I died tragically in my previous life, and I want to be an empress in my next life

Pei Zhiyan saw through Xuanyuan Ping's worries at a glance. She smiled gently and continued, "Your Highness the Crown Prince is impulsive and likes to show off his strength, but flood control is not an easy task. Whether it will succeed or not is still unknown."

"Floods are merciless and the variables are hard to predict. Whether the prince can successfully overcome this difficulty depends on his luck."

After hearing this, Xuanyuan Ping showed a surprised expression on his face. This woman is indeed a very smart and scheming woman. If Xuanyuan Zheng really encountered misfortune in the south, then his own future would be brighter.

"However, the prince may have to stay in the south for a while," Pei Zhiyan said hesitantly, "The flood is ruthless and we need to go all out..."

"You can't catch a wolf without sacrificing a lamb. I will naturally act cautiously and prudently." Xuanyuan Ping said calmly.

Pei Zhiyan originally did not want to use Xuanyuan Ping to deal with Xuanyuan Zheng, but Xuanyuan Zheng was incompetent and not a wise ruler. If he ascended the throne in the future, the people of the world would suffer endless hardships. It was only a matter of time before he stepped down.

Moreover, Xuanyuan Zheng is not only incompetent, but also a lustful man. Relying on his status as a crown prince, he has verbally insulted me many times in public. I will not tolerate this anymore in this life.

Although Xuanyuan Zheng's crime did not deserve the death penalty and he did not want to kill him, it would depend on his luck whether he could go south this time.

In the previous life, although Xuanyuan Zheng did not go to provide disaster relief when the south was hit by floods, he still embezzled a lot of relief funds. This matter was later discovered by Xuanyuan Ping, who exposed it with the help of the General's Mansion and other forces.

At that time, the crown prince was not deposed because of this incident, but his status and reputation in the court suffered a serious blow. At the same time, Xuanyuan Ping's power continued to grow.

This time, Xuanyuan Zheng went to the south, and he would probably take the opportunity to make money more unscrupulously, and Xuanyuan Ping would definitely find something to hold against him.

This trick was suggested by me to Xuanyuan Ping. If it succeeds, Xuanyuan Ping will trust me more.

This really kills two birds with one stone!

The atmosphere at the morning court the next day was unusually heavy.

"Your Majesty, I have something important to report! This flood has left the people displaced and homeless. They are starving and even forced to sell their wives and children in order to survive. Many people have eaten soil, tree bark and grass roots to fill their stomachs, and the bodies of those who starved to death are lying on the roadside. Father, I beg you to issue an order to open the granaries for disaster relief and save these suffering people!" Xuanyuan Ping stated with great sorrow.

There was silence in the court, but then there were voices of seconding the motion.

"Your Majesty, I second your motion. The damage caused by this flood has spread to a wider area. The people are full of resentment and it is difficult to stop them from complaining." General Lin bowed to the emperor and said, "Your Majesty, I implore your Majesty to open the warehouses to provide disaster relief and save the people from the water and fire."

Xuanyuan Ping looked at the emperor and said firmly again, "Father, I think we can mobilize a batch of food from the Jiangnan area to the disaster area. At the same time, we also need to set up a disaster relief army to quickly enter the disaster area for reconstruction. Only in this way can the people return to normal life as soon as possible."

At this time, Prime Minister Pei also stepped forward and bowed, saying, "Your Majesty, the imperial physician and the Imperial Observatory have predicted that there will be a major plague after the flood! Now there has been a small-scale plague outbreak. If no measures are taken in time, it will take the lives of more people. I implore Your Majesty to issue an order to recruit civilian doctors and official medical officers to form a disaster relief team. This matter should not be delayed."

The emperor's face was very gloomy at this time. Not long ago, the Imperial Astronomical Observatory had predicted that there would be floods in the world this year, and there would be a plague after the floods.

At this time, Xuanyuan Ping stepped forward calmly and asked the emperor, "I am willing to go to provide disaster relief and save the people. Please grant me permission, father!"

