"Ah?"
The words made Official Zhang's mouth fall open, leaving him speechless for a moment.
Mu Changxi's previously icy gaze finally turned to Official Zhang.
He personally ladled a bowl of congee and placed it before Official Zhang. "Official Zhang, the two hundred thousand taels of silver that Father Emperor ordered this prince to transport to the disaster-stricken areas of Haizhou will not need to enter Pingzhou City now."
He let out a cold laugh. "Naturally, the fifty thousand taels designated for disaster relief in Pingzhou City also need not be sent into Pingzhou City."
For some reason, Song Chaoyu felt that Mu Changxi had never intended to send the money into Pingzhou City in the first place. It was just that Official Zhang had now provided them with a good excuse to not send it.
Although fifty thousand taels of silver was not a large sum, it was still considerable.
Having worked under Mu Hansu before, Official Zhang had pocketed a great deal of illicit gains.
Now, seeing fifty thousand taels of silver about to "fly away" before his eyes, how could he be willing?
What Song Chaoyu hadn't expected was that Official Zhang would directly kneel before the two of them.
Without a word, he slapped his own cheek fiercely. "This subordinate deserves death! This subordinate deserves death! It is entirely because this subordinate failed to clearly instruct his subordinates that Your Highness and Her Highness could not enter the city last night. This subordinate deserves death! But this subordinate would never dare to delay the imperial court's disaster relief efforts. I implore Your Highness to reconsider!"
"Heh—"
Mu Changxi let out a cold laugh. "Official Zhang, is Father Emperor's decree unclear? Even if this fifty thousand taels does not enter Pingzhou City, it will not delay the disaster relief efforts. After all, Yuezhou and Yizhou will reach Haizhou later. Although Father Emperor believes Pingzhou City is the best place to accommodate disaster victims, Father Emperor also made it clear to this prince before I left the capital, telling me to make my own decisions. If not for Pingzhou City, there are still Yuezhou City and Yizhou City, aren't there?"
"No, no, no!"
At this moment, Official Zhang no longer cared about the increasing number of curious onlookers on the official road looking their way. He hurriedly explained to Mu Changxi, "Yuezhou City is too small, and some areas of Yizhou City have also suffered disasters, so I'm afraid they are truly unable to accommodate disaster victims. Pingzhou City, however, is large and has a precedent for accommodating disaster victims, making it the most suitable place."
However, Mu Changxi no longer replied to Official Zhang, merely continuing to drink his shredded chicken congee.
Song Chaoyu also smiled and pointed to the bowl of shredded chicken congee. "Official Zhang, why don't you have some? The maid beside me is quite skilled at cooking."
Official Zhang did not know whether he should drink this bowl of congee or not.
Seeing that he did not move, Song Chaoyu said nothing more.
Mu Changxi waved his hand at Official Zhang. "Official Zhang, please rise."
Official Zhang stood up, waiting for Mu Changxi to leave with him.
Mu Changxi's tone was impatient. "What, Official Zhang, do you have anything else to say?"
"No... no."
Official Zhang truly could not fathom Mu Changxi's intentions and tentatively spoke again, "Your Highness, shall we return to Pingzhou City together?"
Mu Changxi frowned. "Are you not understanding my words?!"
His gaze suddenly sharpened, startling Official Zhang, who took a step back, not daring to say more.
Song Chaoyu also stepped forward and smiled at Official Zhang. "Since you have already eaten, Adult, we will not keep you. I imagine the affairs in Pingzhou City are pressing, and everything will still depend on you to handle upon your return!"
This statement was clear enough. How could Official Zhang have any other thoughts?
He could only leave the camp of Prince Chang's mansion dejectedly, looking back three times, and thinking of making long-term plans.
Mu Changxi also stared at Official Zhang's retreating back, his gaze growing colder as he instructed Ping Jiang, "If he comes again, do not let him approach. Then you will instruct them to pack our belongings in the evening, and we will depart early tomorrow morning."
Ping Jiang was stunned. "Aren't we supposed to stay in Pingzhou City for another day?"
Mu Changxi let out a cold laugh. "If we can't even enter the city gates, and they don't welcome us, then we shall simply leave!"
Ping Jiang understood Mu Changxi's meaning and went to attend to the matter.
Song Chaoyu asked in a low voice, "In this way, won't it be too easy for this scoundrel?"
Mu Changxi took Song Chaoyu's hand. "Naturally not. Once you know the enemy's weakness, you know how to deal with them."
Song Chaoyu pondered. "Official Zhang's weakness is greed for money?"
Mu Changxi nodded, then called for Xiao Ruizhi. "Leave fifty thousand taels of silver in Pingzhou City. Assign a small team to guard it, but do not guard against Official Zhang. And you must make sure Official Zhang knows that I have left this silver in Pingzhou City. It would be best if you personally find a secure place, not too far from the yamen, but not related to the yamen, to store these things."
Xiao Ruizhi also understood Mu Changxi's intention. "This is easy! Madam Zhuoyang County has a silver bank in Pingzhou City. If we present Your Highness's letter, that silver bank will surely find a suitable place for us to store it, and 'accidentally' leak the news to Official Zhang!"
Song Chaoyu knew of Madam Zhuoyang County. She had lived as a widow in Pingzhou City for many years and was not considered one of Mu Hansu's people, although she did have some dealings with Official Zhang.
Xiao Ruizhi accepted the order and hurried off to busy himself.
Mu Changxi's tone was very calm. "For someone who loves money, with fifty thousand taels placed before his eyes, would he not be tempted?"
Song Chaoyu also sneered. "I imagine when this fifty thousand taels is lost, he will likely blame Your Highness. However, since we have legitimately stored it in a place found by Madam Zhuoyang County, does Your Highness still need to submit a memorial to the Emperor?"
Mu Changxi looked at Song Chaoyu with admiration. "You think of everything. I will go and do it now, and have it sent back by express mail, eight hundred li per day."
At that time, the Emperor would also know that the fifty thousand taels were only temporarily stored in Pingzhou City, but were taken by Official Zhang. Official Zhang would be like a bird in a cage, unable to escape.
And without Official Zhang, this "money bag," Mu Hansu would likely die of anger in the capital.
In fact, this scheme was not difficult to set up, but Song Chaoyu felt that the biggest mistake everyone made was underestimating Mu Changxi!
They only thought Mu Changxi was a crippled prince unable to move, but no one knew that Mu Changxi also had his own world within his heart.
It was not until noon that Xiang Rui finally woke up.
She quickly tidied herself and emerged from the tent, only to see Tiao Hong and Qiu Qing already preparing lunch.
Even Song Chaoyu, the dignified Princess Consort, held a teapot and smiled at her. "Oh, our Miss Xiang Rui is awake? It's good that you're awake! You must have been exhausted from the long journey these past two days."