TV Series: When the Villain Chooses to Stand by

Chapter 176 Yixiu 45

Poor people simply cannot afford serious illness.

Even if there is a prescription that can save this life, it will still take time to recover from the illness.

After all this trouble, the whole family is almost ruined, which will inevitably cause a large wave of refugees.

Of course, these are not within the officials' consideration. What they care about is money and food.

After the Queen went through all this trouble, all the credit belongs to Prince Duanrui, and they won't get a penny.

Everyone was coveting the money needed for such a large-scale disaster relief, so how could they allow the Queen to act recklessly?

The emperor obviously understood the real purpose of these people. He pretended to be embarrassed and said, "The queen is doing this with good intentions. You are overthinking it."

When the ministers heard this, they knew that the emperor was not going to intervene, and they started discussing it.

Some even started to question the source of the money.

"Your Majesty, the Empress has lived in the inner palace for a long time. How could she come up with such a large sum of money? There must be something fishy going on. I, this humble servant, humbly ask Your Majesty to thoroughly investigate this matter."

"I will reconsider!"

At this time, Su Peisheng walked in cautiously and handed over the letter sent by Jianqiu.

The emperor opened it and looked at it for a while, then sneered reluctantly.

As long as the disaster situation can be stabilized as soon as possible, this little bit of power is meaningless, and what kind of trouble can a mere woman cause?

"That's enough, shut up! You keep talking about our ancestral family rules."

"The harem is not allowed to interfere in government affairs. What does this have to do with Princess Chaogui? Kejing was also allowed to participate in government affairs by the late emperor. Moreover, this is the Queen's private matter."

The ministers were all shocked. Could it be calculated like this?

"Your Majesty! Disaster relief cannot be considered a private matter!"

"The Ministry of Revenue allocating disaster relief funds is truly disaster relief. The Queen's move is to pray for the well-being of Crown Prince Duanrui. There's no need to say more. Everyone, please withdraw."

The ministers under him naturally did not want to let it go, but the emperor's meaning was very clear.

The Ministry of Revenue has no money now, so it’s useless to say anything.

They had no choice but to retreat in disgrace, and the Ulanara family became another breakthrough point for them.

As the emperor's edict was announced, Chao Gui's actions became more compliant.

Naturally, the disaster relief activities would not wait until Chao Gui arrived to start. What she had to do was to inspect and supervise, and visit all the disaster-stricken areas in the shortest time possible.

At this time, Chao Gui, who was bouncing on the horse's back, was very glad that he had learned horse riding and archery well.

If she took the carriage slowly, the victims would have recovered by the time she got there.

The cold wind, accompanied by snow, broke through the protective fabric of the clothes, penetrated through the gaps, and cut the delicate skin unscrupulously.

Chao Gui had made all the necessary preparations, but her neck was still slightly red.

Her colleagues were also impressed by her tenacity. Not everyone can withstand such high-intensity actions.

After arriving at the destination, Chao Gui didn't dare to rest for a moment.

It wasn't cold in the makeshift tent, but with so many people living there, all sorts of strange smells mixed with the bitterness of herbs.

The smell was really not pleasant, and the officials traveling with him were so nervous that they kept sweating.

They were afraid that the royal princess would cause trouble if she was unhappy.

The Queen's people kept a close eye on the money and food, and they couldn't get any benefits.

Now they have to serve their ancestors, and the officials feel quite complicated.

Chao Gui seemed to have seen nothing, walking calmly in the tent, observing everyone's condition.

Finally, she stopped in a corner. In front of her was a little child who looked only five or six years old. He was very sensible at such a young age and lay on the bed without crying or making a fuss.

She squatted down and spoke softly to the other person, "Does each of you have the medicine that the steward sent? Are you feeling unwell now?"

The girl rolled her eyes. She was still young and couldn't understand the expressions of the adults behind her.

A small voice came, "I have taken medicine."

Then she shook her head heavily. Chao Gui understood what the other party meant. She was not feeling uncomfortable, but she just didn't dare to say much. Those few words seemed to have exhausted all her strength.

Chao Gui took out a purse from under her body, which contained some ready-made snacks. She had been too busy these days and sometimes used these to fill her stomach.

"You're so good. Take good care of yourself and I'll give you this cake."

The sweet smell entered the girl's nose uncontrollably, and she couldn't help swallowing.

She looked up cautiously at her beautiful sister, and her kind eyes dispelled the uneasiness in her heart.

