When Du Shuai woke up, everyone felt relieved. The Queen Mother held Du Shuai and burst into tears. They almost died forever.
Mu Wanqing felt a little sad when she saw Du Shuai, who was so thin that he looked like a skeleton. But, he survived anyway.
"Congratulations, Coach Du."
Coach Du couldn't speak, he just blinked his eyes to express his opinion.
He still needed to recuperate, so no one stayed long. As soon as Mu Wanqing went out, he was surrounded by imperial doctors.
"Princess Qingping, where did you get that antidote pill? Do you have any more? Can you give us one for research?"
They haven't discovered the antidote yet, and Du Shuai's awakening is the result of the detoxification pill that Mu Wanqing took.
Mu Wanqing looked regretful. "There is only one pill left. If I had known the antidote pill was real, I might not have been willing to take it out."
The doctor didn't quite believe it, "Really?"
Logically speaking, the only antidote pill is a treasure at the bottom of the box. Unless you need it for your own life, how can you bear to give it to others?
If they put themselves in his shoes, they would definitely be reluctant to do so.
"If I had it, I would just crack it and sell it in the store. How could I justify myself if I didn't sell it for tens of millions?" Mu Wanqing stroked her chest, looking heartbroken. "Oh, I missed out on tens of millions. I'm so sad."
Her image as a money-maker is so deeply rooted in people's minds that everyone actually believed this statement.
Others may treasure it, but for Mu Wanqing, making money is the most important thing.
Even those cunning court officials believed it, which shows how successful the character Mu Wanqing created is.
Mu Wanqing escaped safely, and the Queen Mother also rewarded her with many good things.
Everyone thought the matter was over, but not long after, news came out that Mrs. Du had died suddenly of an acute illness.
Sudden death? Mu Wanqing, who was having dinner, paused when she heard the news. How could it be possible?
The maid asked softly, "Do you want to check it out?"
Mu Wanqing lowered her eyes, "No need, just get ready and come to pay your respects tomorrow."
"yes."
White lanterns were hung in the Du Mansion, and everyone in the mansion tied white cloth around their waists, creating a vast expanse of white.
Officials from the court came with their families to pay their respects. They were all dressed simply and looked extremely solemn.
Mu Wanqing was wearing a blue dress, no makeup, only a pair of pearl earrings. She was simple, elegant, bright and noble.
She walked into the white mourning hall. Miss Du and her three children were kneeling in front of the coffin, all of them looking pale.
Mu Wanqing walked forward, lit three incense sticks, and stared at it for a while.
No matter what, everything has settled, dust returns to dust, earth returns to earth.
She walked up to the haggard Miss Du and said, "Please accept my condolences. Take care. This family depends on you for support."
The strength that Miss Du had forced herself to maintain seemed to be pierced with a hole, and tears as big as beans rolled down her cheeks. She had been under too much pressure these days.
Her mother died suddenly, her father was bedridden, her sister and brother were still in Xiliang, and all the problems fell on her shoulders alone, leaving her mentally and physically exhausted.
She had to take care of everything inside and outside the house. Fortunately, the Queen Mother was sympathetic and sent the old people in the palace to help with the funeral.
With the help of these people, nothing went wrong and the funeral was conducted in a dignified manner.
"I have written to inform Zedi and elder sister, but they can't make it in time." This is her biggest regret.
"This happened so suddenly that no one expected it." Mu Wanqing sighed softly in her heart, "Is it convenient for me to meet Du Shuai?"
Miss Du shook her head slightly, with pain in her eyes, "Father is too sad and has fallen ill and can't get up."
Mu Wanqing didn't force it. She just asked as usual and patted Miss Du's shoulder. "If you need any help, just ask."
Miss Du Er has grown rapidly during this period of time, and her expression has become more resolute. "Thank you very much. With the help of the palace, everything is fine."
When leaving, Mu Wanqing looked back, her eyes flickering with an ambiguous meaning.
The maid noticed something was wrong, "Master, is there a problem?"
Mu Wanqing shook her head and said, "No, let's go."
The dead are gone, the past cannot be retrieved, let everything go with the wind.
Once Mrs. Du died, all the gossip surrounding her disappeared. Her reputation remained clean, and the Du family was naturally clean as well.
