Chapter 97: Going Along

Chapter 97: Going Along

On her first long-distance business trip, Jiang Shu felt both anxious and excited.

As her carriage left Shang Jing, Yu Zheng received the news.

"She has gone for trade? Where to?" Yu Zheng stood up excitedly.

The shadow guard reported, "Jiangnan."

Shang Jing was a thousand li away from Jiangnan, and this journey would likely take over a month.

Although she was accompanied by guards, the thought of her, a woman, traveling so far and for so long, made Yu Zheng uneasy.

After pacing back and forth for a moment with his hands behind his back, Yu Zheng ordered the shadow guard to follow and protect Jiang Shu. He, on the other hand, rummaged through a pile of documents.

"Why is Jiangnan so peaceful this year? Nothing unusual has happened."

Zhuifeng, who was standing nearby, scratched his head and said, "Is Jiangnan's peace not a good thing? Living in peace and prosperity, with calm seas and peaceful rivers, has always been your wish for the people of Daizhao, my lord."

Yu Zheng cast a glance at Zhuifeng, his handsome face stern.

Zhuiyun pondered for a moment, then bowed and said respectfully, "Jiangnan is located at the lower reaches of the Huai River. Floods and water disasters often occur during the rainy season each year. The rainy season is approaching, and we should inspect the Huai River levees to prevent disasters."

Upon hearing this, Yu Zheng's dark eyes lit up, and he immediately slammed his hand on the table. "Yes, it concerns the lives and properties of tens of thousands of people. I should personally inspect it to prevent any issues before they arise."

"Such a minor matter doesn't require you, my lord, to go personally. It's too far and exhausting," Zhuifeng said, his face showing his reluctance.

Yu Zheng glanced at him. "Run twenty laps around the royal palace."

"Why?" Zhuifeng asked, wide-eyed and clearly confused.

Yu Zheng glanced at him again. "Make it forty laps."

Zhuifeng dared not speak further, casting a desperate, confused, and despairing look at Zhuiyun before heading out.

What did he say wrong to upset the master?

Zhuiyun kept his eyes downcast, standing as straight as a poplar tree, maintaining proper etiquette.

On that day, the servants at Prince Jing's mansion finished their tasks and gathered at the side and back entrances to watch Zhuifeng run laps.

"How many laps have we seen? Did anyone count?"

"I counted. It’s the tenth lap."

Someone estimated the time and exclaimed, "Ten laps in half an hour, Zhuifeng is amazing."

Prince Jing's mansion covered a vast area. An average person would take at least fifteen minutes to run one lap around the mansion.

The main reason was that the mansion’s backyard included a garden of over fifty acres. Including the front yard, it totaled seventy acres.

Running twenty laps was no easy feat.

That day, Zhuifeng became the most striking sight in the mansion, circling the mansion like a large black crow for more than an hour.

However, during the final few laps, his speed noticeably slowed.

After completing twenty laps, Zhuifeng collapsed on the grass in the mansion's backyard. From a distance, he resembled a corpse.

Zhuiyun walked over to Zhuifeng carrying a teapot and kicked him. "Open your mouth."

Zhuifeng kept his eyes closed but opened his mouth.

Zhuiyun tilted the teapot, and the tea flowed into Zhuifeng’s mouth.

After finishing the tea, Zhuifeng opened his eyes and sat up, propping himself up with his hand.

"Why did the master punish me?"

Zhuiyun sighed. "It’s because you lacked the sense to understand the master’s concerns."

"What concerns?" Zhuifeng asked curiously.

Seeing his eager expression, Zhuiyun found it humorous.

"The master is worried about Miss Jiang's safety and wants to protect her. Didn’t you see that?"

"How was I supposed to figure that out?" Zhuifeng asked sincerely.

Zhuiyun helplessly looked up at the sky. "Reading facial expressions and understanding intentions can only be grasped intuitively; it’s hard to teach."

"Oh," Zhuifeng nodded in agreement, keeping his head down, and he seemed to realize something before lying back down. "So, is the prince going to Jiangnan?"

"Hmm, you're not entirely foolish, after all," Zhuiyun said, carrying the empty tea pot off with him.

