“With your words, even if I were flayed alive or ground to dust, it would be worth it.” Xiao Huayong’s heart leaped with joy, his uncontrollable excitement making him pull her into a tight embrace.
He feared nothing – not her coldness, not her rational decisiveness, not her weighing of gains and losses. His only fear was her indifference, or that even if moved, she would choose to avoid it.
Fortunately, she could feel his affection, and she was a brave and frank person – when she felt something, she neither denied nor avoided it. This was already a great response to him, allowing him to continue forward boldly without fearing difficulties.
As autumn leaves began to fall and lotus flowers blazed brilliantly, their embrace was gentle and tender amid the dancing shadows of flowers and leaves.
The next morning was the court assembly, which even Xiao Huayong attended. Besides routine matters, the primary concern was Dengzhou’s drought. Fortunately, the civil unrest had easily subsided after the people received grain, but this was temporary.
Anyone could see that if Dengzhou remained rainless, civil unrest would eventually erupt again. The next time wouldn’t be so easy to quell, and the court didn’t have enough grain to pacify the people again – this distribution had depleted half the treasury’s reserves.
Emperor Youning discussed this at length with his officials. Most advocated collecting grain from the people, which would require treasury funds. Others suggested the Emperor lead by example in fundraising, which would motivate the wealthy gentry everywhere. Small contributions would add up – even if Dengzhou remained rainless all year, it could help people survive until next year’s tax revenue replenished the treasury.
These proposals naturally gained support and agreement from most officials, though some raised objections. Organizing donations everywhere would inevitably lead to embezzlement, with some using the disaster and Emperor’s name to squeeze the wealthy gentry. If mishandled, it could ruin many charitable families.
Such precedents existed in previous dynasties and even earlier. As several sides argued endlessly, Emperor Youning watched expressionlessly. When they had argued enough, he had Liu Sanzhi announce court dismissal. Just as Liu Sanzhi finished speaking, Prince Xin Xiao Changqin stepped forward: “Your Majesty, regarding Dengzhou’s drought, I have something to report.”
The Emperor, about to rise, sat back down at these words: “Speak.”
“During Emperor Taizong’s reign, when there was also a great drought, after granting amnesty to the palace harem, sweet rain fell from heaven.” Xiao Changqin bowed in the center, “Last night, perhaps from pondering deeply, I dreamed an expert suggested that if Your Majesty emulates Emperor Taizong, it might bring rain to Dengzhou.”
Xiao Changqin’s words were like a drop of water hitting hot oil, instantly causing an explosion. All court officials looked at him as if seeing a ghost.
Amnesty for the harem – did Prince Xin know what he was saying?
At this crucial moment, whether releasing people or recruiting new ones after the amnesty, it would inevitably involve Shen Xihe, who already had verbal orders to manage palace affairs. With Shen Xihe’s capability and forcefulness, who could plant their people under her watch? Wouldn’t this put the entire harem under her control?
Shen Xihe had just seized harem authority from Xiao Changqin’s birth mother, yet he turned around to help her!
Not just help, but help thoroughly!
Some with ulterior motives couldn’t help but cast strange glances at Xiao Huayong, the only one seated beside the Emperor, wondering when Prince Xin had been close to the Crown Princess. Unless bewitched by feminine charms, how could someone as astute as Prince Xin openly side with Shen Xihe at this time?
“Harem amnesty bringing sweet rain – how can you be so certain?” Emperor Youning’s expression cooled.
Having suffered two major losses at Shen Xihe’s hands – the Northwest agents being uprooted and Lady An’s death sentence – Emperor Youning most didn’t want to hear anything about Shen Xihe or anyone close to the Eastern Palace. He had become very wary of her.
The various harem factions formed a balance. In his many years of ruling, Lady Rong had always been dear to him, never deceiving him in the slightest. These years, the harem was well-managed – though he couldn’t understand everyone completely, through Lady Rong he knew most people’s backgrounds and could guess about uncertainties.
If he truly let Shen Xihe clean house, he wouldn’t dare enter the harem afterward!
This time at the temporary palace, Shen Xihe’s success in harming Lady An came because he rarely visited there and didn’t control its people, giving her an opening. How could he let the main harem become a second temporary palace?
“Your Majesty, the harem has released no one in the twenty years since your ascension, while selections continue annually. Yin energy has accumulated in the palace, just as during Emperor Taizong’s drought a century ago. Though I cannot be certain, I feel we shouldn’t ignore ancestral wisdom. Releasing palace people also accumulates virtue – why not try, Your Majesty?” Xiao Changqin spoke reasonably and with evidence.
But he faced opposition from officials, especially great families with people in the palace. A harem amnesty directly affected their interests – they didn’t want to become deaf and blind to palace affairs afterward.
“Have you seen the officials’ opinion?” Emperor Youning scrutinized Xiao Changqin.
“Your Majesty, I have no private motives, only wishing to ease your concerns and benefit the suffering people.” Xiao Changqin lifted his robe and knelt, back straight. “I beg Your Majesty to consider it.”
Emperor Youning couldn’t guess Xiao Changqin’s intentions. Current evidence suggested this good son had secretly encouraged Dengzhou’s unrest, though lacking conclusive proof, he hadn’t confronted him.
Unexpectedly, Xiao Changqin now performed this act of problem-solving. He had leaked the Astronomical Bureau’s rain prediction, angering the people – besides unexpectedly ruining Eighth Brother’s jade, it only tarnished his reputation.
Someone who secretly hoped for chaos now urgently addressed the people’s needs – was this hasty compensation for exposed schemes, or did Dengzhou’s unrest have hidden aspects?
“Harem amnesty is a major matter, not to be decided lightly.” Emperor Youning left with these words.
After officials respectfully saw the Emperor off and dispersed, no one expected Xiao Changqin to kneel again outside the hall: “I implore Your Majesty to grant harem amnesty for Dengzhou’s people.”
The doors remained closed with no response, but Xiao Changqin’s expression didn’t change as he knelt straight as a pine tree.
“Should we add fuel to the fire in Dengzhou?” Shen Xihe asked when Xiao Huayong returned.
Xiao Huayong smiled gently: “No need for two masters on one task. Since Fifth Brother has taken this on, he can succeed.”
Just as Xiao Changqin had easily spread the Astronomical Bureau’s message in Dengzhou, he could spread today’s court words. With slight instigation, people hearing that harem amnesty could bring rain would naturally petition together.
The harem belonged to the Emperor – if he refused amnesty, it would mean he indulged in pleasure while disregarding people’s lives.