Chapter 75 Bathing

It was said to be a bath.

But Jiang Chen was in his prime, and he had cultivated the guiding technique, so his energy was at its peak. How could he possibly be honest?

It wasn't until dusk that he sounded the retreat and busied himself with more serious matters.

Evening.

Two imperial edicts were issued from the Hall of Diligent Governance.

One for Yuan Buyi and the other for Xu Changqing.

As soon as the edicts came out, they stirred up a thousand waves.

The officials of the court rushed to meet each other, speculating about Jiang Chen's profound meaning.

Why did His Majesty suddenly attach importance to these two marginal figures?

Mei Ruoying couldn't hold back her breath and directly sent someone to the Hall of Diligent Governance to curry favor.

"Your Majesty, Consort Mei has sent word that Chengqian Palace has prepared wine, dishes, and music, and is waiting for your arrival."

"Noble Consort Wang also said that she is feeling unwell and hopes that Your Majesty will visit her, so as not to forget the agreement made earlier." Feng Jin said, prostrating on the ground.

Hearing the name Mei Ruoying, the enchanting figure immediately appeared in Jiang Chen's mind.

Compared to the pure and elegant Noble Consort Shu, who was like a lily, Mei Ruoying's beauty was more domineering, like a blooming peony, dazzlingly gorgeous.

As a man, Jiang Chen instinctively wanted to possess Mei Ruoying.

But this woman's identity was too sensitive and needed to be investigated, or even eliminated!

While pondering, Jiang Chen felt a faint gaze fall upon him.

It was the gaze of Noble Consort Shu, full of apprehension and retention.

Well, she has already arranged the sleeping arrangements. If I leave now, she will definitely be very sad, right?

Thinking of this, Jiang Chen turned his gaze back to the memorial and said indifferently:

"If Consort Mei is not feeling well, then let her rest early. If it is really serious, please ask the imperial physician. I will not go there tonight."

"Also, remind her about the fine."

"Tomorrow after the morning court, I want to see those antiques and jewels appear in the inner treasury."

Hearing this, Feng Jin's eyes widened in surprise.

But he didn't dare to ask more questions.

After bowing, he retreated out the door.

On the side, Noble Consort Shu curled up the corners of her mouth, and the worry on her face disappeared.

His Majesty still has me in his heart. These two days of favor are not just a whim!

"Your Majesty, it's getting late, it's time to rest." She swayed her willow waist gently, her steps slightly slow.

Serving Jiang Chen these days was really not easy.

Jiang Chen stopped flipping through the memorials, raised his eyes to look at Noble Consort Shu, and sighed:

"Don't rush, these memorials have not been approved yet. State affairs are important, so let's put the sleeping arrangements aside for now."

"Yuan Buyi works efficiently and has already compiled the situation of the disaster victims into a booklet and handed it to me."

Speaking of this, Jiang Chen curled up the corners of his mouth with a wry smile.

"Now, the fertile land in the Wei River area has been flooded, and the people lack food and clothing. They have all fled to neighboring prefectures..."

"I am determined to provide disaster relief, but the national treasury is empty. Even if we stop building the palace, the money saved will be a drop in the bucket, and it may not even be enough to fill the stomachs of the disaster victims!"

Hearing this, Noble Consort Shu frowned instantly.

She came from a merchant family and understood the suffering of the people.

Now that the Wei River is flooded, submerging a state, if the court does not handle it properly, I am afraid that many people will die.

Thinking of this, Noble Consort Shu's pretty face straightened, and she turned and went to the bedroom.

After a moment, she held out a wooden box.

"Your Majesty, your concubine is willing to do her best to help you with disaster relief."

Jiang Chen was slightly stunned, looked at the box, and asked in confusion: "My dear consort, what is this?"

"This is your concubine's private property, as well as the jewelry bestowed upon me by Your Majesty."

"Your concubine wants to dedicate them all to Your Majesty for disaster relief."

As soon as the words fell, a touch of emotion appeared in Jiang Chen's eyes, but he did not intend to accept it.

What kind of ability is it to take money from his own people?

Seeing Jiang Chen's rejection, Noble Consort Shu smiled gently and persuaded:

"Your Majesty, your concubine lives in the palace and has no worries about food and clothing. These external things are dispensable to me."

"But for those displaced and starving people, these properties are their hope for survival!"

"Being able to share your worries and solve the people's problems, your concubine is willing, and I hope Your Majesty will not refuse!"

Looking at Noble Consort Shu's clear and bright eyes, Jiang Chen couldn't say the words of rejection.

"My dear consort, I appreciate your kindness."

"But these jewelry can't be exchanged for much money. Disaster relief still depends on the imperial court..."

