Even if he hadn't asked, she would have answered anyway. Since that was the case, there was no need to beat around the bush.
Shu Qing nodded her head:
— The situation in the county was tense. There were many matters that required funds to resolve. Especially after the military operations.
Niu You Dao asked:
— Could it be that the Prince couldn't do what he did in Cang Wu County? After all, Qingshan is much larger than Cang Wu County.
He was alluding to how Chao Zong had operated in Cang Wu County. *taking wealth from the rich.*.
Shu Qing shook her head:
— Things didn't work out that way. In Cang Wu County, no one knew that Brother would act in such a manner. That's why everything went smoothly. But here, everyone was already prepared. All the wealthy, gathering all their possessions, left and took only what couldn't be carried away. For example: this very courtyard where you are living!
— As for the common people, it's even harder for them. Brother became the new ruler, and everyone is still unsure what to expect from him. Therefore, Brother was forced to lower taxes. It was already difficult to find the funds to procure 10,000 gold. And if taxes were increased, the people would suffer even more and might even flee. The consequences of that are not hard to imagine.
Niu You Dao nodded at her. He understood all of this. The Heavenly Jade Sect had funded them to seize Qingshan for its finances and cultivation resources.
It was already good that they weren't taking profits from the people's taxes for now. How could they ask the sect for money now?
If the Prince couldn't raise the money, what use would he be to the Heavenly Jade Sect then?
And Feng Lin Bo, having received nothing, had already expended so many materials and men to seize Qingshan. He was already not very pleased with this grand endeavor!
Niu You Dao understood all of this; he had simply overlooked it initially due to carelessness. He reached out to the tea table and pushed the money back.
This meant he wouldn't take the money. Shu Qing cautiously asked:
— Is this too little for Lord Dao?
Niu You Dao nodded:
— If you value a court official in such a way, then it is indeed too little. How then could I explain myself to everyone? — He tilted his head and gestured towards Yuan Gang and the others.
Having been refused in front of everyone, Shu Qing felt awkward. But what could be done if their own pockets were empty? She continued in an apologetic tone:
— Lord Dao, you have shown great favor to my brother and me. Without you, we wouldn't have what we have today. However, to repay Lord Dao, we currently have little money. Once Qingshan recovers, we will properly repay Lord Dao. For now...
Niu You Dao raised a hand, interrupting her:
— Princess, you misunderstand. What I mean to say is that the Princess is looking down on a certain Niu. I have enough money... Saying this, he beckoned Yuan Gang and said:
— Count out 200,000 and give it to the Prince for emergency expenses.
Yuan Gang silently took out 200,000 and under Shu Qing's astonished gaze, walked over and placed 20 banknotes of 10,000 gold each before her. Then, he silently retreated back to his position.
Shu Qing stared at the money in astonishment, then looked at Niu You Dao. She didn't know what to say.
Niu You Dao extended his hands towards the money and said:
— Princess, please take these 200,000 gold and give them to the Prince for emergency expenses.
Niu You Dao did not want anyone to control the Prince, so he made every effort to support him. He did this not only for the Shang siblings but also for his own present and future security. So that they would always follow him thereafter.
Sooner or later, Niu You Dao would contend with the Heavenly Jade Sect for influence over the Prince. It was simply not the right time yet. And since the Heavenly Jade Sect was currently unwilling to help the Prince, Niu You Dao would.
Shu Qing felt utterly humiliated in front of everyone. She had brought 10,000 gold to Niu You Dao, only for him to refuse, return them, and then give an additional 200,000 on top.
Shu Qing had never even conceived of such an outcome. She was mortified! Her face flushed crimson and seemed even more disfigured. In her vexation, she even bit her lips.
Without waiting for her to say anything, Niu You Dao understood what she was thinking. Therefore, he added:
— Princess, I ask that you understand me correctly. This is not free; later, the Prince will owe me one condition.
Shu Qing understood that this was not the time for her to refuse. The circumstances dictated the terms. In the end, she awkwardly took the money.
When she returned to the Prince's residence, a subordinate immediately summoned her to the study. Chao Zong and Lan Ruo Ting were waiting for her there.
As soon as they saw her face, they immediately knew that something was amiss. Chao Zong asked:
— Shu Qing, what happened?
Shu Qing took out the 10,000 gold and placed it on the study table.
Lan Ruo Ting and Chao Zong exchanged glances. Chao Zong asked:
— He didn't accept it?
Shu Qing then took out another stack of money from her sleeve and placed it before them.
