Chapter One Hundred and Ninety-Four
Zhu Jingchen did not speak, but in his heart, he was carefully considering the truthfulness of Li Tianyou's words.
The imperial study was deathly silent.
"Minister Li is a father who dotes on his daughter."
After a long while, Zhu Jingchen finally spoke.
It wasn't that Zhu Jingchen hadn't considered whether there were falsehoods in Li Tianyou's words.
But, upon careful thought, there seemed to be no need for that.
However, an absurd idea arose in Zhu Jingchen's mind: could it be that Li Tianyou had given Li Zhiwei something that couldn't see the light of day?
And now wanted it back?
But if that were the case, would Li Tianyou really need to make such a public fuss about it?
"Minister Li, to have achieved what you have today, I imagine your ancestors must have left you a considerable foundation?" Zhu Jingchen asked in a casual tone.
Li Tianyou stole a strange glance at Zhu Jingchen, somewhat puzzled. Had the Emperor kept him behind just to make idle conversation?
Wasn't it said that the national treasury had been burgled?
How did he still have the leisure to concern himself with my family affairs?
"Your Majesty, my ancestors were simple farmers with no great talents. They merely guarded the family's small plot of land, managing to get by. By my generation, little remained. Unwilling to accept the status quo, I conceived the idea of going into business. Later, I simply sold the farmland left by my ancestors, converted it into silver, and began my mercantile journey." Li Tianyou did not conceal these facts.
After all, these matters could be found out if one inquired.
Moreover, Li Tianyou didn't feel this was something he needed to hide.
"I never imagined Minister Li to be such an inspiring figure." Zhu Jingchen was now somewhat confused. Since there seemed to be no issue with Li Tianyou, then the dowry items Li Zhiwei donated to the national treasury shouldn't have any problems either, should they?
Why would they attract covetous eyes?
The key point was, the person who could easily enter the treasury indicated they were very familiar with its location, and even had detailed knowledge of its contents.
Could this person be Li Tianyou?
After all, Li Tianyou was from the Ministry of Revenue, and moreover, he was Xu Heming's father-in-law.
Could the Imperial Guards possibly not be on guard against him?
"I am ashamed!" Li Tianyou felt there was something odd about the way the Emperor was looking at him.
Why did the Emperor's words feel so strange?
Had he done something to cause the Emperor's misunderstanding?
Recently, hadn't the Ministry of Revenue worked hard to increase revenue and even managed to deposit some additional funds into the treasury?
"Your Majesty, has this humble official perhaps done something improper or against regulations?" Unable to figure it out, Li Tianyou simply asked directly.
Even if he were to die, he should at least die knowing why.
"Not at all." Zhu Jingchen shook his head without hesitation.
Truth be told, since entering court service, Li Tianyou had performed far better than many of the original officials.
After all, he was genuinely devising ways to make money and fill the imperial coffers.
For such a talent, he truly couldn't find any fault.
However, this incident of a thief in the treasury was too peculiar; he had reason to suspect him.
"Your Majesty, if you believe this matter was my doing, you may simply order me to return to Li'an County." Seeing Zhu Jingchen's expression, Li Tianyou understood perfectly—the Emperor suspected him!
He had been perfectly content as a merchant, but it was the Emperor himself who had insisted he stay.
Why suspect him of stealing from the treasury now?
Thinking of this, Li Tianyou also felt anger.
This thankless task, requiring him to leave his hometown behind—who would willingly do it?
If not for his daughter's future in the capital, he would gladly take her back to Li'an County immediately.
If the Emperor truly could not tolerate him, at worst, he could take his wife and children to a neighboring country.
Surely, they would be welcomed there.
"Minister Li, do not be angry. That is not my meaning. It is just that a thief entered the treasury but did not seek wealth. I merely wished to ask you if there might be something else among those items that others desire." Seeing Li Tianyou's anger, Zhu Jingchen offered an explanation.
"When my wife and I were selecting dowry items for our daughter, we only chose the finest. After all, I never imagined my daughter would not marry as planned. I only thought that later, when she married into the Ruan Marquis Household, she should not suffer any grievances." Upon hearing this, Li Tianyou sighed and also shared the thoughts he and his wife had when preparing Li Zhiwei's dowry.
"I truly do not know what those people are after." Thinking of this, Li Tianyou's brow also furrowed.
He began to feel that the Ruan Marquis Household's proposal to the Li family back then was very suspicious. Could it be they were also after some specific item?
"Your Majesty, at the time, I was also very curious why the Ruan Marquis Household would travel from the capital to Li'an County to seek my daughter's hand. Initially, I thought it was for my Li family's wealth. But now, it's possible they had other intentions." Li Tianyou remembered that he still hadn't settled accounts with that Lin family.
The first thought that came to his mind regarding this treasury incident was the Lin family.
Who told them to displease him back then?
Daring to insult his daughter.
Let them properly endure the Emperor's suspicions now!
"The Lin family!" Zhu Jingchen considered that the Lin family, in their current state, couldn't possibly stir up any trouble. How could they reach into the national treasury?
"Your Majesty, while the Lin family may not have the means to search the treasury themselves, I believe they might know what item is being sought." Li Tianyou stated with certainty.
"Minister Li's reminder is apt!" Zhu Jingchen now felt that Li Tianyou's words made sense.
Back then, Lin Qihua's insistence on going to Li'an County to secure a merchant's daughter as his son's principal wife was certainly ulteriorly motivated.
They too might have been guided by someone, privy to some knowledge.
Lanhuai Prince's Manor
"Scoundrels!"
The Lanhuai Prince looked furiously at the man kneeling on the floor!
He hadn't expected them to be so brainless as to set their sights on the national treasury!
If they had found the thing, it might have been one thing, but they hadn't even caught a glimpse of it.
By rashly rushing into the treasury to search, it would likely not be so easy to try again later.
They had simply alerted the enemy.
Shanzi, kneeling below, also felt some regret.
Originally, he had thought that since those items were donated to the treasury along with the dowry, they must be inside.
He just hadn't expected that even after rummaging through the entire treasury, he couldn't find them.
If he hadn't run fast, he would have nearly been caught by the Imperial Guards of the treasury.
"Master, if the item is not in the treasury, could it still be in the An Prince's Manor?" Shanzi cautiously ventured.
After all, the immediate priority was to find the item to appease his master's anger.
"What, are you going to ransack the An Prince's Manor's storerooms next? Do you think the entire capital belongs to me? That you can go rummage through anyone's house as you please?" The Lanhuai Prince looked at Shanzi with exasperation, unwilling to admit he had such an incompetent subordinate.
However, the An Prince's Manor naturally needed to be investigated as well.
The Li family had calculated well, hiding that thing so thoroughly.
