She became a god

Chapter 353 Heavy Snow Without Snow

On October 18th, it snowed heavily, but not a single snowflake fell from the sky.

Yuan Baohua frowned and said, "If there's no snow after a heavy snowfall, the oxen will have to rest next year."

Ji Xunxi comforted her, "Mother, don't worry, perhaps the snow is just coming a little late this year."

Yuan Baohua's brows remained furrowed. "The capital is located in the northern part of Jiang Kingdom. Generally speaking, the first snowfall will arrive around the Minor Snow solar term. However, since three years ago, the first snowfall has been delayed until after the Minor Snow solar term and before the Major Snow solar term."

"This year, the capital city has not yet seen its first snowfall during the Great Snow solar term. How can I not be worried?"

Yuan Baohua sighed, "In any case, the lack of snow this year will inevitably lead to a poor harvest next year, and in more serious cases, a famine. If there is a famine, the Jiang Kingdom will surely be in chaos."

Although the Jiang Kingdom appears prosperous and splendid, it is actually fraught with danger.

Externally, there are powerful enemies eyeing the country covetously; internally, there are numerous conflicts between powerful families and the imperial power.

Ji Xunxi said, "Since it is a meteorological hazard, Mother can seek help from the Imperial Observatory, while I will seek help from my master."

Yuan Baohua shook his head. "Xi'er, the Imperial Advisor is unfathomable. Don't have too high expectations of her."

It wasn't that Yuan Baohua was hostile to the Grand Preceptor, but the Grand Preceptor had been in the Jiang Kingdom for nearly twenty years and had always been careful to protect himself.

Aside from the matter of taking Xi'er as his disciple.

Although the Imperial Preceptor secretly took Xi'er in, he never showed any favoritism towards the Princess's residence.

"I'll go find Empress Liu instead."

Ji Xunxi said, "This is too unfair to Mother."

Yuan Baohua chuckled, “What’s there to feel wronged about? According to the law of the country, she is the Empress, the mother of the nation. According to family rules, she is also my stepmother.”

“When I was young, I hated her. I always felt that she stole the glory that belonged to my mother and the attention of my father. But when I grew up, I knew that I had no reason to blame her.”

Yuan Baohua said slowly, "Although I am reluctant to admit it, if the Empress Dowager were still alive, the situation of two emperors ruling together might not have occurred. Liu Jia was indeed an outstanding ruler. Over the years, the longer and deeper I have been involved in politics, the more I admire her."

Ji Xunxi stopped speaking. If her mother truly put aside her personal grudges, Empress Liu was indeed the most suitable person to discuss politics.

Firstly, Empress Liu held real power.

Secondly, Empress Liu came from a top aristocratic family in the Jiang Kingdom, which could buffer the conflict between imperial power and aristocratic families.

Thirdly, Empress Liu's talent was widely known and admired by all.

Yuan Baohua was also a man of great efficiency. Once he had made up his mind, he ordered his men to drive straight to the palace to request an audience with Empress Liu.

That night, the two most powerful women in the Jiang Kingdom gathered together and talked by candlelight, proposing a series of measures to prevent disasters.

In the twelfth lunar month, under the leadership of Liu Jia and Yuan Baohua, granaries across the country were filled with grain.

Moreover, clans represented by the Liu family and members of the imperial family represented by the Princess's Mansion also purchased a large amount of surplus grain.

Yuan Baohua said, "If a year of famine hadn't come, families like ours would be spared even if we were stuck with unsold grain.

"If a disaster really comes, the grain we have can save the lives of tens of thousands of people."

Liu Jiaxin comforted her, "You've grown up. I was worried that you would regret your impulsive actions later."

“If Her Majesty the Empress doesn’t regret it, what do I have to fear? Everyone knows you’re ruling as regent; if things really go wrong, you’ll be the one to take the blame. Besides…”

Yuan Baohua paused for a moment, then smiled mischievously, "Those good-for-nothings from the imperial clan are much easier to fool than those from aristocratic families."

Most members of the imperial family relied on their status as relatives of the emperor; they were mostly uneducated and incompetent, with very few possessing any intelligence.

Although there are many fools in aristocratic families, there are still a few intelligent people among them who have risen through the ranks by studying.

