Tourmaline Pavilion.
Prince Ning sat in the main seat, and Princess Huyang sat below with red eyes.
Liu Zhao stood aside, staring at Princess Huyang with a bad look.
He was about to attack Princess Huyang if they had any disagreement.
Princess Huyang wiped her tears and said, "Brother, you must help me this time."
Prince Ning closed his eyes and just nodded.
"Brother Prince, please say something." Princess Huyang was anxious.
Prince Ning opened his eyes and said casually, "Didn't I ask Zhao'er to clean up the mess for you? What else do you want?"
Princess Huyang immediately felt aggrieved.
"That bastard Liu Zhao took the mold and destroyed the money. Now I have no money left and can't even make it through the New Year. What should I do?"
Liu Zhao was dissatisfied. "Aunt, are you blaming me for not helping my uncle clean up the mess? Privately minting coins is punishable by death according to the law. Do you really not fear the law, nor the wrath of my grandfather?"
Princess Huyang's expression changed slightly.
Together with her husband Duwei, she organized people to privately mint coins in other places.
As a result, the matter was not kept secret and the government took notice.
At that time, the son-in-law of the emperor happened to be in the coin mint and was caught red-handed.
The son-in-law of the emperor was afraid of alarming the capital and the palace, so he did not dare to disclose his identity.
He just sent someone to take the letter to the princess's mansion, asking Princess Huyang to find a way to get him out as soon as possible.
Princess Huyang was at a loss when she received the letter. She went to Prince Ning and asked him to find a way to cover up the matter for her.
When Prince Ning learned that these two idiots were so bold as to mint coins privately, he was so angry that he wanted to kill the prince consort.
Princess Huyang begged desperately, and Prince Ning sighed, "Forget it, I'll help you this time."
Afterwards, King Ning ordered Liu Zhao to deal with the aftermath.
Therefore, in the past few days, Liu Zhao has been busy with this matter, going out early and returning late every day.
The person who captured the imperial son-in-law was just a county magistrate and had little knowledge of the situation in the capital.
Liu Zhao did not show up in person, but only sent his men out of the capital to settle the case.
He stayed in the capital and destroyed all evidence.
All the private money piled up in the princess's mansion was transported out of the city by Liu Zhao and melted down.
The mold for casting coins was also destroyed.
Those who should be silenced have been silenced, and the prince consort has also been rescued from prison.
Logically, this matter should end here.
Unexpectedly, Princess Huyang came to complain today, saying that she had no money to spend and could not celebrate the New Year, and asked the palace for some support.
In previous years, Princess Huyang would also come to beg for money, but compared to this year, it was still far inferior.
Because this year, Princess Huyang's reasons were too shameless and shameless.
She didn't wonder why they had no money. If the couple could be frugal, the annual income of several hundred thousand taels would definitely be enough to cover their expenses.
As a result, Princess Huyang shamelessly blamed Liu Zhao for being short of money.
How could Liu Zhao not be angry!
Damn it, I cleaned up the mess for you two, and not only did I not get a single good word, but you also blamed me for everything. You even used this as an excuse to blackmail the palace.
People need face and trees need bark. Can you please have some shame?
Liu Zhao was not a good-tempered person. If he was angered, he would even dare to confront Concubine Shu, let alone Princess Huyang.
"If my aunt is dissatisfied with me, I will go to the palace to see my grandfather and let him judge the matter."
Princess Huyang's face changed, and she covered her mouth and burst into tears. "My brother, look at Liu Zhao. He actually threatened me and even reported me to my father. How can I live?"
She sobbed and cried, which sounded harsh.
Liu Zhao sneered, "Ever since my aunt married the Prince Consort, she has become even more shameless."
"Who are you calling shameless? Liu Zhao, you still have respect for hierarchy. After all, I am still your aunt."
Princess Huyang jumped up in anger and pointed at Liu Zhao's face and scolded him.
Liu Zhao had a stern face and a sharp gleam in his eyes.
He said in a resounding voice, "If you weren't my aunt, I would have beaten you out long ago. Why should I listen to your clamor?"
Princess Huyang found that she really had no way to deal with Liu Zhao. Liu Zhao was a ruthless person when he got angry.
