Cloud dust scene returns

  As for the person who gave her the answer, Huā Xīyàn was not surprised at all when she first saw this name. At that time, as the Empress of the Palace, she couldn't say she didn't have a single friend. At least before she became the empress, in the palace, there were several close friends who weren't bound by the rules and etiquette of the palace and wouldn't be seen as thorns in her eyes.

  Also, at that time, the Gong family's status was not high, and her father, Gong Taishi, was an official who didn't have much power or wealth. At that time, as the crown prince, Li Zimo deliberately protected the Gong family, visiting them in secret and hiding his identity. Therefore, when she was Miss Gong, the friends she made were not like those who would fawn over her when she became empress, but rather ordinary young ladies from common families who could befriend her, such as Gong Piao.

  It is said that marriage requires matching doors and households, but in fact this saying is wrong. Making friends also requires matching doors and households.

  Among them, there was a girlfriend whose father was a civil servant in the Imperial City's government office. Later, it was said that he had good handwriting and was favored by the Ministry of Personnel, so he was transferred to work in the Ministry of Personnel. It was probably just copying and writing work, anyway, as long as you don't attract attention in the Imperial City, it's fine. So this girlfriend can only be called a young lady from a humble family, with the surname Qi, named Qi Yunyan.

  If Qi Yunyan were beautiful, she would be a heavenly beauty, and even if her father weren't a high-ranking official, she would still be famous throughout the land. Therefore, Qi Yunyan's features can only be described as delicate and petite, not ugly, but also not a great beauty. She has an oval face that is slightly thin, with a relatively high forehead, fortunately, her nose is small and elegant, her mouth is pretty, and when she smiles, two small dimples appear like pear flowers in the snow, making her a lovely woman.

  Huā Yùyán thought about how her brother had noticed Qí Yún Yān, and wondered if it was like the time when the Crown Prince would often visit their home and notice her in a way that belonged to two young people who were innocent and pure, with feelings that sprouted naturally.

  Perhaps it's really like that? Otherwise, Hua Xiyuan couldn't think of anything else. After all, Qi Yunyan wasn't a great beauty in terms of looks, and as for talent, she naturally couldn't compare to Chapter 078.

  Li Ji-yao could only tap her toes in frustration and gaze silently at the roof.

  Huā Yùyàn thought: The eldest princess is right, otherwise, Lí Jìyáo followed her and might have become a thorn in the eyes of many people.

  After the greetings, everyone took their seats. Hua Xixi and Princess Chang sat together at a small table in the pavilion, while the others had to sit or stand around them in circles.

  The palace maidens carried fruit and tea among the ladies, who gazed at the delicious food but didn't dare take a sip due to thirst. Everyone had come for the same purpose, waiting for either Huajiu or Princess Chang to speak up.

  Grandma Liu personally poured tea for the two masters.

  "The weather is sweltering, I've prepared a green tea with luohan fruit for the princess, I wonder if it suits her taste?" Huayexiang said.

  The princess carefully lifted her teacup and took a sip, saying: "I've never tried this before, but the flavor is refreshing and thirst-quenching."

  Grandma Liu personally brought up a plate of sliced peaches.

  Hua Yuye said, "I know that the Long Princess's residence has fragrant melons from Dayuan and lychees from Baichang. However, in the palace, His Majesty says that only locally produced peaches are to be used. I dare not go against the imperial will, so I can only use peaches to entertain the princess and the ladies."

  As for this matter, even Princess Chang didn't dare to make a sound, let alone those below her.

  The ninth lady who dislikes acid can only chew her tongue with others under the table: what does she mean? Is she sarcastic that we are not as frugal as the emperor? Or is it just her alone who will flatter the emperor? Indeed, those who know how to flatter, regardless of their status, have always been more likely to gain imperial favor than those who clear themselves like the officials of the Qing dynasty.

  Many years ago, she was Empress Gong who couldn't tolerate such a person. Many years later, as Consort Yan, she still can't tolerate such a person.

  To be honest, she had an ulterior motive for gathering these people today. Due to the recent scorching weather, some seasonal diseases have been spreading among the impoverished commoners. The free clinic set up by her brother and the imperial court has seen a daily increase in patients. If it exceeds its capacity, with insufficient medical supplies and manpower, a widespread epidemic could ravage the city, destroying an entire metropolis. However, relying solely on the imperial court's efforts is straining the national treasury. The imperial court's treasury isn't just for dealing with one issue; there are other expenses to consider as well. Fortunately, last time the Emperor ordered the Princess and a group of merchants to open their granaries and distribute grain to the commoners. However, it was far from enough.

