"But this isn’t enough. It’s too few. Continue searching and send more to Shengjing."
The subordinate said, "Your Highness, there’s no need for us to specifically gather people. This year’s drought has already left little harvest, and with the locust plague, there’s nothing left. The people, without food or water, will flee on their own. Most will come to Shengjing."
This year’s disaster was widespread. Even Jiangnan which was known as the granary of Dayue, had been affected. Water was scarce, and the fields were cracked. Grain production had been reduced by at least half. The entire Dayue dynasty would have to tighten its belt this year, and countless people would die.
[勒紧裤腰带 (lēi jǐn kù yāo dài): lit. Tighten one’s belt; fig. To live frugally or endure hardship.]
Shengjing was the imperial city. In the eyes of the people, there might be no food elsewhere, but Shengjing would never run out. To survive and for a bite to eat, they would flock to Shengjing without any prompting.
The fourth prince smiled. "It’s good that they’re coming. I was afraid they wouldn’t."
"Since we don’t need to gather people anymore, focus on transporting grain to the nunnery. Once the number of refugees increases, we’ll need it."
"Yes," the subordinate acknowledged and left.
As soon as the subordinate left, Jiang Rou entered and was pulled into the fourth prince’s arms. She rested her head on his chest. "Your Highness, why bother using our own grain? Let them go to the Wei family for food."
The fourth prince became interested and asked Jiang Rou to elaborate.
"Killing Jiang Lin and Wei Yunzhao is difficult, but what if we send these refugees to their doorstep? Your Highness, do you know what starving people will do? They will eat each other. With so many refugees swarming them, how many can that scoundrel Jiang Lin stop? Besides, if he dares to kill ordinary people, it’s a capital offense." Her gentle voice belied the venom in her words.
"And these refugees are doomed to die anyway. Even if it doesn’t work, it’s no loss. Don’t you agree, Your Highness?"
The fourth prince was tempted and began considering the feasibility of the plan.
Since Jiang Lin and Wei Yunzhao had to be eliminated, why not take advantage of this opportunity to destroy them? As Jiang Rou said, even if it failed, it would only be the deaths of some ignorant commoners, which was no loss to him.
The fourth prince kissed Jiang Rou on the cheek. "My Rou’er is so clever."
Jiang Rou blushed and cooed, "Your Highness."
The fourth prince’s hands began to wander, and he lifted Jiang Rou into his arms. "Rou’er, don’t worry. Once this is done, you will be my Empress, the most noble woman in the world. Zhen will cherish you for a lifetime."
Even before ascending the throne, the fourth prince had already begun referring to himself as zhen (朕 the royal "I").
Jiang Rou was both shy and full of anticipation, hoping this day would come soon.
The two engaged in passionate activities in the nunnery, a place meant for quiet reflection, yet neither found it inappropriate.
After their intimacy, they began plotting again. Jiang Rou suggested to the fourth prince, "Your Highness, why not let Zhao Danping handle the task of leading the refugees to the Wei family? She has always been infatuated with Wei Yunzhao. This will give her the opportunity she’s been waiting for. If it succeeds, it’s a good thing. If not, Zhao Danping can use the favor of saving Wei Yunzhao to stay by his side and act as our spy."
After all, she was just a fool, only fit to be a pawn.
The fourth prince tapped Jiang Rou’s nose. "But I heard you also had feelings for Wei Yunzhao and even said you would marry no one else."
"Your Highness," Jiang Rou pouted. "That’s all in the past. Besides, Wei Yunzhao is now a cripple. How could he compare to you? I have nothing to do with him."
The fourth prince was just teasing. He didn’t care much about such trivial matters of the heart. Moreover, he was the one who had taken Jiang Rou’s virginity, so he knew she had no history with Wei Yunzhao.
"Alright, alright, I won’t bring it up again," the fourth prince patted Jiang Rou soothingly. "Then the task of leading the refugees to the Wei family will be left to you, Rou’er."
Jiang Rou’s face showed a hint of malice. "Your Highness, don’t worry. This time, I’ll make sure none of them escape."
Zhao Danping was different from Jiang Rou. She was a discarded pawn of the Zhao family. Since coming to Lotus Nunnery, not a single member of the Zhao family had visited her, let alone sent her food or clothing. It was as if the Zhao family had completely forgotten about her.
Zhao Danping knew what the Zhao family was like, but she had always thought that as the eldest daughter of the main branch, she was different. However, when trouble came, the Zhao family pushed all the blame onto her. It was then that Zhao Danping realized there was no difference. They had only valued her before because she could marry well and bring benefits to the family.
Zhao Danping regretted not being bold enough cook raw rice to make him hers. If she had, not only would the Zhao family not have abandoned her, but she could have also lived a good life in the Wei household. Perhaps she would already be pregnant and have replaced Jiang Lin as Wei Yunzhao’s legitimate wife.
[生米煮成熟饭 (shēng mǐ zhǔ chéng shú fàn): lit. Raw rice cooked into a meal; fig. A situation that has become irreversible, often referring to a relationship or marriage.]
Although Zhao Danping knew the fourth prince and Consort Su were in the nunnery, she dared not approach them, keeping her distance. She didn’t even know that Jiang Rou was already involved with the fourth prince.
Jiang Rou didn’t want Zhao Danping to know, fearing she might blab and ruin things.
She approached Zhao Danping and, after some small talk, got to the point. "Danping, you’ve always had feelings for Wei Yunzhao, right? I have a way for you to marry him and make him willingly accept you. Are you willing…"
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