Zhuifeng lay down again, staring at the sky blankly, finding the prince’s thoughts hard to fathom.

The next day during the early court audience, Yu Zheng formally requested the emperor’s permission to personally inspect the Huai River levees to prevent Jiangnan from flooding.

The emperor and all the ministers were shocked, not understanding the motive behind Yu Zheng’s request.

"In recent years, Great Zhao has enjoyed peace and stability, but natural disasters are beyond our control. Especially in Jiangnan, floods occur almost every year. I suspect that the local officials have been lax in the construction of the levees."

"Next month will mark the beginning of the flood season. To prevent the people of Jiangnan from becoming homeless due to floods, I request to personally oversee the inspection of the levee construction."

The emperor then sought the opinions of his officials.

Grand Tutor Zhou stepped forward and said, "Prince Jing is right."

"Every year, the Jiangnan floods afflict tens of thousands of civilians, costing hundreds of thousands of taels in disaster relief. It would be better to allocate those funds toward reinforcing the levees."

"We concur," said other officials, following Grand Tutor Zhou's lead and successively voicing their agreement.

"Alright, it's settled. Prince Jing will go on my behalf to inspect and reinforce the levees, investigate corrupt officials, and gather public opinion."

The emperor’s decision settled the matter.

The Crown Prince’s faction, alarmed, hurriedly stepped forward. "This matter is too significant for Prince Jing to handle alone. I believe more personnel should be assigned to assist Prince Jing."

"Oh? Lord Wu, who do you suggest?" The emperor, seated on his dragon throne, saw through everything.

Lord Wu replied with a hard push, "Deputy Minister of Public Works Meng Jingfan."

The emperor’s gaze swept to the back of the hall. "Lord Meng, would you be willing to go?"

The named official, Meng Jingfan, stepped forward and respectfully replied, "I am willing to follow the imperial decree and assist Prince Jing."

"Alright, you will go together then," the emperor indifferently decided, and then glanced at the rest of the officials. "Is there anyone else willing to go?"

Grand Tutor Zhou said, "Since Prince Jing Wang is going in person, it will certainly upset the corrupt officials. For Prince Jing Wang's safety, I request that Zhou Baixu from the Imperial Guard accompany him to safeguard Prince Jing Wang."

"Hmm. Your consideration is thorough, and I approve." The emperor nodded in satisfaction. Grand Tutor Zhou's words were exactly what the emperor wanted to hear.

His most cherished son must not be put at any risk.

After court, Yu Zheng went to the inner palace to say goodbye to his mother, Consort Yu.

"What? You’re heading to Jiangnan?"

Consort Yu, in her forties but well-preserved with no wrinkles at the corners of her eyes, wore a water-shadow red palace gown embroidered with golden crabapple flowers, making her look graceful and elegant. Even among the many beauties in the imperial harem, she stood out and remained in the emperor’s favor.

"Mother, please don't be worried. This trip isn’t dangerous, and I’ll return to the capital within a month." Yu Zheng reassured her gently.

Consort Yu shot him a reproachful glance. "You always act first and inform me later. Do I even get a say in this?"

He had only come to notify her and left her no room to object.

Why does the emperor allow such reckless behavior?

"I’ve heard that Jiangnan is abundant in resources. Is there anything you want, Mother? I shall bring it back for you." Yu Zheng tried to change the subject.

Consort Yu nodded. "Buy whatever you find appealing. Bring back some novel and interesting items for your sister and Yun’er as well."

Her expression turned sorrowful and guilty when she mentioned Yu Lan. "Your sister's life has been difficult. She will likely spend the rest of her life at the Pingxi General’s Mansion without any other prospects. You must be more caring towards her."

"I know, Mother. Do not dwell on it. Sister doesn't blame you," Yu Zheng comforted her, then took his leave from the palace.

He still needed to visit the Pingxi General’s Mansion and hurry back to the royal residence to prepare.

Jiang Shu had already left a day earlier, and he wouldn't be able to depart until the day after tomorrow, leaving a gap of three days. He probably wouldn't be able to catch up.

They would meet in Jiangnan.