Thanks to the stir caused by Lord Han and Censor Tie, the court was now in turmoil. Let alone the matter of sending noble ladies as part of the dowry—at this point, even the entire idea of a marriage alliance was being fiercely opposed by the civil officials.
When Princess Baorong came to request an audience at Emperor Yongchang’s Taiji Hall, the emperor had already been driven to a pounding headache by all the bickering from these ministers.
He looked coldly at Censor Tie and the others. “Do you have any idea how many silver mines the Eastern Isles possess? The ten-year mining rights promised by Huailiang Qin Wang would be enough to fund the reconstruction of the Yellow River canal!”
Censor Tie still stiffened his neck and said, “Your Majesty, even so, there’s no need to send a princess!”
Emperor Yongchang said nothing at first. Then he pointed to the Minister of War and said calmly, “You tell Censor Tie—how much in silver did the empire collect in tax revenue from the two capitals and thirteen provinces last year?”
The Minister of War bowed respectfully and quickly replied, “Reporting to Your Majesty: last year’s total tax revenue amounted to 45,367,000 taels of silver.”
Censor Tie looked slightly puzzled.
He didn’t understand why the emperor was suddenly bringing this up.
Emperor Yongchang asked again, in a mild tone, “And what was last year’s projected expenditure?”
The Minister of War winced—this was clearly the responsibility of the Minister of Revenue! Why was he being asked?
But since the emperor had asked, he could only grit his teeth and answer, “It was projected at 39,800,000 taels.”
Censor Tie began to show signs of comprehension.
At that moment, Emperor Yongchang tossed aside the memorial in his hand and looked straight at the Minister of War. “And the actual expenses? How much did we fall short?”
Censor Tie perked up—now he understood where the emperor was going with this.
The Minister of War honestly reported, “Your Majesty, actual expenditures totaled 53,100,000 taels. The deficit was 8,433,000 taels.”
Censor Tie, a civil official, had never been too concerned with figures like this. But now, even he couldn’t pretend not to understand the emperor’s point.
Emperor Yongchang’s gaze was deep as he looked at Censor Tie and said evenly, “I know you are a man of integrity, my dear minister. But do you know how many lives were lost last year due to the Yellow River floods, the disasters in Henan, the unrelenting deluge in Jiujiang, Jiangxi? Do you know how much silver was spent on disaster relief?”
Censor Tie fell silent.
Of course he remembered—last year had seen natural disasters all over the land.
He could no longer bring himself to object.
Yes, it was just a princess being sent to marry—at most, she’d receive a title. Huailiang Qin Wang’s ten-year mining rights would yield however much Great Zhou wanted—it was all under their control anyway.
Emperor Yongchang let out a bitter laugh. “My dear minister, Yongchang is my own flesh and blood—do you think I don’t know that there is no precedent for sending a princess in marriage? But for the sake of the people, for the stability of the realm, sometimes we must set a new precedent.”
Censor Tie was left speechless.
He could only stiffly say, “Then at the very least, we must not let those stunted islanders take advantage—let them make outrageous demands! This matter of noblewomen as dowry must be absolutely refused!”
Even if they were using the silver of the Eastern Isles—it was still Great Zhou granting them face!
Those d*mned little dwarfs had harassed Shandong, Zhejiang, Guangdong, and Fujian for years, bringing untold suffering to the common people.
Now they came seeking an imperial title from Great Zhou—just a way to use Great Zhou’s power to eliminate their rivals.
Giving them a princess was already an unimaginable favor.
Nothing more should be given.
Emperor Yongchang nodded lightly. “Of course.”
Censor Tie finally let out a sigh of relief. It seemed the emperor was indeed farsighted and in control of the situation. He knelt down to praise the emperor’s wise and brilliant governance.
Emperor Yongchang gave a weary smile. “All right, enough. Just promise me you won’t go banging your head on the pillars of my Taiji Hall every time something displeases you.”
Censor Tie, for once, looked a little sheepish.
After sending off Censor Tie and the Minister of War, Emperor Yongchang heard that Princess Baorong was requesting an audience, and immediately furrowed his brows. “Let her in.”
He was already furious with Princess Baorong.
Submitting a list to the Ministry of Rites in private—that alone was an utterly unforgivable act.
And what’s more, she had shown no sense of propriety, directly choosing two noble daughters from established families.
Especially one from the Qi family.
Qi Zhen had brought back Liu Wangfei. Qi Yuan had exposed Baorong’s intent to harm both Liu Wangfei and Xiao Mo.
Why had Baorong picked Qi Yuan to accompany her as a dowry attendant to the Eastern Isles? Anyone with eyes could see what her true motive was.
Now, upon seeing Princess Baorong, Emperor Yongchang’s frown deepened. “What are you doing here?”
Princess Baorong entered disheveled, with her hair loose and dressed in plain mourning garments. She knelt down and kowtowed before Emperor Yongchang. “Your daughter has come to admit her mistake to Royal Father. It was my fault—I shouldn’t have acted on personal grudges, and I shouldn’t have submitted that name list to the Ministry of Rites on my own…”
He had thought she would come in sobbing and wailing. He hadn’t expected her to come and confess her wrongs.
Emperor Yongchang’s expression eased slightly. For a moment, his emotions were complicated.
This was, after all, the daughter he had doted on since childhood. But she had truly committed a grave offense—one that could not be easily forgiven.
Besides, once the emperor speaks, his words are as good as an imperial edict. The matter of the marriage alliance could no longer be reversed.
He spoke calmly, “You are to be married soon. From now on, you mustn’t act solely based on your own whims. Baorong, I know you’ve been proud and willful since you were young—but going forward, you must learn restraint.”
Princess Baorong clenched her fists tightly inside her wide sleeves, forcing herself to stay calm. She lowered her head and softly murmured in reply.
Then, in a gentle voice, she looked at Emperor Yongchang and said, “Royal Father, your daughter has one presumptuous request.”
The emperor observed her for a moment, then asked expressionlessly, “What is it?”
If this had been in the past, Emperor Yongchang would never have responded so coldly to Baorong’s requests.
But now, he no longer had the trust and patience he once had for his most beloved daughter.
Princess Baorong didn’t hesitate. She spoke directly: “Royal Father, I wish to meet Huailiang Qin Wang. Then, I would like to go to the Huangjue Temple to fast and offer prayers for three days for my mother’s soul. When Royal Mother was alive, she loved me dearly. I want her to know I’m doing well, so she may rest in peace.”
At the mention of Noble Consort Liu, Emperor Yongchang’s face softened.
Indeed, to him, Noble Consort Liu had died suddenly and without warning. And considering the real culprits were the Duke’s household and Baorong and Qi Wang, he didn’t really blame Noble Consort Liu. Back when the incident with Liu Wangfei happened, she had been too young to understand—how could she be blamed?
These two requests were within reason.
Emperor Yongchang gave a light nod. “It’s rare that you’re being thoughtful. Very well—you may go.”
Princess Baorong kowtowed again. “Please take care of your health, Royal Father. I will take my leave.”
Emperor Yongchang waved his hand, saying nothing more.
Xia Gongong glanced at Princess Baorong with extra attention—only to see that her eyes burned with a fierce, smoldering hatred.
He quickly lowered his head, pretending not to have seen.
Princess Baorong, proud as a peacock, walked straight past him and out of Taiji Hall.
Xia Gongong quietly muttered to himself—this was something he would need to inform His Highness about.
Princess Baorong’s posture didn’t look like anything good was going to come of it.
Most likely, she was still targeting the young lady from the Qi family.
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