Qiulan Palace.
Ever since Liu Zhaoyi was confined to her house and Aunt Sun kept a close eye on her, she had almost lost contact with the outside world.
That day, Yun'er took advantage of Aunt Sun's absence and went to great lengths to finally get news of the previous dynasty from the eunuch who delivered meals.
"My lady, something terrible has happened."
Liu Zhaoyi has been pregnant for five months. Because she is not allowed to go out, her baby is safe and sound.
But being locked up all day long made me feel a little depressed.
"No matter how big the situation outside is, I can't leave."
Yun'er's eyes sparkled, "Your Majesty, this time is different. The information I've gathered is enough to turn things around for you."
Liu Zhaoyi's hand stroking her belly froze, "What?"
Yun'er leaned over and whispered something in Liu Zhaoyi's ear. Liu Zhaoyi was indeed delighted. "It's really good news. Is Aunt Sun back?"
"not yet."
"Okay, when Aunt Sun comes back, we'll go to Zichen Palace." Liu Zhaoyi took Yun'er's hand and slowly stood up, smiling: "My Liu family lacks everything, but not money."
Not long after, Aunt Sun came back from outside. When she heard that Liu Zhaoyi was going to Zichen Palace, she immediately frowned, "Your Majesty, the Emperor has ordered that you have had a difficult pregnancy and do not need to go out unless necessary."
Liu Zhaoyi, her belly bulging, looked at Aunt Sun with disgust in her eyes. "The soldiers on the frontier are suffering from hunger right now. As the empress, I must share the emperor's worries. Besides, the emperor only told me to take good care of the baby. Did he issue a clear imperial decree forbidding me to leave the house?"
"this……"
Aunt Sun was in a dilemma for a moment. The emperor did not say anything about not allowing Liu Zhaoyi to go out.
Seeing this, Yun'er took out a purse and put it into Aunt Sun's hand with a smile, "Aunt, please do me a favor. If the Queen is favored in the future, she will naturally not forget the kindness you have shown her today."
Aunt Sun hesitated for a moment before reaching out to take the purse. "Well, since your Majesty is going to the Purple Palace, you must let this servant accompany you. Otherwise, I won't be able to report to the Emperor."
Liu Zhaoyi smiled and said, "Aunt Sun has served me for so long. If you weren't by my side, I'd be a little worried."
After Aunt Sun knelt down and left, she immediately ordered the palace servants to prepare the sedan chair.
At that time, Zhao Yuancheng was leaning over his desk reviewing memorials. The border was short of food and money, but when he went to court, the Ministry of Revenue told him that the money that could be taken out of the national treasury was only 30,000.
These 30,000 are undoubtedly a drop in the bucket for fighting a war.
The atmosphere in the Purple Palace was very low. Zhao Yuancheng hadn't had a drop of water since leaving court. Zhu Yu came up with a teacup and cautiously advised, "Your Majesty, you've been reviewing memorials for several hours. Drink some water and rest for a while."
"How can I rest?" Zhao Yuancheng was filled with anger and resentment. "The people in the border areas are suffering, but the court can't even come up with 100,000 silver coins. I am such a coward as an emperor."
"Your Majesty, please don't say that. It's all because the people of Dongling Country are too mean..."
"All's fair in war!" Zhao Yuancheng snorted coldly, "In the final analysis, it was Yun Hui who underestimated the enemy, which gave Dong Ling an opportunity to take advantage of."
As soon as he finished speaking, Xiao Dezi bowed and came in to report: "Your Majesty, Consort Liu requests an audience."
"What is she doing here?" Zhao Yuancheng asked impatiently.
"Liu Zhaoyi said that she knew the emperor was troubled by the affairs of the previous dynasty, and the Liu family was willing to lend a helping hand."
When Zhao Yuancheng heard this, he stopped writing.
Yes, the Liu family is one of the richest families in the capital. If the Liu family takes action at this time, the border issue can be easily resolved.
