Upon hearing Shen Zhi’s words, Pei Lian contemplated for a long time before shaking his head.
“No.”
“Every lifetime’s flood has been the same; I have had no need to observe or inquire.”
Shen Zhi’s hand, holding the paper, paused. She looked up at him, a skeptical expression in her eyes.
With this attitude of his, if he were to become Emperor, would he not make the lives of the common people of the Dazhao Dynasty miserable, without a single day of peace?
“Your Highness, this approach of yours is wrong,” Shen Zhi advised earnestly. “You cannot simply assume that because things were the same in every previous lifetime, you do not need to investigate the situation of the flood.”
“You never know when an accident will occur. Look at the current situation; is that not exactly what has happened?”
Pei Lian listened to Shen Zhi’s words, his face showing displeasure.
A mere Consort like her, daring to speak to him in such a manner—was she tired of living?
Shen Zhi ignored the dark expression on his face, lowered her eyes to the rice paper in her hands, and spoke slowly.
“This flood was caused by the expansion of the Yangtze River basin, which washed away the fields and houses of the people living on both banks. Countless people have died in this disaster. Your previous method will not work.”
“What is most needed now is to repair the water conservancy infrastructure, settle the refugees who have no homes or food, and at the same time, perform pacification work and prepare for the prevention of epidemics.”
Pei Lian, whose face had been filled with displeasure, had his gaze toward her changed completely after listening to her words.
“How do you know all of this?”
“Oh, the maidservants below were discussing it, and I asked a few questions,” Shen Zhi said, slowly folding the rice paper and placing it on the table.
Having been reborn nineteen times, she had learned many things; she hadn’t expected to find a use for them this time.
Pei Lian did not ask further, merely having Yuan Qing bring in paper, brushes, and ink.
At the same time, he called Qingxue and Qingyu in, gave them their orders, and sat down at the table.
Lanxin Pavilion was quite small, and there was no spacious study desk for Pei Lian to use, so he had to make do with the table usually reserved for meals.
With the paper and brushes laid out on the table, Pei Lian stood before it and looked at Shen Zhi. “Detail the thoughts you just mentioned.”
Shen Zhi rested her chin on her hand, looking at him, and said with a smile, “Your Highness, do you intend to use this concubine’s strategy?”
“If you wish to use it, you must pay some compensation,” Shen Zhi reminded him.
Compensation, too!
Pei Lian said with dissatisfaction, “You are already mine; why do you still ask for compensation?”
“But this is something I thought of,” Shen Zhi pointed out.
You want to use it? Then pay. You want to freeload? No chance.
“Shen Zhi, you had better ensure that the method you thought of is correct, or I will have your head,” Pei Lian cautioned.
Have her head?
Shen Zhi was not flustered in the slightest. “Very well, then Your Highness can simply start a new game.”
Pei Lian: …
Threats of execution could not move her. Their fates were bound together; they would either thrive or perish together.
“Your compensation will not be lacking,” Pei Lian finally compromised.
Having obtained this promise, Shen Zhi stood up, walked to her vanity, and took out a sheet of paper from within.
“Here, Your Highness, look at this,” Shen Zhi said, handing him the paper.
Pei Lian took it, opened it, and examined it carefully. After reading it, the way he looked at Shen Zhi changed completely.
“I was bored today, so I wrote down a set of countermeasures,” Shen Zhi said, sitting to the side and slowly sipping from a teacup.
“You…” Pei Lian wanted to ask why she had been hiding her talents, but he ultimately held the question back.
“Your Highness, please hurry off to your work; do not linger here in my Lanxin Pavilion,” Shen Zhi said, shooing him away.
Unfortunately, Pei Lian did not listen; he sat there and began to study the strategy she had written.
It detailed everything from repairing waterworks, pacifying the people, and settling refugees, to preventing epidemics.
“Your Highness, you can devise your own method based on this; what I have written is merely talk on paper, after all,” Shen Zhi reminded him.
That day, Pei Lian stayed in Lanxin Pavilion the entire time, remaining unmoved even when Lanyue Pavilion sent people to invite him over.
This caused Liu Yan to smash another set of teacups in fury.
“Lianxin, go and prepare; tomorrow, you must make it so that the rumor about her is confirmed,” Liu Yan said, taking a deep breath and giving her instructions.
“Yes.”
Having failed to kill Shen Zhi last time, this time, she was determined to finish her off.
She would make the Crown Prince handle her himself.
Lying on the same bed again, Shen Zhi was speechless.
Was this man trying to attract hatred toward her?
Tomorrow, she might well be framed by that woman, Liu Yan.
Smelling the fragrance permeating the air, Shen Zhi closed her eyes, feeling particularly at ease.