When Liu Jia ordered powerful families to purchase the surplus grain, many officials from these families raised objections.

If it weren't for Liu Jia's long-standing influence, this matter would have been very difficult to accomplish.

Liu Jia smiled faintly at Yuan Baohua's teasing, "If this succeeds, the credit will go to you and me. If it fails, the blame will fall entirely on me."

Yuan Baohua was stunned. She looked at Liu Jia several times before realizing that Liu Jia had said those words sincerely.

Yuan Baohua hesitated for a moment, but still didn't say anything as bold as "the blame lies with me".

Although she had the power to oversee the country, her foundation was far less solid than Liu Jia's.

If she fails and takes full responsibility, her good-for-nothing and greedy younger siblings will surely rack their brains to take a piece of her flesh.

After a long pause, Yuan Baohua said, "Among the common people, Empress Liu's reputation has long surpassed that of the Emperor. Are you satisfied?"

Liu Jia frowned and said in a low voice, "Within the palace, Your Highness the Eldest Princess must not spread such disrespectful words any further."

After saying that, Liu Jia sighed softly, "The common people are ignorant, are you not clear-headed either? Xunhe, you're already old enough to be a grandmother, how can you still be so impulsive and reckless?"

"When you live in this world, you can't just think about your own happiness or unhappiness; you have to think about the people around you."

Yuan Baohua said, "I'm not even living a happy life myself, why should I care about others?"

Liu Jia was both amused and exasperated. "Chunhe, tell me yourself, which woman in Jiang Kingdom lives a more comfortable life than you?"

Yuan Baohua said in a deep voice, "I am the woman who lives the most comfortable life in Jiang Kingdom, but I am just living the life that a man from a noble family should live."

Liu Jia's expression changed slightly. "There are some things that don't need to be said."

"But I won't feel at ease if I don't say it!"

Liu Jia glanced around. She had already dismissed all the servants, and the ones guarding the door were her most trusted confidants.

Then he looked at Yuan Baohua and advised, "You may be unhappy, but you can't let people know the real reason why you're unhappy."

Yuan Baohua retorted indignantly, "Why should I?"

Her father had promised to overcome all difficulties to make her the Crown Princess and Empress, but everything changed when her younger brother was born!

She clearly possesses far greater talent and skill than her younger brothers, so why does every one of them have the opportunity to become the crown prince, while she doesn't?

Despite being a direct descendant of the Jiang Kingdom's royal family, her father and court officials supported and praised Liu Jia, a woman from another family who had married into the kingdom, yet they vehemently opposed her becoming regent.

She had only stayed overnight in a side hall of the Hall of Supreme Harmony during her regency, yet the Censorate received a pile of memorials criticizing her, and her father also reprimanded her after returning to the capital.

The side hall of the Hall of Supreme Harmony was her bedroom where she had lived for two years. Her father had said that he would make her the rightful empress of the Jiang Kingdom to reside in the Hall of Supreme Harmony.

She was simply taking back what belonged to her and exercising her rights, yet she was being accused, insulted, and criticized.

Now we don't even have the freedom to be unhappy!

Yuan Baohua was not convinced!

Liu Jia remained calm and composed, which only fueled Yuan Baohua's anger. He immediately sneered, "You dare not be unhappy? So you want me to be unhappy with you too?"

“Let me tell you, one day I, Yuan Baohua, will live a life more enjoyable than anyone else’s! When that time comes, anyone who makes me unhappy will be killed.”

Liu Jia sighed, "You are still the same as when we first met, a straightforward and impulsive little girl, who was born into royalty and grew up in the palace even though you don't belong to the court."

Yuan Baohua sneered, "Wasn't it because you drove me out of the palace? My dear mother."

Liu Jia said with a half-smile, "It's better for you to feel better if I kick you out of the palace than if His Majesty kicks you out!"

Upon hearing this, Yuan Baohua's face turned pale. "Liu Jia, don't even think about sowing discord between me and my father, or hindering my participation in politics and the seizure of power."

After saying this, Princess Xunhe turned and left.

It's unclear whether she heard Liu Jia's sigh, "With mother dead and father abandoned, no one would want to admit or accept it."