Great, it's just a lackey, we're saved!

Chapter 205 The Great Court Meeting!

The next day.

During the grand court assembly at Fengxian Hall, civil and military officials stood solemnly and performed the kowtow ceremony!

Imperial Noble Consort Bai Xiaoxiao sat calmly and composed on the dragon throne.

Jiang Yueli, dressed in the full crown of the Princess Protector of the Nation, stood beside the Crown Prince, their positions almost identical.

The Crown Prince's face was filled with confidence. After slowly rising, he whispered to the Princess, "Elder sister, you have overstepped your bounds."

The princess ignored him and simply shook the lower part of her imperial robes.

The twelve symbols above silently demonstrate the status of the eldest princess's title of protector of the country!

The crown prince was somewhat annoyed, but due to the occasion, he could not say much and could only remain silent.

The Imperial Noble Consort, high above, took in everything, a barely perceptible smile on her face.

After everyone had completed the grand court assembly rituals under the guidance of the chief eunuch, Bai Xiaoxiao finally spoke.

"The monthly grand court assembly has coincided with my regency. I did not wish for you all to perform the kowtow ceremony, but the ceremony cannot be abandoned, so I can only trouble you all."

The civil officials, including Chen Wenyu, looked displeased. Bai Xiaoxiao's words were far too blatant and unpleasant to hear.

He was the first to step forward and report on state affairs, and other officials followed suit, making the court extremely lively.

Finally, Wang Shu, the Prefect of the Capital, bowed and said, "Reporting to the Imperial Noble Consort, the snow disaster in the capital has been brought under control in the past few days, and no one has died of cold or hunger within seven days."

Upon hearing this, the Imperial Noble Consort chuckled and said, "Lord Wang, this is your duty. Are you trying to curry favor with me by reporting this?"

Wang Shu cursed inwardly, "You bastard!"

It was Bai Xiaoxiao who said before that if any more people in the capital were to freeze or starve to death, it would be Wang Shu's fault.

Now that he has reported the truth, he is accused of seeking credit?

This woman is truly unpredictable and hard to fathom.

"Your subject dares not. Your subject is merely fulfilling his duty and reporting the truth."

Bai Xiaoxiao nodded, then changed the subject: "Lord Wang has indeed made contributions under his rule, but these contributions are actually due to the legacy of others."

Upon hearing this, everyone felt a chill run down their spines, knowing that the main event of the day was about to begin!

Wang Shu, being very self-aware, immediately said, "What the Imperial Noble Consort says is true. I have only benefited from the Goddess's kindness. If it weren't for the Goddess providing sufficient charcoal and food, I'm afraid the snow disaster in the capital would have continued."

After saying this, Wang Shu prepared to leave the stage happily, leaving the stage to the Crown Prince and Mei Xingyue.

Unexpectedly, Bai Xiaoxiao asked, "Oh? Lord Wang's words are quite interesting. Does Lord Wang mean that the Goddess has completely solved the snow disaster problem?"

Wang Shu cursed inwardly again. When did he ever say such a thing?

It was clearly Bai Xiaoxiao who deliberately misinterpreted the situation!

"Imperial Noble Consort, I did not say that. I dare not make any comments on the seven-day period between the Imperial Noble Consort and the Goddess."

A hint of disdain flashed in Bai Xiaoxiao's eyes as she waved her hand, signaling Wang Shu to step back.

Wang Shu stepped aside and secretly breathed a sigh of relief.

He hadn't received any hints from the Eldest Princess yet, and he absolutely couldn't let the Imperial Noble Consort use him as a vanguard now.

The Crown Prince was already impatient. After Wang Shu withdrew, he stepped forward and said, "Imperial Consort, seven days ago, you said that if the Goddess could solve the snow disaster, it would be an auspicious omen from heaven to help the Crown Prince. The sign of Mars guarding the star has nothing to do with me."

"Now that the seven-day period has ended, the Prefect of the Capital has also said that thanks to the charcoal and food provided by the goddess Mei Xingyue, no one in the capital has died of cold or hunger."