The funeral was held with great ceremony. The Empress Dowager and the Emperor were very caring and specially sent the eldest prince to pay their respects.
Once these two expressed their opinions, everyone else followed suit. All the upper circles in the capital went there. It could be said to be a posthumous honor.
The only thing is that Du Shuai never showed up from beginning to end, and did not show up at the funeral. Everyone was worried. Everyone said that Du Shuai and his wife had a deep love for each other, so how could they bear his sudden death?
With all these things happening, including poisoning and the death of his wife, Du Shuai is so miserable.
I think my body is about to die and won’t last much longer. Maybe I’ll hear about the Du family holding a funeral again next time.
Some people feel sympathy, some feel pity, some feel happy about other people's misfortune, and some feel very happy.
After the funeral, the Du family closed their doors to visitors, withdrew from social circles, and devoted themselves to mourning, becoming suddenly silent.
By the time Du Shaoxuan and his sister arrived in the capital, everything had been settled. After crying bitterly in front of the tomb, Du Shaoxuan built a hut nearby and observed mourning for a hundred days.
Du Shaoxuan only delivered a dozen boxes of gifts to the princess's mansion, but did not visit her. It is not convenient to visit a family where there is a funeral, and many families are taboo about it.
Mu Wanqing took a look and found that in addition to the various gifts he had sent, there were also New Year gifts that his parents, brother and sister-in-law had asked him to bring.
She picked out a few large pieces of woolen fabric, drew the pattern herself, and had someone make the new clothes quickly.
As the year draws to a close, there are many things to worry about and Mu Wanqing is very busy.
At the grand court meeting, civil and military officials reported on their work results for the year.
Mu Wanqing was no exception and followed the trend. However, she read out a list. It was a long list that contained all the results of her work in the past year.
With the promotion of kapok, potatoes and corn, people from all over the country can have a good New Year.
This was far superior to other departments, and the officials of the Ministry of Revenue held their heads high and were extremely proud of themselves.
The deputy minister suddenly stood up and said, "Your Majesty, I want to hold a city-wide lantern festival during the New Year, so that the whole city can have fun together, and the curfew will be lifted during this period."
The Minister of Personnel also came out and said, "I second the proposal. Since the Emperor ascended the throne, he has worked hard to govern the country and strive for a strong state. The people live and work in peace and contentment, the treasury is full, and all walks of life are thriving. We have already seen the embryonic form of a prosperous era, and we should congratulate them."
"I second the proposal. Such a grand event should be celebrated properly, so that the people can feel the royal grace."
"I think that the Second Assistant Minister should take the lead, and the Ministry of Personnel, the Ministry of Rites, the Ministry of War, the Ministry of Justice, and the Ministry of Works should work together to accomplish this."
There are only five departments, and the Ministry of Revenue is the only one left out.
The official from the Ministry of Revenue was stunned for a moment and looked a little unhappy. What did it mean to exclude them?
Is there such a way of doing things?
The emperor raised an eyebrow, "Five ministries jointly handle it?"
The Minister of Personnel nodded as a matter of course, "Yes, the Ministry of Revenue is usually too hard-working, so let them have a good rest this time. We are very considerate, and this time we will take the responsibility..."
"Hehe." A mocking voice was heard. It was Mu Wanqing. She looked at everyone with a smile.
They are all experienced people, without even a blush, they are only interested in winning the jackpot.
Normally, the Ministry of Revenue acts too high-profile, has made too many contributions, and is the only one in the spotlight, overshadowing other departments. How can this be acceptable?
They also have to stand up, show their strength and get in the spotlight.
The emperor saw through their little thoughts clearly, "Princess Qingping, what do you say?"
Mu Wanqing actually didn’t want to work overtime. She wanted to have a good New Year, not worry about anything, and just eat and drink every day.
However, she felt a little unhappy that they did this behind her back. If they had informed her in advance, she might have helped to give some good suggestions.
While others are working overtime, she goes shopping and eating. How nice.
She cupped her hands and said, "It's all up to the emperor. I'll listen to the emperor."
The emperor likes to hear such words. If everyone was like Mu Wanqing, he would have less worries.
"Hand over the charter. First, tell me how much the city lantern festival will cost? How much can we earn?"
