Watching Eunuch Fu run quickly.
Although Young Master Su guessed that his urgency was fake, he didn’t chase after him.
Even the Emperor avoided him; what’s the use of catching Eunuch Fu?
Looking up, no one could lend him a hand.
Young Master Su walked dejectedly in the direction of the palace exit.
Eunuch Fu, fully committed to his act, was still worried about Young Master Su blocking him outside the lavatory.
The little eunuch said, "Eunuch Fu, Young Master Su has left the palace."
Eunuch Fu let out a big sigh of relief.
So difficult to deal with at such a young age, what will he be like when he grows up?
Eunuch Fu hurried to the Imperial Study, just as the Emperor ca in through the back door, asking, "Has he left?"
Eunuch Fu, "...."
The dignified Emperor was forced to evade a young boy through the back door, quite a unique situation.
Eunuch Fu nodded, "Yes, he has left."
The Emperor shook his jade fan, feeling relaxed.
Eunuch Fu said, "Your Majesty, about that one million taels and the three hundred thousand loads of grain?"
"The National Treasury is lacking in funds and grain, you know that," the Emperor glanced over.
"...."
As expected.
The Emperor never intended to return the money and grain he received.
Marquis Dongxiang knew the Emperor’s nature, but the pit from Beimo was too deep.
They insist on both gold and money and grain together just to annul the betrothal.
Marquis Dongxiang couldn’t exactly put a knife to their necks and force them to accept, could he?
If there was no receipt, they might bite back, making things even worse.
And the Emperor—
When this money cos back to the capital, Marquis Dongxiang can carry it back to the mansion.
But what about after that?
The National Treasury is empty, and such a large sum of money would attract countless eyes from civil and military officials.
When they can’t pay the military salaries, the officials will demand money from Marquis Dongxiang.
In tis of natural disasters and calamities, without money in the treasury, officials will still turn to Marquis Dongxiang.
Marquis Dongxiang simply can’t hold onto the money.
With the court that financially strapped, can it even afford to return money to Marquis Dongxiang?
And should they encounter another dishonest payer...
It’s wiser not to keep it on hand.
Eunuch Fu looked at the Emperor.
The Emperor sipped his tea and said, "The court certainly doesn’t have the money or grain to annul Young Master Su’s marriage."
"If he wants to annul it, he’ll have to earn the money himself when he grows up."
"...."
The beads on the Emperor’s abacus clacked loudly.
He was in an unprecedentedly good mood.
To think his private stash was nearly emptied by Marquis Dongxiang.
How about taking so much money from him and leaving?
Yet he managed to retrieve it all with interest.
Eunuch Fu’s mouth twitched uncontrollably.
He couldn’t help but feel sorry for Young Master Su.
Seeing the Emperor in such high spirits, Eunuch Fu thought perhaps he was celebrating too soon.
After all, Young Master Su is only seven but already showing such promise, able to handle matters independently.
Which noble family youth could match him?
When Young Master Su grows up, he’ll be even more formidable than his father, Marquis Dongxiang.
Does the Emperor not fear getting burned with the money he swindled?
But Eunuch Fu didn’t dare advise the Emperor to give the money to Young Master Su, so he kept it to himself.
The Emperor drank two sips of tea, set the cup down, and said, "Summon the Eldest Prince to see ."
Marquis Dongxiang rendered great service, and with Young Master Su causing a scene in the palace, the Emperor still needed to state his position.
Without being able to call Madam Tang to the palace, he had the Eldest Prince convey so words on his behalf.
But when the little eunuch went to deliver the ssage, he ca back and said, "Your Majesty, after the Eldest Prince left the palace yesterday, he hasn’t returned. Soone has already been sent out to search for him outside the palace."
The Emperor frowned deeply.
As a Prince, how can he be out all night?
The Emperor didn’t think much, taking out morials to review.
But when guards searched everywhere the Eldest Prince frequented outside the palace, they couldn’t find him.
Worried sothing might have happened, the guards hurried back to the palace to inform the Emperor.
Only then did the Emperor start to worry, sending a large number of guards out to find the Eldest Prince.
After leaving the palace, Young Master Su didn’t return directly to the mansion but went to the Jibei Marquis Mansion to complain to Old Madam Jibei.
Not many in the world could suppress his father.
Marquis Jibei counts as half, and Old Madam Jibei counts as one.
With his grandfather absent, he could only seek his grandmother to vent.
Old Madam Jibei wasn’t aware her precious grandson’s marriage was collateralized and chastised Marquis Dongxiang for acting recklessly.
But her son was devoted to the court, so she couldn’t scold too harshly.
After all, she couldn’t claim her grandson’s marriage was more important than the country’s safety, could she?
Moreover, the one bethrothed was Princess Beimo...
Old Madam Jibei tried to comfort Young Master Su for a long ti but couldn’t manage to console him.
Young Master Su wasn’t foolish; he asked, "Can we get the money back?"
"Of course, we can get it back," Old Madam Jibei said.
"If the money isn’t in the Emperor’s hands, it’s in Nanliang."
Young Master Su looked at Old Madam Jibei and said, "I heard from my mother that Brother Zhao is going to marry Princess Beimo, aning King Beimo will be his father-in-law."
"Would he dare side with my father over his father-in-law?"
"...."
He had too many in-laws who didn’t dare go against their fathers-in-law.
His brother-in-law was one.
His elder brother was another.
And the Eldest Young Master of Duke Dingguo was yet another.
None dared to speak loudly before their fathers-in-law.
He didn’t believe Young Master Zhao would be an exception.
Old Madam Jibei hadn’t expected her young grandson to understand and think so much already.
She felt very gratified.
As for being swindled, it was apparent King Beimo valued the princess very highly, willing to spend so much on her.
Since King Beimo was willing to betroth his treasured princess to her grandson, she naturally had no objections.
He was marrying soone in, not going to Beimo to be a Prince Consort; it was King Beimo who would be at a loss.
Young Master Shen leaned against Old Madam Shen and said, "Grandmother, Su Yang fears King Beimo might send the princess to the Dongxiang Marquis Mansion early, so he wants to set aside half the money for her to spend."
This was Young Master Shen’s understanding.
With the current financial strain, adding a wife to spend with was not enticing.
Old Madam Shen, "...."
The maids in the room let out a laugh.
Young Master Su looked up, and each quickly scurried away.
Even Old Madam Shen was struggling to hold back her laughter; being old, she genuinely couldn’t manage it. She looked at Young Master Su and asked, "Besides this worry, is there anything else?"
This was his least concern.
He didn’t want to ntion the rest.
He just wanted to call off the engagent.
Old Madam Shen smiled, "For the money ant for Princess Beimo, how about Grandmother pays for you?"
Young Master Su felt exhausted.
But ultimately, he was swayed by thoughts of money.
Having spent the money from selling paintings, Old Madam Shen had a maid bring twenty taels.
This money was designated for Princess Beimo.
Until she arrived, Young Master Su could spend it on her behalf.
Young Master Su thought about it and found it still worthwhile.
After all, he was still young, and it would be another decade before he could marry.
He could take three to five years’ monthly salary before ending the engagent, making it a win-win.
Considering the silver ingots, Young Master Su reluctantly compromised, "Then let’s call it off a bit later."
After speaking, he quickly picked up the silver ingot and stuffed it into his pocket, his thoughts already drifting to things he wanted to buy on the streets.
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