Pei Lian smelled it too. It seemed she truly could not do without this calming incense, using it even when she slept.
After some time passed, Pei Lian heard the sound of steady breathing from beside him and turned to look at Shen Zhi.
She was sleeping on her side, dressed in a thin undergarment, looking peaceful.
Pei Lian subconsciously rubbed his hands together, as if the warmth from when he had touched Shen Zhi’s cheek still lingered.
Delicate and soft.
Very nice to touch.
In this life, she had not appeared before him as often as she used to; even when under house arrest, she stayed in Lanxin Pavilion every day to read stories and sleep.
Life was quite leisurely.
Did she intend to give up?
Did she not plan to complete her tasks?
Pei Lian pondered this, but for some reason, he felt a bit unsatisfied.
Upon returning from the morning greeting at the Crown Princess’s residence, the compensation promised by Pei Lian arrived.
Two full, large chests. Once opened, they were filled with various magnificent jewelry, fabrics, and cosmetics.
At the same time, Yuan Qing brought a small box to Shen Zhi and said with a smile, “Consort Shen, this is what His Highness requested I deliver to you.”
As he spoke, Yuan Qing opened the small box, revealing gleaming gold bars.
Not many, just five.
But Shen Zhi was stunned.
Wow, this box of gold is even better than all those jewels and accessories.
If she needed it in the future, she could spend it.
“Many thanks, Master Yuan Qing,” Shen Zhi called out, hurriedly winking at Suwen to the side.
Receiving the signal, Suwen immediately took out a purse and handed it to him.
“Master Yuan Qing, please accept this.” Suwen said with a smile, offering it with both hands.
Yuan Qing had not expected to be addressed as “Master” by the two of them.
Usually, he was cursed as a “dog slave” or a “eunuch,” so he had not expected to receive respect here at Consort Shen’s quarters.
He smiled, accepted it, and weighed it in his hand; the amount was generous. He casually offered a piece of advice: “The weather is hot, and His Highness has been in a poor mood recently. If Consort Shen cares for him, you might make some cooling soup and send it to him.”
“His Highness has been troubled by the floods in Jiangnan again today.”
“Many thanks to Master Yuan Qing for the guidance,” Shen Zhi said, bowing to show her appreciation.
After Yuan Qing left with his men, Shen Zhi looked at the items and said to Suwen, “Take inventory, record it, and put it into the storeroom.”
As for the box of gold in her hand?
Naturally, she would keep that for herself.
“My Lady, do you not intend to use the new fabric to make a few sets of clothes?” Suwen asked, looking at the bolts of cloth.
Nanny Zhao said with a chuckle, “This old servant has decent craftsmanship. My Lady, if you trust me, you can leave it to me.”
“That would be fine,” Shen Zhi immediately agreed. “As long as you are willing, Nanny Zhao.”
“I am more than willing to make clothes for you, My Lady.”
Having received her reward, Shen Zhi was generous, giving each of the maidservants and eunuchs serving in Lanxin Pavilion one tael of silver, and having the kitchen prepare mung bean soup and pastries for everyone.
With this gesture, everyone working under Shen Zhi was overjoyed.
They all thought to themselves that they must serve Consort Shen well in the future.
The news of Pei Lian rewarding Shen Zhi spread quickly through the Eastern Palace, and the other concubines became restless.
In the back courtyard of the Eastern Palace, only three women could see the Crown Prince.
The Crown Princess, Lin Shiya; as long as she sat in that position, the Crown Prince would not disregard her face.
On designated days, he would visit, and she could see the Crown Prince two or three times a month.
Consort Liu, Liu Yan, who was the Crown Prince’s heart’s desire; after she was brought into the Eastern Palace, she had spent more than half of every month sleeping in Lanyue Pavilion.
Now, even a mere Consort could see the Crown Prince, and not only that, but he was so attentive to her.
Staying overnight in Lanxin Pavilion, sending her gifts.
How could the other concubines accept this?
Consequently, they dressed themselves up and wandered along the paths that led to Lanxin Pavilion, hoping for a chance encounter with the Crown Prince.
He Chenghui dressed herself elaborately and began walking slowly along the path with her maid.
It was now the afternoon; the weather wasn’t extremely hot, but walking like this still left her feeling sticky.
Her maid held a fan to the side, attempting to reduce the heat in this way.
“My Lady, will we really be able to see the Crown Prince this way?” the maid asked with some confusion.
He Chenghui smiled. “The Prince just sent rewards to Consort Shen today; he will definitely come to see her tonight.”
“We only need to pretend to encounter him here.”
