“Huh?” Wang Yuzhen looked bewildered.
Tang Ning explained gently, “The Emperor and the Crown Prince are at odds. The Emperor won’t fail to notice the Crown Prince’s actions, and Brother’s selling of those jewels and treasures has caused quite a stir. The matter of sending silver south won’t stay hidden for long either. Instead of letting someone else expose it, it’s better to have Lord Wang mention it.”
“But what if the Emperor finds out and changes his mind…”
“He can’t change his mind.”
Tang Ning was resolute. “The imperial edict has already been issued, and the messengers have been sent south at full speed. No matter how thick-skinned the Emperor is, he can’t go back on his word and betray his subjects’ trust like he did to Brother that night.”
Emperor An had only just salvaged some of his reputation. Even if he knew Xiao Yan and the Crown Prince were playing a deeper game, making him the one to pave the way for their plans, he had no choice but to grit his teeth and proceed.
The Ministry of Revenue was strapped for funds. If the Emperor, as the grand ruler, couldn’t fulfill his promises, any resulting chaos would be a blow to his already tarnished reputation. Though he might have little face left to lose, he would never do something that would elevate the Crown Prince and further destabilize his throne.
In truth, if Wang Yuzhen and the others hadn’t come today, Tang Ning and Xiao Yan had already discussed finding a reliable person to subtly bring the matter to Emperor An’s attention. This would not only curry favor with the Emperor but also provoke him a little.
Before Qian Baokun took over the Ministry of Revenue, Emperor An had been siphoning funds from it every year. Later, he managed to maintain that secret army without anyone noticing. He must have a private treasury. Despite Xiao Yan’s efforts, along with Qian Baokun and Gu Helian’s investigations, they hadn’t found any suspicious large-scale movements of money or grain.
Either that secret army was already self-sufficient, disguised as some unremarkable force.
Or Emperor An’s private treasury was so well-stocked that he could cut off the army’s external contacts and sustain it with his reserves.
After analyzing the situation, Tang Ning and Xiao Yan believed the latter was more likely.
Since they couldn’t locate the secret army, they would first try to drain Emperor An’s private treasury. If trouble arose in the south, Emperor An, eager to outdo the Crown Prince and avoid having his achievements stolen, would have to find ways to replenish the Ministry of Revenue’s deficits with money and grain. Once his resources were exhausted, the secret army, lacking supplies, would need to reconnect with the outside world.
With the Gu and Qian families keeping watch, any large-scale grain purchases would inevitably leave traces.
Tang Ning didn’t share her and Xiao Yan’s plans with the three before her. Instead, she said to Wang Yuzhen, “The He family has finally been vindicated, but the Emperor keeps scheming against Brother, even trying to use public sentiment to tarnish the He family’s reputation. Why not give him a little push, let him clash with the Crown Prince?”
“If Lord Wang mentions it to the Emperor, he’ll know the Crown Prince is trying to make a move and will scramble to raise funds. When immortals fight, the little ghosts profit. It’ll ease some pressure on Uncle Qian, and both the Emperor and the Crown Prince will have to open their purses. Consider it a benefit for the people.”
Wang Yuzhen understood Tang Ning’s meaning. She opened her mouth, “Sister Tang…”
“What, Yuzhen, are you unwilling to help me?”
“No…”
Wang Yuzhen wanted to say something, but meeting Tang Ning’s smiling eyes, she felt a sting in her own. She was clever, how could she not see Tang Ning’s true intentions? On the surface, Tang Ning’s words seemed to be about scheming for Xiao Yan, but in reality, she was paving a path to advancement for Wang Yuzhen’s father.
Her father had been stuck in his current position for years. He should have risen to the ranks of the scholar-officials or entered the Hanlin Academy, but his humble background and the suppression of powerful aristocratic families left him with only the title of a Hanlin scholar, ignored by others. Otherwise, the people from Prince Ji’s residence wouldn’t have dared to humiliate her so openly in the palace that day.
Tang Ning appeared to be using her father to act, but anyone with eyes could see the Emperor’s current predicament. His earlier actions had alienated many court officials, and now, in his struggle with the Crown Prince, he lacked trusted allies. The old courtiers he might have relied on were no longer trustworthy. At such a time, someone who could step forward, unafraid of the “powerful minister” Xiao Yan, and offer advice would surely gain the Emperor’s favor.
