Chapter 31 (None)
Zhang Shan moved quickly, leading the eunuchs and palace maids who were carrying snacks and food into the room one after another. The incense burner was warm and cozy, and the incense censer emitted the fragrance of ambergris.
Emperor Yuanming's eyes ached from looking at her. He turned to Jiang Ling, who was paying her respects, and said with a stern face, "You came to see me..." Then, remembering that she hadn't come to see him, he hesitated for a moment before abruptly continuing, "What is it? Hurry up, I'm very busy."
Jiang Ling hurriedly said, "It's my fault, Your Majesty... I shouldn't have come to see you..."
Emperor Yuanming was so angry that his nose was crooked. He interrupted Jiang Ling sharply: "Speak quickly, what exactly is going on?"
Jiang Ling was startled and immediately explained the matter of the candles in the storeroom: "I was worried that the candles wouldn't be delivered, so I wanted to resolve this as soon as possible."
Emperor Yuanming frowned and asked Huang Liang, "What's going on?"
Huang Liang also secretly groaned, saying, "This servant has already made arrangements. The Imperial Materials Supervisor has arranged for someone else to deliver the lamps and candles to the storeroom. This servant will go and find out exactly where the mistake occurred."
Jiang Ling thought to himself that Huang Liang had indeed considered this issue. However, he was also taking it for granted, assuming that once an order was given, everyone below would act accordingly.
Moreover, there are priorities. Right now, the focus is not on finding out who is behind this, but on getting the candles to the storeroom.
Jiang Ling said, "Huang Daban, please have someone send candles to the storeroom first. We can check the rest later. Thank you for your help."
Emperor Yuanming glanced at Jiang Ling with some surprise, thinking to himself that she was quite clever, having handled things very well at Xiefang Pavilion.
Cai Wanfeng, the head of the inner treasury, accepted bribes, demanded and took bribes, kept unclear accounts, and his subordinates were also corrupt.
Although the Imperial Treasury was Emperor Yuanming's private treasury, it also served as the national treasury. If the court officials found out, it would likely cause an uncontrollable uproar.
Emperor Yuanming pondered for a moment and said, "Have Zhang Shan personally go and convey my decree that the candles must be delivered to the palace by tomorrow morning. As for Cai Wanfeng, you personally keep an eye on him and make sure he doesn't cause a scene in the city."
Huang Liang hurried away, and Jiang Ling breathed a sigh of relief, curtsying and saying, "Your Majesty, I take my leave."
"Since you're here, and it's raining outside, please sit down and wait until the rain subsides before you leave." Emperor Yuanming pointed to the round drum-shaped brocade stool, sat down on the couch opposite him, and picked up his teacup to drink.
Jiang Ling had no choice but to sit down and take a sip of the hot tea. The incense in the room was too hot and the ambergris too strong; she felt like she was about to faint. After taking a few more sips of tea, she casually picked up a piece of candy, took a bite, and her eyes lit up immediately.
The candy wasn't too sweet, and it contained the aroma of pine nuts and honey, lingering on the lips and teeth. With the candy in her mouth, Jiang Ling felt cheerful, temporarily forgetting the stuffiness of the room.
Emperor Yuanming observed Jiang Ling's reaction without revealing his feelings. For some reason, he secretly breathed a sigh of relief, thinking that she hadn't complained or been picky about food.
Jiang Ling sat upright with his head lowered and eyes closed, quietly eating two pieces of candy. He began to feel uncomfortable sitting with Emperor Yuanming.
"Isn't he busy? Doesn't he have a mountain of work to do? If the rain keeps falling, am I supposed to stay here? The atmosphere isn't very harmonious with the rain..."
Jiang Ling's mind wandered as she rubbed her toes against the thick wool carpet. "So soft, it must be expensive. So stingy, only using it herself. If she's so capable, she should share it more!"
Hearing her off-key voice, Emperor Yuanming wanted to laugh, but seeing that she was making fun of him again, he could no longer laugh and asked, "Is there any difficulty at the lamp and candle office? Who do you think should be the lamp master?"
Upon hearing this, Jiang Ling quickly glanced up in disdain and met Emperor Yuanming's gaze. Feeling flustered at being caught, she blurted out, "It's quite rare, I haven't found a single one that I like."
Emperor Yuanming couldn't help but laugh and said, "Is it that difficult?"
Jiang Ling was annoyed for a moment, but decided to go all out and said truthfully, "It's very difficult. I don't know how to judge people, and I'm afraid I'll choose the wrong person. If something goes wrong, I will be held responsible."
