Chapter 199: The First Brilliance

Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio

As he counted, Elder Zheng’s face turned pale.

“Isn’t this enough? Elder Zheng’s family background is quite strong.” Nalan Cui suddenly threw the book on the table.

Elder Zheng smacked his forehead and said, “It’s all my fault that I’m old. These things have been handed over to my subordinates. They probably remembered wrongly. I’ll arrange for these confiscated properties to be handed over to the National Treasury.”

Nalan Cui’s expression softened a little and said, “Then what about the canal repair this time?”

Elder Zheng repeatedly expressed that there was no problem.

In his heart, he cursed how Nalan Cui knew about this matter. He had really suffered a double loss this time.

Nalan Cui flipped open the book and continued, “Minister of the Ministry of Rites, I heard that a month ago, your third son spent a lot of money at Drunken Spring Brothel just to get a smile from a beauty?”

The minister of the Ministry of Rites quickly apologized and was so angry that he wanted to beat up that unfilial son again.

“Lord Chen…”

“Lord Li…”

As Nalan Cui read out their names, everyone lowered their heads to indicate that they would cooperate fully with the canal repair this time.

No one in the entire imperial court disagreed.

The ministers finally raised some dread towards the little emperor. They thought that he was a soft persimmon that they could handle, but who knew that he was a wolf.

Only then did Nalan Cui put down the book in his hand and announce his withdrawal from the court with satisfaction.

After everyone had left, Yuyan flattered, “His Majesty’s deterrence just now was just right.”

Nalan Cui glanced at him and said, “It all thanks to your ability.”

This book was given to him by Yuyan back then. The things recorded in it were far more than these. It was just that it was not the time yet, and he did not mention some serious crimes.

Yuyan said, “Everything is for His Majesty.”

Nalan Cui looked at him inquisitively. Yuyan did not dodge nor hide. He could feel Nalan Cui’s vigilance when they met this time.

Nalan Cui suddenly revealed a smile and said, “I naturally understand the intentions of Chaplain.”

This could be considered as accepting his surrender.

The matter of building the canal had already been put on the agenda. The people had also discovered that the entire capital had recently spent all her manpower on building the canal.

Some people felt that the imperial court must have a reason for doing so, while others complained that the imperial court was wasting manpower and material resources. Weren’t these silvers the tax they paid every year?

The canal was quickly completed. At this time, they could already see the faint flow of water around them.

This caused the people to panic. They lived in the capital and had never seen such a situation before.

The imperial court directly announced that there was going to be a flood. Everyone had to be prepared for it.

In order to avoid unnecessary panic, they did not announce the news of the plague. Although the people were a little panicked at first, they relaxed when they saw that the water had been diverted by the canals.

Those who had previously scolded the imperial court for not doing anything did not dare to make a sound as they were afraid of others’ mockery.

The entire capital began to carry out disinfection. Although the people did not know the reason, after the lesson from last time, they still listened to the arrangements.

The control of the plague in the south was already well-controlled. As long as it did not spread, the plague that came menacingly this time could be resolved without a sound.

The news of the plague suddenly spread throughout the capital.

This matter had not attracted the imperial court’s attention. They had only issued a notice to appease the panic of the people.

However, Gu Ruoyun felt that something was not right. He said, “Unless someone infected with plague or someone who has stayed in the plague zone has entered the capital, this news would not have spread.”

Nalan Cui asked, “Could it be that minister?”

Gu Ruoyun shook his head in denial. “No, only the three of us know about this.”

Yuyan nodded as well. “This matter is indeed strange.”

The three of them looked at each other and immediately realized that something was wrong.

The three of them quickly left the imperial study and took out the protective clothing that they had prepared beforehand. They then instructed the soldiers to put on protective clothing and search every house for suspicious people..