It was said to be a bath.

But Jiang Chen was in his prime, and he had practiced the guiding technique, so his energy was at its peak. How could he be honest?

It wasn't until dusk that he sounded the retreat and busied himself with serious matters.

Evening.

Two imperial edicts were issued from the Hall of Diligent Governance.

One for Yuan Buyi, and the other for Xu Changqing.

As soon as the edicts were issued, they stirred up a thousand waves.

The civil and military officials of the court all rushed to meet each other, pondering the deep meaning of Jiang Chen's actions.

Why did His Majesty suddenly attach importance to two marginalized people?

Mei Ruoying couldn't hold back her emotions and directly sent someone to the Hall of Diligent Governance to seek favor.

"Your Majesty, Consort Mei has sent word that Chengqian Palace has prepared wine, dishes, and music, and is waiting for your arrival."

"Consort Wang also said that she is feeling unwell and hopes that Your Majesty will visit her, and not forget the agreement of earlier." Feng Jin said, prostrate on the ground.

Hearing the name Mei Ruoying, Jiang Chen's mind was filled with that captivating figure.

Compared to the pure and elegant Shugui Consort, who was like a lily, Mei Ruoying's beauty was more domineering, like a peony in full bloom, rich and dazzling.

As a man, Jiang Chen instinctively wanted to possess Mei Ruoying.

But this woman's identity was too sensitive and needed to be investigated, even eliminated!

While pondering, Jiang Chen felt a faint gaze fall upon him.

It was the gaze of Shugui Consort, full of apprehension and retention.

Well, she has already arranged the sleeping arrangements, so if I leave now, she will definitely be very sad, right?

Thinking of this, Jiang Chen turned his gaze back to the memorial and said indifferently:

"Since Consort Mei is not feeling well, then let her rest early. If it really doesn't work, then invite the imperial physician. I won't go there tonight."

"Also, remind her about the fine."

"Tomorrow after the morning court, I want to see those antiques and jewelry appear in the inner treasury."

Feng Jin's eyes widened when he heard this, very surprised.

But he didn't dare to ask more questions.

After performing the ceremony, he exited the door.

Beside him, Shugui Consort curled up the corners of her mouth, and the sorrow on her face disappeared.

His Majesty still has me in his heart. These two days of favor are not just a whim!

"Your Majesty, it's getting late, it's time to go to bed." She swayed her willow waist gently, her footsteps slightly slow.

Serving Jiang Chen these past few days has really been exhausting.

Jiang Chen stopped flipping through the memorials, raised his eyes to look at Shugui Consort, and sighed:

"Don't rush, these memorials haven't been approved yet. State affairs are important, so let's put the bedtime matter aside for now."

"Yuan Buyi is efficient and has already compiled the situation of the victims into a book and submitted it to me."

Speaking of this, Jiang Chen's mouth curled into a bitter smile.

"Now, the fertile fields in the Wei River area have been flooded, and the people lack food and clothing, and have fled to neighboring prefectures..."

"I am willing to provide disaster relief, but the national treasury is empty. Even if I stop building the palace, the money saved will be a drop in the bucket, and it won't even be enough to fill the stomachs of the victims!"

Shugui Consort's eyebrows instantly furrowed when she heard this.

She came from a merchant family and understood the suffering of the people.

Now that the Wei River is flooded, submerging a state, if the court does not handle it properly, many people will die.

Thinking of this, Shugui Consort's pretty face straightened, and she turned to go to the bedroom.

A moment later, she held out a wooden box.

"Your Majesty, this concubine is willing to do her best to help you with disaster relief."

Jiang Chen was slightly stunned, looked at the box, and asked suspiciously: "Beloved Consort, what is this?"

"This is this concubine's private property, as well as the jewelry bestowed by Your Majesty."

"This concubine wants to dedicate them all to Your Majesty for disaster relief."

As soon as she finished speaking, a touch of emotion rose in Jiang Chen's eyes, but he didn't intend to accept it.

What kind of ability is it to take money from one's own people?

Seeing Jiang Chen's resistance, Shugui Consort smiled gently and persuaded:

"Your Majesty, this concubine lives in the palace and has no worries about food and clothing. These worldly possessions are dispensable to me."

"But for those displaced people who don't have enough to eat, these riches are their hope for survival!"

"Being able to share your worries and relieve the people's plight is this concubine's wish, and I hope Your Majesty will not refuse!"

Looking at Shugui Consort's clear and bright eyes, Jiang Chen couldn't say the words of refusal.

"Beloved Consort, I appreciate your kindness."

