"Doesn't the yamen have internal subsidies? Does the Ministry of Revenue not approve them?" Yu Mingyue, who was somewhat familiar with the rules of various yamen, asked.
"There are, but Dali Temple has too many expenses." The money from the Ministry of Revenue was far from enough.
Besides, Dali Temple didn't have many other sources of income and wasn't good at managing them. Everyone, from top to bottom, was penniless.
As the Minister of Dali Temple put it, money had to be spent where it was most needed, and that was how things ended up.
"What expenses could Dali Temple possibly have?"
"You'll know later."
Song Yuming patted Yu Mingyue's shoulder with a look of concern, as if to say that some things could only be truly understood when experienced firsthand.
...
When Cui Shi heard that Yu Mingyue was to be sent on an external assignment, she became worried. "You're a newly appointed female official, and you haven't even figured out all the doors in the Dali Temple yamen. Why are they sending you on an external assignment? Are there no men left in Dali Temple to do the work?"
"Mother, female officials are also officials. This proves that Minister Di treats me equally and values me. Perhaps my sixth-rank Deputy Minister position will soon be promoted to a sixth-rank Minister." Yu Mingyue said confidently.
After all, it wasn't uncommon for Minister Di's subordinates to be promoted past him over the years, so adding her wouldn't make much difference.
"It's not that easy. Your father spent more than ten years to get promoted to Vice Minister, and he only held the position for a short while before being demoted to a militia commander." Although she hadn't held office herself, she knew how difficult official promotions were.
Thinking of this, she couldn't help but curse the Emperor in her heart. Years had passed, and he still hadn't given her husband a proper title. He controlled the military power of Jizhou, working tirelessly, yet he only held a temporary military post.
He, a Duke, was the only one in history to be demoted to a militia commander.
"Father used up all his luck marrying Mother. I'm different. I didn't even glance at the Temple of the Matchmaker, but I knelt before the Temple of the God of Wealth and refused to get up. He will bless me with promotion and wealth." Yu Mingyue patted her chest and guaranteed.
Cui Shi gave her a reproachful look. "You speak without restraint. Don't talk nonsense."
"If Mother is worried about me, then give me more money for food and drink on the road. Once you enter the officialdom, it's like diving into a deep sea, and from then on, money is thrown out." Yu Mingyue held her hands together and placed them in front of Cui Shi. "Please, Mother, have mercy."
Cui Shi lightly slapped her hand. "Didn't you just say you wanted promotion and wealth? Why are you saying you have no money now?"
"I haven't been promoted yet, so wealth naturally has to wait until after the promotion. Don't worry, Mother, I'll give you all my salary to keep when I receive it." Yu Mingyue flattered.
"You sly girl, I don't even know where your daily allowance goes. How will you manage a household in the future like this?" Cui Shi's head ached at this point. She didn't know who her daughter's careless nature resembled.
However, she couldn't bear to see her suffer. She instructed the nanny to get her some money. "Don't be stingy on the road. Make sure to stay in the best rooms when you lodge. Safety is the most important thing..."
After Cui Shi gave a lot of instructions, she reluctantly watched her daughter leave. The nanny, seeing Cui Shi's worried expression, couldn't help but comfort her. "Madam, please don't worry. The young lady was just joking. She handles things very prudently. Her private savings were all sent to Anping by Li Fu himself. The young lady cares deeply about the Cui family's affairs, and the old master and old madam didn't dote on her for nothing."
"When did this happen? She kept it from me so well. No wonder she's been wearing the same few hair ornaments all this time." Cui Shi said with concern.
"The young lady didn't want Madam to worry. Madam, please rest assured. Everyone in the household praises our young lady's conduct. With her loyalty and righteousness, she deserves promotion, wealth, and a happy marriage." The nanny said with a sense of pride.