Shen Changyuan wanted to teach Shen Mingzhu a lesson again, but then he remembered her saying: "A gentleman helps others achieve good things, not evil things; a petty person does the opposite."
He opened his mouth, but in the end, he swallowed the words that were about to come out.
"Mingzhu, hurry up, or we'll be late!"
Xie Yuze and Xie Hao got up early to practice martial arts. Seeing the father and daughter who were about to go to court, they couldn't help but chuckle.
That's interesting!
Guagua, I don't know why, but I've been feeling really sleepy these past few days.
Host, spring drowsiness, autumn fatigue, summer naps, and three months of endless sleepiness in winter are normal! Haven't you noticed the weather is getting colder?
That's absolutely true, I felt it!
Soon, urged by Shen Changyuan, Shen Mingzhu finally boarded the carriage and headed towards the palace.
Today, the entire court is filled with officials who look as listless as eggplants wilted by frost.
Looking at everyone, Shen Mingzhu couldn't help but ask the system a question.
Guagua, what's wrong with all the officials in the court? Why do they all have dark circles under their eyes?
Host, they obviously didn't sleep well last night! I bet everyone was really excited about yesterday's welcome dinner!
What are they so excited about? My uncle is back in Beijing for two reasons: to report on his work and to discuss my cousin Hao's wedding. What are the others so excited about?
Host, everyone may now enjoy the feast.
Haha, the banquet was quite enjoyable!
The officials looked at Shen Mingzhu with some resentment, all because of her inner monologue last night, which led to a heated discussion about the inheritance of the Xu family's assets.
Neither side could convince the other!
Shen Mingzhu was speechless and wondered if it was her fault.
Guagua, what's the current situation with the Xu family?
Upon hearing this, the eyes of all the civil and military officials lit up immediately!
Did the legitimate daughter of the first wife ultimately prevail over the son of the second wife?
Or was it the son of the second wife who drove the daughter of the first wife out of the house?
Host, they are still making a fuss! How could we possibly have results in just one night!
Okay
At this moment, everyone looked at Su Qingshan, the Minister of Rites.
Their second daughter-in-law?
Um?
Those who had a good relationship with Su Qingshan, the Minister of Rites, couldn't help but speak up.
"Minister Su, did your son Huaili and his wife already head south to Jiangnan early this morning?"
Su Qingshan frowned, clearly displeased.
Is this the time for court proceedings or for discussing such matters?
The entire court: Now is the time for discussion.
If we don't discuss this now, when will we?
Am I supposed to go to the Ministry of Rites with you after court to discuss this?
They were terrified that Minister Su would grab a big broom and kick them out!
After all, not everyone is Prince An, fearless, and with an emperor brother to back him up.
Prince An: Who can blame me? I was born into such a family!
Emperor Jingyuan: Everyone is focusing on this year's snow disaster. It will only get colder and colder in the future. How did we get through the Little Ice Age? Have we thought of any countermeasures?
Look at you all. All you do is gossip!
Am I paying salaries just so you can all gossip?
The entire court: ...
Shen Mingzhu was in a daze...
Suddenly, a roar came from the upper door.
"How dare you!!!"
"Thump~"
The Second Prince, Yan Yunxuan, knelt upright directly in front of him.
Guagua, what happened? Why is the second prince kneeling in the main hall?
All the officials and civil and military officials: Lord Shen has had a good rest!
Shen Mingzhu: I only took a short nap.
Host, your father just said the national treasury is empty, and the second prince suggested increasing taxes on the people, which infuriated Emperor Jingyuan!
Sigh... This second Prince Yan Yunxuan really can't stand seeing the common people enjoy a few days of peace. Doesn't he know that the common people are the foundation of the Great Yan Dynasty?!
Host, he's not thinking that far ahead. He hasn't attended court for a month; he's just eager to make a good impression.
Uh… is this how he behaves? If the common people knew, they'd drown him in their spit!!!
Prince An stood at the very front, glanced at Yan Yunxuan, and covered his mouth to chuckle.
Hahaha~~~
They could drown him with their spittle.
That would require so many people!
It's amazing that Master Shen could come up with this thought.
Crown Prince Yan Beichen glanced helplessly at Shen Mingzhu, then at the Second Prince on the ground, and turned his head away.
Let Father punish him.
Emperor Jingyuan looked at his good-for-nothing son on the ground and directly punished him by deducting half a year's salary and making him distribute free porridge to the people in the suburbs for a month.
It can be considered as doing something good for the people.
"Yes, Your Majesty, I obey your command."
The Second Prince, Yan Yunxuan, accepted the imperial decree and expressed his gratitude.
He showed no resentment toward everything he had suffered.
In reality, he cursed inwardly: "Isn't this all for my father's sake, to make the national treasury full?"
He glared fiercely at Minister of Revenue Shen Changyuan several times. It was all his fault for saying that the national treasury was empty. Didn't he confiscate the property and exile several officials before?
Didn't their family fortune go into the national treasury?
Where's the money?
Could it be?
He stared wide-eyed at Shen Changyuan in disbelief.
No way, no way? No way!!!
Shen Changyuan is too bold.
Looking at Shen Mingzhu behind him and thinking about Shen Jiaojiao at home, he was relieved that Jiaojiao had already left the Shen family.
One tree can not support a forest; the Shen family is in for a world of trouble!
Fortunately, they severed ties with the Shen family early on.
Looking at his elder brother, the Crown Prince, beside him, he thought, "Oh dear, he's going to suffer if he marries that unlucky girl, Shen Mingzhu!"
Hahaha~~~
He seemed to see the tragic later life of Crown Prince Yan Beichen and couldn't help but laugh out loud.
"Prince Xuan, what are you laughing at?"
Emperor Jingyuan looked at the Second Prince Yan Yunxuan's nonchalant attitude and saw that he was even laughing there.
Is he mocking his own decision?
He clenched his fists and looked at the Second Prince Yan Yunxuan before speaking.
"The Second Prince Yan Yunxuan has behaved improperly before the palace; he is hereby fined one thousand taels of gold, which shall be deposited into the national treasury effective immediately!"
The Second Prince Yan Yunxuan never expected that a simple accidental smile would get him to pay a thousand taels of gold.
A smile is worth a thousand pieces of gold!
The entire court of officials: Is this how "a smile is worth a thousand pieces of gold" is used?
Shen Mingzhu: Okay, okay!
Good heavens, a smile is worth a thousand pieces of gold! His Highness, the Second Prince's smile, is truly valuable! But it's all good this way; at least the national treasury has been slightly replenished.
Host, stop gloating.
Guagua, I didn't! I'm just telling the truth! The national treasury is indeed a little fuller. If only we could confiscate the entire Xuanwang Mansion! Recently, Shen Jiaojiao has been cooperating with Zhou Hanchuan, the second senior brother of the Divine Doctor Valley, and has made quite a bit of money. A thousand taels of gold is nothing to her!
Host, you even know this? Guagua hasn't told you yet!