Kangxi’s expression remained unchanged upon hearing the words, but the veins on his hand resting on the dragon throne slightly bulged.
Finally, Tong Guowei couldn’t hold back any longer. Ignoring his elder brother’s tugging, he stepped forward.
Along with him, Chen Yanjing, the Vice Minister of Rites, also moved.
In unison, they bowed and said, “This minister is willing to share Your Majesty’s burdens and solve your difficulties.”
Of course, Tong Guowei had his own motives for stepping forward this time. With just over a year until the next selection, his daughter would surely be registered. To ensure a smoother path for Lanzhu in the future, as her father, he needed to make a good impression in front of the Emperor now.
“Good!”
“You are all my loyal ministers.” Seeing someone step forward, Kangxi’s expression finally brightened a little.
“The capital and its surroundings have been severely affected by the disaster. Since both of you are willing, you will split into two groups: one to handle the disaster victims in the capital, and the other to handle those in the surrounding areas.”
“This minister will obey Your Majesty’s command.”
“I will have others cooperate with you. Report anything you need.” After all, it is the capital. Even though Kangxi knew the national treasury was not abundant, he did not back down.
The capital is a matter of face for the Qing Dynasty. Even if there is none, he must make it appear as if there is!
“Yes, Your Majesty.”
“That’s all for today. Tong Guowei and Chen Yanjing, stay behind.” With someone taking over, Kangxi was no longer willing to waste time with these ministers.
With this time, he might as well discuss with his uncles to settle the disaster victims sooner.
Tong Guowei and Chen Yanjing, who were named, remained in place.
The others gradually exited the main hall of the Palace of Heavenly Purity.
As Gabula was leaving, he cast a complex glance at the composed Tong Guowei. Although he was smiling, his eyes were cold.
It seemed Tong Guowei had improved quite a bit!
However, he could also guess Tong Guowei’s purpose for doing this. His legitimate daughter was of age, so he had to plan for her.
A truly rare display of a father’s love, but who knows if this fatherly love is genuine or if there are ulterior motives.
Outside Shenwu Gate
The Hesheli family’s carriage had long been waiting at the palace gate: “Third Brother, come up, I have something to say to you.”
Soetu paused his steps: “Coming, Big Brother.”
As soon as Soetu got on the carriage, before his elder brother could speak, he spoke first: “Big Brother, I think you should have taken on this task today.”
“Our Hesheli family is not short of money. Why not earn a good reputation in front of the Emperor?”
“The Crown Prince is still young. Whatever we do now won’t be too conspicuous. If we wait until the Crown Prince grows up to strive for it, it might more easily arouse the Emperor’s suspicion.” The Crown Prince being young has its advantages. At least now, the Crown Prince is still a baby, so even if the Hesheli family is a bit high-profile, the Emperor won’t pay too much attention.
After all, the Crown Prince’s age is there.
“Third Brother, since you’ve decided on the path ahead, don’t think about having your cake and eating it too.”
“Yes, the Crown Prince is still young, but there are people watching our every move now. Who knows if today’s actions will become a handle to attack the Crown Prince in the future? We can’t afford to gamble!”
“The legitimate son of the Hesheli bloodline, there is only this one, and there will only be this one in the future!”
“Or do you think the Emperor will establish another Empress from the Hesheli family?” Gabula values stability above all.
For this, he can give up countless things!
“It’s my narrow-mindedness.” Soetu understood his elder brother’s painstaking efforts after hearing his explanation.
Because of the large age gap between the two brothers, their thoughts were sometimes different, but Soetu was not someone who couldn’t listen to reason.
He understood that he didn’t have the foresight of his elder brother, so he usually listened to him.
“You’re still young. With more experience, you’ll understand.”
…
Tongjia Residence
“Gege, I heard that Master has taken on the task of disaster relief in the capital.” Liu Xia ran in with snowflakes on her head shortly after Gege finished her dinner.
The snowflakes on her head quickly melted in the warm air inside, turning into wet droplets hanging from Liu Xia’s hair tips.
Upon hearing Liu Xia’s words, Lanzhu put down the teacup she had just picked up.
“Father took on the task?!”
“With such heavy snow, why would Father take on the task?” Countless houses in the capital had collapsed. If Father went, wouldn’t he be putting himself in danger?
“I don’t know the specifics.”
“When I went to inquire, I only found out that Master returned to the residence not long ago but soon went out again.”
“Liu Chun, let’s go to Mother.” Lanzhu couldn’t sit still any longer.
It just so happened that she hadn’t visited Mother in a while.
Liu Chun quickly stepped forward and held Gege’s hand: “Gege, it’s still snowing outside, and it’s getting dark. Why don’t we go tomorrow?” The roads are slippery after the snow, and in this dim light, what if Gege falls?
“No!”
“Let’s go now!”
“Light two more lamps.” Lanzhu couldn’t rest easy at this moment. If she didn’t figure it out tonight, she feared she wouldn’t be able to sleep.
Seeing that she couldn’t persuade Gege, Liu Chun had no choice but to go out and prepare for the trip.
Liu Qiu found a particularly thick white fox cloak from the chest.
Once Liu Chun had everything ready, Liu Xia had also changed her clothes.
Originally, she wanted to go out with Gege, but Gege left her behind.
Liu Qiu held an umbrella for Gege, and Liu Chun carefully supported her. Four servants walked ahead with lanterns.
