No, I was just a concubine, how did I become the queen?

However, the Fourth Master would not mention these considerations right now, because Hongshi's foot would need to be healed for a while anyway.

Zhang was deeply regretful this time, but the Fourth Master was a man of his word, and she had no ability to change his mind, so she could only accept her fate.

In this case, she could only strive for material things: "Since the engagement is set, Hongshi's title..."

Now, except Honghui, all other children are bald princes and have not been given any titles.

Moreover, according to the custom of the Kangxi Dynasty, even if a couple got married and moved out of the palace to set up their own house, they would not be directly granted a title.

After all, you have to achieve something before you can give some sweet rewards.

Zhang was greedy and started asking for it right away.

But the Fourth Master is different from Emperor Kangxi. He really loves the child, so he just gives him the title.

Considering that his older sons were about to get married, he directly conferred the title of Beile on three of them at once, namely Hongyun, Hongyan and Hongshi.

However, Hongyun and Hongyan were given titles, but Hongshi was not.

Zhang was also overjoyed. Just as she was about to express her gratitude, Lin Mingyan interrupted her:

"Your Majesty, Hongshi also paid a price for this foot binding incident."

"But we can't just ignore the women who were affected."

The Fourth Master nodded when he heard this and asked, "Does the Queen have any ideas?"

Cha Cha usually rarely interferes with his discipline of children who are not her own, but this time she spoke up, which means she must have some ideas.

Lin Mingyan said, "Since newly bound feet can be healed, we should also give these women a chance to be treated."

"And if they hadn't been foot-bound since childhood, freeing their feet would also be beneficial."

"In this case, the government still needs to intervene."

The Fourth Master thought it made sense. These victimized girls couldn't just accept their fate.

"That's right, this can be considered as atonement for Hongshi's sins," the Fourth Master nodded, and then thought about it, "but this money..."

Although the national treasury is now full, he is used to being frugal, so it really hurts a bit.

Lin Mingyan did not bring up this matter in front of Zhang for no reason. She never said that she was a purely good person!

Zhang thinks she is bad, so she can't bear this accusation in vain. She should prove that she is bad.

"Of course, the money has to be paid by the person who redeems his sins. Hongshi has been granted a title, which means he is a lord," Lin Mingyan curled her lips. "This monthly salary can be used to provide medical treatment for these poor women. Is that okay?"

Her voice was gentle, but in the ears of Hongshi and Zhang, it was like the voice of an evil spirit!

Especially that curl of his lips, you can see the malice in it.

Zhang's eyes widened at that moment: "Empress, how can this be possible?"

"Don't even mention that Hongshi has only just been conferred the title of Beile. How much salary can he get in a year?"

"Even if it's been sealed for many years, won't he be able to support his family?"

Zhang was so angry that her lips were shaking. She used to think that life was easy under the Queen's rule.

It turns out that I was so tolerant of them and gave them generous amounts of money, but it was all pretense!

But the Emperor just fell for her tricks and was fooled by her for so long.

Now that the children are grown up, she simply stops pretending.

He didn't stop Hongshi from being granted the title, but he found a reason to take away his salary.

If the benefits are gone, what’s the point of just having a title?

Who is more cruel or the queen?

The Fourth Master thought differently from Zhang. He was puzzled: "A Beile's annual salary isn't much. If I calculate it, it will probably take ten years of salary to be enough, right?"

This money needs to be used right now, and we can’t wait for Hongshi for ten years.

The Fourth Master and Lin Mingyan didn't take Zhang's words seriously at all. They just talked about Hongshi's salary.

Lin Mingyan proposed a loan: "After all, Hongshi is also a Beile, and his monthly salary is paid on time."

"The Ministry of Internal Affairs can calculate a certain interest and lend him the money first to save these poor women."

"And Hongshi will repay this money monthly until it is fully repaid."

"Of course, if he has money, he can repay the loan in advance, which will reduce the interest accordingly."

Aren't you out of tune?

With this huge mountain of loans pressing down on you, at least you can be content for a while.

After hearing this, the Fourth Master exclaimed that it was wonderful.

He always felt that this little pain was not enough to warn Hongshi.

Such a fine really hits the nail on the head.

Zhang and Hongshi were stunned: No way? How would he live in the future?

Hongshi didn't even care about his foot pain, and hurriedly said: "Father, how can I marry and have children? Will my whole family starve to death?!"

The Fourth Master scolded him, "Your Royal Father and Royal Mother are not cruel people. They will naturally leave you enough rice to live on."

"As for a life of luxury and money for visiting brothels and pleasure boats, forget it!"

"It's settled. I'll have the Ministry of Internal Affairs determine the interest rate in the next few days."

"Hongshi, don't let me down again, okay?"

Hongshi was not that stupid. Ever since his feet were cut off, he knew that the emperor was a man of his word.

If he bargained, he might not even have enough money to support his life.

Then he can't live off the wife's dowry, right?

He could only nod his head to show his acceptance of his fate: "Your son obeys your order!"

As for Zhang, she couldn't accept it: "Your Majesty, Hongshi has already realized his mistake, please forgive him this time!"

The Fourth Master rarely said anything to her: "Since you feel it's unbearable, why not pay him some money?"

Over the years, Cha Cha has been very generous to these concubines, giving them a lot of monthly allowances and rewards. She should have saved a lot of money, right?

When Zhang heard this, she immediately shut her mouth, thinking that he was also interested in her purse.

That's her pension money. If she keeps it in her hands, it's her own money. If she gives it away, it's gone!

Not to mention that she also has two guards. If she can't give them power, she should at least give them some benefits in the form of money, right?

Otherwise, why would others follow her and serve her comfortably?

This money must not be given!

But Hongshi turned his gaze to her: "Mother, please help your son. He doesn't want to pay back the debt of ten years!"

Ten years! He is only fifteen years old now. Ten years is half of his life!

Zhang's eyes dodged for a moment, and she consoled him, "Don't be afraid, son. Ten years will pass in a flash. Taking on some debt will save you from making trouble."

Okay.

Now Hongshi had no hope at all and could only lie on the couch and close his eyes in despair.

The Fourth Master was just about to ask them to disperse when a young eunuch came hurriedly over and whispered something to Su Peisheng.

Su Peisheng's expression suddenly grew serious, and he stepped forward to report, "Your Majesty, the Third Concubine Dong E has struck the Wendeng drum!"