The only way to turn things around is to use some means against Prince Ning, his brother who shares the same mother.
Hu Yang cried, "My prince, are you really going to watch me die without helping me? The princess's mansion is so big, but now it can't even take out five thousand taels. How am I going to survive this New Year? My prince, are you really going to watch me suffer from cold and hunger?"
Prince Ning sighed, "New Year's Eve is coming soon. The profits from the farm and the shop should have been deposited. How come we have no money to spend?"
"Brother Wang, you know that I deposit the profits from the farm and the shop every three to six months. I've almost spent all the profits this year."
King Ning said earnestly, "Spending money on tomorrow's food is not a long-term solution. You've already spent all this year's income. What will you do next year?"
Princess Huyang sobbed, "Next year, when the title and salary come, I'll be able to get through the most difficult months. But the expenses during the New Year period are really too high. I hope my brother can help me."
Seeing Prince Ning remained silent, Princess Huyang cried again, "If even my brother is unwilling to help me, then I really have no way to survive."
Prince Ning frowned, feeling very annoyed.
But Princess Huyang was his sister, and he couldn't just stand by and watch her die.
Prince Ning frowned and asked sternly, "Just because you don't have enough silver, you and the Duke of Mount Deer went to mint silver coins privately?"
Princess Huyang nodded weakly, "My prince, you already know everything, why are you still asking?"
Prince Ning was furious. "Shut up. I've told you so many times to live within your means. Why don't you just stop and continue to act more and more ridiculously with your husband?"
Princess Huyang complained, "Neither my husband nor I are good at economics."
Prince Ning sneered, "What an excuse. Even if you and the Prince Consort Duwei are both bad at finances, is the Princess's Household Manager just a decoration? Don't you know how to listen to the Household Manager's opinions?"
Princess Huyang said with disgust, "The housekeeper is so noisy, I told him to get out of here."
"You are the one who should get out of here. Ridiculous!" Prince Ning was furious and cursed at Princess Huyang.
Princess Huyang suddenly felt aggrieved and began to sob again.
"Brother Wang is so cruel to me, are you planning to kill me?"
Prince Ning sneered, "I won't kill you, but I will kill the prince consort."
"If you hit the prince consort, I will not live either." Hu Yang loved the prince consort deeply and was willing to turn against King Ning for the prince consort.
Prince Ning was delighted. "That's perfect! Get out of here now. You are not welcome here."
Isn't it time to protect the Prince Consort? Then live a hard life with the Prince Consort, he doesn't care.
Princess Huyang burst into tears. "If Mother knew that my brother treated me like an enemy, I wonder how heartbroken and upset Mother would be. Could my brother bear to see Mother sad?"
Prince Ning remained indifferent. "Are you finished? If so, leave immediately."
Princess Huyang was angry, resentful, and panicked.
She and her husband were used to a luxurious life, and the New Year period was the time to spend money. How could she face the shame of entertaining guests in a shabby way?
Princess Huyang lowered her posture and asked softly, "Brother, could you please be more polite to your husband?"
Prince Ning laughed heartily, "I have long wanted to take this opportunity to teach my son-in-law a lesson. Do you think I will be polite to him?"
Princess Huyang was conflicted and entangled, "How is my brother going to teach the prince consort a lesson?"
Prince Ning said casually, "How about giving him twenty lashes of the cane first?"
Princess Huyang's face turned pale. "Twenty strokes of the cane, wouldn't that be like killing the consort?"
Prince Ning smiled, his eyes cold. "Asking for only half of his life, rather than his entire life, is already a special favor from me. If you are dissatisfied, feel free to leave."
Princess Huyang hesitated for a long time before asking, "How much money can my prince give?"
Prince Ning casually said, "Five thousand taels."
"Only five thousand taels?" Princess Huyang was so angry that she almost jumped up. "Brother, are you bullying me?"
Prince Ning's face turned serious. "My money didn't fall from the sky. I'm determined to clear the Ministry of Revenue's arrears. I owe the Ministry hundreds of thousands. How can I repay it? You think five thousand taels is too little, but I don't mind. If you don't want this money, I'm not willing to give it to you."
