The White-haired Queen

As soon as Wen Lanyue arrived at Shengde Palace, Yunqin had already written a list of the things that Bilian Antun had donated, and it would be delivered after Wen Lanyue had reviewed it.

Things and objects are all external to the body. They are valuable only when someone in need uses them. So Wen Lanyue did not look at them and said, "Just let Bilian take a look."

Bilian and Yunqin took inventory, filled three carts, called a few eunuchs and palace maids, and sent them to Concubine Pang's Yong'an Palace in a grand manner.

On the way to Yong'an Palace, the two saw large and small carts everywhere, loaded with food, medicine, cloth, jewelry, daily necessities, etc.

After the two handed in their lists, Concubine Pang's personal maid Cui'er came over to count them.

Yunqin asked, "Cui'er, who owns those eight carts of supplies? They are all new."

Cui Er said proudly: "Those are all the materials donated by our Concubine Pang Tai Shu, and they were sent by our Concubine Pang Tai Shu's family, the Minister of the Ministry of Revenue, Pang Shangshu."

Yunqin asked, "Are all your supplies brand new?"

Cui Er said, "Yes, they are all brand new. I bought them these past two days."

Yunqin whispered, "The Minister of Revenue is just very wealthy."

Cui Er's ears were sharp, and she said proudly, "Isn't it normal that the Minister of Revenue is rich?"

At this time, another personal maid of Concubine Pang, Hong'er, came over and said, "Sister Cui'er, Sister Cui'er, Concubine Zhang has brought over more than a dozen carts of supplies."

Yunqin couldn't believe her ears and asked hurriedly, "More than a dozen cars? Are you sure it's more than a dozen cars? Are there so many?"

Hong'er said, "Just now, Imperial Concubine Zhang's personal maid Xi'er said that there were more than a dozen cars on the first trip, and there will be a second trip soon, which will also have several cars."

Cui Er said, "Is it true that Concubine Zhang's supplies are twice as much as our Concubine Pang's?"

Hong'er said, "Xi'er said that our Madam Pang Tai Shufei prepared eight carts, and their madam must prepare sixteen carts. If our madam increases to sixteen carts, then Grand Imperial Concubine Zhang will increase to thirty-two carts. Anyway, no matter how many we increase, Xi'er said that Grand Imperial Concubine Zhang will be twice as many as us."

Cui Er said angrily: "It's the quality of things that matters, not the quantity."

Hong'er said, "Xi'er said that the Imperial Concubine Zhang said that it is more important to have more things than to have fine things. To help the common people and solve their food and clothing problems, fine things are useless and not practical. So we need more things, so that we can help more people affected by the disaster."

Cui Er said, "Why are you saying so much? Go and tell Concubine Pang immediately. Otherwise, you will become a punching bag again."

Hong'er said, "Sister Cui'er, I'm leaving first. Please settle down here and take care of me."

Hong'er turned and entered the inner hall, and handed Concubine Zhang's list to Concubine Pang. When Concubine Pang saw the long list, she was dumbfounded. It seemed that Concubine Zhang was really trying her best to argue with her and determine who was better.

Hong'er asked, "Madam Concubine, do we still need to increase supplies? We have already increased them three times."

Concubine Pang gritted her teeth and said, "Increase it to thirty-two cars directly."

Hong'er asked, "Should we buy a new batch or take them from the warehouse?"

Concubine Pang said: "It may be too late to buy a new batch of everything. You can take some from the warehouse and buy some new."

After hearing this, Hong'er turned around and tried to leave. Concubine Pang called her back again, "Hong'er, you can buy more supplies. Don't be too limited to the 32 trucks you mentioned now. If the flood disaster is serious, you will need more supplies to support it later."

"Your Highness, I understand. I'll take my leave now." After saying this, Hong'er disappeared without a trace.

Seeing Hong'er running so fast, Xi'er, the personal maid of Concubine Zhang, guessed that they were going to increase the number of carts carrying supplies. Hong'er felt that she didn't have time to find out the details, and she couldn't find out the details at the moment. So she asked her followers to hand over the invoice, and she returned to Yongshou Palace in a flash.

Xier reported what she had seen and heard to Grand Concubine Zhang. The more she listened, the angrier she became. She immediately ordered, "Go and buy up all the supplies in the capital. I don't know what she can do to compete with me or me."

"Your Highness, Xier understands. I'll do it right away." After saying that, Xier ran away.

After Yunqin and Bilian finished the transaction, Yunqin was left to help Concubine Pang, and Bilian went back to report to Wen Lanyue what she had seen and heard.

When Wen Lanyue heard this, she immediately found it funny. It seemed that Prime Minister Zhang and Shangshu Pang from the Ministry of Revenue had embezzled and accepted bribes quite a lot. After this incident, they must be investigated thoroughly.

Bilian continued, "There is one more thing I need to report."

Wen Lanyue said: "Go ahead."

Bilian said, "I heard Hong'er say that it was Xi'er who said that Concubine Zhang's things were more about quantity than quality, while Cui'er said that Concubine Pang's things were more about quality than quantity."

Wen Lanyue said "Oh" softly. It seemed that Concubine Zhang was more thoughtful.

Bilian then asked, "Empress Dowager, do you think it's okay to let them compete like this?"

Wen Lanyue said: "There's nothing wrong with it. They bleed to benefit the people, so they should be praised."

Bilian said, "I understand. Then shall we add more?"

Wen Lanyue said: "What else can we add to the existing things in the palace?"

Bilian said, "Of course there are some."

Wen Lanyue said: "If there is, we can add more, but there is no need to go out to purchase supplies. Just donate what you have, as long as it is in need."

Wen Lanyue thought for a moment and continued, "We should follow our own pace and do our own things. We should not compare ourselves with others and live within our means. After the donation, the harem will start to tighten their belts and live frugally."

Bilian said: "I understand." Bilian asked Yunqi, Yunshu and Yunhua to help, and sorted out three more carts and delivered the supplies to Yong'an Palace.

At this time, Bilian met Xier and Honger again, and their words were full of provocation.

Hong Er said, "I really don't understand why you insist on suppressing us."

Xier said: "How can we pressure you? We just purchase according to demand."

Hong Er said, "Really? You said it in such a high-sounding way."

Xier said: "This flood disaster affected a large area and a large number of people, so we tried our best to prepare more supplies for Concubine Zhang."

……

Bilian cleared her throat, and the two of them began to shut up. Bilian took their list and was shocked when she saw it.

The goods are extremely complete. When the two stores are combined, there are expensive, cheap, exquisite, rough, etc. If you compare the two stores separately, either the top is heavy and the feet are light, or the feet are heavy and the top is light. When the two stores are combined, there is no clue.

Seeing that Bilian didn't say anything, the two men hurriedly said goodbye and left.

Bilian looked at the list of gifts sent by other concubines and found...