Fortunately, it wasn’t too dark yet, so apart from being careful underfoot, there weren’t too many problems.
The road that usually took half an hour to walk took Lanzhu and her group nearly an hour today.
In the main courtyard
Hesheli Shi was lighting lamps and checking the account books.
Since Master had taken on the disaster relief task, she naturally couldn’t hold him back.
“Madam, Eldest Miss is here.”
Upon hearing Yiyun’s report, Hesheli Shi was momentarily stunned: “Who did you say is here?!”
“Madam, Eldest Miss is here.”
“Why did this child come?”
“Hurry and bring Eldest Miss in!” Hesheli Shi quickly put down the account book in her hand, then swiftly got up and walked out, even the servants serving beside her didn’t react in time.
“Madam, slow down, be careful underfoot!”
When Hesheli Shi reached the door, by the light of the lantern, she indeed saw Yujin standing by the corridor.
She quickly walked over: “Didn’t Mother tell you not to come?”
“It’s so cold outside, and it’s snowing. Why did you come so late?” Hesheli Shi took her daughter’s somewhat cold hand and led her into the room.
Then she instructed, “Go get a hand warmer for Eldest Miss.”
Yishang took the hand warmer handed by Madam: “This servant will go right away.”
“Are you cold?”
“Do you want Mother to add two more pots of charcoal?” Hesheli Shi held her daughter’s hand and began to look her up and down.
Lanzhu stopped her mother’s intention to get up: “Mother, I’m not cold.”
“I told you to stay in the courtyard, why did you come over?”
“If you catch a cold, Mother’s heart will break.” Although her daughter’s body wasn’t weak, it wasn’t particularly strong either.
This year was different from previous years, even she was having a hard time enduring it.
“Daughter is wearing thick clothes, I won’t catch a cold.” Before stating the purpose of her visit, Lanzhu first comforted her mother.
“Tell me, what brings you to Mother so late?” After her initial tension, Hesheli Shi began to ask her daughter the purpose of coming to the main courtyard.
“As expected, nothing can be hidden from Mother.” Lanzhu smiled shyly.
“Daughter heard that Father took on the disaster relief task, so I came to ask about it.”
“The capital is full of dangers, and daughter is a bit worried about Father.”
Upon hearing this, Hesheli Shi lovingly touched her daughter’s forehead: “Don’t worry, your father has taken enough guards, nothing will happen.”
“Remember to tell Father to wear knee pads.”
“Mother has prepared them for your father, rest assured, Yujin.”
“If your father hears that you made a special trip for him, his smile will probably reach his ears.” Father often complained to her, saying that as his daughter grew up, she couldn’t be as close as when she was little, which made him very lonely.
“Mother, daughter also wants to do her part.” With the disaster so close, Lanzhu naturally felt compassion.
“It’s also to support Father a bit.” Lanzhu took the banknotes she had prepared earlier from Liu Chun and handed them to her mother.
Hesheli Shi looked at the items her daughter handed over, and suddenly felt an indescribable fullness and sourness in her heart.
“Yujin has grown up.”
“Mother has money, there’s no need to use yours, take it back.”
But Lanzhu stubbornly stuffed the banknotes into her mother’s hand: “Mother has money, that’s yours. This is a small contribution from your daughter, I hope you won’t refuse.”
“Daughter can’t help too many people, but at least I can ensure most of the disaster victims have a cotton coat to wear.” These banknotes might be a drop in the bucket, but at least it’s all Lanzhu could offer.
Hesheli Shi’s eyes reddened: “Mother will remember, tomorrow I’ll have someone buy cotton clothes and send them to them.”
“Thank you, Mother.” Hearing her mother agree, Lanzhu finally showed a small smile.
“It’s getting late, if there’s nothing else, you should head back.”
“When it gets completely dark, the road back won’t be easy.”
“Daughter understands, Mother should also take care of herself.”
“Remember to tell Father to dress warmly.”
“Mother has noted it all.”
Seeing this, Lanzhu bowed to her mother and then left with her people.
Hesheli Shi only withdrew her gaze after her daughter’s figure disappeared.
She counted the banknotes Yujin brought over, exactly ten thousand taels, which should be about all the money she had given her daughter over the years.
She never expected Yujin to donate it all. She wasn’t as good as her daughter.
“Yiyun, I’ll leave this matter to you. Make sure there are no mistakes!” This was Yujin’s intention, and she naturally had to do it beautifully.
“This servant understands.” Yiyun took the banknotes handed by Madam, carefully tucked them into her bosom, her expression equally serious.
…
Seeing the returning mistress, Liu Xia quickly went to fetch hot water.
Gege went out once, she must soak well to dispel the cold, otherwise, it wouldn’t be good if she hurt her body.
Fortunately, Fuchun Courtyard, where Lanzhu resided, had its own small kitchen, so fetching hot water was convenient.
Before long, a steward nanny brought a large bucket of hot water.
Liu Xia took off the white fox cloak from Gege and then said, “The hot water is ready, Gege, go soak.”
“Mm.” Even though she was dressed warmly, going out once made Lanzhu suffer a bit.
At this moment, her hands and feet were cold, and her body was also chilled.
Author’s Note:
Well, because of the bi-weekly ranking, the word count is a bit hard to control, so updates might follow the ranking later. Please don’t give up on me, little cuties~
The draft box is already full, so don’t be polite with me~