The wicked sister-in-law is in charge; meals include fish and shrimp.

Chapter 345 Unusual Respect

When Jibuchuhe came to find her, he saw that she had donated so much back, so he simply took out half of his dowry with a wave of his sleeve.

"Your Highness, are you really going to take this much?"

The maid who had come with her for the political marriage asked somewhat uncertainly.

Jibuchuhe nodded. "Your Majesty the Empress has set a good example. Since Consort Wan has brought out so many things, I naturally can't just stand by and watch."

Moreover, this silver is not for anything else; it is intended for the soldiers who defend the northern border.

When several of her close concubines heard about this, they were not to be outdone and donated items from their own palaces.

The pregnant concubines were even more grateful; they remembered Chu Sangning's kindness.

If it weren't for her ensuring that the Emperor's favor was distributed equally among all the women in the harem, they probably wouldn't even have seen Jun Shuyan, let alone conceive a royal heir.

It is said that a mother's status rises with her son's, and at least they have gotten this opportunity.

When the other concubines heard about it, they also wanted to compete, and a wave of donations swept through the harem.

In just half a day, the national treasury had accumulated a significant amount of gold, silver, and valuables.

The Minister of Revenue's hands were trembling as he finished counting the supplies. With these supplies, even if the Northern Frontier campaign continued for another three months, there would be no need to worry.

Jun Shuyan heard this good news as soon as he finished processing the memorials. Hearing that the concubines were all influenced by Chu Sangning, he wished he could hug Chu Sangning and spin her around right now.

"Has the Empress returned to the palace?" His voice was filled with joy, revealing his good mood.

Grandpa Cui was an old man by his side who understood his thoughts best, and he was happy to see him so delighted.

"Your Majesty, the Empress just sent word that she may not be able to return today."

"He is to return to the palace tomorrow to receive his punishment."

After saying this, Eunuch Cui thought to himself, "The Empress is too busy treasuring her to punish her."

Jun Shuyan was a little disappointed to hear that Chu Sangning was not returning to the palace, but he was happy again when he thought about how he could give those old guys a good thrashing in court tomorrow.

The news of the concubines' donations had already reached Qin Wanyue's ears, and she was now looking at a long list, thinking about how to get rid of those worthless items.

However, she had destroyed most of the worthless items in her daily temper tantrums, and the items she had her eye on on the list probably didn't even amount to two thousand taels in total.

How does this work?

Compared to all that Chu Sangning brought out, hers was simply too insignificant. If others found out, wouldn't she just become a laughingstock?

After much deliberation, she reluctantly took out 30% of her dowry, estimating that it would barely be half of Chu Sangning's.

This impressed Granny Yang. Although there was an element of being picky, she still gave it to her.

The next day, Chu Sangning returned to the palace, and she felt that the people in the palace were unusually respectful to her that day.

Although it was the same on ordinary days, today she actually saw a hint of admiration on their faces.

Did she see it wrong?

When she returned to the palace, the nanny was coaxing Chun-ge'er to eat breakfast.

After the old woman bowed, she asked, "Was something wrong that happened while I was not in the palace yesterday?"

"On my way back, the palace servants gave me very strange looks."

Chu Sangning frowned, unable to guess what had happened.

The old woman slapped her forehead, her face beaming with joy. "Look at my forgetfulness! I almost forgot to tell you about this wonderful news!"

She recounted in detail the events of the previous day when the concubines in the harem donated gold, silver, and valuables, specifying in detail how much and what each concubine donated.

Chu Sangning couldn't help but laugh when she saw that she remembered this so clearly. "Then what does this have to do with me?"

"Your Majesty, you may not know this, but it was you who set the example that led the other ladies to follow suit and donate."

"It's said that the Minister of Revenue was so happy after finishing the inventory yesterday that he didn't sleep all night."

The old woman thought this was a bit of an exaggeration; the Minister of Revenue should have had a good night's sleep after solving such a major problem.

Now, who in the palace would dare to say that her mistress is arrogant because of the emperor's favor and has not given birth to a prince?

Chu Sangning hadn't really thought that much about it; she hadn't expected that all the concubines in the harem were so outstanding.

At the time, she was just worried about the soldiers, fearing that they would go to the battlefield hungry because they didn't have enough money or food.

How disheartening it would be for the people of Dajing to hear this out!

"Send some tonics from the palace to those people, and give the rest some jewelry and fabrics as rewards," she instructed the nanny.

It's excellent that the Great Jing is willing to lend a hand when needed, and she, as the Empress, should also show her support.

She also sent many valuable items to the Ministry of Revenue in the name of Chu Ci (Songs of Chu).

Just as she suspected, Chu Ci was planning to sell the entire Prime Minister's residence!

She almost fainted when she found out; her father had actually dared to sell what the late emperor had bestowed upon him.

If she hadn't gone back yesterday, she would have found her home was gone the next time she left the palace...

In the imperial court, apart from Chu Ci and the Minister of War, everyone else was completely unable to lift their heads.

"Guards! Offer seats to Lord Chu and Lord Lü!"

"As for your other ministers, I suppose you are too ashamed to rise?"

Jun Shuyan said something in a low voice, and the people kneeling on the ground didn't dare to breathe.

It's truly laughable that all those men combined didn't even amount to the money the concubines in the harem could produce in a single afternoon.

Most people felt ashamed, and under Jun Shuyan's watchful gaze, they sincerely donated a lot of money this time.

One by one, they rushed to donate as if in a competition. Qin Qiao's temples throbbed as he listened to their numbers, and he had no choice but to join in.

Only then did Jun Shuyan finally smile. He received ten times more gifts at court today than he did yesterday.

Hmph! I always said these old guys are rolling in money and don't lack cash, they just don't want to spend it.

After leaving court, he went straight to Jiaolan Palace, but unfortunately, he found it empty, because Chu Sangning had gone to see the pregnant concubines with some things.

Qin Wanyue was sulking in her palace when she saw the huge pile of cloth and didn't know what to say.

Although she loved wearing beautiful clothes and appreciated the fabrics, she felt uncomfortable knowing they were from Chu Sangning, yet she couldn't bear to have them thrown away.

Also, she gave up 30% of her dowry!

Is this all Chu Sangning sent? That's far too perfunctory.

She must have many fine things in her palace, just that red agate alone would be enough, but all she sent were some bolts of cloth?!

Granny Yang probably sensed what she was thinking, so she said, "The Empress sent far less than half of what the Noble Consort received to the other concubines' palaces."

What she didn't mention was that Chu Sangning personally delivered the gifts to everyone else, but here she only had two palace maids deliver them.

Now that the Emperor has ordered all palaces to reduce their expenditures, at least the palaces are not only spending without receiving anything, and besides, these fabrics are also good things that are tributes from foreign countries.

Out of sight, out of mind, Qin Wanyue waved her hand and said to the palace servants, "Take all these bolts of cloth out and make them into garments for me."

"Make several sets, don't keep a single one."

There's been less food on the table these days; she's already neglected her stomach, so she can't afford to neglect her clothes now.