Ask the mountains and rivers

Chapter 483 Side Story: Mother and Daughter (Part Two)
"Little monkey, come to your grandmother. Your mother is going to court to handle state affairs," Madam Feng said with a smile, trying to coax her granddaughter.

The little monkey was having a great time and wouldn't leave its mother's side: "I want my mother."

No matter how much Mrs. Feng tried to coax him, the little monkey just wouldn't let go.

Pei Qinghe smiled and said, "It's alright, I'll take her with me to court."

Mrs. Feng was taken aback: "Is this appropriate?"

“What’s inappropriate about it? It’s not like we go every day. We’ll just take her out once in a while. The Prime Minister and the others won’t mind.” Pei Qinghe raised an eyebrow and smiled, looking down at her daughter: “When we go to the Golden Palace later, you have to behave well. Don’t run around or say anything carelessly.”

The little monkey didn't know how much it understood, but it knew it could stay close to its mother, so it nodded vigorously.

Madam Feng was still worried, so she hurriedly instructed Shi Yan: "If the little monkey causes trouble, bring her back immediately."

Shi Yan smiled and agreed.

Pei Qinghe held the little monkey steadily in her right arm and strode towards the Golden Palace.

Prime Minister Pang led all the officials in bowing to the Emperor. As they rose, they all smiled when they saw the infant in the Emperor's arms. Sure enough, no one dared to utter a word.

What are the rules?

This is the Republic of China, and the emperor sitting on the dragon throne is Emperor Zhaoyuan. As the founding emperor, Pei Qinghe's rules are the rules of the world.

This mischievous child is the emperor's eldest daughter, perhaps even his only heir, destined to become the crown prince. It's perfectly reasonable for her to attend court early to get used to it.

The dragon throne was spacious. After Pei Qinghe sat down, she let the little monkey sit beside her.

The little monkey was usually very mischievous, running and jumping around everywhere, unable to sit still for a moment. But today, upon entering the spacious hall she had never been to before, and seeing a large, imposing crowd of people, and witnessing a solemn court assembly, she became much more obedient, sitting beside her mother and resting her head on her mother's arm.

While listening to the ministers speak, Pei Qinghe didn't forget her daughter. She stretched out her arms to make the little monkey more comfortable.

Minister Meng stepped forward and reported: "The Emperor has led a large army on a southern expedition, and the northern border is not peaceful either. In the past year and a half, the Xiongnu cavalry have been frequently dispatched. Fortunately, they have all been stopped by the Beiping Army, the Liaoxi Army, the Guangning Army, and the Fanyang Army."

Due to its geographical location, the Liaoxi Army frequently clashed with the Xiongnu cavalry, engaging in both offense and defense, with varying degrees of victory and defeat. The Guangning Army fared similarly. The Fanyang Army, traditionally weak in combat, had made significant progress and performed admirably over the past year. Among the four garrisoned forces, the Beiping Army was the most formidable, with Meng Liulang winning several brilliant battles and firmly holding off the Xiongnu cavalry.

The Beiping army suffered the most casualties.

When Minister Meng brought these things up at the court meeting today, it was not out of idle boasting about how capable his younger brother was, but rather to propose increasing military funding for these four garrison units.

Pei Qinghe did not immediately agree. After thinking for a moment, she first asked Shi Yan, "How is the Ministry of Revenue doing this year?"

Shi Yan stepped forward and replied, "Your Majesty, all the taxes from the south this year have been sent to Yan County. Together with the taxes from the north and the existing reserves, there is no problem in covering next year's military expenses. If we want to expand the army and increase military expenses, we can also barely manage to do so."

After Pei Qinghe's southern expedition, the country was unified, and the territory expanded considerably. The south has always been prosperous, and this year its tax revenue has more than doubled, resulting in a full national treasury.

However, the expenses also increased significantly. Military costs, particularly for maintaining the army, accounted for more than 60% of the expenses.

