Transmigrated into the Scum Female Consort - Chapter 49

Eyes met, and both women smiled.

They had once viewed each other as confidantes, close friends willing to help each other at any cost.

And at this moment, they still were.

Feeling emotional, Princess Consort Yi couldn’t help but say, “Your Highness seems to have changed a little.”

She had become more decisive. The former Grand Princess would likely not have had the heart to deal with Shi Niang’s situation so harshly.

This was good. A soft-hearted person could not sit on that throne.

Ye Xuejin smiled: “Is that so? You have also matured a little.”

They would both grow, but the sentiment from their youth would not change.

Princess Consort Yi smiled, choosing not to pursue the topic. She changed the subject and asked, “How does Your Highness plan to take these things away?”

Ye Xuejin thought for a moment and focused on the important parts: “…I was fortunate enough to receive the protection of an immortal. The immortal is willing to help me store them for use at any time.”

She still did not reveal Yun Chi’s divine power.

Although she trusted Princess Consort Yi, she did not plan to tell anyone until she had sufficient means of self-preservation.

Princess Consort Yi was first shocked, then overjoyed: “That’s wonderful! Your Highness… that is truly excellent.”

The Grand Princess is perfect and flawless; she deserves the protection of heaven and earth.

Ye Xuejin did not avoid Princess Consort Yi. She casually held Yun Chi’s hand and walked together to the stone shelf.

These were all things her mother left for her…

She couldn’t help but reach out and touch the cold iron chest. The next moment, a row of iron chests vanished into thin air, as if they had never existed.

“Your Highness!” Wen Yi covered her mouth in astonishment. After shouting once, she was speechless.

Is this immortal technique? It is too miraculous.

In her excitement, a sudden inspiration struck her, and she blurted out: “Your Highness, why don’t you ask the immortal to take the Caozhou Garrison away as well? Then you can begin the uprising once you reach the Southern Border.”

Ye Xuejin shook her head, her expression solemn: “I do not plan to take over the Caozhou Garrison. They can serve a greater purpose in Little Sister Yi’s hands, and now is not the time to start an uprising.”

Although the new Emperor had shown signs of being incompetent, there were no concrete mistakes that could be seized upon yet.

However, that day was not far off.

This was because her dear imperial brother was single-mindedly intent on abolishing the laws set by their ancestors, planning to kick female officials out of court, and blocking the path for all women in the realm.

That day would be the best opportunity.

Otherwise, she would be branded a rebel and a traitor right now.

Thinking of this, Ye Xuejin said, “I have two more matters to entrust to Little Sister Yi.”

“Your Highness, please command me.” Princess Consort Yi could not hide her excitement. This day had finally arrived.

On the side, Yun Chi watched their exchange, feeling a surge of motivation in her heart.

Who said women couldn’t change the world? Who said women couldn’t build great legacies?

Ambition, for a woman, was never a derogatory term.

In the treasury of this Princess Consort’s residence, she seemed to see magnificent golden halls, vast rivers and mountains, and the future that Ye Xuejin and Princess Consort Yi desired.

They ultimately did not stay for a meal.

It was inappropriate for Ye Xuejin to stay long in the Southwest, especially since the Emperor suspected that the secret seal controlling the Caozhou Garrison was in her hands.

The Grand Princess’s residence had been searched almost down to the foundations, Ye Xuejin was subjected to numerous tortures after imprisonment, and even the body search earlier that day.

All indicated that the Emperor had not let go of his suspicion.

Returning to the inn, they happened to encounter Shi Niang returning.

Seeing that Princess Consort Yi had personally driven the carriage and that Ye Xuejin and Yun Chi emerged from it, Shi Niang quietly lay on the eaves, not rushing to reveal herself.

Princess Consort Yi accompanied them back to the rear courtyard, then bid farewell: “The journey ahead is long and arduous. Your Highness, please take care.”

Ye Xuejin nodded: “And you as well, Little Sister Yi. The next time we meet, I will personally host a welcoming banquet for you.”

