SFS Chapter 1395 Let go
Chapter 1395 Let go
Lin Yiwan's heart tightened, and she held her breath, waiting for her father to continue. She knew that her father's words were a sign that he was relenting.
Xiao Li stood up, walked to her, and personally helped her up. He looked at his daughter's reddened eyes, reached out and wiped away the tears from the corners of her eyes, his tone carrying a hint of admonition, yet full of doting: "I grant permission."
Those three simple words instantly brought tears to Lin Yiwan's eyes. Fighting back her tears, she choked out, "Your Majesty is wise! On behalf of the people of Lingnan, I thank Your Majesty for your boundless grace!"
"Don't rush to thank me." Xiao Li raised his hand and gently stroked the tip of her nose, his tone somewhat serious.
He frowned and said, "Although I have granted the Dream Chancellor great power, I have also set rules for him. If within three years he can ensure that the people of Lingnan are well-fed and clothed, that more than half of the wasteland has been reclaimed, and that water conservancy projects have been completed in the prefectures and counties, I will pardon his crimes, summon him back to the capital, and reinstate him to his original position. But if he fails to do so, or dares to abuse his power for personal gain, I will not let him off lightly! At that time, you, as his guarantor, will not be able to escape unscathed either."
Lin Yiwan nodded hurriedly, her tears still wet on her face, but a smile had already appeared on her face: "Your subject will definitely convey Father Emperor's words to Prime Minister Meng without missing a single word!"
Seeing her tears of joy, Xiao Li suddenly smiled. He pointed to the Lingnan side dishes on the table and said, "Alright, stop crying. I'm very satisfied with this meal. Now that your wish has been fulfilled, will you have some more with me?"
Lin Yiwan burst into laughter through her tears and nodded hastily, "Your subject obeys the decree."
She picked up her silver chopsticks again, placed a piece of lychee meat on Xiao Li's plate, and then a fish ball on his plate. She said softly, "Father, try this fish ball. The mud carp from Lingnan is the freshest and most tender. Once Prime Minister Meng settles down in Lingnan, he will surely be able to ensure that the people can eat such delicious fish every day."
As Xiao Li bit into the fish ball, the delicious flavor filled his mouth, and the pent-up frustration in his heart vanished without a trace. Looking at his smiling daughter before him, he suddenly felt that entrusting Lingnan to Meng Xiang might truly have been the right decision.
As night deepened, the candlelight in the imperial study remained bright. Father and daughter sat facing each other, savoring local Lingnan delicacies and discussing the future of Lingnan. Outside the window, the moonlight shone like water, spilling onto the palace walls and illuminating the peaceful night.
Lin Yiwan knew that her words tonight not only gave Meng Xiang the confidence to redeem himself, but also secured a hopeful future for hundreds of thousands of people in Lingnan.
However, she also knew that the road ahead was long and arduous, and that Meng Xiang would inevitably encounter countless difficulties and obstacles on his way to Lingnan. If she stayed in the capital, she would also be destined to be involved in even more storms and upheavals.
She looked up at the bright moon outside the window, a complex emotion flashing in her eyes.
No matter how many hardships lie ahead, she will stay by Mengxiang's side and her father's side, together protecting this land and its people.
After all, national peace and prosperity are her greatest wishes.
The next day, Xiao Li issued an imperial edict demoting Meng Xiang to a post in Lingnan and ordering him to achieve results within three years, or else he would be punished.
Upon hearing the news, Meng Xiang and his wife wept with joy.
The two knelt on the ground and cried out, "Thank you for your forgiveness, Your Majesty!"
They knew very well that they were able to survive thanks to Lin Yiwan.
Both of them were extremely grateful to her.
Xiao Li invited Meng Xiang to the Imperial Study. With a complicated expression, he said, "Do you know that this is the first time in my life that I have eaten a meal cooked by my daughter, and it was all for you!"
Meng Xiang looked at him in astonishment: "This humble subject is terrified and does not understand the meaning of Your Majesty's words!"
