The grass in the factory should be plucked

The dragon moved extremely fast, and soon there was a response.

"Everything in Huichang Canal is normal, and there has been no mass death of fish, shrimp and other aquatic creatures."

Upon hearing this news, Nangong Qinghe felt slightly relieved.

Therefore, it shouldn't be a problem with the Huichang Canal.

However, Jiang Li suggested that Huichang Canal be temporarily closed before Shen Muchun finds the source of the disease, and that the Imperial Hospital and Longmen Medical Bureau take samples for testing.

After all, humans are different from fish and shrimp. Some diseases can be transmitted from person to person, but not to animals.

“Ah Li is right.”

Nangong Qinghe then issued an imperial edict to close the entire Huichang Canal.

To avoid causing panic, the official statement was only that the maintenance and dredging were done regularly.

At this moment, Yuanbao announced: "Your Majesty, the Prince of Anguo and the Princess of Yongle request an audience."

Nangong Qinghe smiled and said, "Summon."

He looked at Jiang Li, "Li, don't frighten Wuchou, she's still young."

He also adored Xie Wuchou, who bore a striking resemblance to Jiang Li, only regretting that she wasn't his own daughter.

He already has four sons, but Zhang Wanwan has not yet conceived. If nothing unexpected happens, the eldest prince, Nangong Yuanhong, born to Cui Jin, will be the future crown prince.

Nangong Yuanhong is already twenty years old this year and has yet to get married. The person he admires is Xie Buli, his childhood sweetheart.

But Xie Buli's ambitions lay elsewhere; she was determined to take over her father's mantle and fight on the battlefield, and had no desire to become the Crown Princess.

The reason he has been stationed in Tianji City and rarely returns to the capital is precisely to avoid marriage arrangements.

Nangong Qinghe had also considered this: Xie Buli was unwilling, so how about arranging for the Crown Prince to marry Xie Wuchou, the second daughter of the Xie family?

Unexpectedly, the Second Prince, Nangong Minghong, also pestered him, saying that he liked Xie Wuchou and asked his father to arrange a marriage for him.

Nangong Qinghe was greatly troubled. Jiang Li and Xie Chang'an only had these two daughters. They couldn't possibly marry them both into the royal family, could they?

He summoned Jiang Li privately, told her the truth, and asked her whether she would choose the eldest prince or the second prince.

The third prince is a bit younger, so if the Xie sisters take a liking to him, that's fine too; they can choose whomever they want!

There's also Xie Buqi, and it seems Princess Chang Le also has feelings for him.

If Jiang Li doesn't object, Nangong Qinghe would be very happy to have such a good-making son-in-law.

Let's not even mention Xie Wuyou. Although he looks like a god descended to earth, the Little Celestial Master is not someone that ordinary people can aspire to.

The noble ladies of the capital, from princesses and noblewomen to daughters of officials, all admired his charm, but none dared to dream of marrying him. Just thinking about it felt like blaspheming a deity.

Jiang Li was speechless. "My family has four children, and your Nangong family only has eyes for three of them!"

She scoffed inwardly, "Don't even think about it!"

"Children are no longer under their mother's control once they grow up; let them decide their own marriages."

Jiang Li declined, saying, "As long as they like it, I, as their mother, have no objection."

Cui Jin persisted, "No, you have to give me one of your two daughters!"

"I like both Bu Li and Wu Chou, Yuan'er, you can choose whichever you like tomorrow!"

Jiang Li was very troubled; Xie Wuchou was even less suitable to marry into the royal family.

She had to secretly report to Nangong Qinghe that Xie Wuchou had accidentally swallowed a mermaid pearl when he was young, and that it would turn into a fish tail when he was in the water!

It would be troublesome if the Crown Princess of Great Chu were mistaken for a demon.

Nangong Qing was taken aback and had no choice but to abandon the idea.

Shortly after, Xie Chang'an, dressed in military uniform, led a girl of about fifteen or sixteen years old into the imperial study.

