Chapter 39
Li Tianyou had considered countless possibilities—even the Emperor coveting the entirety of the Li family's wealth.
But never had he imagined that the Emperor would actually appoint him as an official in the court!
The problem was, he was merely a merchant, skilled only in the ways of trade. What did he know of governance? If he were to appear utterly clueless in court, even the Emperor wouldn’t be able to save face.
At this thought, Li Tianyou swallowed nervously, looking at Zhu Jingchen with an almost pitiful expression. Yet, if he were to refuse, the words wouldn’t come—this was an opportunity many could only dream of.
After all, before this, Li Tianyou wouldn’t have dared to imagine that he, of all people, would one day have the chance to become an official.
"Your Majesty, this is absolutely unacceptable!" Chief Minister Leng Chaozong immediately stepped forward to oppose the idea without hesitation.
Leng Chaozong thought to himself that the Ministry of Revenue had finally opened up a position for a vice minister, and he had intended to install one of his own trusted men in the role.
Moreover, while Li Tianyou had no political backing in court, he might soon become the father-in-law of Prince An—a man notoriously difficult to influence.
"Oh? Does Minister Leng have a more suitable candidate in mind?" Zhu Jingchen was not an emperor who liked being swayed by others.
Leng Chaozong was always objecting to this and forbidding that, and his constant interference had long since stirred the Emperor’s displeasure.
Nearby, Tang Xiuyong cast a mocking glance at Leng Chaozong. This matter had already been decided by the Emperor—how dare he still try to influence His Majesty’s decision?
Thinking of Li Zhiwei’s dowry, Tang Xiuyong was also astonished. The Emperor had once asked him what position would be suitable for Li Tianyou if he were to join the Ministry of Revenue.
At the time, Tang Xiuyong had been deeply reluctant. But considering how the Ministry of Revenue had become a thorn in the Emperor’s side—largely because none of its officials were skilled in financial management—he had reconsidered.
Most court officials had risen through the imperial examinations or the Emperor’s personal appointments.
If the Emperor favored Li Tianyou, it meant he possessed a talent the Emperor valued—making money.
If the Ministry of Revenue truly gained such a capable man, Tang Xiuyong, as its minister, would also benefit from the prestige.
So he had replied, "Your Majesty, Vice Minister Liu Zongcheng of the Ministry of Revenue is about to retire. Perhaps we could appoint the esteemed Li Tianyou in his place?"
At the time, the Emperor had not immediately agreed. Tang Xiuyong even wondered if His Majesty intended for him to yield his own position as minister to Li Tianyou.
Just as he was about to nobly offer to step down, the Emperor nodded and said, "Then let it be as Minister Tang suggests. Once Li Tianyou assumes office, you will fully support him."
At that moment, Tang Xiuyong knew—Li Tianyou’s appointment was set in stone.
"Your Majesty, Li Tianyou is a renowned philanthropist in Lanuo Kingdom and undoubtedly skilled in financial matters. This humble official dares to suggest that the Ministry of Revenue is in dire need of such talent. With a vacancy currently available, may we humbly request Your Majesty to assign him to us?" Tang Xiuyong stepped forward and bowed deeply.
"Minister Tang, surely you don’t believe that a man who deals only in gold and silver can magically fill the Ministry of Revenue’s coffers?" Leng Chaozong sneered.
"Your Majesty, with the national treasury depleted, what Lanuo Kingdom lacks most are those who can generate wealth. This humble official believes Minister Tang’s proposal aligns perfectly with our nation’s needs. We implore Your Majesty to grant it." Grand Tutor Cheng Tianyuan stepped forward and spoke earnestly.
With the Grand Tutor leading the charge, many civil officials voiced their agreement.
Only Leng Chaozong’s faction remained vehemently opposed.
Xu Heming, however, remained silent.
Outside the Qianqing Palace, a young eunuch paced anxiously in circles.
Meanwhile, in Prince An’s residence, the Dowager Princess rose furiously after hearing Cuiguo’s report.
"Outrageous! How dare he lay hands on someone from Prince An’s household!" The Dowager Princess took a deep breath.
She then led a large retinue straight to the Leng residence.
Fortunately, the Leng estate wasn’t far from Prince An’s mansion, and they arrived swiftly.
"Dowager Princess, what brings you here today?" Madam Wu, Leng Chaozong’s wife, greeted her with a smile, her heart swelling with joy.
She assumed the Dowager Princess had come to discuss the marriage between her youngest daughter, Leng Wu, and Prince An.
After all, she had long coveted Prince An as a son-in-law, but the Prince’s household had remained unyielding.
Now, with the Dowager Princess herself paying a visit, it seemed Prince An’s family must be very pleased with Leng Wu.
"Madam Wu, your family’s upbringing is truly exceptional," the Dowager Princess said coldly, ignoring Madam Wu’s pleasantries. She immediately ordered her steward to lead the search party inside.
"Dowager Princess, what is the meaning of this?" Only then did Madam Wu realize the Dowager Princess had arrived in a rage.
Her smile vanished. In the capital, the Leng family was not one to be searched at will. She quickly ordered her servants to block the intruders.
"Dowager Princess?" Steward Liu Ming grew anxious. If the Princess Consort had truly been abducted by that Leng family scoundrel, any delay could lead to disaster.
"Charge in. If there are consequences, I alone will bear them," the Dowager Princess declared, striking her cane against the ground with authority.
At her command, Liu Ming led the men straight into the estate, even forcibly dragging the Leng family’s steward along to guide them to Leng Qi’s courtyard.
Hearing that they were heading to Leng Qi’s quarters, Madam Wu felt a pang of dread. Her son was a notorious idler who couldn’t resist pretty young girls—had he abducted someone from the Dowager Princess’ household this time?
In the past, she had always settled such matters with money.
But if he had provoked Prince An’s family…
Then again, Prince An’s household only had a young heir—no young women to speak of. Madam Wu relaxed slightly. At worst, they could force her son to take the girl as a concubine.
If it meant forging ties with Prince An’s family, she could grudgingly accept it.
"Dowager Princess, what is the meaning of this? While Prince An’s household may wield great power, my husband is still the Chief Minister. How dare you barge into our estate like this? Aren’t you afraid of drawing the Noble Consort’s displeasure?" Emboldened, Madam Wu lifted her chin defiantly.
Her daughter was the Noble Consort, second only to the Empress, and her grandson was the Eldest Prince.
Prince An? He was nothing more than the Emperor’s lapdog.
"Madam Wu, you’d best pray my daughter-in-law is unharmed. Otherwise, this old woman will see just how much protection your Noble Consort can offer you," the Dowager Princess retorted icily.
In Leng Qi’s courtyard—
"Young Master, the lady still refuses to change her clothes," a maid reported nervously, holding out the rejected garments.
"If she won’t cooperate, must I teach you how to handle it?" Leng Qi snapped impatiently.
What gave a mere merchant’s daughter the right to act so high and mighty?
"But… Young Master, she keeps insisting she’s the Princess Consort…" The maid trembled. If this woman truly was the Princess Consort, the servants would be the first to suffer.
"She certainly knows how to inflate her own worth. Nothing but a lowborn merchant’s daughter," Leng Qi scoffed, taking a swig of wine and pulling another maid into his lap.
"Go back. Tell her not to refuse a toast only to be forced to drink a forfeit."
Leng Qi finished speaking, then pushed the maid forward, signaling that his patience was wearing thin.
