Spring equinox was approaching, and the imperial capital’s weather was changeable, with increasing rainfall.

This was a good omen. As the saying goes, “A deep plowing rain overnight means at dawn the fields will be ready for planting.” According to reports from the Shannan West, Hebei, and Hedong regions, the farming season was progressing orderly everywhere, with no disasters.

But in Jiangnan Circuit—already plagued by floods—the situation had become uncontrollable. Refugees scattered in all directions, starving corpses littered the land, and the scene was one of utter despair.

During this morning’s court session, Emperor Ganfeng lost his temper again. He slammed down a thick memorial and crooked the Xiezhi crown of Qin Yi, the censor supervising Jiangnan Circuit.

“The disaster relief funds have vanished right under your noses! Censor Qin, if what you say is true, how could a few refugee bandits intercept the government’s official silver?”

All the civil and military officials bowed their heads silently. Qin Yi said nothing and immediately knelt, weeping in grievance: “Everything I said is true. If Your Majesty does not believe me, I am willing to die to prove my loyalty!”

He adjusted his crown and, before standing, fixed his eyes on a nearby red lacquered pillar.

At that moment, a hand suddenly slapped down on his head. Looking up, Qin Yi saw Minister Jiang Suliu smiling down at him from above.

“Censor Qin, suicide will solve nothing. You have only one life—please treasure it.”

He was the only one in the court who could still smile. With one hand, he helped Qin Yi to his feet, picked up the scattered memorials, neatly folded them, and handed them to an attendant nearby.

Emperor Ganfeng’s face was as cold as still water, his brows sharp and stern. Seeing this, his mood calmed slightly. “Eldest Princess, Censor Qin, and Minister Jiang remain. The others may leave.”

The court officials immediately felt as if granted amnesty. Soon, only a few people remained in the hall.

“Minister Jiang, what are your thoughts on the Jiangnan flood situation?”

Jiang Suliu looked regretful: “There must be someone behind this stirring up trouble. It seems the plan Your Majesty mentioned before must be postponed for now.”

Hearing this, Ji Yingqiu frowned slightly and glanced at Jiang Suliu, as if silently asking what plan they were referring to.

Then Emperor Ganfeng asked, “Qiu’er, if I were to send you with Censor Qin to Jiangnan for disaster relief, would you be willing?”

There had never been a precedent of the eldest princess being sent to the provinces to handle affairs. But Ji Yingqiu was clever; after a moment’s thought, she understood the reason behind the question and bowed her head: “Since Father cannot find a suitable person, I am willing to go, but…”

“But what?”

“Father also knows I have no martial skills,” Ji Yingqiu said timidly, her beautiful face hesitant. “Moreover, Jiangnan Circuit was not originally under my jurisdiction. I fear I don’t know the details well.”

Emperor Ganfeng said, “You only need to go. If there’s anything you don’t understand, ask Censor Qin. I will send people to protect you well. If you are still unsatisfied, you can pick a few military officers currently without posts in court.”

Ji Yingqiu lowered her head, a slight smile playing at her lips. “Thank you, Father.”

Emperor Ganfeng, as if throwing a hot potato, hurriedly returned to the imperial study after giving his orders. As he stepped out of the Tai Chi Hall, Qin Yi exhaled deeply, briefly thanked Jiang Suliu, and then quickly left.

With fewer people around, Ji Yingqiu sneered: “I really don’t know what whispers Minister Jiang put in Father’s ear. This time he insisted on choosing one of us siblings to go to Jiangnan.”

Jiang Suliu said, “Your Majesty just wants to train a few of the princes and princesses. Right now, the flood situation is severe, and others cannot handle it.”

Especially since two court officials had already been sent to handle disaster relief before, but the results were unsatisfactory. Jiangnan Circuit was one of the wealthiest regions under the eldest princess’s jurisdiction, a heavy tax contributor every year, and could not be treated carelessly. The people were anxious and eagerly hoped the court would send someone with real authority to reassure them.

It was clear from the start that the real purpose of this matter was to get the royal family involved.

Ji Yingqiu was not foolish enough to think that being assigned this task was genuinely meant to train her. “This is obviously targeting our Ji family. Father sending this weak princess is just to make me a live target, to lure the snakes out. Then Father will send a few others to strike at the root and swiftly put down the unrest.”

Jiang Suliu laughed, “A weak princess? The eldest princess?”

The two were strolling through the palace, passing the Jixian Hall, and somehow wandered into the Chongwen Hall.

At this time, the school had not yet officially started morning classes, but a few students had already arrived. From afar, the only one holding an umbrella was Shen Xuefeng.

The students respectfully greeted Jiang Suliu, and Shen Xuefeng was no exception. Just as he was about to step into the bamboo garden after greeting, Jiang Suliu called out to him.

“Master Shen.”

Hearing this, Shen Xuefeng turned around, puzzled.

“I never had the chance to ask during the recent ten-day holiday; now I finally do,” Jiang Suliu smiled lightly. “Has the Third Prince’s coursework always been done by you?”

Shen Xuefeng immediately froze.

Ji Yingqiu’s gaze flicked between the young man and the boy’s face, then she took out a small sandalwood fan from her sleeve and fanned herself with a rustling sound.

Jiang Suliu’s smile faded, and his tone took on a serious weight: “Master Shen, do you know how serious the consequences would be if this were discovered?”

“I…”

Because he wasn’t as skilled, the two assignments were written in handwriting too similar. Shen Xuefeng thought it over and gave up trying to argue: “Sorry, if the teacher wants to punish me, then punish me.”

He would dare it again next time.

Jiang Suliu’s lips pressed tight: “I know the Third Prince usually does not participate in any school matters. Master Shen, your job is to urge him to focus on his studies, not to indulge and cover for him. That is not what a tutor should do.”

Ji Yingqiu secretly scoffed, thinking how hypocritical Jiang Suliu was, since he never acted so upright at court.

Shen Xuefeng was also thinking to himself: indulging Ji Wu (the Third Prince) is his mission; without indulgence, how would you raise a foolish ruler?

Outwardly, his small head bowed lower: “Sorry, sorry, I know I was wrong.”

Jiang Suliu naturally saw this young master had no real remorse and shook his head, reaching out to straighten Shen Xuefeng’s posture.

Just as his fingertips touched Shen Xuefeng’s shoulder, a sharp, angry voice came from nearby.

“Shen Xuefeng! What are you doing?!”

Ji Ling suddenly appeared from the crowd, angrily pushing the two apart. Of course, she didn’t dare hurt Jiang Suliu, but she used full force to shove Shen Xuefeng away.

Caught off guard, Shen Xuefeng’s umbrella was knocked away, and he staggered backward several steps. Though not falling, the incident was sudden; luckily Ji Yingqiu’s quick reflexes caught him.

This happened right at the Chongwen Hall’s entrance, and passersby all saw it. Ji Ling nearly pushed the young master of the Shen family to the ground.

“Shen Xuefeng, it’s you again!”

Ji Ling had long resented Shen Xuefeng for Jiang Suliu’s special attention to him. At this moment, she no longer remembered how she once coveted Shen Xuefeng’s looks and forced him to be her tutor.

Now seeing Jiang Suliu actively speaking to Shen Xuefeng and even touching him, she hated his face so much she wished to slash it with a knife.

Jiang Suliu’s face darkened. “Tenth Princess, what do you mean by this?”

“Nothing. I just don’t like him,” Ji Ling pouted. “He always makes me angry.”

“Ling’er, you really have no manners,” Ji Yingqiu frowned. “Apologize to Master Shen.”