“Alright, you’ve had a long day, go to sleep. Zhong Li and all that can get lost, let’s go to sleep,” Hai Ling said casually. Ye Lingfeng immediately laughed, his mood inexplicably improving: “Sleep, sleep, let’s sleep with Ling’er in our arms.”
The woman had a dark expression on her face. Did she really need to say it? But she was still very happy inside. Although they didn't get intimate, they talked sweetly until they fell asleep.
The next day, Ye Lingfeng attended the morning court session and mentioned the matter of fundraising. He also suggested opening a canal in the south, as he was preparing to personally tour the south.
Among the court officials, a large majority expressed their approval and responded to the emperor's plan. A few who disagreed did not dare to speak up, as no one dared to provoke the emperor's ruthless methods. Thus, the matter was settled.
In the palace.
After Hailing got up, she instructed Fuyue to lead people to Guangyang Palace to arrange the banquet, and at the same time, she asked Shimei to send eunuchs to inform the noblewomen of the various high-ranking officials in the court that the Empress would be holding a chrysanthemum banquet in Guangyang Palace this evening and invited all the noblewomen to attend.
In addition, Hai Ling guessed that the women of the various high-ranking officials probably already knew about the food shortage in the south and the court's fundraising efforts. Therefore, she thought that some women might claim illness and not attend the chrysanthemum banquet she was hosting. So, Hai Ling issued another decree, ordering some imperial physicians from the Imperial Hospital to accompany her. If any woman in the household fell ill, they were to be cured, or else they would be severely punished. Now, when the eunuchs went to each household to deliver the decree, no one dared to claim illness.
In the afternoon, Liang, the young prefect of the Cangwang Mansion, entered the palace earlier than others and went directly to Liuyue Palace in a sedan chair.
The eunuch announced that Hai Ling had just woken up from her afternoon nap. Upon hearing that the young princess of the Cangwang Mansion had entered the palace, she immediately ordered someone to bring her in.
Xi Liang and Hai Ling couldn't stop smiling as soon as they met.
"Ling'er, you're absolutely brilliant! Several families originally wanted to claim illness and not come, but after you did it, no one dared to claim illness anymore."
"Isn't it just that they don't want to spend money? They're rolling in money, yet they refuse to help those in need. They're so selfish. If they just contributed a small portion, how many families in the south could be helped?"
Hai Ling felt a surge of resentment when she spoke of these court ladies. Why couldn't they be a little kinder? She had guessed their intentions, which was why she had ordered the imperial physicians to follow them. She refused to believe that these women who were feigning illness would dare to be treated by the imperial physicians. If the physicians found out that they were not sick at all, that would be considered disobeying the imperial decree, and they would have several heads to chop off. Therefore, compared to losing their heads, these officials' wives dared not feign illness.
“That’s true,” Xi Liang nodded. Ling’er had always been willing to help others. After becoming a doctor, she became even more benevolent. Now that she is the empress of a country, she naturally has an even greater duty to help.
"Ling'er, don't worry, our Xi family will not lag behind, we will support you."
“Yes, I know,” Hai Ling nodded. The Cangwang Mansion has always avoided going against the royal family, acting cautiously and prudently, and keeping a low profile. Now, with Xi Liang speaking up, they will likely help the court even more. Hai Ling recalled exchanging a piece of land for 200,000 dan of grain from Xi Hanzhi. After that, she was busy with other things and wondered how the commercial street was progressing.
"Liang'er, how's the construction going on the piece of land I gave to the Xi family back then?"
Upon hearing this topic, Xi Liang became excited: "It's really well built, Ling'er. You know, my brother Xi Hanzhi is a business genius. The commercial street he built is now nearing completion. Soon, the new commercial street in Beilu will be officially relocated. The shops for sale are being snapped up, and the shops for rent have also been rented out. Everyone is busy decorating. Before long, we can go shopping on the commercial street. It will definitely be the most magnificent sight in Beilu."
Hai Ling couldn't help but laugh when she heard Xi Liang's words.
What pleased her was not the lavish scenery, but the pile of gleaming silver that appeared before her eyes. Right now, Bei Lu was in dire need of money. As the queen of Bei Lu, accumulating wealth was a must. How could the queen of a poor country not love money?
"That's great, Xi Liang."
Hai Ling reached out and took Xi Liang's hand. Remembering her promise to let Xi Liang marry into the Southern Ling Kingdom, she couldn't help but squeeze Xi Liang's hand tightly.
