Yuwen Wuji's sinister eyes swept across the faces of these officials. He wanted to know whether these people were making this suggestion for the benefit of the people or for their own selfish interests.

The Ministry of Revenue was his breeding ground. His first thought was to use private bidding to obtain benefits from these people, rather than the benefits mentioned by the censors.

Admittedly, those benefits were indeed very positive, but he didn't believe it. He didn't believe his officials were so "upright and honest, speaking up for the people," because he was the one who had handpicked and supported them.

"Let me think about this matter some more."

"Your Majesty, the soldiers in the southern border are getting impatient! The grain transport has already been delayed for nearly two months, and now with further preparations, it may not arrive in the southern border until September! Those soldiers have already done a great job defending the Great Chen territory, how can we let them go hungry for two months!" Grand Secretary Wang cried out in a low voice.

As soon as he spoke up, the two other ministers who agreed with the plan immediately knelt down to plead for his approval.

"What Grand Secretary Wang said is somewhat exaggerated. As the saying goes, an army marches on its stomach. There are grain reserves in the southern border region. If we run out of food, we can ask the surrounding towns for supplies. How could we possibly go hungry?"

"This matter clearly originated from the Ministry of Revenue. If we can't find out the truth, future military pay will surely disappear into thin air like this! Since the people in the Ministry of Revenue can't be trusted, why not use people from the common people? Just like the imperial merchants, give them an identity!"

"Hiring a private security escort agency would be a huge expense, and to prevent them from embezzling funds, we would definitely have to send people along. Rather than that, it would be better to send our own people and save that expense!"

"From the very beginning, Lord Yan has been against this matter. I have heard some rumors that Lord Yan is colluding with some people in private and secretly taking kickbacks. Could it be that Lord Yan is such a person, which is why he has been obstructing this matter!"

"You're spouting nonsense!"

The two sides were arguing fiercely. Yuwen Wuji rubbed his temples, and that feeling of helplessness welled up again.

Just like back when Xie Wanqing was around. When his political views differed from hers, those officials always sided with her, pressuring him...

Xie Wanqing is gone, and I'm still the one being forced! Why? Why!

Just as he was about to dismiss the crowd, he heard someone say, "I think it would be better to have a private escort agency handle the transport. I've heard that the grain transport teams are colluding with officials in the southern border regions, withholding a portion of the grain upon arrival as 'losses.' That's why the southern border always complains of a grain shortage every year! If we use a private escort agency and the quantity is insufficient, we can hold them accountable!"

Upon hearing this, Yuwen Wuji's forehead veins throbbed. That official from the southern border had almost singled him out by name—the Prince of Yan!

Considering this possibility, it's not entirely uncommon.

The Prince of Yan colluded with officials from the Ministry of Revenue to secretly smuggle grain supplies, feigning a shortage to deceive themselves! Perhaps the bandits encountered on the road over the years were actually men of the Prince of Yan in disguise!

Once this thought arises, it's impossible to suppress it.

How could he be so foolish! How could he be so foolish! For so many years, he has been raising a tiger to cause future trouble! If you calculate the time, the Prince of Yan may have already stockpiled enough grain, just waiting for the right opportunity to march his troops north!

"Traitorous scoundrels!" Yuwen Wuji suddenly roared, startling all the officials in the hall into prostrating themselves on the ground and crying out, "Your Majesty, please calm your anger!"

"Traitorous minister! I must eliminate him!"

No one in the hall knew who the "traitorous minister" he was referring to was, and no one dared to utter a sound.

After a few heavy breaths, Yuwen Wuji ordered, "Have the Ministry of Personnel immediately recruit escort agencies to quickly transport grain to the Southern Frontier!"

Li Wei shouted, "Court adjourned!"

After the emperor left, everyone slowly got up from the ground.

The men who had just argued heatedly in front of the Emperor dusted off their robes, straightened their collars, and bowed to each other.

"Excuse me, excuse me."

"Don't be offended, don't be offended."

Everyone was shrewd enough that after the Emperor spoke, there was nothing to argue about, and everyone went about their business.

When the tender notice was posted on the city bulletin board, Song Yaozhu also received the news. She never expected things to go so smoothly, as if divinely inspired.

Perhaps it really was divine intervention; even the gods couldn't stand Yuwen Wuji's hypocrisy, which is why he was reborn and able to overthrow the Yuwen family's rule!

With this in mind, she wrote a few words on the paper in a good mood. Her brushstrokes were vigorous and powerful, like cursive script.

The servants couldn't understand the fine gold and silver, but that didn't stop the two from thinking their queen was amazing.

"Her calligraphy is worth a thousand gold pieces!"

Song Yaozhu laughed at their sweet talk, "Take it and burn it."

"Oh? It's such a waste to burn such beautiful calligraphy!"

What a pity! It's not just her handwriting that can't be shown to others, but even her true self.

"Burn it."

Cai Jin rolled up the papers with great regret and carried them to the yard to find a water heater.

Just as they were leaving, they encountered Xie Liwei.

What are you holding in your hand?

Caijin said as if complaining, "It was written by the Princess Consort, who told me to take it and burn it."

As she spoke, she wanted to unfold the calligraphy so that the prince could see it. If the prince gave the word, perhaps the calligraphy could be preserved.

"Then go and burn it." Xie Liwei finished speaking and stepped into the house.

Caijin sighed; the prince hadn't even asked a single question.

Xie Liwei came to see Song Yaozhu to discuss important matters. Upon entering the room, he saw her standing by the bedside, holding a cup of tea and gazing at the lake view. She was wearing a light blue silk dress, standing gracefully, the hem of which accentuated her slender waist.

Because of the heat, her long hair was all tied up, secured with just a few hairpins, giving her an elegant and refined look. She wore no makeup, like a lotus emerging from the water.

Seeing him enter, Song Yaozhu slightly turned her head, her almond-shaped eyes filled with the passage of time, making his heart tremble.

"The prince is back." She walked in from the window, casually placing a teacup on the windowsill. "But is something happening outside?"

Xie Liwei has been quite tired lately. In order to swindle the Ministry of Revenue, he has met with quite a few officials in private. Of course, not through legitimate channels; climbing walls and breaking through windows in the middle of the night—it's exhausting!

The Prince of Yan had been away from the capital for many years, but he still had people in the capital. The Dowager Consort gave him a list, and he and Song Yaozhu knew it wasn't complete, but it would be useful.

This situation was made possible thanks to the power of the Prince of Yan.

"I'm back to catch up on my sleep." With the matter settled, he breathed a sigh of relief and wanted to get some rest. As he spoke, he looked at Song Yaozhu and said softly, "I don't even know how long it's been since I've slept in a bed."

Song Yaozhu: "......"

He thought to himself, "You may go to the front yard to rest."

Having shared a room for so long, Song Yaozhu had almost forgotten why the two of them had ended up living together in the first place. However, they had grown accustomed to living together, which made it easier for them to discuss things.

Thinking about it, Xie Liwei had indeed been working hard lately. If she didn't even let him sleep in her bed, it would seem like she was being mean.

"Your Highness, please go to bed and rest!" she said generously.

I never expected that he would still be occupying the bed and refusing to get off when night fell!