Before Jiang Chen could finish his words, Noble Consort Shu took his hand and said with a smile:

"Your Majesty, don't underestimate your concubine!"

"Open it and take a look. The things inside will definitely not disappoint you!"

Jiang Chen became interested.

Noble Consort Shu's mysterious appearance made him a little curious.

He couldn't wait to open it.

A dazzling array of jewels piled up into a spire, shining brightly, as well as stacks of silver notes and a delicate agate seal.

Jiang Chen casually flipped through it, his eyes widening as he looked at it.

In the box, the smallest denomination of silver notes was as large as "fifty thousand taels", and the seal was engraved with the words "Xingli Trading Company."

In the original owner's memory, this "Xingli Trading Company" was the leader of the five major merchants of the Great Wei Dynasty, and was richer than a country!

"My dear consort, where did you get these things?"

Noble Consort Shu smiled and said, "Your Majesty, these are all the dowry gifts from when your concubine married into the royal family. Have you forgotten this?"

Jiang Chen frowned and recalled.

Noble Consort Shu's family, the Xu family, was not a noble family, but a wealthy merchant family in Jinyang.

When the Great Ancestor of the Great Wei Dynasty conquered the world, the Xu family's ancestors followed him by providing money and food. Later, with the support of the royal family, they established the 'Xingli Trading Company' and became the richest man in the Great Wei Dynasty.

It seemed that the reason why the original owner married Noble Consort Shu was because of the Xu family's strong financial resources. The seal of the 'Xingli Trading Company' was voluntarily offered by the head of the Xu family.

"Cough, my memory is really bad. I forgot such an important thing!"

Saying this, Jiang Chen excitedly hugged Noble Consort Shu, his big hand constantly moving on her graceful curves.

His Majesty is so happy, it seems that the money for disaster relief should be solved.

Thinking about it, Noble Consort Shu's pretty face showed a hint of satisfaction, and she said softly:

"Your Majesty, with this seal, you can use the money of the Xingli Trading Company at will."

"If there is not enough money in the account, your concubine can write another letter and send it back to her parents to ask them for another sum of money to help Your Majesty overcome this difficulty."

Hearing this, Jiang Chen pinched Noble Consort Shu's face and rejected it:

"Yun'er, this money should not be paid by your Xu family!"

"Moreover, although this method can solve the immediate problem, it is not a permanent solution. The problem of the empty national treasury has not been solved."

Jiang Chen regarded Noble Consort Shu as his wife. This woman was worthy of his sincere treatment.

On the other hand, Mei Ruoying, although beautiful, could at most only capture his lower body and was not worth investing in emotionally.

Noble Consort Shu frowned and persuaded, "Your Majesty, although this is true, the matter of disaster relief cannot be delayed!"

"If the court's relief is not available for another day, the people on both sides of the Wei River will have to go hungry for another day. We can use this method to deal with the emergency first."

"My parents will definitely agree to provide money for disaster relief as long as I ask!"

Jiang Chen did not let go.

He held Noble Consort Shu's shoulders, met her beautiful autumn eyes, and said without doubt:

"Yun'er, don't worry, I have already thought of a way."

"Now that the national treasury is empty and the people are suffering, those local officials should also pay! Whoever took my money must pay it back twice!"

"The hole in the national treasury should not be filled by your Xu family!"

Hearing this, Noble Consort Shu's beautiful eyes widened instantly, and the look in her eyes towards Jiang Chen was unconsciously tinged with admiration.

His Majesty is becoming more and more like a wise ruler!

"Yun'er, I will take this seal and the silver notes. You have contributed to the disaster relief, but you should keep these jewels for yourself. Also, don't ask your father-in-law and mother-in-law for money."

"Tomorrow's morning court, I will have my own way to make the officials pay!"

Noble Consort Shu responded obediently, but she was thinking about how to reduce Jiang Chen's pressure without borrowing money.

Although the harem is not allowed to interfere in politics, she is a noble consort, and it should not be taboo to organize donations in the palace.

The next day.

The sky was clear and the air was fresh.

Deep in the bedroom, the breeze rolled up the tightly closed curtains, revealing the enchanting scenery.

At the foot of the bed, the brocade quilt was piled into a ball, Noble Consort Shu's snow-white skin was covered with sweat, and her delicate body was covered with red marks.

Her pretty face was flushed, and she was extremely shy. Hiding behind Jiang Chen, she instructed:

"Wan'er, quickly prepare the washing utensils, don't delay His Majesty's morning court."

"It doesn't matter, it doesn't matter for a while!"

Saying that, Jiang Chen pulled Noble Consort Shu over...