The girl almost cried the moment the food entered her mouth. It was a taste she had never tasted before.

She didn't cry when her parents kicked her out of the house and scolded her as a jinx. It was not until the neighbors all avoided her that she realized she had been abandoned.

But she didn't mean to be sick.

Chao Gui didn't stay for long. When he saw her take the purse, he stood up, patted her on the head, and turned away.

Seeing Chao Gui's serious expression, the steward following behind him hurriedly explained.

"Princess, that girl was picked up and brought here. Her family was worried that she would be infected with the plague and die at home, so they drove her out."

"What about after she recovers? Will she be sent back?"

Chao Gui frowned and looked at the manager. She had thought that both parents were dead, so she didn't ask any more questions. Who knew it would be like this.

"Don't worry, Princess. The master has already given the order. In this case, you can be transferred to our manor to work."

"Her parents have long since considered the girl dead. Besides, anyone who can't survive after recovering from their illness is available. The master's workshop is in need of workers."

Chao Gui tried to pretend nothing happened and nodded, but in fact she had already started screaming in her heart.

This part was not written in the booklet. If she hadn't noticed it and hadn't asked about it, the manager probably wouldn't have said it.

Many similar things have happened along the way, and Chao Gui has realized that she is not here just to do business this time.

It will be time to know the results when we return to the palace.

The name of Prince Duanrui Honghui also spread along Chaogui's trajectory.

The rescued person can receive a portrait without spending a penny and keep it at home to worship every day.

When the emperor learned about this behavior, he had no reaction. A child who had already passed away could not change anything.

The matter was handled more perfectly than the emperor had imagined, and he generously conferred the title of Heshuo Princess on Chao Gui.

Some court officials were dissatisfied and discussed it privately.

"A teenage girl, who just ran around with the guards, actually got such a benefit for nothing. The Queen is really generous."

"Yes, but there's nothing we can do about it. The Empress is childless."

"The Queen's wealth-making methods are much better than those of the previous one, but I don't know..."

The emperor was not ignorant of these unkind remarks, but he did not intend to interfere.

This incident gave the emperor a new idea. The queen had no children and there were no useful talents in the family, so it didn't matter how much wealth he collected.

He had witnessed with his own eyes how much help Lao Jiu provided to his opponents, so naturally he would not think that business affairs were shameful like the late emperor.

When I am a hundred years old, I will register my heir under the name of the queen, and these things will naturally belong to the royal family.

At the same time, he was also wary of the Queen's subordinates. Being able to gather so many loyal people, it would be troublesome if the Queen had any inappropriate thoughts one day.

By then, these remarks that are unfavorable to the queen can become a driving force.

No one would say that the emperor was mean and ungrateful when dealing with the empress.

The empress dowager finally received the letter from her youngest son at this time. She was relieved to know that he was fine. However, the gap between her and the emperor became deeper and deeper.

The communication between mother and son is more superficial.

Before she could catch her breath, members of the Ulanara clan came up again.

"Since you have such ability, you should take care of the children of your clan. You must remember that you are not only the queen, but also the queen of the Ulanara clan."

"Let's not talk about Honghui for now. You've paid so much. As long as you ask the emperor, he won't refuse."

Yixiu found the Queen Mother's request outrageous.

With such a confused empress dowager, it’s no wonder that her two sons are in such a mess.

"Queen Mother, there's no need to talk about this anymore. If they have the ability, they can earn it themselves. If they don't, don't expect your daughters to climb up the ladder."

"Empress, the Queen Mother is well now. You must not make her angry!"

Zhu Xi looked at the Queen Mother's expression and quickly stepped forward to comfort her. She felt that the couple in front of her were simply here to torture the Queen Mother, as both of them were doing whatever they wanted.

She has been worrying more these days than in all the previous years combined.

The Queen Mother had the same feeling. Her son was disobedient, and so was his wife!

"They are just some vulgar things. Wouldn't it be better to give this kind of merit-earning task to one's own sons or nephews rather than to an outsider? Chao Gui is just the daughter of the late emperor."

Yixiu was impatient to hear her say this, "The Queen Mother should just take good care of herself and recover from her illness, and the Ulanara family shouldn't try to get anything from me."

"If they don't know what's good for them, they might lose the little they have left."

Seeing the Queen Mother clutching her chest and about to faint, Yixiu added calmly, "The Queen Mother is carrying the hopes of many people on her shoulders. She should prioritize her health."

"If something really happens one day, what should we do?"

