Chapter 16: A Countermeasure

The idea was so outlandish, so tempting, that they held onto it, unwilling to let go.  Light laughter echoed through the hall, but no one voiced their support, waiting for the Emperor to refute it.

The Emperor glanced at Shen Shurong, then burst into laughter. “Yongjia, you truly have this kind of heart?”

Shen Shurong bowed gracefully. “Imperial Uncle, you are burdened with the affairs of state, with no time to spare for managing the treasury. Grandmother is also getting old. I have been by her side since childhood, learning from her, and I believe I am capable of taking on this responsibility. Moreover, Grandmother can still guide me.”

“Furthermore, I am a Commandery Princess of Great Zhou, supported by the people of Great Zhou. I want to contribute to the common good, not be a figurehead.”

The Emperor considered this carefully. If Yongjia was truly willing, it was worth a try.

The Crown Prince narrowed his eyes. She actually wanted to take charge?

The officials fell silent. The Grand Princess was in charge, and now her granddaughter was taking over, with the Grand Princess assisting. It seemed there was no reason to object.

But they couldn’t let it remain in their hands.

“Your Majesty, it’s not that this old minister doesn’t trust the Commandery Princess, but she is still very young, and the treasury is an extremely important matter.”

“Yes, Grand Princess, the treasury has been dwindling in recent years. Perhaps a change of hands will bring about improvement.”

Cao, the Prime Minister, remained silent.

Xie Yunzhao was furious. Why couldn’t his Rongrong take charge?

The Duke of Lu stood up and bowed. “The Commandery Princess is indeed too young, and she is about to marry my son. After marriage, she will likely be occupied.”

Xie Yunzhao also stood up and helped the Duke of Lu sit down. “Father, there’s no inconvenience. This Son of yours and the Commandery Princess will manage the treasury together. Today, the Grand Princess has appointed me as the official in charge of the treasury.”

What? The Duke of Lu felt dizzy. The treasury hadn’t even been handed over yet, and Yunzhao had already gotten his foot in the door?

So, it could be considered as already secured?

He looked at the Crown Prince, who clearly didn’t buy it.

The Duke of Lu didn’t say anything more, and sat down beside Xie Yunzhao. The treasury was now in the hands of his son and daughter-in-law. What was there to argue about?

The Crown Prince saw through his intentions and tried to pull him in. “Duke Lu, what you said is reasonable. Yongjia will be married soon, and she will be busy raising a family for the Xie family. She might not have the time or energy to manage the treasury.”

Xu, the Minister of Revenue, still hoped that the treasury would be under the Ministry’s control. Now, this Commandery Princess had appeared. “Yes, the Commandery Princess is the daughter-in-law of the Duke of Lu’s Mansion. After entering the inner house, it will be inconvenient for her to go out. She is different from the Grand Princess.”

“Hey, Old Xu, you’re not getting it! I said I will help the Commandery Princess manage it!” Xie Yunzhao retorted angrily. Everyone was trying to snatch Rongrong’s treasury, as if he was a mere decoration!

The Crown Prince chuckled. “Yunzhao, you? It’s not that Old Xu doesn’t understand, it’s just that…you are even less reassuring!”

The officials in the room burst into laughter. Some noble ladies covered their mouths and giggled. Xie Yunzhao was always the butt of jokes.

Xie Yunzhao was annoyed. This useless Crown Prince dared to laugh at him?

Just as he was about to argue, the Duke of Lu pulled him back.

Shen Shurong bowed to Li Chen. “The affairs of state are currently very busy. Imperial Uncle is working tirelessly every day, and Brother Crown Prince is overseeing the government. This year’s floods and the disturbances on the border, have you formulated any countermeasures? ”

The Crown Prince choked. “This Prince is currently making plans, but it will take some time.”

“That’s it then. Yongjia understands that you and Imperial Uncle are busy, all for the sake of the people. But Brother Yunzhao and I have been idle for nearly twenty years. Now, we want to do something for Great Zhou, for the people.”

“If you, esteemed officials, don’t trust us, please give Yongjia one year. After one year, we will let our results speak for themselves. If we are unable to handle it, Yongjia and Brother Yunzhao will resign.”

There was complete silence as everyone pondered.

A year wasn’t too long. It wasn’t like they could achieve anything significant in that time.