"But these jewelry can't be exchanged for much money either. Disaster relief still depends on the imperial court..."

Before Jiang Chen could finish speaking, Shugui Consort took his hand and said with a smile:

"Your Majesty, don't underestimate this concubine!"

"Open it and take a look. The things inside will definitely not disappoint you!"

Jiang Chen became interested.

Shugui Consort's mysterious appearance made him a little curious.

He couldn't wait to open it.

A dazzling array of jewels, piled up into a pagoda shape, shone brightly, along with stacks of silver notes and a small agate seal.

Jiang Chen flipped through them casually, his eyes widening as he looked.

In the box, the smallest denomination of silver notes was as huge as "fifty thousand taels," and the seal had the four characters "Xingli Trading Company" engraved on it.

In the original owner's memory, this "Xingli Trading Company" was the head of the five great merchants of Great Wei, richer than a country!

"Beloved Consort, where did you get these things?"

Shugui Consort smiled and said: "Your Majesty, these are all the dowry that this concubine brought when I married into the royal family. Have you even forgotten this?"

Jiang Chen frowned and recalled.

Shugui Consort's family, the Xu family, was not a noble family, but a wealthy merchant family in Jinyang.

When the Great Ancestor of Great Wei was conquering the world, the ancestors of the Xu family followed him with money and food. Later, with the support of the royal family, they established the 'Xingli Trading Company,' and became the richest man in Great Wei in one fell swoop.

It seems that the reason why the original owner married Shugui Consort was because of the Xu family's wealth. The seal of the 'Xingli Trading Company' was voluntarily offered by the head of the Xu family.

"Cough, my memory is really not good. I forgot such an important thing!"

Saying that, Jiang Chen excitedly hugged Shugui Consort, his big hands constantly moving over her exquisite curves.

His Majesty is so happy, it seems that the money for disaster relief should be resolved.

Thinking, Shugui Consort's pretty face showed a touch of satisfaction, and she said softly:

"Your Majesty, with this seal, you can take any money from the Xingli Trading Company."

"If there is not enough money in the account, this concubine can write another letter and send it back to my parents to ask for more money to help Your Majesty get through this difficult time."

Hearing this, Jiang Chen pinched Shugui Consort's face and denied:

"Yun'er, this money should not be paid by your Xu family!"

"Moreover, although this method can solve the urgent problem, it is not a fundamental solution, and the problem of the empty national treasury has not been solved."

Jiang Chen regarded Shugui Consort as his wife, and this woman was worth his careful treatment.

On the other hand, Mei Ruoying, although beautiful, could only grab his lower body at most, and was not worth investing in emotionally.

Shugui Consort frowned and persuaded, "Your Majesty, although that's the case, the matter of disaster relief cannot be delayed!"

"If the court's relief is delayed by one day, the people on both sides of the Wei River will have to go hungry for one more day. We can use this method to deal with the emergency first."

"As long as this concubine speaks, my parents will definitely agree to donate money for disaster relief!"

Jiang Chen did not let go.

He held Shugui Consort's shoulders, met her beautiful autumn eyes, and said without doubt:

"Yun'er, don't worry, I've already thought of a way."

"Now that the national treasury is empty and the people are suffering, those local officials should also pay! Whoever took my money must pay it back twice over!"

"The hole in the national treasury should not be filled by your Xu family!"

Hearing this, Shugui Consort's beautiful eyes widened instantly, and her gaze at Jiang Chen was unconsciously filled with admiration.

His Majesty is becoming more and more like a wise ruler!

"Yun'er, I'll take this seal and the silver notes. You deserve credit for disaster relief, but you should keep these jewels for yourself. Also, don't ask your father-in-law and mother-in-law for money."

"Tomorrow's early court, I will have a way to make the officials pay!"

Shugui Consort responded obediently, but she was thinking about how to reduce Jiang Chen's pressure without borrowing money.

Although the harem is not allowed to interfere in politics, she is a noble consort, and it should not be taboo to organize fundraising in the palace.

The next day.

The sky was clear and the air was fresh.

Deep in the inner palace, a breeze lifted the tightly drawn curtains, revealing a charming scene.

At the foot of the bed, the brocade quilt was piled into a ball. Shugui Consort's snow-white skin was covered with sweat, and her soft and delicate body was covered with red marks.

Her pretty face was flushed, shy and embarrassed, hiding behind Jiang Chen, she instructed:

"Wan'er, quickly prepare the washing utensils, don't delay His Majesty's morning court."

"It doesn't matter, it doesn't matter if it's a little later!"

Saying that, Jiang Chen pulled Shugui Consort over...