In the Royal Court, the matter regarding the nearest village to the market is put forward by the Fourth Prince in front of the Emperor. "Your majesty, Village Shuanxi (Imaginary name) is not developed well and the condition of the people in the village is also miserable. The abject poverty in the region is my concern which is affecting many lives there," Nianzu pronounced.
Han Wenji nodded and looked at Jian Guozhi. "Is the Governor of Luoyang not looking into these matters?!" Han Wenji asked.
Nianzu intervened and said, "Your majesty, I have discussed the matter with the Governor already. I think there is some problem with the administration. Even the Governor of Luoyang is busy with the work of the entire capital, so he cannot work on this all by himself."
Nianzu's suggestion was welcomed by the Emperor. The Prime Minister stood up from his seat, and said, "Your majesty, this problem is not of a single village. And there is not a single problem from which villages are suffering. The officials recruited in various government departments are also responsible for not executing their duties well. In short, the problem is big and needs a plan to work out these problems.
Even I wanted to put forward this issue in front of his majesty, but because the Crown Prince was not in the Province so, I thought to delay it. I think the Crown Prince shall look into this with the Governor of Luoyang."
Han Wenji, after giving it a thought, agreed to that. "Then, this matter I will leave to the Crown Prince and the Governor of Luoyang. You are given 10 days to submit the report regarding this. Crown Prince, I want you to personally visit those villages. You two can take the advice of the Advisor and the Prime Minister. I want you two to work efficiently and effectively," Han Wenji pronounced.
Both Sheng Li and Jian Guozhi bowed upon hearing the orders of the Emperor thus, accepting them.
"General Wang, how is the investigation going? Did Yang Fei Ke tell you anything? Are there other suspects in this?" Han Wenji queried.
General Wang stood up from his seat and came forward. "Your majesty, the investigation is still in process. I will report to his majesty as soon as I find out something important, " General Wang pronounced.
Han Wenji nodded. "There will be no court for a week, as Princess Qi is going to get married. Tomorrow the princesses from the other provinces will arrive at the Palace. Prime Minister, if any special matter comes, then report to me directly else solve it with the help of the Crown Prince.
One more important announcement is there. Since Princess Qi is getting married, the people will be given free basic grains and a silver coin. Prime Minister, it is your responsibility to distribute them among the people of Han." The Emperor announced and stood up from the Dragon throne.
They all stood up and bowed in the respect of the Emperor. Once he left the court, the other ministers left as well. Jian Guozhi came towards Sheng Li.
"Crown Prince, when shall we visit those villages? We will get busy from tomorrow onwards, so we shall visit the village about which the Fourth Brother was telling earlier," Jian Guozhi suggested.
'Since when the First Brother started showing interest in the Empire's work.' Sheng Li contemplated.
"We need to go in disguise," Sheng Li stated. "I will see the First Brother in the next half an hour," he added.
Jian Guozhi nodded and looked at Nianzu. "I am afraid, but I cannot come as the people have seen me many times. You two shall go there," Nianzu affirmed. Jian Guozhi nodded when Sheng Li walked away from there.
Jian Guozhi and Nianzu too left the Courtroom. Sheng Li went straight to Zhenzhu Inn to inform the Crown Princess about his outing.
The Crown Prince was ascending the stairs when he heard the sound of anklets. He halted at his place and turned back. Ying Lili was coming there when she saw Sheng Li there.
She ascended the stairs and reached him. "Where are you coming from?" Sheng Li asked Ying Lili.
"I was checking the preparation for tomorrow," Ying Lili replied. "What about you?" She questioned.
"I need to go out with the First Brother to Shuanxi village. I came here to inform you regarding that," Sheng Li stated.
"Why a sudden visit to the village?" Ying Lili was curious to know.
"The condition of the village is not good. Brother Nianzu has raised this issue in Court. Father wants me and the First Brother to look into this matter. We then need to submit the report," Sheng Li answered.
"Take me with you," Ying Lili expressed her desire.
Sheng Li raised his brow when he heard her, "You forgot? I can actively take part in these matters because his majesty has permitted me. I want to see my people and their living conditions."
"It can be risky," Sheng Li said in a serious tone.
"It will not be. I have to understand my people as well. I told you that I will help you in becoming a true and righteous ruler. I have seen that you get furious easily so, there must be someone beside you to calm the situation, and that someone is me," Ying Lili opined, keeping a tiny smile on her lips.
"Okay. We will be in disguise. You need to take the disguise of a man, Junior rank 7 officer," Sheng Li proclaimed.
Ying Lili nodded when Sheng Li grasped her hand and took her to his manor with him while Court Lady Xu followed him.
They encountered Prince Lu Qifeng and Princess Qi. "What are you two doing here?" Sheng Li curiously asked.
"Your highness, I asked Miss Qi to give me a tour of the Palace. We have roamed every side of the Palace and this place is the last one," Lu Qifeng replied.
Sheng Li nodded and looked at his sister. "Crown Prince, I want to play a game of shooting with you. Do not take it as a challenge. It is just I always want to have my favorite game with a person powerful than me," Lu Qifeng explained.
Sheng Li shifted his gaze back to Lu Qifeng and said, "Pardon me, but I am not available today. Maybe tomorrow, Prince Lu."
"Anytime will be suitable for me, your highness," Lu Qifeng asserted.
Sheng Li nodded. "We have some work, so we will take our leave," Sheng Li stated. He looked at Ying Lili and went inside the hallway to the chamber of Sheng Li.
"It seems the Crown Princess has adjusted herself fully in the Palace. I still wonder how she could be with the Crown Prince?" Lu Qifeng stated and looked at Qi Jing who confusedly peered at him.
"Brother Sheng is good to Sister Lili, Prince Qifeng. Most importantly, Sister Lili changed my brother a lot," Qi Jing affirmed.
"I know the Crown Princess a little," Lu Qifeng stated, which aroused curiosity in Qi Jing.
"I mean I have seen her highness in my teenage days. Let's go ahead, Miss Qi," Lu Qifeng stated who nodded, and they resumed their tour of the remaining part of the Palace.