In the bamboo garden, Master Liu and Old Madam of Liu Family were surprised to see Emperor Xiao Yunzhou and the Imperial Cabinet ministers.
Following the Emperor's gaze, they saw the Princess Chu Chu, who seemed to have just woken up from the commotion, and their hearts were filled with sympathy.
"We, your humble servants, pay respects to Your Majesty."
"We, your humble servants' wives, pay respects to Your Majesty."
"Your Majesty, why did you bring the Princess out of the palace?"
Xiao Yunzhou waved his hand, "I originally came to congratulate Ritual Master Xu on the birth of his great-grandchild, but then I heard of this wicked deed!"
The prostrate Ritual Master Xu was bewildered.
Meanwhile, the imperial guards began digging up the sandalwood boxes one by one.
Thirty boxes... fifty boxes... sixty-three boxes!
Even though Xiao Yunzhou had already expected this, he was still infuriated by the glaring sixty-three boxes of official silver and valuable calligraphies and paintings.
"Arrest Xu Shao immediately! Investigate where this silver came from!"
As an Emperor, the money in his private treasury was barely this much...it was preposterous!
"Master Liu, you have rendered another meritorious service." Xiao Yunzhou sincerely praised Master Liu in front of the Imperial Cabinet ministers.
The Imperial Cabinet and Six Ministries officials fell silent.
They looked at Ritual Master Xu being dragged away by the Imperial Guards, utterly bewildered.
What kind of blessings had the Liu family been receiving lately?
How was it that one incident after another was first discovered by Liu Wenchang?
Whether it was catching the adulterer superior, uncovering the rebellion, or now exposing this massive embezzlement, how could they do it?
The Minister of Justice could no longer hold back his curiosity and asked Master Liu, "How did Sir Liu discover this?"
"Ah, there's nothing much to say. I just wanted to visit my old friend, Ritual Master Xu." Master Liu replied humbly.
"But as I was casually strolling in the courtyard, composing poems, I noticed something amiss."
Not only the Minister of Justice, even the four Grand Secretaries in the Imperial Cabinet were twitching at the corners of their mouths.
How casual could you be!
Could they get some of this good luck too?
"Master Liu, what did you discover from your poetry composition?" Emperor Xiao Yunzhou was also very interested.
If it weren't for his daughter's voice, even the Emperor himself wouldn't have come to witness the spectacle.
While Master Liu remained humble, Old Madam of Liu Family had a very thick skin.
She then stood up, "To answer Your Majesty, when I was young, I used to play in the fields. As soon as my husband took a step on this muddy ground, he knew something was off underground."
"He gave me a signal, and I pretended to want to eat bamboo shoots and pulled one out to inspect."
The Imperial Cabinet ministers fell silent one by one.
Who could have imagined it?
They were a scholarly class, generations of officials.
Even the less wealthy ones were usually kept from doing manual labor by their parents, focused solely on the imperial examinations.
But the Liu family was so unrefined, letting their educated members work in the fields!
And yet, this lack of refinement had allowed the Liu family to render meritorious service!
"Good, good, good!"
Xiao Yunzhou applauded enthusiastically, his eyes shining brightly.
"During the previous Emperor's reign, he often led the officials to help the commoners with autumn harvests and spring planting. Through these acts, he wanted the imperial descendants and all officials to never forget the importance of cultivating grains."
"When I was young, I did not fully understand the profound meaning behind the previous Emperor's words. But today's events have opened my eyes, and I now know he was right!"
Xiao Yunzhou sighed, "In the past, I was mistaken. From tomorrow on, whenever there is a rest day, all officials shall accompany me to the outskirts of the capital to help the commoners in the fields."
"???"
The Imperial Cabinet and Six Ministries officials were all dumbfounded.
What was this?
Emperor Xiao Yunzhou now saw Master Liu and Old Madam of Liu Family as truly wise, robust, and loyal to the court - a rare find indeed.
Turning to look at the group of officials beside him, who feared working in the fields as if facing a great enemy, Xiao Yunzhou felt disdain, "I asked you all to come visit Ritual Master Xu with me, but you all said you were too busy with important matters to come."
"So what were you all so busy with?"
"Nothing at all!"
"Not even as useful as Master Liu on his rest day!"
