Chapter 326: The Ministry of Revenue Lacks Money

Kunning Palace.

Wan Tang repeatedly confirmed that Consort Hui was safe, and only then returned.

Ice Block cool air lingered in the Imperial Palace.

Chu Yunzheng was sitting at the table, reviewing memorials.

He actually brought state affairs here to handle?

In a daze, it was just like before.

Although everything in Kunning Palace was more splendid than Changle Palace, she could no longer find the feeling of having once been with Chu Yunzheng.

At that time, Wan Tang kept reminding herself that emperors are heartless.

Yet she inevitably felt a closeness toward him in her heart.

But now…

Even glancing at him a little longer was met with disgust.

Chu Yunzheng saw Wan Tang slowly step forward and bow.

He reached out to help, but Wan Tang suddenly withdrew her hand.

"Empress, now you won't even let me touch you?" he said coldly.

Wan Tang lowered her eyes and forced a bitter smile: "Emperor, you have hurt your humble servant."

She slowly extended her palm wrapped in fine cloth.

Chu Yunzheng stared at the gauze, momentarily stunned, then his tone softened: "I did not mean to."

"But Tangtang was once the most composed; why are you so impulsive now?"

"If today the one who hurt Sister Hui is not Bai Li, how will the Emperor deal with it?" Wan Tang raised her eyes to retort.

A murderous glint flashed in Chu Yunzheng's eyes, but he said, "Since punishment has been given, why fuss over details?"

"I have been taught," Wan Tang said, bowing, "the Imperial harem must not interfere in state affairs; I take my leave."

Seeing she truly intended to leave, Chu Yunzheng suddenly grasped her wrist: "I came today only to ask one question." "When you first advocated bringing Li Er into the palace, did you ever have any genuine intention?"

Wan Tang gave a faint smile: "Let's see how the Emperor understands."

"I truly considered the Emperor's interests, but in this world, which woman would be willing to share her husband with another?"

Her eyes flickered, "But I understand boundaries better."

Chu Yunzheng stepped forward: "I knew it; Tangtang's heart ultimately still holds me."

"If it were in the past," Wan Tang's smile didn't reach her eyes, "why would the Emperor ask such a needless question?"

"Now…" she gently withdrew her hand, "why care about the answer?"

"I demand an answer!" Chu Yunzheng suddenly clenched his fist, "Is it yes, or no?"

Wan Tang stared at him for a long time, then suddenly let out a light laugh.

Bai Li had already arrived; who is he performing this for, wherever and whenever?

In the past, Wan Tang had step by step removed Bai Li's shadow from herself, forcefully squeezing it into the Emperor's already cramped heart.

So that she could cling to the Emperor, the great tree, and live properly.

Now, she no longer needs it.

Wan Tang's smile blossomed: "Yes, in my heart, it is filled entirely with the Emperor."

"Every moment, I think of the Emperor."

Wan Tang spoke emotionally, recalling the nights tormented by nightmares, recalling the scenes in her dreams where Chu Yunzheng harmed Xiao Chuan and the Mo Family.

She smiled even brighter, and even though her voice was hoarse and choked, she did not notice: "Every night I meet the Emperor in my dreams."

"Emperor, I dare not forget any of your deeds toward me!"

At the end of her speech, Wan Tang suddenly lifted her head; her exquisitely beautiful smile gave way to two silent tears rolling down.

This is a feeling that Bai Li could never provide.

It is not fragile glass.

Rather, it is a stunning white stone, cracking open from within.

"It is…" Chu Yunzheng's hand trembled as it fell on Wan Tang's face.

The words "I have wronged you" could never be spoken.

He is the Emperor!

Since he is the Emperor, there can never be any fault.

Wan Tang's tears fell onto his hand, pricking him, causing him to withdraw it.

The myriad tenderness in his eyes gradually melted away; weighing pros and cons, he turned his back.

His voice grew distant again.

Speaking again, his tone was not that of Wan Tang's husband, but of the Emperor of Fengqi Kingdom: "I know the grievances in your heart."

"But you know the relationship between me and Li Er."

"Our being together is truly difficult. Moreover, you don't know that Li Er, for me, even when she went to Fengdu, refused everything…"

"One person alone guarding an empty room for ten years."

Chu Yunzheng's tone was rather moved.

Yet hearing this, Wan Tang almost laughed out loud.

She would not forget how Yan Wang each time mentioned Bai Li's disdainful expression.

She feared it wasn't that she wanted to keep herself, but that Yan Wang simply didn't want to touch her.

Both were equally purpose‑driven; to achieve their aims, there was that ridiculous night and then that marriage.

Yan Wang and Chu Yunzheng are ultimately of the same bloodline.

The arrogance carved into his very bones—how could it possibly allow him to love someone who is calculating against him?

Wan Tang gave a faint smile.

No more words.

After all, there's really no way to wake someone who pretends to be asleep.

Moreover, Chu Yunzheng's current condition is truly fine—very fine!

