"If we let them stay for free, no one would be happy. But what if we charged them rent?" Zheng Wei asked.
"Rent? Where would they get money for rent? These disaster victims are sure to claim poverty and refuse to pay. What then? Once we open the doors, it'll be hard to turn them away," Shen Xiaoyan shook her head, deeming Zheng Wei's idea unworkable.
Zheng Wei looked at Shen Xiaoyan with admiration, not sparing any praise. "Mi Mi, you are indeed sharp. You can think of these things."
"What's the use of you praising me? This is simply the truth. Let's think of a way to solve this problem," Shen Xiaoyan said, propping her head on the table, her heart filled with distress.
"Then what if... we paid their rent for them?"
"What did you say?"
Shen Xiaoyan, who was slumped over in distress, suddenly heard Zheng Wei's words and sat up with a jolt, looking at him in disbelief.
"Why is Mi Mi so surprised?" Zheng Wei asked with a faint smile.
"What did you just say? Pay their rent? How much?" Shen Xiaoyan urgently asked about the matter that concerned her, with no inclination for banter.
Seeing this, Zheng Wei no longer teased Shen Xiaoyan. "We'll have to discuss this with Bai Yonggui tomorrow. They're all from the same village, so we can't ask for too much, can we? Otherwise, people will point fingers. Don't you think so?"
Shen Xiaoyan nodded. Zheng Wei was right; it was just a matter of money, or at most, food.
"Regardless, we definitely cannot let Bai Yonggui gain a good reputation," Shen Xiaoyan declared.
"Then, how should we introduce Sima Han?" Zheng Wei asked hesitantly.
"What did you say?" Shen Xiaoyan felt she hadn't quite processed Zheng Wei's words. What did he mean?
"We want to act under Sima Han's name. But how should we introduce him?"
Shen Xiaoyan also felt a bit troubled by this. It seemed truly difficult to say.
"His identity as a prince cannot be revealed," Shen Xiaoyan said slowly, her hand on her chin.
The words seemed directed at Zheng Wei, but her gaze was unfocused, making Zheng Wei feel as though she were talking to herself. However, if it were self-talk, her voice was a bit too loud.
"I've got it!" Shen Xiaoyan suddenly sat up and exclaimed.
Zheng Wei was caught off guard and his ears buzzed from Shen Xiaoyan's cry. He frowned, rubbing his ear, and after a while, asked, "What have you thought of?"
Shen Xiaoyan said excitedly, "Since we want to help Sima Han gain prestige and return to the capital smoothly, we should win someone over."
"Who?" Zheng Wei asked, confused. Logically, if Sima Han wanted to return to the capital, his first priority would be to win over the current Emperor. After all, with just a word from the Emperor, he could return immediately. However, he was suspected by the Emperor and was the Emperor's most beloved youngest son, which was why he had been banished from the capital. Trying to win over the Emperor now would be utterly useless.
"Naturally, the Grand Emperor," Shen Xiaoyan said.
Zheng Wei was taken aback by Shen Xiaoyan's words. It seemed to be true.
"Think about it. The relationship between the Emperor and the Grand Emperor is not good, and it's getting worse. The Grand Emperor also wishes for Sima Han to return and help him oppose the Emperor. Now, there's an opportunity. If Sima Han can aid the common people before the disaster relief personnel from the court arrive, and claim it's the Grand Emperor's will, wouldn't that increase the Grand Emperor's prestige among the people? And if it reaches the Grand Emperor's ears, he'll also feel that Sima Han is on his side."
Shen Xiaoyan became more and more excited as she spoke. Why had she never realized she had a talent for court intrigue?
After Shen Xiaoyan finished speaking, Zheng Wei stared at her, stunned. It wasn't until Shen Xiaoyan snapped out of her reverie and saw Zheng Wei still gazing at her motionlessly that she felt uncomfortable. Zheng Wei then withdrew his overly fervent gaze.
"Why are you looking at me like that again?" Shen Xiaoyan asked, somewhat exasperated. Lately, Zheng Wei had been looking at her as if she were a new continent, making her feel as though something was wrong with her.
"I just feel that the longer I'm with Mi Mi, the more I discover her merits."
Everyone feels happy when praised, especially when the one praising them is their beloved. Shen Xiaoyan was no exception, so she smiled radiantly. "If I wasn't good enough, would you still like me?"
Shen Xiaoyan said it casually, but Zheng Wei replied with utmost seriousness, "No matter what Mi Mi looks like, she is my love, my most beloved."
Shen Xiaoyan stared at Zheng Wei blankly. It wasn't the first time she had heard his sweet talk, but this time, she found it exceptionally touching. They looked at each other for a long time, as if their eyes could penetrate each other's hearts.
Shen Xiaoyan finally smiled at Zheng Wei again and said, "Then, what do you think of my plan just now?"
Zheng Wei nodded. "It's excellent. However, what if the Emperor hears about this, conceals it, and has Sima Han killed to silence him?" Seeing Shen Xiaoyan stunned by his words, Zheng Wei added, "Of course, this is just a hypothetical situation."
Shen Xiaoyan sat there pondering for a long time, then suddenly smiled and said, "There won't be such a hypothetical situation."
Zheng Wei raised an eyebrow, looking at Shen Xiaoyan, waiting for her explanation. Shen Xiaoyan cut to the chase. "Have you forgotten? We still have the Grand Tutor who is of one mind with the Grand Emperor."
"Heh heh, indeed, as expected of Mi Mi, so clever," Zheng Wei chuckled. How could he have forgotten? There was still Yi Zhi Xie. Others might not be able to inform the Grand Emperor immediately, but Yi Zhi Xie certainly could.
With the matter resolved, the heavy stone in Shen Xiaoyan's heart was finally lifted.
Time flew by, and it was the next morning. Knowing that there was something to do today, Shen Xiaoyan woke up exceptionally early. She thought she had woken up early enough, but as soon as she opened her eyes, she saw Zheng Wei already sitting up. Since the three children were not yet awake, Shen Xiaoyan dared not speak, fearing she might wake them. So, she opened her mouth and mouthed, "Aren't you sleeping?"
Zheng Wei also responded in kind, mouthing, "I just woke up."
Hearing that Zheng Wei had just woken up, Shen Xiaoyan smiled at him and quietly got up to dress. By the time Shen Xiaoyan was dressed and had washed up, she returned to find the three children crawling around on the bed.
"Mi Mi, go tell Huo Fen to have Huo Si find the village chief," Zheng Wei said to Shen Xiaoyan without looking up, as he was dressing Zheng Jiang.
Shen Xiaoyan nodded, lifted the curtain, and walked out. As soon as she stepped out of the main room, she saw Huo Fen standing in the corridor. Huo Fen hurried forward upon seeing Shen Xiaoyan emerge. "Does Madam require anything?"
"Why are you standing here so early? It's cold, and if you catch a chill, it won't be good. Stay in the side room from now on. I'll call you if anything is needed," Shen Xiaoyan said, not addressing the matter at hand but first offering a warning. Huo Fen felt touched by Shen Xiaoyan's words.