“Good.” Princess Consort Yi smiled heartily and glanced at the eaves: “It seems Your Highness has gained another skilled hand.”

With that, she signaled to Ye Xuejin and turned to leave.

Ye Xuejin understood and looked up at the eaves: “Has Shi Niang returned?”

Shi Niang then revealed herself, kneeling and bowing her head: “Your Highness, this subordinate is willing to follow Your Highness.”

She had hesitated repeatedly and, in the end, only mentioned the matters concerning the Mao Family Village and the Zhenshan County yamen, adding that they were forced to detour to Caozhou because of an ambush. She said nothing else.

Ye Xuejin did not speak. She quietly looked at Yun Chi, extended her hand, and mouthed two words: Divine artifact.

It was time to give out the third electric baton.

Yun Chi smiled silently and took out an electric baton.

Since all the electric batons had already been given to Ye Xuejin before, the system gave no reaction.

Ye Xuejin looked at Shi Niang and said calmly, “Stand up.”

Shi Niang cautiously raised her head. After standing up, she saw Ye Xuejin handing her a stick.

When she realized the stick was identical to the divine artifact Shi Song was holding, her pupils contracted, and she was stunned.

“Your Highness…”

“Listen carefully to me. To use this divine artifact, you must first press here…” Ye Xuejin patiently taught her once, clearly reiterated the precautions, and then handed the electric baton to her: “Shi Song and the others are still young and lack experience. You will need to take more care in the future. Also, keep a close watch on Mu Er. Do not give him a chance to relay information to the outside.”

“This subordinate will not fail in my mission!” Shi Niang was momentarily excited and answered loudly.

The sound instantly seemed to disturb the sleeping crowd, and indistinct voices rose from the stable.

Shi Niang rubbed her nose awkwardly. Her Highness had just praised her and asked her to take more care, and she immediately made a commotion. How embarrassing.

“Your Highness, please forgive this subordinate…”

“It’s nothing. I believe you can handle it. Go and wake everyone up.” Ye Xuejin smiled faintly, signaling her to call the others.

The sky was already faintly light. The exile party needed to set off early to avoid drawing any more unwanted attention.

“This subordinate obeys.” Shi Niang was still excited. She gripped the electric baton tightly, walking toward the stable while constantly looking down at it.

This is the divine artifact! She had a divine artifact now, one that could make a person faint just by touching their body.

If she had known this, she would have declared her allegiance sooner. Then she wouldn’t have had to feel so desperately envious.

Ye Xuejin withdrew her gaze. She wanted to quickly look at what was inside the iron chests before everyone had finished packing, so she told Yun Chi.

Yun Chi agreed without hesitation, as she also wanted to know what the Empress Dowager had left for Ye Xuejin.

So, in the blink of an eye, Ye Xuejin saw her Royal Consort’s feet wobble, looking as if she couldn’t stand steadily.

“Royal Consort! What’s wrong?”

Ye Xuejin’s heart tightened. She rushed to support her, unable to hide the concern and worry on her face.

Yun Chi quickly waved her hand, smiling: “It’s nothing, I’m fine.”

Hahaha, I’m rich, I’m rich!

The Empress Dowager was truly too thoughtful. Those ten iron chests were all filled with gold.

All gold! It was absolutely stunning!

Yun Chi calculated in her mind. These chests could hold nearly one cubic meter of material.

Even by a conservative estimate, one chest held at least 300,000 liang of gold.

Ten chests meant three million liang.

Seeing Yun Chi’s unstoppable smile, Ye Xuejin also guessed something. She watched her quietly, her lips silently curving upward.

Mother must have left behind quite a few good things.

Yun Chi calmed down slightly, leaned toward Ye Xuejin’s ear, and whispered: “It’s all gold. It adds up to at least three million liang. You’re rich.”

Ye Xuejin’s eyes widened. Three million liang of gold…

She couldn’t spend that much gold in her entire lifetime. Did Mother also…

Yes. What was more costly than fighting a war?

