Meanwhile, in the court, the Emperor was having Eunuch Wan read out his plan.
After it was read, there were many objections from the court, criticizing the project of building dams as causing hardship and costing the people, but the Emperor insisted that it was a long-term plan. This was the second change he was implementing after Qin Kun’s downfall, and he ordered the plan to be put into action swiftly. He planned a southern tour in two months and expected to see progress by then.
As for the first change the Emperor made, it was naturally the refugee problem in the south. Now that two cities in the north had been retaken, the Emperor had notices widely posted, offering support to anyone willing to return and rebuild their homes.
Thus, the Emperor’s prestige gradually increased.
Moreover, the Emperor would soon enact his third and fourth changes.
With long suppressed emotions, he needed a tremendous outburst to make a significant impact.
…
Nan Feng noticeably felt that the supply list from the Siyuan had bee lengthier.
For instance, Chen Daying, who usually disliked sweet potatoes, suddenly wanted to eat them. Zhang Liangdi, who usually disdained corn, requested corn soup. And Ning Liangpin, presumably still keen on tormenting Nan Feng from the previous incident, had given the latter a strange tree sapling to grow in Siyuan. If the tree bore fruit, it would be deemed a success; a failure to grow would entail punishment.
Nan Feng typically tried to acmodate all requests. For the strange sapling, Nan Feng consulted with Lao Xing. If Lao Xing deemed it cultivable, Nan Feng would not refuse; if not, Nan Feng would return it.
Not one to provoke trouble, but also not one to shy away from it, Nan Feng wondered if Ning Liangpin would stir up trouble if the tree failed to grow.
At that time, Ning Liangpin was in Concubine Jiang’s palace.
Concubine Jiang was the Dowager Empress’s cousin, hence the Emperor’s cousin. The Dowager Empress had always supported her. However, having entered the palace not so long ago, she held the rank of concubine, having achieved status but remaining moner-born.
Concubine Jiang gazed at Ning Liangpin, “What do you think – how will they handle that tree in Siyuan?”
Concubine Jiang was of exceptional beauty, with enchanting phoenix eyes filled with arrogance, even more so than Ning Liangpin.
Ning Liangpin looked at Concubine Jiang, and a faint smile graced her lips, “If they can keep it alive, that will be their achievement. However, even if they can, it won’t produce fruit. It’s a flowerless and fruitless iron tree I specifically brought from my home in the Western Regions. My father likes to collect such unique plants. I remembered it and decided to bring it.”
Concubine Jiang retorted, “I heard that Nan Feng has many friends in the Jianghu. She must have seen much and known widely. Are you so sure she has never seen this iron tree before?”
“Dear Concubine Jiang, of course I’m sure,” replied Ning Liangpin, “Exactly because Nan Feng is experienced and knowledgeable should we discipline her. I heard that those involved in the Jianghu often resort to bewitching men with their charms… Oh, I can’t go on. In short, all of this is too strange.”
Concubine Jiang rolled her eyes, “You might not like what I’m going to say, but it will give me no peace until I do. Currently, aside from the virtuous imperial concubine, my position is the highest. But she is weak and always tries to please, not wanting to offend anyone. But if she remains passive, that woman will turn the harem into a smoke-filled mess. Therefore, it’s crucial to get rid of her.”
“Indeed,” sighed Ning Liangpin, “she doesn’t even take into account people like me or the virtuous imperial concubine. I heard the virtuous imperial concubine deliberately tried to get close to her but was shut out. I mean, she is just a general’s wife, what’s so great about that?”
…
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