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

In mid-August, the Great Chu court issued a strange decree.

"From this day forward, all wealthy households in both the north and south of the Great Chu, whose assets exceed one thousand taels of silver, regardless of their status, must wear Shu brocade when entering elegant venues."

Anyone entering without wearing Shu brocade will be fined fifty taels of silver, and the shop owner will be fined five hundred taels of silver. If a person violates this rule three times consecutively, the guest will be imprisoned for three months or fined five hundred taels of silver, and the shop owner will be fined ten thousand taels of silver and ordered to rectify the situation.

The upper class includes…

In front of notice boards in various places, the newly issued "Shu Brocade Order" of the imperial court was posted, forcing the upper class of the Great Chu to collectively wear Shu brocade.

"Furthermore, effective immediately, the imperial court will only use silk brocade from Sichuan, and the use of silk from Jiangnan will be suspended..."

If the previous news only affected the clothing and appearance of the upper class, then the second half of the statement directly shook the entire silk weaving industry in Jiangnan.

Immediately, countless silk merchants were extremely puzzled by this.

"What's going on? Why would Her Majesty the Empress use brocade from Shu? The silk from Jiangnan is just as good, and it's more affordable."

"Indeed, Her Majesty the Empress has always been frugal, so why is she so tempted by the brocade from Shu this time?"

"Oh dear, what's the use of thinking about that? Let's think carefully about what to do. Once this decree is issued, the silk industry in all parts of Jiangnan will probably have to shut down collectively."

For a time, silk merchants in various parts of Jiangnan were extremely anxious.

However, there are also some people who strongly support this decree.

Take Ji Yuxi for example.

She was overjoyed when she learned that Jiang Mengxuan would only purchase Shu brocade from now on.

"After all, they are from the imperial family, so they should still have the proper pomp and circumstance."

"As I said before, the brocade from Sichuan is exquisite. Even the brocade woven from the lowest quality silk is far more elegant than the silk brocade from Jiangnan. She has finally done the right thing this time."

Ji Yuxi was in a great mood, sitting at the table sipping fine Longjing tea, her face full of joy.

"Your Majesty has arrived~"

At that moment, the voice of a eunuch reporting came from outside the palace gate.

"See Queen Mother."

As soon as Jiang Mengxuan entered the palace, she immediately greeted Ji Yuxi.

"My son has arrived? Please sit down."

Ji Yuxi warmly invited Jiang Mengxuan to take a seat.

"Thank you, Queen Mother."

After Jiang Mengxuan took her seat, Ji Yuxi tentatively asked, "My son, what brings you to Ganquan Palace to see me?"

Jiang Mengxuan: "Please ask Your Majesty to ask me to convey a message to my elder brother: the palace will be in order from this day forward..."

All silk textiles should be replaced with Sichuan silk brocade. Please, Your Majesty, provide a suitable price so that the court can place orders as soon as possible.

Upon hearing this, Ji Yuxi was overjoyed, but said aloud, "My son, what are you saying? You and Chong'er are blood relatives; even if our bones are broken, our tendons are still connected."

Since my son likes it, I'll just have your elder brother send a few bolts as tribute, won't that solve the problem? Forget about money; talking about that is just too formal."

Upon hearing this, Jiang Mengxuan shook her head and said, "Mother, if it were just a few bolts of Shu brocade, then I wouldn't have bothered you today."

"To tell you the truth, I need a large quantity of Shu brocade this time. I need five thousand bolts of top-grade Shu brocade and one hundred thousand bolts of lower-grade Shu brocade."

"How many?"

Upon hearing this, Ji Yuxi was immediately astonished.

I thought Jiang Mengxuan would only buy a few hundred horses, but I didn't expect her to ask for 100,000 low-grade horses and 5,000 high-grade horses.

She quickly did some mental calculations.

“If the lowest grade of Shu brocade is purchased at five taels of gold per bolt, then one hundred thousand bolts would cost a full five hundred thousand taels of gold.”

“A single bolt of top-quality Shu brocade costs at least 100 taels of gold. That’s 500,000 taels of gold, a full 1 million taels of gold. That’s a huge fortune.”

However, she remained rational and asked, "My son, you have always advocated frugality, why did you order so much Shu brocade this time?"

