Chapter 49: The Benefits of Being a Second-Generation Official

Fu Minglang’s heart fluttered for some unknown reason.

When he saw Princess Ning’an approaching, he thought she was going to speak to him.

However, she didn’t even glance in his direction and started talking directly to the Minister.

Her words were full of concern for Yan Shizi.

She was worried that he wasn’t eating well or staying warm.

While members of the harem were forbidden from meddling in politics, princesses were no exception.

Yet here she was, seeking military funds from the Minister of Revenue for Yan Shizi.

Although military pay for border troops was important, this was not something Princess Ning’an should involve herself in.

Moreover, it wasn’t as if he was withholding funds out of reluctance—the Ministry of Revenue simply didn’t have that much money.

After careful calculation, the funds, when distributed evenly, were just enough for the soldiers to eat and drink.

Fu Minglang felt a knot of frustration in his chest, though he couldn’t quite identify the cause.

Listening to Princess Ning’an’s words was like fuel on a fire, only making the flames grow.

What benefit could there be in opposing the Fourth Princess in this way?

Fu Minglang didn’t want to get caught between the two princesses, so he clasped his hands and said:

“The Second Prince of Beiyue wishes to enter the capital to pay his respects and witness the splendor of Daqi. If he sees such behavior, who knows what he might think?”

“Princess Ning’an, you should be more cautious in your actions.”

Li Ningyi nodded in agreement. Her uncle’s capture was indeed a disgrace to the Tong family.

But for her third sister to speak so openly and exaggerate the situation was too much.

Today, she was only letting it go out of respect for Lord Fu, not wanting to argue with her third sister.

As Fu Minglang mentioned the Second Prince of Beiyue, Li Ningyi seized the opportunity to ask, “What does Beiyue really intend with this visit?”

“Of course, it’s to escort General Tong back,” Li Ning’an replied, ignoring Fu Minglang’s comment. After all, the visitors hadn’t entered the capital yet.

She deliberately emphasized the word “escort.”

Li Ningyi was infuriated. Once her temper flared, no one could stop her, and she was determined to argue with her third sister.

“If I’m not mistaken, Father specifically sent Yan Shizi to rescue them. Why is it that only Deputy General Ge and the others, trapped in Mount Fu, were saved?”

Li Ning’an nodded. “Exactly. Isn’t it because your cousin was useless and missed his chance, leaving Yan Lang to turn the tide? The Tong family should be thanking him.”

Li Ning’an wore a proud expression, as if to say, my Yan Lang is just that remarkable.

Li Ningyi clenched her fists, took a few deep breaths, and calmed herself.

“Sister, I have other matters to attend to, so I won’t disturb you and Lord Fu any further.”

She decided to find another opportunity to meet Lord Fu in private.

If she stayed any longer, her third sister would surely drive her to anger.

Li Ningyi left first, and Fu Minglang also prepared to leave. But Li Ning’an signaled to Xing’e to block his path.

“You haven’t given me the military pay yet. Where do you think you’re going?”

Princess Ning’an was determined to help with this matter.

Having spent quite some time locked up in the Ministry of Justice’s prison, and with the situation involving Prince Jing, everyone now saw her as a good person.

Whenever she was mentioned, people would say, “Oh, Princess Ning’an did this or that.”

There was no mention at all of her being involved with Yan Shizi as his mistress.

And that simply wouldn’t do.

If Beiyue were to change its mind and resume fighting with Daqi, and Yan Ziqi returned victorious, what if he married someone else?

With Yan Ziqi stationed far away in the northwest, even if Princess Ning’an wanted to pull some strings, she had no way of doing so.

Determined, Princess Ning’an followed Fu Minglang, intent on pressuring the Ministry of Revenue for the military pay.

To outsiders, it seemed like Princess Ning’an had developed an interest in Fu Minglang again.

When this news reached the Grand Tutor Wen’s residence, Wen Di, who had just completed a task brilliantly and was now free from his studies, rushed to the Ministry of Revenue.

But he was stopped at the entrance.

“What, Ning’an can go in, but I can’t?”

After all, not just anyone could casually enter the Ministry of Revenue.

Wen Di stood at the gate shouting for Princess Ning’an for half a day, but she didn’t come out.

What else could he do?

Naturally, he decided to exercise his rights as a second-generation official. He had just performed a great service, and the emperor had asked what he wanted in return.

That very day, Wen Di secured a position at the Ministry of Revenue.

Princess Ning’an, meanwhile, was sitting in a corner of the ministry hall reviewing the account books. The Minister of Revenue had given her special permission to do so.

His reasoning was simple.

Princess Ning’an was highly favored by the emperor, and after looking at the accounts, she might say a few words to the emperor.

Then the emperor would understand just how difficult the situation was for the Ministry of Revenue.

