Regardless of what Shen Xiaoyan was thinking, she had to admit that Zheng Wei was right.
“How much longer do you think we can stay here?” Shen Xiaoyan asked.
“I think, at most 10 days, the Grand Emperor’s decree will arrive,” Zheng Wei said.
Shen Xiaoyan was surprised.
Although she knew it would be soon, there were only 10 days left.
This caught her somewhat off guard.
“You think, with so many disaster-stricken areas, if it relies only on our small group, it’s impossible to go to each place to provide disaster relief.”
“Only when the Grand Emperor sends his trusted subordinates to take over this matter, will we, along with Sima Han, return to the capital.”
Zheng Wei’s words startled Shen Xiaoyan, but she then understood.
Since they had to leave eventually, what was the difference between leaving a few days earlier or later?
Although her heart was prepared, Shen Xiaoyan and Zheng Wei were still surprised by the Grand Emperor’s swift actions.
Just the third day after they had discussed this matter, as everyone had just finished breakfast and Sima Han and others were about to go out for more disaster relief, Huo Si rushed in in a panic.
Seeing Huo Si suddenly enter, Shen Xiaoyan and the others were all taken aback.
In the past, no matter what happened, it was always Huo Cheng who informed Huo Fen, and then Huo Fen would report it. This time, why did Huo Si himself rush in so rashly?
Huo Si saw Shen Xiaoyan and the others looking at him in surprise, and without waiting for Shen Xiaoyan to speak, he said, “There are troops outside, and an eunuch holding an imperial decree. He said, he said…”
“He said what?” Shen Xiaoyan quickly asked.
“He said that the fifth prince Sima Han is to come out and receive the decree.”
After Huo Si finished speaking, he looked at Sima Han with some bewilderment.
When did Sima Han become the fifth prince?
The current Emperor was only in his early twenties and had no princes yet. If the eunuch said fifth prince, it could only be the Grand Emperor’s son.
But why would the Grand Emperor’s son appear here?
Regardless of what Huo Si was thinking, everyone else in the room had already reacted and looked at Sima Han.
Sima Han’s expression was still calm, but in his eyes, one could see the turmoil deep within.
“Let’s go, don’t keep them waiting,” Yizixie laughed and pulled Sima Han to go outside.
Yue Qingxin stood there stunned, watching Sima Han walk further and further away. As she watched his figure, her vision slowly blurred.
“Big sister, don’t cry. Let’s hurry to the front together. You still have to receive the decree,” Shen Xiaoyan said softly, wiping Yue Qingxin’s eyes with a handkerchief.
Yue Qingxin nodded upon hearing this, and choked out, “I’m just happy for him.”
The few of them arrived at the gate together and saw the eunuch holding the imperial decree.
“The fifth prince is out? I wonder if I have disturbed the fifth prince’s rest,” Manager Jiang said, bowing and smiling as soon as he saw Sima Han.
“Of course not, sir. You have traveled hard,” Sima Han nodded indifferently.
Manager Jiang was not displeased with Sima Han’s attitude. After all, he was an old servant of the Grand Emperor and had seen Sima Han many times before. He naturally knew Sima Han’s temperament.
Even in front of the Grand Emperor, he always had a detached demeanor.
“Then please, fifth prince, receive the decree.”
Sima Han turned to look back and saw that Yue Qingxin had already come over. He then went to hold Yue Qingxin’s hand, and they knelt down together.
Seeing this, Manager Jiang nodded secretly, opened the imperial decree in his hand, and read:
“Grand Emperor’s Imperial Decree: Fifth Prince Sima Han, for his effective disaster relief during the flood and snow disaster in Honghe Prefecture, he is permitted to return to the imperial capital and have his status as fifth prince restored.”
As Sima Han listened to every word of the imperial decree, his heart remained calm.
“Fifth Prince, please rise quickly. The Grand Emperor has been eagerly awaiting your return. Although the fifth prince has meritorious service in disaster relief this time, the Grand Emperor still needs the Emperor’s consent for the prince to return. The Emperor’s final condition is to ask the fifth prince to hand over the disaster relief supplies he has and continue the relief efforts.”
After listening to Manager Jiang’s words, Sima Han smiled, “The matter of disaster relief will naturally continue. This request from the Emperor is rather redundant.”