"Subject, I understand," Wan Tang said in a low voice.

Chu Yunzheng, seeing her concede, finally let out a sigh of relief.

Speaking gently, "Tangtang, rest assured. I will distribute rain and dew equally."

"As long as I accompany Li Er, I will certainly come to be with you."

If it were in the past, that would be tolerable.

But now, these words truly make one feel sick.

Wan Tang felt vexed, pondering how to avoid Chu Yunzheng's affection.

Xiao Dongzi hurried over and anxiously said, "Emperor, you should still go to Yangxin Hall and take a look!"

The senior officials of the Ministry of Revenue have all arrived.

Their emotions are extremely agitated; they are kneeling outside now, saying they wish to summon the Emperor and revoke the decree!

Chu Yunzheng's expression changed.

Wan Tang pretended to be concerned.

She said self‑reproachfully, "Emperor, it is all because of my fault."

"Emperor, your state affairs are already so busy, and yet I still let matters of the Imperial harem affect you."

"You should quickly go back and have a look."

Hearing that, Chu Yunzheng's guilt toward Wan Tang deepened.

"Tangtang, I'll be off and back shortly."

Chu Yunzheng strode out quickly, with Xiao Dongzi close behind.

Watching Chu Yunzheng's figure recede, Wan Tang sneered inwardly.

I'm afraid that once he goes, it will be hard to return.

"Delightful—those people from the Ministry of Revenue are usually so agreeable. As soon as money is mentioned, they even dare to risk everything before the Emperor."

"Just kidding—suddenly there are a hundred thousand troops needing food, drink, and military provisions. Fengqi Kingdom has just endured successive airport battles; before it can develop its economy, it now needs an extra hundred thousand troops, where can it possibly sustain them?"

"During war, soldiers and horses are needed; in peace, they become consumables."

"Now Chu Yunzheng realizes that without money, even the Emperor is powerless."

Time slips away second by second.

Watching the sun set over the western hills, the Emperor shows no sign of returning.

The small kitchen has long prepared a sumptuous feast.

Qiu Ju and Xiao Shunzi attend on the side, while the idle attendants don't even have the right to stand at the doorway.

"Master, the Emperor probably won't come back today."

"You should eat first; if the fish slices get cold, they won't be fresh."

Xiao Shunzi urged from beside.

"Hmm!" Wan Tang nodded. "In that case, both of you sit down and eat."

Wan Tang's smile was gentle; when Chu Yunzheng was absent, they were like a family, eating together.

Qiu Ju sat beside Minghui, attending to her meal.

Xiao Shunzi set the dishes for Wan Tang and reported today's news: "The silver allocated by the Ministry of Revenue to the palace can no longer cover daily expenses."

"If we go by the previous silver taels, besides each palace's monthly allowance, we would have to tighten our belts."

"Not to mention that the daily Ice Block supply is insufficient; even the summer cooling mung bean soup can't meet the demand."

Wan Tang took a bite of the fish slice; it was smooth, tender, and springy.

She nodded, satisfied: "Surviving in this Imperial harem is already difficult."

"Many palace attendants labor all day, relying on a bowl of mung bean soup to relieve the heat."

"If the Ministry of Revenue can't provide, this palace will subsidize, lest the attendants suffer."

"Master is kind‑hearted," Xiao Shunzi said brightly. "Whatever the Ministry of Revenue allocates, I, the servant, will follow. As for the Master's subsidies, I will distinguish them clearly."

Wan Tang smiled without replying.

Xiao Shunzi continued: "Now the Ministry of Revenue is strained; the Emperor knows the original military funds have always been donated by the Good Hall."

"Now the Good Hall has dissolved, and the Emperor has been investigating the people behind it."

Wan Tang laughed: "Fengqi Kingdom has fought several battles in succession, and its economy has long declined. The Good Hall was originally formed by trading firms; now those firms roam between nations, and who can track their whereabouts?"

"Master is right."

"Come to think of it, the monthly silver earnings of several neighboring countries are several times those of Fengqi Kingdom!"

"Indeed, Master is far‑sighted."

Wan Tang gave a faint smile.

It seemed merely a plain decision: "Everything is built upon the economy; war only pushes the economy backward."

"What is prosperity? Only with sufficient wealth can one become truly strong."

Xiao Shunzi laughed: "I'm afraid this time, even if the Ministry of Revenue stakes its very lives, it still cannot produce the money."

The Emperor wishes to command a hundred thousand troops, but his heart exceeds his ability.

"Empress."

He was speaking when Xiao Luzi returned, his head drenched in sweat.

He didn't even have time to wipe his sweat, and hurriedly said, "Madam, it's broken."

"Nubi has just gathered the news: the Emperor, in Yangxin Hall, unleashed a thunderous rage, and Concubine Li presented a scheme."

"At this moment, the Emperor, delighted to his core, has personally gone to Changchun Palace to have an intimate, lengthy talk with Concubine Li."