  Those who come to this place today, thinking only of their own official hats and wealth, without considering the suffering of the common people. It's easy to imagine what kind of officials they are; once a problem arises, those who abandon the city and run away will definitely be among them.

  The official must follow the procedure, and the official must think about the consequences. Just like daring to copy the Sun family's house, he must first rush Lin Xuanji back to fill the empty position of the Sun family. These are his affairs, not hers to intervene. However, helping him punish these people a little, making them take out some silver to support his court and her brother's free clinic, this method she can easily come up with.

  A gentle breeze swept through Baihui Garden.

  "The ninth lady is right, this official has called everyone here specifically to flatter His Majesty."

  The crowd suddenly fell silent at her words. The Ninth Lady's eyes widened like wood, and she forgot how to rotate, let alone remember what her mouth had said. The Eldest Princess slightly raised her eyes, and a hint of surprise flashed in her pupils.

  Madam Ji is a dignified second-rank official's wife, and also considered a second-rank imperial decree wife. To openly defy Madam Ji in front of everyone, isn't that just slapping the face of a second-rank imperial decree wife? It's possible that even Madam Ji herself didn't think she would dare to be so defiant, it can only be said that Madam Ji holds her own status in high regard. Moreover, with her habit of being insolent and sharp-tongued, she dares to do this even in the residence of the Grand Princess, yet the Grand Princess doesn't say anything about it. You, a lowly imperial secretary, what makes you think you can?

  Everyone suddenly remembered that when the Emperor bestowed the title of Huixi Yan Yuqian to the Grand Secretary, no one knew what rank it actually belonged to.

  Sometimes this person doesn't want to use his power to suppress others but can't help it, especially when encountering those who only remember who is of which rank.

  Hua Yu Yan had Liu Auntie pour tea for everyone, letting them calm down first. Then she took out the jade pendant that was given to her that year and said: "This is what the Emperor bestowed upon me, something similar to a token of authority, saying that as long as I hold onto it, it's just like having the Emperor with me."

  One sentence made everyone's eyes widen. The Ninth Lady regained her voice, but couldn't think of what to say next. If she dared to utter another word, Hua Xiuyan would take this thing out and she would be speaking nonsense in front of the Emperor. Who didn't know that Li Zimo hated it when people spoke nonsense? All officials above a certain rank were good, those who dared to speak nonsense in front of him had their tongues cut off.

  With a slight glance at the hesitant expression on Jiufuren's face, Hua Xiyuan said: "The emperor's habits, this official still understands a bit. It is said that the emperor is most annoyed when someone whispers secretly below. However, since this official has just entered the palace and is afraid of making mistakes, Jiufuren is a second-grade noblewoman, because she knows more about the emperor than this official, does Jiufuren think this remark is right or wrong?"

  The nine ladies almost bit their tongues off in an instant. Only a faint, stifled laughter could be heard from the surroundings. With a red face, who dared to say that Li Zimo was wrong? All she could say was: "Your Majesty's temperament is indeed like this, it's said that he inherited the severe and strict governance of his ancestors from Dongling." After saying that, she swept her gaze over the people who were laughing secretly below, and said: "Now, Yan Shangshu has been bestowed with the sacred jade pendant by Your Majesty, just like Your Majesty is present in person. Ladies and young ladies, if anyone dares to utter a single word of mockery, you will have to take responsibility for your own actions."

  The laughter stopped instantly, a group of people, of course, curled up their mouths at Mrs. Jiǔ's words, waiting to continue watching the good show.

  Huayu picked up the teacup and was silent for a moment before taking a sip. The Empress sat across from her, occasionally furrowing her brow as she gazed at Huayu's calm demeanor, as if she had seen something terrifying.

  Lin Murong stood behind Princess Chang, and with a pair of piercing eyes, she sized up Hua Xiyan. Li Jiuyao sat on the railing of the pavilion, seemingly not understanding what they were saying, occasionally throwing some fish feed into the pool below, sticking her head out of the railing, smiling as she watched the fish swim back and forth in the water.

  After drinking half a cup of tea, listening to the quiet surroundings, it was indeed true that no one else had any intention of flattering, Huaxi Yan said: "The official just said that he gathered everyone to come and flatter the emperor."

  Everyone at this moment heard her words, didn't feel funny, just staring at the jade pendant in her hand, a hint of tension flashed across their faces, and listened to her continue.

  "The Emperor has been having trouble sleeping at night lately, and told me that many common people in the city, thanks to Princess Chang's kindness in opening up the granary and distributing grain, no longer have to go hungry. However, thinking about it, although these common people don't have to go hungry, they are still afflicted with illness, which cannot be cured for the time being. The national treasury is limited, and I don't know who else can share my worries like Princess Chang."

