Early that morning, servants from every household in the Zhenguo Mansion began their day's work like a swarm of bees. Today was a palace banquet, and each household needed to prepare the necessary supplies. Add to that the fact that the two young masters from the second and third households were also about to attend the morning court, and the mansion was bustling with activity.
Second bedroom
Jiang Zhixu had already stood up. Behind the screen, the servant Babao was diligently helping him dress, wash his face, and tie his hair.
On the bed in the bedroom, Jin Linlin was still half asleep. Nanny Bai anxiously woke her up: "My lady, you must get up quickly and wait on your husband to go to court!"
"Mammy, please forgive me. If I go to dress him, he will definitely be late." Jin Linlin said coquettishly.
Jiang Zhixu raised the corner of his mouth and showed a doting smile: "Mammy, just let her sleep a little longer. It's enough to have Babao here." After that, he moved to the bed and sat down, gently stroking his wife's hair.
"I'm going to court. Is it time for you to get up and dress up and change your clothes?" Jiang Zhixu asked softly.
Jin Linlin stretched lazily, her beautiful eyes fixed on him as she spoke softly, "You must present the things you obtained yesterday to the Emperor in front of the entire court, along with my grandfather's letter. After all, my grandfather's letter didn't mention the jewels, only the salt and iron mines. Only then will His Majesty trust you. After all, this treasure has attracted too many covetous people."
Jiang Zhixu patted her hand gently, then turned and left. He knew that only by presenting the treasure to the emperor in this open and aboveboard manner would those spies who were staring at their mansion like hungry wolves retreat.
Jiang Zhixu touched his chest lightly, and the dull pain had vanished without a trace. His inner energy surged through his body like a tide, making him feel refreshed. His wife's detoxification pill was truly miraculous. After just one night, the toxins had been completely eliminated.
In front of the Zhenguo Mansion, the Duke stood like a towering mountain, waiting for his two sons. He himself had never attended the morning court in his life, but now that his two sons were about to enter the court, he was determined to see them off in person.
His two sons, dressed in dragon robes and jade belts around their waists, looked energetic, like two dazzling stars, and saluted the Duke of Zhenguo at the same time.
"Father, please get in the carriage quickly. Shuyan, come with me too. I have something important to discuss with you." The Duke of Zhenguo and Jiang Shuyan boarded the carriage, their gazes fixed on Jiang Zhixu across from them. "Father, yesterday I went to the library to look for books and stumbled upon a letter left by my grandfather. I want to present it to the emperor. Please take a look first. If we keep this letter in our hands, it could cause trouble."
Upon hearing this, the Duke of Zhenguo was startled and quickly took the letter from Jiang Zhixu's hand. He looked over it again and again, and after confirming that it was correct, he handed it to his third son as if relieved, and breathed a long sigh of relief:
"You're absolutely right. I've heard it all along. My father left behind a treasure. I thought it was just gold and silver, but it turned out to be two mines, containing precious materials like iron and salt, far more valuable than gold and silver. I know we can't protect these two mines on our own. The wisest move is to offer them to the emperor. There are many spies in the palace, so I'm sure they will retreat, and we can have peace."
Jiang Shuyan, on the other hand, said loudly:
"Brother, those are two mines, one for iron and one for salt. How much silver must they be worth? I heard from Zhuge Liang that the treasury is empty now. If we present these to the emperor, he will surely be very pleased."
"Well, if such a treasure remains in our hands, it will be like a time bomb. I presented it to the emperor this morning."
When the carriage reached the palace gate, the two men adjusted their court robes and joined the crowd like fish into the sea, heading towards the pilgrimage temple.
At the morning court today, a shocking event took place. The Zhenguo Mansion presented the treasure left by the old Zhenguo Duke, which turned out to be two mines, which was amazing.
The entire court erupted in an uproar, stunned by the lavish offering of the Zhenguo Mansion. The emperor's face was filled with delight, his eyes gleaming with surprise and admiration, like the brightest stars in the night sky. "The Zhenguo Mansion is so loyal and devoted. They have offered such a treasure voluntarily. This is truly a blessing for our dynasty."
The Song Emperor was delighted. He had heard about this treasure long ago and thought it was just some gold and silver. Unexpectedly, it turned out to be an iron ore mine and a salt mine. This was truly a treasure gift from heaven. If it were mined and utilized, it would not only solve the problem of an empty treasury, but also boost the national strength like a soaring eagle. Wonderful!
However, not everyone at court was pleased with the Duke of Zhenguo's favor. Several ministers harbored ulterior motives, like venomous snakes lurking in the shadows, and began to plot secretly. One of these senior officials stepped forward and said sarcastically, "Your Majesty, while these two mines are valuable, I wonder if the facts presented by the Duke of Zhenguo are true. They are nothing more than outrageous lies fabricated to gain credit."
Jiang Zhixu, however, was not in a hurry. He stepped out calmly and composedly, his voice resounding like a huge bell, echoing throughout the court: "Your Majesty, how dare our Zhenguogong Mansion deceive the emperor?
Both mines are supported by my grandfather's handwritten letter. If Your Majesty doesn't believe it, you can send someone to verify it." The emperor nodded and immediately arranged for a trusted minister to verify it.
The Emperor of Song praised the Duke of Zhenguo's mansion for its heroic act of presenting treasures, and said frankly that after the situation of the mine was determined, he would reward them according to their merits to commend their loyalty and bravery.
What happened in the morning court spread quickly throughout the streets and alleys like wings, and every household was discussing it heatedly. The Duke of Zhenguo's Mansion had been silent for many years, like a pearl covered in dust, and finally returned to the court, with the potential to return to being a first-class family.
Zhenguogong Mansion, Ci'an Hall
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