Chapter 222

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Main Character:

Shen Yao

"Qi Chen actually did it? Looks like this person isn't stupid after all, he can listen to reason."

In the inner room of the small courtyard, Shen Yao sat sideways by the Eight Immortals Table, toying with the round fan she used to fan herself and keep cool.

The round fan was merely palm-sized, its shape small and delicate, yet it generated a surprisingly strong breeze when used — a clever design from the Prince's Mansion artisans.

Whenever the weather turned hot, Shen Yao's hands would always acquire a few more beautiful round fans.

"Host, never mind the mansion for now — don't you care about your own children far away in the capital? They've run into major trouble this time."

The System felt the peaceful days in Changzhou Prefecture and the dire straits in the capital were a complete reversal.

As expected of Qi State's capital, the capital truly staged all kinds of conspiracies and schemes every single day.

During the time it wasn't chatting with the Host, the System took advantage of its convenience and ate up quite a lot of gossip from the capital.

Things like a certain minister's backyard discord, the wife and concubines fighting out of jealousy were trivial; there were also all sorts of men cuckolded, having intimate relationships beyond normal bounds with relatives in the household... simply a legendary version of a melodramatic ethical drama.

The System was like a monkey immersed in a melon field, looking left and right, having a grand old time.

And so, while eating melons it accidentally ate its way to its own household — Qi Haochen's carriage accident was also learned by the System.

No need for Shen Yao to even ask; the System opened its mouth to share the juicy details with relish.

Even because of the System's special nature, it could know many inside stories that others didn't.

Shen Yao:...

The round fan in her hand stopped at once. "You just watch them get bullied like that? They're your mission targets, after all."

Who was Shen Yao doing the missions for? The System was counting on Qi Haochen to get the rewards.

System:...

The System expressed that there was still the Host, and besides Qi Haochen hadn't suffered a loss — on the contrary, he'd turned misfortune into fortune and been bestowed a pile of treasures by the Emperor, far better off than the others; even the mastermind who directed and acted the whole thing himself didn't have his ability.

Shen Yao smiled. "Can't look at it that way. Can only say Chen'er has good luck. If it weren't for Shi'er and Zhen'er by his side, he'd still have to eat that loss."

After all, the mastermind behind the scenes was targeting these princely heirs, even using himself as bait. Such courage and resolve — isn't that enough to explain everything?

"But you did give me a reminder — the disputes in the capital have already been brought into the open.

Looks like the Emperor's situation isn't good; everyone is desperately vying for that position."

Ascend it and you stand above ten thousand people, possessing the entire Qi State's state foundation.

The System sighed that throughout history, such people have never been few — even its own Host's aim was this.

"If Chen'er can truly achieve overnight success, the benefits for you and me are enormous.

Especially under a natural disaster background like this, being able to let the common people under his rule live in peace and contentment, free from displacement — what boundless merit that is."

This world's Heavenly Dao would have to allocate them some extra benefits no matter what.

Before, the System said her operations would cause refugees to die and lose points; as long as she waited until Qi Haochen ascended the throne later, Shen Yao's losses would be repaid double.

Thinking carefully, what was lost now was merely future trivial gains — Shen Yao had always had a talent for business.

The System admired its Host for having such a nimble mind; no wonder in every new world she could complete the corresponding missions both quickly and well.

"Sweet talk can wait until we're back in the Consciousness Space; right now we'd better focus on proper business."

Shen Yao put down the round fan in her hand, stood up, went around the screen, and came to the bedside in the inner room.

"Qi Chen and Qi Haochen's side — keep watching. Notify me if there's any movement.

The capital's situation will affect the fiefdom; the fiefdom's future heir getting into trouble threatens the stability of the entire Qi State."

A Crown Prince who can be chosen must surely carry many burdens on his shoulders.

A Prince's Mansion can have many offspring, but there is only one Crown Prince.

These years, the princes and imperial grandsons who went to the capital have unknowingly seen a large batch fall from power.

If the Emperor doesn't step in to control things soon, once this whole batch of people returns to their fiefdoms in disgrace, it will be thoroughly too late.

What consequences would 'too late' bring? Qi State would fall into internal unrest, the national policy stabilized for over a hundred years would collapse and cease to exist.

Snap—

The hairpin taken from her hair was casually tossed onto the dressing table and ignored; Shen Yao reached out to lower the curtains on both sides, then turned and lay down on the bed to rest.

These days she'd been constantly busy with the refugee settlement issue outside the prefecture city; Shen Yao had rarely slept a single peaceful sleep.

Now she could finally temporarily breathe a sigh of relief; no matter what, she had to relax.

Simultaneously, the refugees who got Qi Chen's hint, clutching the grain they'd barely managed to get allocated, were also filled with hope for the road ahead.

"Grandpa, can we make it? Will those people let us into the city?"

The child didn't understand; he only remembered they walked and walked all the way, and only then got the food rations to survive.