Aren't you worried the national treasury won't be able to handle it? Besides, you can't possibly use all of this at once. Why don't you buy a smaller amount first?

Jiang Mengxuan said, "To be honest, Mother, I used to be frugal because the national treasury was empty and I was also strapped for cash. How could I not save money?"

But now that I have some spare money, I naturally must maintain the dignity befitting royalty.

As for placing so many orders at once, there's certainly a reason for it.

The inferior Shu brocade was naturally used to make new court robes for all the officials.

The finest silk was naturally intended as a reward for meritorious officials.

Now that the imperial court has issued this decree, I cannot possibly ask the court officials to pay for the Shu brocade themselves; wouldn't that damage the imperial family's reputation?

Ji Yuxi thought about it and realized it made sense: "Your Highness is right to think that way. Frugality is certainly a good thing, but the dignity of the royal family is of paramount importance."

Very well, I'll write a letter to your elder brother later, asking him to prepare the necessary silk brocade as soon as possible, and guaranteeing that it will be given priority to the palace.

We're all family, your elder brother will definitely send you the best.

"Then thank you very much, Mother."

Upon hearing this, Jiang Mengxuan stood up and then instructed Qingwen, who was beside her, to hand over a square wooden box.

"Your Majesty, this is a piece of jade with a pine tree and a spiritual glow that I obtained during my inspection tour of Wu. It is said that placing it in the palace can ward off evil spirits, protect against the cold, and prolong life. I am giving this to Your Majesty to enjoy."

"Oh, my son, you're so thoughtful."

The moment the wooden box was opened, Ji Yuxi couldn't take her eyes off it.

That jade, which glows with fluorescence all over, is quite remarkable just by looking at its appearance.

Ji Yuxi really liked these flashy but impractical luxury goods and took a liking to them at first sight.

"Then, Mother, I entrust the matter of Shu brocade to you."

"We're all family, there's no need to be so formal. Don't worry."

Ji Yuxi gently stroked the ancient pine tree and the Linghuang jade, her smile exceptionally bright.

"Don't worry, I'll write a letter to your brother right away."

Upon seeing this, Jiang Mengxuan added, "In addition, there is something else I would like to inform Mother in advance."

"What's the matter?"

Ji Yuxi's mind was entirely focused on the jade stone, and she paid no attention to what the Empress was about to say.

"Your Majesty has rendered great service in governing Shu over the years, but I have not shown any appreciation since ascending the throne. Therefore, I intend to confer upon him the title of Prince. What do you think, Mother?"

"Ah? This..."

Ji Yuxi was stunned when she heard this.

She could hardly believe what she was hearing; her son was actually going to be made a prince?

"Mother, this matter has actually been brewing in my mind for a long time, but I haven't done it until the beginning of my reign when the court was unstable."

Now it is time to bestow upon my elder brother the honor he deserves, for only with harmony within the royal family can the empire be secure.

Ji Yuxi immediately stood up, took the Empress's hand, and said excitedly, "My son, I am very pleased that you think this way. As the saying goes..."

Governing a country is like managing a family; only when family members are harmonious can life prosper. Your elder brother will be very happy to know this.”

"Then it's settled then, Mother. I've already drafted the edict, and I'll have it sent to Shu along with Mother's letter another day."

What else can I say?

Ji Yuxi felt completely relaxed. She used to dislike Jiang Mengxuan, but now she liked her more and more, and even developed a mother-daughter feeling for her.

"Then Mother, please rest well. Your son will take his leave now."

"Then I won't keep you any longer. Come visit Ganquan Palace more often when you have time."

"Well, I'll take my leave."

After Jiang Mengxuan left, Ji Yuxi immediately summoned Rong Momo.

"Prepare paper, inkstone, brush and ink. I need to write a letter to my son. With such a large sum of money, I must help him make it happen."

Rong Momo: "Your Majesty, could there be a trap here?"

Ji Yuxi shook her head: "What kind of trick could there be? Since she wants to send money to Chong'er, why shouldn't I be happy to see it happen? Quickly grind the ink!"

After thinking about it, Rong Momo felt there was no problem, so she ordered two palace maids to grind the ink.