Accidentally dressed as an empress

Chapter 136: Rat Eating Millet

Second day

It was the perfect time of the day, the sun was shining brightly, the flags of the garrison troops fluttered in the wind, the horses' hooves clattered on the loess road, making a dull echo and raising a cloud of dust along the way.

The team moved forward slowly, their armor flashing a cold light in the sun, escorting a carriage towards the gate of Wufeng City.

A magnificent carriage sat at the center of the procession. Sunlight filtered through the clouds, illuminating the carriage's golden carvings, making them gleam with a dazzling brilliance. The curtains on the windows swayed gently, revealing a hint of mystery.

The garrison's neat and orderly formation attracted the guards on the city wall to stop and watch.

Upon hearing the news that Her Royal Highness the Crown Princess was coming in person, Xu Lian was very excited. Her Royal Highness had finally arrived, and he no longer had to worry.

"Hurry up and prepare to welcome His Highness!" Xu Lian said to her subordinates. She hurriedly changed into her official robes and a black gauze hat, and hurried out of the mansion with a warm and flattering smile on her face.

Xu Lian hurried to the city gate and waited. Her eyes were fixed on the gorgeous carriage, and she couldn't help feeling an inexplicable excitement in her heart.

As the carriage approached, Xu Lian gradually calmed down. She took a deep breath, straightened her clothes, and then stepped forward to meet it.

Behind Xu Lian, a group of officials and attendants followed closely, forming a long line.

"Her Highness the Crown Princess is honored to arrive at Wufeng City!" Xu Lian's voice was loud and clear, echoing through the empty city gate. She bowed and said respectfully, "Your humble servant, Xu Lian, pays respects to Her Highness the Crown Princess. May Your Highness be blessed with good health!"

The people knelt down and saluted, "May Your Highness be blessed with good health!"

The carriage slowly stopped, and the curtain gently lifted, revealing a beautiful and majestic face. Yunxiu, dressed in gorgeous clothes, glanced at the crowd around her calmly.

Her gaze lingered on the prefect's round, round face for a moment, and she nodded slightly. Her voice was cold and clear: "Prefect Xu, there is no need for courtesy. I am merely passing through your place and have no intention of mobilizing troops."

Xu Lian hurriedly said, "Your Highness, please come into the prefectural governor's residence. I have prepared some light wine to welcome you."

Yunxiu got off the carriage, and the horse officer led Su Da to park the carriage. Yunxiu walked on the bluestone road, looking at Xu Lian's round ball-like figure, and was worried that the stone slabs would be cracked by her.

Xu Lian led the way and took Yunxiu to the prefect's mansion, talking to her carefully all the way.

After entering the gate of the prefect's mansion and crossing the courtyard, Yunxiu came to the main hall under the guidance of Xu Lian.

After Yunxiu took her seat, Xu Lian quickly ordered someone to serve her fragrant tea, then cautiously inquired, "I wonder what brings you here, Your Highness?"

The eldest princess took a sip of the fragrant tea, slowly put down the teacup, and said, "Don't be nervous. I'm just passing through your precious place. Thank you, Governor Xu, for your kind invitation."

Xu Lian sat opposite Yunxiu, feeling nervous and excited. If she performed well this time, she might be promoted to Lingyun City.

Xu Lian took a deep breath, nodded, and said, "Please rest assured, Your Highness. I will do my best to make you feel at home."

"There's no need to be so polite, Lord Xu. Just keep things simple." Yunxiu said with a smile.

Xu Lian finally felt relieved. "Lunch is almost time, Your Highness, please move to the dining hall."

Xu Lian quickly ordered someone to serve the food.

The beautiful waiters brought out plates of delicacies, including fish lips, camel humps, monkey brains, bear paws, bird's nests, shark fins, duck jerky, deer tendons, etc.

There were even civet cats. Even civet cats, a protected species, were served.

Yunxiu looked at the table full of delicacies and her face suddenly fell. "To treat me with so many delicacies, Governor Xu has really spent a fortune. How much of the people's blood and sweat has he extorted to buy them?"

"Your Highness, why do you say that? I'm afraid I haven't treated you well enough. This Wufeng City is nothing but iron. There's nothing left to plunder."

"I've already visited Mingxiao Mountain. Those people eat worse than a dog in your prefectural mansion. The food is so watery that only water remains. They risk their lives to dig the mine. There must be a lot of people escaping from the iron mines in Mingxiao Mountain every day, right? The court asked you to manage Wufeng City and Mingxiao Mountain, and this is how you manage them?"

Yunxiu's ruthless attack stunned Xu Lian.

Xu Lian's face flushed red as he said, "Those are criminals. So what if they eat worse? I'm only giving them the punishment they deserve. Besides, there wouldn't be enough food to feed them."

Yun Xiu slammed the table when he heard this. "Nonsense! The imperial court transported 700,000 dan of grain to Xiling, and it wasn't enough? Did you embezzle it? Or did you resell it?"

"No, no, no, half of them were sent to General Lin, really. Besides, there are 5,000 defenders in Mingxiao Mountain, and they are well fed. Your humble servant, your humble servant is truly wronged."

[System, check if she has any private granaries.]

[The imperial court was transporting grain to Xiling. Xu Lian collected and stored the official grain, then secretly transported it directly into her private warehouse, using the excess to resell.]

[This huge rat actually dared to embezzle government grain. He's become so fat and plump. It seems he's made a lot of money, right?]

【Locate the private warehouse.】

[Ok, host. 】

One by one, there is no most daring, only bolder.

This sly creature. The harvest was already poor this year, and Xu Lian still cried poverty, complaining about a lack of food, and even begged the court for more. His Majesty had to tighten his belt, and Lingyun City was nearly starving to death.

Then this old Bidden, with his mouth full of grease, secretly embezzled official grain, harming the public and enriching himself! His crime deserves death!

If we don’t execute the criminals, it will not be enough to appease the public anger!

She wanted to execute Xu Lian first, and then write a memorial to the emperor, stating Xu Lian's major crimes.

[Host, you can't just kill people randomly. You need evidence.]

"Then go find evidence. Everything leaves traces." Yunxiu held her breath, having no place to vent it, and just then, this person bumped into the muzzle of the gun.

Zhong Yi walked over in a purple brocade dress, making all the servants in the room look like weeds. Zhong Yi asked gently, "What did the governor say to make His Highness so angry?"

"Your Highness has misunderstood me."

"Since it's a misunderstanding, let's just forget about it." Zhong Yi glanced at the game on the table. "Your Highness doesn't like to eat these exotic things."

Yunxiu stood up and hugged Zhong Yi, "Let's go."