Chapter 311 Caring for the People

On this day, the warm sun shone through the carved window lattices of the Cining Palace, casting fine golden rays of light.

Wen Li'er brought the lively Xiaoxiao, the smiling Miaomiao, and Tiantian, who seemed to never wake up, to pay respects to the Empress Dowager.

The hall was filled with a faint and elegant soothing incense. The Empress Dowager was dressed in casual clothes. Although she was old, she was still in good spirits.

As soon as she saw the three delicate and beautiful children, a loving smile appeared on her face, and even the wrinkles at the corners of her eyes seemed especially gentle.

"Grandmother!" Xiaoxiao rushed over like a cannonball and hugged the Grand Empress Dowager's thighs.

Even though the Empress Dowager was old and her hands lacked strength, she still held the chubby little one in her arms, calling him "darling" with love and affection.

Xiaoxiao twisted around in the Grandmother's arms, his chubby little hand rummaging in his small purse for a moment, clutching a dried plum.

Without further ado, he stuffed the treasure into the Grand Empress Dowager's mouth and offered it in a childish voice: "Here, Grandmother..."

Wen Lier saw this and quickly spoke out to stop him.

"Oh my God! Grandmother is old and her teeth can't handle it. She can't eat anything too sour."

She had tasted the dried plums herself and found them sour and astringent. She didn't know why the little guy liked to eat them.

However, children's actions are always faster than words. Before Wen Li'er finished speaking, the dried plum had already entered the Empress Dowager's mouth.

The Empress Dowager smiled and chewed the plum for a few times before swallowing it.

There was no sign of reluctance on his face, instead he praised with full enjoyment:

"Mmm! The plums Xiaoxiao gave me are delicious. I love them so much!"

She gently stroked Xiaoxiao's little head, with pure doting in her eyes.

Wen Li'er felt helpless, knowing that the old man said this because he loved the child.

She quickly signaled the palace servants to bring a bowl of warm sweet soup, and carefully served the Empress Dowager two sips to dilute the sour taste.

Xiaoxiao happily took out another dried plum from his purse, put it into his little mouth and chewed it. His face wrinkled up because of the sourness, but he enjoyed it.

Wen Li'er laughed, looking at Xiaoxiao's heavy little body pressing on the Empress Dowager's legs, and worried that he would tire her out.

"My dear little darling, Grandmother is tired of holding you. Come down and play by yourselves for a while."

As she spoke, she gently took Xiaoxiao down and moved Miaomiao, who was giggling in the wet nurse's arms, to the Empress Dowager's arms.

The nine-month-old baby's body is as soft as freshly steamed cotton cake.

A pair of big black eyes curved into crescents, and her smile was so sweet that honey could come out.

The Empress Dowager embraced the little warm jade with one hand, and felt that her heart was melted by the smile of this pure little face.

She waved to the nurse holding Tiantian and said, "Bring Tiantian here too, so I can have a look."

The wet nurse stepped forward respectfully and carefully handed the swaddling clothes over.

The Empress Dowager held one child in each hand and teased them lovingly.

Miaomiao responded to her by babbling and waving her little arms.

And every day...it can be considered as "giving face"...

He forced his eyes open and glanced at the Empress Dowager.

As if he was sure that the person hugging him was an acquaintance, he closed his eyes with peace of mind, as if the laughter around him had nothing to do with him.

This little guy is simply the reincarnation of the god of sleep.

Apart from the necessary eating, drinking, defecating and urinating every day, the rest of the time is either spent in deep sleep or resting with eyes closed.

He looked lazy and didn't bother me unless it was nothing to do.

He is neither as energetic as Xiaoxiao nor as fond of laughing and crying as Miaomiao. He always seems to lack interest in the hustle and bustle and novelty around him, and seems quite aloof from the world.

At first, everyone was worried about his health.

But the imperial doctors examined the patient several times and finally came to the same conclusion:

His Royal Highness the Third Prince is in very good health, with a steady and strong pulse, and there is nothing wrong with him.

Perhaps... it's just innate? A pure inclination to be quiet and lazy?

After receiving the imperial physician's confirmation, everyone's anxious hearts were gradually relieved, and they gradually got used to his character of not worrying about anything.

The palace was filled with joy and happiness. The palace maid announced that Princess Lin, Ye Caiwei, and her children had come to pay their respects.

Ye Caiwei, who had just come out of confinement, had a rosy complexion and looked energetic.

She held her son Xiongxiong in one hand, and her wet nurse followed closely behind, holding her one-month-old daughter.

Xiongxiong is only three months younger than Xiaoxiao, and the two little brothers have a very good relationship on a daily basis.

As soon as they met, they were immediately attracted to each other like two small magnets, and chattered together.