He had experienced the pain of being without money, and he still remembered vividly the torment of the enemy approaching but the court being unable to pay military expenses.
He usually maintains a simple lifestyle and even reduces the number of dishes at meals. How could he allow others to waste the national treasury's money?
Everyone looked at each other; they never expected to get stuck at this level.
Mu Wanqing knew their character. "You don't just want to spend the money from the national treasury, use the money from the national treasury to gild your reputation and gain political achievements, right? No way? No way?"
The money in the national treasury was all earned by her and her subordinates through hard work. No one can squander it, huh.
"By the way, if you don't use the money from the national treasury and rely on your own donations, I have no objection."
If you want to use money from the national treasury, you have to get the approval of the Minister of Revenue.
Everyone was upset, but the emperor's eyes lit up, thinking this was a good idea.
The deputy minister was anxious, fearing that the emperor would be persuaded by Mu Wanqing. "Your Majesty, we have calculated that it will cost about two million taels of silver, not much."
There was not even 500,000 taels of silver in the account before, but now he is so arrogant.
"As for making money, this... should be able to get back two hundred thousand taels."
He was not sure either. How about asking the merchant to pay some money?
Mu Wanqing hates extravagance and waste, and she can understand if you invest.
But, if you just want to spend money to gain a good reputation, why should the Ministry of Revenue pay for it?
"Only two hundred thousand? So little? This is a losing business. You losers, are you really not going to pay for it yourself?"
The deputy assistant secretly gritted his teeth, "Making money is the responsibility of your Ministry of Revenue. What is there to compare with?"
Mu Wanqing retorted bluntly, "You are the ones who are trying to compete with us. You spent a lot of material and manpower to only make 200,000 yuan. Hahaha."
The Ministers of Personnel had already discussed it and naturally would not let Mu Wanqing ruin the matter.
"Don't dwell on money all the time. This lantern festival is to celebrate the people's emergence from the shadow of war and their comfortable life under the leadership of the emperor. We wish the Kangzheng Dynasty a prosperous and flourishing future. It has extraordinary significance."
Mu Wanqing nodded with a smile, "Yes, it is meaningful, but it does not hinder making money. Our Ministry of Revenue has always been focusing on improving people's livelihood and seeking welfare for the people, supplemented by filling the national treasury. Killing two birds with one stone, isn't it a basic operation to maximize profits? Oh my, don't you know how to do it? Or are you deliberately wasting money?"
This exaggerated tone really deserves a beating.
The Right Vice Minister of the Ministry of Revenue said coldly, "If we ignore the people's livelihood and only focus on filling the treasury, it will not be a problem to earn 50 or 60 million a year. Alas, in the final analysis, we are still not capable enough and earn too little. Princess Qingping, how about canceling the benefits for other departments next year? The accounts will look better."
Why should they work so hard to earn money and not get any good results? It doesn't make sense.
Mu Wanqing clapped her hands lazily, "We can consider this."
The left assistant minister of the Ministry of Revenue said, "Your Majesty, all officials of the Ministry of Revenue should petition together to cancel the welfare. Anyway, the senior officials in other departments can make money."
You eat their food and drink their drinks, but you are still not satisfied and complain that they don't give you enough benefits. This is so shameless.
"Not bad, not bad." Mu Wanqing smiled and stabbed the knife, "Let them take responsibility for themselves. It's so hard for us to raise unfilial sons."
Everyone's face turned green, and they couldn't help but stare at him. Unfilial son? Who were they talking about?
The official from the Ministry of Revenue glared back rudely and said, I'm talking about you.
Ci Fu couldn't help but look at them a few more times. It had only been a short time and they all turned to Mu Wanqing.
Humph, whoever gives you milk is your mother.
The second assistant argued vigorously, stating how important this Lantern Festival was, and asked the emperor to give them full support, and everyone else joined in.
If it succeeds, everyone will get credit and they can even surpass the Ministry of Revenue.
The emperor looked calm and nodded slightly, "You can let me support you, but there is one condition. You must earn back twice as much as you spend. If you fail to do so, then... you will be demoted one level and fined half a year's salary."
Everyone: ...
Seeing that they looked pale, the emperor changed the subject and said, "How about you raise funds yourself? The treasury is poor."
Everyone: ...This emperor is such a dog!
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