My daughter was sold, I want to divorce her and go back to my parents' home to escape the famin

239. Huaiyuan changes Qingxue's teaching

"Master, the eldest young master is here," Lin Qingxue was lost in thought when Wen Nuan brought Gu Huaining over.

"Mother, is there something you want me to talk about?" Gu Huaining sat opposite Lin Qingxue with a well-behaved look on his face. He thought he had done something wrong and was being caught by his mother to be scolded.

"Huaiyuan, what are you going to do in the future? You know what you're going to do, right? Your father is the prince of the Protectorate, the next Protectorate Duke, and you are the next prince of the Protectorate Duke, the next Protectorate Duke after that. Have you thought about your future?"

Lin Qingxue looked Gu Huaining up and down and asked with a serious face, "This kid looks guilty, and it's obvious that he has done something wrong."

"Mother, I haven't thought about it," Gu Huaiyuan said in a low voice with difficulty.

"Huaiyuan, do you understand your current situation? Your grandmother is the current emperor's biological sister, born of the same mother. Your father and the Crown Prince grew up together and are as close as brothers, but are you familiar with the Crown Prince's children? When you become the Protector of the Country, or the Protector of the Country, it is very likely that the Crown Prince will succeed to the throne, or the Crown Prince's children will take the throne. Have you ever thought about how you will deal with the Protector of the Country Mansion in the future?"

Lin Qingxue continued to ask with a cold face, "He's already in his teens, and he hasn't thought about anything yet. He just studies and practices martial arts every day. He doesn't have any political awareness at all? Isn't this normal?"

Lin Qingxue felt a little headache. How did the Duke of Huguo educate his children? Why did she feel that Gu Huaiyuan was a bit of a fool?

"I haven't thought about it, mother, you..." Gu Huaiyuan opened his eyes and wanted to ask something, but seeing that Lin Qingxue's face was not good, he didn't dare to ask anymore.

"Huaiyuan! You can't stay here any longer. Mother will talk to your grandfather and ask him to let you study with him. Now, mother wants to tell you something very important."

Lin Qingxue handed the paper on the table over as she spoke. Gu Huaiyuan didn't think much about it, took the paper and opened it to read.

"Mom, what is this?" Gu Huaiyuan looked at Lin Qingxue in confusion. Was this something he should worry about at his age? Why did he have a bad feeling?

"This is the grain situation of several families in the Imperial City. The names listed at the top are very uncooperative with your second uncle and fifth uncle's grain collection efforts. They control the vast majority of the grain, but then refuse to cooperate when the court needs it. They want to raise the price and profit from the national crisis. What do you think of them?"

Lin Qingxue looked at Gu Huaiyuan leisurely. She wanted to know whether this child could be saved. If not, she would bring him with her and teach him personally.

Lin Qingxue did not mean that if Gu Huaiyuan was really a hopeless person, Gu Huaiyi would replace Gu Huaiyuan, at least not at the moment.

If Gu Huaiyuan really cannot be helped in the future, and the other people in the Gu family all agree, and Gu Huaiyi is willing, then that would be a different matter.

"Mother, then let's collect evidence of the grain people's crimes and handle it according to the law. Seize what needs to be seized and confiscate what needs to be confiscated," Gu Huaiyuan thought for a while, looked at Lin Qingxue and said cautiously.

"These are some of my thoughts on food. Take a look and tell me what you think after you finish reading it," Lin Qingxue said, handing over another piece of paper on the table.

If Gu Huaiyuan still didn't understand what Lin Qingxue meant at this time, then he would be as stupid as a pig.

It was precisely because he understood Lin Qingxue's meaning that Gu Huaiyuan found it incredible. Ever since Lin Qingxue became pregnant, he had made plans to be an ordinary person in the future.

After learning about what happened to Gu Xiaoya and the other two and that Lin Qingxue had given birth to twins, he already knew his future. The Duke of Protectorate's Mansion would no longer have anything to do with him, and he would have to be an ordinary person from then on.

In fact, it’s not bad to be an ordinary person. It’s good to have enough food and clothing and live without worries.

However, Lin Qingxue's attitude now gave him a glimmer of hope. It turned out that no one had given up on him, and Lin Qingxue did not abandon him as a son just because she gave birth to twins, a boy and a girl.

"Mother, I think it's a good idea. The grain should be controlled by the court, so that when we need it for war, we don't have to go and buy it from those people."

Gu Huaiyuan thought about it, his tone full of excitement. He felt that his mother was thinking long-term, not like a woman in the backyard at all, but rather like a politician.

"Since you think it's a good idea, then go find your grandmother and ask her to take you to the palace to call the emperor and tell him your thoughts truthfully," Lin Qingxue said, looking at Gu Huaiyuan with encouragement.

