From cute to empress

Chapter 252: County Magistrate B's Regret and Sincerity

"General Zhen, he..." The doctor of agronomy hesitated, as if choosing his words.

Old Farmer Tian sighed and continued, "Your Majesty, you don't know. General Zhen... as soon as he heard you were ill, he rushed back from the border without stopping. He traveled day and night, and managed to shorten the three-day journey to just one and a half days!"

"What?!" My heart suddenly sank, and a bitter feeling surged in my heart. He was responsible for guarding the border, how could he leave his post for me?

"Your Majesty, don't worry. General Zhen said that everything is stable on the border and he has made arrangements. Nothing will happen." Farmer Woman C said hurriedly, fearing that I would get anxious and angry.

"Yes, Your Majesty, you can rest assured and recuperate. General Zhen is guarding you in the next room and has never left." Tian Laonong comforted.

My emotions were mixed. I was touched by Zhen Youcai's deep affection for me, but I was also worried about whether his actions would affect the safety of the border. I struggled to get out of bed, but was held down by Farmer Bing and Old Farmer Tian, ​​who had rushed over after hearing the noise.

"Your Majesty, you are weak now and you can't move around!" Peasant Woman C said anxiously.

"Yes, Your Majesty, just be obedient. The most important thing is to have a good rest." Laonong Tian also advised.

I lay back down helplessly, my heart in turmoil. At this moment, the door was gently pushed open, and a familiar figure walked in.

"Talented..." I looked at the dusty man in front of me, and my eyes suddenly became moist.

His once resolute face was now filled with exhaustion and worry. Seeing me wake up, a hint of surprise flashed in his eyes. He quickly walked to the bedside, holding my hand, his tone filled with heartache and self-blame: "Mengmeng, how are you? Are you feeling better? It's all my fault for not taking good care of you..."

I didn't say anything, but I squeezed his hand tightly, feeling the warmth of his palm. A thousand words could be said without words.

Over the next few days, Zhen Youcai stayed by my side, feeding me, telling me stories, and making me happy. Under his careful care, I gradually recovered.

Farmer Tian and Farmer C would regularly send me fruits and vegetables grown at home, as well as supplements made by Farmer C herself, saying they were to nourish my body. Seeing these simple and kind farmers, my heart was filled with emotion and warmth.

"Your Majesty, your health is no longer seriously affected. You only need to recuperate for a period of time before you fully recover," the doctor of agronomy said as he pulled out several packets of herbs from his medicine chest. "This is a medicinal recipe I specially prepared for your condition. Take it regularly every day. It will be very helpful for your recovery."

I took the recipe with a smile and thanked the agronomy doctor for his attentiveness. "You've been working so hard lately, not only researching new crops but also taking care of me."

"Your Majesty, you're joking. This is all within my responsibility," the doctor of agriculture said, bowing. "I've developed a recovery plan for Your Majesty. Every morning, take a walk in the fields to breathe in the fresh air. In the afternoon, do some simple exercises to strengthen your body. In the evening, take a medicinal diet. I believe that within two weeks, Your Majesty will be back to normal."

I nodded in agreement, my heart filled with hope for the future. The new crops were about to be harvested, my health was improving, and everything was moving in a positive direction.

One day, wealthy businessman A came to visit me. He excitedly told me that the new crop had caused a huge response among the people, and many farmers were eager to learn the cultivation techniques. To express his gratitude to me and to support agricultural innovation, he decided to organize a charity performance and use all the proceeds to promote the cultivation of the new crop.

"Your Majesty, you are the benefactor of the world, and this charity performance is to express our respect for you." Rich Businessman A's voice was loud and clear, with a sincere light in his eyes.

On the day of the charity performance, the entire capital was abuzz with activity. The stage was set up in the square in front of the imperial palace. The actors performed with all their might, and the crowds below filled the air with cheers and applause. Sitting on the high platform, I watched the people below rejoice, and a flood of emotion welled up within me.

At this time, Zhen Youcai walked over to me, handed me a cup of hot tea, and said softly: "Mengmeng, look, everything you have done has been recognized by the people. You have worked hard."

I took the teacup, took a sip, and looked at the bustling crowd below, my heart filled with joy and satisfaction. Suddenly, I caught a glimpse of a familiar figure standing at the edge of the crowd, looking at me with a complicated expression.

Is that... County Magistrate B?

I was just wondering when I saw him take a deep breath and walk straight towards me with a firm step. There seemed to be a hint of apology and... determination in his eyes?

He walked up to me, bowed, and said sincerely, "Your Majesty, I acknowledge my guilt." I was a little surprised and asked quickly, "What crime have you committed?" County Magistrate B raised his head and looked me straight in the eye, his tone tinged with guilt. "Before, I was ignorant and resistant to the new policies Your Majesty was implementing. I even spread rumors behind the scenes to obstruct their implementation. Now that I see with my own eyes that the people are living and working in peace and contentment, and that a bountiful harvest is in sight, I know Your Majesty is a good emperor who truly cares about the people."

