Remarrying Chun Yuan

Chapter 409: Starting a Family

Liu Yuechu was complaining about Wang Fu when Song Liu'er entered the courtyard.

He didn't come empty-handed; he brought a lot of little trinkets, all for the little dumpling and the little bun.

"I came here today specifically to tell you that you don't need to worry about my background."

"As long as you don't let me receive him, I can pretend I don't know anything about it and won't take it to heart."

"As long as you agree, sir, I'll be happy to work hard for you. Just consider it revenge for me, use him as much as you want, make trouble for him, and preferably work him to death..."

……

Liu Yuechu watched as he spoke through gritted teeth, and the toys he had taken out for Xiao Baozi were almost crushed by him.

I say I don't want to take it to heart, but how can I not take it to heart?

He was clearly his biological father, yet he abandoned him to work as a child laborer in the home of the woman he loved.

Besides, they've both lived in the capital, yet they've never met or visited each other in all these years.

Liu Yuechu had a question at the beginning of the month, "Song Liu'er."

"Hmm?" Song Liu'er froze, realizing that he had been too engrossed in his work. "What's wrong? Please tell me, Master."

"How old are you this year?" Liu Yuechu had never asked him this question before.

He had a full beard, and Liu Yuechu had always assumed he was quite old. But looking at him this way, he didn't seem to be that much older than her?

"Twenty-five," Song Liu'er said. "Why did you suddenly ask about this, Master?"

"Twenty-five, dressed like fifty-two..." Liu Yuechu couldn't help but mock him, "Can't you dress up properly? After all, you are the head steward of the Liu family, you should at least look presentable."

Song Liu'er: "..." We were talking about Song Ziwen, how did it suddenly turn into his clothes and appearance?

"Anyway, I have told you everything I wanted to say. I understand that you care about me and I am grateful to you. But this matter is not something to worry about. He should pay for the bad things he did."

“You are a good person, and you shouldn’t have to bear this responsibility.”

Having made her point clear, Song Liu'er didn't bother with any more sentimental words of gratitude and simply took her leave to get back to work.

He was indeed very busy, extremely busy.

If it weren't for the mention of the royal gardens and Xu Shan today, Wang Fu wouldn't have blurted out this matter in his haste.

Liu Yuechu clicked her tongue in amazement, "I really didn't expect him to be only twenty-five..."

"Pfft!" Xia Zhi was drinking water in the distance and almost choked to death.

How can it be that even at this point, our master is still so hung up on Song Liu'er?!

“Even if Song Liu’er doesn’t mind, we can’t just ask Song Ziwen for help so easily, otherwise we’ll be in a very passive position.”

She pondered quietly in the courtyard for a long time, and after Yuan Cuo returned in the evening, she and her husband secretly plotted together.

The following morning, the two of them entered the palace together.

Liu Yuechu proposed to compile a list of all the timber in the royal gardens, issue invitations to all the talented people in the country to gather in the capital for a wood carving competition.

The top three carving masters in the palace can be awarded a title by the Imperial Household Department and enjoy a salary from the imperial court.

This was essentially a "civil service examination" for craftsmen, designed to discover the best sculptors.

Emperor Qi Xiao raised an eyebrow in displeasure, "Why do you have to make such a big fuss when I'm just asking you to do something?"

Why would the palace have to pay to support a group of artisans? Isn't this just a waste of time and energy? He glared at Yuan Cuo, clearly indicating that he was also partly responsible for this terrible idea!

Liu Yuechu disagreed with this statement, saying, "Two hundred thousand taels of silver is no small matter. Think about it, it's just the Imperial Household Department giving us a title; you can decide on the salary."

"I thought about it for a long time before deciding to do this. We can't put all our eggs in one basket. Besides, relying on the skills of only three carving masters would take too long, and it's impossible to use up all the wood in the garden quickly."

"If we can't use all the timber, and the land in the garden isn't suitable for renovating and building houses, why not sell it?"

"If we can't sell these, we won't have enough money for our military supplies. So please grant my bold suggestion, Your Majesty. This is the best solution we can think of."

Liu Yuechu rattled off a string of words.

Emperor Qi Xiao snorted and sighed. After thinking about it carefully, he realized that what she said did make sense.

"What do you think?"

He was asking about Yuancuo.

Yuan Cuo readily agreed, saying, "I think my wife's idea is excellent, achieving multiple benefits at once. We can use the idle timber from the garden to make money, and we can also invite people from Yan and Meng to come and see it, expanding our influence and making a profit from them."

"Moreover, I also have a list of officials who have both merits and demerits. It would be a real pity if they were to be beheaded by Imperial Censor Chen."

"Therefore, I think it would be better to let them participate, take out some silver to buy these wooden carvings and bring them home, which would also help Your Majesty relieve your worries."

Emperor Qi Xiao nearly choked on his saliva.

So these two are working together to set a trap for outsiders!

However, the silver was indeed deposited into the treasury of the Great Qi Dynasty and was to be used for military supplies.

"Can you really guarantee the replacement of military supplies and equipment, and that it will be on par with the State of Chu?" Emperor Qi Xiao was more worried about whether Yuan Cuo's intentions were impure.

“I cannot guarantee it. After all, war does not rely on my ability to predict the future, but on the right time, the right place, and the right people,” Yuan Cuo said frankly. “Moreover, I think that since the last incident, the State of Chu also needs time to recuperate.”

"Moreover, this competition can also be used to see if we can uncover the spies who sold the information."

Yuan Cuo looked meaningfully at Emperor Qi Xiao, "I must find that person, make him be cursed by the masses and struck by lightning, and then bring him before Your Majesty for Your Majesty to deal with personally!"

Liu Yuechu blinked and quickly bit her pursed lips.

What if Emperor Qi Xiao deliberately set a trap for him? Yuan Cuo's veiled criticism was too obvious, and sure enough, Emperor Qi Xiao's lips twitched after hearing it!

"Alright, if you want to do it, then do it quickly. The army can't wait any longer." For some reason, Emperor Qi Xiao felt a little guilty after seeing the look in his eyes and hearing his words.

But what is he feeling guilty about?

His territory was invaded by the State of Chu.

He was determined to find that traitor, and even if no lightning struck from the sky, he would still strike that person down!

The matter was settled in this way. Emperor Qi Xiao summoned the Grand Steward of the Imperial Household Department and the Ministry of Rites, and everything had to be done in accordance with Liu Yuechu's wishes.

Upon hearing of this matter, the Minister of Rites naturally handed it over to Vice Minister Li.

When Vice Minister Li met Liu Yuechu, Liu Yuechu was greatly startled.

In just a short time, Vice Minister Li seemed to have aged seven or eight years.

She thought of Li Chengyue, and then she thought of Li Shu.

It's obvious that those two ancestors in the family have drained all of Minister Li's energy.

"At the beginning of the month, I won't trouble you with Li Shu's matter, but if you run into Cheng Yue, please help me persuade him. He's already so old, he should be married!"