Transmigrating to a Female-Dominated World: Handsome Men Keep Chasing After Me

Chapter 226

After pondering for a moment, Nalan Jingwen said, "Shouldn't the Xue Guoshi be performing a memorial service for the late emperor at this time? Why does he need to make the trip himself?"

Logically speaking, the alliance agreement should not have been delivered by Xue Qingheng. As Nangong Shiyu's right-hand man, Xue Qingheng's position became even more unshakable after Nangong Shiyu ascended the throne. It would not be an exaggeration to say that he was second only to the emperor.

Xue Qingheng stared at Nalan Jingwen, understanding the meaning behind her words, and the smile in her eyes faded slightly. "His Majesty specially sent me to thank the Prince for his assistance and prepared generous gifts for him."

Such a grand gesture, just to thank Nalan Jingwen, specially sent Xue Qingheng, which is enough to express Nangong Shiyu's high regard for her. Of course, it cannot be ruled out that Xue Qingheng had ulterior motives.

Nalan Jingwen stared at him intently, a half-smile on his face, his eyes unreadable, and slowly said, "Then I'll trouble Grand Preceptor Xue to thank His Majesty Qi Lin on my behalf."

Xue Qingheng nodded slightly, neither humble nor arrogant, "Of course."

Nalan Fengxing naturally sensed the strange atmosphere between the two. Her gaze shifted between them for a moment, and she said casually, "The Imperial Preceptor Xue and the Princess seem to have a good relationship?"

Nalan Jingwen withdrew his gaze and said, "My sister and the Imperial Preceptor have only met a few times."

"Really?"

Nalan Fengxing was skeptical and looked at Xue Qingheng.

The latter simply nodded lightly at Nalan Fengxing, his voice cold and indifferent, a stark contrast to his tone when speaking to Nalan Jingwen. "I have indeed only met Your Highness a few times."

Nalan Jingwen wanted to keep their relationship a secret from outsiders, so naturally he couldn't go against her wishes.

Knowing he wouldn't get any information, Nalan Fengxing changed the subject and said, "National Preceptor Xue must be tired from your journey. I have already sent people to prepare a meal at the post station. A palace servant will lead the National Preceptor to the post station to rest later."

Xue Qingheng bowed slightly in greeting, "Thank you for your hospitality, Your Majesty."

Nalan Jingwen stood motionless to the side, listening to their conversation. Before Xue Qingheng left, her gaze, which was both cold and intense, remained fixed on her. Nalan Jingwen ignored it, staring ahead until the gaze disappeared.

Just as Nalan Fengxing was about to say something, someone came down to announce, "Your Majesty, the Minister of Personnel requests an audience."

Upon hearing this, Nalan Jing bowed and said, "In that case, I'll take my leave now."

"No need. You can stay here. After all, you'll eventually have to learn how to handle matters of state."

Nalan Jingwen stared at her, his expression unreadable. Nalan Fengxing showed no discomfort and remained calm. "Come in."

Soon a middle-aged woman entered Cheng'an Hall. She was stunned for a moment when she saw Nalan Jingwen, but immediately knelt down when she saw Nalan Fengxing. "Your subject greets Your Majesty."

Nalan Fengxing gave Nalan Jingwen a look, and the latter understood, casually finding a chair to sit down. Nalan Fengxing also sat back down in his seat, looking at the people below, and said, "Get up, what is it, Lord Li?"

"Your Majesty, Xuzhou is covered in heavy snow, with snowdrifts reaching a foot deep. The vegetation is barren, and the people are in mourning. If the court does not intervene soon, the losses will be dire."

Xuzhou?

Nalan Jingwen lowered her eyes in thought. Xuzhou consists of four cities: Hong, Ning, Yan, and Xu. Among them, Hong City is the one she passed through on her way back to the capital, and it is also where Liu Qingxu is located.

Judging from Minister Li's anxious expression, one could tell that the disaster had become unimaginably severe.

