Red Mansion and Crimson Pearl

Chapter 151 Ahhhh

On that day, Jia Zheng was forced to stay in the department to "help" with the accounts. He worked with him until the end of the afternoon of the next day. Only after he had copied down the final figures was he allowed to go home.

Although Jia's mother and others had been notified long ago and knew that it was official business, the news that Tanchun had received a plaque and Yuanchun was about to be conferred the title of imperial concubine had also spread back. The whole family was in a panic, not knowing whether it was a blessing or a curse.

Jia Zheng finally came back, feeling sleepy, tired, and dizzy, but he still asked Grandmother Jia to call him into the main room and ask him what was going on.

Jia Zheng was filled with impatience, and he suppressed his temper and said a few words briefly. Jia Mu asked Jia She, who was sitting and listening, with a worried look on her face:

"Your Majesty, isn't this putting the Queen on the spot? What on earth does he want to do?"

"I guess the reason why the Queen wanted to expel Sister Tan from the clan is unknown to us, but His Majesty knows it. And His Majesty is not happy about that reason."

Jia She thought and sorted out the matter, "Now, Your Majesty seems to be praising the Queen, but in fact, he is almost venting his anger on behalf of Tan Jieer.

"But now we have to place the special imperial examination candidates and deal with the flood in the south of the Yangtze River. I heard that the Wang family member who was originally planning to return to the capital to report on his work has refused to come back because of the unrest in the nine borders. There are two consecutive birthday celebrations in July and August.

"His Majesty is busy enough with the affairs of the court. How can he care about the quarrels between our two sisters? Unless..."

Jia She glanced at Lady Jia.

Grandmother Jia nodded and said, "Unless this reason is related to your majesty's political situation."

"If this is the case, it would be best for our family to do nothing and just go with the flow as His Majesty wants." Jia She concluded.

Jia Zheng was drowsy and didn't hear anything. He even yawned.

Grandmother Jia and Jia She looked at him at the same time and sighed.

In fact, they really thought too much. What can the only one left in the court do now? ! What he is best at is probably doing nothing!

Let Jia Zheng go to rest first. After Jia Mu and Jia She, mother and son, had a slightly awkward conversation, they quickly dispersed.

The next day, Mrs. Xing took Yingchun and Xichun to burn incense, pretending that the women in the Jia family were very happy about Yuanchun's promotion.

Seeing others going to burn incense but not himself, Jia Huan felt sour in his heart. During the meal, he complained to Aunt Zhou: "After all, I am the brother of the imperial concubine. Brother Baoyu has a private school, but I don't! Why don't you let me go?"

Aunt Zhou coaxed him, "Female relatives are for female relatives to go. Tomorrow, I will accompany Third Master to Qingxu Temple! That is where the Duke's substitute practices. Let's tell the Duke about this good news."

Jia Huan became happy again.

Another day passed, and it was May 15th. Aunt Zhou always went out to burn incense on the first and fifteenth days of the lunar month. It had become a routine. She didn't need to tell anyone in particular, so she took Jia Huan to Qingxu Temple.

The two were burning incense in the side hall, and had just knelt down to pray when suddenly a surprised voice rang out: "Oh my! This young man must be the descendant of Lord Rong! The auspicious clouds above the main hall are colorful, could it be because of you!?"

…(The old liar is here, please hold on tight)…

Emperor Zhaoming's face darkened when he received the figures from the Ministry of Revenue. Almost instantly, he threw the paper back at the Ministry of Revenue's face:

"The national treasury has eight million silver coins, but only two million can be used. You have already spent the other six million for me?!

"And this doesn't even include the Supreme's birthday celebration!?"

The Ministry of Revenue felt extremely aggrieved. He picked up the list and explained with courage: "The nine frontiers are all in arrears of money and a war is about to break out. The two imperial tombs are under construction. The money for the Yellow River flood last year and the earthquake in Zhili at the beginning of this year was agreed to be paid long ago. In addition, the second, third, and fourth princes are about to reach adulthood and get married, so the prince's palace must be repaired..."