Princess Huyang cried again, "My brother is so cruel. Not only does he want to beat the prince consort, but he only gives me 5,000 taels of silver for living expenses. You might as well let me starve to death."
Prince Ning said coldly, "When you are starving to the point of having only one breath left, I will send someone to the Princess's residence to pick you up. When that time comes, I will support you and will never let you starve."
Princess Huyang was heartbroken and said, "Eight thousand taels!"
Prince Ning closed his eyes to rest.
Princess Huyang gritted her teeth and said, "Six thousand taels. My brother, you have to give me six thousand taels no matter what. Even if you don't care about me, you have to think about my two nephews."
Prince Ning opened his eyes and said, "Never mind. I will give you six thousand taels. Dalang, take your men to the princess's residence immediately, arrest the consort and give him twenty lashes. I will give him a severe beating."
Liu Zhao received the king's order and took action immediately.
"Zhao'er, he is your uncle, be gentle when you hit him."
Princess Huyang called Liu Zhao and tried to move him with her love.
Liu Zhao smiled coldly, "Don't worry, aunt, I will act with discretion."
Liu Zhao was naturally measured in his actions. He guaranteed that after twenty strokes of the board, the prince consort would not die, but he would definitely lose half his life.
Liu Zhao left.
Princess Huyang slumped in the chair, like mud, as if her body had been hollowed out.
"Brother Wang is always so cruel."
Prince Ning was furious. "If I were truly cruel, I would have killed my son-in-law for minting coins. Why would I listen to your wailing? Not only will I kill him, I will also exterminate his entire clan."
Princess Huyang burst into tears, "If you want to kill his entire clan, why not kill me too, and your two nephews too."
Prince Ning's face was stern. "If you have the guts to mint coins privately, why don't you have the courage to go to the palace and cry out? Do you dare to tell my father, the emperor, and my mother what you have done?"
Princess Huyang was stunned. She did not dare to go to the palace to complain, for fear that the news would leak out and reach the ears of the emperor.
Privately minting coins is a capital crime.
Given the emperor's violent temper, it is really possible that he would execute the son-in-law.
If someone took advantage of the opportunity to add insult to injury, the emperor might really order the execution of the entire family of the prince consort.
Princess Huyang did not dare to take the risk and could only cry and complain in front of her brother Prince Ning.
…
Liu Yi came to Bixi Pavilion and wanted to meet King Ning, but was stopped by the eunuch Chang En.
"Fourth Young Master, please return. The Prince is discussing important matters with the Princess. You are not allowed to enter without being summoned."
Liu Yi was annoyed, "Why is Big Brother in there?"
"Who said the eldest son is in there? There are only the prince and the princess in there, not the eldest son."
Liu Yi looked suspicious.
"I clearly heard that my elder brother was also in there? Why are you lying, old slave?"
"I didn't lie. It was the Fourth Young Master who believed the rumors and mistakenly thought that the First Young Master was inside."
Seeing Chang En so confident, Liu Yi wondered if Liu Zhao was really not in there?
He was just hesitating whether to continue or leave when Princess Pei arrived.
Princess Pei was furious. She had long been resentful of Huyang. He had been asking for money from her every year, and each time was more excessive than the last. It was really outrageous.
Chang En blocked Pei's way and said, "Princess, please stay. The prince has ordered that no one is allowed to enter without his permission."
"Get out of the way, you dare to stop me, the princess?"
Chang En frowned, bowed and said, "Please forgive me, Princess. The prince has given the order personally, and I dare not disobey."
Pei's face was stern. "Then you should report to the prince immediately. Tell him that I heard that Princess Huyang was visiting and missed her so much. I couldn't wait and came to greet Princess Huyang in person."
Chang En agreed and ordered the eunuch to report to the prince, while he himself continued to block the way at the gate of the courtyard.
The eunuch came back a moment later and said, "Your Majesty, please let the princess in."
Pei snorted coldly, flicked her sleeves, and entered the Bixi Pavilion.
Liu Yi also wanted to take the opportunity to go in, but he heard the eunuch say: "The prince only invites the princess in, no one else is allowed to enter."