Lan Ruo Ting and Chao Zong were astonished. Lan Ruo Ting picked up the stack, counted it, and exclaimed in amazement:
— 200,000? Princess, what is this?
— Lord Dao, upon learning of our financial difficulties, gave money to the Prince for emergencies... Shu Qing generally recounted everything that had happened. Afterward, silence fell upon the study.
After a long while, Chao Zong spoke:
— Where did he get so much money?
Lan Ruo Ting: Earlier, the Heavenly Jade Sect asked us what we knew about the robbery of the Liuxiang Sect, Flowing Clouds Sect, and Wuyou Mountain in Zhaixing City. It seems this was connected to Lord Dao. But why then did the three sects come to us seeking patronage? What exactly is Lord Dao planning?
Chao Zong looked up, saying mournfully:
— It seems he lacks nothing. What then can I give him?
Lan Ruo Ting and Shu Qing remained silent. They understood his mood. But they couldn't comprehend why Lord Dao was helping them and had yet to ask for anything in return...
The next day, early in the morning, Yuan Gang gripped the horizontal bar with both hands and hung there for a long time. He was full of strength, so he could hang on the bar for a very long time. At this time, several monks were sweeping the courtyard. Everything was as before.
Only monks served Niu You Dao as well. Cleaning, washing clothes, checking food for poison—all of this was done by monks. Yuan Gang had assigned monks to every aspect of Niu You Dao's daily life to carry out all his instructions. For the sake of security, Yuan Gang did not want anyone else serving Niu You Dao.
At this moment, Hei Mudan walked across the ground that the monks were sweeping. She knocked on the door and then entered. Inside the house, she opened the windows.
Yuan Gang was hanging on the horizontal bar and saw Niu You Dao sit down at the dressing table, with Hei Mudan about to comb his hair.
Just then, Shu Qing arrived. She greeted the monks sweeping the courtyard and nodded to Yuan Gang, who was hanging on the horizontal bar.
But the next moment, through the window, she saw Niu You Dao seated before the dressing table, with Hei Mudan standing behind him, combing his hair. She froze on the spot.
She had thought it would be as before, that she would come and comb Lord Dao's hair.
Before coming, she had, of course, hesitated. Wondering if she should come. After all, Lord Dao now had Hei Mudan. And that thought instantly soured Shu Qing's mood. However, she had still decided to come. As it turned out, she shouldn't have. She stopped again. How could she approach Lord Dao now, when Hei Mudan was already combing his hair? Shu Qing was about to turn and leave.
"So, it won't be like before anymore." The thought made Shu Qing feel sad.
— Hmph! — At that moment, Yuan Gang inhaled, swung on the horizontal bar, and with a somersault, landed on the ground. Niu You Dao, who had been sitting before the mirror with his eyes closed, opened them and looked out the window.
When he saw Yuan Gang and Shu Qing standing in the courtyard, Niu You Dao understood Yuan Gang's hint.
He tilted his head and said:
— Princess, please come in.
Hei Mudan put down the comb and opened the door.
— Princess, what brings you here? — Niu You Dao asked with a smile.
Shu Qing replied gracefully:
— I came to see how Lord Dao is settling into his new place. If he has gotten accustomed to it or not.
Niu You Dao: Mmm, I thought the Princess had come to comb my hair.
Shu Qing glanced at Hei Mudan:
— With Sister Mudan here, why would Shu Qing's clumsy services be needed?
Niu You Dao: Her? Her hands and feet are rough. You comb better.
Hei Mudan's eyes widened, and she cursed inwardly: "I've been attending to you for such a long time, and you say I'm clumsy?"
— Go prepare some washing water. — Niu You Dao told Hei Mudan.
— Understood! — Hei Mudan agreed and left.
Only the two of them remained inside the house. Silence fell, and Niu You Dao closed his eyes.
Shu Qing bit her lips, unsure what to do. Whether to approach and comb his hair or to leave. After a moment's thought, she gently approached Niu You Dao, took the comb, and began meticulously and carefully combing his hair.
There was no need to see who was doing the combing. Niu You Dao immediately knew from the familiar, warm, and pleasant sensation that it was Shu Qing. She was completely different from Hei Mudan. Only Shu Qing could comb his hair with such gentleness, tenderness, and painstaking care, and she always did it wonderfully. Hei Mudan always pressed the comb somewhat roughly against his head, whereas from Shu Qing, his head and hair simply received bliss.