[I just finished eating the melon about the Emperor wearing a green hat during today’s morning court session. Now, let me see how many people have actually given the Emperor a green hat.]
Here it comes, getting to the main topic…
But then…
“His Majesty has arrived!”
Instantly, the consorts began to preen and flutter. Just moments ago, the group of consorts seemed relatively composed, but now they were comparable to birds chirping for spring outside!
[Oh my goodness! These sows in heat are about to meet the boar…]
“Who’s there?”
He started performing the neck-choking act again.
Ji Yingying was already tired of watching it. She knelt down, lowered her head, and muttered under her breath: [Here we go again, here we go again. The dog Emperor is here again. I haven’t even eaten my meal yet, why is he here again?]
The Emperor had come because he heard Ji Yingying was here. The Crown Prince had just reported that half of the Xiao family’s national treasury had been obtained. With that much silver, his own treasury wouldn’t be empty anymore.
“Is Little Lord Ji here?”
“Yes, yes, long time no see, Your Majesty!” Perhaps it was because she had just been thinking about exposing those who gave him green hats that she felt so guilty inside.
The Emperor was momentarily at a loss for words. Long time no see? Had it really been that long?
“Everyone rise. What is the Empress doing here?”
“I heard there’s a new female official in the court, so I asked Lady Ji to bring her over for me to see. Looking at this young lady, I truly feel delighted!”
“Yes, Little Lord Ji is young but very capable.”
[How does the Emperor manage to tell such blatant lies with his eyes open? Where does he see any capability in me?]
Immediately, everyone covered their mouths and snickered, causing the Emperor to snort coldly.
He knew that Ji Yingying wouldn’t openly provoke him, but inwardly she was infuriating him. The previous day, because of the Third Prince and Chancellor Xiao matters, he hadn’t thought too much about it. Now he realized that not only had his national treasury been completely emptied, but she was also publicly saying he wore a green hat. Did he have no face left to save?
“Your Majesty, are you alright?” Ji Yingying’s comprehension wasn’t great. Hearing that cold snort seemed directed at her – when had she offended the Emperor?
“It’s nothing.”
[Alright then, the Emperor must be having his “Aunt Flo” visit. Otherwise, he wouldn’t be so moody.]
Aunt Flo?
Would his aunt dare to make him moody?
After sitting for a while, the Emperor was called away again, and he took Ji Yingying with him. He couldn’t bear the embarrassment of the green hat situation.
The person coming to discuss matters was the Minister of Revenue.
“Your subject has just received a memorial from Fengcheng. Flooding has occurred in Fengcheng, and all the crops in the fields have been destroyed.”
“What?” It was almost harvest time, yet flooding had occurred. With winter approaching soon, this coming winter would undoubtedly be difficult to endure!
[Huh? There’s flooding? The national treasury funds aren’t nearly enough for Fengcheng to survive the winter. After floods, there will inevitably be epidemics or insect plagues. I don’t see Fengcheng doing well for the next three years!]
[Sigh~ Xiangxiang, is there any way to help the people of Fengcheng survive?]
[Xiangxiang is a Melon-Eating System with no other functions. Host, you’re now a government official too. You should do what you’re supposed to do?]
[No, I’m just a melon-eating spectator. What do you think I can do?]
Ji Yingying felt somewhat disappointed. Such a major event was happening, and as an official, she couldn’t actually help with practical matters.
[Oh, wait, I remember there’s a county in the south suffering from drought. Why not divert water there? Modern times have projects like south-to-north water diversion… Thinking too much—modern water diversion takes years, and this is ancient times. How could such a project be possible?]
[Maybe focus on food instead. As long as we survive this winter, next year shouldn’t be so bad. What to plant? Sweet potatoes? None here. Potatoes? Even fewer. Corn? None either. None of these high-yield crops producing thousands of pounds per acre are available.]
[Darling, I just realized the Tianyou Dynasty is missing so many delicious foods. How have I survived all these years?]
[Host, Xiangxiang doesn’t know either. Xiangxiang is sleepy and going to bed. Think it over yourself.]
[Wait, can you check if there’s any melon about sweet potatoes?]
[No, no, but there is corn. The Old Madam of the Minister’s residence has a bag of corn. Ask her for it or tell her how to plant it—it can be harvested in about three months. Host, this world doesn’t even have a “Qimin Yaoshu.” If you write one, you’ll make a fortune. Xiangxiang is waiting for you to take me out for some melon-eating.]
With that, Xiangxiang went offline, no matter how much Ji Yingying called out.
[Do I have to make up another story? But I’m not familiar with the Minister. How do I explain that his family has corn? Maybe I’ll bring it up at the next morning court session?]
Ji Yingying decided to wait until the next morning court session. However, the Emperor then said, “Is the national treasury sufficient to support Fengcheng through this winter?”
“Your Majesty, it is not. The treasury’s current funds come entirely from confiscating the Xiao family’s assets, aside from some items transported from Gushi Village. Fengcheng is a large city with a dense population. I fear the funds won’t last three months.”
[It really isn’t enough. The old Emperor is so poor—he’s been on the throne this long and hasn’t confiscated a few corrupt officials’ properties to replenish the treasury. Even if not confiscating, he could borrow!]
Easier said than done—where to find such opportunities? There’s not even a crack to pry into.
“You may withdraw for now. We’ll discuss this further at tomorrow’s morning court. Tomorrow, Little Lord Ji, remember to attend.”
The Emperor specifically reminded her, so Ji Yingying had no choice but to agree.
Tomorrow’s morning court, huh~
Returning home, she ate, slept, and idled away her time. Before bed, she picked up a vernacular storybook to read, until Pingguo came to urge her to sleep. Ji Yingying still didn’t want to sleep, but she couldn’t resist Pingguo confiscating the storybook.
…………
The next morning, Ji Yingying still couldn’t get up. She even considered asking Ji Cailiang to request leave for her—she’s only ten years old, after all, and can’t wake up!
Nanny Xia had to coax and carry her to get her up, then helped her wash and sent her to the carriage.
In the carriage, Ji Cailiang was already seated, waiting for his little daughter to join him for court.
“Good morning, Father!” Ji Yingying was exhausted. She still wasn’t used to sleeping so early. Before she turned eight, she wasn’t even used to not having a phone. Back then, the first thing she did upon waking was look for her phone, always reaching for the bedside table and finding nothing!
Especially after turning three, when her hands could reach the bedside, she’d reach for the phone every time, only to be disappointed, so much so that tears would well up.
“Morning. Here, have breakfast. Your mother instructed the cook to prepare this specially.”
“Ah, I see.” Ji Yingying rested her chin on the table: [It’s not like Mother made it herself. Why are you so excited?]
The breakfast was exquisitely prepared, and Ji Yingying managed to eat a few bites. Ji Cailiang, however, had little appetite, mainly because it was his first day at court—his daughter had attended a day earlier than him.
What else could he do when his daughter was more capable than him?
Upon arriving at the Hall of Diligent Governance, Ji Yingying overheard some gossipy ministers chattering away as soon as she entered.
She hadn’t meant to eavesdrop, but when she heard that many imperial consorts had died in the rear palace yesterday, she immediately grew curious and leaned in to listen more closely.