Chapter 408: Damage

Translator: Atlas Studios Editor: Atlas Studios

Four years ago, Emperor Jingyan even wanted to support Qi Xiuyuan to fight against General Yuan. Two years ago, he was still willing to turn a blind eye to Qi Xiuyuan and let him expand his power. But now, he could no longer tolerate Qi Xiuyuan’s continued growth.

He did not expect the situation to change so quickly. Even if he was unwilling to admit it, he realized that this empire was slowly slipping out of his control.

Rebellions rose everywhere. After suppressing them for three years, not only were they unable to suppress them, but they also became more and more intense. General Yuan was already out of his control, but Qi Xiuyuan and the other generals were also gradually slipping out of his control.

The other generals were fine, but Qi Xiuyuan’s development was too fast. The Emperor was vexed. If he had been willing to bestow a princess to him back then, nothing might have happened.

Seeing that the Emperor was frowning, his trusted aide suggested softly, “Your Majesty, Qi Xiuyuan has a younger brother who’s very skilled in martial arts. I heard that he’s also very loved in the military.”

The Emperor snorted and said, “That’s all because of Qi Xiuyuan. I want to control Qi Xiuyuan, not his younger brother.”

If Qi Xiuyuan really wanted to rebel, he could very well just abandon his sister-in-law. Minister Qi’s daughter was too precious to be treated like that.

His trusted aide was speechless. He really wanted to say that if Qi Xiuyuan really wanted to rebel, it wouldn’t be of much use even if he had married a princess to him.

The Emperor knocked on the table and said, “However, even if a princess is out of the question, there’s always the daughters of other families. Doesn’t Minister Qin have a daughter of marriageable age?”

His trusted aide:Let Qi Xiuyuan and Minister Qin be in-laws?!

His trusted aide felt that this was a lousy idea. The Emperor might not be able to see Minister Qin’s ambition, but it didn’t mean that he couldn’t. If he linked Minister Qin and Qi Xiuyuan together, Qi Xiuyuan might be able to bring out his ambition eventually.

His trusted aide thought for a moment and said, “Your Majesty, Minister Qin’s daughter is precious. I’m afraid he won’t be willing. Why don’t we send someone to test them?”

The Emperor was unhappy, but he still nodded in agreement.

His trusted aide immediately said, “Since his younger brother is getting married, why don’t we let Qi Xiuyuan’s family return to the capital? Speaking of which, the Qi family hasn’t seen their eldest daughter-in-law yet.”

When third-grade generals and above led troops outside, their families would stay in the capital. This was a custom. Even General Yuan’s mother, wife, and daughter lived in the Duke Ding’s Estate in the capital.

As the Qi family was in Lin’an Prefecture, after Qi Xiuyuan got married in Jingzhao Prefecture, the Emperor did not think of bringing his family back.

His trusted aide hinted, “Your Majesty, Qi Feng has always been biased. Since Qi Xiuyuan left the capital to join the army at the age of 14, I’m afraid he doesn’t have much feelings for the Qi family. However, he dotes on Qi Haoran very much.”

The Emperor instantly understood and nodded. “You’re right. After I speak with Minister Qin, I’ll get Qi Haoran to bring Qi Xiuyuan’s family back.”

Minister Qin had many daughters, but he only had one legitimate daughter. When the Emperor mentioned it, he searched through his concubine daughters in his mind and really thought of three girls of a suitable age. However, he did not want to agree like this. If he agreed immediately when the Emperor mentioned it, wouldn’t the Emperor come to him whenever there was a marriage alliance in the future?

Even if his daughter was a concubine’s daughter, she was still valuable. Even if it was a marriage alliance, she had to choose someone with high status and value.

Hence, Minister Qin vaguely declined.

Faced with Minister Qin’s reluctance, the Emperor did not firmly insist. He did not force him to agree immediately and planned to slowly persuade him. Hence, he waved his hand and dismissed him.

That night, after changing shifts, a young eunuch accidentally fell on his way back. A note was silently stuffed under a rock by the roadside. Not long after, the note was taken out and tied to the pigeon’s leg before letting it fly.