Seeing the young girl’s eyes redden as if she wanted to say something, Tang Ning pushed a plate of pastries toward her. “Since it’s not that, then I’ll trouble you with this matter, Little Sister Yuzhen.”
“I don’t have much to offer, so take these sweet cakes as my thanks. Don’t think I’m being stingy.”
Wang Yuzhen’s eyes stung, and after a long moment, her voice trembled, “How could I think that?”
No one could be more generous than the person before her.
Zhou Yuchang and Qian Qiyue, sitting nearby, hadn’t fully grasped the meaning behind Tang Ning’s words, though they vaguely sensed something odd in the exchange.
Qian Qiyue leaned forward, “What are you two talking about? What’s this about being stingy?”
Tang Ning stuffed a pastry into her mouth. “Nothing. Yuzhen came to warn me today, but her father doesn’t know about it. Tell her to let him know so he won’t be upset. And we don’t want Yuzhen getting implicated if word gets out about Brother sending silver.”
Qian Qiyue let out an “Oh” and munched on the pastry, not pressing further.
Zhou Yuchang glanced at Tang Ning. Was that really it? Why did it feel off?
Tang Ning didn’t want to dwell on the topic, some things weren’t suitable to share with them. Seeing Zhou Yuchang’s puzzled look, she swiftly changed the subject. “Sister Zhou, have you set a date for your wedding?”
Zhou Yuchang’s curiosity vanished instantly, and she blushed slightly. “It’s set for the second month of next year.”
“So soon?” Qian Qiyue remarked. “Didn’t you say the third month before?”
Zhou Yuchang explained, “Madam He’s health isn’t good. After discussions between the He family and my mother, we settled on the second month.”
The imperial physician had examined Madam He and said she might have only six months to a year left. Zhou Yuchang’s mother, out of consideration for the He family, had agreed to hold the wedding before the year’s end. Though it was rushed, no one would object given the circumstances. But Madam He refused, saying that a proper engagement and preparations typically take over half a year. Holding the wedding after the new year was already rushed, and moving it earlier would be too unfair to Zhou Yuchang. After the physician confirmed Madam He could hold on for a year or so, both families agreed on the second month of next year, neither too hasty nor delayed.
When Zhou Yuchang spoke of the He family, her face was full of warmth, and she clearly admired Madam He.
Qian Qiyue, curious, asked, “Have you met Young Master He?”
Zhou Yuchang’s cheeks flushed, and she didn’t reply.
Qian Qiyue pressed, “Your face is so red, you’ve met him? Come on, tell us! What’s he like?”
“He’s… alright.”
Zhou Yuchang, a bit shy, said, “Before the engagement, my mother took me to Lingyun Temple to offer incense, and I saw him from a distance. We exchanged a few words. Later, when he came to our residence for the betrothal, he was there too.”
“With so much happening in the palace and the Empress Dowager’s poor health, our families kept things quiet. He felt he’d slighted me and apologized, saying…”
“Saying what?” Qian Qiyue leaned in, eager for gossip.
Zhou Yuchang’s cheeks burned. “He said he’d make it up to me after the wedding.”
Her eyes sparkled with joy, clearly pleased with Young Master He. “He Jin is very considerate. My mother and the others like him too.”
Qian Qiyue clicked her tongue, folding her arms. “Your mother likes him? I bet you’re the one who’s smitten… Look at her, already sweet-talking like a bride-to-be. Tang Ning, isn’t this too much?”
Before she could finish, she turned and said, “Wait, no, you’ve got your Xiao Yan too. You two are even more insufferable when you get sappy.”
Qian Qiyue dramatically collapsed onto Wang Yuzhen. “Poor us, two lonely souls forced to watch them flaunt their love. Yuzhen, hug me quick, my heart’s freezing!”
Wang Yuzhen, pushed off balance, burst into laughter.
Tang Ning reached over and flicked Qian Qiyue’s forehead. “I think you haven’t copied the Diamond Sutra enough times, have you?”
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You can read ahead to chapterr 770 (100+ extra chapters) here
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