The Whole Dynasty Spoils the Tyrant's Beloved Youngest Daughter-Chapter 406: Are You Stupid or Blind?

Chapter 406: Chapter 406: Are You Stupid or Blind?
The accompanying advisor saw County Magistrate Li was very upset by this bothersome Princess, with a sullen face, and hurriedly tried to console him, "Sir, don’t be angry, don’t be angry. A new official always has three fires to set, especially when it’s a princess going out on her first assignment. Once this period passes and her excitement wanes, naturally she won’t trouble you anymore."
"Heh..." County Magistrate Li sneered repeatedly, "She even wants my accounts. How could this be considered a temporary whim of excitement?"
To have control over Yuyang County’s accounts means holding the precise fiscal expenditures of Yuyang County tightly in one’s hands, and at the same time, stepping a mere County Magistrate Li underfoot.
County Magistrate Li’s lifeline was about to be taken from him; of course, he wouldn’t be happy.
County Magistrate Li was so angry he kept sighing.
"After all, the princess is here with a whole crowd keeping an eye on her. If she doesn’t push you to bring forth those accounts, it’s probably hard for her to explain," advised the advisor. "Sir, don’t be too angry. As long as you endure these days, the disaster will be over..."
"Then tell me, should the accounts be handed to her?"
"Naturally, we can’t give them," the advisor made a throat-slitting gesture. "No matter what, the accounts can’t be handed over to the princess; otherwise, our lives will be..."
County Magistrate Li understood the rest without needing the advisor to finish.
The accounts were filled with false entries that didn’t add up, to put it plainly, a muddled, rotten set of books.
Once in someone else’s hands, they could immediately see the issues.
We truly can’t let anyone see them, or else it’s curtains for us.
"Then don’t let her see the accounts just yet," County Magistrate Li said as he stroked his beard. "Concerning the accounts, I’ll muddle through for now and dodge the issue. For the next few days, let’s take her to inspect the dam construction site."
"Sir is right."
...
Once Jun Ning was settled, she and Jing Shu ate hot food together.
After the meal, when going to bed, Jing Shu was supposed to return to her own quarters. The residence they were staying at was large enough, and Jing Shu had her own room.
But today, Jing Shu was frightened by the elderly and weak women and children in Yuyang County. She was terrified that someone might push the door open or crawl through the window to harm her in the middle of the night.
She clutched her quilt, insisting on sleeping with Jun Ning.
Jun Ning, seeing her pitiful expression, could only agree.
Jing Shu was restless in her sleep—either kicking or suddenly putting a hand on someone’s head, giving quite a scare. Moreover, she frequently talked in her sleep.
Jun Ning spent the night with her, waking up several times during the course.
Upon the next day’s awakening, Jun Ning rubbed her aching temples, her face looking somewhat poorly.
"Auntie, I’m sorry..." Jing Shu was aware of her poor sleeping habits. "Tomorrow, I’ll get a new bed brought over, and we’ll sleep separately; we just need to be in the same room."
Jun Ning nodded, "Alright."
After breakfast, Jun Ning, feeling a bit groggy, waited to examine the accounts. But County Magistrate Li delayed sending the accounts for a long time. Unable to wait any longer, Jun Ning simply sent Chao Jiu to urge him.
These accounts were something she had to see today.
Chao Jiu returned shortly, visibly flustered.
"Princess, Princess, something terrible has happened..."
Seeing Chao Jiu sweating profusely and breathing rapidly, Jun Ning handed him a cup of tea, "What’s so terrible? Don’t rush. Drink some tea and speak slowly."
Chao Jiu drained the tea Jun Ning offered and said, "The water level of Yujiang suddenly began to rise, and the crops are just a month away from harvest. County Magistrate Li is afraid the crops will be flooded, so he has already gone to take a look."
"What?" Jun Ning stood up in alarm upon hearing this.
However, in no time, her rationality overcomes her initial emotions, and she regains composure.
She sat back in the Taishi Chair, calmly poured three cups of tea, one for Jing Shu, one for Chao Jiu, and one for herself.
After distributing the tea, she held her own cup and slowly said, "On our journey to Yuyang County, we haven’t seen a drop of rain or a gust of wind. How did the water level in Yujiang rise suddenly? What a farce!"
Usually, only after rain, wind, or flood release does the river’s water increase and the level stays unstable.
The sudden increase in water level now clearly appears to be an excuse County Magistrate Li hastily concocted to avoid Jun Ning investigating the accounts.
Undoubtedly, at this moment, he’s just waiting for Jun Ning to take the bait.
Jun Ning remarked, "County Magistrate Li truly has caught a fine fish!"
Chao Jiu looked at Jun Ning in astonishment.
He thought Jun Ning hadn’t studied much over the years, spending her days wandering about like a ghost, certainly not having much knowledge. Yet now, she’s calm, reasoning through the situation in an organized manner, even considering aspects he hadn’t thought of, which was genuinely astonishing.
Indeed, a princess is a princess—even indulging in frivolity, she’s more capable than the average person.
"Then Your Highness, shall we take the bait?" Chao Jiu clasped his hands, looking at Jun Ning, suddenly treating her with much more respect than before.
Jun Ning glanced at Chao Jiu, taking note of his change, "Of course, we have to take the bait! If we don’t, how can we unveil his schemes? Let’s go, we shall go have a look now."
Jun Ning and Jing Shu, with a maid and three guards in tow, arrived at the Yujiang dam site.
County Magistrate Li was kneeling on the dam, witnessing the water level that hadn’t risen nor showed any signs of doing so, crying bitterly, muttering to himself.
Jun Ning was too far to hear clearly.
She could only see County Magistrate Li croaking there like a frog, continuously kowtowing, followed by advisor and the section manager imitating his gestures, all kneeling together.
It looked excessively exaggerated.
Jun Ning was dressed in tight attire today, not wearing a skirt, making it easy and swift to walk.
She quickly moved to County Magistrate Li’s side, crossing her arms before her chest, and sarcastically looked at County Magistrate Li’s raised rear, "Hey, County Magistrate Li, what are you doing here?"
County Magistrate Li wiped non-existent tears from his eyes with his sleeve, "Yujiang’s water level is rising, disaster is imminent once again. I’m worrying over the grains the common people have grown!"
"Is that so?" Jun Ning maintained a calm face, "If you hadn’t explained, this princess would have thought you had water in your brain, so inexplicably coming here to kneel and worship."
County Magistrate Li was infuriated by these words, and just as he was about to rebuke Jun Ning for not caring about the people’s food, acting indifferent, Jun Ning was the first to speak, interrupting him.
"The Imperial City has a moat as well. I am quite familiar with what rising river levels actually look like."
"While Yujiang’s water flows gently, the water level differs little from usual. This princess truly doesn’t understand where the alleged rising water level is at?"
"Is County Magistrate Li ignorantly spreading rumors because he’s stupid or blind?"