Unlimited estates for rural beauty-Chapter 674: Choosing an Auspicious Day (1)

In the serene study, the two sat in silence, which felt like an eternity, before Prime Minister Xiao Yiran finally spoke, "Lord Luo, if you truly wish to marry Zhenzhen out of sincerity, then it’s her good fortune. However, if your intention to marry her is to acquire intelligence from within Xueyan Country, then you are gravely mistaken. I will not act as your spy because of Zhenzhen."

Upon hearing this, Lou Qianyu let out a laugh and looked at his future father-in-law, Xiao Yiran, with amusement, "Father-in-law, you are thinking too much. I harbor no grand ambition to attack Xueyan Country, and besides, Emperor Jinghe is not a fool. What you have considered, he most likely knew long ago. I genuinely wish to marry Jiazhen, it has nothing to do with any benefits. Rest assured, old man, I won’t let her down."

After listening to him, the knot in Xiao Yiran’s heart finally seemed to unravel and now, looking at the man before him, he found him much more agreeable.

Since finishing the morning court session, Minister of Rites Ma Xiang didn’t even go home but headed straight to his office. The emperor’s task must be done well, no, it must be done perfectly, without the slightest mistake. Whether or not he could keep his black gauze cap was one thing, but his head better remain on his shoulders. 𝒻𝘳ℯℯ𝑤ℯ𝒷𝘯ℴ𝓋ℯ𝘭.𝑐ℴ𝑚

The whole team in the Ministry of Rites, seeing their boss working so hard, naturally followed suit, silently handling their tasks. They spent their days in the office for several days in a row.

While the Ministry of Rites was bustling with activity, the happiest were Lou Qianyu and Xiao Jiazhen. Lou Qianyu knew Xiao Jiazhen was embroidering the remaining part of her dowry in the residence and couldn’t come out easily. Each time he visited, he brought something she needed—either fine embroidery thread or silk. He was always full of surprises, each visit different from the last. Once he arrived at the residence, he would stay for the whole day, contentedly watching even if Xiao Jiazhen was preoccupied with her embroidery.

On the twentieth of May, the Jinluan Hall held the early morning court.

"Your Majesty, the auspicious dates have been selected."

Dugu Chen glanced at the Ma Xiang below, raised an eyebrow slightly and said, "Go on."

"To reply Your Majesty, the sixteenth of July this year, the ninth of December, and the thirteenth of May next year are all auspicious dates." He looked up at the emperor, and to be safe, he had even selected dates for the following year.

Dugu Chen couldn’t help but take another look at Ma Xiang, internally commended his wisdom, and while sitting on the Dragon Throne, sunk into thought for a while. Below, Ma Xiang felt his heart lift, wondering incessantly where he might still have fallen short.

In the midst of Ma Xiang’s chaotic thoughts, an authoritative voice rang out, pulling his turbulent mind back to focus.

"Send the chosen auspicious dates to the courier station for Lord Luo to pick a date he prefers."

Upon hearing that it was about this matter, Ma Xiang instantly breathed a sigh of relief, "As per your command." His body slowly retreated back into place.

Dugu Chen swept a gaze over the ministers in the hall, his eyes finally resting on Minister of Works Yuwen Liu, "Minister Yuwen, how is the construction of the reservoir going? Are the water channels all interconnected yet?"

Yuwen Liu stepped forward, stood in the hall, and respectfully said, "To report to Your Majesty, according to reports from various places, the reservoir has been completed, and we have successfully held water. Now, we are making efforts to interconnect the rivers. After all, it’s a major project that will require some more time."

"A major project? It requires more time?" Dugu Chen repeated, his brows knitting tightly, as a cold gaze fixed on Yuwen Liu.

Yuwen Liu’s eyes flickered for a moment as he hastily responded, "Your Majesty, according to the current situation, yes."

However, Dugu Chen let out a few scornful chuckles, his lips curling into a sinister smile, unhurriedly he said, "So, in this one and a half months, the magistrates cannot even manage a few rivers in their own provinces, it seems they have not been dedicated or made enough effort, and you, the Minister of Works, have not known to actively cooperate. It must be that the magistrates of Xueyan Country and the Minister of Works you are tired of your positions and are perhaps longing for a change of scenery."