Emperor Zhaoming glanced over and said, "There is no rush for my imperial mausoleum and the princes' mansions. At most, I will die later, and the princes will get married later. How much can this save?"

"I will die!" The minister was almost scared to death by his words "die later". He knelt down and apologized, then replied with a bitter face, "It won't save much. Only 700,000 or 800,000."

Emperor Zhaoming waved his hand with a stern face and told him to get out.

He tapped his fingers on the imperial desk several times, then suddenly looked up and asked Tao Xingjian, "Did Prince Zhongshun want to see me yesterday?"

"Yes." Tao Xingjian nodded, "He said that he only caught people and questioned them after most of the people had left."

"Then let's go to his house and find him now. It's just right. I will treat him to a meal." Emperor Zhaoming grinned. "By the way, go and summon those princes - oh, invite our Prince Beijing and Prince Nan'an to come as well. They will come after the meal."

Tao Xingjian held his forehead with his hand and said, "Your Majesty! Haven't you cheated enough people yesterday?"

"Hmph! I've been feeling very frustrated for the past six months, and now I'm itching to do something. The pit has been dug, and I won't give in if I don't bury a few more people in it!"

Emperor Zhaoming stood up with a smile, raised his head and calculated silently, then looked at Lu Changqing who was bending over and waiting for instructions.

"Tell the imperial chef that the concubines did me a great favor yesterday, and I am very pleased. Give away today's two dishes from one palace to the other.

“You will go with me personally to receive the rewards from the Four Concubines’ Palace. You know what to say!

"As for lunch, I will eat it with Prince Zhongshun! Four dishes and one soup, two meat dishes and three vegetables. No more!"

Lu Changqing agreed crisply at first, then asked slyly, "Your Majesty, I heard that Prince Zhongshun likes spicy food but doesn't like rice?"

Emperor Zhaoming's eyes lit up and he laughed loudly: "Right! Ask them to make a spicy dish and a big bowl of rice as the staple food!"

That evening, before the palace gates were locked, a group of royal family members and kings of different surnames slowly walked out of the palace. They looked at each other, all a little slow.

How come, all the money and manpower is contributed? ?

Lu Changqing hid behind them, laughing. When they were far away, he put on his casual clothes, found a donkey from somewhere, rode on it, and went to Lin's house leisurely.

Enter through the side door and go directly to the main courtyard.

Lin Daiyu had just finished her meal. Seeing him coming, she stood up with some worry: "What's wrong? Did something happen? Didn't Supervisor Tao say that he wouldn't come over recently?"

"No, no. I have a day off tomorrow. Grandpa Tao told me to go to Tao's mansion to ask Lao Hou to take me shopping. I didn't want to, so why not come and see the girl first?"

Lu Changqing's face was as bright as a flower with a smile.

Qingwen interrupted and said, "Then you must not have eaten! We are about to eat, come and join us!"

Lu Changqing's eyes lit up: "That would be great!"

After eating a full meal, he came over to thank Daiyu with a smacking mouth, then sat on a low stool with a smile on his face and told Daiyu jokes.

"…Prince Zhongshun was so hot! Especially since it was so hot, he was sweating all over! When the princes of different surnames, including Prince Duncheng, Prince Kejin, Prince Yu and Prince Beijing, arrived, Prince Zhongshun's forehead was still dry!"

Lu Changqing was beaming with joy, and his words were eloquent and sharp, almost as eloquent as a storyteller.

Xueyan pushed Qingwen and laughed softly, "Your job has been taken away!"

Qingwen glared at her and quickly pricked up her ears to listen.

"…The Emperor said with a stern face: How important is the disaster relief in Jiangnan? In addition to the floods and refugees, there is also the local government!

"It's not that I want to be partial, but if I didn't have some foundation in the local area, I'm afraid I wouldn't be able to complete this mission!"