CHAPTER 1592: CHAPTER 1592: IMPERIAL DECREE

A few days later, numerous carriages were parked at the entrance of the Ministry of Revenue. Upon hearing the news, Zhou Shuren ignored the astonishment of Qiu Yan and others and strode towards the government office gate.

Su Xuan, wrapped in a thick cloak, held a large box in her hands and stood out prominently by herself at the entrance of the government office, where a crowd had already gathered.

Zhou Shuren led the officials of the Ministry of Revenue out and asked knowingly, "Fourth daughter-in-law, what are you doing?"

Qiu Yan and others had wooden expressions, realizing that this was not a small matter. How could Marquis Zhou be unaware of such a significant event? Who was he trying to fool!

Su Xuan raised the box high and spoke clearly, "Grand Master of Writing, this year has been particularly cold. An He is grateful for the Emperor’s immense grace for bringing about this era of peace. The peace today is inseparable from the soldiers at the frontier. An He is willing to present three hundred thousand taels of silver, of which one hundred thousand taels have already been exchanged for cotton and other winter supplies. I request the Ministry of Revenue to accept them."

Zhou Shuren couldn’t help but sigh inwardly; this fourth daughter-in-law was impressive, managing to gather one hundred thousand taels worth of cotton in just a few days, which showed her extensive connections.

Zhou Shuren looked at Qiu Yan and the others, "How do you all see it?"

Qiu Yan and the others were still in shock, three hundred thousand taels? An He, the Magistrate, really has that much silver!

Qiu Yan collected himself, "Shouldn’t we report such a vast sum of silver to the Emperor?"

He didn’t know what Marquis Zhou was plotting, but he knew that with a hundred thousand taels worth of cotton and other winter supplies, the cotton that the Ministry of War was urging for was finally here!

Zhou Shuren stroked his beard, "Indeed."

He addressed the fourth daughter-in-law, "Magistrate Anhe, accompany me to the Palace."

Su Xuan lowered her hands, suppressing the smile at the corners of her mouth. Today, she was the star of the show.

The Ministry of Revenue’s carriages were quickly prepared. Zhou Shuren sat alone in the Ministry’s carriage, with Su Xuan following behind, heading towards the Palace.

After Zhou Shuren left the government office, the crowd that had gathered around still did not disperse. The sight of carriage after carriage was too spectacular.

Qiu Yan looked towards the Palace, his intuition telling him that Marquis Zhou had a purpose.

Zhang Jinghong recalled how Magistrate An He referred to herself earlier, combined with Marquis Zhou’s businesslike demeanor, he understood and smirked, eagerly anticipating the outcome.

The events at the government office spread quickly, and even before Zhou Shuren reached the palace gates, it had already become a topic of discussion among many.

The Hanlin Academy got wind of the news, and Chang Zhi’s colleagues surrounded him. One of them, unable to hide his jealousy, said, "Three hundred thousand taels, not just thirty taels. How rich Magistrate Anhe is. You married a golden baby."

Chang Zhi remained calm, having witnessed his wife’s grandeur many times over the years, and smiled, "I am fortunate indeed to have married my wife, who had been managing the household long before she wed me."

The crowd surrounding them finally realized – yes, Magistrate Anhe is the sole descendant of the Su family. It’s indeed possible for her to produce three hundred thousand taels. They then grew even more envious, thinking besides the thirty thousand taels donated, how rich could she actually be?

Upon recalling the treasures fought over during the wartime struggles and hearing about how shrewd Magistrate Anhe was, the envy, oh the envy, grew stronger. There’s no wonder why Zhou Changzhi never had to worry about money – he had his wife for silver and his father for power. He truly had it made.

Don’t think that being an official makes one ignorant of the ways of the world; being an official only makes one more aware of the importance of silver.

Inside the government hall of the Palace, the Emperor looked over the silver notes, choosing to ignore Zhou Shuren and addressing An He instead, "Three hundred thousand taels is no small amount. An He, have you thought it through?"

Su Xuan knelt and replied, "An He is willing to contribute her meager strength."

The Emperor knew everything about the affairs of the Hou Residence and naturally understood An He’s recent moves. He connected it with Zhou Shuren mentioning the cotton and the recent rumors about the fifth young lady of the Zhou family, and everything became clear to him.