"Xingyue even set up a soup kitchen in the south of the city, benefiting the people in the name of the Eastern Palace, saving countless refugees, and doing immeasurable good deeds."

"May I ask, Your Highness, since the goddess has fulfilled her promise, will Your Highness also keep your promise?"

After the Crown Prince finished speaking, he looked intently at Bai Xiaoxiao, with an air of absolute certainty.

Bai Xiaoxiao still maintained her elegant and refined appearance.

Looking around, she asked her officials, "Do you all think that I have lost this seven-day agreement?"

The civil officials, led by Chen Wenyu, did not respond, and the military officials, led by Qian Tao, also made no move.

The imperial court was completely silent!

Seeing this, Bai Xiaoxiao was not angry; it didn't matter if the court officials were unwilling to cooperate with her.

Anyway, she already knew that she might be putting on a one-woman show today.

"Enough. Since you all remain silent, it means you have doubts. Let Mei Xingyue enter the palace first!"

The chief eunuch immediately announced loudly that Mei Xingyue should enter the palace.

Mei Xingyue, dressed in plain white, sat in a wheelchair and was slowly pushed into the hall by a young eunuch.

As Mei Xingyue passed Zhou Wei at the end of the line, she gave a disdainful smile.

What can a lowly servant do, just because she's arrogant because of the Princess?

He was just a nobody at the back of the line, unlike himself, who was the center of attention.

Even the Imperial Noble Consort had to treat her with utmost respect and invite her in!

Feeling Mei Xingyue's gaze, Zhou Wei was speechless. She was about to die and was still showing off.

I really don't know how someone like Mei Xingyue became the leading lady of destiny?

However, Zhou Wei also noticed something was wrong: why wasn't Yuanxing there?

I learned from Wang the rich man that Jiang Nianxing was seriously injured, but Yuanxing was perfectly fine. How could he be absent from such a crucial court assembly!

Without thinking twice, Zhou Wei immediately gave a look to the embroidered messenger on duty outside the door.

The junior officer moved in front of Zhou Wei in an instant.

"Aunt Zhou, what do you need me for?"

The centurion was under Qiu Ming's command. Qiu Ming, the commander of the Embroidered Robe, also had to attend the grand court assembly, so he specifically instructed him to be alert during the assembly and to be ready to follow Zhou Wei's orders at any time.

"Send two people to keep an eye on the Eastern Palace. If there's any unusual activity..."

Baihu listened attentively, but Zhou Wei didn't say anything more for a long time.

Unable to resist asking, "Aunt Zhou, there's something unusual going on. What should we do?"

Zhou Wei's expression was serious: "If there is any unusual movement, stop it immediately."

The centurion nodded and disappeared outside the Fengxian Hall in the blink of an eye.

In the imperial court, Mei Xingyue had already completed the kowtow ceremony. The Crown Prince picked her up again and placed her in the wheelchair, causing all the officials to frown.

Mei Xingyue thoroughly enjoyed this treatment; the more displeased the officials were, the more pleased she became!

So what if he's the Crown Prince?

Isn't that why they treat me so well?

The Crown Prince, whom everyone fears and respects, is nothing more than a subject under my, Mei Xingyue's, skirts!

Bai Xiaoxiao coughed lightly, interrupting Mei Xingyue's daydreaming.

"Goddess, just now I asked all the ministers whether I or the Crown Prince won the seven-day agreement, and no one dared to answer."

"Now that you're here, tell me, who really won?"

Mei Xingyue held onto the wheelchair with both hands, feeling that she was very graceful.

She declared loudly, "Imperial Noble Consort, in my opinion, the Crown Prince has naturally won."

"This humble woman has come to assist the Crown Prince! She has brought an inexhaustible supply of charcoal and grain to the Great Zhou to relieve the Great Zhou's snow disaster."

"The Imperial Noble Consort did not trust the commoner and made an agreement with the Crown Prince within seven days to depose and establish the heir apparent."

"Now that the people of the capital are no longer starving and freezing thanks to the charcoal and food provided by the commoner, it seems that the Crown Prince and the commoner have won."

