Mu Rong Yingxue listened to Yun Xiao's words, catching her breath and taking a deep breath, her mind a little chaotic. She knew everything the woman said was right, but had she really made a mistake? Or was it that her father's initial rescue was also to find her a companion, and they all had selfish motives?
Seeing that Mu Rong Yingxue remained silent, Yun Xiao stopped speaking, hoping she would realize her mistake.
A cold wind swept through the sleeping quarters. Mu Rong Yingxue shivered and her gaze shifted to her feet. Slowly, she raised her head, tears in her eyes.
"Then I won't compete, I won't fight. Will you let me go and not make me marry into another country?"
"I cannot keep you. I cannot keep you in any situation where there is even a tiny bit of danger. Although you have realized your mistake now, perhaps one day you might become greedy again. In that case, I would be nurturing a threat myself. I will not do such a thing. However, I can promise you that when you leave Dong Qin, I can cure your foot ailment. The rest of your life is your own. Do not think that Bei Chao is not good. True feelings can be found everywhere, it just depends on whether you can grasp them."
After Yun Xiao finished speaking, she stood up and walked towards the exit. She didn't know if Mu Rong Yingxue understood or not, but she had done everything she could to be benevolent.
In the sleeping quarters, Mu Rong Yingxue wept silently, unsure if she was grieving for finally giving up, or for her inability to defeat that woman. In any case, tears fell like pearls from a broken string.
Outside the door, Yun Xiao led a group of people away.
Hua Zhi rushed into the sleeping quarters, relieved to see that the princess was unharmed. She walked over and looked at her, "Princess?"
Mu Rong Yingxue suddenly raised her head and looked at her, throwing herself into her arms. "Hua Zhi, from now on, I only have you. I'm going to Bei Chao, will you accompany me?"
Hua Zhi's nose felt sore. She had grown up in Yun Shui Mountain Villa. The young lady was spoiled and willful, hitting and scolding her, but she was a servant of the Mu Rong family. How could she not leave with her master?
"Princess, please rest assured. This servant will follow you."
"Hua Zhi, I was not good to you before."
Mu Rong Yingxue cried again, hugging Hua Zhi tightly. She didn't want to think about anything now.
Yun Xiao led her people back to Qing Xiao Palace. Liu Xing had already returned and reported on the situation of Young Master Yun. When Yun Xiao heard that he was out of danger, she finally felt relieved and stayed in the palace with peace of mind.
The Emperor had been in the study, handling state affairs. Reports from various provinces were gradually coming in. He investigated them carefully and discovered that many matters harbored hidden problems.
Whether it was commerce, agriculture, criminal law, or military affairs, everything on the surface appeared to be a hollow shell. In this state, it could only maintain peace for now. If this continued for another ten years, Dong Qin would truly be ruined.
Merchants were driven by profit, and the common people bore excessively high taxes. After farming, they didn't even have enough to eat. Many families abandoned their fields altogether and resorted to robbing and looting. This led to the emergence of many mountain bandits in various provinces, and the criminal justice system was severely flawed.
Officials in various regions had become local tyrants, with their own judicial procedures. Many cases were not even reported to the higher authorities.
Due to the impact on civil and military affairs and commerce, the morale in various provinces was greatly affected. He had not been involved in managing these matters before and had assumed that Dong Qin was as prosperous as ever.
Upon investigation, it turned out that his father, the former Emperor, had neglected management, affecting all levels of government.
As dusk approached, Fu Hai entered and spoke cautiously, "Your Majesty, it's getting dark. Should I send for a meal?"
At his words, Shang Guan Yin returned to his senses. He looked up and saw that the sky had indeed darkened. The moonlight flowed faintly, and the clear light shone through the doorway, illuminating half the room.
Bright lamps had been lit in the study, and he had been so engrossed that he had forgotten the time. He recalled his wedding the previous day and that once he got busy, he would lose track of time.
Just as Xiao'er had said, these matters had to be resolved one by one. Haste makes waste.
"Yes, let's return to Qing Xiao Palace."
Shang Guan Yin stood up and stretched his body. After an afternoon of work, he felt as if his entire body had become stiff.
He walked out, his tall figure moving with ease. Fu Hai quickly followed. Outside, eunuchs holding lamps led the way, and the group returned to Qing Xiao Palace.
Yun Xiao was in the main hall, talking to someone. Upon hearing the announcement, she waved her hand, dismissing the several palace maids beside her.
The imperial yellow figure strode in under the moonlight. His dragon robe was resplendent, and his golden crown was dazzling, making him look exceptionally handsome. His jade-like face was filled with a radiant glow, and a smile played at the corners of his eyes and lips. Yun Xiao stood up and walked over, taking his hand and leading him to the side, asking softly, "Has Your Majesty had dinner?"
"Not yet. What about you, Xiao'er?"
"I was waiting for Your Majesty."
Yun Xiao said with a smile. In reality, she had slept a little in the afternoon and wasn't very hungry.
However, she was feeling a bit hungry now. She ordered Fu Hai to bring in the dinner, which was laid out on a table full of dishes. Since only the two of them were eating, Yun Xiao glanced at the spread and raised her eyebrows, instructing Fu Hai, who was standing nearby.
"From now on, for meals, pick two dishes that I like and two dishes that His Majesty likes. There's no need for such waste. Do you understand?"
As soon as Yun Xiao spoke, Fu Hai was taken aback, not knowing what to say. He looked up at the Emperor beside him. Shang Guan Yin glared at him. "Haven't you heard what the Consort said?"
Actually, he hadn't noticed it before. But today, after a thorough investigation, he discovered that the national treasury did not have much silver reserves.
If they were to go to war, it would likely become apparent. The thought of this made Shang Guan Yin increasingly agitated.
His demeanor became even colder. He shot Fu Hai an angry glare, waved his hand, and dismissed everyone in the hall, even Wan Wan and Qiao'er.
Yun Xiao served him food while asking with concern, "Did something happen?"
"Xiao'er, I never expected things to be so serious."
Shang Guan Yin's words startled Yun Xiao. She didn't know what he was referring to. She waited quietly. As Shang Guan Yin began to speak, she found herself unable to eat.
"Dong Qin appears prosperous and wealthy on the surface, but in reality, it is just an empty shell. Commerce, agriculture, criminal law, and military affairs – every aspect has too many flaws. Even the national treasury has little actual silver, and the Ministry of Revenue has concealed this fact. Tell me, how bad is this situation?"
Shang Guan Yin's words shocked Yun Xiao. She hadn't expected it to be so dire.
Perhaps it was over the course of several years, or even a decade, that many officials and wealthy individuals grew rich, but hollowed out the nation's coffers.
With corrupt merchants in power, colluding with government officials, the common people suffered, and the nation was left empty. This situation could not continue.
Yun Xiao frowned and thought for a moment. She reached out and placed her hand on Shang Guan Yin's, speaking in a deep voice.
"Mu Rong, don't worry, I'm here. How about this: from now on, bring all those state affairs to Qing Xiao Palace. We'll solve them together. Why is the national treasury empty, yet many high officials are swimming in wealth? You should clean house. Once you do, won't their money return to the national treasury?"