"If you doubt someone, don't use them; if you use someone, don't doubt them." Emperor Yuanming became interested, put down his teacup, leaned slightly forward, and prepared to teach her.
Jiang Ling thought to himself, "That's nonsense. I haven't even chosen anyone, so of course I'd be suspicious of everyone. You might as well just say who's usable. If something goes wrong, it's not my problem."
Emperor Yuanming's earnest intention to teach was completely extinguished by her. He glared at her and muttered under his breath, "You are their master. If they make a mistake, punish them according to the rules and see if they dare to disobey."
Jiang Ling outwardly agreed respectfully, but secretly retorted quickly: "You're still the emperor, and court officials don't dare to be corrupt behind your back? Do you mean that corrupt court officials would all have their homes confiscated and beheaded according to the law?"
Thinking of the eunuchs in the Imperial Treasury, Emperor Yuanming was speechless. He suddenly lost his temper, gritting his teeth inwardly; if he didn't teach her a lesson today, he wouldn't be Xiao Ke!
“Suppression alone is not enough; a combination of kindness and severity is necessary,” Emperor Yuanming said, watching her hand subtly reach for the candy. She appeared obedient, but her mind was elsewhere. Her face darkened, and he said, “Listen carefully!”
Jiang Ling was startled, clutching the candy in her hand, and sat up straight, listening attentively. Emperor Yuanming snorted and continued, "You will designate someone to oversee this task, and keep a close eye on them from time to time. If any mistakes are made, they will be held solely responsible. If the task is performed well, you will reward them regularly. This is a combination of kindness and strictness."
"I am deeply honored by Your Majesty's guidance, and I will never forget it." Jiang Ling thanked the Emperor respectfully, but inwardly she was rolling her eyes: "A few candies for a beating? It's all talk and no action. I don't get a single benefit from managing these trivial matters. I don't deduct their candles, nor do I take any extra money. Where do the rewards come from? They only give me the sticks, not the candy."
Emperor Yuanming felt utterly powerless; it was like casting pearls before swine. Besides being greedy for food and sleep, she was also greedy for money!
The only redeeming quality she possesses is that she is completely innocent and clean.
Thinking of this, Emperor Yuanming's gaze towards Jiang Ling softened unconsciously. Hearing her many heartfelt words, he realized that despite her many flaws, she was truly gentle, kind, and as clear as morning dew.
Jiang Ling turned her head and looked out the window, saying, "Your Majesty, the rain has stopped. I shall take my leave."
Emperor Yuanming was fully aware of Jiang Ling's ulterior motives and couldn't help but scoff. He had a lot of things to attend to, so he magnanimously decided not to hold it against her.
Looking at the pile of snacks and treats on the table, Emperor Yuanming generously said, "Since you like these sweet treats, take them all."
Jiang Ling still held the candy in his palm. After expressing his gratitude, he put the candy into the candy box, hugged it to his chest, and curtsied to take his leave.
Emperor Yuanming was speechless, not expecting her to be so quick; she had actually grabbed a piece of candy and was holding onto it.
Immediately, Emperor Yuanming secretly resolved to teach her a lesson next time. Everything should be done in moderation; restraint is essential. She would devour her favorite foods with gusto, but wouldn't even glance at those she disliked, behaving like a picky three-year-old.
Jiang Ling carried the sugar box outside. Wen Juan stepped forward, took the box, and handed her the incense ball: "This servant has added more charcoal. Please hold it to warm your hands."
The room was warm, but a chill swept in from outside. Jiang Ling shivered and quickly pressed the incense ball to her face to warm it. She picked up a piece of candy, put it in her mouth, and mumbled, "You have one too."
The Chuigong Hall was heavily guarded. Wenjuan smiled and said, "Thank you, my beauty. I'll eat when we're alone."
Jiang Ling recalled Emperor Yuanming's "combination of kindness and severity," and she gave an awkward twitch of her lips. Wen Juan's actions seemed to be a similar combination of kindness and severity.
After leaving the Chuigong Hall, Wenjuan ate a piece of candy as Jiang Ling had suggested. She exclaimed in surprise, "My beauty, this pine nut candy is so fragrant!"
"Okay, when we get back, you can take some to eat." Unlike Emperor Yuanming, Jiang Ling was very generous, only giving sweets and not punishing.
Having served Jiang Ling for some time, Wen Juan knew her to be generous and easygoing, so she didn't refuse and happily agreed, asking, "My beauty, how are the candles in the storeroom?"
Jiang Ling nodded, "His Majesty has ordered Zhang Shan to retrieve it personally, so there should be no problem."
The ground was wet after the rain. Jiang Ling slipped and fell several steps forward before she could regain her footing.
