Chapter 566: Killing Three Birds with One Stone

"Ah?" Wang Yuzhen was confused.

Tang Ning explained gently, "Your Majesty is competing with the Crown Prince, so he wouldn't have failed to notice his actions. Furthermore, my brother's selling of those jewels and treasures made quite a stir, and the fact that he sent the silver south couldn't be concealed for long. Rather than letting others expose the matter, it would be better to have Lord Wang bring it up."

"But Your Majesty knows that if you regret..."

"He can't regret it."

Tang Ning was certain: "The imperial decree has been issued, and the summons have already galloped to the Southland. Even if Your Majesty is thick-skinned, he would never go back on his word and betray his subjects like he did to my brother that night."

Emperor An had finally managed to restore some of his reputation. Even though he knew that Xiao Yan and the Crown Prince were plotting against him and that he was making things worse for others, he had no choice but to go ahead with it.

The Ministry of Revenue was in a tight spot, and the things the king had promised could not be delivered. If any trouble arose, it would embarrass Emperor An. Although he had lost face now, he would never do anything to elevate the crown prince at the expense of himself and make his throne even more unstable.

In fact, if Wang Yuzhen and the others had not come today, Tang Ning and Xiao Yan had already discussed finding a reliable person to speak to Emperor An. This would not only help that person win the emperor's favor, but also stimulate Emperor An.

Before Qian Baokun took charge of the Ministry of Revenue, Emperor An withdrew money from the Ministry every year. Later, he was able to support that private army without alerting anyone. He must have a private treasury. Moreover, Xiao Yan has been unable to find the whereabouts of that private army for such a long time. He and Qian Baokun and Gu Helian searched everywhere but found no suspicious signs of the large-scale flow of money and grain.

Or that private army has already become self-sufficient and disguised itself as some other inconspicuous force.

Either that or Emperor An's private treasury was well-stocked with money and food, and realizing that the situation was not right, he cut off the private army's contact with the outside world and relied on the "inventory" to support the private army.

After analysis, Tang Ning and Xiao Yan felt that the latter was more likely.

Since they couldn't find the whereabouts of the private army, they would first find a way to empty Emperor An's private treasury. If something happened in the south, Emperor An would have to find a way to use money and food to make up for the deficit of the Ministry of Revenue if he wanted to "succeed" the prince and avoid being exploited. Once he had exhausted the money and food, the private army would not have enough food and drink and would naturally contact the outside world.

Purchasing such a large amount of food, with people from the Gu and Qian families watching, would definitely reveal clues.

Tang Ning did not tell the three people in front of her about her and Xiao Yan's plan. She just said to Wang Yuzhen:

"The He family finally cleared their name, but His Majesty is always plotting against my brother and trying to exploit public opinion to discredit the He family. It would be better to provoke him and let him compete with the Crown Prince."

"Lord Wang mentioned this to His Majesty. He knows the Crown Prince will find a way to raise money if he wants to show his face. If they can only benefit from the gods fighting the little devils, it will not only relieve Uncle Qian's pressure, but also encourage His Majesty and the Crown Prince to donate generously, which will benefit the people."

Wang Yuzhen understood Tang Ning's meaning and opened her mouth: "Sister Tang..."

"Why, Yuzhen doesn't want to help me?"

"no……"

Wang Yuzhen wanted to speak, but when she met Tang Ning's smiling eyes, her eyes were filled with bitterness.

She was smart, so how could she not see Tang Ning's intention? She seemed to be planning for Xiao Yan in every word, but in fact she wanted to give her father a chance to succeed.

Her father has been in this position for many years. He should have been a scholar-official and asked to become a Hanlin scholar. However, due to his poor family background, he was suppressed by powerful officials from aristocratic families. He only had the title of Hanlin, but no one took him seriously. Otherwise, when they were in the palace that day, the people in Prince Ji's mansion would not have dared to humiliate her in public like that.

Tang Ning seemed to want to use her father to get things done, but anyone with a discerning eye could see Emperor An's current situation.

Emperor An's previous actions had hurt the hearts of many court officials. Now that he was competing with the crown prince, he was in need of people. He probably wouldn't dare to reuse the original court officials. At this time, anyone who could help him in his time of need and not be afraid of the "powerful ministers" making suggestions about Xiao Yan's affairs would surely be reused by him.

