"At that ti, you never complained of hardship or said you couldn’t do it, nor did you have the forr Emperor’s pity or affection."
"Those tricky matters, one by one, you eventually managed to handle them all, didn’t you?"
"So..." the Right Chancellor smiled nonchalantly and said, "Your Majesty, don’t worry about Princess Anle. Give her a chance to exercise her abilities. If she really can’t handle it, have another capable prince step in."
"I don’t believe that among Your Majesty’s nurous children, there isn’t one who can handle it." The Right Chancellor finished speaking and glanced at the ministers standing behind him, "Everyone, don’t you agree?"
So agreed, while others remained silent, worrying for Jun Ning.
Jun Ning detected a deeper aning in the Right Chancellor’s words.
If she couldn’t repair the river dam this ti, not only would she lose the opportunity to attend court, but Emperor Yongning’s intention to pass the throne to her would likely receive no support from the officials.
Moreover, once she fails, a capable prince would imdiately step forward to rectify what she couldn’t accomplish.
At that ti, that capable prince will garner significant support from the ministers. If he can continue to withstand the tests, he will be the future Crown Prince.
Although the ministers haven’t explicitly stated this, they have tacitly agreed in their hearts.
Jun Ning doesn’t fear the ergence of soone more capable taking the Crown Prince’s position. She fears the rise of a puppet, lacking genuine talent and skill, who would beco the Crown Prince due to the ministers’ strong support and promotion.
If that happens, the Eastern Chu Kingdom is truly dood.
She cannot sit idly by.
Therefore, she must go repair the river dam, and it must be done well!
Thinking of this, Jun Ning quickly recalled the knowledge of river dam construction. Confirming she had accumulated enough knowledge on this topic, she breathed a sigh of relief, no longer fearing this task which had stumped many ministers.
She even took the initiative to step forward and accept this task.
Although the ministers were unsure if she could do it, they were slightly less biased against her, admiring her courage to confront the challenge head-on.
...
After the court session, Emperor Yongning called Jun Ning into his study.
With fewer people around, things that were hard to say earlier could finally be discussed.
"If you can’t do it, just pretend to be sick and don’t go. Also, don’t attend court these next few days." Emperor Yongning looked at the poised young woman standing opposite him and said.
Jun Ning exhaled and said, "Father, if I don’t go, those old fossils won’t spare you."
"Old fossils?" It was the first ti Emperor Yongning heard Jun Ning refer to the authoritative old ministers this way. He chuckled and said, "Don’t worry, your father has dealt with them for half a lifeti; he can handle these matters."
After a pause, he added, "They’ve been arrogant because of my taking you to court recently. I’ll use this opportunity to put them in their place."
"Father..." Jun Ning looked tenderly at Emperor Yongning.
"Your Majesty, it’s ti to take your dicine." Xiao Lizi brought today’s dicine for Emperor Yongning.
Emperor Yongning smiled at Jun Ning, then took the dicine and drank it all in one go, leaving not a drop.
Xiao Lizi was a bit surprised to see the empty dicine bowl. Usually, Emperor Yongning required much coaxing to finish the bitter dicine, often only taking a couple of sips before complaining and refusing more.
But today, with the princess watching, he drank it all without hesitation?
Xiao Lizi made a silent decision to tell Princess Anle later to keep a closer watch on His Majesty’s dicine consumption.
Noticing Xiao Lizi’s odd look, Jun Ning asked, confused, "Mr. Li, why are you looking at like that?"
Xiao Lizi initially intended to tell Jun Ning privately about supervising Emperor Yongning’s dicine intake, but since she asked, he felt obliged to respond.
He glanced at Emperor Yongning with a guilty expression and said truthfully, "With the princess present today, His Majesty took his dicine quite swiftly."
The implications in his words were not lost on Jun Ning. After Xiao Lizi left, she pouted and looked indignantly at Emperor Yongning.
"Father, you haven’t been taking your dicine properly, have you?"
Emperor Yongning’s silence was an affirmation.
Jun Ning threatened, "If you don’t take your dicine properly, then I won’t eat properly in the future either. If you don’t want to live well, neither will Ah Ning."
This truly frightened Emperor Yongning.
Emperor Yongning hurriedly said, "That’s out of the question. You, with your delicate health, must take good care of yourself and can’t skip als."
"It’s all Xiao Lizi’s loose mouth..." Emperor Yongning complained, trying to straighten his tired, bent back, "Little ancestor, your father is truly afraid of you now. I’ll listen to you and take my dicine properly from now on."
Fearing Emperor Yongning’s compliance was rely superficial, Jun Ning added, "Even if I leave the Imperial City to repair the river dam, I won’t forget to frequently write to Mr. Li, inquiring about your daily dicine intake."
Emperor Yongning teased, "Silly girl, can Xiao Lizi even read your chicken-scratch writing?"
Jun Ning replied without missing a beat, "If not, he should try harder. I’m sure Xiao Lizi would do his best for your health."
"Tch, such twisted logic."
...
After packing so essentials and taking so silver, Jun Ning prepared to set off to repair the river dam.
She initially planned to go quietly without taking anyone along. But just outside the palace gate, she encountered Jing Shu, who had been waiting for her.
"Aunt, it’s been so long since I’ve seen you. I heard you’re going to repair the river dam. Can I co with you?"
Jing Shu didn’t wait for an invitation; she climbed into Jun Ning’s carriage as if it were hers, and started eating the lons and fruits from the small table.
With such familiarity, she didn’t seem shy at all, like she was at ho.
Jun Ning wanted to refuse, but seeing Jing Shu’s deanor, could she really say no?
She rely shook her head and asked, "Does your mother know? Oh no, she’s your mother now. Does your mother know you ca out?"
The Crown Princess Consort and Zi Song had been implicated in the Crown Prince’s death and were now commoners living outside the palace in a residence the Crown Prince had acquired during his lifeti.
Although the Crown Prince’s innocence is now recognized and everyone acknowledges their past misunderstanding, the damage done cannot be easily undone.
Emperor Yongning and the ministers wanted the Crown Princess Consort to return to the palace with her children, but she refused the title and preferred a simple life.
Now, they want to live out an ordinary life, fulfilling the Crown Prince’s lifelong wish.
"My mother knows I ca to find you! Alas... she’s always scolding and can’t wait for to be far away from her." Jing Shu lanted, "Now there’s a chance, I might as well seize it and stay away for a while!"
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