Pei Qinghe said, "To deal with the Xiongnu cavalry, we must greatly expand our cavalry force. The south has been pacified, and in the next few years, I will expand the army to prepare for war against the Xiongnu."

Shi Yan immediately replied solemnly, "After the court session, I will lead the officials of the Ministry of Revenue to inventory the treasury and calculate the accounts to determine how much additional military expenditure we can expect next year."

Pei Qinghe nodded slightly: "Thank you for your hard work, Fashion Books."

Shi Yan replied respectfully, "These are all my duties, and I dare not complain about the hardship."

The two were the closest of husband and wife; once they entered the Golden Palace to discuss matters, they became ruler and subject. One sat calmly and upright, the other stood solemnly and respectfully; their dialogue revealed not a trace of "personal affection." The veteran officials of Yan County were already used to this. However, the surrendered officials from Luoyang were seeing this for the first time; some were astonished, others sighed.

The era of male superiority and the husband being the head of the household is over. It is now natural for the ruler to be the head of the household, and for the emperor to be subservient to his subjects.

Let alone young fashion books, even veteran officials who have been in the court for decades have to bow down to Pei Qinghe and obey his every command.

After Shi Yan finished his dialogue, he looked up and almost lost his composure.

The mischievous little monkey snuggled into Pei Qinghe's arms. Pei Qinghe gently laid the monkey on her knees and stroked its back. The little monkey had fallen asleep sometime earlier, its chubby face turned towards its father, drool still dripping from its mouth.

Shi Yan was at a loss for words, and since he couldn't hold the child in front of all the officials, he could only lower his head again.

Pei Qinghe was never one to waste time with words, and his court meetings usually lasted only one or two hours, but today they ended quickly as well. After finishing the important matters, he dismissed the officials.

Shi Yan had to go to the Ministry of Revenue to attend to some business, but before leaving, he took one last look at Pei Qinghe.

Pei Qinghe smiled and gestured with her eyes, signaling Shi Yan to get on with his business.

Pei Yan, who hadn't spoken for a while, leaned over and reached out to stroke the little monkey's tender face. The little monkey stretched, opened its eyes, and woke up. Without crying or fussing, it picked up Pei Yan's hand and bit it.

Pei Yan gasped, "That little monkey is really something."

Pei Qinghe chuckled: "You're such a grown-up, how dare you bully a child who's not even two years old."

Pei Yan argued vehemently, "How is this bullying? It's because I like her that I'm playing around with her."

These words immediately drew a chorus of boos.

There were many young men and women of the Pei family among the Emperor's personal guards. They all dared not speak out against Pei Yan, but today they finally had a good opportunity to snort at him together.

The little monkey probably found the hissing amusing and giggled.

Pei Qinghe laughed too, not forgetting to teach her daughter: "If you are bullied in the future, you can fight back, but you can't bite people. When you are older, your mother will teach you martial arts."

The little monkey nodded haphazardly, it's unclear how much it understood.

Pei Qinghe was busy attending court and handling state affairs every day, as well as reviewing memorials and occasionally inspecting military camps to lead troop drills. She didn't have much time to spend with her daughter. However, mother and daughter were naturally close, and the little monkey loved her mother the most. She quickly became her mother's little shadow, following Pei Qinghe wherever she went.

Pei Qinghe went to court, and the little monkey sat playing by the dragon throne.

Pei Qinghe was reading the memorials when the little monkey nestled in its mother's arms and played.

Pei Qinghe summoned his ministers to discuss matters, while the little monkey lay on the soft blanket playing.

The only time he couldn't come along was when they went to the military camp. The north was cold, and the wind was biting; the little monkey was too small to be exposed to the cold wind.

Every time Pei Qinghe returned from the military camp, the little monkey would become even more clingy, even refusing to leave at night and wanting to sleep with his mother and father.

Pei Qinghe gently stroked her sleeping daughter's cheek, her gaze tender.

Looking at his wife and daughter, Shi Yan felt his chest overflow with tenderness, as if he possessed the whole world.

(End of this chapter)