It was almost dark when the imperial edict arrived. The edict was delivered at such a low point that no one in the Zhu family except Zhu Bowen could understand what was going on.
After the angel finished reading, the whole family was stunned. They all knew that Zhi'er was capable, but what did it mean to ask the old man, a minister of the Ministry of Revenue, to cooperate with Zhi'er? No, that's not right. The imperial edict was talking about the entire Ministry of Revenue!
Lai Fu, who came to read the imperial edict in person, handed the edict to Zhu Bowen and gave him a wink when handing it over.
Zhu Bowen understood and said loudly, "It's already this late, father-in-law, do you want to eat?"
"I don't have time to think about these things. It is more important to do the work for the emperor."
"It's important to do the work for the Emperor, but it's also important to fill your stomach. It's time for dinner now, why don't we all eat here before leaving?"
"That's embarrassing. Even though it's a little late, we can always have some cold tea and cold rice to eat when we get home."
"It won't take much time, butler, go and prepare a table."
Lai Fu turned around and glanced at the people who followed him. "Then... let's have a bite here?"
The four imperial guards and two palace servants naturally had no objection. They came to convey the imperial edict to each family. As long as it was not a matter of confiscating property or exiling them, there would be some benefits to be gained. The Zhu family has never been a stingy family. If it were not for the unclear meaning of the imperial edict today, and they didn't know whether it was a blessing or a curse, it would not have been their turn. It would be nice to be able to have a meal.
"Sorry to bother you then." Lai Fu nodded with a smile and glanced at everyone as if unintentionally.
Zhu Bowen held the imperial edict and raised it upwards, "This old minister must first go to Mingjing Hall..."
"I've heard that the Zhu family has a Mingjing Hall that enshrines the imperial gifts. I wonder if we have the honor to see it?"
"There is nothing hidden in the Zhu family, please come in, Eunuch Lai Fu."
The two of them left the front yard one after the other. Although Zhu Haocheng still didn't know what had happened, he had already reacted and immediately took control of the situation. He sent all the female relatives and maids to the backyard and set the table in the side hall.
After arranging everyone there, he walked to his brother's side, suppressed his temper and asked in a low voice, "What did Zhi'er do to anger the emperor?"
Zhu Haodong frowned. He didn't like his elder brother's tone. It sounded as if Zhi'er had brought disaster upon the Zhu family. "If we anger the emperor, will he still let Dad cooperate?"
"Don't say you didn't see it, the emperor's attitude is wrong!"
"So what? If her attitude is not right, Zhier is not our niece?" Zhu Haodong immediately choked back. When he was thinking about Zhier's family business, he kept talking about how great his niece was. Now he doesn't know what happened but he is already thinking about all kinds of things. If something really happens, he will have to get rid of Zhier immediately!
My father was right. My eldest brother was not a bad person, but a qualified official. When encountering things, the first thing he thought about was always self-protection and how to get himself out of the trouble cleanly. But at this time, he really couldn't like him.
Too lazy to argue with him any more, Zhu Haodong went to his mother. It was obvious that his mother was a little frightened, probably still worried about Zhier.
The two people over there did not go to Mingjing Hall, but went to the study.
Zhu Bowen asked someone to guard the door. After closing the door, he opened the imperial edict and read it carefully. He could naturally see what his son could see, but he really couldn't understand where the emperor's disgust for Zhier came from.
"To make a long story short, Lord Zhu, we want to ask you, have you seen the man next to the eldest daughter of the Hua family?" Lai Fu asked cautiously. The prince had too many identities, and he didn't know which one he should use in front of Lord Zhu.
Zhu Bowen nodded, "I have seen it."
"That's good. Please, Lord Zhu, convey some words to him for me." Lai Fu walked closer and whispered, "Haoyue is unwilling to enter the palace, and I'm afraid she will look for an opportunity to ask him for help. The emperor still suspects his motives for holding Haoyue hostage. In addition, the emperor is waiting for him to admit his mistakes, and he also has an opinion of the eldest lady."
Lai Fu paused and lowered his voice, "Lord Zhu, you might as well try to persuade him when you see him. It's just a matter of submission. Being stubborn won't benefit anyone."
"I will definitely convey it."
Lai Fu sighed softly, "Master Zhu, don't worry too much. The emperor is not angry just to issue such an order. The young lady wants to earn money for the emperor, and it is naturally related to the Ministry of Revenue. Besides, with your help, the young lady can save a little more money."
"I understand." Although Zhu Bowen was frightened when he heard the secrets in the palace, he felt relieved knowing that the chief steward was on their side. Who could understand the emperor better than the chief steward
"Miss Shaoyao must return to the palace as soon as possible. I've noticed that the emperor has been a little irritable recently, which is not a good sign. If the emperor really has something wrong, Miss Shaoyao will be the first to suffer. There is another important matter." Lai Fu dipped his tea in the tea table and wrote four words, "This guy has been in the palace frequently in the past two days. The emperor has also met him and even kept dinner for him yesterday."
Thinking of the undecided position of the crown prince, Zhu Bowen's eyes darkened. Could it be that the emperor has already made a plan? No, it won't. It's too early to draw a conclusion now. The treatment of the eldest prince was far from this, and he hasn't sat in that position for many years.
"We see that the Emperor intends to have the Fourth Prince compete with the Sixth Prince, so we need to be on guard."
Zhu Bowen was puzzled, "Sixth Prince? Why is the Sixth Prince involved?"
"You don't know?" Lai Fu said without waiting for his answer, "The Sixth Prince has been raised in the Hua family for more than half a year. He is currently traveling with the Hua family's cousin and the Sixth Prince. The other day, the eldest lady proposed a condition to the emperor, asking for the Sixth Prince to stay with her."
Putting forward such a condition almost meant that the Hua family was on the side of the Sixth Prince, and the Zhu family, who were close to the Hua family and were related by marriage, became the Sixth Prince's party for sure. Zhu Bowen had no ill feelings towards the Sixth Prince, as the Zhu, Hua, and Sun families had been friends for many years, but...
Thinking of the current situation of the Sun family and the Hua family, Zhu Bowen felt a headache. If he had known that he would have to worry so much about the two families in his old age, he should have beaten those two people up when he was young!
"We can't leave our home for too long, or someone will become suspicious." Lai Fu put his hands in his sleeves. Perhaps because he has been bending over for many years, he looks a little hunched.
Zhu Bowen took a quick step and opened the door. "I would like to thank you on behalf of my troubled granddaughter."
"The eldest girl is not looking for trouble, she is just too capable." Lai Fu stepped over the threshold, "She is too capable, so she is being targeted."
Zhu Bowen sighed silently. If it weren't for her ability, the Hua family would have collapsed. It was really like the same person who made her successful and also the same person who made her fail.
In the corridor, Zhi Niang was waiting there. When she saw the two men coming out, she stepped forward and bowed, then handed them several purses with both hands, one of which was obviously bigger.
Lai Fu understood what he meant and didn't say anything. With this thing in hand, he could explain why he went to Mingjingtang. Who would complain about having too much money