readytorunbook Chapter 652: It’s better to stop the thief once and for all
Chapter 652: It’s better to stop the thief once and for all
Although Hongxia was slow to react, he was very picky about his taste. As long as the maidservant across from him had chapped lips, darkened skin, or something else wrong, he would take the initiative to ask his sixth brother to replace her with someone more capable.
In this way, after half a month, all the young palace maids who stayed close to Hongzhan were exiled to even more desolate places on the grounds that they were "unfit for important tasks."
When An Lingrong heard Hongzhan talk about this, she patted his shoulder with relief.
"You've grown up!"
"Only Prince Guo, who is good with women, can use such despicable means as forcing women into your side."
"Hongzhan, don't worry about him for now. The Eleventh Prince is not favored by the Emperor, and the other group of people are probably getting restless. You three brothers all live in the fourth building east of Fuyuan Gate, so you must be extra careful."
She secretly sent people to guard it, and the guards assigned to her by Concubine Nian were also arranged to patrol deep inside the cave.
"My son understands."
The mother and son exchanged a knowing look.
It is not convenient for those evil spirits to take action in the deep palace, so coming to the garden is giving those in the dark a chance.
At the same time, he also had the idea of taking a risk and improving Hongzhan's status in the emperor's heart.
The garden is surrounded by mountains and water, and each place is a certain distance away from each other. It is much cooler and more pleasant than the square palace.
During the half month since he came to the garden, there was only a light rain that did not even wet the ground, and the emperor's brows were furrowed even more.
He even sighed when he came to Louyue Kaiyun for dinner.
"Rong'er, I've sent a message to Li Wei, asking him to secretly collect the grain. Fortunately, Hongzhan is smart and has given me a large sum of silver. If there is no rain today, the grain we collect will only be enough to meet our immediate needs."
The emperor looked at the fresh vegetables and fruits on the table with concern.
"Even if I reduce taxes, the people will still have a hard time."
The emperor ordered his men to be careful when selling ice.
From the grand scene of each family scrambling to buy ice, the emperor discovered that a group of people under his command were extremely wealthy and enjoyed life even better than he, the emperor.
But this group of people came to him one after another and cried poor.
The emperor has ordered Xia Qie to investigate, and anyone who extorts money from the people will be severely punished.
An Lingrong took out a booklet and a box at the appropriate time and presented them respectfully.
"Your Majesty's concern for the people is a blessing for all. I see you worrying day and night, so I, along with the sisters in the harem, will do my best to help."
"This booklet records the silver donated by the sisters. Not a penny less was placed in the box."
"However, there is a limit to what we can do. Your Majesty, please accept it."
"Rong'er, you are really..."
The emperor swallowed the words he had used to praise Rouze, patted her hand gently, and said everything without saying a word.
Then he took the booklet and started flipping through it. Seeing that the concubines who came to the palace this time had all contributed, he felt very relieved.
An Lingrong placed the small box next to the emperor and spoke with a smile.
"Your Majesty, several princesses heard about what I and my sisters did, and they also came to me with silver. However, the princesses are still young, and all their money was given by Your Majesty, so I took the initiative to let them save up their dowries for them."
"This is what I paid for the princesses."
As she spoke, she placed a simple purse on the small box.
"You are all so thoughtful. The Imperial Household Department will prepare the princess's dowry. Tell them to relax. I will not treat my daughter unfairly."
An Lingrong's behavior reminded the emperor of the deposed empress's strict frugality. It was simply impossible to simply hand the money to him as it was now.
Rong'er is doing practical things for the people, which is more real than just verbal words.
The emperor felt warm in his heart, thinking that the petite woman in front of him cared about him, so he tried every means to solve his problems.
It's just that his feelings came and went quickly.
"Rong'er, you just need to take care of the harem for me. The affairs of the former court will be handled by the ministers."
The rules left by our ancestors: The harem is not allowed to interfere in politics!
He has always kept it firmly in mind, and this is the bottom line that no one is allowed to touch.
"Yes, I thank the Emperor for his consideration."
An Lingrong responded softly, not taking the emperor's change of attitude to heart.
She had long been accustomed to the emperor's suspicion and fickleness.
It seems that I should be more restrained in my actions in the future.
The emperor perhaps felt that his words were a little stiff, so he stayed with An Lingrong for half an hour before returning to the Qinzheng Hall to handle government affairs.
On the way back, he looked at Su Peisheng who was following him and asked softly, "Do you think what I said to the Imperial Concubine just now was a bit too much?"
Su Peisheng's heart trembled, and he answered cautiously.
"Master, the Imperial Concubine has a pure mind and always keeps you in mind. I saw that she didn't seem to understand what you meant just now."
Su Peisheng raised the small jar in his hand and explained in a low voice.
"Your Majesty, this is what Miss Baoque put in my hand. She said that the Imperial Noble Consort specially asked the imperial physician to prepare this summer-relief ointment, and asked me to brew it for you every day."
"She really took me to heart."
The emperor smiled heartily.
"Not everyone is the Great Saint Queen. I am indeed paranoid."
"Master, you are strictly following the teachings of our ancestors. How can you be so cautious and cautious?"
Su Peisheng chuckled and changed the subject.
"I will ask Imperial Physician Li to check the summer heat ointment later and then make you a cup."
At the same time, he also warned himself in his heart not to openly favor the imperial concubine and her son.
The master is still worried about Concubine Zhen's affairs, and any movement of other concubines in the harem will be noticed.
The garden is surrounded by mountains and water, and the wind blowing from the lake brings a hint of coolness.
Hongzhan, who had not finished his homework yet, was writing furiously in the study. Xiao Wuzi tiptoed to the side to grind the ink, and he reported in a low voice.
"Master, the servants have discovered something unusual. Three people returned today with grease and tinder. Two of them were originally serving in the depths of the cave, and the other was recently transferred in through the backdoor."
The pen in Hongzhan's hand was still writing smoothly, and there was no change on his face.
"How much grease and tinder?"
Xiao Wuzi reported what he had found with a serious look on his face.
"Master, there are three small jars of grease and three tinderboxes."
"The person behind this is quite ambitious, wanting to capture all three of us brothers in one fell swoop." Hongzhan chuckled, put down his pen, and a fierce look flashed in his eyes. "It's better to get rid of thieves once and for all than to guard against them for a thousand days. Eunuch Wu, please..."
"Master, there is a great risk in doing this. Why don't we just stick to our original plan?"
Xiao Wuzi knelt on the ground and begged him to take back his decision.
Hongzhan shook his head firmly.
"Eunuch Wu, Hongzhan knows what's going on. You don't need to worry. There are spies from the Emperor's side deep within the cave. It might arouse suspicion, so don't tell Mother about the change of strategy."
"master......"
Xiao Wuzi wanted to persuade him again, but was interrupted by a sudden excited voice.