Spend time together
Outside Xuehan Palace, the autumn sun is shining brightly.
Inside the hall, Ning Lingyi leaned on the soft couch by the window, her fingertips occasionally teasing the soft long ears of a snow rabbit in the basket.
Concubine Yu sat aside, with an indelible worry between her brows.
"Yier," Imperial Concubine Yu said in a low voice, a hint of barely perceptible fatigue. "With your father's injury, the waters at court have become even more muddy. Although the Crown Prince has been granted the power of regent, how can Prince Yong accept this? We were able to maintain a superficial harmony in the past, but now that this balance has been broken, conflict between the two factions is inevitable."
She sighed softly and held Ning Lingyi's hand. "No one can predict what will happen in the future. Mother, in this deep palace, can only do so much for you. But no matter what, Mother will do everything she can to delay the matter and will never let you marry far away in Beishuo so soon."
Ning Lingyi grasped her mother's cold fingers with her backhand, her eyes firm. "Don't worry, mother. I'm not a pawn to be manipulated. I've already petitioned my father to promote the newly crowned top scholar, Shen Qingyan, to the position of Chief Clerk of the Princess's Palace, and concurrently Deputy Governor of Mingzhou."
Imperial Concubine Yu was slightly startled: "It's just that your fiefdom is a little far from the capital..."
"It's better to stay away." Ning Lingyi's eyes were clear. She was just naive, not stupid.
Now that my fate has been held hostage by others, I naturally have to find ways to survive.
"Mother just said that the capital is a chessboard between the Crown Prince and Prince Yong. If we, mother and daughter, try to make friends with the officials in the capital at this time, we will be too conspicuous and easily arouse suspicion, especially from the Eastern Palace. It is better to step out of this vortex for the time being and start from the local area. Mingzhou, no matter how remote it is, is still a solid fiefdom. If we manage it well, it will become our foundation."
Concubine Yu listened intently, the worry in her eyes gradually giving way to reflection. She nodded slowly, "You're right. Going to the local area is indeed safer and more practical. But is Shen Qingyan reliable? He's so young, yet you've entrusted him with such an important task?"
"During this quiet conversation under the moonlight, I can discern his aspirations by observing his words. I trust my own judgment. He is a man of real talent and knowledge, and he knows how to assess the situation. Moreover," Ning Lingyi raised the corners of her lips slightly, "precisely because he is young, he needs my help to quickly establish himself. Using him is more reassuring than using those veteran officials who have already established entrenched ties."
Concubine Yu looked at her daughter's calm and confident face, feeling a little relieved. She gently patted the back of her hand and said, "Since this is a decision you have carefully considered, I support you. Let him handle the affairs of Mingzhou. I am here in the capital."
"Thank you, mother."
In the afternoon, when she heard that Shen Qingyan wanted to see her, she dismissed the palace maids and only left Luqiao by her side.
The third place winner just took office today, and he is so anxious to see her, there must be something important.
After Shen Qingyan bowed, he presented the files he had brought and went straight to the point: "Your Highness, I have made a preliminary review of the affairs of the prefecture and the Mingzhou fiefdom. Mingzhou suffered a typhoon last year and a minor flood this summer. People's livelihood is suffering. I see that the tax books still follow the old rules, and the people are burdened with a heavy burden."
He paused, his eyes calm and firm. "I dare to ask Your Highness for permission to reduce the taxes on Mingzhou's fiefdom by 50% for a period of three years."
Ning Lingyi paused playing with the rabbit and looked up at him with obvious surprise. "Tax cuts? Mr. Shen, other people who are lords of fiefdoms would dig deep into the ground to collect more money for their own enjoyment. But you, on your first act after taking office, are going to burn 50% of my income? Tell me, what's your plan?"
Her tone was inquiring but not angry; she just wanted to hear what this third place winner had to say.
After all, this third place winner was chosen by myself, so I have to give him some chances.
