Chapter 141 The Unloved Princess 16
"Actually... do you really owe that much?"
Nan Qiao carefully looked through the account book in his hand and muttered to himself.
Qin Yizhi, who was standing at the bottom, was still dressed in brocade and jade robes. Nowadays, people like elegance and refinement, and even the sons of noble families mostly like to wear robes in light colors. It is rare to see someone as dazzling as him.
He stood respectfully below, with his eyes and brows lowered, looking less reckless and more composed.
As if noticing the emperor's surprise, Qin Yizhi smiled and said, "Disasters have occurred frequently in various places in recent years. In order to provide relief to the victims, the national treasury is really empty."
Disasters occurred frequently in various places and the national treasury was empty.
Among the four classes of scholars, farmers, merchants and artisans, merchants have the lowest status and are the easiest to manipulate. They also control a large amount of wealth. When the imperial court wants to use money, it will naturally target the merchants who are easiest to target.
Not long after he ascended the throne, someone came to collect debts, and even Nan Qiao felt a little embarrassed.
It is only natural to pay back debts.
But the treasury left by the late emperor doesn't have much money...
Nan Qiao felt her cheeks flush at the thought. She put down the account book and was silent for a moment before saying, "...Master Qin, do you urgently need this money?"
The late emperor left behind a mess that must be cleaned up, but the treasury is empty, and it will be extremely difficult to repay the money.
This was Nan Qiao's first time as an emperor, and he was still completely unaware of the significance of the four words "imperial supremacy" and unaware that things previously lent to the royal family were never returned.
She only knew that if she owed someone money, she had to pay it back no matter what.
Qin Yizhi had a faint smile in his eyes, but he just said: "I am not in a hurry to use this money."
"I have only come to the palace to pay my respects to Your Majesty, so I hope Your Majesty will not worry about this silver."
Qin Yizhi was very frank, and his desire to meet His Majesty was clearly stated on the surface. Nan Qiao paused, thinking of their two meetings, and soon realized that there was some similarity.
Even though His Majesty is already eighteen years old, he still hasn't fallen in love. He is not so petty as to develop bad thoughts if he notices the other person's affection.
But the person in front of her was not her subject, but her creditor, so it was not appropriate to treat him coldly. Nan Qiao smiled and said:
"This money is owed by the imperial court, and the imperial court should certainly repay it. However, the national treasury is now empty, and I'm afraid it's a bit powerless to repay this money. I wonder if Patriarch Qin can wait..."
Qin Yizhi raised his eyes and smiled, "Your Majesty, I don't really care whether this money is returned or not."
Nan Qiao pursed her lips.
Looking directly into the emperor's face was a grave offense before the emperor, but the head of the Qin family, who was sitting below him, seemed oblivious. He continued to gaze at the emperor with burning eyes, saying, "...How about your majesty grant me a favor and consider it as paying back the money?"
grace?
What grace is worth one hundred thousand taels of silver?
Nan Qiao pursed her lips and continued to listen to the next words.
"I don't know anything else, but I know how to make money."
"I will donate a sum of money to the national treasury every year. I ask only that Your Majesty grant me a token that will allow me to walk around the palace."
Only royal relatives and nobles could have the token to walk in the palace. Even an old lady from a noble family with a super-rank imperial decree had to submit a letter and get approval before she could enter the palace.
Logically speaking, the Qin family, as common people, really shouldn't receive such an honor.
But now that she is Her Majesty, she should consider the people. A trivial honor can be exchanged for so much silver to save the victims, which does not seem to be a losing deal.
But she saw through the other party's thoughts. If she really gave this token...
Being an emperor is not an easy thing. After ascending the throne, Nan Qiao learned to weigh the pros and cons without any instruction.
Since she has chosen to take on the responsibility of all the people in the world, she must work hard to live up to this responsibility.
So even though she noticed some of the thoughts of Prime Minister Lin and the Prince of Zhenbei, she was thinking about how to distance herself from them, treat them coldly, and how to make them give up their rebellious thoughts.
Instead of being suspicious of them, how can we remove their authority?
The court has two key ministers, Lin Qinghuai, who is good at scheming and calculating, and Wei Ce, who is a master of military strategy. They are the backbone of the now precarious Great Zhou...
The Qin family's immense wealth was also helpful to the Great Zhou's treasury, which was on the verge of collapse...
As her thoughts raced, Nan Qiao's expression became clearer. She looked at Qin Yizhi, who was looking down at her with burning eyes and undisguised affection. After a while, the word "good" floated out of her mouth.
Qin Yizhi was naturally happy.
I got the token that allows me to walk around the palace. Although I can't see His Majesty every day like the other two, I still have the opportunity to enter the palace to see His Majesty, right?
Qin Yizhi left.
When I left, I was filled with joy.
Nan Qiao watched him leave, her clear eyes filled with a hint of unknown emotion.
The memorial on the table that had not been read yet had been turned over. Looking closely, she could vaguely see the red approval document. Nan Qiao knew that Lin Qinghuai had specially drawn the important information for her with red cinnabar ink so that she could understand.
Just like what the other party said before she ascended the throne.
He would teach her.
Teach her how to run a country.
