Remarrying Chun Yuan

Chapter 332 Raising Money

News of the war reached the Qi court.

All grudges and grievances will be temporarily wiped away.

Emperor Qi Xiao had no time to ponder whether his son was planning to seize the throne, and the Crown Prince had no time to consider whether the Eastern Palace was unstable.

Even the gossipy commoners of the capital had no time to discuss what unspeakable secret existed between Prince Chun and his wife, otherwise why would a son suddenly appear...

Everyone was filled with anxiety.

Only in the Liu family's courtyard did smoke still rise from the chimney.

Yuan Cuo would go to the court every day to report for duty, and then immediately return home to cook for Liu Yuechu.

He personally prepared almost all three meals a day. As a result, Granny Fang had less free time and was not as tired or exhausted as before. She didn't even have the desire to compete with him anymore, because Yuan Cuo's cooking was indeed delicious, and she really couldn't compare.

"This pigeon meat can't be seasoned with too much salt or spice. If the master drinks too much water after eating it, his face will become swollen," Fang Mama could only make a request.

"I can't live without spicy food, and I can't live without salt." Liu Yuechu is now more than five months pregnant. Her previous morning sickness has disappeared, but her appetite has increased, and she craves spicy and sour foods and has a strong preference for strong flavors.

But when Physician Sun came to take her pulse, he told her to restrain herself a little. Granny Fang could only remind her constantly and complain that Yuan Cuo was indulging her temper.

"It's good that my wife likes to eat. The porridge for dinner should be light, so don't worry too much, and what Physician Sun said isn't entirely accurate." Yuan Cuo finished roasting the pigeon and cut off the best leg meat for Liu Yuechu.

Liu Yuechu ate with great pleasure. "It's not that I'm craving it, but the baby in my belly is." She was also happy because Yuan Cuo would come back every day and tell her funny stories about how people in the palace were fighting each other. How could she not be happy?

Those who scheme against others will ultimately scheme against themselves.

Even Wei Gongming, who seemed to be uninvolved, was found fault with by the Ministry of Personnel and had his salary deducted for a year.

But this wasn't just a deduction of his salary; it was an announcement that he had no chance of promotion for the next three to five years.

Only Princess Chen was anxious, chanting sutras in the Buddhist hall every day to pray for her adoptive father. After all, Chu had never won a war against Qi. The common people were also talking about it, hoping that Chu would not make exorbitant demands this time and that they would have to pay less in compensation.

Only Yuan Cuo gave her confidence, telling her that she would definitely win this game. Liu Yuechu didn't want to think; if he said they would win, then they would naturally win.

But those around him thought what he said was nonsense, blatant rambling.

"His Majesty was furious again today because there was a problem with the smelting in Huai Prefecture. The long swords forged there can only kill cattle and sheep, and they will shatter when they encounter a shield." Yuan Cuo held a wooden stick and extinguished the still-burning charcoal ash. "His Majesty summoned the Third Prince back to the capital to be punished and has already appointed Governor-General Chen as the commander-in-chief, including the command of Huai Prefecture."

"Isn't the Crown Prince very happy?" Liu Yuechu couldn't help but sigh.

"He intended to negotiate peace, but His Majesty severely criticized him. However, Vice Minister Fang could not raise enough money, and his hair turned white overnight." When Yuan Cuo mentioned the Fang family, Liu Yuechu naturally thought of Fang Ziqing.

Of all things, she was chosen to be the Crown Prince's concubine. I wonder how her pregnancy is going? I hope she doesn't get too stressed out by this whole ordeal. Giving birth normally in such a dangerous environment is no easy feat.

"Could His Majesty be eyeing our family again?" Liu Yuechu was all too aware of Emperor Qi Xiao's ulterior motives.

Many imperial merchants have already been squeezed dry and drained, leaving them unable to produce any more benefits, except for the Liu family, who have not yet bled.

After all, Yuan Cuo's achievement in discovering the mineral vein was praised by thousands, and he was so famous at the time that His Majesty was embarrassed to speak up.