"We will, Goudan be obedient. Once we enter the city, we'll eat our fill."

That lord would never tell lies to deceive people; they even gave us grain.

Although the grain in their arms was all high-yield coarse grain, as long as it staved off hunger it was fine; at a time like this, don't be too picky — preserving life comes first.

Shen Yao's grasp of human nature was spot on; numerous refugees went and returned, surrounding the other princes' fiefdoms so tightly that not even water could leak through.

Although these princes were very angry, each throwing tantrums in their mansions, just as Shen Yao had estimated beforehand, they didn't dare act rashly.

This place is too close to the capital; if they can't contain it, the ones who end up unlucky are themselves.

Compared to these dispensable refugees, they care more about their own situation.

When Qi Chen got the latest news, he laughed out loud, even eating a few extra bowls of food at that day's meal.

Seeing Qi Chen so carefree, Shen Yao didn't bring up anything that would spoil the mood.

"Your Highness, taste the soup the small kitchen just stewed; it's very beneficial for your health."

Qi Chen was no longer young, nearing the age of knowing Heaven's Mandate.

In an ordinary family, by this time there would be three generations under one roof, surrounded by descendants.

Unlike the imperial clan — not a shred of family affection considered, every one of them red-eyed and fierce, staring at that muddy pool in the capital.

It really is muddy; one careless moment and you'd drown.

"The Duan Wang heir is dead, the Kang Wang heir and Rui Wang heir are gravely ill.

Yao'er, I'm afraid neither of us will be able to go to the capital for the New Year this year."

Qi Chen drank a mouthful of the soup Shen Yao had ladled out, his expression returning to its original calm.

"The Duan Wang heir — this is already the third heir Duan Wang has requested to establish."

Duan Wang is a few years younger than Qi Chen; although he has some sons, they can't withstand dying one after another.

Now another is gone — "Will Duan Wang continue sending people to the capital?"

If memory serves, Duan Wang's Imperial Consort's two sons — one dead, one injured — the mansion's legitimate line no longer has anyone suitable.

"I heard Duan Wang dotes extremely on the son born to a secondary consort; that secondary consort lives up to expectations, and still has one left under her knees."

Qi Chen set down the soup bowl in his hand, "He should continue sending people to the capital," he won't rest until they're all dead.

……

The matter of the refugees outside the city dragged on until the eighth month before an imperial edict came down from the capital.

The edict merely formally clarified that the refugees needed to be received by the surrounding prefecture cities.

This had no impact on Qi Chen's Changzhou Prefecture; he simply ordered people to be let into the city, arranged places for those with nowhere to go, those with relatives went to find relatives, and as for those wanting to return to their native places, they could also leave smoothly.

However, the refugees who managed to escape were basically those with no way to survive staying in their localities; otherwise they wouldn't have left their homes.

"Yao'er, the Emperor has temporarily placed Quzhou Prefecture, which borders Guangping Prefecture, under my administration."

Qi Chen's expression was indescribably strange; in Shen Yao's eyes it looked like gaining an advantage and then acting cute about it.

Gaining the authority over a prefecture out of thin air — even if it's not a fiefdom, it's practically the same as one.

"Your Highness, Quzhou Prefecture borders the sea, relying on the sea salt trade even more than Guangping Prefecture.

You administer this place on the Emperor's behalf; regarding tax revenue, will the status quo be maintained?"

Administrative authority does not equal territory; Quzhou Prefecture is still tucked in the Emperor's pocket.

This edict probably has to do with the resettlement of those refugees outside the city.

Other princes only have one prefecture; only Qi Chen here has three prefectures. Considering the pressure Qi Chen bears, the Emperor certainly intends to compensate a few points.

Qi Haochen in the capital is too young in years, and bestowing too many rewards would also attract others' envy; better to put effort into Qi Chen and achieve it in one step — this is perhaps the Emperor's main thinking in allocating Quzhou Prefecture over.

Stretching out his hand to touch his chin, Qi Chen laughed heartily and pulled Shen Yao into stating he would appropriately raise tax revenue, "How much moisture there is in the sea salt business, Imperial Elder Brother knows.

I can't possibly accept Imperial Elder Brother's great gift with peace of mind and not make a return."

Anyway these people earn enough money; making them pay a bit more later to fill the national treasury benefits the country and the people.

Without even having made a trip to Quzhou Prefecture, he's already planned how to harvest wool.

Qi Chen rubbed his hands in anticipation, and under Shen Yao's gaze brought up again that two more princely heirs in the capital had met with mishap. Speaking of it, this time there's a slight connection to Qi Haochen — he was accidentally poisoned in the Imperial Palace, Qi Haochen nearly collapsed as well, only he hadn't gotten around to eating it, thus narrowly escaping disaster.

Shen Yao: ……

The capital day by day, still quite lively.

