Fearing being killed for his overwhelming merits, the empress decided to marry him.

"Mother, what important matter do you have to discuss with me?"

"What else could it be? What about that matter I told you before? What have you thought about it?"

After Rong Momo was taken to the Imperial Household Department by the guards to be punished, Ji Yuxi and Jiang Mengxuan immediately got to the point.

Shen Lang sat to the side with a cup of tea, listening attentively without saying a word.

Jiang Mengxuan said, "Mother, as you know, there are many national affairs at the moment."

Money is needed everywhere, and I understand your desire to build a new palace garden for your retirement.

However, the Ministry of Revenue is currently facing a severe shortage of funds and provisions, and the recent stabilization of military affairs in the Northwest has also consumed several million taels of silver in military pay.

If we were to undertake large-scale construction to build palaces at this time, it would likely incur criticism from the entire nation.

How about we postpone this discussion for a while, until next year when our finances are more readily available, and then select a site and initiate the project? What do you think?

The imperial court's various expenditures were indeed considerable, especially the military expenses for Shen Lang's western expedition.

However, Shen Lang had already recouped these military expenses, plus interest, through the benefits brought by the war.

Although Ji Yuxi was unaware of the reason, she had already anticipated that Jiang Mengxuan would say such a thing, and she chuckled as she picked up a jade-colored teacup.

"My son, there are no outsiders around now, and Shen Lang is your soon-to-be husband, so you can be considered family."

"May I say a few words from the bottom of my heart?"

"Please speak freely, Mother."

Ji Yuxi put down her teacup, sighed softly, and then slowly began to speak.

"My son, let me be frank. In truth, there has been no mother-daughter bond between us all these years. I understand, and it's not your fault."

After all, you are not my biological daughter. Blood is thicker than water, so it's understandable that you've always harbored resentment towards me.

Jiang Mengxuan did not answer, but waited quietly for Ji Yuxi to continue.

"After the late emperor passed away, I have thought a lot about this. Since we can't stand each other in the palace, we might as well give way."

"If I move out of the palace, I can leave Weiyang Palace to you, so that you and I won't have to look at each other every day and get tired of each other."

"But I am, after all, your mother in name only. If I were to return to my hometown directly, how would the people of the world view Your Majesty?"

"The Great Chu values ​​benevolence and filial piety in governing the country. Your Majesty would not want to see your reputation damaged as a result, would you?"

"Therefore, I want you to fulfill your own wishes, and I also want to fulfill mine. As soon as the garden is completed, I will move out of Weiyang Palace immediately."

"In this way, His Majesty can fulfill his filial duty and also concentrate on governing the country without any distractions. Wouldn't that be the best of both worlds?"

Jiang Mengxuan remained silent, but deep down she was already tempted by Ji Yuxi's suggestion.

Indeed, she disliked Ji Yuxi in the slightest.

Even though the Empress Dowager's power in the palace has been suppressed to the point that she has no room to exert any influence.

But whenever she appears in front of me, I feel a wave of nausea for no reason.

If we could send her out of the palace, we could finally have some peace and quiet.

However, Ji Yuxi's palace was not just large, it was almost twice the size of Ganquan Palace.

Moreover, the construction period is tight, and it must be completed by the time Ji Yuxi celebrates her 52nd birthday next year.

The land for the garden had already been found, negotiated by Lin Yu of the Ministry of Revenue. It was located in the north of the eastern city, covering an area of ​​about six li in circumference.

However, the cost of building the garden was extremely high. According to the Ministry of Works' budget, the cost of just building the foundation alone would be three million taels of silver.

Once the entire garden is completed, the labor and material costs will amount to a total of 42 million taels of silver, which is close to 2 million taels of gold.

This is just a preliminary budget. Based on Jiang Mengxuan's understanding of Ji Yuxi, the later renovations of the garden will definitely be extremely luxurious, requiring at least an additional budget of 20 million taels of silver.

Jiang Mengxuan was extremely unwilling to spend over 60 million taels of silver to build a garden, especially for Ji Yuxi.

The palace "Shuixuan Residence" where she and Shen Lang had just married only cost 370,000 taels of silver, which was the largest personal expense Jiang Mengxuan had ever spent in her life.

Although she did have the money to give to Ji Yuxi, it would be too wasteful to use it to build a completely unnecessary garden.

"Mother, may I have time to think about it more carefully?"

