The people will definitely plead for their lives. It has not rained in Dengzhou for more than half a year since the beginning of spring. The people are already anxious, and after experiencing the miscalculation of the Grand Historian, their hopes are dashed. At this moment, they are like people who have fallen into the deep sea and are tossed by huge waves. As long as they see a little hope of survival, they will grab it madly.
For the common people, granting amnesty to the harem is nothing more than releasing some palace maids, which may very well bring about a rain of blessings that saves the people from suffering. Even if it is not an absolute certainty, it is worth a try.
Everyone understood this point, and Emperor Youning naturally understood it as well. From the moment Xiao Changqing proposed the amnesty for the harem, he had to grant amnesty even if he didn't want to.
"Your Majesty wants to see if it is really Prince Xin who is fanning the flames in Dengzhou." Shen Xihe understood instantly.
It was impossible for the people of Dengzhou to know Xiao Changqing's proposal immediately. The capable ministers in the court knew their limits and would not intervene at this time. They would only protect themselves. The incompetent ones dared not step forward, perhaps because they could not see through the deep meaning of His Majesty.
"Old Fifth is not stupid. Your Majesty is destined to be disappointed." Xiao Huayong took the scissors from Shen Xihe and bent down to help her trim the Pingzhong leaf bonsai in front of her.
This bonsai was a gift from him to Shen Xihe before they got married. Shen Xihe liked it very much and even brought it with her when she came to the palace. After they got married, Shen Xihe did not ask anyone else to help with the construction and daily watering of the bonsai. Only Xiao Huayong was allowed to touch it.
It's just that he didn't know whether she loved Ping Zhongye too much or cared that it was a gift from him. Xiao Huayong didn't think too much about it and just assumed it was the latter. She treasured this thing, which was equivalent to treasuring his feelings for her.
Shen Xihe moved to make it easier for Xiao Huayong to do what he wanted. After autumn, Ping Zhongye began to take off its green clothes and put on gold clothes. Occasionally, the golden edges wrapped around a little green that came through the central veins, which was also pleasing to the eye.
"This is your chance to confess to Prince Xin." Xiao Changqing must have already made arrangements. Someone will spread his words today in Dengzhou, stirring up the hearts of every citizen in Dengzhou. He just wants to use someone else's hand to create confusion.
In this way, even if King Jing Xiao Changyan and His Majesty have already found out that the person who leaked the Imperial Astronomical Advisor's prediction of rainy days and caused the civil unrest some time ago is most likely Xiao Changqing, with the emergence of a third party force, they will still be uncertain about who is causing trouble.
Xiao Changqing did not set up any defenses against Xiao Huayong, and he did not do anything important in Dengzhou, so he took it lightly and was made a big deal by Xiao Huayong. Xiao Changqing had to personally help Shen Xihe propose a general amnesty for the harem in exchange for Xiao Huayong's stop.
Xiao Huayong stopped, but his previous actions in Dengzhou left traces. If he wanted to turn the tables completely and make His Majesty unable to figure out whether he had done anything good in Dengzhou, he would have to take the opportunity to put the blame on others.
If Xiao Changqing's words of praying for rain by granting amnesty to the harem were spread through other people's mouths, he would be able to muddy the waters and clear himself instead. It would be better than the suspicion that Your Majesty has in his heart because of the previous incident with Tai Shijian.
"We'll just stand by and watch." With a click, Xiao Huayong cut off an extra branch. His brows were dark and gloomy, and he looked so quiet that it was intimidating. He put down the scissors, picked up the fallen branch, and turned it between his fingertips. "Yo Yo, you have to remember that you have me and the people I give you. I and the people I raise can all be used by you, and so can others."