novelaction Chapter 151: Money that falls from the sky is wasted if not spent
Chapter 151: Money that falls from the sky is wasted if not spent
Wu Xiangrong and Qiu Changzai were both there at the time, chatting and looking at the koi in the tank in the corridor. The bright red and gold koi darted among the emerald green leaves of the water lilies, nodding and wagging their tails in a very adorable way.
Fei Wan quickly finished reading the letter and ordered someone to burn it on the small tea stove in the kitchen.
There was a bloody incident at the birthday banquet, and everyone knew about the unclear relationship between Fei Wan and the Yu family.
Wu Xiangrong looked at Fei Wan's expression which had turned cold, and asked what was written in the letter and whether it was offensive.
"If they dare disrespect my sister, I will file a complaint against them on your behalf when I see His Majesty someday!"
Fei Wan lowered her eyes and smiled faintly, "No offense, Minister Yu congratulated me on my successive promotions and asked me to serve the king well. It's just that the request he made later was unpleasant."
"what's up?"
"Lord Yu said that Yu Gengyi is weak and ill, and there are not enough people to serve her. He wants me to ask for a favor and send her two more servants, and then find a suitable imperial physician to take care of her until she recovers. If Yu Gengyi recovers, then her whole family will be grateful to me."
This was the request Yu Tingjin made when he secretly sent a letter home, and Fei Wan had known it for a long time.
However, she didn't expect that Yu Zhong didn't do it privately, but took a roundabout way and asked her to do it.
It not only shows respect for her, but also cares for Yu Tingjin. It is really thoughtful.
Wu Xiangrong angrily said, "I shouldn't be saying this, but when my sister first gained favor, her body, hands, and face were covered in obvious injuries. Although you didn't say anything, we, the others, watched with cold eyes. Those injuries were inextricably linked to Yu Gengyi. And then there were the witchcraft and rat bites. My sister was repeatedly bullied by her, and His Majesty even demoted her rank. Why hasn't the Yu family made a statement about this? How can you have the nerve to ask my sister to help her?"
Concubine Qiu threw a few grains of fish food into the water and cautiously interjected, "I'm just speculating. Maybe Lord Yu is afraid of Sister Zhao, so he doesn't dare to openly admit Yu Gengyi's fault. He's been vague about it, talking only about their relationship and not the grudges. Maybe there will be a chance for a turnaround later."
"What's the turning point? Is it a turning point for Yu Gengyi to regain favor, or a turning point for her to reconcile with Sister Zhao? These turning points are not good for Sister Zhao. I wonder what the Yu family is hoping for!"
After being scolded by Wu Xiangrong, Fei Wan felt much happier after being annoyed by the Yu family.
She raised the piece of paper enclosed in the letter and said with a smile, "Who cares what he hopes for? I don't like the letter, so I'll just burn it. This thing is good, so I'll keep it."
Wu Xiangrong and Qiu Changzai both went to look at the paper and found that it was a silver note for five hundred taels.
Wu Xiangrong smacked her lips, "The Yu family is really willing to spend money on Yu Gengyi!"
As a minister, Yu Zhong's salary, if we only look at the silver, not counting other things, would take him almost three years to save up 500 taels.
It would cost so much just to send two palace maids and hire an imperial physician.
Fei Wan guessed that Yu Zhong must also want to make friends with her, so she took the opportunity to ask for Yu Tingjin to test her attitude with a banknote.
If she is willing to help, there will be follow-up.
However, Yu Zhong probably didn't know that she already knew about the little tricks he had been doing in secret. He had previously instigated many people to write memorials to criticize her. Even if there was no suspicion due to their background, she would not believe his "surrender"!
If someone treats others as fools, he himself is the real fool.
The sky was clear and blue, with sunlight evenly distributed. In such good weather, Fei Wan would not let the Yu family ruin her mood.
Immediately let Xiaohui take the silver note to the Ministry of Internal Affairs to exchange it for real gold and silver.