However, Zhao Yuancheng still cared about the fact that she murdered the imperial concubine and put the blame on Fu Qianyu.
But if we don’t see it, who knows how much suffering the people in the border areas will have to endure.
Zhu Yu saw Zhao Yuancheng's dilemma and stepped forward at the right moment to say, "Your Majesty, no matter how important the harem is, it cannot compare to the affairs of state."
Zhao Yuancheng sighed when he heard this and said in a deep voice, "Let her in."
Xiao Dezi bowed and withdrew. Not long after, Liu Zhaoyi came in, supported by Aunt Sun. "Your Highness, I pay my respects to you. May your Highness be blessed with good health."
"Get up." Zhao Yuancheng's face showed no emotion. "If you're not feeling well, why don't you stay in Qiulan Palace and recuperate? What are you doing out here?"
Liu Zhaoyi said with a sorrowful expression, "I know I am dull and dull. I cannot compare to the Empress, who is dignified and virtuous, nor can I compare to the Imperial Concubine and Sister Fu, who are favored by the Emperor. But in my heart, I truly miss the Emperor."
Seeing that Zhao Yuancheng still didn't speak, Liu Zhaoyi held her belly and knelt down with difficulty. "Your Majesty, I have served you for many years and have always been careful with my words and actions. I just don't know where I have done wrong to make Your Majesty dislike me so much. But even so, my heart is still thinking about Your Majesty as always."
Zhao Yuancheng was silent for a long time before he sighed and raised his hand to signal Liu Zhaoyi to stand up. "Sit down and talk."
Liu Zhaoyi's eyes glistened with tears as she spoke earnestly, "I came here because I heard there's been unrest on the border lately. You've been worried about it day and night. The Liu family has enjoyed the emperor's favor for many years. Before coming here, I've already sent a letter of divorce to my father and am willing to offer 500,000 taels of silver to help the people on the border who are suffering."
Zhao Yuancheng drank his tea slowly and said calmly, "Five hundred thousand taels is not a small amount."
"Yes, but as long as it can relieve the emperor's worries, even if it means the Liu family will go bankrupt, I will not hesitate to do it."
Hearing this, Zhao Yuancheng's brows softened a lot, "My beloved concubine is thoughtful. Tang'er is now in the Queen Mother's palace. If you have nothing to do, go and see her."
Concubine Liu smiled again and said happily, "Yes, thank you for your grace, Your Majesty."
"Kneel down and pay your respects."
Although it was a hot summer day, Liu Zhaoyi felt refreshed. After coming out of Zichen Palace, she went straight to Ci'an Palace.
The Liu family was extremely quick. Less than two hours after Concubine Liu sent the letter, Liu's father had already delivered 500,000 taels of silver to the Ministry of Revenue.
After the Ministry of Revenue had taken inventory, Zhao Yuancheng ordered the Eleventh Prince Gong to personally deliver it to the border.
This news spread throughout the harem like a gust of summer wind, and everyone in the harem sighed that Concubine Liu was kind-hearted and had a delicate temperament.
Peirong came back from outside with a sullen face. Fu Qianyu took out a chilled lychee from the plate and put it in her mouth, then asked with a smile, "What's wrong?"
"I think it's great to have money!"
This nonsensical remark immediately amused Ling Yun who was standing by: "Money makes the world go round, so of course it's a good thing."
Peirong swallowed the lychee whole, furious. "Everyone in the palace now praises Consort Liu for her virtuous character and kindness, saying she truly deserves the title of virtuous. It's fine for others, but lately, even the Emperor has been visiting Qiulan Palace from time to time. Has the Emperor truly forgotten how Consort Liu used the Imperial Concubine to frame you?"
Fu Qianyu took a sip of tea, her tone as light as a wisp of smoke: "Of course the emperor has not forgotten, but the former court and the harem are closely linked, and sometimes he has to go through the motions. Besides, Concubine Liu is pregnant after all."
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