The silence in the study was heavy with the weight of their shared secret. Lord Lin sat across from Li Lan, a figure both ancient and vital. His presence was a comfort, a reassurance that her purpose was real.
A eunuch's gentle knock broke their focus. He delivered a sealed letter, bearing the royal crest of the Xialan Ministry of Agriculture. On its face, it was an unremarkable message: a request for all noble houses preparing for the effects of the dry season. To most, it would be a mundane duty. But as Li Lan read the words, she felt a familiar flicker of her gift, a sense of profound opportunity. This wasn't just a letter; it was the first piece of the puzzle she had been looking for.
She looked at Lord Lin, a slow, knowing smile spreading across her face. "This," she said, holding up the letter, "is it. This is how we begin."
Lord Lin raised a knowing eyebrow, silently inviting her to elaborate. "The Emperor's court views the drought as a minor inconvenience, a problem for the common people, not for the royal family. But if my heart, as a prince, takes a personal interest in this matter, if he shows a genuine concern for the people, it will make him stand out. It will win their hearts."
Her smile faltered slightly. "My heart..." she said, the name still feeling a new, beloved truth on her tongue. "He is a good man, but he is not ambitious. He avoids political games. How do I convince him to do this without frightening him away?"
Lord Lin's gaze was as deep and knowing as a well. "You are right, Princess. You cannot approach him with the language of a strategist. His heart is not moved by power or ambition. His heart is moved by compassion. You must not tell him this is a way to prove his worth to the Emperor. You must tell him this is a way to help his people. To be a true shepherd to the flock."
Li Lan felt a renewed surge of conviction. "The Xialan court sees only the problem," she said, her voice firm. "But my sister, Li Mei, anticipated this long ago. Before I left Huangtu, she gave me a supply of our kingdom's specialized drought-resistant seeds—a precaution against the unknown."
"A powerful gift," Lord Lin agreed. "Those seeds are renowned; they would bear fruit where Xialan's native crops would fail. The sight alone would be miraculous."
"Precisely," Li Lan confirmed. "He will be the first and only one to offer a tangible solution—proven seeds that can feed a starving populace. This isn't a political move, it's an act of profound compassion."
Lord Lin leaned forward, his voice a low, prophetic whisper. "I have seen a glimpse of the future," he said. "I saw a field, barren and cracked. And then, I saw the face of a single farmer, a look of profound gratitude, as he knelt before a single sprout. Your husband, Princess, will be remembered not for his victories in battle, but for his love for his people. This is the first step."
Li Lan looked down at the Ministry's request. It was a mandate from a higher power. Her path was clear: she knew exactly how to speak to her husband's heart.