Chapter 14 Borrowing a Knife
Taking advantage of the fact that everyone had returned to their rooms that evening, Song Zhimian locked the door and opened the box of rare ancient books.
Touching the top layer of books, Song Zhimian took out ten travelogues hidden in the box.
After carefully flipping through the pages for a while, I finally found something different in the book.
These travelogues contain hidden banknotes.
There were a total of 50,000 taels of silver, all of them banknotes from the Minbao Bank, the No. 1 Money Shop in Chongqing, in various denominations.
This is the dowry money left to Song Zhimin by her mother.
However, it was probably to guard against Song Kaishan that it was not written on the dowry list.
Song Zhimian remembered these things because her aunt, Madam Song the Third, had secretly told her before she left for the North.
“Mian’er, if you’re short of money, go to that box and take out a book to read.”
Read more travelogues; you'll find a wealth of knowledge in books!
Song Zhimian always remembered these things, which is why she asked Ye Yunshu to leave this box of rare ancient books to her when she donated her dowry.
Song Kaishan was a reckless man, and Ding was short-sighted; she would never have imagined that the silver notes were hidden in these boxes that she wouldn't even bother to look at.
After carefully putting all the banknotes away, Song Zhimin felt much more at ease.
With money, there will be more options available in the future.
...
In Ronghua Palace, Consort Wu leaned against the bed curtains, her long black hair spread out behind her.
"Is His Majesty reviewing memorials in the Hall of Diligent Governance today?" Consort Wu examined her newly painted nails.
"Your Majesty, His Majesty is indeed reviewing memorials in the Hall of Diligent Governance. Recently, he has been busy with affairs in the North and has a lot of military matters to attend to."
I heard that the people from the Six Ministries have been waiting outside the Hall of Diligent Governance.
"Prime Minister Lin hasn't left the palace yet!" Her head maid, Caiyin, immediately relayed the information she had gathered.
Consort Wu remained silent, turning her body to look out the window of her bedchamber.
She knew the military situation in the north was urgent, but this was also an opportunity for the King of Zhao.
King Zhao is in charge of the grain supplies in the north, and so far, he's doing a very good job!
His Majesty seems to be valuing the King of Zhao more and more lately, and often keeps him behind to talk.
There's been little activity from the Crown Prince's side lately...
"Will Prince Zhao still come to the palace tomorrow?" Consort Wu suddenly asked.
"According to custom, whenever His Majesty summons him, His Highness will definitely come to the inner palace to see the Empress after the audience with the Emperor."
However, Your Highness and Prince Wu have been in frequent contact lately; I wonder if something important has happened. Caiyin bowed and replied.
The King of Wu was the son of Consort Ruan in the palace. Consort Ruan had always been on good terms with Consort Wu, and her son and Consort Wu's son also had many interactions.
Consort Wu sighed.
With the northern regions so busy, His Majesty has basically stopped visiting the inner palace.
Meanwhile, her own son was busy with his own important matters.
Sigh, she doesn't know what to do every day in the palace. Even finding fault with the concubines doesn't seem interesting.
The emperor is the most favored concubine, but the higher one climbs, the colder it gets!
"Have the kitchen prepare a ginseng chicken soup tomorrow, and I will send it to His Majesty!"
After Consort Wu finished speaking, she yawned softly.
Upon seeing this, Caiyin hurriedly stepped forward to serve Consort Wu as she went to bed.
Just then, Cai Xian, another head palace maid who had gone out on errands, returned.
"Your Majesty..."
Cai Xian's expression was not good.
Consort Wu knew what Cai Xian had gone out to do. Seeing that Cai Xian's expression was not right, she immediately sat up with Cai Yin's help.
"What's wrong?"
"This servant went to the inner palace and found Yue, the master of ceremonies who is currently in charge of the candidates for female officials."
However... Master Yue didn't respond to the servant's words.
In addition, when Master Yue saw the maid out, he said that the person was picked up by Eunuch Liang, but it was Eunuch Xue who arranged for Eunuch Liang to pick up the person.