Everyone's eyes lit up. This incomparably beautiful, clever and lively girl was exactly like Jiang Li back then!

"This humble general greets Your Majesty. May Your Majesty enjoy boundless blessings and peace!"

Xie Wuchou followed behind his father and respectfully bowed to Nangong Qinghe.

Nangong Qinghe smiled and said, "Wuchou, there's no need for such formalities. Come to your imperial uncle and let me take a good look at you."

Xie Wuchou stepped forward as instructed, half-pouting and half-crying: "Wuchou failed in her duty and failed to discover the clues in advance. Please punish me, Your Majesty!"

Nangong Qinghe glared at Jiang Li and Xie Chang'an: "Don't scare my precious niece! Ah Li, you too, it's one thing to be lazy, but Wuchou is still young, how can you have the nerve to let her stand up for you?"

Jiang Li was speechless. Have you forgotten that when I helped you plan your path to power, I was about the same age as Wu Chou?

She said helplessly, "Yes, yes, it's all my fault."

Xie Wuchou then pleaded with her, "Mother—"

Jiang Li sighed helplessly, "Aren't you going to greet Lord Cui and Lord Mo yet?"

Xie Wuchou then greeted each of the people present.

Cui Jue and Mo Qilang had watched her grow up, so they genuinely liked this "mini-Jiang Li" and chuckled.

"In the blink of an eye, Wuchou has grown up so much!"

"She looks more and more like Sixteen Sister back then!"

Jiang Li asked seriously, "Wu Chou, have the sea creatures and aquatic creatures noticed anything unusual lately?"

She added, "It's not limited to the Huichang Canal, but includes all waterways."

Xie Wuchou pondered for a while, then shook his head. "Aside from the recent increase in precipitation and the possibility of heavy snow in the spring, which means we need to guard against snow disasters in the north and floods in the south, there's nothing particularly special about it."

“I have compiled the daily water situation report into a booklet and submitted it to my mother.”

The sea creatures and aquatic creatures were divided into countless small teams, each patrolling their assigned waters daily and reporting to the dragon and the pearl. Xie Wuchou then compiled these reports into a book and gave it to Jiang Li.

If Jiang Li discovers anything amiss, she will have them conduct another inspection.

Nangong Qinghe was startled: "The north needs to guard against snow disasters, and the south needs to guard against floods? Is that serious?"

Jiang Li said, "I have informed the Ministry of Works and the Imperial Observatory, asking them to pay close attention, but it seems that it is still under control at present."

She then said to Xie Wuchou, "Although it is not yet certain whether the 'strange illnesses' appearing in various places are related to the Huichang Canal, you still need to strengthen patrols and defenses."

"Yes, yes, I have ordered each squad to increase manpower. Report back immediately if any unusual situation is discovered!"

"Very good. Wuchou handled it well, with clear logic, just like your mother did back then. I am very pleased."

Nangong Qinghe smiled.

Since there is nothing wrong with Huichang Canal, we can only wait for Shen Muchun to review the medical records, find the source of the disease, and then make a decision.

Jiang Li and Xie Chang'an then took Xie Wuchou and bowed to Nangong Qinghe to take their leave.

After leaving the imperial study, Xie Chang'an couldn't help but pull Xie Wuchou aside and say, "How about we give up this fifth-rank general position?"

His precious daughter is so young, yet she has to travel around to serve her country.

Can't she be like other noble ladies, spending her days strolling around, eating and drinking, and studying jewelry and clothing?

“Father, Wuchou doesn’t like jewelry and clothes, she only likes rivers, lakes and seas.”

Xie Wuchou tugged at his sleeve and shook it, pleading, "Please let me be the general!"

Xie Chang'an sighed. His eldest daughter was the same; she preferred military uniform to makeup and would rather spend her days crawling and rolling around in the military camp than eat, drink, and have fun with other noble ladies.

She also said that their affected, pretentious way of speaking made her want to hit them!

Jiang Li glanced at him sideways, thinking, "This is definitely inherited from your good genes!"