The military expenditure of the Great Shao Kingdom accounted for nearly 80% of the national treasury’s spending. A major war typically cost ten million liang of silver, which was one million liang of gold.

The annual revenue of the Great Shao national treasury was only about ten million liang of silver.

And her mother had prepared a full three million liang of gold for her, which was thirty million liang of silver!

But where did Mother get so much gold?

Before Ye Xuejin could figure it out, Yu Lu arrived in the back courtyard with the constables.

“Your Highness.”

“We go to the Southern Border.” Ye Xuejin collected her thoughts and stated concisely.

“This subordinate obeys.” Yu Lu understood. This time, they were to rush straight to the Southwest and not linger in Caozhou City.

As the city gate opened, the exile party left Caozhou City.

In the Imperial Study in the capital.

The Emperor looked at the Chief Eunuch and frowned: “Has there still been no news?”

“Reporting to Your Majesty, still no news. Perhaps the journey is difficult, and they have been held up by something.”

The Emperor snorted: “All useless trash.”

Just then, a wet nurse delivered a message from outside the Imperial Study.

The Chief Eunuch listened and cautiously glanced at the Emperor.

“What is it?” The Emperor frowned again.

The Chief Eunuch hesitated: “Reporting to Your Majesty, the Empress sent someone to relay a message: the monthly stipends for the various Empresses and Consorts are due to be issued.”

“Tell her to issue them.”

“The Empress said that the Bureau of the Imperial Clan’s treasury has run out of silver.”

The Emperor was startled and roared in anger: “Nonsense! How can the treasury be out of silver?”

The Chief Eunuch flinched in fear and stammered: “The Bureau of the Imperial Clan’s treasury has never been full. In previous years, it was supported jointly by the national treasury and the Emperor’s private treasury.”

The Emperor’s face grew increasingly impatient: “Then tell them to go to the Ministry of Revenue, to the national treasury, and draw the silver.”

A bunch of good-for-nothings. Not a single one is competent.

The Chief Eunuch was internally distraught but could only bite the bullet: “The Ministry of Revenue sends silver on time and according to regulation every month. This month’s allotment has already been sent to the palace.”

The Emperor slammed the memorial in his hand, took a few deep breaths to suppress his rage: “Where did all the silver go? It was enough before, so why is it not enough now that I am on the throne? Summon the Empress! I want to ask her how she manages the inner court.”

The Chief Eunuch knew exactly what was going on, but he dared not say it.

According to custom, the expenses of the inner court were covered half by the national treasury and half by the Emperor’s private treasury, all delivered to the Empress through the Bureau of the Imperial Clan.

However, since the new Emperor ascended the throne over half a year ago, he hadn’t opened the private treasury at all. The Imperial Household Department dared not ask the Emperor for silver and could only struggle to cover the costs.

By today, the Imperial Household Department’s treasury likely couldn’t hold on any longer; it was empty.

This matter, whoever spoke of it would bring misfortune upon themselves. It was better to let the Empress handle it; after all, they were husband and wife.

Soon, the Empress rushed to the Imperial Study. Seeing the Emperor’s furious expression, she carefully called out, “Your Majesty, your subject is late.”

The Emperor stopped looking at the memorials, stating coldly, “I hear the Imperial Household Department’s treasury is empty, and the silver from the Ministry of Revenue is used up. Empress, shouldn’t you give me an explanation?”

The young Empress immediately cried injustice upon hearing this: “Your Majesty, I am wronged! The Bureau of the Imperial Clan said…”

The Emperor listened and instantly felt a headache.

It’s all Father’s fault for leaving in a hurry, and Mother for being ill all the time. Why didn’t anyone tell him about this when he ascended the throne?

“Take as much as you need from the private treasury.” The Emperor impatiently waved his hand. After a brief pause, he suddenly stood up: “I’ll go and see for myself.”

Father’s private treasury—no, it is his private treasury now. He should find out how much wealth is inside.