"Also, tomorrow's first lesson for the candidates for female officials will be taught by Aunt Cui, the Palace Attendant," Cai Xian whispered.
Consort Wu immediately gripped the brocade quilt beneath her.
The person that Eunuch Xue arranged for Eunuch Liang to pick up...
That means it's very likely His Majesty's intention.
The palace recruits female officials every year, but it is all handled by the inner palace. At most, they just need to report to His Majesty after the recruitment is completed.
But this time...
There's actually been some activity on His Majesty's side.
Furthermore, there is a standard procedure for recruiting female officials, and the courses are all prescribed. The Palace Attendant will appear in front of everyone.
But they usually only appear in front of everyone at the very last minute.
This time... it's a bit unusual!
"Anything else! What else did you find out?" Consort Wu's voice sounded calm and even.
"Also... I've inquired with others and they've learned that Prince Qi has been visiting the palace quite frequently these past few days."
Consort Wu's eyes narrowed immediately.
The fact that the King of Qi has been visiting the palace so often means that he's involved in this whole affair.
That means it's very likely that Prince Qi orchestrated Song Zhimin's entry into the palace as a lady-in-waiting...
Consort Wu, who was well-versed in the affairs of the inner palace and the imperial court, quickly figured out the intricacies of the situation.
Marquis Zhongyong was a man of the King of Zhao, yet the King of Qi brought Marquis Zhongyong's daughter into the palace to serve as a lady-in-waiting...
Haha, this late empress's youngest son isn't as honest as he seems. He's probably doing things for the crown prince!
Consort Wu gave a cold laugh.
Since everything has been approved by His Majesty, I cannot make a move.
Just because I can't take action doesn't mean others can't!
Consort Wu knew who to look for after just a moment's thought.
"Princess Yongxin will be entering the palace tomorrow! Caixian, go and meet her at the palace gate!"
Upon hearing this, Cai Xian immediately understood what Consort Wu meant and quickly bowed in agreement.
Princess Yongxin is the granddaughter of the Duke of Han, who is the younger brother of the late Empress Dowager and also His Majesty's maternal uncle.
Princess Yongxin was taken to the palace to be raised by the late Empress Dowager shortly after her birth. The late Empress Dowager doted on her very much and made an exception by bestowing upon her the title of Princess Yongxin.
This princess...is deeply in love with Prince Qi, and has an eccentric and domineering personality; no one can fathom her temperament.
If it weren't for the abbot of Bao'en Temple saying that it was not advisable for Prince Qi to marry so early, the late Empress Dowager would have directly bestowed the marriage upon him.
Now……
The princess always believed that she would definitely marry the King of Qi in the future, and she harbored great hostility towards any woman who appeared around the King of Qi.
Now we know that King Qi specifically brought a woman into the palace...
Tomorrow should be interesting!
“Princess Yongxin is lively and a bit eccentric, and she grew up in the palace, so you should try to keep an eye on her!”
"Alright, I'm tired!" Consort Wu said, then lay down again.
...
In the Hall of Diligent Governance, Emperor Xiao Xuan finished reviewing the memorials in his hand, looked at the memorials still on the desk, and sighed.
"Your Majesty, please rest for today! There is a court assembly tomorrow!" Eunuch Xue said softly from the side.
Looking at all these memorials, Emperor Xiao Xuan had a bit of a headache.
"Is the Crown Prince feeling any better?"
"Much better, the imperial physician said... I need to rest!" Eunuch Xue replied.
Emperor Xiao Xuan frowned.
"He's still sulking with me!"
Eunuch Xue smiled and quickly stepped forward to help Emperor Xiao Xuan to his feet.
"Your Majesty, someone came to Ronghua Palace today to gather information," Eunuch Xue muttered under his breath.
Emperor Xiao Xuan paused in his steps.
"Official business or miscellaneous tasks?"
"The matter of the Imperial Household Department selecting female officials!" Eunuch Xue said with a smile.
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