  It turned out that everyone was asked to donate money. And with Princess Chang donating grain first, no one dared not to donate anymore.

  Everyone, just like the nine madams, sat in their chairs with their bodies swaying back and forth, restless, saying it was because of the hot weather. In fact, everyone was thinking about how much they should donate. If they donated too much, it would be hard to explain to their husbands when they got home.

  "The weather is sweltering," said Hua Xiyue. "I heard that the emperor mentioned that the people who were sent to Renxin Temple had been suffering from fever for several days without any relief. The emperor is deeply concerned about the people, his heart is burning with anxiety, and he must be a ruler who loves his people like a parent loves their child, sharing the same mind as the emperor."

  This big hat is pressed down, isn't it going to make them donate more?

  "This official doesn't dare to truly guess the emperor's intention, so instead, Your Highness can help this official come up with a plan and see how everyone can share the emperor's worries. As everyone knows, just the other day, the emperor happened to confiscate the Sun family's property, and it is said that the reason was that the emperor was dissatisfied with Mr. Sun not being willing to share the emperor's and the court's worries."

  The princess's face suddenly froze, clearly showing that her heart had skipped a beat because of these words.

  Hua Yu Yan thought that after seven years of returning to the palace, her greatest progress was learning from Empress Hu and Princess Chang's tactics of using flowers and applause. In the past, when she was the empress, she was indeed a bit foolish, whatever others said was good, she would take it upon herself. Actually, the smartest people are often like Empress Hu, who lets others make decisions and takes responsibility, while she reaps the benefits of fame.

  Everyone stared blankly at the Princess. Now, whatever happened, the Princess could take the blame. However, the Princess was not willing to take the fall for just anything; if there was no benefit in it for her, why would she? Especially with this matter that Hua Yexing had pushed onto her head, it was absolutely not something she wanted to take responsibility for. If she let everyone donate more, the Emperor would be pleased, but she would offend a group of people below. If she let everyone donate less, everyone would think they had found a reliable supporter in her, and the Emperor would blame her for letting them donate too little. This matter was small, but what she feared was that the Emperor would mistakenly think she was trying to win people's hearts, and winning people's hearts meant treason.

  Both parties' interests are measured, and even if Hua Yexi didn't intend to let everyone donate a lot, but Princess Chang only needs to mention that she will be suspected by the Emperor, and must act as the Emperor's black face, not the Emperor's white face. She can only stiffen her scalp, cool her voice, and say: "This princess just happened to hear the Emperor mention this matter last time. The Emperor's heart is worried about the people, and you ladies and gentlemen, as the Emperor's subjects, are responsible for sharing the Emperor's worries as a duty of a humble husband. This princess later inquired with the Ministry of Revenue, which handles the national treasury, about how much silver was lacking to solve the problem of Renxinzhai."

  To put it simply, this burden and responsibility, the eldest princess did not want to bear alone. In a critical moment, she happened to think of the daughter of the Minister of Revenue being present, pulling her into the water was the best strategy.

  "Miss Lin, what did Master Lin say? Please tell everyone, lest I, the princess, be accused of exaggeration and mislead His Majesty."

  Lin Murong didn't expect that the Crown Princess would suddenly smash a brick on her own head, causing her to feel dizzy. As someone who has always assisted her father with his work, she knew how much silver was needed for Ren Xin Zhai. However, the amount of silver they lacked was truly not small. Li Zi Mo had been hesitant about how much to take from the national treasury. If they were to use the entire national treasury to fill the gap, it would be unsustainable. Her father knew that this matter was tricky and didn't dare to make a decision for Li Zi Mo, fearing that he would ask everyone to donate to supplement the national treasury.

  The Lin family held power, with real authority in their hands, and their household would never be short of silver. However, like many officials, taking out money to donate was equivalent to cutting flesh. This habit of officials was still a problem left over from the time of Ming Cheng Huang's ancestors. Ming Cheng Huang liked to use high salaries to maintain integrity. By the time of the previous emperor, he continued the strategy of Ming Cheng Huang's ancestors on the one hand, and on the other hand, he had to correct some things. When it came to Li Zi Mo, his ideas were completely at odds with those of Ming Cheng Huang. For example, the policy of high salaries for integrity was cut off by Li Zi Mo soon after he ascended to the throne. The salaries of many high-ranking officials were suddenly reduced by half; if Li Zi Mo had asked them to donate again, wouldn't they have been so painful that they would have died?

