The emperor came and left in a hurry and did not stay long, but he knew everything he needed to know. After all, many families were eyeing Princess Qingping's Mansion at that moment.
Everyone couldn't help but sigh that Mu Wanqing was deeply favored by the emperor. In order to protect her, the emperor dispatched the commander of the Wuyi Guard and ordered local governments to help. She came out of the palace to see him as soon as she returned to Beijing.
This makes people think more, are they really a simple relationship between the king and his subjects?
Some rumors were quietly spreading among the upper class, saying all kinds of things.
Mu Wanqing knew nothing about it. She rested in her house for two days and then went to court.
When the court officials saw her, they came over to greet her one after another. Regardless of whether it was sincere or insincere, Mu Wanqing handled it all with grace, composure, and high spirits, not being affected at all.
This mentality is too powerful.
She even made a point of greeting a few of the ministers and secretly observed their expressions, but they were all old foxes with thousands of years of experience and she could not see anything unusual.
She is not in a hurry either.
But the second assistant said in a sarcastic tone, "Princess Qingping has suffered these days. Everyone is worried that you, a young girl with such outstanding looks, might encounter something bad. Are you really okay?"
Everyone: ...Don’t talk nonsense, they didn’t.
Even if there is, I won’t say it in public, it’s not too disgraceful.
Mu Wanqing was not someone to be trifled with. She laughed and stabbed back, "Someone said before that the Deputy Minister was full of ill will towards me and wanted to get rid of him as soon as possible. I didn't believe it before, but now I do."
What she said was profound, leaving room for countless imaginations.
The crowd was in an uproar, and everyone looked at the second assistant with strange eyes. Was he the one who ordered the assassination? No way? It was an unspoken rule that officials were not allowed to use assassination, and there was a tacit understanding among them.
You can fight in the court, tear each other's hair, and frame each other, but you must never assassinate your political enemies.
Once it starts, it will get out of control. Whoever starts it will become a public enemy.
The deputy assistant's face turned green. "Princess Qingping, it's not good for you to speak so recklessly. There must be evidence for everything."
This damn girl suffered such a great loss that her temper became even more sharp.
"What did I say?" Mu Wanqing looked innocent. "I didn't say anything. You are overthinking it. Oh, or maybe it's because I am guilty."
There was something hidden in her words, but she didn't say explicitly that you were the mastermind behind my assassination.
Although, she didn't know whether it was true or not, but Ci Fu's words were so harsh, who else could he trick if not you, right?
Come on, let’s hurt each other.
"You..." Ci Fu was very angry.
Mu Wanqing didn't give him a chance at all, and ran away waving her hands, "Master Prime Minister, I have something to discuss with you."
Ci Fu's words got stuck in his throat. He glared at Mu Wanqing's back fiercely, his face flushed with anger.
The ministers saw it all and became even more convinced that he had done it.
The Ci Fu was speechless and the other party didn't say it clearly, so how could he argue?
Damn, Mu Wanqing is even more difficult to deal with after returning from her ordeal.
Mu Wanqing rushed out as soon as the court entered, "Your Majesty, I have a memorial to submit. I went out for a walk and found a problem..."
Everyone felt nervous. Here it comes, here it comes. Who will she bite?
Yes, she suffered a great loss this time, and she would not be able to get rid of the hatred in her heart unless she killed the mastermind behind the scenes.
Unexpectedly, Mu Wanqing didn't mention any personal grudges at all.
"There are good and bad private banks. Some even lend money at high interest rates, sucking the blood and sweat of the people, and even causing the victims to lose their families. I have seen too many tragedies and feel very sad. After much thought, I have drawn up a plan to solve this problem."
Everyone: …? ? ?
"I propose to establish a state-owned banking system to replace money houses. It will be directly controlled by the court and guaranteed by the court's credit. The credit will be unbreakable and will last forever with the country. As long as Da Qi exists, the state-owned banks will exist."
A heavy bomb dropped and many people were stunned.
What the hell? Bank? Are they trying to steal business from money houses?
The emperor sat on the high throne, looking surprised, "You mean, the court opened a bank?"
Mu Wanqing looked very serious and handed over a memorial. "It can be understood that banks have a wider range of uses than money houses. Most importantly, they are not afraid of bankruptcy, fraud, extortion, and fairness. They are fair and just, and never cheat anyone."
In fact, she had communicated with the emperor in advance, and it was just a formality.
As she expected, many court officials stood up to oppose it.
"I object. It is a taboo for the court to compete with the people for profit."
The reason for opposition is very simple. Those who can open money houses are not ordinary people. They have high-ranking officials backing them up.
A profit chain was formed by relying on money houses, which drew many people into the network.
Opening a bank is equivalent to stealing money from them.
Mu Wanqing knew this very well, but she still did it, "Wrong, it's for the people to get rid of profiteers and protect the property safety of the people."
The deputy assistant sneered, "It sounds good, but I think you are clearly using the name of the court to make money for yourself. Your Majesty, this is absolutely unacceptable. It will affect the current business landscape and make countless people unemployed."
"Once these people lose their jobs, it will cause instability..."
The deputy assistant minister said a lot of things. In his words, if a bank was opened, people's livelihood would be ruined and the country would perish. That was what he meant.
Mu Wanqing argued, "You are trying so hard to stop us. I suspect that the bank has a stake in you."
This is a common operation, a power-for-money transaction, you give me money and I will be your backer to help you solve your problems.
Of course, the deputy prime minister refused to admit it. "Nonsense, I am thinking about the court. You are young and think too simply. You don't care about other people's lives at all."
He spoke up for the merchants righteously, "Those merchants are also human beings, and they are also the people of Da Qi."