Startled, Wenjuan rushed forward and asked anxiously, "Is my beauty alright?"
Jiang Ling moved her ankle, breathed a sigh of relief, and said, "I'm fine." At this moment, she remembered the scene of Gao Cairen pretending to fall at the alley entrance, and her mind went blank.
On Emperor Yuanming's birthday, the beeswax went out, which enraged him.
Fang Sideng then committed suicide, Gao Cairen jumped out and caused trouble, and she was even implicated.
All of this was aimed at Emperor Yuanming, forcing him to investigate!
Emperor Yuanming ordered Huang Liang to keep a close eye on Cai Wanfeng, as he was most likely in trouble.
Jiang Ling knew that rice and flour were being purchased, that the inner material warehouse was overseen by Shen Yi, and that the Shangqin Sizhong Shanggong was in charge of the warehouse.
The imperial palace sourced its firewood, rice, oil, salt, soy sauce, vinegar, tea, and cloth from all over the country as tribute, involving both court officials and local government officials.
For example, the Lin family of Shuzhou, the major owners behind their transactions, almost always had powerful and influential figures involved.
The eunuchs, the ministers, and the imperial treasury—countless people will be implicated, and even former officials will not be spared.
Consort Lin withdrew quickly, as did Consort Zhao. After the incident with Consort Gao, she almost never went out and didn't utter a word, clearly avoiding the situation.
They have actually joined forces to fight back, and the fact that the Internal Materials Supervision Bureau is outwardly compliant but inwardly defiant is a form of response.
Emperor Yuanming believed in the importance of both benevolence and severity, emphasizing that the emperor's authority should be tempered with the bestowal of favors.
Aside from the consideration of not causing turmoil in the court, the eunuchs and palace maids were close to the emperor, which would make Emperor Yuanming even more wary.
After all, a wise man does not stand under a crumbling wall, and the emperor's life is precious. The palace is the home of Emperor Yuanming, and the home must not be in chaos.
Jiang Ling estimated that Emperor Yuanming would be lenient, but for the mastermind behind it all, that would be enough.
This investigation will not only drastically change the structure of the imperial harem, but will also affect the court and the imperial merchants.
Consort Lin and Consort Zhao were severely weakened, and it is still unknown how much of the connections they had cultivated in the palace over the years will remain.
Most importantly, the loss of Consort Lin's family also meant that Consort Zhao's family lost its source of income.
Choosing an heir is a major political matter. Emperor Yuanming's favor is not enough; the support of the court officials is also required.
To win over and befriend court officials, one needs both money and connections.
Although this attack may not destroy their foundation, it is enough to severely damage them.
Jiang Ling couldn't help but tremble all over, his legs going weak.
The concubines she encountered, including Consort Lin, Consort Zhao, and Consort Liu, were always gentle-spoken, cheerful, polite, and tactful.
Yet, they fought without shedding blood, each move deadly!
Back at Fanying Pavilion, Wenjuan hurriedly lit another incense burner and said, "My beauty's face is pale from the cold. Go and rest on the couch."
Jiang Ling wanted to cry but couldn't; she wasn't cold, but afraid.
He kicked off his shoes, climbed onto the couch, leaned against the soft cushions, held the box, and chewed on the candies one by one. After the sweetness subsided, Jiang Ling calmed down a little.
Fearing that the charcoal would suffocate her, Wenjuan opened the window a crack to let in some air. Seeing this, she smiled and advised, "My beauty, eat less, or you'll get a toothache."
Jiang Ling looked down and saw that she had eaten most of the candy in the box. She quickly handed it to Wen Juan and said, "Take all of these."
Wenjuan put away the box and said, "If the beauty likes it, this servant will keep it for her."
Jiang Ling waved his hand and said, "You can keep it, I won't eat it."
Wenjuan pondered for a moment and said, "There's a lot of sugar in the box. I'll take it and share it with Qingwen, Aruo, and Fanghe. We'll say it's a gift from the beauty and let everyone have a sweet treat."
"You've thought of everything so thoroughly, thank you for your help." Jiang Ling rubbed her temples; she was truly confused, but thankfully Wen Juan had reminded her.
It's not about scarcity, but equality; a few candies are all it takes to make everyone happy, which is better than the other three people feeling dissatisfied.
Jiang Ling had eaten too much sugar, so she only ate a few bites at dinner. It was too cold, so she washed up and went to bed early.
Jiang Ling was gently shaken awake, not knowing how long she had slept. Still half-asleep, she saw Wen Juan standing at the bedside, her expression revealing undisguised anxiety: "Gao Cairen was poisoned by carbon monoxide; she's dead!"
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