TV Series: When the Villain Chooses to Stand by

Chapter 175 Yixiu 44

Shen Meizhuang played with the medicine bottle in her hand without saying a word. She felt much more relaxed, but she didn't feel interested at all.

Zhen Huan came to see her as soon as she received the news.

The two sisters sat together and talked about recent events.

"Huan'er, stay away from me. I'm not fully recovered from this illness yet. I don't want to burden you."

Zhen Huan hadn't seen Shen Meiyu for a long time and was extremely worried about her, so she had no time to care about so many things.

He lay down next to Shen Meizhuang, holding her slender white fingers in his hands and rubbing them carefully, "The imperial physician said it's nothing serious, Sister Mei, don't be so stingy."

"Sister, why have you lost so much weight? Is it because the palace servants didn't serve you well enough? You've suffered a lot this time, so you need to nourish yourself."

Shen Meizhuang couldn't help but think of Wen Shichu these days. The two of them couldn't be in the same room. During the day, he stayed outside the hall to study prescriptions and keep an eye on the situation here.

She knew that this was the duty of the imperial physician, but something was still different.

"Sister Mei? Why aren't you talking? Are you feeling unwell?"

Zhen Huan's worried voice brought Shen Meizhuang back to her senses. She shook her head and said, "I'm not feeling unwell anywhere. I just feel a little bored these days and want to go out for a walk."

"The disease is gone like a thread, sister Mei, wait a little longer, when you feel better, we can go out and play together."

"I know, don't worry. You just said the Queen Mother was also ill. How is she now?"

When mentioning this, Zhen Huan also sighed. The emperor has been in a bad mood these days, and she couldn't help but worry about him.

"The Emperor forbad us to disturb the Empress Dowager. I heard that the imperial physician is on duty at Shoukang Palace day and night, so it shouldn't be a serious problem. The previous court was also in a state of turmoil over the epidemic."

"The harem in the previous dynasty was not stable. The emperor has not entered the harem for a long time."

Shen Meizhuang frowned slightly, feeling something was wrong. "Where's the Empress? Isn't it the Empress who handles the affairs of the harem?"

"The Emperor didn't reveal anything. He said no one was allowed to disturb the Empress Dowager's recovery. I don't think the Empress Dowager seems to care much either."

Shen Meizhuang and Zhen Huan are both smart people. They have realized that the relationship between the three masters in the harem is not as harmonious as it seems.

This is also the reason why the two did not choose to join either side.

Shen Meizhuang has a good family background, so as long as she doesn't make any mistakes, she will basically have no problems in the second half of her life.

At this moment, Zhen Huan's mind was completely focused on the emperor, so she naturally would not take the initiative to get involved in unknown events.

Dealing with epidemics is not as simple as imagined. With effective prescriptions, medicinal materials are also the most important part.

The profit from this is no less than the food in a disaster year.

Nowadays, the medicine warehouses of local government offices can still be maintained, and the pharmacy under the name of the queen is also in operation, but this is not a solution after all.

Solving the problem requires a lot of money, and the money must be spent where it is needed most. There is no need to force money from the national treasury when there is a better way.

But despite all the hints, Yixiu still showed no signs of taking action.

The emperor really wanted to be tough for once. In the past, even without the empress, the court still provided disaster relief. However, the number on the memorial made him feel distressed. Four hundred thousand taels of disaster relief silver was already the limit.

A lot of medicinal materials, manpower and material resources have been consumed in the early stage, and the subsequent expenses cannot be saved.

The money and grain owed to the national treasury by various places had not been repaid, and the monthly military expenditure of the Northwest Army alone was 1.5 million taels.

This was the result of the emperor's immediate recovery of debts and the cleaning up of a number of corrupt officials. In the past, the relief money would have to be doubled to be effective.

"Your Majesty, don't worry too much. The sun is out today. Why don't you go out for a walk to change your mood? Perhaps the problem will be solved."

Seeing the emperor's gloomy expression, Su Peisheng suddenly came up with an idea.

He didn't understand politics and just wanted to make the emperor feel better. No one could stand being depressed like this all day long.

The emperor pressed his swollen eyebrows, his eyes were already bloodshot. Hearing this, he leaned back and sighed deeply. It was really not a solution to stay like this.

The delicate fragrance of plum blossoms in the palace reminded him of Zhen Huan.

The two of them used to discuss political affairs often, and she was the only one in the harem with whom he could talk.

"Let's go see Wanpin."

Su Peisheng's face immediately broke into a smile, "I will go and prepare the sedan chair right away."

The emperor had already stood up and walked out. "No need, it's good to take a walk."

When Zhen Huan saw the emperor coming, she stood up and saluted with great surprise. This was the first time the emperor had entered the harem in many days.

