smiled when she saw the girl: "Little Ganhong is here."
Gan Hong followed Li Yueyao into the hall. Li Yueyao looked Gan Hong up and down and said:
"When His Majesty ascended the throne, he saw you still in the Hundred Cavalry Division. Have you retired now?"
Gan Hong nodded and said with a smile: "Your Highness, when it comes to this matter, you have to make the decision for me."
"Oh, tell me about it." Li Yueyao said with a smile.
“I’m clearly not of age, but my brother insists on me retiring and getting married.
You said he is too old to get married, why do you insist on me getting married? I won’t.”
After saying that, he turned around and glared at Gan Qing.
Seeing this, Gan Qing said with a headache: "Your Highness, just look at her like this, she has only grown in age but not in brains over the years.
If he stays in the Hundred Cavalry Division any longer, I am afraid his life will be in danger."
Seeing the brother and sister like this, Li Yueyao smiled and said, "What's wrong with that? I just like Xiao Ganhong like this."
After that, he said to Gan Qing: "Okay, go and do your thing, Gan Hong will stay here."
Gan Qing bowed and prepared to leave, but suddenly turned back and said, "Your Highness, may I ask you a favor?"
Li Yueyao glanced sideways and asked, "What's the matter?"
"I would like to ask you to find a suitable family for Hong'er..."
Before she could finish her words, she was interrupted by Gan Hong: "Your Highness, don't listen to my brother. I don't want to get married."
Li Yueyao smiled and said to Gan Qing, "Don't worry, I'll take care of it."
After hearing this, Gan Qing said solemnly, "Thank you, Your Highness, for your grace."
Gan Qing's father was the former General Gan Pengju, who died in battle at a young age.
Upon hearing the bad news, Mrs. Gan fell ill and passed away not long after.
At that time, Gan Qing was only ten years old, and Gan Hong was only three years old.
The late emperor and General Gan had a special bond, so they brought Gan Qing and Gan Hong to the palace to take care of them.
Gan Qing is the same age as Li Yueyao and is Li Yueyao's follower.
In those years, we went together to get into trouble and climb up and down, thanks to Gan Qing's good skills.
The late emperor trusted Gan Qing and appointed him as the leader of the Hundred Cavalry Division, who was responsible for the emperor's guards and entourage, and also undertook important intelligence tasks.
Gan Hong's skills are good, but she is still far inferior to Gan Qing. However, she is qualified to be Li Yueyao's personal maid.
"Alright, I still have a bunch of memorials to review. Please follow Cuiwei down first, arrange your accommodation, and familiarize yourself with the situation."
After hearing what Li Yueyao said, Gan Hong bowed respectfully and took her leave.
As soon as Gan Hong left, there was a rumor outside that the eldest prince had arrived.
Li Yueyao looked up at the calm eldest prince in front of her and said, "Chen'er is here."
"Grandson Li Chen meets my great-aunt."
"No need to be so polite. Come, sit next to your great aunt." Li Yueyao said kindly.
He gestured to Qian Lou to lead the eldest prince to sit at the table next to him.
"Has Chen'er had breakfast today?"
"Thank you, Grandma, for your concern. I have breakfast on time."
"That's good. You're not wearing thick clothes. Are you cold?" Li Yueyao asked.
The eldest prince smiled and said, "The child is young and has a strong fire, so he is not cold."
Li Yueyao paused after hearing this. Is this guy implying that I’m old?
On second thought, don't bother with the child. Maybe the child is just too straightforward.
Then he said, "You will follow your great-aunt this morning to learn how to handle state affairs."
"Have you seen the memorial on the table? Look at it first, write your opinions on a piece of white paper, and put it in the middle.
After I finish writing and my great-aunt has read it, I can discuss it with you later, okay?"
The eldest prince smiled and said, "I will obey my great-aunt's orders."
"Well, go ahead." Li Yueyao nodded.
In the main hall of Taiji Palace, the emperor took the medicine and was about to rest when he suddenly asked Sun Fu, "What is my aunt doing?"
"Your Majesty, the Grand Princess is teaching the Grand Prince how to handle government affairs."
The emperor nodded and said, "Hmm... very good."
After saying that, he closed his eyes with relief.
Li Yueyao looked up at Qian Lou and asked, "How's the situation in Zhaoqing?"
Qian Lou looked at the eldest prince beside him and said respectfully, "We are speeding up the fundraising."
Li Yueyao smiled and said nothing.
"How's the harem?" Li Yueyao asked.
"The Concubine Shu moved to the Xian Concubine's Yong'an Palace yesterday."
"Well, that's fine. I'm afraid she can't live in Changchun Palace anymore. Let Concubine Xian find her a new place to live when she has time."
Qian Lou continued, "The wife of the Duke of Zhenguo and the wife of Grand Tutor Su entered the palace together today. They are both in Yongshou Palace now."
Li Yueyao nodded after hearing this.
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