Chapter 203.2: Shifted Ahead of Time
Shifted Ahead of Time (2)
During this period of time, although she wasn't able to meet all of them every day, as time went on day by day, she still became acquainted with them all, and when dealing with them, there weren't any pressure either. Originally, the most difficult to please should be Princess Min Xiang who has the highest status, and moreover, she was even Jing Wan's future 'proper' younger sister-in-law. If she wants to look for trouble, under most circumstances, one can only endure. Fortunately, Princess Min Xiang truly was fearful to the extreme of Li Hong Yuan. Anything that might possibly offend him, she all won't dare to do. Moreover, her mother, Noble Consort Su, also told her that she needed to properly get along with this future sister-in-law.
In reality, with everything else aside, just based on interacting with Jing Wan, for the most part, not many people would shun her. After all, Jing Wan's actual age inside was displayed there. These teenage young girls, she just regarded them all as younger sisters. As long as they aren't a brat, she would all be tolerating and considerate. As such, what reason did they have to hate her?
Although the purpose on the surface was to admire the flowers, but in reality, Jing Wan didn't really prepare much in regards to plants and flowers. However, she did prepare quite a bit of snacks, all kinds of fruit juices, and also some original little games. To put it bluntly, it was just preparing to let these big and small children eat, drink, and play around.
At first, Jing Wan just led along the relatively small ones, for instance, Yu Yao, as well as the ones that were about the same age as her. The rest were just relatively reserved, especially those young ladies that have already started discussing marriage. Perhaps there were even some who looked down on this inside, feeling she lacked etiquette, acting against acceptable behavior. But, as time elapsed, seeing that the others truly were having a great time, and seemingly from childhood, they themselves were just never this carefree before..........Also, at this time, everyone was all the same, so even if they played, probably no one would say anything either.
Forget it, just have one's good sisters pulled into the water together.
As for those that truly were reserved and unable to let go, Jing Wan also prepared some elegant activities that didn't need for them to move around, for instance, filling in blank verses, guessing riddles, nine-section square[1], etc. Because changes were made, it naturally won't be boring. Additionally, there was also just looking for things according to a hint. The final object was usually beyond one's expectation, thus making those young ladies who have never played these before, all somewhat unable to stop themselves.
And the final outcome was probably just everyone going crazy from playing.
While Jing Wan and them were happily playing around on this side, the capital had sent an urgent memorandum over from eight hundred li away.
A portion of the southern regions have been receiving continuous rainfall. Some experienced people claim that this range will undoubtedly expand, and afraid, will cause a flood.
Because Li Hong Yuan had long paid attention to this, he naturally had long received the news.
In his past life, it didn't happen this early. Li Hong Yuan believed that he can change human fate, but can't change the heavens. For it to have occurred later in his past life, it can only mean that it was just reported much later. For it to have caused that big of a disaster in the end, this may not necessarily not be a factor in it. Some people have already been swapped out by Li Hong Yuan, so the same thing naturally can't happen a second time.
When Le Cheng Emperor received the news, he immediately just summoned a crowd of officials and his sons. This kind of thing must never be neglected. If a large flood really were to occur, the aftermath will be very severe. Although, right now, this has yet to happen, but it was better to believe it will, than to believe it won't. Being prepared in advance, even if not needing in the end, didn't have any harm either. And if needed, the damage will naturally just be reduced to the lowest. Just based on this bit, Le Cheng Emperor definitely can be considered a wise ruler.
And the opportunity Li Hong Yuan needed also arrived already.
"Beloved ministers, gathering wisdom will benefit many, so quickly put forward feasible methods. Don't say something like 'the man of Qi fears the sky falling'[2], this emperor also hopes that in the end, it's all just groundless fears. And don't have the matters viewed too lightly either, not taking it seriously. What this emperor wants is for you all to consider this matter with the worst case scenario in mind."
Since Le Cheng Emperor has said it like so, the others naturally didn't dare to slight.
Just, the Head Cabinet Minister Ruan Rui Zhong didn't stand for long, before feeling dizzy and weak in the knees. After hurriedly letting him sit down, and seeing that nothing improved, his complexion still exceptionally bad, Le Cheng Emperor hastily ordered someone to call the imperial physician. Sir Ruan is having a heatstroke.
Have to say, Le Cheng Emperor's place resided at the peak of the mountain, and was the most cool and refreshing place of the entire imperial residence. Additionally, there were also quite a few basins of ice displayed. In fact, one can even distinctly sense the cold air. Yet, in the end, he got a heatstroke?
TN: All
According to the imperial physician's explanation, because Sir Ruan was elderly years, his body has weakened. When coming up the mountain, he was somewhat in a rush, producing sweat, and when arriving, instantly cooling down, it instead wasn't good for his body.
Seeing him like that, Le Cheng Emperor furrowed his brows, but in the end, just inwardly sighed. As expected, he has gotten old. Waving his hand, he let someone send him back. Right now, it was currently busy and chaotic, so seeing him with a half-dead look was also annoying.
Ruan Rui Zhong felt ashamed inside, promptly stating his guilt. Speaking of which, in this half month, it was relatively peaceful. The people at home all shut their doors and didn't go out. And he also didn't hear any gossips and slanders either, just feeling it returned to the tranquil times of the past again. His body seemingly even relaxed quite a bit. Unexpectedly, right when there's something important, a problem occurred. He's really gotten old? If like this, yet still hanging onto the position of Head Cabinet Minister, will it incur the emperor's annoyance? But right now, it indeed wasn't a good time for him to retire from his post. Then, he can only thicken his skin and wait for his Majesty to let him retire.
Rui Qinwang watched Ruan Rui Zhong get supported by someone, his back stooped, leaving step by step. Consort mother was right, Ruan Rui Zhong sure enough can't hold out anymore. He retracted his gaze, focusing on the matter at hand.
This kind of major affair, naturally no one would inform Li Hong Yuan of. At the moment, he has already moved back to the villa outside the imperial residence.
He really wasn't as idle as others assumed, and was currently surveying the map. The information he received was far more detailed than what Le Cheng Emperor received. On the map, he gradually had the places reported found one by one, calculating the range of rainfall. This time in his past life happened too long ago for him after all. For many things, he didn't remember all that clearly. Moreover, what he knew was also limited.
Slightly furrowing his brow, he then circled the position of the various granaries, and important dams. Lastly, after making sure one hundred percent that the situation this time will be much better than in the past life, he finally relaxed a little. Just, the specifics, he still needed to go look for Luo Pei Shan. There were many things that he needed for Luo Pei Shan to propose in his place.
"Master, the Head Cabinet Minister has already gone back."
"Oh? How's the Ruan family?"
"Gradually entering the climax, when Sir Ruan returns, it should be at the perfect time."
[1] An ancient number based game originating from 'He Tu Luo Shu' (河图洛书), two mysterious diagrams passed down from ancient chinese civilization, predates actual recorded history, coming from the era of the mythical Emperor Fuxi. It's similar to sudoku, but with just 9 squares, where the squares horizontally, vertically, and diagonally all add up to 15. Added an exampled of one below.
[2] This idiom comes from an old story by Lie Zi, a Daoist author said to be alive during the early Warring States period. The story is about a man from the State of Qi worrying all day, thinking that the sky might collapse. The purpose of the story was to teach people not to worry over groundless fears.