"Mother, I..." Gu Huaiyuan looked at Lin Qingxue as if he wanted to say something but stopped.

"Huaiyuan, although you and Huaining are not my biological children, to me, you are no different from my own. You and Huaining will always be my children. Do you understand? Your brothers and sisters will not become stumbling blocks on your life path, but will only help you."

Lin Qingxue stood up and touched Gu Huaiyuan's head, then gently held him in her arms and comforted him, saying that although she had neglected the children for some time, it did not mean that she did not love them.

"I understand, mother," Gu Huaiyuan said in a low voice.

"Go! Go find your grandmother and ask her to take you to the palace!" Lin Qingxue said as she patted Gu Huaining's shoulder.

"Then I'll go, mother," Gu Huaiyuan responded with a smile, and ran away with the few pieces of paper Lin Qingxue gave him.

After untying the knot in his heart, knowing that he had not been abandoned and that Lin Qingxue still wanted him as her son, Gu Huaiyuan became a completely different person.

Gu Huaiyuan excitedly found Princess Anyang and told her everything Lin Qingxue had said to him. He also pulled her and acted like a spoiled child, asking her to take him to the palace to find his uncle the emperor.

"Huaiyuan, it's good that you can figure it out. Your mother is different from that person. She truly loves you and Huaining. Now you understand, don't you? Don't dwell on this stubborn thing anymore."

Princess Anyang patted Gu Huaiyuan's head and said with a smile that she had noticed her eldest grandson's awkwardness during this period, but she didn't know how to comfort him for fear of hurting his self-esteem.

"I understand, grandma," Gu Huaiyuan responded with a smile.

"Let's go! Grandmother will take you to the palace to see your uncle, the emperor," Princess Anyang said, and then she took Gu Huaiyuan into the palace in a carriage.

After a bumpy ride, Princess Anyang and Gu Huaiyuan finally arrived at the palace. The palace's majesty overwhelmed them, its vermilion gates and golden glazed tiles gleaming in the sunlight. The guards at the gate stood erect, their eyes scanning the surroundings warily.

Gu Huaiyuan followed Princess Anyang into this familiar yet unfamiliar place. It felt familiar because he had been to the palace with his father many times before, yet unfamiliar because this time he was carrying out a special mission. His palms were slightly sweaty, and his heartbeat quickened unconsciously.

Led by the eunuch, the two came to the imperial study. The emperor was reviewing memorials and smiled graciously when he saw Princess Anyang and Gu Huaiyuan come in.

"Imperial sister, how come you have time to come to the palace today, and bring Huaiyuan with you." The emperor put down the pen in his hand and stood up.

Princess Anyang smiled and bowed, saying, "Your Majesty, Huaiyuan has something important to tell you, so I brought him here."

Gu Huaiyuan hurried forward, bowed respectfully, then took out the paper Lin Qingxue gave him from his arms and handed it to him with both hands.

"Uncle Emperor, this is the information my mother compiled about several grain merchants in the imperial city, as well as some countermeasures." Gu Huaiyuan tried his best to keep his voice steady.

The emperor took the paper and read it carefully, his expression gradually becoming serious. After reading it, he nodded slightly and looked at Gu Huaiyuan.

"Huaiyuan, what do you think about this?" asked the emperor.

Gu Huaiyuan took a deep breath and told Lin Qingxue the ideas he had discussed with him before.

He explained in a clear and organized manner how to collect evidence, deal with grain merchants who attempted to profit from the national crisis in accordance with the law, and the importance of keeping grain under the control of the court.

The emperor listened very carefully and asked some questions from time to time. Gu Huaiyuan thought hard and answered them one by one.

Princess Anyang watched Gu Huaiyuan talking at the side, her eyes full of satisfaction. She had not expected that the child had changed so much in such a short time.

After Gu Huaiyuan finished speaking, the emperor was silent for a moment, then said, "Huaiyuan, it is rare for you to have such insights. I will send people to investigate this matter. If it is true as you said, those people will not be tolerated."

Gu Huaiyuan was delighted and quickly thanked her. He was very happy for Lin Qingxue's training of him.

The Emperor then said to Princess Anyang, "Sister, it seems the Duke of Huguo's mansion has a successor. This child has been well trained."

Princess Anyang smiled and replied, "This is all thanks to Qingxue. She is thoughtful and well-educated."

Afterwards, the emperor talked with Gu Huaiyuan about the court situation and people's livelihood. Although Gu Huaiyuan was nervous, he tried his best to deal with it.

