Ji Heng frowned slightly, looking a bit impatient.
"What do you mean by this?"
"The Empress Dowager took Concubine Mo back from Baotuo Temple privately. This doesn't conform to the late Emperor's edict. Does the Empress Dowager not respect the late Emperor?"
The Minister of Rites was from the Shi family, so he naturally wouldn't let the vice - minister talk like this.
"You're wrong. The late Emperor has passed away for so long, and Concubine Mo has stayed in Baotuo Temple for a long time. The Empress Dowager is kind - hearted and just wanted to bring the concubine back. How can you be so disrespectful to the Empress Dowager?"
The Shi family held great power in the court and had many supporters.
"Yes, the Empress Dowager's act is a kind one. We should respect her. So it's really wrong for you to blame the Empress Dowager here."
Seeing the people from the Shi family talking so vigorously, the vice - minister was obviously very angry. He originally wanted the National Teacher to speak up for him, but when he cast a pleading look, the National Teacher didn't respond at all.
Moreover, Cui Qizhou was standing beside them, clearly looking on as if watching a show, which made his subordinates a bit confused.
What did the National Teacher mean? Did he suddenly decide not to care about the Empress Dowager's absurd actions?
Cui Qizhou was clear about this matter. Before, Master Sikong had discussed it with him when he came back, so he had no objections.
On the contrary, he actually somewhat approved of Shi Muyuan's actions. Concubine Mo shouldn't have stayed in such a place.
Seeing that the people from the Shi family had won and the National Teacher showed no sign of opposition, Ji Heng felt a bit relieved.
"It's true that the late Emperor's edict stated that Concubine Mo should stay in Baotuo Temple for a long time. But the Empress Dowager pitied her and brought her back. I think this shows the Empress Dowager's amiability. This matter is not to be discussed further. Let's adjourn the court."
After saying that, he turned around and left directly, leaving a group of court officials looking utterly confused.
The National Teacher followed the young emperor to the imperial study. "I really want to ask, why didn't the National Teacher refute today?"
He had been curious for a long time, so he just asked.
Cui Qizhou didn't intend to hide it. "Actually, I've known about this matter for a long time. Master Sikong also discussed it with me. So I don't think there's any problem. On the contrary, I quite approve of what the Empress Dowager did this time."
Hearing this, Ji Heng was no longer worried. As long as the National Teacher didn't object, no one else would cause any trouble.
"Since you have no objections, that's good."
After he said that, Cui Qizhou presented a memorial.
"Recently, I received a secret letter. There has been continuous heavy rain in the South of the Yangtze River, and a sudden flood has occurred. We need to send someone to deal with it. Otherwise, the disaster there will be severe, and the people will have a harder time."
Ji Heng stared intently at the secret letter. He lowered his head, as if thinking about something.
Just then, a eunuch ran in from outside.
"Your Majesty, the Empress Dowager is here. She said it's about the rumors in the harem and wants to discuss it with you."
Hearing this, Ji Heng waved his small hand casually.
"Quickly invite the Empress Dowager in."
When Shi Muyuan came in, she saw the two of them looking preoccupied. She was a bit confused. "Is Your Majesty worried about the matter in the harem?"
"No, Mother. You don't need to worry about the matter in the harem. It's already been resolved. By the way, there's a flood in the South of the Yangtze River recently. Do you have any good ideas, Mother?"
Shi Muyuan opened her mouth but didn't give any advice.
"The harem should not interfere in politics. Your Majesty is asking the wrong person. Since the matter in the harem has been resolved, I'll go back first."
She turned to leave, but it was Cui Qizhou who spoke again. "The Empress Dowager always has unique insights on such matters. I just want to hear the Empress Dowager's good ideas."
Since he said so, if she didn't say something, it would seem ungrateful.
Shi Muyuan thought carefully. "I think that the flood there is actually a better opportunity."
Cui Qizhou had never heard that a flood in a place could be a better opportunity. There was a bit of strangeness on his face. Was this woman crazy?
Ji Heng also thought this statement was a bit unbelievable.
"I don't quite understand what you mean, Mother. Is there some other mystery in it?"
"Yes. There's a flood in the South of the Yangtze River, but I remember that Nanzhou has been suffering from drought all year round, and it's even difficult to grow basic food. Why don't we divert the water from the South of the Yangtze River to Nanzhou? In this way, we can solve a major problem for our country."
Cui Qizhou originally thought this woman was crazy, but after hearing her explanation, he suddenly felt that his knowledge was shallow. It turned out that the flood could have such a use.
There was a bit of admiration in his eyes, and Ji Heng even clapped his hands in approval.
"Mother's suggestion is very good. I'll arrange people right away and mobilize some others to go there. But this project is quite large, and we still need to find a trustworthy person to supervise it. Otherwise, it's inevitable that some people will embezzle public funds."
Hearing this, Shi Muyuan glanced at the person beside her.
Cui Qizhou also offered voluntarily.
"Let me do it. The people under me may not be reliable at this time."
"Then I'll trouble the National Teacher."
Ji Heng and Shi Muyuan looked at each other and suddenly thought of something.
"The rumors in the harem are definitely not a coincidence. There must be someone behind them. Do you have a countermeasure, Mother?"
"I've already expected this. Since someone dares to play tricks on me, it means I've been too kind before. It's time to teach some people a good lesson."
Seeing her so confident, Ji Heng felt relieved, while Cui Qizhou observed this woman secretly, always feeling that something was different about her.
...
The first thing Shi Muyuan did when she returned to the palace was to order the concubines from each palace to be summoned, saying that there was an important matter to announce.
Concubine Rui knew what she was doing this for, but she wasn't afraid at all.
"Humph, I think the court must be in an uproar. It's too late to be in a hurry now."
When she brought a few other concubines there, Shi Muyuan had been waiting for a long time.
"Sister really has a big airs. I've been waiting here for a stick of incense. I wonder what held you up? Can you tell me?"
Concubine Rui didn't expect this woman to pick on her right away. She felt that something was wrong, but still faced it calmly.
"It's my fault. I just thought that since elder sister summoned me specially, I should dress up nicely. I hope elder sister won't be angry."
"Hehe, how could I be angry? I called you sisters here today because I want to ask something."
Concubine Rui was a bit excited, and her palms were sweating. Here it comes. This woman really wanted to ask about the rumor - spreading.