If not for the suddenness of the events, he would not have handed over the iron ore map now.
The Sage was eager to break the Li family's monopoly on weapons and would surely accelerate mining.
Before that, a stable method had to be devised.
"There's no rush for now. Young Master hasn't had a good rest these past few days; his eyes are already dark."
Ever since Wang Ningqing disappeared, Xie Jiayan had been keeping a close watch on the movements of various aristocratic families.
If you ask him, since Madam has already left the capital and Young Master is also taking the opportunity to resign, why bother with the conflicts between the court and the aristocratic families? After all, their Young Master isn't going to be the Emperor.
Xie Jiayan understood Kong's implied meaning and smiled, saying he understood. However, Kong knew that Young Master would not listen to him, otherwise, he wouldn't be here.
Mingyue Garden
Yu Mingyue knew she had caused trouble this time. As soon as she saw Cui Shi, she appeared docile, ready to accept any punishment.
However, Cui Shi knew that this docility was just an act, and she would dare to do it again next time.
"You are not allowed to leave Mingyue Garden until your elder brother returns to the capital. Your monthly allowance will be halved for six months, and the maids and servants in the courtyard will be punished for three months." Cui Shi's heart was like stone.
When Yu Mingyue heard about the deduction of her monthly allowance, she felt a pang of heartache. She knew that confinement was unavoidable, but she didn't expect her mother to be even more ruthless. This was practically killing her.
This time, to save Li Fu, she had spent all her private savings. She was now so poor that she only had herself left.
"Mother," Yu Mingyue hugged Cui Shi's arm, "Daughter has decided to mend her ways. To show my sincerity of repentance, I am willing to copy ten chapters of 'Lessons for Women' as a token of my sincerity. Can you not deduct my monthly allowance? Yue'er is truly poor right now..."
Cui Shi smiled kindly, "Since Yue'er is so sincere, then you should copy one hundred chapters. You reminded me."
"Ah?"
"You don't want to?"
"No, no." Yu Mingyue shook her head repeatedly, "What about the monthly allowance?"
"It will still be deducted!" Cui Shi said impartially.
After speaking, she left without paying attention to Yu Mingyue's tearful expression, taking her maids and servants with her.
Two burly guards stood at the entrance of Mingyue Garden. The most skilled Zhu Yu was still recuperating. It was impossible for Yu Mingyue to get out on her own.
Forget it, she would reflect on her mistakes.
Nanny Qin, who was by Cui Shi's side, saw that Cui Shi was angry and couldn't help but plead for the young mistress, "Madam, the punishment for Sixth Miss this time is too severe."
"It's because I've indulged her too much. Look at her now; there's nothing she wouldn't dare to do. The Hanzhong army has rebelled, and the capital is likely to be unstable. The current situation requires the Duke's mansion to keep a low profile." Cui Shi said with worry.
"Madam is worried about Qinghe..." Nanny Qin stopped speaking.
"The five great clans rise and fall together; the Cui family can hardly remain aloof. If it weren't for saving the Seventh Prince during the Youzhou rebellion, the Sage would not have let it go so easily. This time, the Hanzhong rebellion, if not for the cooperation of various families, how could it have reached the capital so smoothly? Wang Ningqing's death is also suspicious. I always feel uneasy."
As a daughter of the Cui family, Cui Shi's marriage was also for the consideration of the family. But now she was also the mother of three children, and she hoped they could grow up safely.
Although Yue'er had already broken off her engagement with the Seventh Prince, which eased her worries, the father and son had gone to the battlefield. How could she be at peace?
"Madam, please don't worry. With the Duke and the heir's contributions, the Sage will not hold the Duke's mansion accountable."
"The Sage's heart is unpredictable; who knows? At this time, it's best not to cause trouble by going out." Cui Shi was determined not to let her daughter leave.
...
Yu Mingyue lay on the chaise lounge, her legs crossed, holding the travelogue she had read many times, without any worry about being confined.