Chapter 370 Perfection
The Empress Dowager disliked officials who rose through connections, so the fact that she said this was mainly for Meng Lingge's sake.
Meng Lingge had a good relationship with her maternal grandmother, who was getting old, so it was really difficult for the two of them to meet. If Du Yuanhua could establish himself in the capital, it was possible that his whole family would move there, and then his daughter-in-law would be able to see her maternal grandmother more often.
Before Wen Zhiming and Meng Lingge could even speak, Du Yuanhua quickly declined.
"Thank you for your appreciation, Empress Dowager. However, I am not talented enough to be an official, so I should not occupy the position and cause trouble for the Emperor and Empress. The Du family has been in Jiangnan for over a hundred years, with a complex web of relationships. My grandmother is not used to the customs of the capital, so there are no plans to move for the time being."
He refused so quickly for two reasons: first, he felt he was more free and easy as a businessman; second, if he stayed in the capital to become an official, he would inevitably see his cousin frequently, and if he couldn't control his feelings and others noticed something amiss, it would cause trouble for his cousin.
My cousin is doing well in everything now. His business has expanded to the capital. As long as I know she's doing well, that's enough. I absolutely cannot let my feelings for her ruin her happiness.
Although his parents would surely blame him for not knowing what was important if he turned down such a good opportunity, it was an opportunity he had earned himself, and how he chose to give it up was entirely up to him.
The Empress Dowager had not expected him to refuse so readily. But this matter could not be forced, and since Du Yuanhua was unwilling, she had no choice but to give up.
When Wen Zhiming heard the Empress Dowager's suggestion, his expression became more serious.
He was grateful to Du Yuanhua, but it was clear that the young man did not have brotherly or sisterly feelings for Meng Lingge.
A man who covets his wife is given a sinecure by the Empress Dowager, who also moves his entire family to the capital. Doesn't that mean he can legitimately see his wife more often?
Of course he didn't want to!
But since it was the Empress Dowager who brought it up first, and Meng Lingge was present, it would be difficult for Du Yuanhua to refuse if he agreed to it.
Wen Zhiming thought to himself, "My mother is really doing me a disservice." At the same time, he wondered what kind of job could keep Du Yuanhua so busy that he wouldn't have a moment to spare.
But Du Yuanhua flatly refused.
Wen Zhiming breathed a sigh of relief and found Du Yuanhua more agreeable.
That's right. Although this kid has bad intentions, he's quite sensible.
Wen Zhiming stood subtly beside Meng Lingge and asked Du Yuanhua with a sincere smile.
"Have the ledgers been checked? If there are no problems, I will have someone count the silver and send it to my cousin later."
Although the two agreed that after the matter was completed, Wen Zhiming would list the Du family's cloth as the royal family's official cloth supplier, he did not say how the money provided by the Du family would be repaid.
But Wen Zhiming is not the kind of person who doesn't repay debts, especially given the complicated relationship between him and this person.
Naturally, we should settle the debt as soon as possible so that my wife and I don't keep owing Du Yuanhua anything.
Meng Lingge said worriedly, "Isn't the national treasury empty right now? Such a large expenditure all at once, won't it...?"
The previous emperor left behind a mess. Although the treasury was filled with countless treasures, the cash reserves were pitifully small. Wen Zhiming had also exempted the country from taxes for three years, resulting in more expenditures than income. With such a large expenditure, the treasury would likely be left with nothing but an empty shell.
If there is no war, things are fine, but once there is some war, we will immediately be stretched thin.
Wen Zhiming patted Meng Lingge's hand, his eyes full of affection.
"Has the Empress forgotten? I recently executed several corrupt officials. Although the amount of embezzled funds recovered was not staggering, it was enough to repay my eldest cousin's debts and support his normal expenses for a few more years. Paying back debts is a matter of course. You can't just delay paying back my cousin because we're relatives."
Meng Lingge had originally considered selling some of her treasures to raise some cash to alleviate the urgent need for funds to cover the empty national treasury, but after being teased by Wen Zhiming, she decided it was best not to bring up the matter of selling the treasures again.
Anyway, it's good that the problem is solved.
She wasn't annoyed, and said gently, "Your Majesty is absolutely right. It was I who didn't consider things carefully."
Watching the couple's harmonious banter, Du Yuanhua felt they were an even better match. Since they had already said so, he couldn't very well refuse.
In fact, he hadn't intended to refuse. What businessman would refuse money? Besides, the two of them were now a couple, and it would be too miserable for him, a lonely man, to be without any money to rely on.
Du Yuanhua tried to avoid looking at the two of them. "Your Majesty, it has been verified that everything is correct. When will the matter of the royal fabrics that Your Majesty promised be completed?"
What he had always wanted was the royal fabrics. If he could get this money, it would be a bonus; if he couldn't, he could earn it back later.
“The imperial edict has already been drafted, and this is it.” Wen Zhiming pulled out an imperial edict from the side of the table. “With this, not only will the palace purchase a large amount of Du family fabrics every year, but you will also be able to open a shop in the capital without any obstacles.”
Du Yuanhua, of course, knew the ingenious use of this imperial edict and was about to kneel down to receive it when Wen Zhiming helped him up. "No need for formalities. We are all family here, cousin. It's almost lunchtime, so please stay and have lunch with us so that the Empress and I can show you some hospitality."
“This…” Du Yuanhua glanced at Meng Lingge and said insincerely, “I brought my fiancée with me to the capital this time. She will worry if I stay away for too long.”
He did bring Qiaoling to the capital; it was his mother who insisted that Qiaoling come along, hoping that they would develop feelings for each other by spending time together.
Qiaoling is carefree. This is her first time in the capital, and she is very curious about its prosperity and bustle. She is probably still browsing the market now and will not return to the inn until dark.
Qiaoling wouldn't worry if he went back later, but Meng Lingge, Wen Zhiming, and the Empress Dowager's family were having a great time, so he, as an outsider, shouldn't join in the fun, lest he be all alone and feel even more lonely.
He simply used his fiancée as an excuse to refuse.
If Meng Lingge were not doing well, Du Yuanhua would still have some hope in his heart, but now that Meng Lingge is happy and fulfilled, envied by others, Du Yuanhua understands that he must let go completely.
Accepting Qiaoling as his fiancée was both an end to his last hope and a way to take on the responsibility of continuing the Du family line as the eldest son.
Although he and Qiaoling had not yet consummated their marriage, they had spent many days together, and everyone in the Du household already regarded Qiaoling as his woman. He asked himself honestly, and realized that Qiaoling's feelings for him over the years were no less than his feelings for his cousin. Now that he couldn't have his own, letting Qiaoling fulfill her wish was a kind of fulfillment.
If it were anyone else, they would have been overjoyed and readily accepted the invitation from the Emperor and the recommendation from the Empress Dowager. However, Du Yuanhua was very rational and clear-headed, and repeatedly refused opportunities that others would have coveted.
Of course, this was also because he understood Wen Zhiming's temperament quite well, knowing that he was not as capricious as the former emperor and would not be dissatisfied with him for refusing the invitation.
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