Chapter 269 The Crown Prince
Jiang Yu and Prince Rui reviewed the examination papers together, finalized the personnel to be employed by the Imperial Workshop, and then left the government office together.
Just as they arrived at the entrance of the government office, a man rushed towards Jiang Yu. Jiang Yu was about to dodge when Prince Rui stepped in front of her. The two looked at the man, who was kneeling on the ground, kowtowing and saying, "Please forgive this lowly man, Duke of Chu."
Who else could this person be but Ling Yaoying, the owner of Baoyuan Money Shop?
Jiang Yu gently patted Prince Rui's arm, and Prince Rui turned to look at her. Jiang Yu smiled at him, "Thank you, Your Highness. I know this person; he'll be fine."
Prince Rui stepped aside, revealing Jiang Yu's figure. Jiang Yu looked down at Ling Yaoying and said, "Patriarch Ling, do you know where you went wrong?"
Ling Yaoying hadn't expected her to ask such a question right away. After thinking for a moment, she said, "A petty person shouldn't covet what cannot be obtained."
“Master Ling, I am an official of the imperial court. Your attempt to bribe me for personal gain is bribery.”
The word "bribery" exploded in Ling Yaoying's mind like a bomb, making his head buzz and leaving his mind blank for a moment.
At this moment, Jiang Yu said again, "I did not punish you for bribery because the silver notes issued by Baoyuan Money Shop still need to be redeemed."
"I know I'm guilty." At this moment, Ling Yaoying no longer dared to have any improper thoughts relying on the Yongwang Mansion.
"Hmm." Jiang Yu hummed in agreement, then added, "I hope you can make amends and cooperate with the court's reform of money shops."
These words brought a look of sorrow to Ling Yaoying's face. "Reporting to the Duke of Chu, I no longer have enough cash to exchange."
Jiang Yu listened to his words without speaking, just looking at him calmly until sweat dripped down his forehead before saying, "The situation with Baoyuan Bank is secondary; the key is to prevent the people from suffering losses. We'll discuss the Baoyuan Bank matter again. Get up, go back and prepare the accounts, and come see me again tomorrow."
Ling Yaoying breathed a sigh of relief. "Thank you, Duke of Chu. Thank you, Duke of Chu."
Jiang Yu ignored him, turned around to bid farewell to Prince Rui, and then got into her sedan chair to return to her residence. Prince Rui mounted his horse, watching the sedan chair disappear into the distance, and couldn't help but smile. Although he didn't participate in court affairs, Jiang Yu's intermittent warnings and statements about not letting the people suffer losses were truly a win-win situation.
It is believed that Jufeng Money Exchange will see an influx of more deposits in the future.
Jiang Yu returned home and had just entered her study when Granny Feng arrived, saying that Lu Yifang wanted to have dinner with her. Jiang Yu was taken aback, then realized that because she had been busy lately, she had been having dinner in her study and hadn't eaten with her mother for a long time.
After agreeing, she wrote the memorial to be presented at court the next day and then got up and walked to the backyard. When she arrived at Lu Yifang's courtyard, she saw that Jiang Jiamu and his family were also there. Upon seeing her, Lu Yifang had someone set out the meal.
While washing her hands, Jiang Yu asked Jiang Yunkang and Jiang Yuan about their studies. It wasn't that she was old-fashioned and asked the children about their studies as soon as they met; it was just that she really didn't have time. Although the two little ones were a bit nervous, they answered very well, and Jiang Yu was generous with her praise.
Suddenly thinking of Yan Fengju, Jiang Yu realized that she might have been neglecting the concubine's daughters in the household. After a moment's thought, she said to Lu Yifang, "Mother, when I have some free time in a few days, let's have a family meal together."
Lu Yifang was taken aback, and then heard Jiang Yu say, "I am not very familiar with many of the children in the manor."
Lu Yifang understood; she knew it was because of Yan Fengju's matter, and that it reminded her of the children in the manor. Lu Yifang neither disliked nor liked the concubine's daughters in the manor, and naturally, she wouldn't suppress them. Since Jiang Yu wanted to see them, she didn't care.
After the food was set out, the family sat down to eat together. Midway through the meal, Lu Yifang put some food on Jiang Yu's plate and said, "The eldest young mistress of the Yan family has sent over a visiting card."
"Why is it the young mistress who sent the visiting card?" Jiang Yu asked.
“I’m curious too,” Lu Yifang said, lowering her voice slightly, “Did they find out something?”
She suspected that the Yan family had discovered that the poison was administered by Madam Yan.
Jiang Yu thought for a moment, "They probably haven't found out yet. If they had, the Yan family would be in chaos right now and wouldn't be coming to visit."
Lu Yifang nodded, "That's true."
“My mother should maintain normal contact with her, but she can subtly show that I value Yan Fengju highly,” Jiang Yu added.
Lu Yifang understood, "I get it."
After finishing her dinner, Jiang Yu returned to the front yard. She didn't work anymore, read for a while, then took a bath and rested. She had to get up early for the morning court the next day.
The morning court session proceeded as usual, but this morning, the emperor issued an imperial edict establishing the Eighth Prince as the Crown Prince. After the edict was read, the Eighth Prince stepped forward, knelt on the ground, and shouted, "Thank you, Your Majesty! Long live the Emperor! Long live the Emperor!"
His voice was somewhat high-pitched, as if he was trying to suppress his inner joy, but he was unsuccessful.
Jiang Yu turned to look at Prime Minister Pei Chengkun, and saw that his face was calm, revealing neither joy nor anger. However, the slight trembling of his beard proved that his inner state was not as calm as it appeared.
Jiang Yu then went to see the Emperor, who also had a calm face, though he had large bags under his eyes, indicating that he hadn't slept well the night before. It must not have been easy for him to use a son as a scapegoat, after all, he was his own son.
After the morning court session ended, the emperor summoned Jiang Yu to the imperial study. Upon arrival, she saw the newly appointed crown prince already there. She first bowed to the emperor, then to the crown prince.
"Duke of Chu, you may rise." The Crown Prince's voice carried an air of superiority. Jiang Yu straightened up calmly and then sat down to one side.
"I summoned you here to ask you what you intend to do with Baoyuan Money Shop," the emperor asked.
"I have two options," Jiang Yu said. "First, we can acquire Baoyuan Bank and bring it under the control of the imperial court, but at the market price."
"Why not just buy it directly? Why bother buying it?"
The Crown Prince's voice rang out, and Jiang Yu glanced at him without speaking, waiting for the Emperor to speak. But the Emperor also remained silent, leaving Jiang Yu with no choice but to answer the Crown Prince's question.
She said, “Your Highness, although the entire Daqian belongs to the imperial court, the imperial court has laws and regulations, and everything must be done in accordance with the law. Although Baoyuan Money Shop is suspected of bribery, it did not succeed in bribing. Moreover, even if it had succeeded in bribing, according to the law, it would not warrant the confiscation of its property.”
"Hmph, it's not that complicated, it's just..."
"cough!"
The emperor's cough interrupted the crown prince. The emperor then asked, "What's the second option?"
Jiang Yu: "The imperial court has invested in Baoyuan Money Shop, and the imperial court will take control of Baoyuan Money Shop from now on."
After a moment of silence, the emperor asked, "If I want to invest, do I also need to put in money?"
Jiang Yu: "No need. After the imperial court invests, Baoyuan Money Shop will have rights that no other money shop can have. The imperial court is investing with rights."
"Hehehe..." The emperor laughed, then said, "Let's go with the second option."
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