Chapter 339: Reducing Expenditures

Qi Qi followed closely, his words even more fierce: "Emperor, the Imperial Observatory's claim that 'disaster arises in the northeast'—the northeast direction in the palace is exactly where Changchun Palace stands."

"According to the Old Minister, the one who should go out to pray for blessings is not the Empress, but her."

With these words, the ministers became furious, kneeling to add their agreement:

"Emperor, please root out the chief culprit, execute publicly, to appease the people's anger, then discuss disaster‑relief measures."

"Yes, Emperor, execute the Demonic Concubine, adjust taxes, lift part of the Hundred Thousand Army."

"Emperor, the Mo Family is not extinct; please return the Mo Family and Xu Family estates to the Empress, manage them carefully, subsidize army expenses…"

Originally Chu Yunzheng only had a headache.

But when those words were spoken, atop the Dragon Throne, Chu Yunzheng's face turned ashen, he suddenly struck the imperial desk, Boom— the sound reverberated through the Grand Hall: "How dare you!"

He did not mention the matter of the Mo Family and Xu Family estates at all.

He rose abruptly, his gaze sweeping over the kneeling ministers: "If it weren't for Concubine Pear's earlier strategy that steadied the border troops, where would your bold words come from today?"

"If the Hundred Thousand Army were to mutiny due to insufficient provisions, who among you could take responsibility?!"

His voice was cold, bearing unquestionable authority, "I consider Concubine Pear not a disaster but my lucky star!"

"The Fengqi Kingdom's troops are strong and its horses robust; which nation still dares to invade?"

"I think each of you is too stable, which gives you time for idle chatter."

He walked step by step forward, staring at Zhou Su and Qi Qi: "As senior ministers of the court, you fail to share the ruler's worries, to solve the people's difficulties, yet you unite to relentlessly attack a frail woman."

"What a great achievement!"

"Moreover, do you know that Concubine Pear is already pregnant?"

"Do you intend to murder the Emperor's Prince?"

The Imperial Heir is a shield; who would still dare speak of executing White Pear.

Zhou Su and the others exchanged glances, then had to kneel on the ground.

Heads bowed, dejected: "We dare not, please Emperor forgive us."

Chu Yunzheng returned to the imperial desk, slammed a pile of disaster reports onto the floor: "If you have time to harass a woman here, you should instead think about how to aid disaster victims and quell public resentment."

"If today you cannot produce a decent plan, you will all stay here kneeling and think!"

Inside the hall a dead silence fell, the ministers glanced at each other, their hearts full of resentment.

Yet they could only helplessly rack their brains, trying to devise solutions that simply did not exist.

The Imperial harem.

The Former Dynasty's storms are tightly linked with the harem.

When the court is in peril, the harem is no different.

White Pear takes charge of the Feng seal.

"Did you see? That Concubine Pear wears extravagant robes daily, parading through the Yuhuayuan, followed by a massive retinue of palace staff."

"Look at her frivolous manner, does she think she's the principal Empress?"

"And that bright red—can she even wear that? A widow, using some despicable tricks, has ensnared the Emperor's soul."

"She is basically a Demon spirit, oppressing the people, yet the Empress has to atone for her."

"I never imagined that one day I would despise a concubine so much, not because of the Emperor's favor."

"I heard my father say, it was her so‑called schemes that brought the people of Fengqi to misery."

"She still has the nerve to flaunt herself; why doesn't she just die!"

These words echoed throughout the entire harem.

Nowadays Changchun Palace should be flourishing.

Yet the serving women, one by one, are too ashamed to lift their heads.

Everyone was born to parents, and each entered the palace as a servant because of poverty.

But the masters they serve are causing their families to starve, go without clothes, and suffer persecution.

The palace itself is also dead and heavy with silence.

"Your Highness."

"Truly infuriating."

Nanzhu entered, holding a bird's nest in hand, looking angry.

"Their audacity is outrageous, daring to gossip behind the Empress like this."

"What did they say?" White Pear, graceful, stirred the premium Blood swan: "Oh? What did they say?"

Nanzhu spoke as if brainless.

He blurted out everything he had heard.

White Pear's smile faded, her expression turning icy.

She smashed the Crystal goblet in her hand, "One by one, you speak so nicely."

"Do they think I cannot deal with them?"

"Very well." White Pear gave a sly grin: "Issue the order: from today onward, all concubines' expenditures are halved."

"Since there is idle gossip, better save some silver for army provisions."

"Moreover, each palace must produce five Cotton garments daily, as a token of our harem women's goodwill, to be used for disaster relief."

When the decree was issued, the harem erupted.

Hui Guifei looked at the delivered copy and sneered: "Using the Sixth Palace to assert power? Truly foolish beyond measure."

Li Pin smashed the tea set: "Why doesn't she touch Changchun Palace's expenditures!"

Ning Daying, even more furious, trembled: "Five Cotton garments per palace each day, then each palace can stop all work and just make clothes."

"When Xu Luoyan managed the harem, she would not mistreat the sisters. The former Empress Xiao Mingshu, even if frugal, only saved on unnecessary expenses. As for making the servants produce clothing, that was unheard of."

The key is that these cotton fabrics still have to be provided by each palace themselves.

Li Pin grew increasingly irritated as she spoke: "The monthly allowance is that little; many who are not favored, besides necessary expenses, already have to rely on doing some hand‑made patchwork. How can they produce that much silver for patching?"

Li Pin hurriedly looked toward Hui Guifei: "Now that the Empress is praying at Baoguo Temple, you are the only one in the palace who can speak before the Emperor."

"Yes, sister." Ning Daying was very angry: "You go find the Emperor and tell him what she did."

"As long as you have the Emperor punish her, the Emperor will at least listen."

"Enough!" Hui Guifei scolded: "Did you forget how the Empress spoke when she left?"

Ning Daying, unwilling, lowered her head and muttered: "It's just that I can't stand her arrogance."

"There are many things in the Imperial harem that one can't stand; these years you weren't allowed to intervene, and now they come over?"

"Now you can't keep your temper."

Hui Guifei glared at Ning Daying, then took out the brocade pouch given by Wan Tang.

The tightly furrowed brows relaxed as a result.

"Xiao Luzi, take a look at this," Hui Guifei handed the brocade pouch to Xiao Luzi.

Xiao Luzi's eyebrows lifted with delight at the sight.

In a low voice he said: "Kunning Palace indeed has a storeroom, piled with a large amount of fabrics and cotton."

"That's good."

Hui Guifei said calmly: "Tomorrow inform the sisters of each palace that if any palace lacks materials, they may go to Kunning Palace to fetch them."

"Excellent."

Ning Daying said excitedly: "I will personally go open the storeroom tomorrow."

"Fine, as my body is unwell now, I won't go," she said, then Hui Guifei handed the key from the brocade pouch to Ning Daying.

She then furrowed her brows again and repeatedly warned: "Her methods of asserting authority may be petty, but they also leave people helpless."

"After all, the intention was also for the common folk; as for the Emperor, naturally one cannot say a single word."

"Tomorrow just open the storeroom; do not have any conflict with Bai Li."

Ning Daying chuckled: "Alright, sister, I've noted it."

"Then rest assured!"

"Don't say she's pregnant; even if she isn't, I still don't want to see her," Ning Daying assured repeatedly.

Only then did Hui Guifei hand the key out.