TFWYH – Chapter 589 Taking Office Under Pressure

“Your Highness Consort, please mind your words!” Aunt Qiuwen hurriedly cut her off, then cast a warning glance at the servants behind them.

Seeing all the servants immediately lower their heads, she sighed helplessly and said, “Your Highness Consort, calm your anger. This was His Majesty’s decision. The imperial will cannot be defied.”

Gu Yanshuang glared at her, but in the end said nothing more.

Before long, the carriage arrived, and mother and daughter boarded it.

Huangfu Rongsheng had been beaten badly this time and was still unconscious even now.

Worried for her son, she had brought her daughter to the temple to pray for a protective charm for him.

Otherwise, she would never have had to witness such an irritating scene.

When she returned, she intended to have a serious talk with Huangfu Yi—what did Father Emperor mean by this? How could he be so improper as to let a minor official live opposite a prince’s estate? Was he not afraid the man would lose years off his life from such an honor?

Little did she know that after she left, Tang Wan came out supporting Jiang Shi.

Jiang Shi stared hatefully at the departing carriage and said, “That’s her. The woman supporting Gu Yanshuang just now was Qiuwen. I won’t mistake her.”

Tang Wan nodded. “Mother, I understand. Stay at home. I’ll be back soon.”

Jiang Shi froze. “You’re going? How can a married woman like you—”

“Trust me. Have you forgotten I know martial arts? Just don’t worry.”

After tossing out those words, Tang Wan called over Ye Shi and told her to escort Jiang Shi back inside.

As for Tang Wan herself, she chased after the carriage, so fast Jiang Shi did not even have time to stop her.

Seeing Jiang Shi’s worried expression, Ye Shi smiled.

“Madam, don’t worry. Mistress is very capable. If she takes action, there definitely won’t be a problem.”

Jiang Shi sighed and nodded, then looked toward the imperial palace.

“And Yu’er too. It’s already noon—why hasn’t he come back yet?”

If he were back, Tang Wan would not need to take such a risk.

What if something happened?

And the Ling Yu Jiang Shi was worrying about was currently being put in a difficult position.

He was a commoner-born scholar. Even though he had won first place in the imperial examination, he should have been sent to a local post to gain experience.

Yet the emperor had kept him in the capital and even appointed him an Assistant Minister.

With such extraordinary favor, how could others not be jealous?

Not to mention that he had also offended Prime Minister Gu.

At the Ministry of Revenue, above him was the Minister, with two Assistant Ministers beneath.

Today, Ling Yu had gone early to report for duty in his official robes, only to be summoned by Minister Wang of the Ministry of Revenue and assigned a task—

Collecting debts.

Since the founding of the dynasty, during nearly every emperor’s reign, officials borrowing silver from the imperial treasury had become common practice.

Gradually, it had almost become a trend.

If you had not borrowed some money from the emperor, it was as if you were behind the times.

And as emperor, naturally he would not stoop to personally demand repayment.

As time passed, the silver lent out from the treasury had reached an astronomical sum.

Thus, debt collection became the responsibility of the Ministry of Revenue.

But taking silver from other people’s pockets was a highly offensive task—and a difficult one too. Every debtor would cry poverty.

In the end, not only did you offend people, but you recovered only a tiny portion of the money—not even one-tenth.

Every official in the Ministry dreaded having this assignment fall on them.

Coincidentally, the year was nearing its end again, which meant it was time to collect debts once more.

Before Ling Yu arrived, everyone had been nervous, afraid Minister Wang would choose them.

Now it was perfect—Ling Yu had arrived, and Minister Wang had assigned him the task.

Ha ha ha…

The officials of every rank in the Ministry secretly let out huge sighs of relief.

Looking at Ling Yu now, some gloated, others pitied him—but not a single one was willing to help.

With a stern face, Minister Wang handed Ling Yu a list and continued:

“These are the names of the officials who borrowed silver from the treasury. Study it carefully, then go collect the debts. I’ll give you one month. Within one month, you must recover all the silver.”