Chapter 29 Let's settle the living expenses together.
Shangguan Jin didn't expect Emperor Xiao Jing to immediately issue an edict to overturn the Empress Dowager's arranged marriage.
"Your Majesty is in a difficult position."
But Sister Yao also told me that day.
The moment the Marquis of Wuding's household carried her into their residence was the moment she ended her own life with a white silk ribbon.
Therefore, I have no choice but to think of Yao Jie'er.
If I have done anything against my will, I hope Your Majesty and Her Majesty the Empress will intercede for me before the Empress Dowager.
After saying this, Shangguan Jin was about to take out her handkerchief again.
Emperor Xiao Jing saw this and quickly waved his hand.
Stop wiping with your handkerchief right now, as if you're afraid you won't know there's something wrong with it.
"Alright, I understand. Whatever you do, I'll turn a blind eye. As for the Empress Dowager..."
As long as it's legally justifiable, the Empress and I will definitely help you resolve the situation.
However, I'd like to know, what are you planning to do?
Without a second thought, Shangguan Jin revealed her plan.
"If the Duke returns, let him handle this matter. Whatever method he uses, just get the engagement annulled."
If the Duke doesn't return, then I'll have to find a way to delay.
First, hold a funeral for the Duke. Then, Sister Yao will have to observe three years of mourning.
Three years later, Sister Yao will become unwell. At that time, she can find an excuse to go out and seek medical treatment. It wouldn't be a problem to hide away for ten or eight years.
There will always be a turning point in this situation.
Emperor Xiao Jing and Empress Xu sighed and rubbed their foreheads upon hearing this.
This plan almost made their intention to wait for the Empress Dowager to pass away quite openly.
Although they both really wanted the Empress Dowager to ascend to heaven as soon as possible.
"Alright! As long as you don't make any mistakes in terms of etiquette, it's fine."
As for the rest, Lady Dingguo can handle it as she sees fit!
"Alright, is there anything else?" Emperor Xiao Jing asked with a smile.
Shangguan Jin breathed a sigh of relief; it seemed her plan could be implemented.
She was about to say that there was nothing else, but then she suddenly remembered Dongmai's repeated instructions when she left the manor: see if she could get back Aunt Xin's living expenses.
Well, that's still a thousand taels of silver a year!
Moreover, that Consort Xin is the Empress Dowager's person; perhaps we should have Emperor Xiao Jing get rid of her.
It's better to keep it in the Duke of Dingguo's mansion so it doesn't become a ticking time bomb.
"Your Majesty, there is one more thing..." Shangguan Jin herself was a little embarrassed.
Emperor Xiao Jing and Empress Xu exchanged a glance and both sighed.
"Tell me about it!" Emperor Xiao Jing said with a smile.
“Since Your Majesty has asked, I dare not hide it from you.”
That's Concubine Xin from the Duke of Dingguo's mansion...
That was bestowed upon the Duke by the Empress Dowager, but now there's been no news of the Duke, and Consort Xin has no children or anything.
This can't just stay in the manor like this.
Moreover, the Duke and his wife had already discussed this back then.
All of Consort Xin's expenses were covered by His Majesty.
Although the Duke of Dingguo's mansion can still fill its stomachs now, it's still not as good as it used to be.
Aunt Xin is a delicate person, and we can't let her suffer with my family.
"So, I was thinking, perhaps we could find another place for Consort Xin?" Shangguan Jin said softly.
Emperor Xiao Jing was speechless.
Another one of the Empress Dowager's people. It seems that the Duke of Dingguo's mansion harbors a great deal of resentment towards the Empress Dowager!
Um, he seems to be the same way.
"This... after all, it was bestowed by the Empress Dowager and served the Duke of Dingguo. It wouldn't be good to send it away."
How about this, the Duke of Dingguo's mansion can take care of him. Such a large mansion shouldn't have much trouble supporting one person.
