TFSRITA Chapter 97

Yan Qing only learned at this moment that the Empress Dowager had passed away long ago. Ji Yechen couldn’t even be bothered to hold a funeral or go into mourning, so he simply suppressed the news.

In early June, Yan Jing got married, though the wedding was held quietly, with only close friends and family attending.

After the wedding, Song Yu left to take up his post as governor again. Reportedly, his father had given him a strict order: he couldn’t return until he transformed the city into a prosperous one.

Song Yu’s father understood his son well, knowing exactly what he enjoyed. This request struck right at the heart of his ambitions.

Though Song Yu felt a pang of regret, his spirits were generally high.

Not long after Song Yu left, in late June, the rainy season arrived early. It rained for nearly half a month in Chang’an, and the Wu Ling River experienced sudden, torrential downpours, causing the river to rise rapidly.

Everyone nearby grew fearful; those who could move had already left, and those who couldn’t begin packing their belongings and placing them high up, hoping they would survive the floodwaters.

But they waited and waited…

And still, no floodwaters came.

The ministers were dumbfounded. “What?! Planting trees worked? Just digging a canal managed to stop the flood?”

On the court, Ji Yechen deployed numerous people to monitor the Wu Ling River and its surrounding areas closely. Reports trickled in over time.

“The river is rising! But the water is flowing through the canals!”

“Report! The river has followed the canal to Huai’an City!”

“Report! Around the Wu Ling River, only the areas within ten miles have been affected; the rest remain unscathed.”

“Report! The trees we planted held back the river and prevented much sediment from washing away; the water is still relatively clear!”

One triumph after another came in, and Ji Yechen sat calmly on his throne, smirking at the flustered ministers.

“Well, my loyal subjects, what do you say?” Ji Yechen’s voice resonated through the golden hall.

The officials, standing until their legs ached, could only swallow their pride.

Those who had previously opposed the measures most fiercely were now feeling the sting of their own words.

Prime Minister Yan looked down, his eyes filled with satisfaction.

He had always known his daughter’s capabilities; just a look at the previous decrees made it clear she wasn’t playing games. His daughter would never disregard the lives of the people.

Of course, Prime Minister Yan would never admit that during the rainy season, he barely slept, only finally resting peacefully after learning about the situation yesterday.

After the rainy season, the Wu Ling River’s water levels started to drop. The canals directed the river far to both sides and with no concrete roads, the water quickly seeped into the soil. As soon as the rain stopped, the threat receded immediately.

With this success, Yan Qing’s reputation soared throughout the Great Qian.

People praised her not only for saving countless lives in this single event but also for the decrees she had implemented long ago that had previously been misunderstood. Her reputation was fully restored.

When Ji Yechen issued the decree for their wedding to be held on the auspicious day of the second day of September, there wasn’t a single objection. Everyone offered their congratulations.

Yan Qing returned to her father’s home to await her marriage!

On the Emperor’s joyous day, people across the nation celebrated spontaneously.

The entire city of Chang’an was awash in red, as lively as a New Year celebration.

Especially at the Prime Minister’s residence, where many citizens came by, bringing chickens, ducks, and various produce to express gratitude to Yan Qing for the policies that had improved their lives.

The offerings were of excellent quality—fresh, even better than what one could buy—but the Yan family dared not use them for the day’s banquet, which included ministers both at noon at the Yan residence and in the evening at the palace. To avoid waste, the Yan family distributed the goods to poor families or beggars.

On the wedding day, the Yan household bustled from morning onward, and Yan Qing found herself experiencing marriage for the first time—no less than the most extravagant, lavish wedding possible, and she found it all quite novel.

Marriage wasn’t something Yan Qing desired, but perhaps she was no longer driven by goals, or at least not by ones that involved others. To influence the court, she had to be with Ji Yechen.

So when Ji Yechen proposed marriage, she didn’t refuse.

She was in rather good spirits, sitting in the bridal chambers, her surroundings awash in red.

Old friends from her past life arrived—young ladies, all dear to her. However, after nearly a year of no contact and with her changed status, their conversations held a hint of awkwardness. Before long, they all left but each left her a gift.

The last time she had entered the palace was so sudden, and it wasn’t for marriage, so no one had come to adorn her.

Now, she was formally becoming Empress, and even if it was only ceremonial, she still had a lavish dowry procession spanning ten miles, stirring envy.

Before the auspicious hour arrived, everyone was just chatting and drinking.

In the bridal chamber, Zhu Yin ushered everyone else out and remained.

Yan Qing, slightly puzzled, her face uncharacteristically flushed, watched curiously as Zhu Yin pulled out a familiar notebook with its seal still intact.

“Your Highness, you once said you’d give this to Lord Song. But now… should it go to His Majesty?”

Yan Qing suddenly remembered and lightly patted her forehead, pouting. “I nearly forgot about that.”

She looked at it with a touch of regret.

Zhu Yin smiled and asked again, “So, would you like to give it to His Majesty?”

Yan Qing shook her head. “No, give it to me. Bring a brazier.”

“Yes, ma’am.” Zhu Yin did as instructed.

Yan Qing tore open the notebook, glancing at the neat, delicate handwriting. She shook her head, slightly helpless, and burned each page in the brazier, watching them turn to ash.