"Your Highness, under everyone's watchful eyes, the poisoning incident occurred right under the Emperor's eyelids," it was deliberately slapping the Emperor's face, wasn't it.

Qi Chen chuckled twice, "The Emperor has already thoroughly investigated; it was two consorts in the Huang Hou fighting out of jealousy, committing deliberate framing."

When the news arrived, both had already been ordered executed by the Emperor.

Shen Yao didn't believe it, "An Huang Hou dispute can implicate two princely heirs," isn't it that certain people deliberately made a raft, using two Huang Hou consorts.

Qi Chen shrugged his shoulders, "As for the inside situation, apart from the Emperor, no one else knows the inside information."

The circulated news defined it as an Huang Hou dispute; the Emperor presumably also has the intention of not pursuing it further — anyway, on the surface it is indeed so.

"The two affected houses each received the Emperor's soothing, and it's not a matter of life and death; moreover the mansions can still continue selecting new heirs," the matter will only be completely covered up and unmentioned as time passes.

As for what the truth is? Not important.

Surviving in the imperial clan, the first consideration is profit; truth and sentiment are the most unworthy things to mention.

The two spoke of the capital's situation, mostly just mentioning it in passing and not thinking further.

After all, it's somewhat distant from their lives; even though Qi Haochen is experiencing it, Qi Haochen is fine, they've already done what they should do, the rest they're also powerless to change.

The fiefdom's refugee matter is for now their top priority; people's livelihood relates to the prosperity level of the entire prefecture city, and this is also Qi Haochen's future foundation.

In a blink, another year has passed.

Just as Qi Chen said, neither of the two managed to return to the capital.

In the letters Qi Haochen sent back, his feelings were mixed, but the overall situation was good; compared to others' dire straits, it was still relatively optimistic.

However, to make himself not so out of place, Qi Haochen would occasionally suffer a small loss.

Not hurting his body, but he'd make a fool of himself, singled out and mocked by others.

Fortunately Qi Haochen completely doesn't care about these false reputations, as long as he can gain real benefits.

Third month, spring warm and flowers blooming, Qi Haochen brought Shen Shi and the others back from the capital to the fiefdom.

"How come you ran back?"

Shen Yao's face full of wonder; although she had long received the news from the system, when Qi Haochen truly appeared before her she still felt surprise.

Mother and child hadn't seen each other for two years; Shen Yao was busy with fiefdom affairs and couldn't spare herself, Qi Haochen was trapped in the capital and unable to leave.

Only Qi Chen, occasionally returning to the capital, could accompany Qi Haochen for two days, but that was merely a drop in the bucket, unable to quench the thirst.

"Mother Consort, it was Imperial Uncle's special permission; in a few days I still have to return to the capital."

Qi Haochen shook his head, the youth having already shed his childishness, a world apart from when he had left.

Shen Yao looked Qi Haochen up and down carefully, ensuring her own child was unharmed, only then beckoning them to step forward and enter the house to catch up.

They are all Shen Yao's children; nowadays the only one who can still act spoiled is Qi Haochen — Shen Shi and the others have grown older and become more serious.

Including Shen Zhen, who has learned a full body of medical arts, her expression drawn tight, not speaking easily.

Shen Yao was helpless: "All family, yet none of you mind being worn out day after day."

No matter how old, in front of her they are all children; why bother.

Shen Yao does not understand; Shen Zhen, on the other hand, maintains her persona with great persistence, and at the same time does not forget to mention that these behavior styles of hers were learned from those imperial physicians and national masters.

The more outstanding a physician's capability, the more they must sit steady and walk steady. She has already touched the relevant threshold; if it were not for reluctance to leave her own younger brother, she would never choose to stay in this sorrowful, oppressive capital.

The mother and children huddled together, and the topics they could chat about became much more numerous.

Especially Qi Haochen — most of his time in the capital was spent inside the palace, unlike Shen Shi and Shen Zhen and the others who could still move about outside; he is now more familiar with the capital than with the princely mansion.

Correspondingly, he also knows those matters of the imperial palace — the various conspiracies and plots of infighting — he already counts as a firsthand experiencer.

Happily showing off his cleverness and talent to Shen Yao, only to be sabotaged and struck down by Shen Zhen in various ways.

These two have the smallest age gap, and are also the ones most able to play together.

Shen Yao and Shen Shi watched them bicker helplessly, though in their hearts they were more pleased to see it.

How to put it — a close sibling relationship is always better than getting along like enemies.

They waited until the sky color grew late, until Qi Chen and Shen Cheng returned; the family of six ate a simple meal.

"In two days prepare a welcome banquet; Chen'er, at that time attend alongside Father King."

As the future head of the family of Luoyang Mansion, Qi Haochen's return certainly must have proper face.

Not to mention distant Dongchang Prefecture and Guangping Prefecture — even the officials within Changzhou Prefecture's jurisdiction must come pay respects; it is the default rule.