The Queen Mother heard the threat in the message. She stared at Yixiu in front of her with wide eyes, showing no sign of backing down.

After a long while, the Queen Mother lowered her head in disappointment.

He waved his arms weakly a few times, "Let's go, let's go!"

When Yixiu stepped out of the room, she could still hear the Queen Mother's faint sobbing. Isn't it pitiful?

Maybe, people who are deeply poisoned like this will not listen to other people's advice at all. They will only believe what they want to believe and then go down this path to the end.

"Queen Mother, please don't be sad..."

Zhu Xi didn't know how to persuade him. It was said that filial piety should be used to rule the world, but once personal interests were involved, the royal family had no family affection at all.

The Queen Mother leaned on Zhuxi, tears streaming down her face.

"My life has been a joke. I entered the palace without knowing why, fought with those women my whole life, and couldn't even keep my own son."

"After so much effort... I finally waited until the bitter end to finally see the sweetness of life, but my family is failing, and my son and daughter-in-law are like this again."

Zhuxi listened to the Queen Mother's intermittent recounting of the past, and thought of her previous cautious moves, and she also wiped away her tears.

"Master, let me tell you, don't worry about this. The Empress has her own ideas and she won't let anyone manipulate her. You should get along well with the Emperor. One day, the Fourteenth Master will be able to return."

Having been with the Queen Mother for many years, Zhu Xi was naturally not a good person. She was really worried that she would push the Queen into a corner and kill the Queen Mother without anyone knowing.

If she hadn't thought so before, it was different now. Yixiu showed her strength to everyone.

The Queen Mother also knew that things were different now. It was true that she had hidden those past events for the Queen, but she now had the ability to negotiate terms with the Emperor.

She knew the emperor's character very well. Even if he knew, so what? As long as it was beneficial to the country, he would turn a blind eye to everything.

She lay in bed, lost in thought, staring at the Ruyi pattern above her head, muttering, "Never mind, I don't have the strength anymore."

The Empress Dowager stayed in the palace to recuperate and refused to see anyone. The Emperor thought this was another form of coercion and did not respond.

The palace finally had a peaceful New Year.

Zhen Huan is not an ignorant lady of the world, so she naturally knows the importance of wealth.

She thought the emperor just wanted the queen to give some money, but when she learned that the queen had ordered Princess Chaogui to take full charge of disaster relief matters, she realized that the situation was more serious than she had imagined.

After thinking for a long time, she decided to go to Jingren Palace to confess her crime.

Only then did Yixiu realize that it was Zhen Huan who came up with this idea behind the scenes.

She bent down, lifted Zhen Huan's chin, and sneered, "I thought the Emperor had finally found his conscience, but it turns out that this was all Concubine Wan's work!"

"Your Majesty, please forgive me."

"Then what is the meaning of your coming here now? Since you have decided to help the emperor, and now you come here to apologize, I don't understand."

Zhen Huan lowered her eyes and didn't dare to look into Yixiu's eyes.

How could she not know that she was hedging her bets? But the Queen had never targeted her, and Zhen Huan privately did not want to be the Queen's enemy.

"It's all my fault. Please punish me, Your Majesty."

"You are so honest, you don't look like the female Zhuge Liang that the emperor likes." Gently stroking the soft skin under her hand, Yixiu had the evil intention of teasing her.

"Your Highness, that was just a joke. I am a dull-witted concubine, but the term 'female Zhuge Liang' is absolutely unworthy of me."

"I've only read a few books, but I know that sincerity is the most important thing in the world. Strategies and plots are only for targeting enemies."

"My actions are already offensive. If I continue to act as if nothing happened, that would be a sin."

Yixiu laughed out loud upon hearing this and flicked Zhen Huan's fair cheek in a frivolous manner.

"Get up."

Zhen Huan suddenly felt something was strange. Wasn’t the Queen a very dignified person?

How could it be~

She tried hard to ignore the strangeness in her heart and minimize her presence.

"It's not your fault. Your suggestion is very good."

"I hope Wanpin will remember what she said in the future and not take advantage of others for no reason."

Zhen Huan's heart trembled, and she understood the warning from Yi Xiu's mouth. She quickly thanked her and said goodbye.

"Ouch!" A very soft cry came from the door.

Zhen Huan walked too hastily and nearly fell to the ground. Fortunately, Liu Zhu was there to support her.

Yixiu laughed heartily at the sight of her running away in panic.

She didn't think about what to do to Zhen Huan, she just thought of the heroine in the original drama.