“May I ask, sir, has the Grand Emperor sent anyone to take over the disaster relief this time?”
Upon hearing Sima Han’s question, a hint of admiration quickly flashed in Manager Jiang’s eyes. He was indeed the Grand Emperor’s favorite son; his thoughts were just like the Grand Emperor’s.
“That is natural,” Manager Jiang said, then shifted his body slightly, and smilingly introduced Sima Han, “This is Marshal Li. This time, he will be taking over the disaster relief affairs from the fifth prince…”
“I say, Manager Jiang, what you said is not quite right.”
Before Manager Jiang could finish speaking, someone beside him impatiently interrupted him.
Shen Xiaoyan and the others looked at the person who spoke and saw a marshal in armor, about 40 years old.
Manager Jiang smiled slightly at this person and leaned forward slightly, saying, “Marshal Wu, do you have any objections?”
Wu Kuang sneered and said, “Before coming here, this marshal had already received the Emperor’s instructions to ensure that the fifth prince’s disaster relief efforts continue.”
“Then Marshal, you need not worry. The disaster relief will be handed over to Marshal Li. Marshal Wu, what else are you concerned about? After all, Marshal Li has fought alongside the former Emperor. How could he not handle such a small matter well? Marshal Wu, wouldn’t you agree?”
Manager Jiang finished speaking, looking at Wu Kuang with a smile that didn't reach his eyes, waiting for his reply.
Wu Kuang was originally a crude man and did not delve into deeper meanings when listening to others speak.
Therefore, he truly believed that the Emperor had spoken with him for half a day specifically to ensure that the disaster relief efforts continued.
Thus, the Emperor’s standing in his heart suddenly rose.
Hearing Manager Jiang’s assurance now, and considering that he was a person of the Grand Emperor, he could not easily offend him, so he said no more.
“In that case, this marshal will not disturb you. This general still has to go and see Grand Princess Zande.”
With that, Wu Kuang bowed to Sima Han and led his entourage of long soldiers, leaving in a haphazard manner.
Shen Xiaoyan watched the departing figure of this person, and for a moment, she didn’t know what to say.
Should she say that this person was very upright?
Well, she actually wanted to say he was foolish.
If the Emperor knew about this, she wondered if he would directly chop off his head.
However, Shen Xiaoyan then shook her head. That was unlikely.
It was originally his own lack of clarity, and Wu Kuang misunderstood. One couldn’t blame him, right?
“Please, sir, come inside. It’s too cold outside,” Yizixie said with a smile, walking forward to Manager Jiang.
When Manager Jiang heard the voice, it sounded somewhat familiar. When he looked at the person in front of him, he was even more incredulous.
“Is… is it the Grand Tutor?”
As a confidant of the Grand Emperor, having been by his side for so many years, he had naturally seen Yizixie.
Because he had seen him, he found it even more unbelievable.
When he first met Sima Han with the Grand Emperor, the Grand Emperor was only in his twenties, and Sima Han looked just like this.
Later, more than twenty years passed, the Grand Emperor grew old day by day, but every time he saw Yizixie, he remained the same.
And several years have passed, unexpectedly, Yizixie still hasn’t changed at all.
As expected of the Grand Tutor, he was indeed favored by heaven and a capable person.
“It’s me, Manager Jiang. It’s been a long time. You’ve put on weight,” Yizixie said with a smile.
Hearing this, Manager Jiang felt a sting in his nose, and his eyes turned red.
“Alas, this servant is old and cannot compare to the Grand Tutor. Decades have passed, and you are still the same as before.”
The attitude of Manager Jiang towards Yizixie greatly astonished Shen Xiaoyan and the others.
Compared to his attitude towards Wu Kuang just now, the difference was worlds apart.
If it was because Wu Kuang was a subordinate, then compare him to Sima Han.
Even though Sima Han was the Grand Emperor’s son and was highly favored by the Grand Emperor, Manager Jiang’s attitude towards Sima Han was merely respectful.
And looking at his attitude towards Yizixie, it was almost the same as his attitude towards the Grand Emperor.
From this, it could be seen that Sima Han’s status with the Grand Emperor was indeed extremely high.