  However, if the emperor asks for donations and you don't donate, that means you don't love the emperor or the people, and your death will be even more miserable. Lin Murong, who understood this point, steeled himself, as long as he helped everyone to keep their official positions first, and left the green hills, didn't worry about having no firewood to burn.

  "Reporting to Your Highness, according to what Mu Rong heard from his father, because his father has also been thinking of sharing the emperor's worries and difficulties. At home, he mentioned it to Mu Rong and their mother. The Lin family had planned to follow the example of the eldest princess in donating money and goods to the emperor and the court. The Lin family has already prepared ten carts of medicine and a box of silver to support Ren Xin Zhai."

  Some people below heard Lin Muyong's report and some directly fainted. This number is really not small. Not to mention that box of white silver, these ten carts of medicinal materials, if they were all precious medicinal materials, wouldn't it be worth their entire family fortune? So, not everyone thinks like Lin Muyong, especially those who originally had no intention of flattering the emperor and only wanted to come here to gather information.

  Huā Yùyán swept a glance over the four faces, and in that instant, Lin Mùróng's expression changed. So, today they had won the 78th chapter of goodness, should they be happy or depressed?

  "Why don't you just say what I did is what they wanted to do?"

  "Right, why didn't you ask me how I knew you wouldn't tell those two beforehand?"

  Her eyes narrowed slightly, glaring at him. No wonder she had disliked him seven years ago. Seven years later, still disliked. Because he always liked to grasp her handle like a cat catching a mouse.

  He held a fan to cover his mouth, seemingly to avoid provoking her further, and said: "I bet a box of silver that they must be depressed to death. If I win, this box of silver will be donated to Ren Xin Zhai. So, you Gong Xi Yu are the most formidable, having designed everything."

  He clenched his fists, pushed off the ground and stood up from the swing board: "Gou Xi Dai will replace Ren Xin Zhai to thank Yun Zong Zhu." He turned around and ran quickly, with a loud laughter coming from behind him.

  The green tiger saw its master's eyes smiling with joy and said: "Master's mood has improved."

  "Returning to see her, I'll be able to put Xiao Yu's mind at ease, what's not good about that?" Bai Shanzhi shook his head, "It's just that I've bullied her, and when I go back to face her husband and brother, they'll probably scold me again."

  The green tiger had nothing to say. All he heard was his master finishing the sentence with a calm and indifferent expression: "Who made her deceive everyone, including me? She deserved to be punished."

  It's clear that his master was choked by her anger, just like Li Zimo and others, it's suffocating.

  Yongning Hall

  Li Zimo stamped his foot on the memorial, slightly raised an eyebrow and asked: "Has Yunzong come?"

  "Yes, Your Majesty, Cloud Master said that he would first go see Yan Shangshu and then come to see Your Majesty." Li Shunde relayed the words of Yun Chenjing.

  A sworn brother should be like him, thinking of a way out before speaking.

  "Alright. If he comes, let the prince come over."

  Knowing that his sworn brother liked his son, the crown prince came over to comfort his sworn brother and relieve his anger. He must have hoped that his own son could also help alleviate his mother's worries.

  Li Shunde nodded and stepped down.

  This head, the people from the Ministry of Revenue came in with a box, opened it, and saw a stack of donation receipts.

  Her fingertips pressed against Yun Mei's eyebrows and rubbed them gently.

  Looking at his expression, Yundian Jing walked in with a smile and added insult to injury: "I just made a bet with her that you would be so depressed that you'd want to die."

  That's right. She did what he wanted to do himself. And by doing so, she can be said to have taken all the benefits for herself.

  It's not her fault that she did a good deed. Most importantly, she established her authority. Even the Princess Changlong didn't dare to underestimate her anymore.

  My cat is a tomcat. I couldn't help but think of what he had just said to her.

  The better she did, the more afraid he became, fearing that one day he would lose his grip on her.

  Huā Yù Yán absolutely disagreed with what they said. Thinking back, they used to run to the palace every day, discussing things without considering whether she was present or not. Sometimes she wanted to avoid it but couldn't. Her current temperament is probably a result of their intentional cultivation.

  The young prince heard that his mother was bullied by someone, so he hurriedly rushed to the scene and saw Yundian Jing, shouting "Uncle Yun".

  "Come give Uncle Yun a hug." With that, regardless of propriety, he scooped up the child from under his father's nose.

  The little prince's eyes rolled around and met his father's gaze, then he looked up at Yanyu and said to Yun Chenjing: "Uncle Yun, tomorrow Father is going to take us to the Summer Resort Villa, would you like to come with us?"

  As for having children, Yun Chenjing would not agree. The sly fox-like eyes gazed at the prince: "Your uncle Yun has long wanted to meet the prince's brother."