Chapter 630 - 624_1
"Emperor, take care of your dragon body, and don’t let anger harm your health," Li Sheng, the butler, seeing Huangfu Jing so agitated, hurriedly advised, his heart secretly mourning for Empress Ceng’s wife. The Emperor had always held prejudice against Empress Ceng’s wife, and restrained himself from acting upon it; however, with Ceng Lu’s incident now, even if the Emperor did not deal with Empress Ceng’s wife at present, her fate would surely not be good.
"Enough, there is no need to advise me. If I could be so easily angered, I would have died of rage long ago. Leave now, and today’s matter must not be mentioned to anyone, especially not a word in front of Empress Ceng," Huangfu Jing ordered coldly. With internal and external troubles besetting the court, he did not plan to move against Empress Ceng for the time being. Since she was a piece on the chessboard, she should be utilized to her full potential; casting her aside now would be a pity.
"Yes, this servant obeys," Eunuch Li, serving by the Emperor’s side for many years, felt a shiver run through his body upon seeing the Emperor’s expression and retreated from the room with trepidation.
Ceng Lu had never expected such misfortune, that a mishap would occur at such a time, and to encounter his old nemesis swaggering before him no less. Seeing Zheng Qin’s demeanor, it was clear he knew of Ceng Lu’s actions in Xin’an City these days. It would be surprising if he didn’t leak this matter upon his return to the capital.
As Ceng Lu worried and seethed with anger, he cursed the advisor and the butler mercilessly, "What are you all good for? I entrusted you with the affairs of the Government Office, and this is how you handle them for me? You’ve caused such a mess. What if that whelp Zheng Qin goes back to the capital and reveals my actions?!"
"My lord, please forgive us. It was our negligence. We didn’t expect Zheng Qin to be so cunning. He surely intends to scheme against my lord. It would be best if my lord sends a message back to the capital soon, to prepare your family and possibly lend you a hand when necessary,"
Although relief funds from the court had been distributed, it didn’t much affect Lin Yue. The displaced people sheltered by Lin Yue saw only a small portion leave, while the majority preferred to stay. Firstly, by this time it was past the planting season, and even if crops were planted, the harvest would not be promising. Even with the court’s relief grain distributed, it would be hard to sustain them. While staying with the Zhao Family, they received excellent food and treatment. Moreover, once Xin’an City’s gates opened and order was restored, Lin Yue had settled the promised wages with everyone, indeed paying more than other households, as mentioned by the Zhao Family’s servants. Except for those who were particularly homesick or had worries on their minds, the displaced people chose to stay.
At that moment, Lin Yue also stood in her own fields, gazing at the crops that were largely destroyed by the prolonged rains, her heart aching unbearably. Not to mention the cost of the seeds sown, the manpower alone was costly. Hopes for a good harvest had now been dashed. Fortunately, it was still possible to replant; corn and sweet potatoes could still be grown.