Tang Ning saw that the little girl's eyes were red and she seemed to want to say something, so she pushed the snacks in front of her and placed them in front of Wang Yuzhen.

"Since it's not the case, I'll have to trouble Sister Yuzhen with this matter."

"I don't have anything good here, so I'll just use these sweet cakes as a thank you gift. Please don't think I'm stingy."

Wang Yuzhen's eyes were sore, and she choked up for a long while: "Why would I dislike it?"

There is no one more generous than the person in front of me.

Zhou Yuchang and Qian Qiyue next to them didn't understand the meaning of Tang Ning's words, they just felt that the conversation between the two was a little strange.

Qian Qiyue poked her head in: "What are you talking about? What do you mean by dislike or not?"

Tang Ning stuffed a piece of pastry into her mouth and said, "It's nothing. Yuzhen came to remind me today, but her father doesn't know about it. I asked her to go back and tell him so that Lord Wang won't be upset. I also don't want Yuzhen to be implicated if the news of my brother giving money gets out."

Qian Qiyue said "Oh", bit her snack and didn't ask any more questions.

Zhou Yuchang glanced at Tang Ning: Is that what you mean? Why does she feel something is wrong?

Tang Ning didn't want to continue the conversation. Some things were not suitable to be discussed with them. Seeing Zhou Yuchang's puzzled expression, she changed the subject directly: "Has the wedding date been set, Sister Zhou?"

Zhou Yuchang's doubts disappeared instantly. She was a little embarrassed and said, "It's already been decided. Early February next year."

"So soon?" Qian Qiyue asked, "Didn't you say March before?"

Zhou Yuchang explained, "Old Madam He is not feeling well, so the He family and my mother discussed it and decided to schedule it for February."

The imperial physician examined Madam He and said that the couple would probably give birth in just over half a year or a year. Her mother initially understood the He family and agreed to hold the wedding before the New Year. Although it was hasty, no one would say anything because of the elders. However, Madam He refused after finding out.

Old Madam He said that according to common sense, it would take half a year to prepare for the marriage between the two families just for the engagement and betrothal. It would be too rushed to postpone it to the beginning of spring after the New Year. It would be too unfair to her if it was moved to the New Year. Later, the imperial physician examined the old lady and said that she could do it if she persisted for a year or two.

The two families decided to hold the wedding in February of the following year, which would not be too hasty and would allow the wedding to be completed as soon as possible.

When Zhou Yuchang mentioned the He family, her face was full of intimacy, and she also admired the old lady of the He family.

Qian Qiyue was curious: "Have you met Mr. He?"

Zhou Yuchang's cheeks flushed but she didn't say anything.

Qian Qiyue pestered her: "Your face is so red, have you seen him before? Tell me quickly, what is he like?"

"It's... not bad."

Zhou Yuchang was a little embarrassed: "Before the engagement, my mother took me to Lingyun Temple to burn incense. I saw him from a distance once. We exchanged a few words. Later, when the betrothal gifts were made, he also came to the mansion."

"At the time, there were too many things going on in the palace, and the Queen Mother was not in good health. The two families did not publicize it. He felt that he had neglected me, so he apologized to me and said..."

"What did you say?" Qian Qiyue gossiped.

Zhou Yuchang blushed: "Just say that you will compensate me well after marriage."

There was joy in her eyes, and she was obviously very satisfied with the young master of the He family: "He Jin is a very considerate person, and mother and the others like him very much."

Qian Qiyue crossed her arms and said, "Tsk, your mother likes it, I guess you like it too... You're really getting married, your words are like honey. Tang Ning, am I tired of you?"

As soon as she finished speaking, she changed the tone and said:

"No, you also have your own Xiao Yan. The two of you are even more annoying than them when you get along."

Qian Qiyue fell on Wang Yuzhen and said, "It's pitiful that we two lonely people have to watch them show off. Yuzhen, hug me quickly, my heart is cold~"

Wang Yuzhen was pressed down by her and staggered all over the place, but a smile appeared on her face.

Tang Ning reached out and slapped Qian Qiyue on the head: "I think reciting the Diamond Sutra a hundred times is not enough for you?"