Frost and snow damage crops, wind and snow harm wheat, bitter cold causes many people to freeze to death, and corpses lie on the roads.

Nalan Jingwen's heart tightened slightly, his brows furrowed, and he asked, "How many months has it been?"

As soon as she spoke, Nalan Fengxing and Minister Li both looked over. Nalan Fengxing stared at her with an inscrutable expression and dark eyes, while the latter looked visibly dazed, unsure whether to answer Nalan Jingwen's question. Thinking that she was just asking casually, he looked to Nalan Fengxing for his opinion.

Nalan Fengxing withdrew his gaze and spoke calmly, "Why don't you answer the King's question?"

Minister Li then truthfully replied, "Your Highness, it has been three months."

Upon hearing this, Nalan Jing felt a slight unease. In ancient times, communication was underdeveloped. Even if a disaster was reported to the court in its early stages, it would take several months to reach the court, and during those months of delay, many people would likely have died.

Nalan Jingwen fell silent. Minister Li, who was still waiting for Nalan Fengxing's decision, hurriedly said, "Your Majesty, please make a decision as soon as possible."

It seems this memorial was submitted long ago, but for some reason Nalan Fengxing has not dealt with it.

Nalan Jingwen stood up and asked, "Imperial sister, is there something troubling you?"

Nalan Fengxing glanced at her and sighed, "The imperial examination is just a few months away, and the court is short-handed. The envoys sent to other countries have not yet returned. There is really no one else to go."

It was impossible to send the prime minister or the minister to provide disaster relief. The power dynamics in the court were complex and intertwined; if one link went wrong, everything would fall into place. The officials who could go to provide disaster relief had not yet returned, and with the imperial examinations approaching, there was a shortage of manpower. It was simply impossible to think of anyone who could go.

Nalan Jingwen lowered his eyes in thought, and suddenly someone came to mind. He immediately said, "Your Majesty, perhaps we could send General Pei?"

Nalan Fengxing was taken aback. "The eldest daughter of the Pei family, Pei Yundai?"

Nalan Jingwen nodded, "Pei Yundai has followed General Pei on military campaigns for many years, fighting bravely to protect the country and its people. He is truly a valiant talent. It would be most appropriate to send Young General Pei this time."

Nalan Fengxing hesitated. Not to mention that the Pei family is now extremely powerful and on par with the Rong family, if Pei Yundai solves the frost and snow problem in Xuzhou and makes a great contribution, the Pei family will probably become too powerful for the emperor, which is a situation that no emperor wants to see.

"General Pei is, after all, a military officer, she..."

Nalan Jingwen knew what she was thinking, so he stepped forward and said, "Your Majesty, your younger sister requests permission to go to Xuzhou with General Pei to provide disaster relief and resolve the disaster in Xuzhou."

Even if the disaster is successfully resolved, the main force will still be Nalan Jingwen. Pei Yundai will at most be credited for his assistance, which will not put the Pei family in a difficult position and make them a thorn in the emperor's side.

The words had barely left his mouth when Nalan Fengxing abruptly stood up, then, realizing his rudeness, sat back down. "Nonsense! Do you even know what you're saying?"

"This isn't as simple as your trip to Qilin. Do you know how dangerous it was for those disaster victims?"

Even Minister Li widened his eyes slightly as he looked at her.

How could Nalan Jingwen not understand? The disaster was severe, and the people were suffering terribly, starving and freezing. So they tried every means to find food. In the face of food shortages, people who are desperate for food will do anything.

However, Nalan Jingwen had already made up her mind and would not change it. With a firm look in her eyes, she said, "Your Majesty, besides my sister, are there any better candidates in the court now?"

Nalan Fengxing fell silent. From any perspective, there was indeed no one more suitable than Nalan Jingwen in the court.

She frowned, staring at Nalan Jingwen with dark, unfocused eyes. After a long while, she waved her hand at Nalan Jingwen and said, "Go back first, I'll think about it some more."