With no objections, Shen Shurong looked at the Emperor. “Imperial Uncle, what do you think?”

“What does the Prime Minister think?” the Emperor asked.

“This old minister believes that handing it over to the Commandery Princess is convenient. The Grand Princess Mansion has a thorough understanding of the treasury. It’s worth a try.”

The Emperor raised his hand. “The Prime Minister is right. Yongjia has this kind of heart, and I am deeply comforted.”

“Father, I too support this, but Yongjia is getting married soon, which may bring about some inconveniences.”

“It’s alright. I have granted Yongjia the Commandery Princess Mansion, right next to the Grand Princess Mansion, so there’s no need to worry. Yongjia has been pampered since childhood and can’t be separated from her Grandma.”

The hall fell silent again. The Commandery Princess Mansion?

Along with the treasury, wouldn’t that make it the next Grand Princess Mansion?

Such immense power?

The Princess suddenly felt a burning sensation on her face, lowering her head as much as possible. She had just boasted about how much her father favored her, giving her the largest Grand Princess Mansion… But now Yongjia was stealing everything!

The noble ladies also shrank back. In recent days, they had mocked the Commandery Princess for trying to win over Heir Xie, thinking she would never become the future Duchess. With her most favorable marriage prospects gone, she would still be overshadowed by the main branch.

But now she had the Commandery Princess Mansion!

The Xie family was bewildered. Would Yunzhao be living in the Commandery Princess Mansion with Yongjia?

They were marrying a daughter-in-law but had taken their son away to live elsewhere. The Duke of Lu and his wife couldn’t express any dissatisfaction, especially since the Commandery Princess was marrying Xie Yunzhao, which was a step down.

Xie Yunzheng clenched his fists, his heart aching fiercely. He had always had an advantage over Xie Yunzhao, but now it was all gone!

Hearing this, Xie Yunzhao grinned, thinking that living separately would allow Rongrong to distance herself from Xie Yunzheng.

Shen Shurong walked to the center of the hall and gestured for Xie Yunzhao to come forward.

Xie Yunzhao sprang out and supported Shen Shurong as they both knelt and bowed. “Thank you, Imperial Uncle/Thank you, Your Majesty. We will not disappoint your grace.”

As the banquet dispersed, the sun was setting in the distance.

Shen Shurong took her grandmother’s carriage back, while Xie Yunzhao rode behind to escort her.

The two of them exchanged smiles, knowing that securing this was just the first step. “From now on, you will be busy.”

“Grandmother, Yongjia wants to go out more and see the world.”

“Alright, let Yunzhao protect you.” The Grand Princess felt increasingly that this marriage was a good idea. Yongjia wouldn’t be dependent on her husband’s family and naturally would have a husband who prioritized her, just like the old man beside her.

“Hmm, he is willing.”

The Grand Princess smiled. The young couple had known each other since childhood and played together. If it weren’t for the Duke of Lu’s Mansion changing heirs, they would have already been a couple.

It was destiny.

“Yunzhao isn’t good at studying, but he excels in martial arts,” Elder Shen agreed. “He can protect you.”

Shen Shurong’s cheeks flushed slightly. She knew he was all muscles, but he had strength now.

When they reached the entrance, Shen Shurong was once again supported down by Xie Yunzhao.

“Am I going home?” The man’s tone was filled with reluctance.

Shen Shurong could easily tell. “Yes, be careful on your way back.”

Xie Yunzhao watched her enter, while Suihan and Yinzhi looked on, trying to suppress their laughter. The grandson-in-law seemed keen to stay longer.

Once the main door closed, Xie Yunzhao turned back to lead his horse. They had spent the whole day together and were already familiar with each other. Besides, it was better not to see each other at night.

Qingzhu and Qingying were quite satisfied, far exceeding expectations. They had thought the young master would face a few closed doors.

Just as they were about to mount their horses, a figure emerged from the small door.

Seeing Suihan, Xie Yunzhao’s eyes lit up. “Did the Commandery Princess have any instructions?”

Suihan bowed respectfully. “Second Master, the Commandery Princess is waiting for you for breakfast tomorrow morning.”

“I understand. Please tell the Commandery Princess that I will come early to accompany her,” Xie Yunzhao’s voice conveyed both nervousness and excitement.

Suihan bowed again, raising his eyes to glance at him with a smile as he returned. The grandson-in-law was happy again.