Liu Yi was embarrassed now.
"Mother, mother..." he called out again and again.
Pei turned around and said to Liu Yi, "Go back to your room first. You have nothing to do here."
When elders come to ask for money, they must not let the younger generations see it.
Liu Yi sulked and glared at Chang En. "Old man, you're relying on your father to bully others in the palace. One day, I'll teach you a lesson."
Liu Yi had no choice but to leave.
When Pei walked into the hall, she saw Princess Huyang sobbing and crying very sadly.
Pei laughed sarcastically, "Oh, sister, why are you crying? Did the prince say something harsh?"
Princess Huyang snorted inwardly, with a look of grievance on her face, "Sister-in-law is here, and I'm feeling sad."
Pei sat down next to Prince Ning and said, "What are you complaining about? If you have no money to spend, the prince will give you money. Having such a good brother is something that many people envy. Sister, what else are you dissatisfied with?"
Princess Huyang was unhappy, "Don't ask me."
Pei sneered, coming to beg for money and acting like he was superior.
Could it be that all the money in the palace belongs to her princess's palace? She can take whatever she wants.
Pei glared at Prince Ning and said, "Look what you're doing."
Prince Ning coughed lightly twice. Naturally, he could not tell Pei about the private minting of coins.
He said, "Wait until the new year starts and the nobility and salary are distributed."
Pei rolled her eyes to the sky. How many months did she expect the title and salary to be enough for Princess Huyang and her husband to spend?
Princess Huyang doesn't work, doesn't know how to run a business, doesn't listen to advice, and lives an extravagant life.
Every year when the Chinese New Year was approaching, Mrs. Pei would be angry for several days because of Princess Huyang.
Pei said to Princess Huyang, "Sister, you haven't grown shrewd over the years, but your temper has gotten worse."
Princess Huyang wiped away her tears and said aggrievedly, "I knew my sister-in-law was unhappy with me, but I didn't expect her to scold me to my face. I'll go to the palace to see my mother tomorrow. I'll ask her to judge this matter."
Pei was furious. "Sister, you're asking for money, and you're actually acting with dignity. As your sister-in-law, I can't say a word to you, right? Do you want us to hold the money in front of you and beg you to accept it, so you can feel comfortable? Bah! I'm not a cheap bastard. I have to pay you to please me."
As soon as Pei turned against her, Princess Huyang burst into tears.
"My brother, you saw it with your own eyes. My sister-in-law bullied me like this. You must take action for me. Otherwise, call Liu Zhao back and forbid him to lay a hand on the prince consort."
Prince Ning looked up at the sky in silence.
Similar dramas are performed every year, and he just treats it as a show.
However, Pei grasped the key point in Princess Huyang's words.
"You said to call Liu Zhao back and not to let him attack the prince consort. What do you mean by that?"
Princess Huyang cried and said, "My brother wants to beat the prince consort with a stick, twenty times."
When Pei heard this, she was overjoyed.
She looked at Prince Ning with charming eyes, "Your Highness, you have done something that is very pleasing to the people."
Prince Ning laughed heartily. "The Prince Consort's actions are absurd, and the Emperor is busy with government affairs. As his uncle, it is my natural duty to teach him a lesson. In this way, there is no need to trouble the Emperor."
Pei was in a good mood.
She was happy to beat up the prince consort and then give him money.
Princess Huyang refused to comply, "My sister-in-law has no sympathy at all."
Pei smiled, "Sister, you don't understand this. As the saying goes, the deeper the love, the more severe the reprimand. The prince sent someone to teach the prince consort a lesson, and it was all for your own good. If the prince consort doesn't go out and cause trouble, you can have some free time, right? I'm not saying anything bad about you, but as a princess, you should strictly discipline the prince consort. How can you tolerate his absurd behavior?"
Princess Huyang really loved her husband deeply.
All I could hear was her defending the Prince Consort, saying, "He's feeling miserable. He wasn't being ridiculous by going out. He was just letting out his frustration. The Prince Consort of our dynasty, from the day he became a Prince Consort, had no chance of an official career. With no hope for a career, shouldn't he be allowed to vent a little?"
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