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

"230 million? Does he think I'm a fool?"

Inside Ganquan Palace, upon learning the results of the confiscation, Ji Yuxi angrily smashed the teacup in her hand to pieces.

Rong Momo and Xiao Chunzi, standing to the side, trembled and dared not even breathe.

"Trying to fool me like that? Does he think I'm someone to be trifled with?"

Ji Yuxi grew angrier the more she thought about it, feeling that Shen Lang was simply born to be her enemy.

Anyone who put even a little effort into their accounting would not have produced such a ridiculous fake account.

It's clear that Shen Lang didn't take the task he was given seriously at all; he was just making a fool of himself.

"Very well, very well indeed. Do you really think I'm easy to bully?" Ji Yuxi's eyes turned cold as she stood up and said, "Accompany me to the Xuanzheng Hall. I'd like to see how they answer me."

Xiao Chunzi hurriedly said, "Your Majesty, I have already asked the Six Ministries, and they all said that they only seized 2.3 million taels of cash."

"hateful!"

Upon hearing this, Ji Yuxi completely lost her composure and flipped the bed table over to the ground.

"The Six Ministries actually colluded with Shen Lang to deceive me? How utterly despicable!"

"In that case, I will write to the Prince of Shu and ask him to come to the capital to talk to Shen Lang."

Upon hearing this, Xiaochunzi looked as if she wanted to say something but hesitated.

His behavior was quickly noticed by Ji Yuxi.

"What do you want to say? Why are you hesitating?"

Xiao Chunzi said, "Your Majesty, I overheard some news in the Xuanzheng Hall: new policies will be promulgated next year."

"What does this have to do with me?"

Xiao Chunzi knelt down and replied, "The new policy for next year stipulates that the territories of various regional princes must purchase salt, iron, raw silk, grain, and other goods from the Central Plains."

An additional 30% tax must be paid, and certain goods also require official documents approved by the imperial court.

"What did you say?"

If the figures in the ledgers previously only made Ji Yuxi feel like she was being played, then...

The news she received now dealt her an even heavier blow.

Jiang Chong was her greatest support. Over the years, he had been recruiting soldiers in Shu, preparing to rebel at any time, and Ji Yuxi knew this.

However, while the Shu region was indeed wealthy, it could not possibly support an army of nearly a million for an extended period.

Therefore, over the years, Jiang Chong would ask merchants from Shu to purchase grain, salt, iron and other supplies from various parts of Chu as military funds, with the aim of one day overwhelming the country with his army and deposing the empress.

But now, isn't this new policy blatantly suppressing his own son?

"No! I absolutely cannot allow the new policies to be implemented; this violates ancestral laws! Your Majesty's actions are tantamount to going against the tide!"

Ji Yuxi was well aware that once this decree was issued, Jiang Chong's plans in Shu would be completely disrupted.

This is not only about whether the troops in Shu can be maintained, but the imposition of tariffs alone will surely alienate the gentry and merchants in Shu.

Perhaps, before long, Jiang Chong's rule in Shu will completely collapse.

"Immediately prepare the carriage for Weiyang Palace; I wish to see His Majesty."

……

Inside the Imperial Study, Ji Yuxi and Jiang Mengxuan sat side by side, one as the head and the other as the tailor.

"Your Majesty, I ask you, is it truly necessary to promulgate this new policy?"

"This is a matter of state, Your Majesty need not interfere."

Upon hearing this, Ji Yuxi immediately became angry: "Your Majesty, have you heard something from others?"

Jiang Mengxuan looked up at Ji Yuxi with a puzzled expression: "What do you mean by that, Mother? I don't understand."

Ji Yuxi: "There are rumors circulating among the people that the King of Shu is plotting a rebellion. Your Majesty, you don't believe it, do you?"

I'm telling you, you absolutely must not believe those rumors.

"The King of Shu is your elder brother, how could he possibly do such a treasonous thing!"

Jiang Mengxuan smiled: "Mother, you are overthinking it. My brother is a steady and reliable person. How could I suspect him of treason?"

