Chapter 400 (2/2)

Ning Yuxuan was in Ji Rice Store and drinking tea. He heard the kids outside, who were too young to know any better, singing,

”No rice to eat, only husks remain,

The imperial family wages a battle, and the commonfolk suffer,

The cripple don't know how long the road is, and the poor don't know the fragrance of rice.”

Turning his head to look at the person next to him Ning Yuxuan asked, ”Did you compose that?”

Ji Man shook her head. With her eyes on the account book, she said, ”I don't know where that song originated. It's already been sung for the past several days. It won't be possible to disperse the dark clouds above the capital. A lot of people have already been forced by the high grain prices to leave the capital in order to seek out food.”

Back when Zhao Li had seized the throne, his story had been so sensational. He had been a cripple that survived by living on the edges while the other princes competed with each other. At the end, he had launched a surprise attack and beaten Zhao Jue, the former third prince, and ascended to the top. Back then, everyone had thought he would usher in a golden age. At the very beginning, there had been many scholars that praised Zhao Li by saying that he would definitely be well-suited as the emperor.

However, while Zhao Li was able to abruptly rise to the top during troubled times, he had become paranoid and obstinate during this prosperous period. He wouldn't listen to his officials' advice and did as he pleased. His arrogant behavior was too outrageous. People couldn't be blamed for gradually losing heart.

Ji Man finished writing in her account book. She turned her head to look at Ning Yuxuan and said, ”Marquis, you've always been a clever person. Are you really not going to do anything about this situation?”

”How can I do anything?” Marquis Moyu smiled and said, ”The emperor was the one that slowly took back the control over the Six Ministries. So, this type of issue, it's for the emperor to worry about. Even if I wanted to trouble myself over it, there's nothing I can do.”

Ji Man raised her eyebrows. She didn't know if she was just misinterpreting things, but ever since Haohao entered the palace, Ning Yuxuan's att.i.tude towards the emperor seemed to have subtly changed.

Ji Man jokingly asked, ”Marquis, it can't be that you're preparing to become a turncoat, right?”

”No.” Ning Yuxuan propped his chin in his hand and looked out the window as he said, ”As long as he's sitting on the throne, I'll remain loyal to him.”

Until he could safely bring Haohao out of the palace.

Ji Man shrugged. The two of them were certainly strange enough. They understand each other's position, but they were still able to sit here and chat.

Ning Yuxuan asked, ”When are you going to return to Zhangjun?”

Ji Man picked up the thick account book and brought it over to a cabinet to put it away. After thinking it over, she said, ”I'll probably be leaving sometime in the next several days after I finish making arrangements for the rice store. Otherwise, once the end of the year arrives, I won't be able to go back.”

Ning Yuxuan furrowed his brow. ”So soon?”

”En.” Ji Man turned her head and smiled as she looked at him. ”Why? Are you going to miss me, Marquis? If you do, how about saying I love you?”