Chapter 1203: Mother-in-law and daughter-in-law plot!

"One thousand taels of silver? My son is about to ascend to the throne and become a great man. A mere one thousand taels of silver is really too shabby!"

After hearing this, An Miaoyi couldn't help but secretly look at Ye Cui's expression, and then asked tentatively:
"Then according to mother's opinion, how much should we donate?"

Upon hearing this, Ye Cui spoke without hesitation:
“I heard that Puhua Temple intends to expand and build some new S Miao temples. Many wealthy families in Yijing City are willing to donate generously. Naturally, our Ye Mansion cannot lag behind. Helping the S Miao people build a new temple is a great thing with immeasurable merits, and it will benefit our future generations in the future. So in my opinion, our Ye Mansion should donate 10,000 taels of silver…”

An Miaoyi was stunned when she heard this, and at this time Ye Cui continued to speak:
"Miaoyi, what do you think of my idea?"

Facing Ye Cui's inquiring gaze, An Miaoyi also felt very difficult. She thought quickly and said:
"Mom, I think what you said is absolutely right. Helping S Miao build a new temple is a very good thing. It can let the Buddha bless our Ye family to be safe and sound without any disasters!"

Hearing An Miaoyi say this, Ye Cui was also very happy and immediately decided:

"Miaoyi, it's great that you think so. If that's the case, then this matter is settled. Just send the silver over tomorrow!"

"And there's that prefect Liu Ning. The masters of Puhua Temple have approached him several times about the expansion of Puhua Temple, but Liu Ning just won't approve it!"

"Do you think Liu Ning has ill intentions? Why does he interfere with such a good thing? Miao Yiyi, I think you should tell Liu Ning to stay out of the way!"

Seeing that Ye Cui had made the decision and asked her to greet Liu Ning herself, An Miaoyi felt helpless, but she still had to say:

"It's a good thing for mother to help build the S seedlings, but we don't have that much money!"

"What's going on? Wasn't there more than 100,000 taels of silver before? You are the one who is responsible for Miaoyi's family, so don't lie to me!"

An Miaoyi also acted aggrieved when she heard this and said:

"Mom, how could Miaoyi lie to you? We really don't have that much money right now..."

"I had 118,000 taels of silver in my account before. I wanted to use this money to build a theater in your house. The drawings and craftsmen are already prepared!"

"But this time, my husband used the 110,000 taels of silver as travel expenses during his southern tour, leaving only 8,000 taels of silver in the account. This month, our family has spent a total of more than 2,300 taels of silver, so we only have more than 5,000 taels of silver left to use!"

Listening to An Miaoyi's account, Ye Cui was also very surprised and asked:
"Why did Mingsheng use the money from his family for this southern tour? What happened to the money from the Ministry of Revenue?"

An Miaoyi heard this and said helplessly:
"My husband said that the court's finances were tight, so he didn't want to increase the burden on the court because of this southern tour, so he took money from his family as travel expenses for this southern tour!"

"You don't want to increase the burden on the court? You want to increase the burden on your family? What is Mingsheng doing?"

Although she was very puzzled by Ye Mingsheng's behavior, since Ye Mingsheng had already used the money, Ye Cuishi had no choice. However, she seemed to have thought of something else and immediately looked at An Miaoyi and said:
"Should the various businesses under the name of our Ye Mansion be required to hand over their profits next month?"

Hearing that Ye Cui had set her mind on this sum of money, An Miaoyi smiled bitterly in her heart, but she could only explain patiently:
"Mother, according to the rules set by my husband, all the industries under the name of the Ye family must hand over profits every six months. The last profit handover was in January before the New Year, so the next profit handover will be in July..."

"And according to the current business conditions of various industries, the amount to be handed in this time is about 15,000 taels, and our Ye Mansion spends at least 2,000 taels of silver a month!"

Although An Miaoyi did not say it explicitly, Ye Cui still heard the implication of her daughter-in-law's words, but still said reluctantly:

"So our huge Ye Mansion can only donate one thousand taels of silver for incense money?"

"Mother, although our Ye Mansion is large and powerful, our expenses are also high. We have so many servants, maids and nannies who need to be paid every month, and we have to entertain and see off guests every month, which is not a small expense!"

