Transmigrated into a seven-year-old child, my fate is in my own hands, not in the heavens.

Before long, Zhao Lian had been staying here for a few days. At this moment, Zhao Lian was in the government office, talking with Prefect Song in the study.

There were some things Zhao Lian had always wanted to ask, but she didn't know where to begin.

Coincidentally, Clerk Cao came in at that moment, looking somewhat flustered: "Sir, according to Chief Li, the Governor has arrived."

"Oh~"

Prefect Song drew out his words and raised an eyebrow. Today was the seventh day, and he had indeed come.

Master Cao hesitated for a moment: "Also, there's something else, but I'm not sure if I should say it."

Prefect Song frowned: "Master Cao, speak plainly. When did you become so hesitant and indecisive?"

"My lord, I think that since the governor is here, we should see if we can ask him to speak to His Majesty and ask the court to allocate some silver."

"After all, our Suizhou City has to take in a lot of disaster victims, and the government is currently short of funds. This expense cannot be attributed to us."

"This is a difficult matter!"

Prefect Song sighed: "The current emperor doesn't concern himself with state affairs; the Empress Dowager holds power in many matters."

Master Cao said again, "Sir, no matter how difficult it is, we must try."

Prefect Song glanced at him: "I know, you can go now. By the way, you must keep an eye on whether the governor has arrived. If he has, come and report immediately!"

"Yes, I'll take my leave!"

With that, Master Cao withdrew.

After Cao the clerk left, Zhao Lian finally couldn't help but ask, "Godfather, what kind of person is the current Empress Dowager?"

Prefect Song looked nervous: "Zhaolian, you must never tell anyone this. As a subject, if you speak ill of the Empress Dowager behind her back and it gets overheard by others, and then reaches the Empress Dowager's ears, the consequences will be unimaginable."

Zhao Lian raised an eyebrow: "Godfather, what are you afraid of! There's no one else here."

Prefect Song stared sharply at Zhao Lian: "Zhao Lian, what exactly are you trying to say? Why are you suddenly asking about the Empress Dowager?"

Zhao Lian did not answer Prefect Song's question, but asked again, "Godfather, is the Empress Dowager's name Wu Lianya?"

"Hiss~"

Prefect Song gasped, "How did you know? How could you know the Empress Dowager's name at such a young age?"

As far as he knew, the Empress Dowager was indeed originally called Wu Lianya, but she later changed it to Wu Liantuoya.

Even he wasn't entirely clear about this, so how could Zhao Lian know?

Seeing the surprised expression on Prefect Song's face, Zhao Lian didn't answer him, but continued to ask, "Godfather, is there a eunuch in the palace named Gao Lian'an?"

Prefect Song could no longer sit still: "Zhaolian, what exactly are you trying to say? How do you know about things happening in the palace?"

Prefect Song knew that there was indeed a eunuch in the palace surnamed Gao, who was said to be a favorite of the Empress Dowager.

Since the Emperor ascended the throne, the Empress Dowager has placed Eunuch Gao by his side, not only taking care of his daily life, but also giving him considerable real power.

Some say that the relationship between the Empress Dowager and Eunuch Gao is shrouded in mystery, and that there might be something between them that they are keeping from everyone.

Of course, he only heard these things secondhand, but there's no smoke without fire. Since such rumors are circulating, there must be something fishy going on.

"Godfather, do you want to hear a story?" Zhao Lian blinked mischievously.

Just then, Master Cao rushed in, announcing, "My lord! My lord! The governor has arrived!"

Sure enough, he came! Prefect Song's eyes flashed with fire: "Zhaolian, put your story aside for now, we'll talk about it later. Go inside and keep your godmother company for a while, I'm going out to meet someone."

Without waiting for Zhao Lian's reply, Prefect Song hurriedly walked out.

……

"Lord Song, how have you been?"

Chen Jing forced a smile that looked more like a grimace.

Prefect Song clasped his hands in a respectful greeting: "I was unaware of the Governor's arrival today. I apologize for failing to greet you properly."

Chen Jing's lips twitched: "It seems I really underestimated you. I thought you would be helpless, but I didn't expect you to cure this plague."

Prefect Song gave a half-smile: "Judging from your words, sir, you seem somewhat displeased. Could it be that you don't want me to cure the plague so you can take the opportunity to punish me?"

Yao Miao, who was standing to the side, immediately scolded, "Lord Song, how dare you speak to the governor like that? You're just spouting nonsense."

"Isn't that so? Your Excellency, you had people buy up most of the medicine in the city, leaving behind an empty pharmacy."

"You're asking me to treat patients and save lives here, but then you're locking down the city, prohibiting people from entering or leaving. What kind of treacherous ambitions are you harboring? Who are you acting on your orders? You probably know the answer yourself."

Faced with Prefect Song's persistent questioning, Yao Miao was left speechless.

Yao Miao glanced at the governor, only to see that the governor's face was ashen.

That damned Prefect Song, he's putting himself on the spot, neither admitting nor denying it.

"Hahahaha~" Unexpectedly, Chen Jing burst into laughter: "Lord Song is quite the joker, but this joke has gone a bit too far. I'll let it go this time and not pursue it, but you mustn't say such things again in the future."

Prefect Song regretted his words as soon as they were spoken. To be honest, he didn't want to fall out with Chen Jing, who was a favorite of the Empress Dowager.

Falling into a complete break with him would do no good for him. Seeing that the other party was offering him a way out, Prefect Song accepted it.

He chuckled and said, "The governor is indeed clever; he saw through my joke at a glance. But the provincial governor must have been quite frightened."

"Haha~"

Yao Miao's face flushed red and then turned pale, and she chuckled dryly twice.

"Your Excellency, please have some tea."

Hearing the gentle voice, Chen Jing's body trembled. He looked up and met a pair of eyes, large and clear, watery eyes.

That fair skin, that high nose and those slightly upturned lips—isn't that the bayberry I've been longing for day and night?

I never expected that after not seeing her for several years, she would still look the same, while I would look old.

Prefect Song's words were reproachful: "Madam, why did you come out? Didn't I tell you to talk to Zhaolian for a while?"

He didn't want Chen Jing to see his wife. Seeing Chen Jing staring intently at his wife made him feel disgusted, as if he had swallowed a fly. A million animals were running rampant in his heart.

Yang Mei smiled and said, "Sir, since an old friend has come, of course we should meet him. Governor, don't you think so?"

Yes, yes.

Chen Jing nodded hastily.

"Master, have you forgotten something you didn't tell the governor?" Yang Mei tugged at Prefect Song's sleeve and whispered this to him, then blinked to remind him of what Clerk Cao had said.

Prefect Song's eyes darted around, and he immediately realized, "Yes, yes, Madam is right, I almost forgot about that."

As he spoke, Prefect Song clasped his hands in a respectful bow to Chen Jing: "Your Excellency, Suizhou City is currently receiving disaster victims, but settling them will cost a considerable amount of money. Your Excellency, could you perhaps speak to His Majesty about this matter and ask the court to find a way to provide assistance?"

Whether it works out or not is one thing, the key is to say it out loud.