[“Forget it, I won’t stoop to the emperor’s level. Saving the people is a great merit in itself.”]

“Your Majesty, this subject believes that to prevent drought, we must first…!”

Lin Yuxin, putting aside her grudges, spoke up for the sake of the people.

The emperor secretly sighed in relief upon hearing her voice.

He had almost shot himself in the foot.

Lin Yuxin explained all the ideas she had been thinking about, talking until her mouth was dry.

[“Phew! Finally finished! After saying so much, my throat is parched. When will they let me go so I can get some water?!”]

The emperor, Li Xiaocheng, and Lin Chenglie had all heard Lin Yuxin’s thoughts.

Although they already knew her plan, they were still shocked.

One thought crossed their minds: Lin Yuxin was no ordinary person!

The five ministers present were also stunned, taking a long time to process her words.

The first to react was Grand Tutor Ji Qiulin.

“Miss Lin, did you come up with this plan?” Ji Qiulin asked excitedly.

“More or less,” Lin Yuxin replied nervously.

After all, in her past life, she could have easily found these methods by searching online.

“You are truly talented! With such wisdom, why didn’t you speak up earlier? These methods will surely help prevent the drought.”

Ji Qiulin was so thrilled he could barely speak coherently.

He had been deeply worried about the drought—after just one month without rain, some people were already going hungry.

If this continued, who knew what disaster would unfold?

However, Prime Minister Hou Mingyuan spoke coldly, unwilling to let Lin Yuxin steal the limelight.

“Grand Tutor, don’t be too happy yet. The methods she proposed have never been used before. Take soil and water conservation, for example—how does she plan to improve it? And water storage—how much should be stored, and how? She speaks as if it’s easy.”

Lin Yuxin was not one to be bullied.

She shot back immediately, “If my methods are useless, then why don’t you suggest one to enlighten His Majesty?”

“I… I haven’t thought of one yet,” Hou Mingyuan stammered, at a loss for words.

The truth was, he had no solution, and taking on this responsibility would be thankless.

But he couldn’t stand Lin Yuxin gaining all the credit.

“If you don’t have a solution, how can you claim mine is useless? Have you tested it? Or are you hoping for a severe drought to displace the people?”

Lin Yuxin’s sudden sharp questioning made Hou Mingyuan nervous.

His face paled—if the emperor suspected him, he would be doomed.

Quickly, he knelt and pleaded, “Your Majesty, I am innocent! I am loyal to you and only wish for the people’s well-being. Please do not listen to Lin Yuxin’s slander!”

[“You care about the people? Ha! Your ‘virtuous’ son has done plenty of harm—kidnapping women, forcing them into prostitution, selling government positions, colluding with the Crown Prince to assassinate royal heirs… Oh, and wasn’t there treason involved too? I don’t remember the details, but it wasn’t anything good. If you provoke me, I’ll expose everything to the emperor!”]

[“Oh, and does he know I beat up his precious son? If he finds out, he’ll be livid! Hahaha!”]

Lin Yuxin rolled her eyes at Hou Mingyuan’s shamelessness.

What she didn’t know was that the emperor had just learned all about Hou Mingyuan’s crimes.

Hearing his prime minister’s “glorious” deeds, the emperor clenched his teeth in fury.

This must be investigated!

Meanwhile, Li Xiaocheng’s eyes flickered—he had already begun investigating Hou Mingyuan last night.

If Lin Yuxin’s accusations were true, the prime minister’s days were numbered.

“Enough!” the emperor declared. “The drought prevention measures will be carried out according to Lin Yuxin’s plan. However, I fear others may not implement it properly. Therefore, I decree Lin Yuxin as the Princess of Pingning, and she will be responsible for managing this drought!”

His sudden decree shocked everyone present.

“Your Majesty, this is inappropriate!” Hou Mingyuan protested. “How can a mere woman handle a drought? Even if she proposed the plan, the court is full of capable officials—any of them would be more suitable than this young girl!”

Even the upright Ji Qiulin hesitated. “Your Majesty, I have no objection to making her a princess, as her talent is undeniable. But entrusting her with such a major task… If she fails, history will judge harshly.”

“Your Majesty, please reconsider!”

“Please reconsider!”

Several ministers knelt in opposition.

Lin Yuxin, meanwhile, was dumbfounded. [What did the emperor just say?!]

[Made her a princess?! And put her in charge of the drought?!]

[“Has the emperor lost his mind? I was living peacefully at home, why should I be dragged into this mess? It’s a thankless, exhausting job—I’m not doing it! Someone else can!”]

[“Please, ministers, keep pushing! Convince the emperor to take back his decree. I just want to stay home and relax!”]

She nodded secretly as they pleaded with the emperor.

[“Yes, yes, they’re right! I’m not qualified! I have no ability! I’m just a weak woman who belongs at home!”]

She had already gone above and beyond by offering a plan.

Actually leading the relief effort? That was too much responsibility! She would die of exhaustion!

She shrank back, keeping her head down, hoping the ministers would win this fight.

The emperor shot her a glare. Lazy girl! Did she think he didn’t know?

This “weak” girl had worked tirelessly for nearly a month to save the Zhao family.

Now she wanted to play dumb?

His head throbbed as he looked at the kneeling ministers. Useless fools!

Turning to Li Xiaocheng, the emperor made his final decision.

“Since you all have doubts, the Regent Prince will assist the Princess of Pingning in managing the drought. With him overseeing, do you still object?”

The ministers exchanged glances.

It was clear—the emperor was determined to use Lin Yuxin.

Left with no choice, they reluctantly accepted.

“Your Majesty is wise!”