As Yuwen Guang spoke, his expression was desolate, filled with sorrow. Mingzhu remembered the affection Emperor Zhengqian had shown her back then, and the deaths of Yuwen Fu and Yuwen Nuo. She couldn’t help but feel emotional. “Indeed, how unpredictable life is.”
Yuwen Guang said softly, “Actually, I don’t want to be the emperor.”
Mingzhu didn’t respond to his words but just listened with lowered eyes.
Yuwen Guang smiled and gestured for Jiang Youyuan to bring something to show her. “This is a wooden horse I made myself. Auntie, take a look and see if it’s similar to the one you gave to Zhuang Zhuang.”
Previously, Ban Jian had brought several toys made by himself for Zhuang Zhuang, one of which was a walking wooden horse, exquisitely crafted. Several households had seen it and tried to commission a similar one for their children, but without success. The wooden horse Jiang Youyuan brought was slightly crude but still well-made, able to move smoothly.
“Your Majesty is very skilled!” Mingzhu praised sincerely. She understood Yuwen Guang’s meaning: he had other preferences and aspirations beyond the throne. They should just let the matter with Zhang Jian go, not argue with Xu Lin or Empress Dowager Xu, and pretend that Zhang Jian had never come.
She was willing to give face to the young emperor, and she wouldn’t touch Xu Lin or Empress Dowager Xu. However, what had been ingested must be regurgitated. The treasury had long been depleted, with Yuwen Chu fighting desperately on the front lines while she racked her brains to raise funds here so that these people could live in comfort and luxury. She had already learned of Xu Lin and Zhang Jian’s plot and was extremely angry. It was a joke; they did nothing but fantasize about picking the ripest peach. Now they wanted Yuwen Chu’s life. Would they want their entire family’s lives in the future?
Seeing that she only praised his craftsmanship and refused to say anything else, Yuwen Guang could only smile and say, “My uncle is a simpleton, clueless and easily deceived.”
Mingzhu said, “Indeed, the people Xu Guojiu associates with don’t seem very reputable. I’ve heard a rumor that Xu Guojiu plans to collaborate with the Zhongshan traitors, kill the Regent, and then divide the territory across the river.” Seeing Yuwen Guang’s expression change, she smiled. “Your Majesty should remind Guojiu not to associate with traitors. At this critical time of rebellion, causing misunderstandings and shaking the army’s morale would be detrimental.”
Yuwen Guang barely responded, and Jiang Youyuan quickly tried to smooth things over. “The Empress Dowager instructed me to ask the Wangfei. It is said that the Linan Wangfei gave birth a few days ago. Is the mother and child safe?”
The Wusun Princess had given birth to a son. Though he was a bit weak, he was healthy, able to eat and sleep well, and very beautiful. This news had already been reported to the palace. Jiang Youyuan brought this up to avoid Yuwen Guang’s embarrassment.
Mingzhu didn’t want to drop the subject and answered Jiang Youyuan first, “The child is very healthy and beautiful. If the Empress Dowager wishes to see him, Linan Wangfei can bring him in to pay respects another day.” Then she turned the conversation, smiling. “It’s already June, and soon it will be autumn, then winter. We need to prepare winter clothing, but the national treasury is empty. I would like to ask Your Majesty’s permission to auction off a few items bestowed by the late emperor to raise funds for the army. May I?”
The treasury was empty, and the so-called victories were solely due to Yuwen Chu’s efforts, depleting their resources to the point of selling imperial gifts for military expenses. Yuwen Guang, feeling embarrassed, said, “Granted.”
Mingzhu stopped there. Once Yuwen Guang permitted her to leave, she took her leave. Donghui asked, “Will you go to pay respects to the Empress Dowager?”
Mingzhu replied calmly, “I have things to do, maybe next time.”
Xu Lin hadn’t left yet and was suggesting bad ideas to Empress Dowager Xu. “If the Regent Wangfei comes to pay respects, you should talk to her nicely. I’m willing to split the money Zhang Jian sent with her and Fu Mingzheng to make peace and avoid disaster…”
The Empress Dowager said, “Let’s wait and see what His Majesty says.”
However, after waiting for a while with no sign of Mingzhu, they sent someone to inquire and found that she had already left. Xu Lin panicked, “It seems she won’t let this go. What should we do?”
Empress Dowager Xu was at a loss, “I don’t know what to do either. Let’s ask His Majesty.”
At that moment, Jiang Youyuan arrived, expressionless, to convey Yuwen Guang’s message, “His Majesty says, ‘Tell Uncle not to worry, it has been settled. But the treasury is empty; funds are needed for the war and to appease the displaced. Empress Dowager and Uncle should think of a solution.'”
Xu Lin was relieved to have escaped punishment but protested loudly when asked for money, “I’m broke! Where would I get money? I haven’t even paid the servants their monthly wages, and my sick mother can’t even afford bird’s nest soup.” Only a fool would give up what they have unless forced.
Seeing his greed and lack of foresight, Jiang Youyuan looked at Xu Lin with disdain and turned to the Empress Dowager with a wry smile, “What do you think, Your Majesty?”
Empress Dowager Xu silently handed over the money Zhang Jian had given her, “Take it.”
Fearing further pressure, Xu Lin hurried to leave. Jiang Youyuan said, “Uncle, think carefully before you go. If you won’t listen to His Majesty, who else will?”
Enraged, Xu Lin spat at Jiang Youyuan, “You eunuch scum! How dare you lecture me? I’m the Emperor’s uncle, not someone you can order around!”
Jiang Youyuan sighed and clapped his hands, and immediately, people came in to restrain Xu Lin. Xu Lin shouted, “What are you doing? Are you rebelling in front of the Empress Dowager? Jiang Youyuan, are you betraying your master?”
Jiang Youyuan calmly said, “His Majesty decrees, if Uncle won’t listen, he will stay here until the Xu family brings money to ransom him.”
Xu Lin wept, “Others bullying me is one thing, but my own nephew too…”
The Empress Dowager, having no other choice, advised him, “It’s all ill-gotten wealth anyway, just give it up.”
Xu Lin, convinced the young emperor wouldn’t truly harm him, refused. Jiang Youyuan, not wavering, directly sent people to handle the matter before releasing him.
The news of Zhang Jian’s death and Xu Lin and Empress Dowager Xu returning their illicit gains spread, causing a stir in the court. Shortly after, Fu Mingzheng spread a rumor that he had a list of bribery and treason suspects. When Mingzhu organized a donation drive, many came to offload their hot assets, some even giving more than necessary, hoping for pardon. To her surprise, Mingzhu raised over a million taels of silver, enough to cover the army’s expenses for the rest of the year. She happily wrote to Yuwen Chu, asking him to thank Zhongshan Wang for the military funds.
