The year started with good news, and Situ Yan, overjoyed, not only approved the list of rewards presented by the Duke of Xie but also considered increasing the compensation for disabled soldiers.
The Minister of Revenue, along with his left and right deputies, beat their heads against pillars to thwart his dangerous idea.
The Ministry of Revenue was out of funds.
As the saying goes, even a hero is troubled by a single coin. Situ Yan, now Emperor, once again felt the deep malice of the world. Why, despite being Emperor, was he still a pauper? Lu Nianfu comforted him, "Once the border conflicts completely cease, you can begin to save money. With the Southern Barbarians off to a good start, the Northern Frontier should also have good news soon."
Fate, however, did not comply. The war in the Northern Frontier had fallen into a stalemate.
There were small battles every three days and major battles every ten days. Although they won more than they lost, the casualties were immense.
Situ Yan had experienced the hardship of insufficient strategic supplies and practically hovered over the Ministry of Revenue, ensuring grain, fodder, and new weapons were transported to Dinghai Pass.
The civil officials in the imperial court sighed repeatedly. The former Emperor favored the military over the civil, and the current Emperor Jinwu surpassed him, as if the words "Revere the Military" were branded on his forehead. The future looked bleak. To gain official positions and titles, one would have to have their children abandon their studies for military service.
But the battlefield was fraught with variables.
How many parents would be willing to send their children to the battlefield? Enduring hardship was one thing, but what if they accidentally lost their lives? Their wives would surely raise a fuss at home.
Forget the legitimate sons; it was better to send the illegitimate ones.
In the blink of an eye, Zeng Weiyang had been at her mother's home for over half a month.
Unfortunately, Lu Nianfu had not returned. She watched coldly as Madam Ban was invited into the palace twice with letters. This further solidified her belief that if she could soften Madam Ban's heart, she could definitely get Lu Nianfu to help her.
But Madam Ban had repeatedly avoided her.
If she had known Lu Nianfu would be the ultimate victor, she would have clung to her leg back then, rather than betraying her to save her own life. It was also Lu Nianfu's fault for being so petty. Even as Empress, she still held onto past grievances.
Hadn't she only bled her a few times? Wasn't she still living well now?
One day, she took a bowl of bird's nest soup to Tanxiang Courtyard. As she reached the floral gate, she took a deep breath and put on an innocent and harmless expression.
She had rehearsed today's plea dozens of times in her mind, determined to make Madam Ban soften.
Suddenly, hurried footsteps approached from behind. Steward Yan practically ran into the floral gate, nearly knocking over the bird's nest soup in her hand.
"You blind fool!" Zeng Weiyang was furious. She quickly protected the bird's nest bowl and hurried after him. Passing through the floral gate and crossing a cobblestone path, she saw Ziwei guarding the entrance.
"Nanny Ziwei, where is Mother? I made her a bowl of bird's nest soup?"
Ziwei, unlike Qiangwei, did not outwardly display her emotions, but her dislike for Zeng Weiyang was the same. She glanced at the soup bowl in Zeng Weiyang's hand, suppressing her inner anxiety. "Madam is busy with important matters at the moment. It would be best if Second Miss enjoyed this bird's nest soup herself."
"But didn't Steward Yan just go in?"
"Madam is busy discussing matters with the steward."
Zeng Weiyang's gaze went past Ziwei and settled on the closed door.
She recalled Steward Yan's appearance and thought, could Madam Ban have taken a liking to him? Her expression was too revealing, and Ziwei understood her meaning, her face immediately darkening. "Second Miss, if you have nothing else, it would be best if you return. When you can afford to buy bird's nest soup for Madam, then we can discuss filial piety."
Zeng Weiyang had not even brought a single bag when she returned to the mansion. She had to borrow money from Madam to buy new clothes. Where did she get the nerve to be so magnanimous? Did the bird's nest soup delivered by the eldest daughter become hers simply because it passed through her hands?
Having been rebuffed by Qiangwei so many times, Zeng Weiyang didn't feel particularly embarrassed.
She dutifully carried the bird's nest soup away. However, as she ate the bird's nest soup in her own courtyard, she bitterly thought that one day, when she rose again, she would have both of them sold to brothels.
A letter arrived from Lingnan: Madam Ban's elder brother was not well.
Lingnan was humid and hot, with many miasmas and poisonous insects, making it unsuitable for living. Old Master Ban, having been sentenced to a beating and not having a proper recovery, passed away not long after.
Old Madam Ban was greatly struck by the news and remained frail thereafter. Not wanting to burden her son, she secretly disposed of her medicine and, before two years had passed, also departed for the netherworld. Only Ban's eldest son and youngest son remained in Lingnan. By then, Ban's eldest son was married. However, during the Ban family's downfall, he divorced his wife, telling her to return to her maiden home.
He never remarried in Lingnan thereafter.
However, Ban's youngest son was admired by a tofu seller's daughter a few years later. They now had two sons and one daughter. The eldest daughter was fifteen, the eldest son thirteen, and took his mother's surname Wang. The youngest son was just ten years old, considered the sole remaining bloodline of the Ban family.
Madam Ban wept and said to Yan Qing, "Brother Yan, pack our things. I want to go to Lingnan for a visit."
Yan Qing was silent for a moment. "Madam could perhaps seek an audience with the Empress. Regarding the case from that year, the Ban family was implicated but not the main culprits. After so many years, perhaps you could beg for a pardon."
Madam Ban was stunned, then shook her head after a pause. "Xi Xi's family background has always been criticized. So many people are watching. If I, as a mother, cannot provide her with assistance, how can I drag her down? Fortunately, thanks to you, the household is now relatively well-off. I should bring more money with me, as well as high-quality medicinal herbs. Brother Yan, I would trouble you to prepare a little more."
"Madam, the Empress's situation is not as dire as you think, and the Emperor truly cherishes her."
Yan Qing felt that it was always worth trying, but Madam Ban was unwilling.
In the afternoon, while Yan Qing was busy preparing the carriage and luggage for the journey, Madam Ban requested an audience with the Empress.