Before they knew it, it was getting dark. Princess Anyang and Gu Huaiyuan said goodbye and left the palace. Sitting in the carriage, Gu Huaiyuan was very excited.

"Grandma, did I perform well today?" Gu Huaiyuan's eyes sparkled, and he looked like he wanted Princess Anyang to praise him.

Princess Anyang smiled and patted his head: "Not bad, not bad. Your mother will definitely be very happy when she knows this."

"Grandma, mother is very good to me and my sister," Gu Huaiyuan looked up and said seriously to Princess Anyang.

"Of course, Huaiyuan, your mother's ambition is not to stay in the inner chamber. She has foresight and vision. You should learn more from her in the future."

Princess Anyang touched Gu Huaiyuan's head lovingly. Although she did not give up on her eldest grandson, she also did not think of offending her son and daughter-in-law for him. It was not because she did not love her grandson.

It was because she and the Gu family already owed the eldest son a lot. Now that the eldest son finally had a confidant, she didn't want to be a bad person. Besides, Lin Qingxue didn't abuse Gu Huaiyuan and his sister. She just neglected them a little after she became pregnant and gave birth to twins.

All of this was understandable to Princess Anyang. Lin Qingxue had already suffered severe physical damage due to the premature birth of the twins and needed to stay in bed to rest. In addition, the twins were still young, so she had to focus more on them.

"I understand, grandma. Huaiyuan will study hard," Gu Huaiyuan said seriously.

After returning to the Duke of Protectorate's Mansion, Gu Huaiyuan couldn't wait to find Lin Qingxue. He told Lin Qingxue everything in detail about what happened in the palace. After listening, Lin Qingxue showed a satisfied smile on her face.

"Mother knew you could do it. In the future, you should study more and think more," Lin Qingxue encouraged.

Gu Huaiyuan nodded vigorously: "Mother, I will, you have to teach me more."

"Huaiyuan, Mother plans to have you stay with your grandfather and observe him for a while. You will stay with him for three months. After that, write down what you have learned and what you have experienced."

Lin Qingxue thought about how she often wrote reviews or reflections when she was in school, so she thought of asking Gu Huaiyuan to do one as well.

"I understand, mother. Huaiyuan will listen to you," Gu Huaiyuan agreed without hesitation. He knew that Lin Qingxue was doing this for his own good.

From then on, Gu Huaiyuan seemed like a different person. He studied and practiced martial arts more diligently, and often accompanied his grandfather and father in participating in family affairs. He also became more and more concerned about the situation in the court and the various aspects of life among the people.

Lin Qingxue also began to focus more on teaching the children. She not only taught Gu Huaiyuan and Gu Huaining the ways of power, but also taught them how to behave in society.

As for the twins, a boy and a girl, because of their age, Lin Qingxue could do nothing except instruct the servants to take good care of them.

With the establishment of the national treasury granary, grain merchants also began to get anxious, but they were powerless and could not go against the court.

After this, the grain market in the imperial city gradually returned to normal, and the people's lives were no longer affected by food shortages and high prices.

Those grain merchants who had attempted to profit from the national crisis were brought to justice one by one after the emperor sent people to conduct an in-depth investigation. The grain they had stockpiled was also confiscated and added to the national treasury.

With the food from the grains, the newly built granary of the court was instantly full. Because the current emperor had only three sons and one daughter, the third prince was secretly executed.

The eldest son, Zhao Xianjin, is the crown prince of the current dynasty. He and the crown princess have a son and a daughter. The crown prince, Zhao Boyu, is the same age as Gu Huaiyuan, and the daughter, Zhao Boyue, is one year younger than Gu Huaining.

Prince Zhao Xianting and the second prince's wife have two sons. The eldest son, Zhao Boxue, is six years old, and the younger son, Zhao Boyang, is four years old.

The fourth princess, Zhao Xianxue, married Lin Qingmin. Not long after their marriage, she was already five months pregnant.

This time, the emperor entrusted the task of building a granary to the second prince. Not only are the crown prince and the second prince born of the same mother, they have always had a good relationship. After the crown prince ascends the throne, the second prince will be his assistant.

During the three months that Gu Huaiyuan stayed with his grandfather, he absorbed all kinds of knowledge and experience like a sponge absorbs water. He saw how his grandfather dealt with ministers in the court, how he handled complicated government affairs, and how he made calm decisions in the face of crises.

Every time he returned to his room, he would carefully sort out what he had seen and heard that day, write down his thoughts and feelings, and look forward to getting Lin Qingxue's guidance.

There were some twists and turns in the imperial city, but everything went very smoothly. Since the Gu Jinxuan brothers and Lin Qingmin were not at home, this New Year was meaningless. Neither the Gu family nor the Lin family was lively at all.