"Is that so? What good ideas do I have? I just checked the treasury to see how much silver was left, and then gave the empty treasury to the Emperor to replenish the national treasury, so as to do my part for the people." Wanyi said her thoughts without any hesitation.
"That's right! How could I not have thought of that?" If she were to give the Emperor more silver, he would surely look at her with new respect.
“Actually, this method can also be used on ministers or common people. However, the leader can donate to the state in the name of donation, and the first one will definitely be praised by the emperor. After you mentioned it to me, I came up with this idea.” Wanyi suddenly looked at Consort Li in surprise.
"This is a plan that my sister Suo Zhuolun came up with. It would be best if you told the Emperor." Someone only thought of it now? Who would believe that? Could it be that Suo Zhuolun was trying to set a trap for her?
“Indeed, it is time to tell the Emperor.” Wanyi knew that Consort Li would not be so easily fooled; every woman in the harem was cunning and shrewd.
"It's a pity that my family isn't powerful enough to do this, and I don't have much money either. I can only pack some things and send them to the Emperor." Wanyi said awkwardly, but only for a moment.
"Seeing that the rain has lessened, I'll head back now, sister." Wanyi glanced outside, then rose, gave Consort Li a curtsy, and left.
“My lady, we can go and tell the Empress Dowager! This will let the Emperor see that you are doing well, and since it was you who told the Empress Dowager, she will probably rely on you even more.” Hongxiu quickly suggested this to Wanyi when she was not far away, but her voice was a little excited, so Consort Li, who was also about to leave, overheard it.
"Alright, let's go tomorrow! Rainy days are the worst." Hongxiu deserves extra chicken legs tonight.
“Alright, I’ll do as you say, my mistress.” Hongxiu was also very happy, after all, she had solved a problem for her mistress.
"My lady, this sounds like a good idea. We must act quickly, lest Consort Suo Zhuolun snatch it away," Si Yu said anxiously.
"I am worried that this might be a trap set by Consort Suo Zhuolun, waiting for me to fall into it."
If Wanyi were here, she would definitely say, "Sister, you've hit the nail on the head. As the instigator, the concubines and ministers who don't want to spend any money will surely attack Consort Li or the Li family after this is over. It might not be fatal, but they'll still make things difficult for you. This is a well-intentioned scheme."
“Perhaps Consort Suo Zhuolun was inspired by our discussion and came up with this idea. Although Consort Suo Zhuolun is from the Plain Blue Banner, her father is just a direct descendant of the Suo Zhuolun family. She should be thinking that her family doesn’t have much money and can’t support this matter. If she messes it up, it will be difficult to explain to the Emperor. It’s also a case of angering the Emperor, which would be a loss for her.” Si Yu analyzed for Consort Li.
“You have a point. Go and deliver the message to Grandfather urgently, and ask him what we should do. We need to get an answer before dinner.” Consort Li also quickened her pace and returned to Qixiang Palace. Before receiving any news, she opened her private treasury and began to take inventory.
"Your Highness, will Consort Li tell the Emperor?"
Hongxiu thought her mistress was really going to tell the Empress Dowager tomorrow, but when she returned and told Granny Kong, Granny Kong told her to think it over and that she didn't need to go to Cining Palace tomorrow.
"You'll find out by the time you go to bed at the latest." She gave us the timeframe before tonight.
"Wouldn't she steal the credit from the young lady? What if she steals the Emperor's credit too?" Hongxiu asked Wanyi anxiously.
"Don't be impatient. Do you think this credit is so easy to claim?" Their Suo Zhuolun family has already handed over the treatment for smallpox and the rice seeds. Her position as a concubine is secure, and there is even a possibility that she will be promoted to a higher banner.
"Yes! Your Highness is digging a pit for Consort Li, or is she willingly jumping into it? In the end, Consort Li will have to swallow all the hidden grievances herself." Granny Kong looked at Wanyi with some satisfaction. This was someone she had taught, but she didn't understand why Wanyi would do this.
"I also want to share the Emperor's burdens, but I am afraid of trouble. Besides, we are short of money, unlike Consort Li. Her maternal grandfather, Li Yongfang, is the Prince Consort of Fuxi, a prominent military family with plenty of money. It would be best if they stepped forward."
Wanyi noticed Kong Mama's doubts, which is why she explained it. The main reason was that Consort Li would become the head of the Seven Concubines in the future. By pushing her out now, she could give her something to do. The more she did, the more mistakes she would make, and if she were to be disliked by Kangxi again, it would be much harder for her to regain favor.
As expected, Consort Li was greatly encouraged after seeing Li Yongfang's reply and the silver notes. She didn't even have time for dinner before taking Siyu to the Hall of Mental Cultivation.
The next day, the news reached the inner palace. On the advice of Li Yongfang from the previous dynasty, Emperor Kangxi launched a fundraising campaign, with the Li family naturally taking the lead. Consort Li from the inner palace also organized 100,000 silver notes and sent them to the Hall of Mental Cultivation.
"Ten thousand taels of silver notes? Has Li gone mad? Wouldn't it be a huge loss of face for me to have less than her?" Consort Tong almost jumped up when she heard Ning Dong's words. She had recently caught a cold and was still resting in bed!
"The other concubines in the harem are organizing and sending the silver to the Hall of Mental Cultivation. Consort Li said that this was her way of doing her part for the people, so she asked the Emperor not to refuse. The Emperor was very grateful for Consort Li's righteousness and praised her highly."
Mei Qing, standing to the side, was very unhappy. Her master had donated all his money, so they wouldn't receive any rewards. Her seriously ill father was waiting for her money to treat his illness!
"Where did Consort Li get so much silver? Did the Li family embezzle it?" Granny Tong asked suspiciously.
"According to Li Shu, this was originally her maternal grandfather's dowry prepared for her when she was born. She grew up in it, but she never expected that she would be summoned to the palace and become a concubine. So it was converted into silver notes for her to take into the palace. I heard that there was more than this, and some was reserved for daily expenses." Ning Dong had found out everything clearly, just in case the Empress asked about it.
"That's true. Lord Li has fought on the battlefield for many years, and some of the spoils of war can be shared among the soldiers. This is an unwritten rule in the army." As for how much of it was, Granny Tong had no idea.
"Prepared from a young age, wouldn't that be a grand wedding procession?" Mei Qing said with some envy.
Consort Tong, standing to the side, felt a pang of sadness upon hearing about the "ten-mile-long red bridal procession." After all, she was merely a concubine, having entered the palace as a secondary consort. It was only during the New Year festival that Emperor Kangxi found a pretext to promote her to the rank of consort, and her family then sent two baskets of gifts as part of her dowry.
"Alright, go open the storeroom! Take out all the silver and banknotes and count them. Set aside enough for daily expenses, and send the rest to the Hall of Mental Cultivation." Consort Tong didn't bother arguing anymore. Her Tong family had become wealthy late and didn't have much money. She remembered Li Shi; these vixens were always trying to attract the attention of her cousin, the Emperor. They deserved to die.
"Yes, this servant will go right away." Granny Tong had the storeroom key, so only she and Ningdong could go. Granny Tong carefully instructed Mei Qing to take good care of Consort Tong before leaving.
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