As for those expenses, I will cover them.
"How much silver was it again in a year?" Emperor Xiao Jing asked.
“One thousand taels, owed for three years,” Shangguan Jin hurriedly said.
Emperor Xiao Jing...
"Your Majesty, give this silver to the Duchess of Dingguo later."
"From now on, the Empress will keep track of this one thousand taels of silver for me every year," Emperor Xiao Jing said.
Empress Xu agreed.
It was five thousand taels just now, and now it's three thousand taels again. That's no small amount!
After saying this, Emperor Xiao Jing did not ask Shangguan Jin if there was anything else.
After sitting idly for a while, I left.
As soon as Emperor Xiao Jing left, Empress Xu hurriedly had her personal maid pick out all the gifts suitable for the elderly to celebrate their birthdays from the storeroom, and let Shangguan Jin choose.
"Your matriarch is worldly-wise; I have no idea what kind of woman she likes."
When giving a birthday gift, it's important to choose something that suits the recipient's taste.
"Sister Jin, could you help me pick out a few things to take back to the Old Madam later?"
Empress Xu held Shangguan Jin's hand and affectionately led her to see the ornaments that the eunuchs had brought out.
Shangguan Jin said she couldn't possibly accept that, but her eyes scanned all the ornaments.
There was a longevity vase, a screen with a thousand birds celebrating longevity, a jade Guanyin statue, a gold God of Longevity statue, and a crane carved from some unknown wood to celebrate longevity.
There's also an embroidered painting of Magu celebrating her birthday, at least eight zhang long...
Oh my goodness, my eyes are going to blur!
"This... is all an imperial favor. Thank you, Your Majesty and Your Highness." Shangguan Jin murmured, her eyes fixed on the statue of the God of Longevity, which appeared to be made of pure gold.
Empress Xu understood what it meant as soon as she saw it.
Without a second thought, she instructed the lady-in-waiting beside her to pack up all the gifts.
Material possessions are nothing to be ashamed of; what's wrong with cultivating good relations with the Duke of Dingguo's family?
Anyway, many people give her gifts every year, and the warehouse is never short of things.
Previously, she didn't summon Emperor Xiao Jing because she didn't know his attitude towards the Duke of Dingguo's mansion.
Now......
It seems His Majesty still favors the Shen family.
When other duchesses entered the palace, did His Majesty ever make a special trip to speak with them?
It seems that the disappearance of the Duke of Dingguo has not affected His Majesty's favor towards the Shen family.
Therefore, all she had to do was follow His Majesty's wishes.
Thinking of this, Empress Xu whispered something to the lady-in-waiting beside her.
Soon, the female official came over with a small sandalwood box.
There are ten thousand taels of silver in here.
Besides the five thousand taels of silver owed to the Duke's mansion that His Majesty just mentioned, and the expenses for that so-called Concubine Xin.
The remaining two thousand taels of silver are a gift from me alone.
I truly did not know before that life was so difficult for the Duke of Dingguo's family.
You're such a strong-willed person, why don't you say anything?
Take this money back and use it to make more clothes for Sister Yue and Brother Jun, or to buy them some other things.
"It's just a small token of my appreciation." The Empress spoke sincerely.
Shangguan Jin's eyes were filled with tears.
Look, they really think they're some poor relative coming to the palace to beg for money!
However, as long as she is given money, she doesn't mind going to the palace to kneel a few more times.
"Your Majesty..." Shangguan Jin didn't know what to say.
"We're all family, why are you saying these things!"
The Duke of Dingguo saved His Majesty's life, and His Majesty said that the Duke of Dingguo was his sworn brother.
"If anything happens in the future, just come to the palace," Empress Xu instructed, holding Shangguan Jin's hand.
Shangguan Jin nodded in agreement.
Just as Empress Xu was about to say a few more words, a young eunuch suddenly entered through the door.
"Your Majesty, the Seventh Prince has arrived!"
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