Mu Wanqing asked curiously, "Did I say that the money houses should be banned? I allow fair competition. Are the money houses afraid? Or is it the deputy assistant minister who is afraid?"
The assistant was so angry that he blew his beard and glared at the emperor. "You are just making trouble. How dare an ordinary businessman compete with the imperial court for profits?"
Mu Wanqing stared at him from head to toe, "You are so excited. Something is wrong. It is really wrong."
Ci Fuqi's mouth was crooked, "You..."
He pretended to touch his forehead and his body was staggering, as if he was about to faint.
His lackey immediately stood up to support him, "Princess Qingping, please say less. Look how you have pissed off the Deputy Prime Minister. Do you think you can handle the fact that he has become ill from anger?"
If they dare to commit fraud, Mu Wanqing will smash their faces.
"The Deputy Prime Minister is sixty-two this year. He is old and weak. He faints after arguing with others. I can't bear to see this. Your Majesty, I beg you to let him retire and return home, so that he can live a few more years."
The emperor raised his lips slightly, "I didn't expect the Second Assistant's health was so poor. Blame me, blame me. The Second Assistant is still..."
The deputy assistant's face changed drastically, and he stood up straight quickly, "Your Majesty, I am in good health, and there is nothing wrong with me. It was just... I didn't have breakfast, and I still want to continue to work hard for the court."
The emperor looked down at them and said, "Your Majesty, you look very bad. You are old and need to take care of yourself. You should rest at home for a while. I don't want to be accused of mistreating an old minister."
He only asked him to rest and did not directly ask him to retire, so as to leave room for maneuver and prevent the person from resorting to desperate measures.
The deputy assistant gnashed his teeth and swallowed the blood, "I... obey your order."
As long as the green mountains remain, there will be no shortage of firewood.
Everyone looked at each other. Well, Princess Qingping went all out as soon as she returned to the capital and directly brought the second assistant back home.
So the question is, was it the assistant who was responsible for Princess Qingping's accident this time?
It was impossible for the bank to make a decision right away, so after the court session, no one was in a hurry to go back, and they went out in groups of three or four to have dinner.
Eating is fake, discussing things is real.
I always feel that this day is going to change.
Everyone in the Ministry of Households was eagerly awaiting Mu Wanqing's return.
However, Mu Wanqing did not show up until the evening.
At this moment, Mu Wanqing went to the palace, and together with Du Shaoxuan, paid their respects to the Queen Mother and reported their marriage.
The Queen Mother held her hand and chattered for a long time. Her attitude became amiable and it seemed as if her previous dislike had never existed.
Mu Wanqing doesn't care. Other people's likes or dislikes have no effect on her.
But she still spoke sweetly and flattered the queen mother, making her very happy.
The two went to the Yangxin Palace again and had a working lunch with the emperor and his son.
The royal family has its own rules for eating, and Mu Wanqing didn't care about them. She ordered her favorite dishes: braised pork with vegetarian chicken, pickled fish, stir-fried vegetables, and tofu and mushroom soup, a simple meal of three dishes and one soup.
She didn't need anyone to serve her food, she could just pick up whatever she wanted to eat.
The braised pork was soft, fragrant and smooth, sweet but not greasy. Mu Wanqing took piece after piece.
Du Shaoxuan was still in mourning and only ate vegetarian dishes. The braised vegetarian chicken tasted no worse than meat, and he ate several pieces in a row.
When the eldest prince saw it, he couldn't help but take a piece as well. He felt that if he didn't eat it, they would snatch it all away!
Sure enough, dining is more lively when there are more people.
After eating and drinking, Du Shaoxuan was served fruit. He picked the reddest fruit for Mu Wanqing.
"Your Majesty, I will leave for home the day after tomorrow. Please help me protect Qing'er."
The eldest prince was stunned for a moment, "Uncle is going back to Xiliang?"
I've only been in Beijing for two days. How can I bear such a rush?
Du Shaoxuan frowned slightly, "Xiliang and Beichu have already taken action. I suspect that assassinating Wanqing is just part of the plan. I have to rush back to the border as soon as possible to counter their moves."
The emperor was very satisfied. Although this boy was sentimental, he was unambiguous in his sense of justice and put state affairs first. "Thank you for your hard work, cousin."
"Defending our country is the Du family's belief, and we have been upholding it for a hundred years." Du Shaoxuan had faith in his heart and spoke with great force, "There is no home without a country, and I will never let foreign enemies step into the border."
The emperor patted him on the back, very happy that his cousin was a reliable man.
"Don't worry, Princess Qingping is in the capital, no one dares to touch her, I will officiate your wedding one day."
Du Shaoxuan was overjoyed, "Thank you, Your Majesty."
After having lunch, Mu Wanqing left the palace. Instead of going to the Ministry of Revenue, she went to Wanfang Garden in the suburbs.
This is a royal manor, magnificent.
She went in quietly, and the servants welcomed her to the main courtyard. The eldest princess, who had a childish face, saw her and her eyes lit up, "Sister Qingping, you are finally here."
Mu Wanqing cupped her hands and asked with a smile, "Greetings, Princess. Are all the people here?"
The eldest princess' face flushed with excitement. "Here they are. As you ordered, I have invited all the wives of officials above the fourth rank and the wives of the wealthy families in the city."
"Madam Ci Fu is here too?"
"I'm here." The Grand Princess is hosting a flower-viewing banquet, who dares not give her face?
"Well done." Mu Wanqing praised, her eyebrows slightly raised, revealing a hint of evil, "Next it's my turn to perform."
The eldest princess' eyes sparkled with excitement. This was the first time in her life that she was involved in something and she was so excited that she couldn't control herself...
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