"Get up, you're so leisurely."

The emperor reached out and took Zhen Huan's hand, and as soon as he sat down, his attention was attracted by the paper-cutting on the table.

"You're already cutting paper-cuts so early in the morning. Your skills are quite good."

"I'm sorry to make you laugh, Your Majesty. I'm just killing time in my spare time."

The emperor looked at the red word "Fu" in his hand and sighed. Even with the beauty by his side, he couldn't calm down.

This scene made Zhen Huan's smile fade. She tentatively extended her hand, "Your Majesty, why are you so worried? Hasn't the epidemic been resolved?"

The emperor grasped it and felt a little comforted by the warmth in his hand.

The two discussed household matters like a real married couple. "Having a prescription is just the beginning. We need a lot of silver for disaster relief, but the treasury is empty."

After hesitating for a moment, the emperor expressed his dissatisfaction.

"It was during this epidemic that I realized I was far less well-off than the Empress. As the Queen's mother, I should have done something, but the Empress refused to give in because of her personal feelings..."

Listening to the emperor's self-deprecating description, Zhen Huan's first reaction was admiration.

Even in the deep palace, she still has enough energy to manage her own family business. No wonder the Queen Mother looks down on the competition for favor in the harem.

Zhen Huan felt that something was wrong with what the emperor expressed.

It's the Queen's own business whether she has the ability or not. The empty treasury wasn't spent by the Queen herself. How can she covet other people's things and feel so righteous about it?

"This... the ministers are supposed to share the emperor's worries. Why haven't they come up with a solution after all this time?"

Zhen Huan complained a few words, then stood up and gently pressed the emperor's shoulders.

The emperor lowered his head and closed his eyes, enjoying himself. "The treasury is empty, and these ministers can only cry poor to me. What else can I do?"

The emperor was satisfied with Zhen Huan's cautious attitude, knowing that it was a good thing not to talk about the queen casually.

The more this happened, the more he wanted Zhen Huan to speak.

He raised his hand to hold Zhen Huan's arm and pulled her towards him, "It's just the two of us today, you don't have to follow those rules."

"I allow you to speak freely and give me some advice."

Looking at the emperor's focused and sincere gaze, Zhen Huan's heart moved and the corners of her mouth couldn't help but curl up.

No woman could refuse such a preference. She hesitated and said, "But I know nothing about money..."

"Pa!" The Emperor clapped his hands gently. "You, little girl, are playing dumb in front of me again. You understand me best in the harem."

One sentence shattered all of Zhen Huan's caution.

She lowered her head and thought for a moment, "Your Majesty, the Empress is kindhearted, but she shouldn't use the word 'responsibility' to trap someone in such a serious matter. It's illogical. After all, as a minister, I should also share the country's worries, right?"

"She's the queen!"

"Silang~" Zhen Huan gently stopped the emperor from saying the next thing.

"So what do you think we should do?"

The emperor pursed his lips and didn't care much. When Hua Fei was in charge of the palace affairs, the money of the Imperial Household Department was also limited, and she handled things in a glorious manner.

"I'll have to ask the Emperor about this. You and the Empress have been married for many years. You should know best what the Empress cares about most and what worries she has in her heart."

The emperor subconsciously wanted to say that the queen cared about him the most. The feelings between them when they first entered the palace could not be fake. He could feel the queen's deep affection over the years.

The words came to his lips but he swallowed them back, even though he didn't want to admit it.

But the queen's attitude did change dramatically during this period, and the emperor could vaguely sense that she no longer cared about him.

His voice deepened, revealing a hint of guilt. "The most important person in the Queen's heart is Honghui."

"The deceased eldest prince?" Zhen Huan had heard of him and knew that the queen was sad for a long time after the eldest prince died of illness.

The emperor had not mentioned this child at all since he ascended the throne, so he felt bad talking about it now.

Zhen Huan boldly suggested, "If the Emperor could show some appreciation for the eldest prince, the Empress would surely be pleased, and it would also fulfill the Emperor's fatherly heart."

She couldn't guarantee what the emperor's attitude towards the eldest prince would be, but if she wanted the queen to willingly pay, she would have to pay something.

The Queen is the mother of a country and she lacks nothing. Apart from this, nothing can impress her.

The emperor was silent for a long time after listening to Zhen Huan's words.

After a long time, he simply stood up and said, "I have something to do, so I'll go back first. You should have a good rest. I'll come to see you another day."

"I respectfully send you to your Majesty."

Looking at the emperor's back as he left, Zhen Huan patted her chest with lingering fear.

Jin Xi also came in with pear soup. Seeing the emperor leave, she asked worriedly, "What's wrong, Your Majesty? What happened?"