"I heard that due to famine and war, the prices of gold and silver are unstable, and silver notes are even more volatile. I feel at ease if I can exchange them for real gold and silver early and hold them in my hands."
Because Fei Wan was in great favor, the Imperial Household Department did not dare to neglect her. Exchanging gold and silver was not their business, but not long after Xiao Hui left, she came back with a box of gold and silver ingots.
Wu Xiangrong was surprised: "How come my sister is so good at money matters?"
Although Concubine Qiu had a low rank, she was also a young lady before entering the palace. She had never done housework and knew nothing about economics and money, and her face was confused.
Fei Wan smiled and told them, "As the saying goes, a poor child grows up early. I knew the importance of money and property from a very young age, which makes you laugh. Even though I have the title of Ronghua, my nature is hard to change. I love to hoard gold and silver."
As he said that, he sent someone with some money to the imperial kitchen to ask for food, and invited Zhishu to come over. Everyone enjoyed a meal with the money given by the Yu family.
If you don’t spend the money that falls from the sky, it will be a waste.
You can still take the money and still be hated by others, without losing either.
Suddenly, Concubine Qing's voice echoed from the palace gate: "Very good! Hoarding gold and silver is very practical."
After being stunned, the few people hurried forward to pay their respects to the imperial concubine.
Fei Wan smiled and said, "I heard the magpie calling outside the window this morning. It turns out it was your Majesty. I never thought you would condescend to come here."
Concubine Qing's face was pale and her voice was weak. Supported by a maid on each side, she slowly walked into the courtyard of Chunxi Palace and looked around with a smile.
"No need to be so polite. I was feeling a bit better today, so I decided to go for a walk. As I passed by, I saw the red jacaranda trees that looked like half a cloud in the sky from afar, and I couldn't help but want to get closer to take a look."
Wu Xiangrong couldn't help showing off for Fei Wan.
"Your Highness, these two trees were specially moved from Shanglin Garden by His Majesty to add luster to Sister Zhao's relocation. Originally, there were no trees this tall in the main courtyard of Chunxi Palace."
Concubine Qing nodded slightly: "It can be seen that His Majesty values Zhao Ronghua. No one else in the palace has this favor."
Fei Wanfu said humbly, "Your Majesty, you care for me, though I am but a humble concubine, out of pity for my past suffering. Your Majesty truly values you, because you copied the Avatamsaka Sutra. I heard that Your Majesty ordered the calligraphers of the Palace Painting and Calligraphy Academy to collect inscriptions and tablets from previous dynasties. You intend to gather the best of all and re-carve the various Buddhist scriptures into tablets for the world to see."
Qiu Changzai was surprised: "Carve all the Buddhist scriptures? Wouldn't that take years?"
Fei Wan said, "Maybe three to five years, maybe seven to eight years. Time is one thing, but the labor is also a lot. This is a grand Buddhist event, with immeasurable merits. It all depends on the Imperial Concubine."
After hearing this, Wu Xiangrong and Qiu Changzai couldn't help but chant "Amitabha".
Concubine Qing smiled faintly and looked at Fei Wan. "You don't need to be so cautious in front of me. While fame and favor can attract wind and resentment, it's common in this world. You just need to understand where this fame comes from and have a plan in mind, then you can hold on to your temporary glory and turn it into a lifetime of glory."
The phoenix tree was in full bloom, casting a brilliant and warm light overhead, making Concubine Qing's dark purple lotus-patterned gown seem even duller. However, she remained composed, as if she had no regrets about her lost youth. Her eyes were gentle and indifferent, as if she could see through everything.
"But please enlighten me, Madam."
Fei Wan was deeply blessed.
Wu Xiangrong and Qiu Changzai tactfully said goodbye and agreed to come back for the banquet in the evening.
Concubine Qing accepted Fei Wan's invitation and sat on the brocade stool under the shade of the tree.
"Do you know that this jacaranda tree has another name?" she asked.