A Good Country Wife-Chapter 668 - 661_1

Counting the days, Zhao Erhu has been at sea for over three months, nearing four, and he should be returning soon. Since Zhao Erhu had someone send a letter home last time, Lin Yue had not heard any news from him for a long time, and she was somewhat anxious. Going out to sea was not without other concerns; there was always a certain degree of risk.

Lin Yue was preoccupied with thoughts of Zhao Erhu, and in the Imperial Palace, Huangfu Jing was also eagerly waiting for news of Zhao Erhu’s return from his sea voyage. His concerns differed from Lin Yue’s; while Lin Yue worried solely about her own family’s issues, Huangfu Jing was burdened with the worries of the entire world. The drought in Zhao Family’s village was considered manageable, as there was still an abundance of water sources, and the worst it could get was the extra effort needed to fetch water. However, the situation in several northern cities was different; there had been no rain for over two months, and a great deal of the crops in the fields had withered and died. If this trend continued, it was likely there would be no harvest.

Huangfu Jing was not a negligent ruler; naturally, he could not ignore the suffering of his people. Otherwise, he would have to provide disaster relief and allocate food to the affected regions. However, the national treasury was nearly empty, so where would the relief food come from? After much consideration and without any solution, he counted the days until Zhao Erhu’s return with the trading fleet, and set his hopes on this venture, anxious to learn just how lucrative overseas trade could be.

"Abao, has there been any news from the sea?" Huangfu Jing put down the pen he had been holding and asked casually.

"Your Majesty, not yet," Abao replied respectfully. "I have already ordered that as soon as there is any news from that direction, it will be delivered immediately." These past few days, the Emperor had vigorously inquired about the situation there. It seemed that the Emperor held great expectations for Zhao Erhu’s sea expedition. Abao hoped for Zhao Erhu’s smooth journey, wishing not to disappoint the Emperor.

"I hope Zhao Erhu does not disappoint us," Huangfu Jing said. "There isn’t much silver left in the treasury, and I am awaiting his return to relieve my concerns. Otherwise, if any region needs silver and the treasury comes under strain, I will have no choice but to submit to those old foxes, undoubtedly having to concede considerable interests. Most importantly, the opportunity to eradicate these malignant tumors would have to be delayed." Huangfu Jing was impatient to eliminate these people and naturally did not want such matters to hinder his progress.

Abao was always by Huangfu Jing’s side as his confidant, deeply loyal, and very much attuned to Huangfu Jing’s thoughts. That’s why Huangfu Jing felt no reservation in expressing these sentiments freely. Abao understood this principle but knew there were things he could respond to and others he had to pretend not to hear. If he spoke out of turn, it might not be a problem while the Emperor favored him, but once that favoritism waned, it could be used as a reason to dispose of him. Having served by Huangfu Jing’s side for so long, Abao knew well that without this level of awareness, he would have been devoured long ago, leaving nothing behind.

Although the national treasury was depleted of silver, those aristocratic families with any capability had grown fat and corrupt under the previous Emperor, with few exceptions. They were simply unwilling to contribute to the state’s emergency. Even if they were willing, they would demand conditions in return. They were nothing but old foxes, solely concerned with their familial interests, with no regard for the Court’s welfare, thinking only of personal gains and losses. Otherwise, Huangfu Jing would not be so intent on removing them.

"Zhao Erhu, if you can achieve merits for me this time and resolve my difficulties, once I face no more obstacles in the Court, I will assuredly reward you with the title of Marquis," Huangfu Jing murmured to himself, as if comforting his own heart. Being an Emperor was not an easy task; there were plenty of troubling matters to deal with.

Huangfu Jing was preoccupied with the news from the sea, and Abao had people ready to dispatch it immediately upon arrival. During his free time, he even went there personally, "Don’t you dare slack off, stay sharp and alert. The Emperor places great importance on that news. If you delay, watch out for your necks."

"Eunuch Bao, rest assured, we are on high alert. As soon as there’s any news from that side, we’ll immediately send it to Yangxin Hall. We wouldn’t delay matters, for I dare not neglect the Emperor’s affairs even if I had an extra head."

"That’s good to hear. I’m just here to give a reminder. Don’t think that I’m unaware of how slack you little monkeys have become lately. This is to remind you that working in the palace isn’t easy. If nothing goes wrong, fine, but once something does, heads will roll."

"Eunuch Bao’s lessons are well noted."

Upon returning to Yangxin Hall, Huangfu Jing knew what Abao had gone to do. Seeing Abao return without saying anything, he knew there was still no news. His heart was anxious, but he had to suppress it. After all, he was being cornered by those cunning old foxes in the Court.

"Emperor, there’s a message from the Secret Agency." Not long after Abao had returned to Yangxin Hall, a message arrived from the Secret Agency. Abao’s expression shifted, and he immediately fetched a small bamboo tube, checking it for issues before handing it to Huangfu Jing.

Huangfu Jing, having long awaited the message, couldn’t help but show his joy. He quickly took the small bamboo tube; however, the delight on his face faded slightly upon reading the message. It was still good news, though not what he had been hoping for.

It turned out that the bamboo tube contained a message from Huangfu Yi regarding the Yin Family’s hidden guards, instructing Huangfu Jing to send someone to take over the case. Although many captives had been caught, interrogation was not Huangfu Yi’s forte. It would be better to hand them over to Huangfu Jing himself. The message also mentioned Lin Yue since Huangfu Yi had been instructed by Huangfu Jing to take care of her when he initially went on his mission. Huangfu Yi, likely with a certain mindset, went as far as to detail the daily life of Lin Yue in his report.

Huangfu Jing and Huangfu Yi were twin brothers. Although the brothers did not meet often and varied in many aspects, it was peculiar that sometimes they seemed to understand each other’s intentions. Upon reading the silk paper’s contents, Huangfu Jing had a rough idea of what Huangfu Yi was thinking, feeling somewhat helpless at his brother’s playful and chaos-seeking nature.

"This fellow, why write down such things, harboring what kind of thoughts? Does he think I’m a licentious emperor who disregards propriety and covets someone else’s wife? My concern for Madam Lin is merely because her husband is out on royal errands on my behalf. There’s absolutely no indecent intention."

Huangfu Jing spoke indignantly, his usually impassive face showing a touch of anger. It was unclear whether it was genuine anger or feigned, or perhaps he was trying to convince himself. Lin Yue was already married to Zhao Erhu, a wife and a woman of another; he certainly should not entertain such thoughts. He was merely looking after a loyal subject’s family.