"I understand Your Majesty's difficulties, but I still ask Your Majesty to consider this carefully. I will be waiting for your reply at Ganquan Palace."

After saying that, she got up and left Ningxi Palace.

Shen Lang finally understood.

I thought this old woman was just like Empress Lü, but it seems I overestimated her.

She was just like Empress Dowager Cixi.

As soon as she left, Jiang Mengxuan immediately turned her gaze to Shen Lang: "A Lang, what do you think about this?"

Shen Lang smiled and put down the teacup he had been holding for a long time: "That depends on what you think, Mengxuan, but..."

The Empress Dowager is using benevolence and filial piety to pressure you; if you refuse, it will only cause controversy in the court.

Jiang Mengxuan sighed: "It seems I have no choice but to go along with her and build this garden for her. The entire court has also agreed that I should go and show my filial piety to the Empress Dowager."

The thought of spending so much money was unsettling; wouldn't it have been better to use it for industry?

Shen Lang laughed: "Who said you have to throw money at it? The Empress Dowager is the mother of the nation."

"She should be a role model for the entire nation; the six ministries of the court should jointly fund the construction of her palace."

Jiang Mengxuan was taken aback: "You mean the money comes from the imperial court?"

Shen Lang nodded: "Since you are the mother of the nation, it shouldn't be just Mengxuan who has to fulfill her filial duties."

His sons and daughters, along with all the officials in the court, should all fulfill their filial duties.

Anyone who dares to slack off in the slightest will be considered disloyal and unfilial to the Empress Dowager.

Jiang Mengxuan: "But why would those civil and military officials be willing to pay?"

Shen Lang smiled mysteriously and did not answer.

Looking at his mischievous grin, the Empress pondered for a moment and immediately understood Shen Lang's intention.

"Ah Lang, you wouldn't be thinking of..."

"That's right, just as Your Majesty thinks."

"you……"

Jiang Mengxuan couldn't help but smile.

"You're really something. How come I didn't think of this trick of shifting the blame?"

"Because Mengxuan, you are kind."

"Pah, when did you become so glib? How come I never noticed before?"

Jiang Mengxuan said this, but she was very pleased with Shen Lang's change.

Isn't this the kind of relationship that couples should have?

"I changed because of you."

Shen Lang touched his nose and muttered something casually.

"Alright, let's get serious. Mengxuan, the Empress Dowager can't leave your sight, so no matter what, this garden renovation project must be ruined."

"Yes, I understand what you mean. The Empress Dowager's influence in the provinces is deeply entrenched. Once she leaves Ganquan Palace, it will be difficult to monitor her every move. It's better to keep her under our watchful eyes."

"Yes, let the Six Ministries handle this. Sixty million taels of silver to build a garden? They'd be better off building a few warships with that money."

"How much does a warship cost?" Jiang Mengxuan comfortably reclined on her armchair. "Sixty million taels of silver. That would probably fill all the ports in Jiangnan with ships."

Shen Lang shook his head: "Mengxuan, the warships I'm building aren't ordinary warships, but battleships capable of long-range operations."

The cost of building a battleship was approximately 1.8 million taels of silver, including maintenance, ammunition, and various fuel supplies.

Based on the budget, the cost of one ship would be around 2.3 million taels of silver.

"How many?"

Even though Jiang Mengxuan had broadened her horizons after spending time with Shen Lang, she was still shocked when she heard that a battleship cost more than two million taels of silver.

She immediately straightened up, her phoenix eyes widening.

"Ah Lang, don't scare me. The most expensive warship in our Great Chu only costs 2500 taels of silver."

Your single battleship is almost equivalent to the entire navy of my Great Chu!"

Shen Lang: "Mengxuan, don't get excited. If a single battleship could sweep through the entire navy of the Great Chu,

With its powerful long-range operational capabilities, do you still think it's not worth the price?

Jiang Mengxuan fell silent.

Shen Lang continued, "Besides battleships, we also need frigates, destroyers, supply ships, patrol ships, and other corresponding vessels to support them."

Only then can a fleet capable of dominating the seas be assembled. Based on my estimate, the cost of this fleet project will be approximately twenty to thirty million.

This does not include the costs of maintenance and equipment upgrades.

Upon hearing this, Jiang Mengxuan quickly grabbed a cherry and took a bite to hide her complicated and embarrassed feelings.

I thought the army was already expensive, but I never expected that the formation of the new navy would cost even more!