Chapter 265: The Peasant Girl’s Splendid Manor
Chapter 265: Buying Land and Reclaiming Wasteland - Fooling Xiaohua (Part 2)
Taking this risky step, Yun Zhao couldn’t help but worry. He feared his intentions would be seen through and that his big sister would reject him. When he was brought back to the Mo family, he also worried that he and his sister would have to sell themselves into slavery.
However, not only did his big sister not get angry, she also brought them back and granted them their freedom, allowing them to stay with dignity. Such kindness couldn’t be repaid even in a lifetime.
Watching the boy run off, Mo Yan smiled, picking up the small furry creature tugging at her pants. She tapped its round nose and said, “As long as you stay this obedient and don’t turn around and bite me, I’ll always treat you well, understand?”
The little creature responded with a series of playful yelps...
Meanwhile, in the Crown Prince’s residence in the city.
“Han Zhang, we need to wait a bit longer for this matter,” Chu Heng said, looking at the papers in his hand. His usually gentle face now bore a hint of gravity.
Xiao Ruiyuan frowned, clearly displeased. “If we wait any longer, the border defenses might be too late. If something happens...”
“I know.” Chu Heng was helpless. “The moldy rice only causes diarrhea and vomiting for now, not severe enough to draw the emperor’s attention. We must send people to the border, so we can respond immediately if anything happens.”
Xiao Ruiyuan frowned even more. He knew the Crown Prince's approach was the most prudent, but he couldn’t accept it.
“What about those innocent civilians? Are we just going to watch them die?”
If Yan’er’s dream was correct, the civilians who consumed moldy rice for a long time would be the first to suffer. He had secretly investigated and found several civilians showing signs of poisoning. However, the doctors treating them didn’t realize it was poisoning and treated it as common diarrhea.
“There’s nothing we can do. If their deaths can draw the emperor’s attention and stop the sale of moldy rice, it will save the soldiers at the border. Their deaths won’t be in vain.”
Chu Heng’s eyes were filled with deep helplessness. Sometimes, he knew timely intervention could minimize harm, but he had to consider many factors.
“We should discuss this with Master Zhong and the others. Maybe they have a good solution.”
Xiao Ruiyuan was worried that the deaths of these civilians would disturb the woman’s dreams. If possible, he would try to prevent such things from happening.
After returning from the Mo family, he had people secretly investigate the moldy rice. The major government granaries in the capital were managed by the Ministry of Revenue, and the main official in charge was the Right Assistant Minister of Revenue, who was aligned with Prince Heng.
Investigations revealed that Prince Heng was behind the sale of moldy rice, with at least thirty percent of the profits going to his residence. The moldy rice, with Prince Heng’s tacit approval, had flowed into the military camps at the border.
Xiao Ruiyuan had also found evidence of poisoning related to the moldy rice and quickly reported it to Chu Heng. To protect Mo Yan, he only mentioned that he stumbled upon it by chance, prompting the investigation. Chu Heng didn’t suspect anything.
Unaware of Xiao Ruiyuan’s concerns, Chu Heng nodded and ordered someone to summon the advisors.
Soon, the advisors arrived at the Crown Prince’s residence.
After hearing the details, the advisors offered various opinions, all agreeing with the Crown Prince’s approach. One advisor even suggested hastening the deaths of innocent civilians to bring the matter to light sooner, thus using the situation to strategize against the princes eyeing the throne.
Xiao Ruiyuan refuted these suggestions one by one. Finally, Master Zhong, the wisest among them, stepped forward with a proposal.
(End of Chapter)
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