"Originally, we had a surplus in our account, but this time, my husband took all the 110,000 taels of silver during his southern tour, so we are under such great pressure now!"

"We have to work hard to get this one thousand taels of silver together. At most, we can get five hundred taels of silver together. If we want more, it will affect the normal life of our Ye Mansion!"

Ye Cui couldn't help but sigh when she heard this, and said helplessly:

"Mingsheng will soon become the emperor, and our Ye family will also become a royal family. We are probably the first royal family in history to be as humble as ours!"

Faced with Ye Cui's complaints, An Miaoyi lowered her head and dared not say a word, making herself look like a bullied young wife.

After Ye Cui said a few words of complaint, she instructed An Miaoyi:

"Whatever! One thousand taels of silver is one thousand taels of silver. Miaoyi, you don't have to force it!"

"But you should give a heads-up to the prefect Liu Ning and ask him to approve the land for Puhua Temple!"

An Miaoyi smiled bitterly and said:

"Mom, I'll listen to you. I'll go say hello to Liu Ning later. But I don't know whether Liu Ning can listen to me..."

After hearing this, Ye Cui became a little angry and said:
"Miaoyi, you are the mistress of the Fengwu Army! How dare Liu Ning disobey you?"

Facing Ye Cui's questioning, An Miaoyi looked extremely aggrieved, with two lines of tears on her face. Then An Miaoyi sobbed and said:

"Mom, others don't know, but you know it!"

"It is my husband's rule that women are not allowed to interfere in government affairs. I have been punished by him several times for this matter. Last time, he almost killed me!"

"Liu Ning is a close confidant of my husband. He only listens to my husband's orders on weekdays and doesn't give him face no matter who else comes. I'm afraid my words will have no effect on him!" After saying that, An Miaoyi couldn't help sobbing again. Seeing An Miaoyi looking so aggrieved, Ye Cui didn't know what to say and could only sigh.

Seeing that Ye Cui was no longer obsessed with this topic, An Miaoyi slowly stopped crying and sat obediently beside Ye Cui.

After the conversation just now, Ye Cui, who had met with a cold shoulder from An Miaoyi, also understood that she could not count on An Miaoyi, so she immediately changed the subject and asked:
"Any news about Mingsheng's southern tour?"

An Miaoyi preached without hesitation:
"Mom, my husband's last letter home was a month ago. However, Song Haibo, who is with my husband, sent back a letter saying that my husband has arrived in Qi and Lu and is preparing to go to Huainan. My husband is in good health and everything is going well. We, the whole family, don't have to worry..."

After hearing this news, Ye Cui's expression eased a little, but she still complained:

"Mingsheng is such a fool. He has been away for several months and he only wrote a letter to his family!"

An Miaoyi smoothed things over for Ye Mingsheng and said:
"The court said that the prime minister did a lot of things during his southern tour. He had to legislate to improve workers' treatment, train the navy to strengthen coastal security, and finally inspect the ports. In short, there were a lot of things. The people along the way said that the prime minister was an upright and wise ruler!"

Hearing this, a smile appeared on Ye Cui's face, and her expression became somewhat proud. Seeing this, An Miaoyi immediately struck while the iron was hot and said a lot of good things.

After an incense stick of time, An Miaoyi finally made Ye Cui happy. Seeing that Ye Cui was a little tired, she said goodbye and left immediately.

After a while, An Miaoyi returned to her room and leaned on a chair to recuperate. Although in the eyes of outsiders, she was the eldest lady of the Ye Mansion and the mistress of the Fengwu Army, but in front of Ye Cui, she needed to restrain all her edge and play the role of a bullied young wife.

Although this was already handy for An Miaoyi who was used to acting, it still made An Miaoyi very tired and exhausted. Despite this, An Miaoyi still had to go to Ye Cui's house to perform every now and then...

After resting for an incense stick, An Miaoyi gradually recovered. At this time, Jing Ren also got off work from Gu Sansi.

Seeing this, An Miaoyi called Jingren over, perked up and asked:

"What did Mr. Gu tell you today?"

"My dear mother, Mr. Gu told me about the reign of Emperor Wen and Emperor Jing in the Zizhi Tongjian!"

Hearing this, An Miaoyi also became interested and continued to ask:
"What is the fundamental reason why the Han Dynasty was able to achieve the rule of Emperor Wen and Emperor Jing?"

