zChapter 1256 - [YeXi] Private meeting (1/2)

Everyone paid more attention to this matter after Eunuch Li’s entreaties. For the sake of tampening down greed, the emperor had told the empress that all donations needed clear receipts no matter the quantity given. The numbers had to be clearly recorded as to their origins and eventual use. Because of this, the emperor had specially formed a team of people from the six ministries to make a supervisory committee in charge of managing donations. They would send out timely records of the expenses to the public.

If Lord Chen passed on the red envelopes’ matter to the empress, what was he supposed to say? Suppose he made her unhappy? He could even lose his job. However, if he didn’t report to the empress, how was he supposed to record the matter of the empty red envelopes? Once the zeroes were down and the records made public with the other donation amounts, it would only be trouble for the empress!

If all of the empress’s red envelopes ended up being empty, that was easy enough to understand. But only eight out of the 30 she sent out had nothing in them whatsoever. Those madams were all from families of high standing. No body would mind a big red envelope, but an empty one was simply humiliation. How much gossip and idle talk would come out of this?

Lord Chen was stuck between a rock and a hard place. Eunuch Li only reminded him, “Lord Chen, no matter how bold those madams may be, they wouldn’t dare report the empty envelopes. As this old servant sees it, perhaps the empress means…”

“Perhaps she means to threaten then?” Lord Chen asked hastily.

Eunuch Li’s smile was full of disdain. “Lord Chen, how is someone with such poor insight supposed to help the emperor and empress with their matters?”

Lord Chen was truly lost. He dug out a bag of silver and stuffed it in Eunuch Li’s hands. “Eunuch Li, please give me more pointers, more pointers.”

Eunuch Li accepted the silver and smiled until his eyes were slits. He stopped being stingy and said, “Lord Chen, these empty envelopes of the empress are simply there to scope out the path! Did you see what kind of people were included in the eight madams? Would Esteemed Empress simply try to test their mettle with a bunch of empty red envelopes?”

“So that’s it!” Lord Chen exclaimed.

If Han Yunxi knew the two men thought she was so complicated, what would she feel?

“Lord Chen, this must be a personal affair between the empress and the right madams. Now say, which side do you stand on?” Eunuch Li asked.

“This humble official sides with Esteemed Empress and has no second motives. May the Heavens be my witness!” Lord Chen declared promptly.

Eunuch Li drew closer and lowered his voice. “Lord Chen, this old servant wholeheartedly serves my master. Since this is the case, if we do nothing and pay out of our own pockets…”

Lord Chen didn’t hesitate and agreed. “This official understands!”

Eunuch Li added, “Lord Chen, think it over carefully. If anything goes wrong, you’ll have to assume all responsibility!”

“This humble official understands. Eunuch Li doesn’t need to worry!” Lord Chen said, relieved to be solving a thorny problem.

Admiring his guts, Eunuch Li replied, “Don’t worry, Lord Chen. If this old servant has a chance to see the emperor and empress, I will definitely put in some good words for you!”

Lord Chen hastily cupped his hands to express his gratitude.

“That’s right, there seems to be two envelopes missing,” Eunuch Li added quickly.

“Two were sent to the Baili Estate, but His Excellency Baili passed away last night. Things must be chaotic at that household right now!” Lord Chen sighed helplessly.

At noon the next day, the Ministry of Revenue organized its list of all the auction details at the birthday banquet as well as the red envelopes donated by the high-ranking ladies and madams into a clear accounts which they then posted publicly. The eight empty red envelopes were included in the list, with Lord Chen making up the lost sum inside them so they matched the rest.

Han Yunxi received the news as soon as it went public. Currently, she was waiting for Long Feiye inside the palace. After he had gone to the imperial study yesterday, he sent someone to send his condolences while instructing the justice courts to their jobs properly without showing any favoritism. Of course, this was all a show for certain people. Long Feiye was still busying himself in the study now. Even if he wasn’t occupied, he couldn’t rush over to the Baili Estate right now.

He could only wait until night fell and the Baili Estate was empty. For both him and the Baili Estate, this day was a tremendous test.

Han Yunxi looked over the accounts list that a servant had given her before handing it over to Mu Linger and Zhao mama.

“Big sis, this Lord Chen sure is something. He used money from his own pockets to fill in the empty envelopes!” Mu Linger smiled.

“Esteemed Empress, if that’s the case than then the people we arranged…” Zhao mama was rather put out.

Why did Lord Chen decide to act of his own accord? After all, Esteemed Empress long had preparations in place for the empty red envelopes. By doing this, Lord Chen ended the disputes once and for more. How boring!