Right now, Mu Yangling was looking at the account book in her hand with a headache. She turned to Li Jinghua and said, “Sister-in-law, since you know that they’re corrupt, why don’t you arrest them?”

“You cannot expect everyone to be squeaky clean. It’ll be the same if it were someone else. Their greed is still within my acceptable range. Naturally, I won’t do anything to them.” Li Jinghua was sincerely teaching Mu Yangling. She even told her such a confidential matter.

However, Mu Yangling disagreed. “I know that you cannot expect everyone to be squeaky clean. I’m not saying that the servants have to strictly carry out the orders of the higher-ups, but cooking the books is unacceptable behavior.”

Mu Yangling did not object to the purchaser accepting rewards and favors from the merchants outside. She could not ban it even if she wanted to. However, the Qi family’s purchaser bought things from the merchants at a slightly lower price and came back to report a high price. After the Qi family gave the money to the merchants, the purchaser would again take some commission from those merchants.

Perhaps Li Jinghua felt that the price he quoted was still within her acceptable range, so she did not punish him. However, what Mu Yangling cared about was his actions. Even if he only earned a copper coin from it, Mu Yangling would not allow it.

Li Jinghua looked at Mu Yangling helplessly, not sure how to explain. This was what she had been taught since she was young. Besides, what would she do after she had him arrested?

Regardless of whether he was beaten or punished, it wouldn’t stop the corruption from happening in the future. In that case, it was better to warn him every once in a while and let his actions remain under her control.

Not only the aristocratic families, but ordinary rich families also did the same.

Mu Yangling looked at her speechlessly. Those servants were greedy for her money, okay? She could only sigh. “Sister-in-law, you really don’t know how precious money is since you don’t have to earn it.”

Blushing, Li Jinghua said softly, “Before I married into the family, this was how Master dealt with things, too.”

Mu Yangling perked up and said with bright eyes, “Sister-in-law, when I marry into the family, watch how I take charge of the household. If anyone dares to covet money from me like this, hmph!”

Li Jinghua hurriedly said, “Ah Ling, we’re the masters and they’re slaves. There’s really no need to be petty with them over something trivial. With a little forbearance, you will find calm and peace…”

“That’s not a master-servant relationship, right? Sister-in-law, don’t bully me for not being lowly educated…”

Alright, she couldn’t teach her anymore. Li Jinghua could only watch Mu Yangling perform freely.

When Li Jinghua told Qi Xiuyuan about the incident that night, Qi Xiuyuan felt a headache coming on. “Haoran has always been like this. Unfortunately, she’s also an unyielding one.”

Li Jinghua leaned against his chest and smiled. “Perhaps they fell for each other because of their compatible temperaments? Why don’t we send an old nanny to them when the time comes?”

Qi Xiuyuan thought for a moment and shook his head. “Forget it. Let them do whatever they want. If not, you can take over when the time comes. We can combine the two families. It’s just that it’ll be a little tough on you.”

Stunned, Li Jinghua asked, “Will Sister Mu agree?”

Smiling, Qi Xiuyuan replied, “She can’t wait to be free. She’s focused on farming now, the matters outside are enough to keep her busy. If you’re willing to be her butler, she’ll definitely prepare a big gift to thank you.”

Li Jinghua asked hesitantly, “Ah Ling really go to the fields personally?”

“Isn’t that normal?” Qi Xiuyuan asked.

This was abnormal, alright? However, Li Jinghua did not say it out loud. Seeing Qi Xiuyuan get up to take the sealed medicine on the table, she asked with concern, “When did the doctor say that the poison in your body will be removed?”

“This is the last dose of medicine. There won’t be any effect even if I drink more.” Qi Xiuyuan patted her shoulder comfortingly. “Don’t worry. Didn’t Pang Kongqing say that as long as I eat medicinal cuisine, this poison will be completely cured in two to three years?”

Li Jinghua mumbled, “That’s too long…”

“It’s the same for all medicinal cuisines.” Qi Xiuyuan said in satisfaction, “I’m already very satisfied with being able to cure the remaining poison. So be it..”

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