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Upon hearing this, he set down his utensils, nodding in confirmation. “Indeed, that is the case.”

When she heard the news about refurbishing the palace, Jiang Peihuan seemed surprised for a moment, and her thoughts turned to Xiao Junhao.

In her past life, Xiao Junhao had gone to great lengths to ensure Emperor Qi Ming assigned him this task.

This undertaking had provided an opportunity for him to build a solid relationship with Emperor Qi Ming, which had eventually led to the Emperor entrusting him with significant responsibilities.

“I wonder who the Emperor plans to assign this task to.”

Upon hearing this, Jiang Peihuan also set down her utensils.

Although Xiao Nanye was engrossed in a conversation with Jiang Hong, he was constantly attentive towards Jiang Peihuan. Seeing her put down her utensils, his eyes flickered, and he spoke softly, “I haven’t heard my imperial brother mention this.”

“Great General, you suddenly bring up this matter. Is there something you are considering?”

“Your Highness, as you surely understand, the refurbishment of the palace requires a substantial sum. But we just reclaimed the Hangu Pass, and 1 suspect our national treasury isn’t exactly overflowing.”

When the national treasury is lacking, the Emperor is short of funds.

To refurbish the palace, money would have to be sourced from somewhere, which often meant exploiting the common people.

While Jiang Hong didn’t explicitly state this, Xiao Nanye understood the implication immediately.

Jiang Peihuan became absorbed in her thoughts. In her previous life, Emperor Qi Ming had assigned the palace refurbishment to Xiao Junhao.

To carry out this task, Xiao Junhao had privately poured in a considerable amount of his own money. However, as a prince with no maternal family’s support, where had all that money come from?

In her past life, the Jiang family had indeed contributed a lot of funds towards the palace refurbishment.

This time around, she was curious to see how Xiao Junhao planned to fund it.

“Great General, do you believe the Emperor is aware of the current state of our national treasury?”

“The Emperor, as the sovereign of our nation, would naturally be aware.”

“If that’s the case, why do you think the Emperor still insists on refurbishing the palace?”

Hearing Xiao Nanye’s query, Jiang Hong fell into contemplation, somewhat at a loss.

“What do you think, Miss Peihuan?”

Xiao Nanye’s question abruptly shifted everyone’s attention to Jiang Peihuan.

With all eyes on her, Jiang Peihuan spoke softly, “If I’m not mistaken, I believe the Emperor intentionally initiated this.”

Upon hearing Jiang Peihuan’s words, Xiao Nanye’s eyes flashed with a hint of surprise.

“Huan’er, why do you believe the Emperor did this intentionally?”

Jiang Hong asked the question. Hearing his words, Jiang Peihuan elaborated, “Over the past years, although our Qi Kingdom has experienced occasional warfare, it is home to a large population and vast lands. In theory, the taxes collected should be sufficient to fill the national treasury, but it remains underfilled.”

“I think the Emperor is keen on understanding where the funds have been used. On the surface, the palace refurbishment might seem like a whim of the Emperor, but it could also be perceived as his strategy to probe. The palace refurbishment requires funding, and with an empty treasury, the ministers must find a solution to address this urgent need.”

“Huan Er, if you were a man, you’d be extraordinary.”

At Jiang Peihuan’s words, a hush fell over the entire main hall.

Caught in the quiet, Jiang Ren’s eyes held an element of surprise.

He had always been aware of his niece’s intelligence, but he hadn’t anticipated her to be this astute.

Xiao Nanye, seated next to her, mirrored the surprise in his gaze. A beat later, he turned to Jiang Hong and said, “Great General, 1 suppose you now understand why the Emperor wishes to renovate the palace.”

Jiang Hong didn’t respond verbally, instead, he nodded in acknowledgment.

After the lunch, Xiao Nanye made preparations to leave the Jiang Mansion. Jiang Peihuan escorted him to the main entrance.

Observing the woman standing next to him, Xiao Nanye whispered, “Huan Er, I had no idea you were this clever.”

“Your Highness, you flatter me. I was just casually speaking.”

“By the way, there’s something I need to inform you.”

Locking eyes with Jiang Peihuan, the man softly spoke, “The appointment for the palace refurbishment, the Emperor has already made his decision. Would you like to know who it is?”

“It’s the Prince Qing.”

At this revelation, Xiao Nanye couldn’t conceal his astonishment, looking at Jiang Peihuan, he blurted out, “How did you know?”

Because this had already happened in her previous life.

Facing the man’s puzzled look, Jiang Peihuan coolly responded, “It was a guess.”

Beyond his initial surprise, Xiao Nanye quickly regained his composure. Looking at Jiang Peihuan, he softly asked, “If I intervened, this task might not necessarily land in Xiao Junhao’s hand. Huan Er, would you want me to meddle?”

“I hope that this task will be firmly in the hands of the Prince Qing.”

Upon hearing Jiang Peihuan’s words, Xiao Nanye paused for a moment, then a smile formed in his eyes, “As Huan Er wishes.”

Seeing the man’s smile, Jiang Peihuan softly said, “I’ll escort you up to here, Your Highness. Take care.”

After saying this, Jiang Peihuan turned around and left.

Xiao Nanye stood at the entrance of the Jiang Mansion. He only looked away when Jian Peihuan’s figure disappeared around the corner.

Heading back towards the mansion, Jiang Peihuan didn’t return to her own plum garden, instead, she ventured into Liu Xiu’s elegant garden.

“Huan Er, what brings you here?”

“Third Auntie, I’m here to discuss a matter with you.”

Liu Xiu remained silent, waiting for Jiang Peihuan to continue.

“Third Auntie, I recall you manage a shop that deals in stone bricks, timber, and paint, correct?”

“Indeed.”

“Third Auntie, starting today, I suggest you increase all prices in your shop by io%.”

Having grown up around business, Liu Xiu quickly understood Jiang Peihuan’s intention upon hearing her proposal.

Nodding, Liu Xiu replied with a smile, “Raising prices by 10% isn’t considered price gouging. The authorities likely won’t interfere.”

After leaving the Elegant Garden, a smile lit up Jiang Peihuan’s face.

Stone bricks, timber, and paint were essential materials for palace refurbishment. By increasing the prices of these materials, Jiang Peihuan was confident that Xiao Junhao, the officer in charge, would soon be wringing his hands in frustration.

What Jiang Peihuan didn’t know was that Xiao Junhao was already feeling the pressure.

“Lord Du, is this the budget you’re providing for the palace refurbishment?”

Refurbishing the palace would cost at least several million taels of silver, but Lord Du, the Minister of Revenue, had only provided a mere hundred thousand, which was far from enough.

Now approaching sixty, Lord Du’s hair was graying at the temples. Hearing Xiao Junhao’s words, he quickly bowed. “Your Highness, I’m afraid you’re not aware. In recent years, military expenses have skyrocketed, so… this is all we have left.”

“Perhaps, Your Highness, you could propose to the Emperor to postpone the palace refurbishment until the treasury is replenished…”

“That’s enough. You may leave. I’ll handle the issue of funds myself.”

Before Lord Du could finish, Xiao Junhao coldly interrupted him.

After Lord Du’s departure, Pei Wu approached Xiao Junhao. “Your Highness, this issue seems quite thorny.”

“I underestimated the complexity.”

He had thought that overseeing the palace refurbishment would provide an opportunity to strengthen his relationship with his father, the Emperor. But now, it appeared this assignment was more of a hot potato than a golden opportunity..