Facing his mother's test, Jingren still looked a little nervous, but after a little thought, he said seriously:

"The fundamental reason for the reign of Emperor Wen and Emperor Jing was Emperor Wen. The two emperors were wise and virtuous. They attached importance to agricultural production, abolished harsh laws, advocated diligence and frugality in governing the country, implemented a policy of recuperation, reduced corvée and taxes for the people, and ultimately allowed the people to live and work in peace. The national strength of the Han Dynasty flourished during this period!"

Hearing Jingren's answer, An Miaoyi was also very satisfied. She touched Jingren's head and whispered:

"Jingren, there is also a Jing in your name, so you should learn from Emperor Jing of Han to work hard and make good use of your energy to govern the country!"

"Mom, I understand!"

After hearing her son's obedient answer, An Miaoyi asked again:
"Did Mr. Gu tell you what the next class will be about?"

"The teacher told me that in the next class he would tell me about the war between Emperor Wu of Han and the Huns..."

"Go back to your room and review your lessons. Go to your grandmother in half an hour. Your grandmother misses you!"

As soon as Jingren heard this, his face suddenly lit up with joy. Although Ye Cui also asked him to study hard, compared to An Miaoyi who wanted her son to become successful, Ye Cui seemed very kind and amiable. Moreover, when he went to his grandmother's house, he could eat some cakes that his mother didn't allow him to eat, so Jingren was also very willing to go to his grandmother's house!

However, Jingren's happiness did not last long, as he heard his mother's instructions again.

"When you get to your grandmother's place, if anyone asks about our family's accounts, you should just say you don't know or are not clear. Jingren, do you still remember what your mother taught you?"

Jingren nodded without hesitation and said:
“Enthusiastic, polite, but clueless!”

An Miaoyi nodded with satisfaction and said:

"Very good! Remember these three points and coax your grandmother well!"

"Mom, I know!"

"Go back to your room and study! Come back in half an hour!"

"Yes!"

Sitting back in the chair, An Miaoyi couldn't help but recall the conversation she had just had with Ye Cui.

Although An Miaoyi also expressed to the outside world that she believed in Buddhism, but because of the rumors that she was the reincarnation of Baosi in her early years, An Miaoyi did not believe in gods and Buddhas. The reason why she said that she believed in Buddhism was entirely to please Ye Cuishi so that she could have more common language with Ye Cuishi······················
An Miaoyi knew about what Ye Cui had done today. Ye Cui had wanted to talk to her for a long time. After all, in the eyes of Ye Cui, a devout believer, building S Miao was a great thing with immeasurable merits, but he had never found a good opportunity. Now that she mentioned it today, Ye Cui took the opportunity to tell her about it.

An Miaoyi also lied to Ye Cui. There were a total of 170,000 taels of silver in the account of the Ye Mansion. After Ye Mingsheng took away 110,000 taels, there were more than 60,000 taels of silver left. In addition, the silver that the various properties under the name of the Ye Mansion handed over in July was not the 15,000 taels that An Miaoyi reported to Ye Cui. If nothing unexpected happened, it should be 23,000 taels!
There are two main reasons why An Miaoyi lied to Ye Cui. The first and most important one is that Ye Mingsheng would not allow it!
Ye Cui was also well aware of this, so she did not mention this matter when Ye Mingsheng was around. Instead, she chose the time when Ye Mingsheng was on tour in the south. An Miaoyi was in charge of the Ye Mansion's finances and was ready to act first and report later, making the matter a fait accompli!

An Miaoyi also knew Ye Cui's plan, but she couldn't refuse Ye Cui. However, in order to prevent Ye Mingsheng from causing trouble for her, she could only push the matter onto Ye Mingsheng and let Ye Mingsheng take responsibility for it!
As for the second point, the finances of the Ye Mansion are now in the charge of An Miaoyi, which means that the 60,000 taels of silver in the Ye Mansion are hers, An Miaoyi's money, so An Miaoyi is really unwilling to throw away these 60,000 taels of silver in vain.

Just as she and Ye Cui said, although the Ye family is wealthy, their expenses are also high, so she needs to be thrifty and not squander. Otherwise, even if she has a mountain of gold and silver, it will be squandered sooner or later!
(End of this chapter)