Xuanyuan Zheng also rushed to go without hesitation, "Father, as the crown prince, I should share your worries. Please allow me to go to provide disaster relief."

Xuanyuan Ping stepped forward again, "Father, the Crown Prince is the heir to the throne, how can he easily take risks? I think it is better for me to go first."

Xuanyuan Zheng was not willing to be left behind, and said passionately, "Father, it is precisely because I am the crown prince that I should have my own responsibilities and sense of responsibility. I have made all preparations and will do my best to seek benefits for the people and perform my duties loyally for the country."

The emperor looked at his two sons and felt relieved. The prince had never been ambitious, but today he took the initiative to go south to provide disaster relief. This showed the emperor the prince's growth and responsibility.

The emperor said to the ministers in front of the palace with dignity, "Appoint Crown Prince Xuanyuan Zheng as the commander-in-chief of disaster relief, in charge of disaster relief grain. The emperor's uncle Yuwen Long can accompany the crown prince to the disaster area to assist. Prince Jing Xuanyuan Ping will lead the disaster relief team and the troops stationed in the disaster area. You all prepare all the food and medicine and set off immediately."

Upon hearing the emperor's order, Xuanyuan Ping and Xuanyuan Zheng knelt forward without hesitation to receive the order.

By the time the queen learned the news, the prince had already packed his bags and was ready to leave. The queen was anxious and hurried to the East Palace with a worried look on her face.

"Mother, please persuade His Royal Highness the Crown Prince. There will be many difficulties and obstacles when His Royal Highness goes south!" Zhao Wanru saw the Queen coming and stepped forward eagerly.

The Queen looked at Xuanyuan Zheng who was ready to set off and said angrily, "Prince, why are you so impulsive? Don't you understand the danger of doing this?"

Xuanyuan Zheng didn't care, and said confidently, "Mother, I know you are worried about me, but I have my own reasons."

"No matter what the reason is, you can't risk your life. There are floods and plagues rampant in the south. You will be in great danger if you go there. If something happens to you, what will you let your mother do?!" The queen's voice choked.

"Mother, today the third brother proposed to provide disaster relief in front of all the ministers. How could I let him steal the limelight?!" Xuanyuan Zheng said angrily.

"If he wants to go, let him go. You are the crown prince. You don't ask for merit, just avoid mistakes. Why do you want to take the risk to prove anything? In a while, your mother will go to ask the Queen Mother to plead with your father, and you don't have to go." The Queen said earnestly.

"Mother, I have expressed my determination in the court today. How can I escape from the battlefield?" Xuanyuan Zheng said, "Besides, my uncle will accompany me. How can I be in any danger?"

The queen felt sad when she heard this. She knew Xuanyuan Zheng's character and no one could change his decision. She couldn't help but think of the early years when he was still a carefree child, but now he has to face so many storms. She felt worried and helpless.

"Good boy, you must come back safely." The queen patted his shoulder gently, tears already sliding down her cheeks.

Xuanyuan Zheng nodded silently, he understood his mother's good intentions. However, his heart was burning with a strong desire, he wanted to prove himself, to prove that he could take on the responsibility, to prove that he was no worse than the third child.

Third brother, Xuanyuan Zheng was filled with anger. The man who once lived like an ant in the palace was now sitting on an equal footing with him in the court!

If he hadn't married the daughter of the Pei family, how could he have been appreciated and valued by his father? He was the crown prince who was above all others and below all others. But the daughter of the Pei family actually looked down on him for the sake of the ant-like third brother!

Xuanyuan Zheng was the queen's legitimate son. He naturally occupied most of the royal resources from birth, and he also naturally thought that everyone and everything should revolve around him.

Whoever he wanted to marry, he was determined to marry her, but he didn't expect that the girl from the Pei family would reject him for the sake of someone he never took seriously!

However, Xuanyuan Zheng will not give up easily. He wants to prove to everyone that he is the one who can take on the heavy responsibility. He wants to make the girl from the Pei family kneel at his feet and regret it!