"Teacher!" Min Feng entered the outer study room, looking at Xia Qing standing by the window, and hurriedly called out to him.
Xia Qing turned to look at Min Feng and nodded, without uttering any words of reprimand, merely gesturing to the others present to greet Gu Chengyu.
After paying respects, Min Feng, at Xia Qing's indication, sat in a corner of the room.
These individuals were either officials of the court or advisers whom even the teacher valued highly, leaving him no space to interject in their presence.
Xia Qing listened and felt a bit hesitant. Ultimately, they were his clansmen; how could he bear it?
Furthermore, the massive amount of silver taels required for the border allowances, even returning all the seized silver might not suffice.
If he produced too much, the world would certainly be outraged, damaging his reputation.
The Emperor would also punish him to quell public opinion as a show of fairness. Xia Qing furrowed his brows, finding himself in a dilemma.
