Chen Jingxi asked curiously, "What benefits?"
"The Ministry of Revenue allocates 100,000 taels to the orphanage every year."
"One hundred thousand taels, with so much silver, yet you still treat those children so harshly."
Chu Jinghuai shook his head, his tone somewhat helpless: "Do you think the court allocates 100,000 taels every year just to support these one hundred children?"
"Uh... that's really too generous."
Chu Jinghuai held his forehead with his hand and said, "No imperial court would spend 100,000 taels of silver just to support a hundred or so disabled children."
Chen Jingxi was even more confused after hearing this: "Then... then why did they allocate so much money?"
Chu Jinghuai reminded him, "Haven't you noticed? Almost all the children in the orphanage are disabled. There are no healthy children."
"I've also thought about this question. Those healthy children might have found an opportunity to escape, just like the Shen brothers and sisters did."
"In fact, more than 500 children are sent here every year."
Chen Jingxi's face changed suddenly when he heard this. Five hundred people per year, from infancy to the age when they can be self-reliant, calculated based on five years.
There should be at least 2,500 children in the orphanage. Even if some ran away or died of illness, there should not be less than a hundred left.
After a moment of silence, Chen Jingxi asked, "Then... where did those children go?"
"Many of the healthy children will be secretly trained to become spies, infiltrating various corners. Children with good looks will be carefully nurtured and eventually sent to various prefectures and courtyards. Some will also be trained to become death squads."
Chen Jingxi was furious. What a good plan! This orphanage was a continuous conveyor belt. There was no need to worry about the lack of children.
Use the court's money to build up your own power.
There is no need to worry about them causing trouble, as most of these children are either fatherless or motherless or have been abandoned by their parents.
Dead or alive, no one will speak up for them.
"Is the person behind this orphanage Duke Lu?" After all, the officer just now was very respectful to Lu Ting'an.
"No, Lu Songwu, the old fox, is cautious and won't spend so much time on this, but the Minister of Revenue is his man."
"Who is the person behind this?" Chen Jingxi continued to ask.
Chu Jinghuai looked deep in his eyes and did not answer.
——
The matter of the orphanage was so widely publicized by Lu Ting'an that the Ministry of Revenue could not hide it even if it wanted to.
The next morning, a memorial from the censor was submitted, impeaching the Minister of Revenue for dereliction of duty.
The emperor scolded the Minister of Revenue in the court and asked the Dali Temple to investigate the matter thoroughly.
Finally, the emperor praised Lu Ting'an again.
Throughout the morning court, Duke Lu's face turned pale and red. His own son had killed his confidant.
He also has to thank God for his grace.
Duke Lu now wished he could go back and beat that prodigal son to death.
——
In Jin'an Palace.
The sunlight shines through the carved window lattices, adding a bit of vitality to the quiet inner room.
Concubine De was carefully pruning a pot of roses on the table. "Is everything clean?"
The nanny beside her bowed and replied, "Your Majesty, it has been handled thoroughly. There won't be a trace left, and no one will be able to find out."
Defei moved the scissors in her hand slightly, and a carefully cultivated rose fell from the branch.
A trace of regret flashed across her eyes. "What a pity! I've spent ten years of hard work, meticulously planning and taking every step carefully, but in the end, all my efforts have been in vain."
"Princess Su is very lucky." Concubine De sneered.
——
No matter how big a fuss the orphanage incident caused, it was still a minor matter concerning people's livelihood, and it ultimately came to an end with the Minister of Revenue being dismissed and investigated.
The people are also happy to see that bad guys get the punishment they deserve.
That day, Lu Ting'an sent his trusted servant to deliver a letter to Yicui Tower.
Chen Jingxi received this unexpected letter and couldn't help but smile.
Seeing this, Chunmei, who was standing beside her, was curious and came forward, saying jokingly, "Why are you so happy today, Princess? Is there something good going on?"
Chen Jingxi put the letter away and said with a smile, "That brat Lu Ting'an finally remembered to pay me back. I've been holding this debt for a long time."
After saying that, Chen Jingxi told Chunmei to get ready and she quickly changed into a gorgeous dress.
Soon, a handsome young man appeared in Tianxiang Tower.
As soon as he stepped through the threshold, he heard Lu Ting'an's hearty laughter. He waved his hand and shouted loudly, "Chen Er, here!"
Chen Jingxi followed the sound and saw that Lu Ting'an had been waiting in a private room for a long time. The table was filled with fine wine and delicious food. It was obvious that he had made careful preparations for this meeting.
"Mr. Lu has been so powerful recently! Everyone in the capital knows about Mr. Lu's heroic deeds. He is simply the talk of the town." Chen Jingxi walked into the private room and greeted with a smile.
Hearing this, Lu Ting'an scratched his head a little embarrassedly and said with a smile: "Chen Er, please stop making fun of me. This was originally your achievement."
Chen Jingxi quickly waved his hands and said sternly, "If you hadn't appeared in time, I'm afraid I wouldn't have been able to escape unscathed. Moreover, it was you who stepped forward and made this matter a big deal, which attracted the attention of the court and allowed those children to be rescued. I, Chen Er, dare not take away this credit."
Upon hearing this, Lu Ting'an burst into laughter and slammed the table, standing up. "Chen Er, you are truly a man of honor! This incident has made me the center of attention, and the Emperor even gave me a special reward."
"I owe you these five thousand taels of silver, and I'm returning it to you now. Also, as for the gifts from the Emperor, let's split them equally between us two brothers, so we can share the blessings together!"
Upon hearing this, Chen Jingxi was moved and said, "Mr. Lu, you are such a good person! I will accept this silver without hesitation. As for the emperor's reward, since it is because of you, you should take more. How can I, Chen Er, take advantage of you?"
When Lu Ting'an heard this, he was unhappy. "Chen Er, what you said is too formal. What is our relationship? Brothers! If you continue to be so polite, I will be unhappy."
Seeing this, Chen Jingxi smiled and said, "Since you said so, I won't be polite."
"Haha, that's right!" Lu Ting'an laughed and patted Chen Er on the shoulder. "Don't call me Master Lu anymore. I'll call you Chen Er. I'm the third child in my family, so you can call me Lu San."
Chen Jingxi said, "Okay, San'er."
Lu Ting'an: "..." Why do I feel like I'm being taken advantage of?
Suddenly, there was a commotion on the street. A gorgeously decorated carriage drove slowly by, followed by a group of young girls who excitedly shouted "Master Shi".
Chen Jingxi didn't react for a moment.
They rushed over like a gust of wind.
"San'er, who is in this carriage?"
Lu Ting'an took a look and said, "The person sitting in the carriage is Shi Qianmo from Huayuefang."
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