Chapter 50: Filial Tribute

In Kunning Palace, Zhu Xu was keeping Empress Zhang company, joking and fooling around to make her laugh.

Empress Zhang was now three or four months pregnant, though it wasn't very obvious yet, but she still wore loose-fitting clothes and was especially careful in every move she made.

Empress Zhang seemed in high spirits today, talking more than usual, and said with a smile, "Speaking of the world outside the palace, your sister-in-law has hardly seen it a few times. Before, I was always in the inner chambers, and the rare times I went out were always in a hurry there and back. Then I entered the palace. You've actually stirred my interest with your talk."

Zhu Xu waved his hand grandly and said, "Seeing it or not doesn't matter—it all belongs to Brother anyway, and you have half of it, Sister-in-law."

Empress Zhang pursed her lips and chuckled lightly, saying, "You little monkey, talking nonsense. When the imperial child is born, I'll have to keep a close watch so you don't lead him astray."

Zhu Xu immediately cried out in grievance, "Sister-in-law, you have to look at people's strengths and magnify them, while shortcomings should be looked at small and ignored. That way you can learn from others' strengths to make up for your weaknesses and constantly perfect yourself—and then our chats can be very pleasant too..."

Empress Zhang couldn't out-argue Zhu Xu on this matter, so she gave a gentle smile, holding embroidery in her hands that looked like a baby's bib.

Zhu Xu looked at Empress Zhang's somewhat thinner face, leaned in close, and asked, "Sister-in-law, are the reactions strong?"

Empress Zhang was startled for a moment before she understood, then said with a light smile, "Not too strong, just that my appetite isn't great. The imperial physician said it'll pass after this period."

Zhu Xu nodded inwardly—tonics, milk supplements, preserved plums, all these things should be prepared.

'No, I need to find an experienced old nurse to ask what needs to be prepared.'

Zhu Xu had never actually cared for a pregnant woman before, so he could only go ask someone later. At the same time, he muttered inwardly, 'Why hasn't Fifth Brother come to tattle yet?'

While Zhu Xu was chatting nonsense with Empress Zhang and agonizingly waiting for Zhu Youjian to come with his report, Wei Liangqing, who had already received the news, was not idle either.

At this moment, in his new residence, his uncle Wei Zhao, Madam Ke's son Hou Guoxing, her younger brother Ke Guangxian, and also Wei Zhongxian's grandchildren's generation were all gathered together, staring intently at Wei Liangqing.

Wei Liangqing briefly explained that he had received the favor of a noble patron and was to work for them in 'opening a money house,' and everyone fell silent.

Finally, it was Wei Liangqing's uncle, Wei Zhao, who looked at Wei Liangqing hesitantly and asked, "Liangqing, who exactly is this noble patron?"

A smug smile curled at the corners of Wei Liangqing's mouth as he said, "Noble beyond words!"

Wei Zhao's brow immediately furrowed, his expression somewhat displeased—with just those four words, how were they supposed to guess?

Hou Guoxing was only seventeen or eighteen as well. He glanced around at the others, then leaned in close and said, "Brother Wei, can you reveal just a little?"

Wei Liangqing looked at Wei Zhao, then at Hou Guoxing and the others, sneering coldly in his heart. Before, you all looked down on me relying on your connections to my uncle and aunt—now you want to come curry favor with me?

And indeed it was so—although the Emperor had pardoned their crimes, they had also been stripped of all their positions. Now they were like rats in the street, hiding in their villas and not daring to show their faces. If a noble patron were to look after them, wouldn't their former glory immediately be restored?

Wei Liangqing had no intention of revealing the truth, but he did need their help. He hesitated briefly, then said, "I can only say this much: the noble patron is in the palace."

"In the palace?"

Everyone was taken aback. In the palace, besides the Emperor, could it be one of the consorts? Now that Madam Ke was dead, besides the Emperor, weren't the various consorts the most honored?

Hou Guoxing was overjoyed and immediately followed up, "Brother Wei, could you let us have an audience too..."

