Shocking! Five men are in love with the same woman!

After Lingyan, all of the imperial family's property was used to build roads.

As for what kind of road it was, it was naturally a cement road.

She had been dissatisfied with the ancient path for a very long time.

It definitely needs a complete overhaul.

Thus, the cement road she had longed for was slowly laid out across the vast land of Dazhao.

The muddy, potholed dirt roads that used to turn into swamps after rain or snow, making them difficult for vehicles and pedestrians to travel on, are about to become history.

Under her careful guidance, the craftsmen meticulously blended lime, clay, and pebbles according to the new formula.

After being mixed evenly, the mixture was spread onto the roadbed in baskets.

Then, use heavy stone rollers to repeatedly compact and tamp the surface, ensuring that every inch of the road surface is solid and flat.

From the bustling streets and alleys of the capital city to the main thoroughfares connecting various prefectures, construction is in full swing.

The people were initially curious and watched, but after learning about the benefits of the new road, they spontaneously offered their help.

They either carried materials or provided water and food to help the craftsmen.

As cement roads wind their way through the mountains and rivers, they resemble a resilient spine traversing the Dazhao Mountains.

Trade became increasingly convenient, and horse-drawn carriages and caravans traveled at much faster speeds.

Goods transport losses have been reduced sharply, and remote areas are closely connected with wealthy towns.

With information flowing freely, the economy seems to be injected with a source of vitality, surging vigorously.

People traveling no longer need to worry about getting stuck in the mud and getting splashed with mud.

Their steps were light and quick, full of anticipation for a new life and a new future.

Like a beam of auspicious light, it illuminated the entire world.

The people's gratitude towards Lingyan and Xiao Muyao was like spring flowers, blooming freely in their hearts, ready to burst forth.

In the town market, the old craftsmen put down their work and gathered at the street corner.

Looking at the flat, solid cement road stretching into the distance, my eyes welled up with tears.

His weathered face was deeply lined with wrinkles, and he muttered to himself, "Your Majesty and the Empress are so wise! All our lives, we've stumbled and struggled on those muddy roads, even transporting materials was a struggle. Now that we have such a good road, our business will surely prosper, and we have hope for the future!"

Having said that, he took the lead and solemnly bowed down in the direction of the palace.

Seeing this, the people around followed suit.

Along the long street, a huge crowd knelt down, their foreheads touching the ground, showing extreme piety.

In the countryside, farmers stand with hoes on their shoulders, their feet no longer on sticky mud, but on a steady new road.

The simple and honest men, their rough hands stroking the handles of their hoes, burst into tears: "In previous years, when the rainy season came, the harvest from the fields couldn't be transported out and would rot on the road, making all our hard work in vain. Thanks to His Majesty and the Empress's compassion in repairing this road, we can look forward to a bumper harvest this year, and our whole families will be able to eat our fill and stay warm!"

After speaking, they took off their headscarves and waved them vigorously in the direction of the capital, as if conveying their boundless gratitude.

The children joined in, shouting, "Thank you, Your Majesty! Thank you, Your Majesty!"

The innocent voices of children lingered in the air above the fields for a long time.

In this process of transformation, Dazhao also strides rapidly toward prosperity.

…………

During this period, the officials tried many methods and advised His Majesty for a long time.

But His Majesty seemed determined and refused to change his mind.

Therefore, they all shifted their focus to Ling Yan.

However, aside from the inevitable admonitions from the officials during the morning court session, Xiao Muyao blocked these people from seeking an audience with her at other times.

This caused the court officials to once again express their regret and sigh.

Not only them, but also some daughters of ministers in the capital had the idea of ​​entering the palace to become concubines.

Although many families' daughters do not want to be confined within the palace walls for their entire lives, they all have their own ambitions and would not be so foolish.

There were also some women who admired His Majesty, but they were either afraid of Lingyan or respected and grateful to her.

So none of them had that thought.

However, there are always some women with lofty ambitions who dream of becoming empresses and superiors.

Moreover, it's not that they aren't afraid of Ling Yan.

I just think that as the empress, as long as they don't make mistakes, she can't just dispose of them or kill them at will.

So everyone was feeling a bit restless.

