After dealing with the situation, the prefect left, and Duan Yao invited the angry person to sit at the round table for tea.
A cup of steaming tea was placed before her. Duan Yao smiled and said, "Look at you, with such a fiery temper, truly feisty. You really scared me just now!"
"Your Majesty is indeed humorous. How can such a small act of bloodshed frighten you, who has seen so much of the world? Please don't joke with someone from this humble place like me!"
Her anger was clearly genuine, and her words were sharp with resentment.
"Alright, alright, don't be angry. It's sister-in-law's fault for overthinking. If we had let this go unchecked, our subsequent plans would have been difficult. Sister-in-law understands now. Can we not be angry, hmm?"
Zhao Jiaqi turned her face away, refusing to look at her.
Did this simple matter even need deliberation? Could such a vast nation truly be lacking in mere sustenance for these people?
If there was no grain, they could eat seafood. If they tired of seafood, they could let these people gnaw on seashells. See if they ate or not!
She truly couldn't understand. The Empress seemed intelligent, yet she made such a foolish mistake at a critical moment.
This time, Duan Yao got up and sat beside her, smiling, "You have such a temper, be careful not to harm yourself!"
"It's just that I haven't encountered this before. Usually, Zhi Cheng handles these matters. It's my first time facing something like this, and then I heard the prefect offering his opinions. I got carried away, almost making a mistake. Fortunately, you were here, so I didn't do the wrong thing!"
Zhao Jiaqi turned to face her directly. "So, you were using me?"
Using her to make the decision, so that she would be the villain and Duan Yao the good person!
Hearing these heart-piercing words, Duan Yao almost wept. "Sister-in-law, what are you saying? Am I that kind of person?"
"At the time, the prefect laid out all the unfavorable aspects before me. I suggested waiting for the Emperor to return before making a decision, but the prefect said that the people had already escalated the situation to the prefectural office. I was momentarily at a loss. I thought, just let it be, we can always find another place. But then I remembered you had also invested money, and this matter needed to be discussed with you, so I..."
"If I had known the consequences would be so severe, why would I have needed you to act? I could have handled it myself. Sister-in-law, your words are too hurtful!"
Listening to Duan Yao's words, Zhao Jiaqi realized she had overthought things. But why couldn't she grasp such a simple logic?
Zhao Jiaqi softened her tone. "Enough, you're crying now. As the Empress, you almost let yourself be led by the nose. Aren't you ashamed!"
She took out a silk handkerchief and wiped the tears from Duan Yao's face, her heart also softening.
"Without rules, one cannot achieve order. Even when considering kinship, one must consider what is appropriate. Not all matters can be resolved through kinship!"
Zhao Jiaqi feared she wouldn't understand and gave an example: "If I stab you, then say sorry, and tell you we are sisters, so you shouldn't mind. Would that be acceptable?"
Duan Yao looked up, her red eyes filled with stubbornness, but she couldn't utter a word.
Because she understood her sister-in-law's point, but felt embarrassed to admit it. Yet, she still harbored hatred in her heart for the prefect's terrible suggestion.
"I understand everything you've said. I lack experience in this area. In the future, I will ponder more carefully the words of those who offer advice!"
Originally, Zhao Jiaqi was the one who was angry, but in the end, she had to comfort Duan Yao. Who could she even talk to about this logic!
She let out a soft sigh. "There's a ghost in every abnormal event. After this matter is resolved, you should investigate who incited those commoners. Otherwise, it's impossible for all the people who signed contracts to demand a rent increase all at once."
This should have been the beginning of good times. The common people weren't foolish, but for them to collectively agree on such a stance, she wouldn't believe it if anyone told her there was no one behind it.
Soon, the prefect mobilized all his soldiers and yamen runners. First, they made the commoners return the rent, then they cajoled them, saying that if they returned the money and replaced the contracts, they would sign new ones and then receive their rent.
The commoners believed them. Upon hearing this, they returned the rent they had just received, which was still warm in their hands. Everyone calmly waited at home for good news.
Five days later, after the rent was returned and the prefect had verified the accounts, he lured the commoners who had signed the contracts to the military camp outside the capital.
After calling out their names and confirming their presence, with a single order, they were all arrested. Their crimes were enumerated one by one, leaving them no room for denial. They were immediately taken away to do hard labor.
Within a day, this matter caused a sensation throughout the prefecture. Everyone was shocked.
The methods of the imperial family were indeed ruthless and swift. The remaining hesitant individuals also abandoned their ideas.
The prefecture was pacified.
When Zhao Jiaqi learned the entire story, she had initially disapproved of the prefect's conduct. She hadn't expected him to be so clever in this regard. Knowing to collect the money first and then lure the people to the military camp, it was like catching a turtle in a jar – a sure catch.
Well, that was quite a tactic!
However, upon further reflection, this prefect was likely a flexible person, unwilling to offend either the court or the local populace. For a political career, one needed achievements.
It seemed she had shattered the prefect's dreams.
Duan Yao returned with the investigation results, her face beaming with excitement. "Sister-in-law, you were absolutely right! These blind and foolish people were instigated by the local landlords, who said the rent was too low and that if they caused a fuss, the government would compromise. After all, our land has been plowed, fertilized, and is just waiting to be sown."
Hearing this, Zhao Jiaqi was not surprised, as she had foreseen similar situations when she was involved in such matters.
Duan Yao seemed a bit too excited, while Zhao Jiaqi felt a bit vexed. The landlords were clearly instigators, acting like troublemakers, yet why was she so happy? It was an outrage!
"Do you know, sister-in-law? I had them arrested, and upon interrogation, this rotten apple was finally unearthed! But that's not the main point. The main point is the dirt it brought out. Who are you?"
Zhao Jiaqi felt a bit dizzy. How could she guess? "I don't know!"
"It's the foremost wealthy family in the area, and it's said this family has committed all sorts of wicked deeds, with the prefectural governor backing them. So, I had the entire wealthy family arrested and, by extension, invited the prefectural governor to the prison!"
Zhao Jiaqi chuckled. "Have you heard of 'officials protecting officials'?"
Duan Yao didn't quite understand but nodded honestly. "Yes, I have!"
"And what about 'collusion between officials and merchants'?"
Now Duan Yao understood. She playfully glared at Zhao Jiaqi. "You always speak the plain truth. However, I think no matter how much power this prefectural governor has, he can't cover the sky with one hand. I wonder if this prefect is also involved, or if there are people loyal to this prefectural governor in the imperial court?"
Zhao Jiaqi felt even more speechless. "Regarding this matter, you should discuss it with your second brother. It's not easy for me to say, mainly because I'm afraid of hurting your dignity!"
If there were people in the imperial court acting as protection, wouldn't the Emperor and Empress have lost a lot of face in front of them?