Chapter 307: Making Money from the Dead

Wen Yan was worried that he couldn't find an opportunity to report the cold disaster to his superiors.

Jiang Xinkui came to the door on his own initiative.

Today is a great day.

Troubling things can always be accomplished.

Wen Yan concealed her happiness and asked, "How much do you want?"

"All of them!" Jiang Xinkui said.

As long as they could get that charcoal, they could make half of the court officials owe them a favor this winter.

By then, not to mention controlling Wen Yan, even making Wen's father the Minister of Revenue would be easy.

Wen Yan looked at Jiang Xinkui suspiciously, "That's a million kilograms of charcoal, a huge amount. Even if every room in the mansion burned it continuously for twelve hours, it still wouldn't be used up."

"It's none of your business whether we can use it or not?" Wen Ruyue rolled her eyes at her. "Just give us the charcoal."

"Anyway, hand over the charcoal in one hand and the contract in the other."

Wen Yan's expression became more and more puzzled: "Mrs. Jiang, you have always been good at managing the household. Why don't you want the money and instead want these useless charcoal?

Could it be that these charcoals are of great use to you?"

Jiang Xinkui's eyes obviously avoided.

He stubbornly explained, "You... stop talking nonsense. What's the uselessness? I'm afraid of the cold in winter, so I just want to stock up on some charcoal. What's so strange about that?"

Wen Ruyue chimed in, "It's because my mother loves you. You're already living in poverty, and now you're borrowing two thousand taels from someone else. It'll take you forever to pay back that much silver! You might as well pay the debt with charcoal."

Wen Yan was not misled by them and continued to speculate: "Charcoal has only two uses: cooking and heating.

There is firewood for cooking, and its only purpose is to provide heating.

Could it be that... this year is a cold winter!"

Wen Ruyue clicked her tongue twice: "Madam Jiang, since it is a cold winter this year, have you reported it to your superiors?

Do you know the above?

How is it arranged?

Are there any emergency measures?

How come we didn’t hear any sound?”

Jiang Xinkui looked at Wen Yan with horror.

Wen Yan wondered if she was crazy.

Just by looking at her one action, I could guess the whole truth.

If the news really gets out and everyone starts hoarding coal, how can they implement their plan?

Jiang Xinkui quickly denied: "No. I didn't. I just felt sorry for you."

"Mrs. Jiang, you still don't admit it now?

If you make this matter known to the public, more people can be prepared and avoid losing their lives in the cold winter.

But you kept silent and quietly stockpiled charcoal.

Oh...I understand.

"Madam Jiang, you're hoping to make a killing selling charcoal in this cold winter!"

Wen Yan's voice was not small.

There were already many people around paying attention to them.

The phrase 'making a fortune from the dead' immediately attracted everyone's attention.

The onlookers all looked over here.

Jiang Xinkui was very anxious. She didn't dare to admit it and kept wiping away her tears: "I didn't do that! I wanted to help you out of kindness, but not only did you not appreciate it, you even tried to frame me.

It's a waste of our careful teaching you over the past decade."

The implication is that a dragon gives birth to a dragon, a phoenix gives birth to a phoenix, and a mouse gives birth to a mouse that can dig holes.

Wen Yansheng was born with a humble background. Even after being carefully taught in an official family for more than ten years, it was difficult for him to change his humble and lowly nature.

Wen Yan didn't mind her sarcasm.

Instead, he said with a look of regret: "Oh! So that's how it is!

As expected, mother, you are a well-educated and well-mannered daughter of a wealthy family. How could you do such a wicked thing?

So, please keep this money carefully."

Wen Yan stuffed the silver into Jiang Xinkui's hand and said, "Now that the matter here is settled, I won't delay Madam Jiang any longer. Madam Jiang, please go back."

Jiang Xinkui snorted coldly, then got into the carriage and left in a dejected manner.

Aunt Lan Xin was also preparing to say goodbye and leave.

Wen Yan sent her to the carriage, looking as if he wanted to say something but hesitated.

Aunt Lan Xin: "Miss Yan, just speak frankly."

Wen Yan made up her mind and said, "Aunt Lan Xin,

Madam Jiang is not one to be unprofitable, so it's impossible for her to be so kind to me. There must be something fishy about the charcoal purchase. I dare to ask Aunt to mention it to the Empress: this winter may really be a cold one."

Aunt Lan Xin looked at her playfully: "You are quite thoughtful."

Wen Yan smiled bitterly: "After two years of living under someone else's roof, I've become more aware of people's expressions. Aunt Lan Xin, it's better to believe it than not.

If it were really a severe winter, I wonder how many people would freeze to death."

"Don't worry, I will take this matter seriously."

Wen Yan breathed a sigh of relief: "Thank you for your help, aunt."

Only after respectfully seeing the person off did Wen Yan return to the team.

Meng Chifei hugged Wen Yan and rubbed against her: "Yanyan, I haven't seen you for a few months. I missed you so much. Do you miss me?"

"I miss you every day, my dear sister." Wen Yan's hair was almost rubbed loose by her.

The two of them had had enough of each other, so Meng Chifei wanted to live in Songshan Village.

Madam Bai poked her forehead and said, "Your brother has gone to the palace and may summon you at any time."

Meng Chifei let out a wail and reluctantly separated from Wen Yan.

Wen Yan politely declined the offer to visit the Meng family. "Mom, Second Aunt, I will return the two thousand taels to you as soon as possible."

At the end of the month, I can pay back the two thousand taels by paying the bill to Tianyi Cloth Shop.

Afterwards, Wen Yan and Ying Zhilin returned to Songshan Village together.

A quarter of an hour later, in the Queen's bedroom.

"Did she really say that?" the Queen asked in surprise.

Aunt Lan Xin patted the emperor's legs and said, "That's true. From what I see, she doesn't seem to be trying to curry favor, but she genuinely cares about the people."

"You like her very much?"

Aunt Lan Xin smiled and said, "I haven't seen such a straightforward girl in a long time."

Anyone who can survive in the palace is full of tricks.

Wen Yan can be considered a rare species.

"She is straightforward but not dull. It's a pity that she is already married." The queen shook her head.

Otherwise, it would be nice to appoint her as the prince's concubine.

The queen thought for a moment, then took off the ring and jade bracelet on her hand and said, "Go tell the emperor that I will make hand-rolled noodles tonight."

"Your Majesty, are you going to tell the Emperor about Han Dong? What if she's just worrying too much..."

"That girl is right. When it comes to matters concerning the people, it's always better to be prepared."

"The Emperor will definitely put aside all his duties and come on time." Aunt Lan Xin smiled knowingly, "I will make arrangements right away."

The next morning, at the grand court meeting.

The emperor praised Meng Xiyan for his disaster relief efforts and then asked him what reward he wanted.

Meng Xiyan immediately knelt down and said: "Your Majesty, I would like to take Hexiang Pills. Please give me the medicine."

Hexiang pill?

The emperor looked at the chief eunuch beside him.

The chief eunuch stepped forward and explained something in a low voice.

The emperor frowned slightly and asked with concern: "Xi Yan, are you injured or poisoned?"

Meng Xiyan said, "I was attacked while suppressing bandits during the disaster relief work."

The emperor immediately granted his request: "Alright, I'll give you the Hexiang Pills as a reward. Is there anything else you would like?"