Unfortunately, His Majesty was completely unyielding, and even his own father couldn't persuade him, let alone them.

The Empress is also one of them.

Although they were women, they could never see her.

So both these women and many officials racked their brains to work on this matter.

One person among them is particularly special.

Her name was Lian Zhixin, and she was the daughter of the Minister of Rites.

The previous Minister of Rites colluded with the eleventh prince and was executed long ago.

The newly appointed Minister of Rites is the former Vice Minister of Rites.

This person has always been diligent and conscientious, and very conscientious about his duties.

Although they also opposed Xiao Muyao's decision not to hold a selection of concubines, it was all for the sake of the country, and they had no selfish motives.

Therefore, he had no intention of having his daughter enter the palace as a concubine.

Little did he know that his own daughter, Lian Zhixin, had the opposite idea.

She and Xie Zhiyi have always gotten along well and are quite close.

So she followed Xie Zhiyi's lead and successfully met Ling Yan.

Xie Zhiyi didn't want to help her relay the message either.

But she said something.

She said she could help the Empress.

Her expression at the time was far too confident and certain.

Moreover, Xie Zhiyi understood her; if she said that, she must have a plan in mind.

So Xie Zhiyi told Lingyan about it.

He simply relayed her message and didn't say another word.

She didn't want to affect the Empress.

Lingyan raised an eyebrow after hearing this.

interesting.

She wanted to know exactly how she could help her.

So he agreed to meet Lian Zhixin, purely out of interest and curiosity about her.

However, the other ministers who received the news and their daughters sensed a crisis.

So she followed Lian Zhixin's example and tried to work with the people around Ling Yan.

…………

Lingyan had just finished lunch and met Lian Zhixin at a pavilion in the palace.

The surrounding area is adorned with carved railings and jade steps, surrounded by clusters of flowers, and a rich, subtle fragrance wafts through the air.

Lian Zhixin wore a moon-white silk dress, the hem of which was embroidered with delicate silver thread cloud patterns.

Her perfectly applied makeup made her appear poised yet youthful, exuding a sense of tranquility and serenity.

She moved gracefully to the pavilion and knelt down, saying, "This humble woman, Lian Zhixin, greets Your Majesty the Empress. May Your Majesty be well."

Lingyan sat gracefully on the stone bench, her black hair piled high, exuding natural elegance.

Hearing this, he glanced at her indifferently and said softly, "Get up. You say you can help me, so let me hear your answer."

Upon hearing this, Lian Zhixin straightened up, then lowered her eyes and clasped her hands together in front of her.

Speaking slowly and softly yet clearly, she said, "Your Majesty, I wish to tell you the truth today, from the bottom of my heart. I have no affection for Your Majesty. My request to enter the palace is merely for the sake of my family's honor."

At this point, she raised her eyes, her gaze open and sincere, and looked directly at Lingyan: "If I am fortunate enough to enter the palace, I would never dare to covet Your Majesty's favor, nor would I ever presume to do anything disrespectful or presumptuous. I will certainly keep to my duty and fulfill my responsibilities as a concubine."

She bit her lip slightly, as if she had made a great decision, and continued, "This humble woman hopes to give birth to a prince, but she also wishes to entrust this child to Your Majesty's careful upbringing. If he can grow up under Your Majesty's care, this humble woman will be content. For the rest of her life, she only asks to see him occasionally and know that he is well."

Lian Zhixin paused briefly, straightened her skirt, and her expression became even more submissive: "After the prince is born, I am willing to no longer serve the emperor. From now on, I will live a quiet life in a corner of the palace. This arrangement will bring honor to my family and will also benefit Your Majesty. Your Majesty is currently in the prime of your life, but time waits for no one, and Your Majesty has no family to rely on. If you remain childless for a long time, what will happen when your youth fades..."

Her voice lowered, full of earnestness: "Men are often fickle and easily bored. Even if His Majesty is deeply in love with Your Majesty now, Your Majesty's situation will be precarious when the time comes. How will Your Majesty cope? It would be most appropriate to have an heir so that Your Majesty can have someone to rely on. Since Your Majesty will have an heir sooner or later, why not choose a law-abiding partner?"