Chapter 148: Prosperity
As the days passed, Daqian became more prosperous thanks to the efforts of Shen Minghui and Lin Yuxi.
On this day, a grand celebration was held in the capital to celebrate the prosperity of Daqian. The streets were decorated with lights and people were laughing and talking happily.
Shen Minghui and Lin Yuxi walked hand in hand on the street, feeling the joyful atmosphere.
"Looking at Daqian today, all the efforts are worth it." Lin Yuxi said with emotion.
Shen Minghui held Lin Yuxi's hand tightly: "As long as we work together, Daqian's future will be even better."
As they were talking, a merchant recognized the two and hurried over: "Prince, Princess, it's really you. Thanks to you two, my business is getting better and better. This is the couple's knot made by my family, and I'm giving it to you!"
"I wish that the Crown Prince and the Crown Princess will always be in love, have everlasting affection, and live happily ever after." After saying this, she smiled and presented the knot with both hands.
Shen Minghui smiled heartily, took the knot and said, "You are thoughtful. This blessing is what I like to hear."
The businessman bowed hastily and said, "It is thanks to my ancestors' good deeds that I have won the favor of the prince." Then he turned around and left.
Shen Minghui stretched out his hand to hold him, and forced a tael of silver into his hand, "You can't do this. It's not easy for you to do business. Take this silver."
The merchant was flattered and quickly declined: "Sir, I don't want you to spend money on this. This is just a small token of my appreciation."
Shen Minghui's face straightened and he said, "I know what you mean, but I can't take your things for nothing. Take it!"
Seeing Shen Minghui was determined to do so, the merchant took the silver with both hands, his eyes full of gratitude: "Your Highness is kind, I will remember it in my heart. Thank you, Your Highness, and Your Highness's Consort!"
Shen Minghui nodded with satisfaction, and continued to walk forward holding the Crown Princess's hand, saying softly as he walked: "Xixi, look at how honest these people are, I will definitely make their lives better!"
Lin Yuxi smiled slightly and replied, "My husband is kind-hearted and will definitely benefit the people."
As Shen Minghui turned to leave, he didn't know that the simple commoner he had just praised had returned to the shop and immediately put up a banner, "Prince Jing personally witnessed the knot of love, and gave silver to help the business, bringing great blessings!"
Then he stood at the door and shouted loudly: "Come and take a look. This is the love knot that Prince Jing and his wife both like. Don't miss it if you pass by!" Soon, his shop was crowded with people and his business was even more prosperous.
Shen Minghui, who knew nothing about this, continued to take Lin Yuxi shopping.
Suddenly, a child ran over and bumped into Lin Yuxi.
Shen Minghui quickly supported her: "Xixi, be careful."
The child was so scared that he started crying. Lin Yuxi squatted down and gently comforted him, "Don't cry, don't cry, good child, don't cry!"
The child's mother came and apologized repeatedly.
Lin Yuxi smiled and said, "It's okay, as long as the child is fine."
Looking at the backs of the mother and son as they left, Shen Minghui and Lin Yuxi smiled knowingly.
"Xixi, it's time for us to go back. The children are waiting for us." Shen Minghui said.
"Well, let's go." Lin Yuxi nodded.
As the sun sets, the two figures gradually fade away in the afterglow, leaving behind a warm and beautiful scene.
……
However, behind all the glory and achievements, there is always jealousy and conspiracy.
Some dignitaries with ulterior motives in the court were dissatisfied with the great achievements of Shen Minghui and Lin Yuxi. They colluded secretly and conspired with each other, trying to impeach and suppress the two by despicable means.
"Your Majesty, the Prince of Jing is too popular. I'm afraid..." The minister with ulterior motives talked recklessly, completely ignoring the momentary stagnation of the atmosphere in the hall.
The emperor sat high on the dragon throne, his face instantly dark as ink, his eyes fiercely staring at the ministers below, but he suppressed the anger in his heart that was like a volcano about to erupt, and said coldly without any expression: "Oh? I'm afraid of what? My dear minister, why don't you explain it more clearly."
The minister secretly raised his eyes to observe the emperor's expression, and said with a stiff face: "I am afraid that your achievements have overwhelmed the emperor. Now the people only know the prince of Jing, but not your majesty. If this continues, I am afraid that people's hearts will shift!"
The emperor snorted coldly and did not respond immediately. Instead, he turned to look at the other ministers and said in a deep voice: "What do you think of this, my dear ministers?"
There was a moment of silence in the court. After a while, an old minister stood up and said with a folded hand:
"Your Majesty, Prince Jing is loyal to the emperor and patriotic. His achievements are all for the prosperity of our dynasty. He has no intention of treason. What Lord Wu said is pure nonsense. Don't believe it!"
Another minister followed up and said, "Your Majesty, you are wise. Prince Jing and his wife are dedicated to the court and the welfare of the people. Everything they have done is obvious to all. If they are framed for this, it will really chill the hearts of loyal officials!"
Other ministers echoed the sentiments and spoke eloquently to protect Prince Jing.
The emperor nodded slightly, a smile appeared on his face, and he said loudly: "My dear ministers, what you said is very true. Prince Jing is loyal and I have no doubt about him."
He paused, his eyes swept over the minister who had impeached him at the beginning, "It is certain people who are narrow-minded, jealous of the meritorious officials, and attempt to frame the loyal officials with trumped-up charges."
Lord Wu was so frightened that he fell to his knees with a plop, trembling and kowtowing repeatedly, saying, "Your Majesty, please spare my life, Your Majesty, please spare my life!"
The emperor stood up, his eyes stern: "Come, take this man to jail, and punish him after finding out the truth. All his family members must be investigated thoroughly to see if he has accomplices!" The guards on both sides immediately stepped forward and dragged the minister away.
The emperor sat back on the dragon throne and said solemnly, "To prevent such incidents from happening again and to prevent ministers from making up stories and stirring up trouble, I have decided to add a new crime of defamation to the laws of this dynasty."
"For meritorious officials, no one may insult or frame them unless there is solid evidence. Otherwise, the entire clan will be held responsible!"
All the ministers shouted in unison: "Your Majesty is wise!"
The emperor waved his hand with satisfaction and said, "Everyone, please leave. I need to think carefully about how to reward Prince Jing and his wife."
After the ministers left, the emperor sat alone on the dragon throne, thinking to himself: "My brother has been well-educated. Minghui will surely become the right-hand man of me and the crown prince in the future. Those villains who want to alienate us, humph, will never succeed!"
……
What happened in the morning court soon reached the ears of Shen Minghui and Lin Yuxi.
Lin Yuxi was a little worried and said, "Husband, how about we restrain ourselves a little?"
Shen Minghui smiled and said, "Xixi, don't worry. Our emperor is not the kind of person who would hide his bow and arrows after the birds are gone. Since I dare to do it so blatantly, it means I have confidence in his emperor!"
"Don't worry, the more people dare to question me, the more His Majesty will pity me and rely on me. I guess His Majesty's appeasement will come soon!"
Lin Yuxi was somewhat skeptical. After all, there were too many examples in history of people who became too successful and frightened their masters, resulting in a bad ending!
But before she could think about it, the maid came in and reported, "Prince, Princess, Eunuch Li is here, and he has brought a lot of rewards!"
Lin Yuxi was also very happy when she saw Shen Minghui's slightly smug expression. It was their luck to meet such a Majesty, and it was also a blessing for the people of Daqian!