He paused, pulled out an exquisite food box from his sleeve, and presented it with both hands: "I have specially prepared some local dishes to nourish Your Majesty. I hope Your Majesty can forgive my previous rudeness."

I took the lunch box and was greeted by a familiar aroma. When I opened it, I was greeted by several delicious home-cooked dishes, all of which were my favorites as a child.

"This..." I looked at him in surprise, not knowing what to say for a moment.

County Magistrate B smiled innocently and said, "I have been interested in studying cooking since I was a child. This is a small token of my gratitude to Your Majesty. I hope you will not despise it."

I smiled and shook my head, a warm feeling welling up in my heart. These days, I've been so busy with government affairs and recovering from my illness that I haven't had a proper meal in ages. This meal, though not a feast of delicacies, moved me more deeply than any other.

With everyone's meticulous care, I finally recovered fully after two weeks. I strolled through the fields, watching the golden rice fields sway in the wind and the heavy wheat ears bending the branches, my heart filled with joy and gratitude.

"Your Majesty, this year's new crops have a bumper harvest. The people are looking forward to holding a harvest celebration as soon as possible. Thank you for your kindness!" Old Farmer Tian said with a smile, his face full of joy of the harvest.

I smiled and nodded. "Okay! Then let's get started preparing for the harvest celebration! I want to have fun with the people and celebrate this hard-earned victory with everyone!"

The harvest celebration will be held on the full moon night three days later. A grand bonfire party will be held in the square in front of the palace to celebrate the harvest with the people.

That evening, I was reviewing memorials under the lamp when Zhen Youcai suddenly rushed back, exhausted. "Mengmeng, how are you? Are you feeling better?" He looked at me with concern, his eyes full of heartache.

"I'm fine, I've recovered." I smiled and took his hand. "Why did you come back so suddenly? How's the war going on the border?"

"I've signed a peace agreement with a neighboring country, and there will be no more fighting on the border for the time being." Zhen Youcai held my hand and said softly, "You were sick, and I was worried about you, so I came back to see you."

I was moved and was about to say something when I suddenly heard hurried footsteps outside the door.

"Your Majesty, urgent military information!" A guard rushed in, holding a letter high in his hand. "This is a secret letter sent urgently from the border!"

My heart tightened, and a sense of foreboding washed over me. I took the letter, took a deep breath, and slowly unfolded it...

There was only a short line of words on the letter paper, but it exploded in my mind like a thunderbolt:

"Your Majesty, be careful of General Zhen. He... has ulterior motives!"

The letter, written in sloppy handwriting, was sharp and pointed, carrying an unmistakable murderous aura. There was no signature, only a black hawk mark, as if mocking my ignorance. Zhen Youcai, my beloved, my support, would he really betray me? I clutched the letter tightly, my fingertips white, my heart aching.

"Mengmeng, what's wrong?" Zhen Youcai noticed my anomaly and asked with concern. I looked up. His eyes were still as gentle as ever, but I saw a subtle hint of panic in them, which made me even more uneasy. I took a deep breath, tried to calm myself, and handed him the letter: "Take a look at this."

Zhen Youcai took the letter and his face turned pale. He stood up abruptly and said in a hurried tone, "This must be a frame-up! Mengmeng, you must believe me. My feelings for you are known to all!" I watched him anxiously, feeling a mixture of emotions. I wished it were just a misunderstanding, but the eagle mark was like a thorn, piercing my heart.

"Do you recognize this mark?" I tried to keep my tone calm.

Zhen Youcai was silent for a moment, then slowly shook his head: "Never seen it before."

His answer left me even more bewildered. Was I overthinking it? And how could I explain this letter? "Go get some rest. I'll get to the bottom of this," I said tiredly, rubbing my brow. Zhen Youcai wanted to say something more, but ultimately withdrew silently.

It was late at night, and everyone was asleep, but I couldn't sleep. The contents of that letter haunted me like a nightmare, lingering. I stood up and walked to the window, gazing out at the bright moonlight, my mind racing. Just then, a familiar figure quietly appeared behind me. "Master Xiaoyao?" I turned around in surprise.

Xiaoyao Gongzi, an enigmatic figure in the Jianghu, both good and evil, has repeatedly helped me in my humble days. He vanished after I ascended the throne, but I didn't expect him to suddenly reappear today. "Your Majesty, how are you?" He bowed, a meaningful smile on his face. "It seems you're in trouble."

"Do you know this letter?" I took out the letter and handed it to him.

Master Xiaoyao took the letter, glanced at it, and chuckled, "It seems some people can't wait any longer."

"What do you know?" I asked eagerly.

"This letter comes from a corner you have forgotten." Young Master Xiaoyao said mysteriously, "If you want to know the truth, come with me." After that, he turned around and was about to leave.

"Where are you going?" I demanded.

"A place you never expected," Xiaoyao Gongzi paused, turned back and smiled, "a place where all mysteries can be solved." With that, he disappeared into the night. I followed him without hesitation, knowing that this time, I would face an even greater storm...