Before he could finish, Ke Guangxian tugged at him, his eyes flashing urgently.

Hou Guoxing didn't understand why, but Wei Liangqing smiled smugly. Naturally, he wouldn't show them the way. He looked steadily at the crowd and said, "This is the first task the consort has entrusted to us. If we do it well, our reinstatement to our former posts will be within reach."

This was Wei Liangqing's empty promise. The Emperor had pardoned their crimes under pressure—wanting to be reinstated in a short time was simply a dream!

But these people couldn't care less about that now. As long as they didn't have to live like turtles hiding in their shells, they'd do anything.

"Good."

"Liangqing, tell us—how do we do it!"

"Right, we'll all follow your lead!"

"Yes, yes, hurry and tell us—I can hardly wait."

Wei Liangqing couldn't suppress the pride in his heart. When Wei Zhongxian was alive, he had been almost a marginal figure—everyone had connections, but he was the most pathetic of all. That was also why he had tried so hard to fish Wei Zhongxian out back then.

But now, he finally understood what it felt like to 'sit in the seat of honor.'

He had already prepared his speech in advance, but he hadn't expected things to go so smoothly. Seizing the moment while the iron was hot, he began issuing orders: "Hou Guoxing, Uncle Ke, take some men and thoroughly investigate all the Shanxi merchants, Huizhou merchants, and other major merchants in the capital. We need them to provide the principal capital."

"Good, we'll go right away." Hou Guoxing and Ke Guangxian answered in unison, unable to wait as they made to stand up.

Wei Liangqing quickly waved his hands to make them sit back down, then looked at Wei Zhao and said, "Uncle, you go find a suitable shop—it needs to be big, and in a good location."

Wei Zhao declared with soaring boldness, "Good! Even if I have to sell everything I own, I'll find one for you!"

Wei Liangqing nodded with great satisfaction, then swept his gaze over the others. He paused briefly before saying, "Lastly, there's the matter of silver. Although the noble patron didn't ask us to contribute, we should still show our good sense. The patron said one million taels—we'll contribute two hundred thousand. What do you all think?"

Talking about money hurts feelings—that's true in any matter. The moment he opened his mouth, everyone fell silent.

Ke Guangxian and Hou Guoxing exchanged a glance, cursing inwardly—no wonder he wouldn't let them leave; he wanted them to fork over silver too!

The others also had flickering eyes, each avoiding Wei Liangqing's gaze.

There were fewer than ten people seated here in total, and each person would have to contribute at least twenty thousand taels. If it were before, they would have paid up—they could always find a way to recoup it. But now they had nothing left, and most of their family property had been confiscated. Making them pay again was like cutting flesh from their bones.

Wei Liangqing naturally knew the character of these people. His expression grew even calmer as he said, "This sum of silver is to let the noble patron see our filial devotion. It will all be written down in black and white and presented. Everyone should contribute according to their heart—give as much or as little as you wish. Not giving at all is fine too. I'll contribute fifty thousand taels!"

Fifty thousand taels—that was nearly half of Wei Liangqing's entire current fortune.

Hearing this, everyone cursed inwardly, but they were helpless. Once Wei Liangqing opened his mouth, there was no way they could refuse to contribute.

Wei Zhao glanced at the others and spoke up first: "I'll go back and sell my courtyard. I'll contribute thirty thousand taels."

Hou Guoxing and Ke Guangxian had no choice but to exchange a look and each contribute thirty thousand taels as well. The others looked at one another, and could only grit their teeth and pay. But in the end, what they pooled together wasn't two hundred thousand taels—it was three hundred thousand!

"Good, let's each go about our tasks and gather here again tomorrow morning."

Wei Liangqing recorded their names and contribution amounts, then stood up and said with great ambition.

Although the others weren't happy about forking over the silver, the moment they thought about how once the money house opened they could reach out and recoup it all, their moods immediately lifted, and they left one after another, fully prepared and eager.