CHAPTER 481: CHAPTER 481: TRUST (PART 2)

Jiang Wan Hua and Jiang Yuehua were rendered speechless.

Princess Bao Hua said lightly, "Such nonsense, don’t say it again. The Emperor and the Grand Empress Dowager won’t be happy to hear it, nor do I want to hear it."

Jiang Wan Hua responded awkwardly.

Jiang Yuehua was unwilling and whispered, "There are no outsiders here, so let me speak my heart. Jiang Shaohua has abilities, I admit. But her reach is too long, her ambition is too great. As a Vassal King, she should stay put in Nanyang County, what is she doing running to the Capital City?"

Jiang Wan Hua couldn’t hold back and chimed in, "She says she’s concerned about the Emperor’s health, but actually, she’s just trying to seize the opportunity to win the Emperor’s trust and the Grand Empress Dowager’s favor."

"She’s already the Nanyang County Princess, does she want to rise another rank and become a Princess?" Jiang Yuehua pouted, speaking more harshly, "Our cousin is kind-hearted and doesn’t hold it against her. If it were me, I couldn’t tolerate it."

Princess Bao Hua frowned, her gaze chilled, "Stop talking. Have you all forgotten what I said before? We sisters are pampered in the palace, utterly ignorant of state affairs. We can’t help the Emperor, at least we shouldn’t add to the chaos."

"If Shao Hua, my cousin, has the ability to relieve the Emperor’s worries, that is a good thing. I can only wish for that."

"You mustn’t gossip anymore."

The usually good-tempered Princess Bao Hua sternly reprimanded them and swept away with a flick of her sleeves.

Leaving Jiang Wan Hua and Jiang Yuehua in disgrace, exchanging looks.

Jiang Wan Hua bit her lip, not knowing what she was thinking.

Jiang Yuehua whispered, "Do you think the Emperor treats Jiang Shaohua so well because he has some other thoughts?"

Jiang Wan Hua was startled, "Shh! You can’t say such things recklessly!"

"I’m not saying it recklessly." Jiang Yuehua murmured softly, "The Emperor is still a few months away from the end of his mourning period. Jiang Shaohua is indeed a Jiang, but she’s actually an outsider. She has a deep mind and many schemes. Who can say the Emperor hasn’t been bewitched by her and has developed feelings?"

Jiang Wan Hua covered Jiang Yuehua’s mouth with a handkerchief, "Stop talking. We’re both engaged, in a few months we’ll marry out of the palace. Don’t talk nonsense and create trouble. If you anger the Emperor, there will be no good outcome for us."

Only then did Jiang Yuehua reluctantly remain silent.

Having stayed long in the exquisite birdcage, watching the eagles soar freely in the sky, it’s hard not to feel resentment and injustice. The seeds of jealousy had already been planted deep in the heart. Actually, Jiang Shaohua had done nothing to them, but they couldn’t feel at ease whenever they thought of her.

...

At this time, Jiang Shaohua had already arrived in front of Emperor Taihe.

"The Emperor’s complexion today is much better than yesterday." Jiang Shaohua observed carefully and said with a smile, "It seems the Emperor slept well last night."

Emperor Taihe relaxed his brow and laughed, "With you here, my biggest concerns are resolved. In good spirits, I eat well, sleep well, and feel energized."

After a few jokes, Eunuch Ge brought in steaming herbal medicine.

Jiang Shaohua automatically stepped aside, not rushing to serve medicine to curry favor.

There are gender differences. She stood rightly and sat upright but had to maintain the proper distance.

Emperor Taihe saw it and also smiled, drinking the herbal medicine under Eunuch Ge’s service.

Soon after, several secretaries came in, saluted the Emperor first, then inquired after Jiang Shaohua. Jiang Shaohua smiled and returned the salute, "Please rise, secretaries."

"If there’s any matter, report it one by one." Emperor Taihe instructed, "Let cousin Shao Hua listen too."

Zheng Chen raised an eyebrow and quickly glanced at Jiang Shaohua.

Jiang Shaohua had no intention of hypocritically declining, smiling, "The Emperor trusts your humble sister, so I shall listen. Perhaps I can offer some counsel and lend a hand."

The trust and favoritism were openly received, and that in itself is quite a pleasant thing.

Emperor Taihe laughed.

Emperor Taihe smiled more today than he had in the past half a month combined. Wang Jin thought silently and was the first to speak, "Reporting to the Emperor, today the Six Ministries have submitted a total of thirteen memorials."

Emperor Taihe nodded slightly, signaling the secretaries to read the memorials one by one.

Previously, many memorials and state affairs had piled up, they couldn’t be read and dealt with in time. Every day new memorials poured in endlessly. Just those from the Six Ministries requiring the Emperor’s judgment numbered thirteen. Memorials from each state have not yet been presented.

Being an Emperor is indeed a hard task, not a bit untrue.

The first memorial was from the Ministry of Industry. Every summer is the flood season, each year large sums must be spent repairing river embankments. Annually, six-tenths of tax revenue is used on military expenses, another two-tenths on river works. No wonder the Da Liang National Treasury is empty, as hollow as to allow mice to run through.

"...Minister Zhou has consecutively submitted three memorials, requesting the Emperor to allocate funds to clear and repair river channels and construct dams." Wang She Ren finished reading the memorial and reverently said, "Please approve, Your Majesty."

Emperor Taihe furrowed his brow.

Natural disasters and wars frequently ravaged the North, while in the South, floods have been disastrous in recent years. The embankment cannot be left un-repaired, yet even repaired embankments are sometimes breached by floods, bringing incalculable loss of labor, wealth, land, villages, and fertile fields.

The embankment must be repaired. But this year’s taxes are all spent, where would the money for river repairs come from?

Zheng Chen took a step forward, cupping his hands, "Emperor, I am willing to volunteer to go with the Ministry of Industry to repair the river embankment. I am willing to be the Emperor’s eyes, see where exactly the Ministry’s money is spent."

Emperor Taihe’s expression softened, "At the beginning of the year you went to Si State, a journey of a thousand miles was quite arduous. How could I bear to have you toil again?"

Zheng Chen replied without hesitation, "I am deeply graced by the Emperor’s favor, relieving the Emperor’s burden is my duty, I do not feel it is arduous."

Wang Jin also cupped his hands, "I volunteer, willing to inspect and supervise the river construction."

Emperor Taihe hesitated slightly.

Minister Zhou of the Ministry of Industry and Prime Minister Wang breathed from the same nose, Wang Jin is the youngest son of Prime Minister Wang and has an unstable position, going to supervise river construction is clearly inappropriate. As for Zheng Chen, due to the impeachment of Duke An, relations are strained with the Prime Minister’s faction, bound to pick faults, easily causing conflicts. This is greatly detrimental to court stability.

As for Li Boyuan, his wedding is a few months away. Repairing the embankment can last a year or two, it’s not convenient to send him.

Concerning Jiang Yi... it’s better to just stay in the palace and not leave the Capital City.

Upon calculating, none of the close confidants are suitable.

Jiang Shaohua’s voice rang in his ear, "Emperor, who is sent to supervise construction is secondary, it can be discussed later. The most pressing matter now is to first approve the memorial, calculate how many miles of embankment to repair, and how much money and grain are needed."

Emperor Taihe listened and nodded, "The embankment must indeed be repaired. Wang She Ren, bring the memorial, I will approve it."

"Tomorrow have Prime Minister Wang enter the palace, bring this memorial to him, and summon key ministers to discuss this matter in the palace."