Chapter 2336 New Year's Eve 9
"People say that only those who manage a household know how expensive firewood and rice are. Common people only know about the wealth and splendor of the royal family, but they don't know that being rich also brings great difficulties."
Nan Yan said softly, "Your Majesty, there's no need for those common people to understand."
“…”
"Everyone understands that, that's mediocrity."
“…”
"As long as everyone around him understands what the emperor is thinking, that's enough."
These words warmed Zhu Feng's heart. He turned to look at her and smiled at her.
Nan Yan continued, "As for Lord Ruan's reward..."
Zhu Feng looked at her, but Nan Yan only smiled and didn't finish her words. At this moment, Xin Ping in her arms seemed to understand what she said, so she hugged Zhu Feng's neck and whispered, "Father, I can wear plain clothes."
"What?"
Zhu Feng was a little surprised to hear her say this suddenly.
Xinping said, "My brother said that he would take the lead in changing his underwear from silk to cotton so that he could save money."
“…”
"Your son can do that, too."
Zhu Feng felt warm and amused in his heart. He couldn't help pinching her cheek and said, "You really are my little cotton-padded jacket."
"whee."
"However, no matter how much we need, it won't be for you. My daughter deserves the best things in the world. Let your brother wear the clothes."
Nan Yan smiled and said, "Your Majesty cannot be partial."
Zhu Feng also smiled.
Then he said, "It's a good thing that the King of Wei wants to wear plain clothes. He should know that this is how ordinary people live. Those in power need to work harder to make their people live better."
Nan Yan said, "If that's the case, then I request your permission to reduce the harem's silk expenses by half."
"Um?"
Upon hearing this, Zhu Feng turned to look at her: "Half?"
Nan Yan said, "Empress Renxiao always advocated frugality during her lifetime, but extravagance has persisted in the palace. Now that even the King of Wei is leading by example, I think we might as well take this opportunity to pass on the order. This is a good thing after all."
“…”
Hearing this, Zhu Feng was silent for a while.
Then he turned around and looked at the large group of concubines following behind them.
Of course, everyone heard what the imperial concubine said. When they heard her mention cutting the palace expenses in half, some people immediately showed displeasure, but as soon as the emperor turned around, everyone smiled again.
Zhu Feng said, "The Imperial Concubine has proposed that the harem's silk expenses be cut in half. What do you think?"
Everyone looked at each other, but no one said a word.
The people of Osaka were naturally unwilling to do so, but they couldn't understand why this would offend the imperial concubine.
Concubine Shun smiled and said, "I think it's feasible."
Concubine Yi also said: "Even the Prince of Wei and the little princess have to wear cotton clothes, how can I let the children outdo me?"
As he said that, he turned around and looked around: "You guys say, is that right?"
Everyone could only smile and say, "Yeah."
Zhu Feng nodded and said, "If that's the case, then alright."
Everyone immediately bowed to him and said, "We will obey your order."
Everyone returned to Qingyin Pavilion. Although the emperor had just promoted Chen Lianxiang's position when they left, the atmosphere was completely different now. Everyone was dejected because the expenses were halved, and not many people remembered to congratulate her.
Moreover, after listening to the opera for a while, Princess Shinpei began to doze off.
Zhu Feng looked at Xin Ping, who was nestled in his arms, with his head lowering bit by bit like a puppy, and couldn't help laughing.
Nan Yan shook her head and said, "He must be tired from going out just now."
Zhu Feng waved his hand, asking the actors on stage to stop. He glanced at the sky outside and said, "Alright, it's getting late, so let's stop for today. Everyone go back and rest, and continue the performance tomorrow."
Everyone stood up and said, "Yes."
So, Zhu Feng personally picked up Princess Xinping and walked out. The imperial concubine naturally followed him and left Qingyin Pavilion.
Only after they both left did the people who stayed in Qingyin Pavilion breathe a sigh of relief.
They all showed unhappy expressions.
Talented woman Xin Mimi muttered, "The Imperial Concubine is really generous. She cut our expenses in half right away, as if she didn't need any herself."
Kang Biyun sneered at the side and said, "The Imperial Concubine is favored. Even if she doesn't need it, the Emperor will give her another reward."
“…”
"We are not like this. We were just waiting for this little bit of money, and now half of it has been taken away by force."
The people around him also said dissatisfiedly: "It's Chinese New Year now. I've never celebrated such a poor New Year."
"Yes, we concubines are getting worse and worse than ordinary village women."
Everyone was talking at once. At this moment, Xin Mimi turned to look at Shen Lianxiang, whose face had been gloomy the whole time. She stepped forward, bowed, and said with a smile, "By the way, I forgot to congratulate Shen Jie—oh no, it's Concubine Jing."
Chen Lianxiang looked up at her.
Although she had just been canonized, which was a good thing, her face looked very ugly.
Xin Mimi smiled and said, "If it were a normal canonization, it would be a great thing. However, Jingpin, you have just been canonized, and the Imperial Concubine has halved the palace expenses. So your reward is also -"
Shen Lianxiang clenched her teeth.
But he smiled slightly and said calmly: "What's the matter with this?"
“…”
"There are ways to live in poverty. Even if you reduce it by half, at least you still have half left."
At this time, Concubine Shun finally said, "Okay, everyone, stop talking. The Imperial Concubine is doing this for the Emperor and the court. Everyone should go back and rest early."
Although the palace expenses were cut in half, no one was happy about it, but Concubine Shun was used to being frugal, so it didn't affect her much; although Concubine Yi lived a slightly more luxurious life than others, her mother's family was wealthy and often subsidized her, so it didn't have much of an impact.
So, the two of them left without saying anything more.
Chen Lianxiang also left Qingyin Pavilion.
Although she seemed very calm, as soon as she returned to the Yanx Palace and closed the door, she was so angry that she pulled out the gold hairpin on her head and threw it to the ground.
Fu'er hurried forward and held up the golden hairpin, saying softly, "Don't be angry, Concubine Jing."
“…”
"Isn't today a good day? Your Majesty finally got what she wanted and was promoted. Why are you still angry?"
Chen Lianxiang gritted her teeth and said word by word: "My lord, she is really targeting me!"
“…”
"I was promoted today, so I should have let the emperor stay here, but she, she used her daughter to lure the emperor to her place."
“…”
"Moreover, the palace expenses will be cut in half!"
“…”
"I was just promoted, and she immediately asked for an order to cut my expenses in half. This is really targeting me!"
“…”
"I've been so tolerant and only wanted to get along with her peacefully, but she's been so arrogant and arrogant!"
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