The little heads touched each other, excitedly exchanging the dolls and gadgets in their hands, sharing secrets that only they understood, which made the adults laugh.

After Wen Li'er gave birth to Tiantian and Miaomiao, Ye Caiwei also diagnosed her pregnancy.

More than a month ago, she gave birth safely to a daughter and named her Yan Ruchu, nicknamed "Tangtang".

Xiao Tangtang's facial features are very similar to her mother Ye Caiwei, delicate and beautiful, except for her eyes, which inherited the charm of King Lin.

Clear and bright, her eyes move when she smiles, as if filled with bright moonlight.

It exudes a natural clarity and gentleness, which is really lovable.

Wen Li'er couldn't help but take little Tangtang, held her in her arms, and gently kissed her tender cheek.

Tangtang was not afraid of strangers either. She opened her beautiful crescent eyes and stared at Wen Lier curiously.

After looking at it for a long time, it seemed to confirm the good intentions.

She smiled sweetly at Wen Li'er, revealing her pink gums.

"Oh, this little girl."

Wen Li'er's heart was instantly touched by this smile, and she sighed, "The name 'Tangtang' is really appropriate. Look at this smile, it's so sweet that it will melt your heart."

The Empress Dowager looked at the lively and adorable children and wished she could have a few more pairs of arms so she could hold each of them in her arms and love them dearly.

She took turns hugging and teasing the children. After enjoying the family happiness for a while, she remembered the important matter and looked at Wen Li'er.

"Royal Consort, the other day the head of the Imperial Household Department and the female officials from the Imperial Palace Bureau came to tell me that you specifically ordered a 70% reduction in all food and clothing expenses at the Bixi Palace. Is this true?"

Wen Li'er didn't expect the Empress Dowager to suddenly ask this, and nodded obediently.

"Replying to the Empress Dowager, this is indeed the case."

She sat up straight, her expression serious. "I see Your Majesty toiling day and night over state affairs, worrying about the country and its people, rising early and sleeping late. Living deep in the palace, I'm unable to share Your Majesty's worries about state affairs, and I feel deeply uneasy. So, since I can't contribute, I'll try to save some money. The money I save can be used to purchase some military supplies like medicinal herbs, cotton cloth, and wound dressings. I can then have the Ministry of Internal Affairs allocate them, giving priority to the soldiers and civilians at Zhennan Pass."

She originally wanted to reduce the number of palaces slightly, but then she thought that now in the harem, apart from the Grand Empress Dowager and the Queen Mother, she was the only one left.

Naturally, she couldn't allow anyone to reduce the allowances of her two elders, so... she could only save more in her own palace.

After Wen Wanqin left, the emperor sent Chen Zhaoyi, Cui Xiuyuan, Chang Jieyu and Su Jieyu, four people whose families were implicated and who had no fault of their own, to Jingsi Temple in the name of "praying for the country" to keep Lin Fujia company.

The emperor had privately promised them that they only needed to practice seclusion in the nunnery for a year or two, and then they could leave quietly and regain their freedom.

Therefore, the harem's current expenses have actually saved a lot compared to the past.

Not only that, Wen Li'er also asked the palace servants to secretly sell off all the utensils, decorations, and even some clothes and jewelry in the Bixi Palace that could be sold without violating the rules.

All the money earned was also deposited into the Southwest Military Supply Account.

She lived in the deep palace with fine clothes and delicious food every day, and had no need for money, so it would not be a big deal if she donated it all.

How could the Empress Dowager, who had experienced so much in life, not see through Wen Li'er's thoughts?

She nodded with satisfaction, her eyes full of admiration.

She is a kind-hearted girl with a good temper, and she is very popular.

"My dear child, I understand your feelings. You care about the Emperor and the people. This sincerity is precious and precious."

After she finished speaking, she changed the subject, her tone carrying the care of an elder:

"But don't be too hard on yourself and your children."

"I, under my command, will restore the food and clothing expenses of Bixi Palace to 50% of the original amount. All expenses of Cining Palace and Fengxiang Palace will also be reduced to 50%."

"Ai and the Queen Mother will each donate another 500,000 taels of gold, silver, and jewelry. Together with the remaining silver, you will be responsible for their overall allocation and use, specifically for military supplies and national affairs. What do you think?"

Five...five hundred thousand taels per person?

Wen Li'er opened her eyes wide and forgot to reply for a moment.

The Empress Dowager and the Queen Mother...are so rich.

She sold off all the valuables in the Bixi Palace, and only managed to scrape together two hundred thousand taels...

The main reason was that she had sent a lot of them to her home and grandmother's house before.

Also, what did the Empress Dowager say?

Let her take charge of all the coordination?