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"Please invite the lady over!" Lin Feng instructed a servant to summon Xia Qingyu. He was also contemplating the affairs of the court. With the recent discussions on reforms in the court, he knew his father-in-law would have many considerations. Moreover, it had been a long time since he and his wife Xia Qingyu visited her family, so it was about time to pay them a visit.
After a while, Xia Qingyu walked in slowly. Lin Feng smiled and said, "Wife, we are going to visit your father soon. Let's go see them!"
Xia Qingyu replied, "Ah!"
The carriage swayed gently as it stopped in front of Xia Manor. The doorman recognized the Fourth Prince and his wife and hurried inside to announce their arrival.
Before long, Xia Yuanji came out with his family, wearing a warm smile. "Your Highness, Xia Qingyu, you have finally arrived! Please come in."
Once inside the main hall, everyone took their seats according to their status. The maids filed in one after another, serving fragrant tea and exquisite pastries.
Xia Qingyu sat beside her father and affectionately linked her arm with his. "Father, there have been many matters in the court lately, and we haven't been able to visit you for a long time. How is your health?"
Xia Yuanji smiled and patted his daughter's hand. "I am still quite healthy, but what about you two? With all your efforts in disaster relief, you haven't worn yourselves out, have you?"
Though he directed this question at his daughter, his gaze was on Lin Feng.
Lin Feng bowed slightly in response. "Thank you for your concern, Father-in-law. I am well."
However, with the proposal for disaster relief reforms brought up in court involving many financial matters, I will need your guidance on this.
Xia Yuanji took a sip of tea and sighed lightly. "Your Highness has such a reforming spirit, which is commendable. But this matter is difficult indeed. You must have seen that there was considerable opposition during the court meeting. Establishing granaries, collecting grain, managing supplies—each step presents its own challenges. The Ministry of Revenue is under significant pressure."
Lin Feng nodded. "What you say is true, Father-in-law. However, I have witnessed firsthand the plight of the people during disasters; the flaws in our current system are glaringly obvious. If we do not reform now, future calamities will only lead to greater suffering."
Xia Qingyu chimed in from the side: "Father, please help my husband; he is devoted to helping the people. You wouldn't want to see those disaster victims suffer any longer, would you?"
Xia Yuanji chuckled at his daughter's words. "You little rascal, you're siding with him now."
"Your Highness," he continued, "I am not trying to obstruct you; I just want you to understand the pros and cons involved. As for the Ministry of Revenue, I will carefully calculate the costs again and coordinate with several other departments to come up with some solutions. However, pushing this forward will require careful navigation of various interests within the court."
After some discussion, as evening approached, Xia Qingyu suddenly remembered something: "Oh right, Father! Minister Kong from the Ministry of Personnel has invited His Highness to a banquet tonight. Do you think there might be something suspicious about this gathering?"
Xia Yuanji frowned slightly. "Hmph! That Kong is known for playing tricks; whether there’s an actual banquet or not is uncertain. He probably wants to either win you over or probe into your background."
Lin Feng's expression was calm. "It's no problem; when soldiers come, we will block them, and when water comes, we will cover it with earth. Since I am determined to reform, such social engagements are inevitable. This is also a good opportunity to observe the attitudes of various parties."
Xia Yuanji nodded in satisfaction. "With that confidence, it's good, but you still need to be cautious."
"Xia Qingyu, you should go with His Highness. With you there, it will provide some support," he added.
Xia Qingyu's eyes lit up. "Oh, I was just thinking of joining in on the excitement."
After dinner, Lin Feng took Xia Qingyu and boarded the carriage, heading towards the Ministry of Personnel Grand Master's Residence. Under the night sky, a banquet filled with hidden currents was about to unfold.
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