The First National Preceptor of the Tang Dynasty

Chapter 374

"Could it be another letter from Jinyang? I haven't seen that girl in so long, I've been missing her."

A palace maid standing nearby said with a smile, "Your Majesty, the princess hasn't woken up yet since she left."

Turning her head, she saw Li Shimin walk in, then knelt down and bowed: "Your Majesty, I pay my respects."

Li Shimin received the letter and read that Jin Yang wrote that his father had lost weight while he was at the border, and that Master Xu was busy with the affairs of the Hongwen Academy at the border, even though there were other teachers from the Bailu Academy.

But Master Liu fell ill a few days ago...

Upon seeing this, Li Shimin folded up the letter. Jin Yang was living in great hardship in the west, and immediately said, "Send messengers to convey my decree to allocate 10,000 taels of silver to the border to aid Hongwen Academy."

Empress Zhangsun was somewhat suspicious upon hearing this.

"Is Your Majesty spoiling Jinyang too much? I feel that this girl has become somewhat arrogant lately. Perhaps we should summon her back to the capital."

As soon as Empress Zhangsun said this, Li Shimin advised from the side: "At this time, he will definitely not want to come back. Let him study with Prince Rui. When he comes of age, bring him back to the palace and let the nanny and the empress personally teach him."

The Empress thought it was acceptable and nodded. At this moment, a palace maid reminded the Empress that the ladies of the harem had come to pay their respects.

Empress Zhangsun simply said, "Your Majesty, then I will go to Chang Le Palace first. You can stay here to review the memorials, and I will have someone bring you water later."

Li Shimin nodded, and the million taels of silver were distributed, causing an uproar in the Six Ministries.

It happened to be a day off, so the Minister of Works took a carriage directly to the residence of the Minister of Revenue.

The Minister of Revenue was currently facing a headache because of this one million taels of silver. With years of war, the Ministry of Revenue had not been able to come up with any extra money, and this one million taels of silver was a huge loss.

The wife of the Minister of Revenue came up and said, "My lord, Minister of Works, Lord Duan, requests an audience. Shall we see him, or send him back?"

It's no wonder that Hou Junji's wife acted this way. Who in the Ministry of Works wouldn't be able to read the Emperor's mind? Not only did she offend Prince Rui, but she was also repeatedly reprimanded by the Emperor. Now, knowing that high-ranking officials shouldn't make private connections, she still came to the mansion in a carriage. It's truly baffling.

Hou Junji said, "Let him in. I, the Minister, want to hear what he has to say."

Duan Lun walked in and saw that Lady Hou was also there. He didn't say anything, but just stood there solemnly.

After Hou Junji waved his hand, his wife withdrew. Unexpectedly, Duan Lun took something out of his sleeve and placed it on Hou Junji's table.

It was a piece of purple jade, exquisitely crafted yet simple and dignified, carved with two butterflies. The purple jade was a tribute from the tribes under his command when he was conquering Kunlun Mountain a few years ago.

Because there was only one piece, he carved this jade pendant for his beloved daughter, but how did his daughter's personal jade pendant end up here?

Duan Lun sat down on a chair with a smile and said, "Minister Hou, please don't take it to heart. I didn't mean to. It just so happened that this item came into my son's possession, so I brought it along. My son is naive and accepted the young lady's token. I have come here specifically to return it."

Hou Junji never expected to be humiliated like this. He immediately drew the sword from behind him, and Duan Lun turned pale with fright.

"You dare to assassinate a high-ranking official?"

Hou Junji saw the sword already pressed against his neck, his eyebrows furrowed and his eyes blazing with fury.