However, a long time has passed, and the State of Chu has launched an attack, and Emperor Qi Xiao's reasons are quite valid.

"Didn't Prince Chun want 100,000 taels to buy the map of the southwestern frontier? Let's show him our father-in-law's painting and then have him donate it." Yuan Cuo had already thought it through and calculated it very clearly.

“Cough cough cough…” Liu Yuechu almost choked on his words, “Then you might as well acknowledge him as your biological father and then offer the west to the Great Qi.”

"That's a good idea, my wife," Yuan Cuo said with a grin.

Granny Fang couldn't stand it anymore; these two masters were talking nonsense all day long!

Liu Yuechu hadn't finished eating when Liu Musheng rushed back. He was starving. "People outside are in a panic, and you two are here talking about love. I was just summoned by the Imperial Household Department to ask our family to provide some supplies for the army."

"How did you reply?" Liu Yuechu asked in surprise.

"Of course I said I'd come back and ask what you think. Everyone in the capital knows my word doesn't count." Liu Musheng wasn't angry at all; on the contrary, he felt extremely relaxed and without any pressure.

Liu Yuechu licked her lips, still tasting the barbecue. "Go tell the Imperial Household Department that we have no money. If they really force us to bleed, then let the trading company publicly auction off Father's paintings."

"???" Liu Musheng was dumbfounded. "At this time, someone would buy his painting?"

Liu Musheng had previously been complacent about the paintings in the business, thinking they were a fortune. Later, when Liu Yuechu went to get rice and grain, he and the third and fourth wives divided the business among themselves, without earning a single copper coin.

It was then that I realized my father's paintings were utterly useless...

"What if there are a few suckers?" Liu Yuechu looked at Yuan Cuo with a smile. He had just said that Prince Chun was willing to spend 100,000 taels of silver. She wondered if he could come up with that amount of money now.

But Liu Musheng was unaware of this, and he shook his head vigorously, "I have a bad feeling about it. If no one buys it, our father's reputation will be completely ruined!"

Liu Yuechu pouted.

She really didn't care whether her father's reputation was maintained or not.

What dignity can a person who abandons their family retain?

"Master, the Minister of the Court of State Ceremonies has arrived and wishes to see you and your son-in-law," someone hurriedly announced from outside the door.

Yuan Cuo has now been granted the title of Duke, but they still habitually call him son-in-law, only their attitude is a few times more respectful than before.

Liu Yuechu was surprised by Wei Tianxuan's sudden appearance.

“I don’t know what he did for me.” Yuan Cuo shook his head immediately when he saw her looking at him.

"And it's not even to see you, it's to see me too?" Liu Yuechu felt that no one would come to the temple without a reason.

"If my wife doesn't want to see him, let him go back. I'll ask him more carefully when I go to court tomorrow." Yuan Cuo didn't care whether he was his superior or not; he couldn't afford to upset his wife and disrupt her rest.

"Never mind, let's meet anyway." Liu Yuechu thought that Liu Musheng had already been asked for money, and Wei Tianxuan's arrival was probably related to this as well.

Since we all live in the capital, we probably can't avoid this matter.

Seeing Liu Yuechu nod, the servants hurriedly went to invite her.

However, since Liu Yuechu did not want to go to the main hall, Wei Tianxuan was directly invited to "Yuanchu Pavilion".

The women's courtyard is naturally filled with birdsong and fragrant flowers.

Even though it was already winter, the courtyard was warm as springtime thanks to the underfloor screen. The camellias and kapok flowers were elegant and serene. As Wei Tianxuan stepped into the courtyard, his anxious mind calmed down.

"No wonder you rush home as soon as court is over; you're living a very comfortable life."

Yuan Cuo rose to greet him, and servants had already brought over chairs.

"As long as we don't talk about money, I will still respectfully address you as my senior brother."

"What if I want to ask for money?" Wei Tianxuan rolled his eyes.