Chapter 240 - My Admiration
Nianzu analyzed whatever Crown Princess put forward. Indeed, they did not want them to turn into their enemies, instead; they needed to make sure that the appointed officials themselves understood their responsibility towards the Empire.
"What does the Crown Princess think we should do?" Nianzu queried her.
"We can reduce their salaries and increase the taxes for them, as they are the ones who exploited our people. The severity of this punishment will be decided based on their ranks, and a close check will be kept on them by a special group of officers," Ying Lili pronounced.
"That special group will be directly responsible to the Governor, that's the First Prince and the Crown Prince," Ying Lili affirmed.
Sheng Li and Jian Guozhi looked at each other. "Then, we two will be responsible directly to the Emperor and the Advisor," Sheng Li proclaimed.
"Indeed! I think this would be better. Suspending the officials will not bring any good instead we need to make them realize that what they did was wrong so that future officers will take a lesson from this," Ying Lili asserted.
The three princes agreed with the Crown Princess. Chuntao observed that despite being a woman, the Crown Princess understood the people as if they were her own child!
"Miss Chuntao," Ying Lili softly called the name of Chuntao who came out of her thoughts.
She lowered her eyes immediately. "Yes, your highness?"
"Could you please tell me what wrong do you think officers do with the people? Be truthful, as we have to formulate the plan, accordingly," Ying Lili pronounced.
"Your highness, the landlords exploit the people mostly because of their increased interest rates. People being illiterate cannot understand that. Then we are forced to become their slave and young women even forced into…" Chuntao stopped speaking.
"What happened, Miss?" Ying Lili asked.
Nianzu took the lead and said, "Crown Princess, young women are mostly taken as entertainers."
Ying Lili nodded. "So, the next thing we need to work on is ending the abusive powers of landlords," Ying Lili asserted.
"Lili, we cannot limit their powers as the landlords mostly contribute to the revenue to the Empire after the trade. And, ministers are going to oppose this," Sheng Li proclaimed.
"The Crown Prince is absolutely right. The ministers and the bureaucrats might even think that the Crown Princess is trying to topple the monarchy," Jian Guozhi stated.
"But we cannot let the landlords ill-treat the people," proclaimed Ying Lili. Frowns appeared on her forehead.
"We are here, so that will not happen. We put forward this matter in court. The suggestions given by you are excellent and I think his majesty will agree to them as well," stated Sheng Li and looked at Nianzu. Before Sheng Li could speak, a maidservant came there to inform the Crown Prince about the visit of General Wang.
"I think something urgent has come up. I will see you both in the Chamber of Virtue," Sheng Li told the First and the Fourth Prince as he stood up from the chair. Seeing him standing up, they all also stood up from their respective chairs.
Shifting his gaze back to Ying Lili, Sheng Li said, "Go to my chamber. I will see you there, later."
Ying Lili nodded her head. Sheng Li turned and walked out from there. Nianzu looked at Chuntao who was curiously looking at the Crown Princess. "Miss, do you want to say something to the Crown Princess?" Nianzu asked.
Ying Lili looked at Chuntao and told her to speak whatever she had in her mind. "The Crown Princess is a thoughtful woman. We are happy to have a Crown Princess like you. Being a village girl, I had only heard how intelligent and generous the Crown Princess is, but today, I witnessed this. Thank you, your highness, for thinking about the commoners," Chuntao expressed her gratitude, and she bowed.
Ying Lili passed a tiny smile to her. "It is the duty of mine to think about the people of Han."
"First Brother, I will see you in the Chamber of Virtue. It was a nice meeting," Nianzu said and took his leave while Chuntao followed him.
Ying Lili looked at Jian Guozhi who told her that he would arrange a palanquin for her. "That is not needed, Brother Jian," Ying Lili stated. There was an awkwardness between them when Ying Lili further said, "Brother Jian, I had never talked with you about this matter. But, I think I should." Jian Guozhi with an inquisitiveness looked at the Crown Princess.
"I know you wanted to marry me. I do not know why you admire me, but I think you should not anymore. I am the woman of the Crown Prince. All the six brothers of the Crown Prince are also my brothers. Today, you saved me, for which I am grateful to you. I want to request you not to do this anymore," Ying Lili straightforwardly told Jian Guozhi.
"I shall take my leave," the Crown Princess turned to go when Jian Guozhi stopped her.
"Crown Princess, I do not think my admiration for you will end. I am aware of the fact that you are the woman of the Crown Prince, but that has nothing to do with my feelings. Because of these feelings, I decided to change my path." Ying Lili's eyes grew slightly bigger upon hearing the words of the First Prince. She turned towards him and asked him to clarify his words.
"Sheng Li and my relationship as brothers is not good. I abused him as a child, but there was a reason for that. I wish I could tell you further things, but I do not want to. Crown Princess, I give you a promise that if ever you need my help, I will help you. Though I know that such a day will never come still if you feel stuck you can come to me for help." Ying Lili was going to speak when Jian Guozhi said, "It is my admiration towards the Crown Princess that I want to keep within my heart. Sheng Li has changed after marrying the Crown Princess. It feels good seeing him happy. I shall take my leave."
Jian Guozhi walked past Ying Lili, leaving her in confusion.