mtl008 Chapter 340: As Kind and Generous as You
Chapter 340: As Kind and Generous as You
"I am not an unreasonable person. This is the booklet I compiled overnight comparing the purchase price list of the Imperial Household Department with the prices outside the palace. Come and take a look."
The emperor threw the booklet that he and Su Peisheng had been working on until dawn in front of Prince Yi Yunxiang, who was kneeling closest to him.
Yunxiang quickly picked it up, and the first page of the booklet recorded the chicken that had just been discussed.
The daily allowance for the Hall of Mental Cultivation included twenty eggs, which the Imperial Household Department spent forty coins to purchase, while the total purchase price recorded in the purchase book was one hundred and twenty taels.
Assuming a month has thirty days, the servants of the Imperial Household Department embezzled a total of 3,598 taels and 800 coins just from purchasing eggs.
Yunxiang didn't dare to think further about the terrifying amount of money that would be embezzled in one, five, ten or even longer years.
He quickly flipped through a few pages and finally understood why his brother was so angry.
These bastard servants in the Imperial Household Department are simply parasites in the court.
After flipping through it roughly, Yunxiang looked around and handed the booklet to Ortai behind him.
In less than a quarter of an hour, the booklet finally reached the hands of Yunlu, the chief steward of the Imperial Household Department.
As a prince, Yunlu's annual salary was 10,000 taels of silver and 10,000 hu of rice. He never imagined that his servants were so bold that they even dared to fool the royal family.
He knew very well that if he didn't show his attitude, his brother would be the first to take action against him.
Yunlu kowtowed and begged with tears.
"Brother Your Majesty, I was negligent. Please forgive me! But there is one thing I must pay attention to. I truly did not know that my servant was so cruel and dared to deceive the master."
"What I said is absolutely true. Your Majesty, please send someone to search my house!"
In the past, his brothers fought fiercely for the throne, and Yunlu, who did not want to cause trouble, entered the Imperial Household Department under the arrangement of the late emperor.
He has been working diligently for his superiors and wanted to live a peaceful life like this, but he didn't expect that he would still be dragged down by the people below him.
The emperor knew his sixteenth brother very well. He was selfless and dedicated to his work, and followed the emperor's wishes, but he also pretended to be deaf and dumb and protected himself to the end.
Thinking that there were not many brothers left to work for him, he gave the order expressionlessly.
"Yunlu, you take your wife and children to the palace to observe mourning. If I find out that you are indeed innocent, I will make a decision."
"Li Wei and Tian Wenjing, you two will work together to thoroughly investigate the accounts of the Imperial Household Department. Yunxiang and the guards will provide support. Anyone who resists will be killed without mercy!"
"Your humble servant obeys your command!"
The other important officials in the hall watched the three men receive the emperor's orders and kept silent.
I was speechless after reading the booklet just now.
Eggs were rarely seen at E'ertai's meals at home, and only the young children could eat them occasionally.
He thought to himself that he must ask his wife to investigate the servants in the mansion to avoid making the same joke as the royal family.
There were many ministers who shared the same idea as him, and they all made up their minds to conduct self-examination the moment they saw the booklet.
After receiving the imperial order, Yunxiang, Li Wei and Tian Wenjing paid their respects and went outside to discuss the matter. Su Peisheng also followed them out at the emperor's signal.
After the emperor ascended the throne, Yunxiang was given an important position and was in charge of the court's finances and the garrison of the capital.
He knew how angry the emperor was about the national treasury issue, so he naturally did not dare to be negligent.
"Lord Li, Lord Tian, please discuss how to proceed. I and Eunuch Su will dispatch the troops."
The Imperial Household Department is a tough nut to crack, and they must cut the Gordian knot quickly.
Not long after lunch, the news that Prince Yi led his troops to surround the Imperial Household Department spread throughout the court and the harem.
As soon as An Lingrong got the news, she went back to Yongshou Palace in person.
"Bao Que, Bao Ge, the four of you must guard Yongshou Palace carefully. Especially, anything that has been delivered to the palace in the past few days must be strictly inspected."
The Imperial Household Department has existed for so many years, and An Lingrong doesn't think they won't resist.
"Hongzhan, Hongyao, and Zhaohua, try not to leave Eunuch Wu's sight."
An Lingrong, feeling worried, gave her three children some instructions again.
"Hongzhan, please keep an eye on my brother and sister for my mother. Don't let them go out."
"Please rest assured, mother. I will take good care of my younger brothers and sisters."
Before breakfast, her mother told her privately that the emperor was going to take action against the Ministry of Internal Affairs, and Hongzhan understood the importance of the matter.
An Lingrong had arranged everything in the palace and was about to say goodbye to her three children when a loud noise came from the door.
"Lingrong, I'll leave Anle with you as well."
When Princess Anle, who was held in Concubine Hua's arms, saw Zhaohua, her eyes suddenly lit up.
"Sister Zhaohua, I'm here to play with you."
As soon as Anle landed, he ran towards Zhaohua.
While running, she did not forget to greet An Lingrong.
"Anle has met Shu'e Niang."
An Lingrong agreed with a smile.
"Sister Nian, the guards in your palace are not bad, why did you think of sending Anle here?"
Concubine Hua shook her head and explained in a low voice.
"There are outsiders in my palace, and I am worried about leaving Anle alone in Yikun Palace."
Although she didn't say it explicitly, An Lingrong knew that she wouldn't do it without a purpose.
"It's more lively with more children, so they don't all want to run outside."
Not long after, Concubine Jing also dragged the Seventh Prince into the Yongshou Palace, obviously having the same idea as Concubine Hua.
"Your Highness, I am sorry to bother you."
An Lingrong saw that she also brought her own people to take care of the children and joked with her.
"As long as you are at ease, you can keep the child as long as you want."
Concubine Jing smiled gratefully. The fact that Concubine Shu was able to give birth to three healthy children under the nose of the deposed empress showed that she had extraordinary means.
Even Concubine Hua left her child here, so why should she be worried?
As soon as Caiyue heard that Concubine Hua and Concubine Jing had sent the child to Yongshou Palace, she hurriedly reported the news.
"Master, do you think we should send Princess Longyue over as well?"
Shen Meizhuang thought for a few breaths and shook her head gently.
"Longyue is well-behaved and obedient. I'm afraid other children will bully her."
The most important thing is that Princess Anle is there, and Shen Meizhuang has a grudge against Concubine Hua.
Every time she saw Concubine Hua, she would think of the revenge she had when she almost died in the Thousand Carp Pond.
She was worried about Longyue and the people from Yiku Palace being together.
"Caiyue, you stay in Chuxiu Palace to take care of Longyue, and Caixing will follow me to Shoukang Palace."
Shen Meizhuang felt that the palace was heavily guarded and the servants did not dare to offend their master.
Besides, under her mother's guidance, she had already replaced everyone in Chuxiu Palace with her own people.
When Shen Meizhuang saw the guards guarding the auspicious gate and the team patrolling the palace road, she felt more at ease leaving Longyue alone in Chuxiu Palace.
The emperor soon heard about the arrangements made by the people in the harem for the child, and he said silently in his heart.
"Rouzhe, Rong'er is as kind and generous as you are, and is good to children."
"It's just that Concubine Hui Shen is short-sighted and only remembers petty grudges and grievances."
He thought for a moment and then gave another loud order.
"Su Peisheng, send a few capable people to guard Shuhe and Wen Yi."
"Go and inform them that the guards of the West Six Palaces must be strengthened."