Teach her how to be a qualified emperor.
Teach her how to shoulder the responsibility of the entire Da Zhou.
In the few months since he ascended the throne, his actions have shown that he is indeed teaching very diligently and responsibly.
Feeling a little dejected, Nan Qiao glanced around at the other palace servants serving in the imperial study, all of whom were standing with their brows lowered and their eyes closed.
Nan Qiao said, "Tell someone to get Jintang over here. You guys go down first."
Even after ascending the throne, her bedroom was still Cuiwei Palace. Jintang managed all the affairs of Cuiwei Palace and did not follow her to serve in the imperial study.
But she wanted to see her now.
Jintang arrived quickly. Seeing the dejected look on His Majesty's face, he anxiously stepped forward and said, "Your Majesty, are you feeling unwell? I will immediately send for the imperial physician..."
Nan Qiao shook his head and smiled, "I'm fine, I just feel a little tired."
Unaware of his Majesty's self-proclaimed title, Jin Tang heard his Majesty say he was tired and hurried forward to rub Nan Qiao's solar plexus, saying, "Your Majesty, if you are tired, take a rest. Your health is the most important thing."
The familiar strength and the nagging complaints made Nan Qiao feel as if he was back in Hanyun Temple.
She was weak and often suffered from headaches and fevers when she was in the temple. At that time, Jintang learned some massage techniques from the doctor and often massaged her Taiyangxue.
After entering the palace, I haven't pressed it for a long time.
Even though he was dressed in a bright yellow robe, His Majesty still looked frail. His eyelashes trembled slightly, and his pale lips moved slightly: "...Jintang, have I changed a lot?"
The hands on the solar plexus paused slightly, and then regained their strength the next moment.
"Why do you ask that, Your Majesty?"
A slightly doubtful voice sounded, and Nan Qiao smiled: "I just feel that I have really changed a lot compared to before."
Jintang was puzzled: "Your Majesty, do you think this change is good or bad?"
Nan Qiao shook her head: "I don't know."
I don’t know whether it’s good or bad, I just feel that I have changed.
If I had followed my previous personality, after knowing the other person's feelings, if I didn't like it, I would probably reject them coldly and harshly, never thinking about what would happen after the rejection...
But now, after knowing someone's feelings, I can't help but weigh the pros and cons. Even if I refuse, I will use gentle methods to make them back off, and I will consider the impact of the rejection...
She didn't know whether this change was good or bad.
I don't know if this change is due to my current weakness or because I don't want to lose a minister who is extremely important to the Great Zhou...
*
The news that His Majesty had bestowed a token upon the head of the Qin family that allowed him to walk around the palace quickly spread. Not to mention the reactions of other people in the imperial capital, Wei Ce was furious when he learned about it.
His face was gloomy and his heart was full of grievances. He ignored his father's scolding, left the Zhenbei Marquis Mansion, mounted his horse, and galloped straight to the palace.
He already loves His Majesty very much, and the arrogant and confident Prince of Zhenbei only becomes anxious and worried when facing His Majesty.
He also puts his heart and soul on Your Majesty. Why can a mere merchant get Your Majesty's favor while he can only be treated coldly for this month?
Having fought in the frontier for many years, he was not a patient person. At this time, he was full of resentment. Without waiting for anyone to inform him, Wei Ce broke into the emperor's bedroom.
Not long after she stood up, Nan Qiao, who was only wearing a single layer of clothes, was suddenly wrapped up.
"His Majesty……"
Just as she was about to yell "assassin", a familiar and aggrieved voice came from her ear, causing Nan Qiao to swallow the cry in her throat. Her jade-like earlobes turned slightly red, and she said in embarrassment:
"Wei Ce, what are you doing so early in the morning? Let me go! Trespassing into the palace is a capital offense. Are you planning a rebellion?"
Nan Qiao felt a moist and warm touch on her earlobe, and her eyes widened. Wei Ce's aggrieved voice rang out again: "Your Majesty knows clearly that I would not do this."
"Your Majesty, why did you grant the token to that kid from the Qin family? Why do you treat me so coldly? It's obvious that his thoughts are the same as mine, and he also loves Your Majesty..."
Wei Ce put his arm around her slender waist and held her in his arms. Her clothes were thin, and her chest behind her was incredibly hot. Her face was pink and spread all the way to her neck. He only needed to tuck open her clothes slightly to reveal the pinkness.
Nan Qiao tried to stay calm: "Wei Ce, let me go first..."
"...Why does Your Majesty treat him differently and me so coldly?"
"Wei Ce, you hurt me."
The light words entered the ears of the man behind him. Wei Ce paused suddenly, and as if waking up from a dream, he picked up the body in his arms and placed it on the bed. The next moment, he asked anxiously:
"It hurts there, it hurts there, let me take a look... Someone, come and call the doctor..."
The man who was feeling aggrieved just now became at a loss because of Nan Qiao's words, and his handsome face was full of self-blame.
The palace attendant, who had been horrified by the sudden intrusion of the prince of Zhenbei, heaved a sigh of relief when he saw that he had finally calmed down. He quickly sent for the imperial physician.
The author has something to say:
Please prepay!
This chapter was written so hastily, it needs to be revised!
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