After Yuwen Helan took over the Ministry of Rites, he acted like a beggar every day, constantly demanding money from people, especially the Minister of Revenue, who suffered greatly as a result.
Today, on their way home after visiting the Shen family, Li Jian and Qi Tian happened to see Yuwen Helan's carriage.
"Great-aunt!"
Huo Qitian lifted the carriage curtain and called out.
"Oh my, isn't this our little Qitian? Come here, let Grandma give you a hug."
The middle-aged woman was already the child's great-grandmother. Yuwen Helan pressed his cheek against Huo Qitian's face, showering her with affection.
"No wonder your mother was so pampered when she was little. Hua Luan and Cen Ang were both good to her. With that pretty face, who wouldn't be charmed by her?"
Helan pinched Qitian's little face and said.
Huo Qitian knew that this great-aunt's jewelry was the most beautiful, and she would give him whatever she wanted.
But today, Princess Qitian has miscalculated.
"Grandma, the jade pendant you're wearing is really beautiful."
It was that familiar praise; Yuwen Helan knew what the child wanted.
But I really can't give this to you.
"I can't give you this."
The little dumpling sat down in the carriage very naturally and asked:
"What's this? It's really beautiful, Grandma. I'll trade you my Dongzhu pearl."
The pearl that Huo Qitian carried was one of only 1 in existence; it was a birthday gift from Princess Mingzhu of Da'an.
"Tsk, you spendthrift child, your pearls are enough to buy a hundred of these jade pendants."
“But my great-grandmother’s jade pendant was exquisite.”
“This is a family heirloom given to me by my husband’s biological father, meant for his daughter-in-law.”
At this point, Helan's face showed a hint of smugness and shyness.
Huo Qitian was speechless. You have three men and you're still shy?
It's unbearable to look at.
The Minister of Revenue was truly driven to desperation by Yuwen Helan, which is why he resorted to emotional appeals.
"Look, my son is following you without any official status. I am his biological father, so please let me go. This is my daughter-in-law's family heirloom. I know my family is not worthy of someone as noble as you, but this is my heartfelt gift. Please accept it."
As long as Yuwen Helan accepts this jade pendant, no matter what others say about her advisors, it means she has agreed to the status of her daughter-in-law.
Now I have a reason to refuse: Your dad really doesn't have any money.
"Grandma, you feel a little... nauseous, I'm going back now."
Yuwen Helan watched Huo Qitian waddle out of the car, then pulled her into his arms and said:
"Go back where? Go back to the palace with your great-grandmother and ask your mother for money!"
"Ha ha ha ha."
Huo Xiaolong looked at the memorial submitted by the Ministry of Revenue. He thought to himself, "You don't know the value of money until you're in charge of the household; you don't know how money flows like water until you're on the throne."
Dams, military spending, scientific expeditions, celebrations—everything costs money!
Fortunately, his sisters were good at making money. Aunt He and Aunt Hou had expanded their businesses far and wide, which was how they managed to protect the treasury of the Great Yan Kingdom. Otherwise, Huo Xiaolong would have had to open his own private treasury to make up for it.
"Your Majesty, Princess Helan has arrived."
Grandpa Wang came over to announce their arrival, and then he saw the elegant and graceful woman carrying her daughter walk in.
“My grandniece, please approve some money for me to use.”
"I have no money!"
Huo Xiaolong refused without even thinking.
"You have no money? You've been richer as emperor than my brother and my father were when they were emperors, and you have no money! He Qingzhu and you have known each other since childhood. Do you really think everyone in the palace is a fool?"
"No money! I won't give it to you!"
"If you don't give me money, how am I supposed to feed the palace for the New Year?"
"However, they all went home!"
Looking at Huo Xiaolong, who seemed unfazed by anything, and then at Huo Qitian in her arms, Yuwen Helan said to the little dumpling:
"Qi Tian, when you become emperor, you can't be like your mother, so stingy!"
“But, great-aunt, if you ask me for it, I might not be as good as my mother, and I won’t give it to you.”
"..."
Huo Xiaolong was quite amused by his own daughter's words.
"You child, I've spoiled you for nothing!"
"Stop laughing, give me the money! Otherwise, I'll go bother your old lady."
"...?"
Yuwen Helan is using the former Crown Princess Lan Tingche's mother to threaten someone. Previously, the Crown Princess appeared in Cen Ang's dream, saying:
"Don't always let Yuwen Helan bring her three old men over. They make such a fuss, they start crying as soon as they arrive."
Huo Xiaolong took a deep breath and said seriously:
"I can only give you 20,000 taels of silver, not a penny more."
"Twenty thousand taels of silver! For the New Year, the Imperial Palace, the State Banquet! Plus fireworks! Fireworks! Twenty thousand! Do you think I'm a god? I'm just a human being, Huo Xiaolong! You didn't tell me before that becoming the Minister of Rites would require me to pay out of my own pocket!"
"Don't treat me like some grand princess or Minister of Rites. Can you at least treat me like a human being?"
The woman in the dragon robe placed the Ministry of Revenue's memorial directly in front of her and said:
"Look for yourself, how much money is left in the national treasury? Just these 20,000, all of which I gave you myself!"
Indeed, the national treasury must reserve funds for military equipment. Seeing that Huo Xiaolong was truly broke, Yuwen Helan snorted coldly.
"Alright, don't give me the 20,000 taels. As the Minister of Rites, I certainly won't make things difficult for you."
"You want to fix it yourself?" Huo Xiaolong asked casually.
“I have three men to support and I don’t have any money, but this year, your great-aunt will definitely make sure you have a good year.”
After saying this, the woman casually walked out of the imperial study, her every word and action showing no airs of a princess.
"To the eldest princess."
Grandpa Wang stood up from his recliner and said.
Yuwen Helan turned around and looked Grandpa Wang up and down. Huo Xiaolong was the same; his hair had turned white and he was still making people do chores.
She waved her handkerchief and said:
"Forget it, you're quite old. Just rest here. I'll go out myself."
"Yes, Your Highness."
Helan hummed a little tune as she left the palace. Huo Qitian looked at his mother, then looked up and asked:
“Mother, it’s true that money is expensive these days, but our grandmothers are very good at making money. I heard that my great-aunt paid two million taels in taxes this year alone, not even counting the money she used for your personal use. How can you only give your great-grandmother 20,000 taels?”
Huo Qitian knows everything, especially about the memorials. Huo Xiaolong really doesn't like to work, and she's already thought it all out.
Huo Qitian must be able to approve memorials by the age of ten.
She'll be at home reviewing documents while she goes out to fight battles—she'll be perfectly content.
"Shhh."
Huo Xiaolong covered the child's mouth and whispered:
“Your great-grandmother is too idle. Find her something to do. Money is something that can be obtained if you push her a little.”
Yuwen Helan turned around and focused his efforts on the merchants in the capital.
Saving money is for no other reason than...
Siman's boat is almost finished; we'll build another ship and set sail in two years.
Huo Xiaolong wanted to walk towards the sea.
With this map, we have no idea what's on the other side of the sea. I really wish all these places were ours.
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