Goose barnacles mostly grow on the reefs and in the caves along the seaside. The colder the climate, the more vigorously these barnacles grow.
The reefs are slippery, and the waves crash violently. If one is not careful underfoot and stumbles, there is a risk of being swept into the sea by the surging waves. It is by no means an easy task.
If it comes to the goose barnacles in the caves, the danger is even greater.
Fishermen often take advantage of low tide to crawl into the caves to harvest goose barnacles. At this time, most of the caves are hotter and more humid than the outside.
After being exposed to the heat and seawater for a long time, the human body will inevitably swell slightly. If the entrance of the cave is too narrow, it will be extremely difficult for the fishermen to get out again.
When the tide rises, those fishermen trapped in the caves can only despairingly drown in the sunless sea.
Looking at the eager and impatient look of the magistrate of Jiangcheng, Li Ying really couldn't imagine how he had managed to prepare so many fresh goose barnacles in just a few days, only for the emperor and concubines to while away their time for entertainment.
Sure enough, when the magistrate of Jiangcheng saw that Li Ying was speaking up for him, he seemed to have grabbed a life - saving straw. He quickly said in succession, "Your Majesty, please make a fair judgment! Your subject only wanted to search for all the fresh things in Jiangcheng to relieve your worries. Since you have issued a strict order not to hunt the divine hawksbill turtles, how dare your subject openly defy the order!"
The emperor's angry look remained unchanged. The magistrate of Jiangcheng didn't dare to be negligent and continued, "Your Majesty, these goose barnacles were all purchased by your subject from the common people. If you still have doubts, just bring a few fishermen for interrogation!"
Lu Xunguang exchanged a look with Li Ying, understanding each other without a word. He stepped forward and advised, "Your Majesty, this southern inspection is also to experience the local customs of the cities along the southeast coast. The weather is fine today. In my humble opinion, why don't you go to the seaside and have a look in person?"
Empress Pei also advised, "Your Majesty, what Lord Lu said is reasonable. Your servant also intends to take the empress dowager and the prince out for a stroll. How about going to the seaside for a visit?"
The group set off in a grand manner towards the beach of Jiangcheng.
Sure enough, several fishermen - dressed people from Jiangcheng were bowing respectfully.
"Long live, long live, long live our emperor!"
Their kneeling bodies trembled slightly, and they didn't dare to look directly at the emperor's face.
The imperial eunuch beside the emperor, with a beaming face, presented the baskets carried by those fishermen from Jiangcheng to the emperor.
"Your Majesty, look. This is the goose barnacle that Miss Li mentioned."
The magistrate of Jiangcheng quickly said, "What are you still standing there for? Hurry up and take His Majesty to have a look at those naturally - growing goose barnacles!"
The leading fisherman, shivering, didn't dare to hesitate. He humbly hung his head and led the way meekly.
Li Ying followed behind, and a slight suspicion arose in her heart.
Logically speaking, a king has a natural dignity without showing anger. It is only natural for ordinary people not to dare to look directly at the emperor's face and to tremble with fear.
But the expressions on the faces of these fishermen at the moment didn't seem to be just awe. It seemed that there was also a hint of... fear and sorrow?
Li Ying didn't say much. She secretly speculated about the different expressions of the crowd and quietly walked at the end of the group.
Before long, the emperor's imperial carriage was steadily carried to the rocky beach.
Sure enough, among the rough and overlapping reefs, there were quite a few clusters of "goose barnacles" growing here and there, each looking like a turtle's foot.
These goose barnacles were a bit thinner. The magistrate of Jiangcheng didn't think much of them, so he reluctantly left them.
Fortunately, he didn't wipe them out completely, so there were still some "evidences" left.
"Your Majesty, please have a look!"
The magistrate of Jiangcheng looked at those silent fishermen and said sternly, "Hurry up and tell His Majesty all the habits of these goose barnacles in detail!"
The leading fisherman pointed out by him, although still shaking like a sieve, had to step forward honestly and said in a trembling voice, "Your Majesty... these goose barnacles... just as the magistrate said, grow in the crevices of the reefs, and some also grow in the caves not far away..."
Before he could finish, he was coldly interrupted by the magistrate of Jiangcheng.
"Don't talk too much in front of His Majesty!"
The fisherman's body trembled violently, and he didn't dare to say another word. He was so scared that he became as silent as a cicada in winter.
"Your Majesty, the sea breeze is cold. If you stay in it for too long, it may harm your precious body. Since you have clearly investigated the truth, why don't you go back to your subject's mansion to rest first?"
The emperor slightly squinted his eyes and nodded.
But Li Ying still felt something was wrong.
She subconsciously looked at the cave mentioned by the fisherman just now. The seawater was surging in, and it was almost about to completely submerge the reefs.
She walked thoughtfully at the end of the team and returned to the imperial boat, but she always felt restless.
At this moment, she heard a polite announcement from a maid outside the door.
"Has Miss Li gone to rest? Our princess has something important to discuss. Please go with this maid."
Li Ying pushed open the cabin door. Sure enough, it was the chief maid serving Princess Yongning.
She was puzzled, but still gave a gentle smile and went with the maid.
Princess Yongning was reclining on the beauty's couch. A little girl with yellow hair and a childish face was kneeling below. She was wearing a well - washed and faded dress, and there were still tear - stains on her face.
Her small face was sunken on both cheeks, with hardly any flesh. She was tanned as black as a mussel shell. Her bright big eyes were still filled with unshed tears.
In her small hand, she was holding a bowl of osmanthus cream, obviously a reward from Princess Yongning.
When Li Ying came, Princess Yongning sat up slightly and asked softly, "Miss Li used to make a living by the sea. Can you tell where this little girl is from?"
The appearance of this child was exactly the same as the naughty children in the fishing village when she first arrived.
"Your Highness, is this the daughter of a fisherman from Jiangcheng?"
Princess Yongning nodded and continued, "When I went to the beach with Father just now, a guard saw this little girl secretly hiding behind the reefs crying. Suspecting that she was an assassin trying to assassinate Father, he was about to arrest her for interrogation. I couldn't bear it, so I ordered someone to stop him."
"Miss Li, listen to the injustice this little girl has suffered."
Li Ying raised her eyebrows. Injustice?
Hearing what Princess Yongning said, the little girl, who had finally stopped crying, couldn't hold back her tears any longer and they rolled down one by one.
"Princess, Sister, please be kind - hearted and help me save my father!"
"Mother has to take care of my younger brother at home. Father went to pick goose barnacles in order to earn more silver. I saw Father go into the cave with my own eyes. Now the tide has risen, and Father still hasn't come back. I'm scared, I'm scared..."
As she spoke, she burst into tears.
Children from poor families mature early. Although this child was still young, she already vaguely understood that her father might not come back. She couldn't stop wailing.