Thus, the Minister of Revenue handed over some inconsequential account books, ones that still showed some issues, for Princess Ning’an to review.

It saved her from buzzing in his ear like a mosquito.

Who could have guessed that another important figure would show up?

Seeing Wen Di, the Minister of Revenue felt as if the entire office might be turned upside down.

However, he simply went through the motions, saying a few words to Wen Di, like, “Work hard and don’t disappoint His Majesty.”

Then, he allowed Wen Di to join Princess Ning’an in reviewing the account books.

Thus, Wen Di found Li Ning’an in the corner, engrossed in the ledgers, and was quite surprised.

“You’ve gone through all this trouble for Fu Minglang? Are you really planning to secure a position in the Ministry of Revenue and stay close to him?”

He had already wagered silver on Fu Minglang that month, during the period when Li Ning’an was most infatuated with Yan Ziqi.

Women’s hearts are truly as unpredictable as needles at the bottom of the sea.

The girl, hunched over the desk, was carefully studying the account books, occasionally moving the beads on the abacus beside her.

On another sheet of white paper, she had already written quite a few notes.

If one looked closely, it was clear that Li Ning’an was doing calculations.

For instance, how much tax a household of three should pay.

Or how much an official’s monthly salary was.

Fortunately, their dynasty didn’t require converting rice stipends and other goods—only dealing with silver currency.

But even so, it was still a time-consuming task.

Li Ning’an’s head was spinning from staring at the books. If not for her experience managing the inner household at the Fu residence in her past life, she might not have understood much at all.

“Wen Di?” Li Ning’an rubbed her neck and finally noticed Wen Di’s presence.

Glancing at his attire, she saw he was wearing the official robes of a seventh-rank Ministry of Revenue officer.

Such positions, gained without passing the imperial exams, could only be achieved through family connections or rewards from the emperor.

Since Wen Di had made a contribution, receiving such a position was fair enough.

Wen Di had thought Li Ning’an was there just to trail behind Fu Minglang, but he was surprised to see her poring over the account books.

“You made me lose 30,000 taels last time. Pay up.”

Wen Di extended his hand and shamelessly sat down beside Li Ning’an, demanding compensation.

Li Ning’an was baffled. Could something have gone wrong in Xitong County, causing him to lose 30,000 taels?

If that was the case, it had to be a problem with Grand Tutor Wen’s arrangements, not something related to her, the kind-hearted and beautiful Princess Ning’an.

Li Ning’an continued to focus on her work. “If you’re really that bored, help me go through these.”

“No way,” Wen Di replied. He had just managed to escape his father’s pressure to study and had no intention of helping Li Ning’an with the account books.

Li Ning’an had arrived in the morning, and even her lunch had been brought over by Xing’e from another residence. By the afternoon, she was still reviewing the books.

Even Wen Di’s presence hadn’t distracted her at all.

Fu Minglang, seated three desks away from her, also had tasks to complete that day, but his eyes kept drifting toward Princess Ning’an.

She wasn’t here for him.

She was trying to secure military funds for Yan Shizi.

Even the lunch that Xing’e had delivered didn’t include anything for him.

People were whispering, saying that Princess Ning’an had indeed moved on from her former affection.

Assistant Minister Fu was yesterday’s news, already in the past.

In the afternoon, another young official, Wen Xiaolang, came to work at the Ministry of Revenue, sparking gossip about whether the gambling houses would open a new round of betting.

Whose heart truly held Princess Ning’an’s affection?

People couldn’t wait to find out, so they could have their families place a bet and earn a little extra money.

Li Ning’an spent the entire day reviewing the accounts. Even when the Ministry of Revenue officially closed, she was planning to take a book home with her.

Xing’e was stunned.

Once they boarded the carriage, Xing’e couldn’t help but ask, “Princess, do we really need to go through so much effort?”

Li Ning’an rubbed her forehead. “I didn’t take enough books. I should have grabbed two more. Tomorrow, you can tell them I was up reading by lamplight all night.”

When Li Ning’an returned to Changle Palace, she tossed the account book into the study and then collapsed onto her bed.

“Hongxiu, has there been any news from Father’s side?”

She could only extend her influence as far as the corridor outside the Qian Kun Hall.

Hongxiu replied, “Eunuch Yan reminded His Majesty, and he has been taking his medicine and meals on time.”

Li Ning’an nodded. “Take a look at the account book in the study.”

Hongxiu nodded. She was responsible for many of the princess’s affairs, and account books were not difficult for her.

Li Ning’an sat up as Xing’e, ever attentive, helped massage her shoulders and back and instructed others to prepare refreshments.

“Princess, are you going to the Ministry of Revenue again tomorrow?”

It was truly exhausting to go to such lengths for Yan Shizi.

Xing’e even considered writing a letter to Yan Shizi to tell him how much effort the princess was putting in on his behalf.