Chapter 325: Plotting Against Yu Yunxi
Translator: EndlessFantasy Translation Editor: EndlessFantasy Translation
Yu Yunxi looked at Yu Xiaoxiao coldly and said in an equally cold voice, “The King of Zhenbei’s Residence is so big, and I didn’t tell anyone about this. It’s natural that you don’t know about it.”
Yu Xiaoxiao froze seeing that Yu Yunxi did not spare her at all. The resentment in her heart continued to grow again.
“What happened to the thief?” Chu Yuefu asked.
“He resisted with all his might, but I killed him directly and threw his corpse into a mass grave,” Yu Yunxi replied indifferently.
Meng Xia, who was standing at the side, furrowed her brows slightly.
‘Nothing happened last night. Why did the Eldest Princess say a thief snuck in last night? In any case, I’m sure the Eldest Princess has her own reason for doing this. I just need to watch.’
Chu Yuefu said harshly, “That thief is simply audacious!”
Yu Yunxi looked at Chu Zai and slowly said, “Although the thief was despicable, he was forced to do so…
“Oh, what do you mean?” Chu Zai asked as he looked at Yu Yunxi inquisitively.
Yu Yunxi’s expression turned sorrowful as she said, “When I left the residence yesterday, I met many beggars so I gave them some silver pieces. However, due to my actions, I suspect some beggars targeted me. One of them risked his life to sneak into the residence to steal from me.’
“Sister Yunxi, even then, this is not a reason for you to sympathize with him,” Chu Yuefu said, shaking his head.
“I understand. He snuck into the residence and almost injured someone. He really deserved to die. However, when I went to investigate later, I found out that he was from Kongzhou…
Chu Zai and Chu Yuefu’s expressions changed as soon as they heard the word ‘Kongzhou’. After all, the locust plague in Kongzhou was the source of Chu Zai’s headache.
Yu Yunxi sighed emotionally as she continued to say, shaking her head, “Apart from that, I also found out the reason the number of beggars in the capital has increased. Many of them are from Kongzhou. They were displaced by the locust plague and could only escape south. If it were not because they were left with no choice, how could they be willing to leave their homes or commit theft?”
Then, Yu Yunxi looked at Chu Zai and said, “Last night, I asked the thief why he decided to steal from the King of Zhenbei’s Residence when all he had to do was wait for a few more days. After all, the imperial court would be sending disaster relief soon, and the food was also about to arrive in Kongzhou. Your Majesty, can you guess what the thief said?”
“What is it?”
At this moment, Chu Zai had unknowingly been led by the nose by Yu Yunxi.
“He said that the locusts were very tenacious, and it was likely that they’d travel south. It’s likely that they wouldn’t stay in Kongzhou and would come to the capital as well. Moreover, the locusts were also different from before. Not only did they eat grain that grows, but they also ate dried grains and even hurt people. There’s also a likelihood that the locusts would get to the food that was sent over. At that time, the people of Kongzhou would really starve to death…”
Yu Yunxi observed Chu Zai’s expression as she spoke. When she saw that Chu Zai was listening to her earnestly, she continued to say, “Like my mother, I studied medicine. I thought about concocting medicine and putting it into the food. This concoction won’t hurt people, but the locusts will die after eating them.”
Chu Zai looked at Yu Yunxi with a piercing gaze and asked, “Can you really concoct such medicine?”
Although Chu Zai hated Yu Yunxi, he also hated the locust plague. At this time, it was more important to deal with the locust plague first. If he did not get rid of the locusts, the national treasury would keep losing money. At that time, there would be instability in his empire.
Yu Yunxi looked up and said confidently, “Of course. I dare to guarantee it with my life.”
Then, she added, “However, I have to see how much food there is before I can concoct the medicine. I have to make sure the amount of medicine is just right. Otherwise, it’ll be harmful to people.”
“General Qu hasn’t left yet. The food is still in the capital. If you want to see the food, I’ll get someone to bring you there,” Chu Zai said coldly, “However, if you don’t handle this matter well, I’ll send you to jail.”
“I understand, ” Yu Yunxi replied calmly. She had long thought of a way to help Qu Yu and the others so she was not worried.
Chu Zai did not have much patience. He told Yu Yunxi to check the food in two hours, and after saying that, he flicked his sleeve and left.
Following that, Chu Yuefu turned to Yu Yunxi and said with a smile, “Sister
Yunxi, I’ve never heard of locusts that ate grains that had already left the soil. Your true intention is to check the amount of food.’
Yu Yunxi did not intend to hide this matter. She turned around and said frankly, “That’s right. My true intention is to check the amount of food.”
Now that there would be an inspection of the food, those people who replaced the food with stones would likely panic. They had two hours, and Yu Yunxi wanted to see how they were going to salvage the situation.
Chu Yuefu’s eyes glinted, and he said meaningfully, “Even I could see through your lies. Father must know about it as well. Aren’t you worried that he would punish you for lying?”
Yu Yunxi’s smile widened as she said, “His Majesty didn’t punish me in the end, right?”
Yu Yunxi knew from the very beginning that she could not fool the Emperor; it was also not her intention to fool the Emperor. She was betting that the Emperor cared more about the stability of the country and that he would not prioritize the country over dealing with her now. As it turned out, she made the right bet.
The Emperor had been sitting on the throne for many years. It was impossible for him to be unaware of the fact that the people from the Empress Dowager’s faction were greedy for the disaster relief funds. However, he stayed silent for so long. It was likely that he had yet to find a chance to expose those people.
As such, Yu Yunxi decided to give the Emperor this opportunity. Since she had taken the initiative, the Empress Dowager would only hate her, not the Emperor, when this matter was exposed. Not only that, but she also said that if she did not handle the matter well, she was willing to be jailed. With all these things, how could the Emperor refuse? After all, no matter the outcome, he had nothing to lose.
Chu Yuefu also thought about this, and he slowly said, “Sister Yunxi, you’re brilliant. I didn’t think of it until now…
Empress Qin said, looking distressed, “Yunxi, it’s been hard on you. You’re doing your best for the people, but the Emperor is still suspicious of you.”
Empress Qin’s concern made Yu Yunxi feel uncomfortable, but she did not show it on her face.
“In any case, you still have two hours,” Empress Qin said before she turned to Chu Yuefu and said, “Why don’t you bring Yunxi around the palace?”
Yu Yunxi frowned. However, just as she was about to refuse, Chu Yuefu had already replied.
“Yes. Sister Yunxi, please come with me.”
Although Yu Yunxi was unwilling, she still decided to follow Chu Yuefu in the end.
Yu Xiaoxiao was extremely anxious when she saw this. She did not care if it would anger Chu Yuefu or not, and she quickly lifted the hem of her dress and chased after him.
Meanwhile, Empress Qin’s gaze turned cold immediately as she watched them leave. She said through gritted teeth, “I didn’t expect there to be a day where I had to be kind to that b*tch’s daughter!”
Nanny Han quickly comforted Empress Qin, saying, “Your Majesty, please bear with it.. His Royal Highness the Crown Prince has said Yu Yunxi is of great use to us…”
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