kvmb Chapter 158 Are you planning to stay in Yangxizhai all the time and not come back?
Chapter 158 Are you planning to stay in Yangxizhai all the time and not come back?
"Wait."
"Hmm? Waiting for what? Waiting for His Majesty's order?"
Qi Xiao nodded.
"Well, that's true. You have no influence in the court, and no one can speak for you. Initially, Pei Hao did say that the Ministry of Revenue case was not yet resolved, and since you have His Majesty's decree to assist you, you should see it through to the end. But now, judging by the situation, His Majesty no longer wants to pursue the Ministry of Revenue's military pay issue."
"What happened?"
"Zhan Boyan, another junior official at the Dali Temple, has returned from Liaoshan Commandery. He hasn't been able to locate the military pay, but he did verify that Li Changyan, the prefect of Jinzhou Prefecture, hadn't withheld pay or engaged in corruption or bribery. Li Changyan has been cleared of all charges, and His Majesty intends to reinstate him. When the Ministry of Revenue first started getting into trouble, His Majesty, in a fit of rage, executed several officials. If he investigates further, he'll likely have to slash every one of them. It's going to be tough."
Qi Xiao nodded, he knew this.
"There is one more thing. You asked me to investigate the matter of Bai Liu. What I can find out is all on the surface, and I don't know how much use it will be to you." This is the reason why Lu Fangjin came to find Qi Xiao in person. Qi Xiao may have to go back to Fuzhou at any time, and Lu Fangjin did not dare to delay.
"You said."
"The story begins in the 20th year of the reign of Emperor Xiaowen of the Qing Dynasty. Minister of War Guan Botang impeached the Ministry of Revenue for delaying the payment of military pay. Former Vice Minister of Revenue Meng Huaijie confronted Guan Botang before His Majesty, detailing the amounts of military pay the Ministry of Revenue had allocated to the Ministry of War over the past three years. He claimed that the Dingyuan Army's pay was too enormous for the national treasury to bear. He then questioned Guan Botang, asking why the Ministry of War's military pay budget consistently exceeded expectations. The argument eventually escalated into the claim that General Bai was abusing his power and plotting nefariously."
Qi Xiao frowned and remained silent for a long time.
"The Ministry of War is under the control of the Gongsun family, and the Ministry of Revenue originally belonged to the Crown Prince. The two sides have always been at odds, arguing over everything. I don't know if anyone exploited this issue back then, but General Bai's power in the army far surpassed Guan Botang's. When the memorial impeaching General Bai came out, Guan Botang didn't say a word in his defense, only stating that General Bai had outstanding military achievements and that he trusted him deeply. He never suspected the large amount of military pay or any hidden secrets, and thus cleared himself of all charges. After General Bai's impeachment, Guan Botang immediately proposed disbanding the Dingyuan Army, as if he was afraid that the Ministry of Revenue would continue to pursue him, and he was eager to prove his innocence to Your Majesty. I find this very suspicious."
Ministry of War... Gongsun clan...
Qi Xiao gritted his teeth silently.
Seeing that he was silent, Lu Fangjin thought Qi Xiao had no clue either, so he said, "I'll continue to investigate."
Qi Xiao nodded: "Thank you."
"It's too early to thank you now. It's not your turn yet." Lu Fangjin patted Qi Xiao's shoulder and said, "Don't tell Bai Xiqiao for now, okay?"
"I have my measure."
"Okay. I'll be leaving now. Take care of yourself."
"I know. You too."
"By the way, next time you want to see me, don't come in person. Go to Taihe Temple and leave a note. I'll have Baixiqiao check on it on the first and fifth day of the lunar month."
"Okay, got it."
Qi Xiao didn't see Lu Fangjin off, and he left the same way he came.
"What did Lu Fangjin say?" Bai Xiqiao walked in.
"Tell me that someone in the court wants me to return to Fuzhou as soon as possible."
"What are you going to do?"
"Do nothing. Just wait patiently. Senior Brother, please do me a favor. Go to Taihe Temple and set up a memorial tablet for my mother. From now on, go there on the first and fifth day of every lunar month to burn incense. If Lu Fangjin needs anything, please leave a letter at Taihe Temple."
Bai Xiqiao nodded and said, "I'll go right away."
***
"Uncle Huang, did my father reply?"
As usual, Tang Ling entered the palace to play chess with His Majesty. Since the last time, His Majesty never mentioned Qi Xiao again. However, Tang Ling had to teach the Fifteenth Princess how to play chess every time she entered the palace, so she stayed in the palace for longer and longer periods of time.
After coming back today, I originally planned to go directly to Yangxizhai, but Huang Zexian invited me back first.
As soon as Tang Ling entered the room, before he had time to sit down, he asked if there was a letter from his father, Xun Anhou.
"Yes, I just received it this morning." Huang Zexian handed the note to Tang Ling and continued, "The Emperor has only discussed the matter of the coalition with a few cabinet ministers. As you said, they dare not leak the news. The marriage proposed by the Emperor of Chen is only known to the Marquis, and it has not yet been reported to the Emperor."
"Yeah." Tang Ling nodded and carefully read the reply letter from Xun Anhou. It was just a few words. While the alliance might be discussed, marriage was absolutely impossible.
Tang Ling breathed a sigh of relief.
Huang Zexian handed Tang Ling another piece of paper and said, "The Marquis has sent you another letter, but I didn't dare open it without your permission."
Tang Ling took it and sighed slightly, thinking it was about Qi Xiao, a lecture from his father. She didn't dare to open it and put it into her sleeve.
"Thank you, Uncle Huang. I understand what my father meant. I'd like to trouble you to take care of the peace talks. Let's first arrange Princess Xihe's marriage. Once the emperor's order arrives, we can discuss the coalition."
"I understand." Huang Zexian escorted Tang Ling out, opening his mouth several times to speak but ultimately holding it back. Even Xun Anhou's letter had arrived, but Tang Ling hadn't even glanced at it, which showed that no one else could persuade her. He only hoped that Tang Ling knew what she was doing and would not do anything that would be unworthy of the Emperor and the Marquis, or detrimental to the Great Zhou.
Tang Ling returned to his room in the inner courtyard and changed his clothes. He was anxious to see Qi Xiao, but the letter from Xun Anhou made him feel very upset. He sat down at the desk and placed the letter in front of him.
"Sir?" Qing Lan knocked on the door and entered, bringing Tang Ling a cup of ginseng tea. "Sir, you don't look well. Can I take your pulse?"
"I am fine."
Qing Lan was a little worried and asked, "Young Master, have you been sleeping well these days? I just made some calming incense. How about...how about I give it to you?"
Tang Ling has been staying in Yangxi Zhai these days. At first, Qinglan insisted on following her, but Tang Ling refused. He didn't dare to make trouble and could only worry and feel distressed by himself. He always wanted to do something for Tang Ling, but he was afraid that the people in Yangxi Zhai wouldn't serve her well enough.
But Qinglan had no idea that there were no servants serving in the inner courtyard of Yangxizhai, and the only one serving Tang Ling was Qi Xiao.
"Take it with you. Also prepare some calming tea." Tang Ling slept soundly with Qi Xiao by her side, but Qi Xiao did not seem to be feeling well, with a tired look in his eyes.
"Okay." Qinglan stood in front of Tang Ling, seemingly unwilling to leave.
"what happened?"
"Sir, are you planning to stay at Yangxizhai all the time and not come back?"
Tang Ling was stunned. It was not that he had not thought about this problem, but he just wanted to spend more time with Qi Xiao, at least for the time being.
"I'll be back in a few days."
"……Oh."
"You go down first."