sbdcsierra Chapter 1329: A Warmth Flows Through Jiang Lingzhou's Heart (165 Million Reward Value)
Chapter 1329: A Warmth Flows Through Jiang Lingzhou's Heart (165 Million Reward Value)
"The war with the Xiongnu has dragged on for a long time. Although we haven't lost, we haven't been able to achieve a decisive victory. Money and food are being consumed like water. I'm afraid the Ministry of Revenue is...stretched to the limit."
"This year also happens to be the 500th anniversary of the founding of the Great Zhou. Your Majesty issued a decree to reduce taxes at the beginning of the year in order to demonstrate his benevolence and give the people a rest. Now, you can't just change your order and impose additional taxes..."
"Your Majesty is deeply worried about this matter."
Such financial secrets of the imperial court would have been impossible to obtain if Yuanbao had not served in the Yangxin Palace and had not had a close relationship with Xiao Huizi, who was now in the service of the emperor.
Shen Zhinian listened quietly, and the relaxed smile in her charming fox eyes disappeared, and gradually became thoughtful.
She has always been clear about her own positioning.
When she first entered the palace, she attracted the emperor with her beauty and unique charm, and her relationship with Nangong Xuanyu began with physical attraction.
But in the subsequent daily interactions, the two experienced ups and downs, gave each other some of their true feelings, and their feelings deepened step by step.
And Shen Zhinian also grew up step by step in this process, from a delicate flower who needed the emperor's protection, to the Imperial Concubine Chen who could take charge of the six palaces.
Now, she has reached the same position as the Vice Queen. If she wants to take the next step, truly secure the throne, and even stand shoulder to shoulder with the emperor in the future, relying solely on love and beauty is far from enough.
She needs to become the emperor's most trusted ally, able to help him solve problems and provide assistance when he encounters difficulties.
In this way, her position can be unshakable and she can truly stand on the same level with him!
What's more, in his previous life, Shen Zhinian used Lu Jianglin to manipulate the court, and deep down, he had an unusual enthusiasm and interest in power politics.
As his eyes moved, Shen Zhinian had already made up his mind.
She raised her eyes to look at Fuqiu beside her, and her voice returned to its usual calmness and composure: "Go ask the kitchen to prepare a bowl of excellent ginseng soup. I will personally deliver it to His Majesty."
"Yes, my dear, I will go right away."
Fuqiu immediately bowed in agreement and quickly stepped out to make arrangements.
Shen Zhinian slowly stood up and walked to the dressing table, looking at the stunning yet even more majestic face in the mirror.
Sending ginseng soup is just an excuse.
What she wanted to do this time was not just to comfort the beautiful woman.
……
The Hall of Nourishing Heart.
The atmosphere in the hall was solemn.
There was a lingering trace of irritation between Nangong Xuanyu's brows.
On the imperial desk were piled military reports from the frontier and account books submitted by the Ministry of Revenue with glaring deficits marked on them.
Jiang Lingzhou was wearing a crimson official robe, standing tall like a bamboo, and was reporting with his head bowed.
He had secretly discovered the place where Liu Chongshan raised his private soldiers under the order of the emperor.
Today, Jiang Lingzhou's official position is the noble lecturer of the Hanlin Academy, but in reality he has always been a sharp blade hidden in the dark in the hands of the emperor, secretly keeping an eye on those who are disloyal to the emperor.
"His Majesty."
Jiang Lingzhou's voice was clear: "There has been no unusual activity in the Prince of Jin's mansion recently. His Highness the Prince of Jin spends most of his time drinking and admiring flowers in the mansion, or discussing poetry and painting with guests and scholars. He has never had any close contact with important officials in the court."
"It's just that... Concubine Qi of the Prince of Jin's Mansion has been quite active lately, often hosting banquets and interacting closely with the wives of officials."
