noffsinger Chapter 103 Fundraising Scandal
Chapter 103 Fundraising Scandal
Shen Li was treated with such care and concern all the way into Fengxiang Palace. Fortunately, once she entered the palace, she could finally have some peace and quiet.
The Empress had not yet arrived. Zhou Qianqian and Xia Shiyin sat at the head of the seats on the left and right sides, respectively. Below them were several noblewomen with titles, followed by several wives of ministers, and then Shen Li, whose rank was considered high among them.
She glanced at the people in front of her one by one. Weren't they the same people who had been gossiping about her and Gu Chang'an on the way? Old people really do talk too much.
After the ladies-in-waiting had all gathered, Empress Ning approached with a shout and emerged from behind the screen.
Everyone bowed in unison before taking their seats.
Empress Ning surveyed the area and then looked at Shen Li: "Where is Madam Shen?"
"Your Majesty, my grandfather has been feeling unwell lately, and my mother is worried about him and has gone back to take care of him. So she has sent me on her behalf," Shen Li said after bowing.
"I see. I will send the imperial physician to visit the old Duke again later. Please give him my regards when you return. He is a pillar of the nation, so please take good care of yourself," Empress Ning said with a heavy heart.
"Yes, thank you for your concern, Your Majesty." Shen Li bowed again.
After that, Empress Ning's voice became even more somber. She spoke of the harsh cold of the northern border and the critical state of the war. Her concern for the country and its people made everyone present feel heavy-hearted.
"Your Majesty, although we are women, we understand the principle that the country and the family are one, and that if the lips are gone, the teeth will be cold. This time, we will definitely do our best to make a thousand winter clothes for the soldiers, and also donate a thousand taels of silver as charcoal money." Zhou Zhen's wife was the first to speak.
The Zhou family and the Crown Prince have always been one.
Zhou Qianqian felt a sense of pride. Although this lady was not her biological mother, they were still considered equals in public.
“My Zheng family will donate 1,200 winter clothes and 1,200 taels of charcoal money,” said the wife of Minister Zheng of the Ministry of Personnel, who was in her early fifties and was not to be outdone.
This is also Zheng Youwei and Zheng Yanran's mother. She doesn't seem very bright, because the amount of her donations is clearly at odds with the Zhou family.
Even Peony could see it; how come this guy seems even more reckless than her? No wonder her son and daughter are the same way.
The Xia family, which is the Minister of War, is allied with the Zheng family. However, the Minister of War, Mr. Xia, is over seventy years old and it is inconvenient for him to come. Instead, it was the eldest daughter-in-law of the Xia family, Xia Shiyin's mother, who came.
"My Xia family will also donate 1,200 winter clothes and 1,200 taels of charcoal money." Madam Xia spoke much more gently. Now that the Zheng family had taken the lead, she had nothing to hold back.
If we follow the Zhou family now, it would be betraying our allies and pleasing neither side. This way, we can at least stand on the same boat as the Zheng family.
As a result, undercurrents were brewing. The Crown Prince Party donated more, putting them ahead of the Prince Yi Party. The Prince Yi Party had no choice but to raise their prices again, but there weren't many people competing with them because the people behind them were of lower rank, and if they raised their prices more than the First-Rank Lady, they would steal the limelight.
Once everyone had donated, Zhou Qianqian and Xia Shiyin spoke up at the opportune moment.
"His Highness means to make three thousand winter clothes and donate three thousand taels of charcoal money," Xia Shiyin said.
Finally, it was Zhou Qianqian's turn. She cleared her throat and said, "His Highness the Crown Prince intends to make five thousand winter clothes and donate five thousand taels of charcoal money."
Neither of them showed any sign of wanting to compete; this matter should not exceed the Crown Prince's authority, as this was an unspoken rule of etiquette.
The Empress nodded in satisfaction: "Very good. With the unity of the emperor and his ministers in the previous dynasty, and the ladies in the inner palace who are wise and righteous, how can we not win this battle?"
"Madam Gu, why are you asking? Are you being stingy with supplies for the front lines?" Zheng Yanran had been staring at Shen Li, knowing that Shen Li hadn't said a word.
Upon hearing this, everyone present looked at Shen Li, and suddenly realized that she represented not only herself, but also the Shen family.
The Shen family is a wealthy family, and Shen Li is also extremely rich.
"Has Shen girl forgotten? Or is there some difficulty? Just tell me, we're all family, it's no problem," Empress Ning asked gently.
"Your Majesty, there is no difficulty. It's just that I originally wanted to say this in private, but since we are all family, I won't hide it from you."
A sharp glint appeared in Shen Li's eyes as she continued, "The Shen family will provide two thousand nine hundred winter clothes and two thousand nine hundred taels of silver."
The ladies present widened their eyes in surprise. They knew the Shen family was wealthy, but they couldn't use their money like this; it was putting them at a disadvantage.
"I care about my family, and I care about my family too." Shen Li met all the surprised or dissatisfied looks directed at her, her eyes shining with arrogance.
Her meaning was clear: she wasn't targeting any one person, but rather that everyone present was trash.
Her wealth is so great that it's no different from beating her grandsons.
This was still out of consideration for not surpassing the King of Yi and the Crown Prince, otherwise she would let these people know what it meant to be rich and powerful.
"Well... alright, I thank Lady Gu on behalf of the soldiers at the front." Empress Ning hadn't expected the usually calm and reserved Shen Li to be so sharp and outspoken.
This has offended quite a few people.
Zhou Qianqian, Xia Shiyin, and the others were also puzzled. Originally, Shen Li was always the kind of person who would try her best to stabilize the overall situation even if she suffered a loss. But if they were not mistaken, Shen Li was... stirring up trouble?
Forsythia and Peony were dumbfounded. Just a moment ago, they were exchanging glances and laughing at Madam Zheng for being reckless.
Why is their young lady even more flamboyant and arrogant than that one?
Is this still the same young lady from their family who is always cautious and seeks stability, never resorting to any last-minute tactic?
"Gentlemen, the soldiers are suffering from the cold and hardship. Can't we really add more?" Shen Li didn't let them off the hook so easily and spoke up again with earnest words.
Those of lower rank didn't care; they were just there to join in the fun. But the wives of the ministers felt really awkward. Not only did most of them not have that much money, but even if they did, they couldn't afford it.
Do you think everyone can have money fall from the sky like the Shen family, just sitting at home?
"Shen girl, I suppose everyone has done their best." Empress Ning had no choice but to step in and smooth things over. Today, Shen Li must have had a thousand thorns on her body.
"Knowing you have money, why don't you take out 30,000?" Zheng Yanran snorted.
Xia Shiyin turned her head and glared at her, thinking to herself that this child's brain was beyond saving. It was one thing not to apologize, but why did she keep provoking her?