He Chenghui spoke with conviction, though in reality, she felt unsure; after all, no one knew if the Crown Prince would truly come to Lanxin Pavilion.
Time passed slowly, but Pei Lian was nowhere to be seen, leaving He Chenghui disappointed.
Just as she was about to leave, she saw a man dressed in golden imperial robes walking toward her.
He Chenghui took one look—wasn’t that the Crown Prince?
She hurriedly had her maid straighten her posture before walking toward Pei Lian.
“This concubine greets Your Highness,” He Xuan bowed.
Seeing the person who had suddenly appeared in front of him, Pei Lian’s brow knitted tightly.
“Rise.”
“I did not expect to meet Your Highness here; this concubine is so happy.” He Xuan looked at Pei Lian with her bright eyes, her face showing a look of worship.
A young girl’s worship.
But Pei Lian only wanted to go to Shen Zhi to discuss the flood; he had no desire to know what He Xuan wanted to do.
“Hmm.”
“Your Highness, I heard you have been busy with government affairs lately; you must be exhausted. Let this concubine accompany you for a walk.”
“A walk will help walk away your worries, then you won’t be troubled anymore,” He Xuan was a reasonably lively girl.
Unfortunately, Pei Lian had no interest in paying her any mind. “I have urgent matters to attend to; He Chenghui, you may walk in the back courtyard yourself.” After saying this, he stepped past her and headed straight for Lanxin Pavilion.
Watching this scene, He Chenghui gripped her handkerchief tightly in anger, wishing she could tear Shen Zhi into pieces.
“What!” Upon hearing the news that the Crown Prince had gone to that bitch Shen Zhi’s place again, Liu Yan could no longer maintain her composure and shouted sharply, “That vixen, she really knows how to seduce people!”
“Lianxin, how are things proceeding?”
“Tomorrow, tomorrow I will make that bitch disappear from the Eastern Palace.” Liu Yan threw another teacup and asked Lianxin, who was standing to the side.
“Returning to Consort Liu, everything is prepared, waiting only for your order.” Lianxin hurriedly replied.
“Very well.”
“Your Highness, why have you come again?” Shen Zhi was reading her storybook and, hearing the sound, looked up and asked subconsciously.
Beside her, Suwen and Nanny Zhao felt their hearts skip a beat upon hearing this.
My Lady, are you suggesting that His Highness should not have come?
Be careful not to annoy him; if he truly stops coming, we will be finished.
The two were filled with unease, fearing the Crown Prince would be angry and punish their mistress.
However, Pei Lian did not act together; he merely gestured for the maidservants to rise and sat down beside her.
“I have come to discuss the flood with you,” Pei Lian said slowly, looking at her.
“Your Highness, you could actually discuss this with Grand Tutor Sun; after all, he is your teacher, and his insights and ideas are far superior to mine.”
Shen Zhi said, blinking her innocent eyes, “This concubine is but an orphaned girl; there is much I do not understand.”
Do not understand?
The strategy she wrote—something even her Imperial Father found excellent—how could she possibly not understand it?
Pei Lian looked at the storybook in her hand and frowned. Every day she read these unrefined books, so how was she able to come up with such brilliant methods?
“Why do you know so much?” Pei Lian asked.
Of course, it’s because I read a lot. During nineteen lifetimes, do you really think I lived for nothing?
Besides, I have a system; what book could I possibly want that I don’t have?
Shen Zhi mused internally, but on the surface, she remained stoic. “Your Highness, after all, I have lived for nineteen lifetimes; one is bound to learn a thing or two by ear.”
Pei Lian thought about it; that was indeed true, and he did not ask further.
“Has your illness completely healed?”
Shen Zhi: …
Do you have to listen to the question you just asked? It’s been how long now?
Only now do you come to care?
Isn’t this a bit too late?
“Many thanks for your concern, Your Highness; this concubine has fully recovered.”
“Hmm, in the future, do not fall into the lake again,” Pei Lian reminded.
“Many thanks for your concern, Your Highness. May I ask if you have identified the culprit who tried to harm this concubine that day?” Shen Zhi hurriedly asked.
The culprit…
Pei Lian fell silent at these words. In fact, a few days ago, his secret guards had already found the culprit.
The woman who had hidden in the water and grabbed Shen Zhi, refusing to let her surface, had confessed everything; she had been told to do so by a servant from Lanyue Pavilion.
The woman’s family had been captured by the other party; if she didn’t do it, they would all surely die.
So she had no choice.
People from Lanyue Pavilion… did that not mean it was Yan’er’s doing?
Why would Yan’er be capable of taking a life?
Pei Lian did not want to believe it; in his impression, Yan’er had always been kind-hearted and friendly to others.