So today, he summoned Lin Yuxin to test whether she truly had the ability she claimed.

However, what she mentioned earlier had to be taken seriously.

If it really didn’t rain for six months, how would the people survive?

It could even shake the very foundation of the nation.

The Emperor anxiously glanced at Lin Yuxin, who was standing behind, wondering how he could openly assign this task to her.

That’s right—he felt this girl might have a way.

Just as Lin Yuxin was hesitating whether to remind the Emperor about the issue, she suddenly felt a chill on her back.

Was she catching a cold?

She shivered slightly, and at that moment, Li Xiaocheng, who had remained silent until now, finally spoke:

“Your Majesty, I believe we should make early preparations. It has already been a month without rain. Some poor families may have run out of food. If we wait another two months, we might face an outbreak of famine victims.”

“Hmm, I agree that this must be handled as soon as possible. Do you have any good solutions?”

Since someone had spoken, the Emperor followed along and asked.

“I currently have no solution,” Li Xiaocheng replied, glancing at Lin Yuxin before lowering his head.

“No solution? Then what’s the point of all that talk? What about the rest of you? Any ideas?”

Hearing that there was no solution, the Emperor immediately scowled, his gaze sweeping across the other ministers.

But the officials all lowered their heads, not daring to make a sound.

The Emperor became even more furious.

He hadn’t expected anything useful from these useless men, but did they really have no solution at all? How was he supposed to run a country like this?

“A bunch of worthless fools!”

“Bang!”

The Emperor, in anger, picked up a memorial and threw it at them.

The sound of the memorial hitting the ground made the officials lower their heads even further.

The Emperor was furious. At times like this, it was best not to provoke his wrath, lest they suffer for it. They all understood this unspoken rule.

【Ugh! The Emperor is really in a bad mood. But this drought isn’t impossible to prevent. As long as the necessary preparations are made in advance—improving water and soil conditions, implementing soil conservation projects, preventing soil erosion, and reducing the occurrence of drought—things could be managed.】

The Emperor’s anger subsided as he heard Lin Yuxin’s inner thoughts.

The more he listened, the more intrigued and excited he became.

His breathing even lightened as he clenched his fists—this was a great plan!

Li Xiaocheng, on the other hand, stared at Lin Yuxin with growing admiration.

She seemed to be glowing in his eyes.

This was the woman he had set his sights on—he was becoming more and more fond of her.

Meanwhile, Lin Chenglie felt an overwhelming sense of pride—this was his sister, a woman of remarkable talent.

Not only did she have a way to predict things, but she could also solve a drought crisis!

【Then, increasing the efficiency of agricultural irrigation facilities: strengthening farmland irrigation systems, improving their management, increasing irrigated areas, and enhancing agricultural production conditions.】

【Expanding water resource development and utilization: making full use of reservoirs, channels, rivers, and lakes to store water and effectively combat drought.】

【Strengthening flood and drought disaster prevention: protecting forests and grasslands, improving vegetation coverage, enhancing disaster monitoring, and reinforcing emergency response and relief efforts.】

【Improving meteorological observations and disaster warnings: strengthening weather forecasting and issuing timely drought alerts to take preventive measures and mitigate disasters.】

【If all these measures are implemented, we can at least minimize the worst consequences. But… how do I explain all of this to the Emperor?】

Lin Yuxin lowered her head, contemplating the best way to present her ideas.

These were all drought prevention strategies she had read about in her previous life—they should be effective.

The Emperor’s eyes gleamed as he looked at Lin Yuxin.

This woman truly possessed extraordinary talent.

Perhaps she was a divine blessing upon the Xia Kingdom!

Not only could she predict the future, but she could also resolve drought crises.

And it seemed that her personal abilities were also remarkable.

A woman like this was a blessing to the nation.

The Emperor was filled with admiration.

It seemed this task had to be entrusted to her—he wouldn’t feel at ease otherwise.

He then shot an annoyed glance at Li Xiaocheng, who stood there like a wooden stick.

Was this kid really that useless? How had he not won over this woman yet?

From what the Emperor had heard, the two hadn’t met for days.

Earlier, the girl hadn’t even spared him a glance! How useless! It seemed the Emperor would have to help him out.

Li Xiaocheng ignored the Emperor’s disdain, keeping his gaze fixed on Lin Yuxin.

Since she still had her head lowered, he could take a good look at her.

Once she raised her head, he wouldn’t be able to stare so openly.

After much hesitation, Lin Yuxin finally decided to directly explain her drought prevention measures to the Emperor. Just as she was about to speak, she heard his voice:

“Lin Yuxin, do you have any solutions?”

“Uh?”

Lin Yuxin was stunned!

Did she and the Emperor have some kind of telepathic connection?

How did he know she had an idea?

Or was he simply asking random people and she happened to be chosen? That seemed likely!

But since the Emperor had asked her directly, she might as well take this opportunity.

“Your Majesty, I do have a few solutions,” Lin Yuxin replied respectfully with a bow.

“You have solutions? A mere woman? What can you possibly come up with?”

Hou Mingyuan scoffed.

“Exactly! You’re just a sheltered girl from a noble family. I heard you were mistakenly switched at birth and only returned to the Lin household half a year ago? Before that, you lived in the countryside. A village girl like you—how could you possibly have a solution?”

Shi Peng also voiced his skepticism.

It wasn’t that he was deliberately trying to undermine her, but this was a crisis beyond the capability of an ordinary person.

How could a young woman, who had spent most of her life in the countryside, suddenly come up with a solution?

Even if the Lin family had educated her after bringing her back, six months wasn’t enough time—even for a genius—to grasp such a complex issue and develop countermeasures.

The other ministers didn’t speak, but their expressions conveyed the same doubt.

The Emperor listened to their skepticism and scoffed internally.

Fools! If he hadn’t been able to hear Lin Yuxin’s inner thoughts, he might have doubted her too.

But now, she was his only hope.

“Enough! Whether she has a solution or not, let’s hear her out first,” the Emperor interrupted.

Seeing that the Emperor had spoken, the ministers fell silent.

They, too, were curious—what could Lin Yuxin possibly suggest?

“Lin Yuxin, go ahead. If your solution works, I will reward you. But if you have no solution, I will punish you,” the Emperor said as he turned to her.

Lin Yuxin: ???

【What the heck! I get punished if I don’t have a solution? This damn Emperor is so unfair! I came here to receive a reward, and now there’s a chance I might not only leave empty-handed but also get punished? If I had known, I wouldn’t have said anything! This is just asking for trouble!】

Lin Yuxin instantly regretted speaking up.

She should’ve just stayed quiet in the background.

Why did she have to step into this mess?

Hearing her thoughts, the Emperor suddenly regretted mentioning the punishment.

This stubborn girl held grudges—if things didn’t go her way, she’d probably curse him in her heart for days!

If she really refused to speak now, he would have to find another way to make her handle the situation.