The Emperor looked at the Crown Prince, knowing well that Zhou Shuren wouldn’t allow the rumors to spread any further. Now, the Hou Residence had just handed a ladder to the royal family.

Su Xuan felt uneasy, fearing that the Emperor might not accept this ladder, which concerned her daughter.

Zhou Shuren remained calm, with nothing to worry about; the Emperor wished to put an end to the rumors too; he just didn’t have the right opportunity till now.

The Crown Prince felt conflicted. When the rumors surfaced, he intended to intervene. Since he had already made up his mind, he never planned to scheme against the fifth young lady of the Zhou family. In the end, before he could take any action, the Hou Residence had come up with an even more honorable and righteous solution!

The Emperor stood up, "An He’s gratitude towards the hardships of the soldiers at the border greatly pleases me. An He, is there anything you wish for?"

Upon hearing this, Su Xuan felt at ease. She was aware that one family could not have two magistrates, and sincerely said, "An He wishes to ask the Emperor to grant An He’s title to An He’s daughter. An He desires only peace and happiness for her daughter."

The Emperor gazed at the kneeling An He, "Once the title is given to your daughter, will you have no regrets over losing it?"

Su Xuan replied with unwavering determination, "No regrets."

Her daughter would become a magistrate, with a bestowed title, and as the legitimate daughter of the Hou Residence, the rumors would naturally collapse.

The Emperor glanced at Zhou Shuren, the curve of his lips widened as he found that the Hou Residence was full of shrewd individuals. In an exceedingly good mood, he said, "Alright, I approve."

Su Xuan couldn’t suppress the smile at the corners of her mouth, excitedly saying, "Thank you, Your Majesty, for your grace."

Outside the Palace, the discussions continued, with the backstory of Magistrate An He being circulated again. An orphen, her considerable family estate brought into the Hou Residence upon her marriage.

Those who had once schemed against Magistrate An He regretted not succeeding earlier. Such a grand gesture of thirty thousand taels, just how deep were her reserves?

Even those who hadn’t schemed regretted it, realizing that despite being an orphan with potentially weakening relations, the allure of money was strong enough to overlook all else. Especially understanding that Magistrate An He had been continuously earning silver for years, their regret was immeasurable.

At the Hou Residence, Zhulan calmly continued her painting. She knew that what Su Xuan sought would inevitably succeed. The Retired Emperor lived, giving An He some influence, and combined with her request being of no disadvantage to the royal family, the Emperor would surely agree.

Steward Ding rushed in, "Madam, the imperial edict has arrived."

Zhulan said, "Prepare to receive the edict."

She had received many edicts before and remained unhurried. After receiving the edict, everyone except Zhulan was left stunned.

Lady Li returned to her room, "Mother, did the sister-in-law donate three hundred thousand taels?"

Zhulan nodded, "Yes."

Lady Li continued, "And An He’s title was given to Yu Wen?"

"Yes."

Lady Li, seeing her mother-in-law’s calm demeanor, understood there was nothing left to question, obviously indicating her mother-in-law was aware of everything.

Madam Zhao realized and asked, "Mother, was sister-in-law’s motive due to the rumors?"

Zhulan nodded approvingly, "With the spread of the imperial edict, the rumors are dispelled."

Madam Zhao asked cautiously, "Mother, you thought of a way, right?"

Zhulan smiled and asked in return, "Aren’t you afraid that the three hundred thousand taels might include my silver too?"

Lady Li waved it off, "Had I known earlier, I would have contributed as well."

Madam Zhao added, "Mother, your and father’s silver affairs are not for us juniors to question."

She didn’t covet the estate of the Hou Residence. Although the second wife couldn’t match up to the fourth wife, they weren’t lacking in silver either. However, she was truly shocked by how wealthy the fourth sister-in-law was!

Zhulan was satisfied with the reactions of her two daughters-in-law, looking towards the rarely spirited Yu Wen, "From now on, Yu Wen will be the new Magistrate An He. Today, let’s have the kitchen prepare a feast to celebrate with the whole family."

Qing Xue proceeded with the orders, and the young girls finally regained their composure.

Yu Wen knew that her mother had been busy recently, having not cared for her for a few days. She had asked about it, and her mother had said she would know in a few days. She hadn’t expected her mother had done so much for her, and her eyes reddened, "Grandmother, my mother did it all for me."