At least, it was not another unexpected incident from last night, Ji Xinhe was finally able to relax a little.
That government official continued: "However, even though the new emperor is benevolent and granted amnesty to all upon his ascension, should anyone start disorderly conflicts from today onwards—if caught by the government office—they will face harsh penalties!"
An emperor pardoning the populace is a way to win over the people’s hearts and showcase benevolence. However, as the new emperor just took the throne, the foundation of the state is not stable. Therefore, it is crucial to use severe penalty to restrain the common people in such circumstances, to prevent chaos. This can also be seen as a monarch’s tactic.
However, all of this was too far from Yang Luo Bay.
They patiently waited for the official announcement to finish, and then they heard him say: "Did you hear that clearly?"
"Long live the emperor!" The entire village knelt together.
The government official finally said: "Alright, everyone, stand up."
Li Zheng immediately stepped forward, smiling: "Official gentlemen, you must be tired. Please come in and have some tea."
The official, however, waved his hand: "I still have three more villages to visit. I won’t sit down; I must be on my way."
With that, he signaled to the other official and left directly.
Only then did Li Zheng let everyone disperse.
Ji Xinhe curiously asked: "How comes such a significant event as the emperor’s ascension reached our village without any prior news?"
Wu Si laughed: "Eh, our out-of-the-way place in Yang Luo Bay wouldn’t concern itself with affairs of the high and mighty Emperor. If it weren’t for these officials announcing a change of reign, we wouldn’t have known anything."
"It seems the smooth succession of the new emperor was unopposed, thus the quiet news," someone added.
Ji Xinhe, who was well-read in history, mentioned how the previous power struggle between the ’Nine Dragons’ for the throne was extremely brutal—a situation that would cause an uproar known to all courtiers and common folk.
Yet, Wu Si suddenly lowered his voice: "It’s hard to say. I heard that the recent struggle for the throne among several princes was excessively bitter. The current leader was never the crown prince. It couldn’t have been easy to arrive at this day."
Ji Xinhe became interested: "Brother Wu Si, how do you know all these things?"
"I deal with businessmen from the outside. Especially those in the fur trade business are usually well-informed. As we talk, I learn. Every succession to the imperial throne has always been a ruthless struggle. However, it has nothing to do with our remote and poor village."
Ji Xinhe tilted her head, saying: "In that case, it seems this new emperor is quite the extraordinary figure?"
"That’s true. The victor is never a simple character," Wu Si lowered his voice: "But, what’s most impressive is probably the man who helped him ascend the throne. Before appointing the Empress, the new emperor appointed him as the Prime Minister. It shows how much he values him."
"As the saying goes, ’A new emperor results in a new court’. Those who supported the new emperor naturally rise along with him. Yet, this man has directly assumed the prime minister’s role, courtier’s head—it must be a remarkable precedence." Ji Xinhe laughed.
Seeing the flicker in Wu Si’s eyes, he was surprised to discover that Ji Xinhe, a village girl, knew these issues so well. He seemed excited to explain further: "That’s true? The Prime Minister Mu Xiang is unusual. It’s said that the new emperor wouldn’t be the ruler he is now without Mu Xiang’s help—it’s justifiable for the new emperor to heavily rely on him. But, for such a young man in his only early twenties to become the Prime Minister, that’s really impressive."
Ji Xinhe was shocked: "Really?" She thought the Prime Minster was an old man.
"Indeed. Yet I heard that the newly-appointed Mu Xiang disappeared before receiving the imperial edict for his appointment, and it is rumoured that he’s dead," regret filled Wu Si’s tone.
Ji Xinhe’s forehead throbbed: "Dead?"
"Yes, the higher one’s position, the more enemies they have. Who knows if he was hunted down and killed, anything’s possible," Wu Si lamented: "Just a pity we lost such a promising talent."
Hearing Wu Si speak of assassination, Ji Xinhe could not help but think of the man who tried to rob her. He had fallen in a pool of blood, his face pale, yet no less charming. Perhaps he too was being hunted down. Maybe it’s true that talent does not live long.
For a moment, Ji Xinhe felt grateful that her reincarnated life was in this poor farming family.
While she was lost in thought, she saw Wu Si’s wife, Wei Shi, urging him to come home. Wu Si responded, then turned to Ji Xinhe, saying: "I should go."
Ji Xinhe nodded: "Alright."
She then took Xiao Bei home. Originally, her curiosity had just gotten the best of her, and she didn’t take these things seriously. After all, as a poor farmer, she had nothing to do with those people.
However, as soon as Ji Xinhe returned home, she was met with a very unpleasant sight.
Ji Xiulan was nestled in Gao Zhiru’s arms, crying like a teary doll. Her coquettish voice made one’s hair stand on end: "Zhiru, you know how I feel about you, how could I have dealings with Pig Meat San, and even be engaged? In my heart and in my mind, there is only Zhiru. But I was blamed by those villains who took advantage of me. Now the villagers do not believe me, they believe in the villains. If Zhiru does not believe me, I might as well die!"
These cries of life and death were indeed inherited from Lady Ding.
Gao Zhiru was swayed by Ji Xiulan’s tears. Holding her, he whispered: "Of course I believe you. Which girl in Yang Luo Bay would marry Pig Meat San? You know I understand how you feel about me. Xiulan, stop crying now, take care of your eyes."
Ji Xiulan’s crying diminished a little, but the tears were still rolling down: "But, but now the villagers are talking nonsense. My reputation is bound to affect Zhiru’s. I dare not be with you anymore. I might as well die, at least that would preserve my innocence."
Ji Xiulan was clearly trying to provoke him.
However, given the issue of reputation, Gao Zhiru was genuinely hesitant. Not only was he a scholar who valued his reputation, but now that Ji Xiulan was rumoured to have an affair with Pig Meat San—if he married Ji Xiulan, wouldn’t he be backstabbed?
While Gao Zhiru’s hesitation lingered, Ji Xiulan sensing something amiss, covered her face and dashed towards a column: "I will die now, at least that will save my innocence, and it will also save Zhiru’s dignity."
Seeing Ji Xiulan’s reaction, Gao Zhiru had no time for hesitation. He rushed to stop her: "Xiulan, don’t be afraid. I promised to take care of you, and I will."
Only then did Ji Xiulan soften and snuggle into his embrace: "I knew that Zhiru cares about me the most."
Ji Xinhe felt nauseous seeing Ji Xiulan’s false face. She laughed coldly: "The affection between Sister Xiulan and Brother Zhiru is indeed genuine. It’s just a pity that I heard Pig Meat San has already made preparations to marry Sister Xiulan."
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