"What does the Imperial Noble Consort think?"

Mei Xingyue spoke gently, but in reality, she was questioning Bai Xiaoxiao, who remained unperturbed.

He merely glanced out of the hall, as if waiting for something.

Time passed slowly, until the officials began to whisper among themselves, when suddenly a commander in embroidered robes hurriedly entered the hall.

He knelt and reported: "Your Highness, a peasant uprising has broken out in the capital!"

"A mob, assembled in large numbers and armed with weapons, marched toward the palace, chanting slogans..."

As the commander of the embroidered robes spoke, his gaze fell upon Mei Xingyue and the Crown Prince.

Both of them shuddered simultaneously, sensing something was wrong, and sure enough, the embroidered-robed commander continued:

The refugees shouted: "Slay the goddess! Cut down injustice! We want food! We want to live!"

The embroidered-robed envoy spoke clearly and forcefully, his words echoing throughout the Fengtian Hall, causing all the civil and military officials to change color upon hearing them.

Before Bai Xiaoxiao could respond, Mei Xingyue spoke up first to refute.

"Impossible! The food and charcoal I supplied are enough for more than a month, and it hasn't even been seven days yet, how could there be a shortage?"

The embroidered messenger knelt on the ground without saying a word, and Mei Xingyue's face immediately turned angry.

How dare a mere Embroidered Robe Envoy ignore me?

That vile woman! Once I become the Crown Princess, I will cut off her limbs to vent my anger.

Bai Xiaoxiao was very satisfied with the Embroidered Robe Envoy's reaction and raised her hand to let him up.

"You heard what the goddess said, did the refugees really riot?"

The Embroidered-Robe Envoy cupped his hands and said, "This matter is absolutely true, and I would never dare to speak nonsense. The peasant uprising is heading towards the palace. How should we deal with it? I humbly request the Imperial Noble Consort's instructions."

Chen Wenyu and other civil officials were somewhat nervous. How dare this mob storm the palace?

The most urgent task is not to depose the crown prince, but to quell the rebellion, right?

But the Imperial Noble Consort seemed completely unconcerned, and Chen Wenyu swallowed the words that were on the tip of his tongue.

Bai Xiaoxiao looked at Luo Maocheng, the Minister of Revenue: "Lord Luo, I remember that the charcoal and grain supplied by the goddess were all delivered to your Ministry of Revenue."

"The goddess said that the charcoal and food were enough for the people to last a month, so how come there is not a single grain of rice left in less than seven days, which has caused a riot among the refugees?"

"Lord Luo, in my opinion, you must take responsibility for this."

Luo Maocheng suddenly looked up at Bai Xiaoxiao, his face flushed red.

The Imperial Noble Consort actually wanted to put such a big hat on his head?

Luo Maocheng couldn't bear such an injustice and knelt down in front of Bai Xiaoxiao with a thud.

"Your Highness, this matter has nothing to do with my Ministry of Revenue!"

The crown prince's heart tightened, and he coughed lightly, trying to shut Luo Maocheng up, but Luo Maocheng was no fool.

How could he not understand the current situation?

Bai Xiaoxiao seemed oblivious to their subtle interaction and asked with a puzzled expression, "What do you mean by that, Lord Luo?"

“Imperial Noble Consort, it was indeed said at the court meeting that the food and charcoal provided by the goddess would be handed over to the Ministry of Revenue for arrangement,” Luo Maocheng spoke very quickly, afraid that if he spoke too slowly, he would be blamed. “But later, someone from the Eastern Palace came and said that it was the Crown Prince’s decree that only one-tenth of the charcoal and food should be handed over to the Ministry of Revenue, and the rest should be disposed of by the Eastern Palace itself.”

The officials had heard some of what Luo Maocheng said before, so they were not surprised.

Bai Xiaoxiao, however, acted as if she had never heard of such a thing before, exclaiming in shock, "Is that really true?"

Zhou Wei almost burst out laughing when she saw her like that.

This Imperial Noble Consort's acting skills are mediocre!

