Transmigrated into a female county magistrate during a famine, leading her country to prosperity

Under the locust tree, the emperor, empress, and Shen Zheng were sitting, while eunuch Hong and Cui Jinyin were standing.

She kept picking at the seams of her sleeves and didn't dare sit down at all.

"Sit down and talk." The emperor gestured.

Looking at the small stool next to Shen Zheng, she sat down like a thief.

This was the first time Shen Zheng saw her so reserved, and she couldn't help but find it funny.

There were many lazy cicadas hiding in the locust tree. Cui Jinyin felt uneasy and her eyes were wandering because of their chirping.

"Hong Banban, go take a look over there." Looking at the craftsmen bustling about outside the purification room, the emperor said to Eunuch Hong, "Help me think about it too. If there's anything wrong, tell them and they'll fix it right away."

Outside the bathroom, Diwu Na and Mu Qing were standing together. They finally got a chance to take a breath, but when they turned around, they saw Eunuch Hong's daisy-like smiling face again.

"..."

......

The sunlight shines through the locust leaves, casting mottled shadows on the muddy ground, and the cicadas continue to chirp.

With Shen Zheng joining in, Cui Jinyin spoke more fluently: "Actually...I came here on purpose to clean my room yesterday."

Shen Zheng had already guessed this, but the Emperor and Empress found it surprising and said in unison, "Oh?"

"It's because there was a rumor the other day." Cui Jinyin placed her hands on her knees, her back straighter than the tree trunk behind her. "Many people are saying that they saw something unclean in the toilet here, and that it would only harm women..."

At first, she was just curious - the relief center had just started accepting refugees for a few days, so how could a ghost suddenly appear in such a clean room?

Driven by curiosity, she went to "see a ghost".

It was not until the secret guard caught the "ghost" and she burst into tears of fear that she realized - there was no ghost at all.

Outside the pure room lies a mind that is scarier and more filthy than ghosts.

The Queen suddenly understood, "Using the rumor of ghosts to scare away the women who came here to change clothes and wash. The person who spread this rumor is quite clever..."

If the women believed the rumors and were frightened, they would never come to the purification room again.

"But this isn't a long-term solution." The emperor's expression remained calm as he discussed the filthy deeds of the "lust-hungry ghost." "There are two large, upper and lower sanctuaries within the central public area. Simply hiding will only embolden them."

As he spoke, his brows suddenly darkened. "But it's no wonder they only dared to hide and not speak out."

No one is born to like to suffer losses, let alone suffer losses in silence.

If you have the ability and determination, who wouldn't want to stand up straight and say "no" loudly to injustice?

A trace of worry appeared in the Queen's eyes. "They've just seen too much and are too tired."

The emperor and the empress spoke implicitly. Cui Jinyin snapped her fingers uncomfortably, not knowing how to respond.

Shen Zheng continued, "The previous layout of the cleansing room was different. This is the responsibility of the relief center. I will definitely explain this to the Fifth President and give an explanation to the women in the center. And everything should have a beginning and an end. I think the center should work together with the capital government to apprehend the thief and punish him according to the law to serve as a warning to others."

As long as they can kill a "chicken" in the shelter and let the other "monkeys" watch it, those timid "monkeys" will not dare to do it.

As for those brave "monkeys"...

"One more rule has been added to the law." The emperor's gaze swept over the distant figures and said, "Anyone in the relief center, regardless of gender, who engages in the following behavior will be immediately brought to the capital's government office and punished according to the law once verified."

"First, peeping, following, or disturbing the opposite sex as they go about their daily lives or wash;"

"Second, using rumors, intimidation, violence, and other means to coerce people of the opposite sex;"

"Third, those stewards and servants who shield and condone evil deeds are guilty of the same crime as the perpetrators!"

At the end of his speech, the emperor's voice was solemn and cold, even dispelling some of the summer heat.

"I've made note of that." Shen Zheng nodded.

Such laws not only make everyone know and fear the rules, but also let those who are humiliated understand that they don’t have to swallow their anger, because both the police station and the government office will support them.

The Queen nodded secretly and praised the still dazed Cui Jinyin: "Jinyin dared to take the risk herself and led the people to rebuild the wall and tiles. Her contribution is also invaluable..."

"You'll get a reward." The emperor continued, and asked Cui Jinyin, "What do you want?"

Cui Jinyin was stunned.

This was the first time she was rewarded as "Cui Jinyin" instead of "Miss Cui".

"I..." She subconsciously looked at Shen Zheng, and after a struggle in her heart, she said, "Your Majesty, I don't want anything."

Seeing her twisted expression, the emperor chuckled: "You clearly have something you want in your heart, but you dare not say it. Be bold and speak up."

Encouraged by the emperor, Cui Jinyin squeezed her slightly moist palms and made up her mind: "I want... the recipe for the imperial kitchen's milk skin pastry..."

"..."

Not only Shen Zheng, but even the emperor and empress were left in tears and laughter.

"Milk Skin Pastry?" The emperor didn't even remember what kind of pastry this milk skin pastry was.

He looked at Cui Jinyin's expression and said, "I thought you would ask me for an order to have Shen Qing accept you as his disciple immediately."

Cui Jinyin raised her head and asked blankly, "Is it okay?"

She didn't even think about that!

"Of course." The emperor laughed. "How about this? I'll give you a chance to change your mind. Do you want a reward in exchange?"

Shen Zheng touched the tip of her nose with her knuckles and waited for Cui Jinyin's answer with the emperor and empress.

Unexpectedly, she hesitated for only a moment before going all the way: "Forget it... I'll just have the custard-flavored pastry."

The emperor gave Shen Zheng a look that said, "You're not even as good as a milk skin pastry," and then nodded in agreement: "After I return to the palace, I will order Hong Banban to send the imperial chef to the Xu Mansion and let the chef there learn from me."

Cui Jinyin was overjoyed and bowed: "Thank you, Your Majesty, for the reward!"

Milk skin pastry!

Golden skin, soft inside, rich milky aroma, just one bite...

slid --

"Why didn't you change your words just now?" Just as she was lost in thought, the emperor suddenly asked, "I thought you would change your reward. Could it be that you... don't want to be Shen Qing's disciple anymore?"

She immediately came back to her senses, glanced at Shen Zheng secretly, and answered very seriously.

"I don't want to force Master Shen. I'm still undergoing the test. If I don't meet Master Shen's requirements, then Master Shen will definitely not accept me as his disciple. In that case, why should I ask for your permission and force Master Shen?"

Grasping her sleeves and thinking for a moment, she described it this way: "It's like a man and a woman getting married. If one of them is not interested, then in the end, they will just be a couple with more resentment. What I want is for Lord Shen to truly recognize me and be willing to sign a 'marriage certificate' with me."

"You little girl." The smile on the emperor's face became more and more obvious, "You can be so insightful at times."

Cui Jinyin hid her smile and pretended to be calm: "Thank you for the compliment, Your Majesty."

Shen Zheng: “…”

If you think about it carefully, the emperor's words don't seem to be genuine praise, right?