"Then why did you issue such a decree?" Ji Yuxi pressed. "Why should the various vassal kings' territories have to pay an extra 30% customs duty when purchasing salt, iron, and grain?"

Jiang Mengxuan smiled faintly: "As Your Majesty knows, our national treasury is currently empty. If we don't find a way to generate additional revenue, it will be difficult for local government offices to operate."

The various vassal states never pay a single penny of tax to the national treasury, yet they can obtain scarce resources from the heart of China at low prices. This is extremely unfair.

"But this is a rule set by our ancestors, and the fiefdoms of vassal kings do not need to pay taxes to the imperial court."

"I haven't violated the rules set by our ancestors. I only pay the corresponding customs duties when purchasing designated goods."

Upon hearing this, Ji Yuxi flew into a rage: "Your Majesty, are you intentionally targeting your own brother?"

To ensure the stability of the nation, your elder brother had long ago deployed troops to garrison the Shu region and prevent invasions from Tibet and Western Xia.

But now that you've gained power, are you going to turn your back on us? In short, the new policy absolutely cannot be implemented; I will not allow it!

Jiang Mengxuan's tone instantly turned cold: "Mother, this is state affairs. Have you forgotten the principle that the harem must not interfere in politics?"

Ji Yuxi: "I don't care about anything else, but the Prince of Shu is your elder brother. You absolutely cannot target him like this!"

Jiang Mengxuan slowly stood up, her phoenix eyes gradually hardening with frost.

"Mother, didn't you want to leave the palace? Then I will grant your wish. There is an abandoned manor in the eastern suburbs of the capital. I will have people clean it up in the next few days, and then you can move there."

Upon hearing this, Ji Yuxi's heart tightened.

"You...you want me to live in a place like that?"

"What, Mother Empress is not pleased?" Jiang Mengxuan no longer concealed the disgust in her eyes. "Since Mother Empress feels that Ganquan Palace cannot satisfy you, then I will try another method to put your mind at ease."

Don't worry, although that imperial estate is dilapidated, it can be easily repaired and house a dozen or twenty people.

Moreover, the estate has dozens of acres of fertile land; if Mother wishes to eat some fresh vegetables, she can try growing some herself.

Upon hearing this, Ji Yuxi was completely stunned: "What do you mean by that? Are you even going to stop my monthly allowance?"

"Anyway, the Empress Dowager doesn't rely on those monthly allowances to make a living. I will have someone send her some rice and flour every month to ensure that she has enough to eat and wear."

Seeing that Jiang Mengxuan didn't seem to be joking, Ji Yuxi panicked.

"My son, do you really harbor such deep resentment towards me? No matter what, I am still your mother."

Just because I'm thinking of your elder brother, are you going to target me like this?

"My son, I will not move out of Ganquan Palace. You cannot treat me like this!"

Ji Yuxi was naturally very familiar with the imperial estate that Jiang Mengxuan mentioned.

That place was remote, deserted, and extremely desolate. In the past, only concubines who had committed offenses would be moved there to live, and many people had died there.

She never imagined that she would have to move to Huangzhuang one day, and she couldn't help but tremble with fear.

"If Your Majesty does not wish to go, then please refrain from interfering in matters of the front hall in the future."

"As long as Mother Empress behaves herself, I will naturally ensure that she lives a life of wealth and honor, and enjoys a peaceful and stable existence."

At this moment, Qingwen entered the Imperial Study carrying a plate of exquisite jewelry.

"Your Majesty, this is a piece of purple agate presented as tribute by the Kingdom of Dongli. I specially commissioned skilled craftsmen to make it into a headdress for Your Majesty. If Your Majesty does not mind, you may take it and place it by your bedside as a plaything."

Looking at the expensive headdress and considering the trip to the Eastern Suburbs Imperial Estate, known as the "Cold Palace," Ji Yuxi finally chose to compromise.

She simply couldn't let go of the wealth and luxury she had now.

"Then I thank Your Majesty in advance."

After putting away her headdress, Ji Yuxi immediately fled the imperial study as if escaping, fearing that if she was even a step too late, the Empress would change her mind.