Luo Maocheng nodded emphatically, "That is indeed true, Your Highness!"

Bai Xiaoxiao said "oh" and looked at the Crown Prince.

"Your Highness, is what Lord Luo said true?"

The Crown Prince had no way to defend himself; the records of the handover between the Ministry of Revenue and the Eastern Palace were complete, making it impossible for him to deny it even if he wanted to.

"Yes... what Lord Luo said is true..." the Crown Prince said, "It was indeed my order."

Bai Xiaoxiao still looked puzzled, like a naive young girl.

"In that case, Lord Luo, where did you use that ten percent of grain and charcoal?"

Luo Maocheng truthfully replied, "Your Highness, the grain and charcoal received by the Ministry of Revenue have been distributed to the officials in the capital, and there is still a shortage. In order to be fair, I have come up with a way to purchase them at high prices on the market to make up for the shortfall."

"The Ministry of Revenue has detailed accounts for everything. If the Imperial Noble Consort wishes to see them, I will have them sent over immediately."

Bai Xiaoxiao waved her hand, "Lord Luo, there's no need for that. His Majesty trusts you greatly, so why would I question you? We don't need the account book."

Luo Maocheng breathed a sigh of relief, but inwardly he grumbled.

Is this what you call not questioning?

This woman almost got herself blamed for something terrible!

At this moment, Bai Xiaoxiao turned to the Crown Prince: "It seems that Lord Luo's one-tenth of the grain and charcoal was used in accordance with the law. So where did the nine-tenth that the Crown Prince ordered the Eastern Palace to retain go?"

The crown prince felt somewhat uncomfortable upon hearing this.

He felt that something was off about Bai Xiaoxiao's question; all the food and charcoal were clearly provided by Mei Xingyue.

How come in Bai Xiaoxiao's mouth, it sounds like the Crown Prince embezzled funds?

Bai Xiaoxiao's expression was calm. Of course she knew there was a problem with asking that question, but so what?

Would Mei Xingyue and the Crown Prince dare to refute this?

“Imperial Noble Consort, I meant well. I thought Lord Luo was too busy with official duties to attend to matters of benefiting the people, so I asked Xingyue to set up a soup kitchen in the south of the city to distribute food and charcoal to the disaster-stricken people.”

"Oh? If that's the case, then why did the food that should have lasted a week run out in less than seven days?" Bai Xiaoxiao pretended to ponder. "Could it be that someone embezzled it? Or perhaps..."

As she spoke, a smile appeared on her face, and she suddenly slapped the dragon throne!

"Or perhaps, someone is deceiving me! They clearly have no ability to solve the snow disaster in the capital, yet they boasted about it in front of all the civil and military officials."

"Knowing he couldn't produce enough charcoal and grain, he only gave the Ministry of Revenue one-tenth of the amount in an attempt to get away with it, all for the sake of this seven-day bet?"

"Does he think that as long as he survives the seven days and retains his position as crown prince, he can do whatever he wants?"

Bai Xiaoxiao's words, which were both hurtful and hurtful, enraged Mei Xingyue!

She immediately retorted, "How could the Imperial Noble Consort slander me like this? I did indeed provide enough charcoal and food for a month."

"Now that it has been used up in less than seven days, there must be a problem, someone is framing us."

"This humble woman begs to have the Crown Prince's chief palace maid, Peach Blossom, summoned to the palace for questioning. It must be these servants who have tampered with things behind my back!"

Bai Xiaoxiao did not refuse; on the contrary, she was very supportive.

He nodded and looked at the head eunuch beside him.

"The goddess is right. The accounts must be thoroughly investigated so that no innocent person is wronged and no guilty person is let off the hook."

"However, I must also remind you that the refugees are now rioting because they haven't received food, and this problem must be solved."

"I believe that the people have already suffered countless deaths and injuries from the blizzard, and we should not kill any more people. If we can appease the refugees, it would be best to avoid violence."

“Since the goddess says that the food and charcoal she has are inexhaustible, then give some more to the Embroidered-Robe Envoys so that they can comfort the refugees.”