Shen Qingyan met her gaze, flipped open the general ledger of the Princess's Mansion, and pointed at the lines of records: "Your Highness, please look, the Princess's Mansion's treasury is filled with a mountain of money. Eighty to ninety percent of the income from rewards and fiefdom taxes over the years has remained intact."
He glanced at Ning Lingyi's plain clothes and the snow rabbit she was playing with. "Your Highness's daily expenses, apart from the maintenance of horses, ordinary clothes, and the social interactions in the palace, are almost no major extravagances. Your Highness..."
He raised his eyes, his gaze blazing. "To Your Highness, money is nothing more than cold, cold numbers in the treasury, piled up like a mountain, but useless."
His tone turned deep and powerful, carrying the persuasive power of a man who saw through the world. "However, the hearts of the people are priceless to Your Highness. Mingzhou is Your Highness's fiefdom, the foundation bestowed upon you by His Majesty. A 50% tax cut will save the lives of hundreds of thousands of people in Mingzhou. If this policy is implemented, the people of Mingzhou will surely be grateful to Your Highness for saving their lives."
"The support of the people is your most solid support for the future. This is what is meant by 'giving away useless wealth to gain priceless hearts.'"
There was silence in the hall.
The sunlight shines through the window lattice and dances on Shen Qingyan's handsome profile.
Ning Lingyi looked at him, her eyes gradually changing from initial surprise to complexity, and finally settling into a deep touch.
She remembered her father's words, "See Beishuo clearly" and "Wait for a turnaround." The mountains of treasures in the treasury and the faces of the people of Mingzhou who looked up to her were intertwined in her mind.
Shen Qingyan's proposal is not only a good policy, but also a foundation for her to build popular support. As soon as he took office, he dared to tell her these things directly. This responsibility and talent far surpass those who are just sitting in office and doing nothing. She was right about him.
Tanhualang is really useful.
After a long moment, Ning Lingyi said with a sense of relief, "What a way to spend useless money and gain priceless hearts. Shen Qingyan, I approve! This matter will be under your full supervision."
She paused and added, "If the treasury's wealth is beneficial to the people's livelihood in Mingzhou, it can be used as appropriate."
"Thank you, Your Highness!" Shen Qingyan bowed deeply, feeling relieved.
Ning Lingyi looked at his thin but upright figure, and thought of his poverty as a Hanlin scholar, the fact that he had an elderly mother at home to support, and now that he was shouldering a heavy responsibility, he needed to stabilize the rear.
She pondered for a moment, then said softly, "Since Mr. Chen took office, he has devoted all his energy and courage to take on responsibilities. This palace is very pleased, Luqiao."
"The servant is here."
"Propagate this decree: I grant Chief Secretary Shen a three-story mansion in the capital and one thousand taels of silver. The mansion will provide you with a place to live, and the silver will be used to support your parents. This is a token of my gratitude. I hope you will have no worries and focus on working for the welfare of the people of Mingzhou and serve me well."
Ning Lingyi had investigated and found out that this scholar who had taken the third place in the imperial examination was very poor and still had an elderly mother to support at home. If she didn't show her kindness now, when would she support him?
As expected.
Shen Qingyan lifted his robe and kowtowed deeply, his voice trembling slightly. "Your Highness, I, Shen Qingyan, bow to you and thank you for your grace. I will devote myself to your service until my death to repay your kindness."
Everyone says that the Hanlin Academy is noble, but who knows the hardship he endures walking to court every day? Everyone praises his character, but only Princess Mingzhu understands that he also needs money to support himself and his family.
Yellow and white things not only nourish people, but also nourish conscience, loyalty, and of course, ambition.
"Get up." Ning Lingyi gave him a slight push, her tone turning serious. "I trust your talent, and even more so your heart. The people of Mingzhou are entrusted to you."