"Xi Liang, tonight's chrysanthemum banquet has two purposes: first, to raise funds, and second, to announce that I will take you as my sworn sister and bestow upon you the title of princess. Do you really want to marry into the Southern Ling Kingdom? If you have really decided, I will bring this up with the Princess Consort of Cang tonight."
"Thank you, Ling'er."
Xi Liang's cheeks flushed slightly. Hai Ling knew that she had made up her mind, so she let her have her way. She could only wish her good friend a smooth future.
Outside the palace, Fuyue came in to report that Princess Mingzhu had something to discuss with Her Majesty. Hailing waved for Mingzhu to come in.
Mingzhu first bowed to Hailing, then sat down to the side, greeted Xiliang with a smile, and then looked at Hailing.
"Ling'er, I heard that the people in southern Beilu are suffering from floods and are currently destitute. The imperial court has started a fundraising campaign. Is that true?"
Hai Ling nodded, surprised that even Mingzhu knew about this. She couldn't help but glare coldly at Fu Yue and the others below her, wondering who had been so talkative as to tell Mingzhu.
Seeing Hailin's expression, Mingzhu quickly smiled and said, "It has nothing to do with them. I overheard it by accident."
"Mingzhu, the Ministry of Rites has found out the most auspicious days recently, but I haven't had a chance to tell you yet." Hailing remembered the list sent by the Ministry of Rites, and the sixteenth of this month was an auspicious day. There were only five days left: "Get ready, your wedding day is in five days, September 16th."
Upon hearing Hai Ling's words, Xi Liang stood up and congratulated Mingzhu.
"Mingzhu, congratulations in advance."
Mingzhu felt embarrassed, her face flushed, and she lowered her head. However, she quickly remembered the purpose of her visit and hurriedly raised her head to look at Hailing.
“Ling’er, I am here representing the Southern Ling Kingdom. As a princess, I have a lot of dowry items, so I plan to donate them all.”
When Mingzhu spoke, Xi Liang's mouth dropped open. She hadn't expected Mingzhu to be so righteous. She had never received any kindness from Bei Lu, yet she was willing to donate all of her dowry. Nan Ling Kingdom had provided a lot of valuable items as part of the dowry to show their sincerity, and Mingzhu was willing to donate them. This act made Xi Liang admire her.
Xi Liang gazed at the bright pearl.
"Mingzhu, you are truly admirable."
"It's nothing. I'm used to living a simple life. Those things aren't of much use to me, so I might as well help those who are useful." Besides, she won't have to worry about food and clothing after she marries into the Ji family.
However, Hailing did not agree with Mingzhu donating all of it. She would need the money when she entered the Ji family, so how could she donate her dowry? But if she disagreed, she would be going against Mingzhu's wishes. So Hailing thought for a moment and then spoke up.
“Mingzhu, there will be many expenses when you enter the Ji family. I originally did not approve of touching your dowry, but if I disagree, you will definitely feel that I am being distant. How about this, I will make the decision. You can donate half and bring the other half into the Ji family. What do you think?”
Hailing looked at Mingzhu, who smiled and nodded, "Let's do as Ling'er says."
As Mingzhu spoke, she thought to herself that Ling'er understood her best. If she hadn't accepted her dowry, she would have felt terrible. Now that she had accepted half of it, she was happy.
"Tonight, let those guys see what true righteousness is. As a noblewoman of the Northern Lu Kingdom, she enjoys all the honors and privileges of the country, yet she doesn't give a single penny. And look at Mingzhu, she's just a princess of the Southern Ling Kingdom, and she hasn't even married General Ji yet, but she donated half of her dowry in one go. Let's see if those women still have the nerve not to donate money."
Mingzhu felt embarrassed by Xi Liang's words, and Hailing looked at Shimei to the side.
"Mei'er, lead the people to take stock of the princess's dowry. The princess is going to donate half of her dowry to help the people in the south. Take stock of it and see how much it is worth."
"Yes, Your Majesty."
Shi Mei led the people out, and inside the main hall, the three women put aside this topic and began to talk about intimate matters between women.
Even as evening approached, he was still in high spirits when a young eunuch came in to report.
"Your Majesty, the time has come. All the noblewomen from Guangyang Palace have arrived, including the Empress Dowager and Consort Jinlan. They are all waiting for Your Majesty."