"However, most of the guests invited were wives of lower-level officials from various ministries and agencies. Their interactions were nothing more than enjoying tea, listening to music, admiring flowers, and discussing paintings—all ordinary social interactions between women. Based on this, it's difficult to accuse His Royal Highness the Prince of Jin of any wrongdoing."
Nangong Xuanyu listened quietly.
How could he not know that his eighth brother had been deep-minded and ambitious since the time of the previous emperor?
However, the King of Jin has always been cunning and cautious in his actions, like a slippery loach, and never leaves any tangible evidence.
If you take action against a prince based on speculation without any hard evidence, you will be criticized by the royal family and the upright officials.
Nangong Xuanyu absolutely did not want to be labeled in history books as someone who had brutally murdered his brothers for no reason. He could only patiently plan and take his time.
However, the war with the Huns on the border is currently tense, and the huge military expenditure is like a bottomless pit, almost emptying the national treasury, which is already not rich due to the previous emperor's extravagance.
This is the most pressing concern that is making the emperor unable to sleep or eat!
In comparison, the seemingly harmless actions of the King of Jin can only be put on hold for the time being.
"I understand."
Nangong Xuanyu said, "Continue to pay attention to these matters. If King Jin makes any unusual moves, report immediately."
"Yes, I obey your order."
Jiang Lingzhou bowed and accepted the order, without saying anything more, and respectfully left the Yangxin Palace.
As soon as he stepped out of the palace, he met a group of people head-on.
The person in the lead had her hair tied up in a bun, and was dressed in gorgeous palace attire. She had a stunning appearance, and her elegant temperament exuded a sense of dignity. It was none other than Imperial Noble Consort Shen Zhinian.
Behind her followed Fuqiu, who was carrying a lunch box.
Jiang Lingzhou paused slightly, and a barely perceptible hint of joy flashed across the depths of his eyes, then quickly subsided.
He immediately stepped aside to the side of the road and bowed, "May the Imperial Concubine be blessed with good health!"
When Shen Zhinian saw Jiang Lingzhou, his eyes softened and his tone was gentle: "Brother, there is no need to be so polite."
She looked at Jiang Lingzhou, who looked much healthier than before despite being thin, and asked with concern, "Brother, how are you feeling lately?"
"The affairs of the Hanlin Academy are complicated. Brother, please take care of your health and don't overwork yourself."
Hearing the word "brother" and Shen Zhinian's sincere concern, Jiang Lingzhou felt a warm feeling in his heart.
He remained polite, lowering his eyes as he said, "Thank you for your concern, Your Majesty. I am doing fine."
"Your Majesty, please take care of yourself."
Both men were extremely measured, fully aware that this was a crucial area within the imperial palace, with countless eyes watching. After a brief exchange of pleasantries, Jiang Lingzhou bowed once more and took his leave.
Shen Zhinian watched his thin back disappear at the end of the palace road, then withdrew his gaze.
She gathered her thoughts, and walked slowly into the Yangxin Palace with a calm and elegant demeanor.
"I see you, Your Majesty!"
Shen Zhinian bowed gracefully, her voice gentle, like a spring breeze, quietly dispelling some of the gloomy atmosphere in the hall.
Seeing her, Nangong Xuanyu's frown relaxed slightly. The irritability and fatigue that had accumulated over the past few days seemed to be diluted a little by this beautiful figure.
But the tiredness and solemnity in his eyes did not completely disappear.
The emperor rubbed his brows and asked gently, "Why is Nian Nian here?"
Shen Zhinian walked forward lightly, took the steaming ginseng soup from Fuqiu's hand, and opened the lid himself.
A refreshing and nourishing aroma immediately spread in the hall.
She gently placed the warm porcelain cup on the corner of the imperial desk, her voice soft and filled with genuine concern.
"I heard that Your Majesty has been busy with government affairs these past few days and that your meals have not been very tasty. I am truly concerned for you, so I asked the kitchen to stew a bowl of ginseng soup for you."