She paused, her gaze becoming incredibly sharp, as if it could penetrate a thousand miles and point directly to Mingzhou. "Mr. Chen, you don't have to fear anything when you go to Mingzhou. If you encounter difficulties caused by local tyrants, or if officials pretend to obey but secretly disobey, or if there is anything difficult to decide, no matter how big or small, you can report it directly to me."
Her voice was filled with unquestionable majesty: "Since I have entrusted you with such an important task, I will support you to the end. This Mingzhou is my fiefdom, and my will is the law of Mingzhou."
"Just remember one thing: I'm standing behind you. Even if the sky falls, I'll hold it up."
The last sentence was resounding. It was both a promise and gave him the greatest confidence.
Shen Qingyan calmed down and said, "I understand. However, the tax reform involves a wide range of issues, and it cannot be accomplished with just a piece of paper. I request to go to Mingzhou in person to implement the new policy."
Ning Lingyi looked at the docile snow rabbit in the basket, her fingertips gently brushing across its soft back, but her eyes drifted towards the southeast to the fiefdom that she had never set foot on, as if she saw the gazes of the people looking up at her.
She nodded and said crisply: "Yun, when do we leave?"
"After I have arranged the important matters of the palace and drafted the details of the new policy for Mingzhou and presented it to Your Highness for your review, I will depart in approximately ten days."
"Okay. Mingzhou, I'll leave this palace in your care."
Ning Lingyi's voice was more serious than ever before. This was her first time dealing with political affairs, which made her a little nervous.
*
Almost at the same time when Shen Qingyan's carriage drove out of the palace gate and returned to the princess's mansion, the atmosphere in the inn's villa became subtle because of an uninvited guest.
"Your Highness Prince Tuoba." Ning Lingli took her seat leisurely, her posture elegant, her face showing just the right amount of concern. "I came here today because I thought Your Highness was a guest from afar, and since you're engaged to my sister Mingzhu, there are some things I felt I should let Your Highness know to avoid any unnecessary misunderstandings and damage to the relationship in the future."
Tuoba Hong sat in the main seat, expressionless, his eyes only deepening a little: "Princess Changning, what do you have to say?"
"I don't deserve your advice." Ning Lingli picked up the teacup offered by the maid, took a sip, and moved calmly.
"It's just that when I passed by Xuehan Palace today, Sister Mingzhu really relied heavily on the newly appointed Shen Tanhua, and her words and expressions were quite intimate."
She put down the teacup and glanced at Tuoba Hong seemingly unintentionally. "Your Highness also knows that this Shen Tanhua is young and promising, with outstanding grace and elegance. Sister Mingzhu keeps him by her side, meeting him day and night to discuss important matters. This..."
She frowned slightly, as if with a hint of worry. "Although I trust my employees, Sister Mingzhu is still unmarried and of noble status. If she behaves like this, it will inevitably arouse suspicions among the court and the public. If any rumors spread, it might even undermine the sincerity of the alliance between our two countries."
She observed Tuoba Hong's reaction, her tone becoming more earnest: "Your Highness, do you think it's time to remind Sister Mingzhu to be more tactful?"
Tuoba Hong just looked at the dark dusk outside the palace, and the figure standing side by side with Mingzhu under the moon was churning in his mind.
Day and night together, Shen Qingyan!
Tuoba Hong planned every step carefully and had great ambitions, but he never thought that he would encounter such an unexpected thing in the deep palace of the Southern Dynasty.
"I appreciate the princess's kindness." Tuoba Hong's voice showed no emotion.
"The king has other matters to attend to. Princess, please return."
Ning Lingli achieved her goal. Although the other party was not angry, the invisible coldness in him was enough to satisfy her.
She stood up gracefully and said, "Since that's the case, I will not disturb Your Highness any longer. I hope Your Highness will understand."
With a faint smile on his face, he left slowly.
Tuoba Hong's gaze was still fixed on the twilight, and he thought: The Southern Dynasty is so interesting, and his fiancée is even more of a surprise to him.
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