"Ai, I, the Emperor, am too ashamed to continue."
The four Grand Secretaries and Six Ministry officials all turned red in the face.
Five days later, the 1.2 million taels of silver confiscated from Ritual Master Xu were deposited into the imperial treasury.
Besides allocating some for the Yellow River management, Xiao Yunzhou also gave a portion to Concubine Liu.
"Madam, today the Emperor took the Imperial Cabinet and Ministry officials to work in the fields."
Wei Zheng smiled as he had the servants carry the boxes of official silver into Concubine Liu's quarters.
"The Emperor originally wanted to bring the Princess, but thought the field under the sun might be too harsh, so he refrained from doing so."
[Aww, but I want to go out and play~]
Upon hearing she couldn't go, the little Princess Chu Chu's mouth pouted in the swinging cradle.
[That day when they came to confiscate the silver, I fell asleep halfway, and I wasn't happy.]
Concubine Liu couldn't help but smile wryly, hugging her daughter and gently patting her back to soothe her.
"Thank you for Your Majesty's consideration."
If the Emperor wanted to hold the child, she couldn't let him.
Men really don't know how to handle children!
A few days ago when the Emperor took Chu Chu out of the palace, her bottom was all reddened when they returned.
It was all because the Emperor kept holding her and wouldn't let the wet nurses take her.
Whenever the Emperor wanted to carry her daughter, Concubine Liu would get a headache.
"Imperial Attendant Wei, what are these boxes brought in?"
"Ah, this silver is what the Emperor allocated from his private treasury, knowing that you, Madam, and the Madam of Liu Family, are having the ladies make winter clothes for the refugees."
[Hehe, so this is the silver dug up from Ritual Master Xu's hiding spot.]
Chu Chu stretched her neck to peek into the treasure chests.
"This is one thousand taels, a token of the Emperor's support for your noble endeavor."
Wei Zheng said with a smile.
"The Emperor said that if you still need more silver, you can tell him again."
Concubine Liu nodded, letting the little eunuch take the silver to the storehouse.
But just as she was about to let him leave, Wei Zheng stepped forward mysteriously, taking out an imperial edict from his sleeve.
He then solemnly recited, "By the Heavenly Mandate, the Emperor's Decree states:"
"I have heard that Empress Dowager has instructed Concubine Liu to undertake the task of providing winter clothes for the refugees."
"I hereby grant Concubine Liu a palace pass, allowing her free entry and exit of the imperial palace."
"And I appoint Old Madam of Liu Family as the supervisor for the clothing production, to assist Concubine Liu's work outside the palace."
"Furthermore, I have learned that the daughter of the Hangzhou prefect, Min Rou, is skilled in sewing and embroidery. I hereby command her to aid Concubine Liu."
Concubine Liu suddenly looked up, her eyes shining with tears.
Even the swaddled Chu Chu, who was almost falling asleep, had her eyes brighten.
Min Rou was the daughter-in-law who had been bullied and almost committed suicide in the original book!
[Wow, my mother can now go out of the palace, and meet her!]
Tears glistened in Concubine Liu's eyes.
Min Rou was her close friend from before she married into the palace.
But after entering the palace, the distance between them had grown as deep as the sea.
And now, she could freely go out and see her mother?
Without needing the approval of the Empress or Empress Dowager!
Concubine Liu lowered her head, unable to hold back a sniffle.
Wei Zheng continued with a smile, "The Emperor has also granted Concubine Liu a small residence in the capital, exclusively for the ladies working on the winter clothing project."
"That is all."
[Aww, my mother has a house now~]
Chu Chu was excited, [I want to go see it!]
Wei Zheng finished speaking and smiled at the teary-eyed Concubine Liu, "Madam, you may accept the decree."
"Also, the carriage is waiting outside the palace.
The Emperor said you can take the Princess and Consort Min out to start the winter clothing work today."
Concubine Liu's eyes lit up.
[Great, my mother and Aunt Min can finally leave the palace and do something of their own!]
Chu Chu genuinely rejoiced for Concubine Liu, her little mouth breaking into a wide smile.
[No longer a caged bird or a golden canary, but embarking on her own undertaking!]
"By the way, Madam, the Ministry of Works has manufactured five improved silk reeling machines and weaving machines based on your suggestions, and they have been delivered."
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