Xiao Li tossed a copy of the Lingnan Gazetteer in front of him: "Wanwan had already planned how to plead for you. She even personally prepared local Lingnan delicacies and delivered them to me!"
Meng Xiang held the Lingnan Gazetteer in his hands, his fingertips trembling slightly as he ran his fingers over the yellowed pages.
The smoke of ambergris wafted through the imperial study. Xiao Li's words, "For you," struck him like a hammer blow, leaving him stunned for a long time.
He originally thought that the emperor had suddenly realized his mistake and, considering his achievements over the course of his life, was willing to make an exception for him.
But to everyone's surprise, this glimmer of hope was earned by Lin Yiwan of the Marquis of Zhanyi's mansion.
How can a noble lady subtly learn about the customs and products of Lingnan, personally cook Lingnan dishes that even the imperial chefs might not be proficient in, and explain the pros and cons in front of the emperor so clearly that the emperor is willing to give in?
Meng Xiang dared not think too deeply, only feeling a lump in his throat. When he bowed and kowtowed, his voice was somewhat hoarse: "Your Majesty's great kindness is something this sinful subject can never repay even with ten thousand deaths."
Seeing his expression, Xiao Li waved his hand, his tone carrying an ambiguous meaning: "You don't need to thank me. If you want to thank someone, thank Yi Wan. Last night, she stayed with me in the Imperial Study until the third watch, explaining the mountains, rivers, geography, and hardships of the people of Lingnan in great detail. The way she spoke made me feel as if I had actually been to Lingnan."
Meng Xiang was deeply shaken. He kowtowed three times before getting up to take his leave.
After leaving the palace gates, the carriage sped along, with Meng Xiang and his wife heading straight for the Marquis of Zhanyi's residence.
The wind lifted a corner of the carriage curtain, passing over the bustling street scene of the capital, but Meng Xiang had no mind to look closely. He only clutched the black jade thumb ring that he had prepared in advance in his sleeve.
Upon seeing him at the vermilion gate of the Marquis of Zhanyi's residence, the gatekeeper hurriedly went to announce his arrival.
Meng Xiang raised his hand to stop them, saying only, "Please inform Marquis Zhanyi and his wife that Meng Mou and his wife have come to bid farewell!"
Before long, Lin Yiwan and Zhan Yan arrived together.
Today she wore a dark blue jacket embroidered with gold-embroidered peonies, paired with a moon-white silk skirt. A red-gold hairpin with kingfisher feathers swayed gently as she walked, exuding both the dignified elegance of a marquis's wife and a refined gentleness.
Upon seeing Meng Xiang standing by the door, Lin Yiwan nodded slightly, her voice soft yet authoritative: "Greetings, Meng Xiang!"
Meng Lianxiang quickly stepped aside, not daring to accept even the slightest bit of her courtesy.
He looked at the Lady Hou before him, his eyes filled with gratitude and emotion, as well as a touch of indescribable guilt.
He, a high-ranking prime minister, ended up having to rely on a younger mistress to protect him. This favor was heavier than a thousand pounds.
Meng Xiang composed himself and said bitterly, "From now on, there will be no more Meng Xiang in the capital. I can no longer accept your and the Marquis's courtesy!"
As soon as he finished speaking, he took out the black jade thumb ring from his sleeve and handed it to Zhan Yan. "This is my token. I am giving it to Marquis Zhan Yi today. I have many disciples in the court. If you and your wife encounter any difficulties in the future, it may be of use!"
Zhan Yan lowered his eyes to look at the thumb ring. The black jade was smooth and lustrous, with an elegant orchid engraved on it. It was clearly a priceless heirloom.
He raised his hand slightly, his voice low and strained: "You flatter me, sir. Wanwan and I have only done our humble best and dare not accept such a generous gift."
Meng Xiang's tone was somewhat stubborn, and his eyes were earnest. "Your Excellency must accept it. If it weren't for Madam's intervention with the Emperor, my wife and I would probably be beheaded today. How could we go to Lingnan to atone for our crimes? We will never forget this kindness and favor."