Zhen Huan drank the sweet soup to calm herself down. "It's nothing serious. You can divide this among yourselves."

She went to bed absentmindedly, not knowing whether what she said tonight was wrong.

The emperor sat in the Yangxin Palace for a long time and finally made a decision.

As soon as Yixiu woke up, she heard Jianqiu say that the imperial edict had arrived.

Su Peisheng was waiting outside with a cheerful mood, feeling completely confident that with this imperial edict, the relationship between the empress and the emperor would definitely be eased.

When Yixiu came out, she saw Su Peisheng grinning from ear to ear.

"The Queen is delighted!"

"I have inherited the providence of Heaven and reign supreme over the four seas. Now, remembering my son Honghui, who has been intelligent and studious since childhood, respectful and courteous, possessing the virtues of benevolence and filial piety, and possessing a remarkable talent for wisdom and intelligence... To express my loving remembrance of him, I posthumously confer the title of Crown Prince Duanrui on him. I pray that his spirit in heaven will bless the everlasting stability of the Qing Dynasty and the prosperity of our country. I decree this."

"Empress, the Emperor has already ordered the Ministry of Works to select a site this morning and choose a date to rebuild the mausoleum for Crown Prince Duanrui."

"The Emperor also said that he would adopt one of the royal heirs to be given to Crown Prince Duanrui in the future."

Yixiu didn't expect that the emperor would take the initiative to issue such an imperial decree. She had planned to wait a few days before raising the issue. Anyway, the medicinal materials and food for disaster relief were already on the way, and it would not delay the important matters.

"Empress, it's time to receive the imperial edict." Su Peisheng reminded carefully.

Yixiu also woke up from her thoughts, "Eunuch Su, go back and tell the emperor that as the queen mother, I will not watch the victims suffer. Let the emperor rest assured."

Su Peisheng finally felt relieved and agreed with a smile.

The emperor was very happy to get the accurate answer. He gave Zhen Huan a reward with a wave of his hand. Thinking of Shen Meiyu who survived the disaster, he gave her the title "Hui".

He had completely changed from his depression a few days ago, and even the empress dowager's summons could not affect his good mood.

In Jingren Palace, Chao Gui looked at the thing in his hand in a daze, "Imperial sister-in-law? Are you letting me leave the palace?"

"Why, haven't you always wanted to make a difference? It's not enough to just think about making money. You have to learn how to deal with many things too."

Yixiu was well prepared, with everything from manpower to routes.

"Sister-in-law, Chaogui is willing to give it a try and will definitely live up to your expectations."

Chao Gui was very excited and didn't think it was scary at all that she was going to the disaster area. She had been eager to go out and take a look.

"These maids are very skilled. Be careful when you get there. This is my token and... the portrait of Crown Prince Duanrui."

"Don't worry about the emperor. I will bear all the consequences."

Chao Gui nodded solemnly and soon left the palace with light luggage.

Before the emperor could question why the money had not been delivered yet, the official's impeachment letter was submitted first.

"How dare the Queen be so bold."

"A princess like Chaogui is actually interfering in state affairs. What does a teenage girl know? Who is the Queen guarding against?!"

Chao Gui acted quickly, and the first people she dealt with were the victims in the capital.

After the outbreak of the epidemic, prestigious doctors in the city were summoned together, and the sick people were transferred to the suburbs and guarded by special personnel.

The court's plan was also very direct. If they all died here because of the epidemic, a fire would be their final destination.

From boiling medicine to cooking porridge and treating patients, everything went exceptionally smoothly with the queen's token.

Chaogui did not disappoint Yixiu's expectations. After experiencing a brief period of discomfort, she gritted her teeth and persevered.

In less than half a day, word spread throughout the capital that the Empress had paid out of her own pocket to house the disaster victims in order to pray for Prince Duanrui.

The ministers’ impeachment was also very straightforward, and the harem was not allowed to interfere in politics.

The emperor wanted to order Chao Gui to return to the palace immediately, but as more and more officials came to report, his anger subsided a little.

"Your Majesty, this is against the rules. I heard that the Empress not only prepared medicine, but also charcoal basins and food. This move may arouse the greed of the victims."

"This is how the disaster victims in the capital are being treated. What should we do if word spreads to other places and refugees flock to the capital?"

"I implore His Majesty to issue an order, ordering the Empress to cease her actions and hand over all matters to us. We will publicize the matter and will not neglect praying for the well-being of Crown Prince Duanrui."

……

The victims of the epidemic are not only sick, but the winter is already very cold, and poor health means no income.

It is even common for families to spend all their savings or sell their property on medical treatment.