0p0 Chapter 245: Saving expenses and clipping wings
Chapter 245: Saving expenses and clipping wings
"I saw the noble lady in Wan use bright paper to paste the windows. This method can save the cost of candles."
The emperor picked up the teacup and took a sip of tea, then he looked at the queen calmly and said.
"Queen, what do you think of this method?"
"The winter in the capital is long. Lady Wan's move can save a lot of expenses for the palace. It is a good idea."
The Queen nodded in agreement.
She really liked the feeling of the emperor talking to her about these things. Even though the power of the palace was not in her hands now, she could still manage the affairs of the harem openly.
"During the New Year holidays, money is needed everywhere, so it is a good thing to save some money."
"I have always thought that Wan Guiren's intelligence and talent are above poetry and books, but I didn't expect that he also has such talent in management affairs. I underestimated him."
The emperor did not expect that Concubine Wan could really surprise him. After all, it seemed that Concubine Wan was the only one in the harem who did not mind talking to him about state affairs, and she even had some ideas of her own on the matter of Nian Gengyao.
He thought that perhaps Concubine Wan could give him some new suggestions from the perspective of a concubine.
"Lady Wan is quick to understand. These things are not difficult for her."
The queen also smiled and agreed.
"What's even more rare is that although she is a woman, her mind is not narrow-minded. She is not limited to the small piece of land in the harem. Instead, she can consider that there will be many people who can't eat in the heavy snow, so she wants to use the money saved to open a porridge shop."
The emperor looked at the queen meaningfully and spoke.
"Yes, Lady Wan is indeed extraordinary."
After hearing what the emperor said, the queen felt it was not appropriate to say too much on this topic. After all, it involved state affairs, and even as the queen she had to step back.
Now that Concubine Wan has received such praise from the Emperor, I wonder if she can accept it.
The queen smiled and took a sip of the tea.
"The emperor invited Concubine Chun to his palace a few days ago. It has been two years since Concubine Chun entered the palace. This is the first time the emperor has visited her since she was favored in the Old Summer Palace."
"I remember that she likes to eat sweets and wear playful and bright clothes. She is really a little girl, and she is likable just by looking at her."
The Queen was not stingy with her praise for this concubine who wanted to join her, and even sent Jianqiu to give a gift to Chun Changzai yesterday.
Of course, there is also the intention of winning her over, but it depends more on whether she can gain further favor.
If it was like the time in the Old Summer Palace, where she was only favored for one day and then forgotten by the emperor, such a person would have no value to her, and she would naturally be too lazy to take her in as her lap.
"I like Chun Changzai's innocence and straightforwardness. She is not like some people who stir up trouble everywhere, causing unrest in the entire harem and making me very upset."
The emperor spoke in a cold tone.
The queen naturally understood who the emperor was talking about, and a smile flashed across her eyes.
Hua Fei, oh Hua Fei, you have come to this day.
As the saying goes, beauty fades and love wanes. After being favored in the palace for so many years, it’s time for the emperor to get tired of you.
Although I am not favored, I am the queen, and the emperor will naturally respect me.
But you are just a small concubine Hua. If you lose the emperor's favor, lose Nian Gengyao as your support, and have no children, I wonder what you will end up like?
She felt very happy just thinking about it, and a faint smile appeared on the corner of her mouth uncontrollably.
"Your Majesty, Lord Zhang Tingyu has arrived."
Su Peisheng walked in, bowed to the emperor, and began to report.
"I understand. Let him wait for a moment. I will be there soon."
The emperor looked at Su Peisheng and spoke.
The queen also stood up and bowed to leave very tactfully.
"Did Nian Gengyao cause any trouble in the capital?"
The emperor played with the bracelet in his hand and asked in a calm tone.
“The welcoming and seeing off is very lively.”
Zhang Tingyu naturally understood what the emperor wanted to do. He lowered his eyes slightly and answered.
"He has old friends in Beijing. Now that he has returned to Beijing, he will naturally have endless social engagements."
The emperor sneered and made up a very perfunctory excuse for Nian Gengyao's actions.
He waited for Zhang Tingyu to say more of what he wanted to hear.
After all, sometimes, even an emperor has to be able to act.
"Your Majesty, please forgive me for speaking frankly. All the people who came to greet and see off guests were his subordinates. He doesn't even take the other ministers seriously."
Zhang Tingyu spoke.
"Well, go on."
The emperor was not surprised by this matter and his brows did not even move.
"When Nian Gengyao returned to Beijing, Li Weijun, the governor of Zhili, knelt on the road to see him off. When he arrived in Beijing, there was a grand procession of carriages and horses, and many ministers knelt on the ground to welcome Nian Gengyao. Nian Gengyao rode on his horse and didn't even look at them. Such arrogance was eye-catching."
Zhang Tingyu didn't say anything more and continued speaking.
"is it?"
"I don't really know why such a thing happened."
The emperor took over the conversation in a neutral tone.
After all, Nian Gengyao had already known about this matter through his spies in the Sticking Rod Department when he came to Beijing.
He had already been angry then, and there was nothing to be angry about after hearing it again.
Zhang Tingyu didn't expect that the emperor would not react much after hearing such news. Did the emperor think that this news was not enough?
"Nian Gengyao has returned victoriously, which can be regarded as a glorious return. Although he is a little arrogant, it is understandable. I will remind him later."
The emperor pretended to trust his subjects and began his performance in front of Zhang Tingyu.
And Zhang Tingyu naturally took over the rivalry tacitly, looking at the emperor with complicated eyes and said.
"With the emperor's words, I feel relieved."
"You have a lot of things to do in the Ministry of Revenue. Nian Gengyao knows about border affairs. You can discuss some things with him."
"But don't worry, you are still the one who takes charge of the Ministry of Revenue affairs. You can just discuss it with him."
"If there are still some things you are unsure about, Jing'an has been to the border, so you can go ask him."
The emperor looked at Zhang Tingyu meaningfully and said.
"If Nian Gengyao's followers are not loyal to their duties, you can report them immediately if you find out. Although I am happy to see Nian Gengyao return victoriously, princes who break the law are subject to the same punishment as ordinary people, and Nian Gengyao's followers are no exception."
Zhang Tingyu understood what the emperor wanted him to do. It seemed that the emperor had the same idea as him. They both thought that they should first clip Nian Gengyao's wings and then slowly deal with Nian Gengyao himself.
"Yes, Your Majesty."
Zhang Tingyu looked at the emperor and nodded solemnly.