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Seeing Li Yu’s sleepy eyes, Zhou Jia said gently, “Then let Little Jiu pay attention. If anything goes wrong, he can inform us. Yu’er, you’re tired. Sleep first. I still have official matters to deal with.”

Li Yu opened her eyes and looked at Zhou Jia. “It’s so late. Is it something urgent?”

Zhou Jia frowned. “His Majesty originally wanted to use troops against Great

Qi. Recently, he discovered that the Jing Country, which is adjacent to Liangzhou, is acting strangely again. The court is worried that Great Qi will join forces with the Jing Country. At that time, Great Yong will be attacked from both sides.”

“Yu’er, the weather has been good for the past two years. The commoners have just caught their breath. Once a war breaks out, it will burn money. We have to prepare knives, spears, and bows in advance. The casualties have to be compensated with silver.”

“I heard from Shen Zhong that His Majesty often deals with government affairs until chickens crow. Then, he would go to court. The ministers all suggested increasing taxes on the people. His Majesty is unwilling to increase the burden on the people. Those aristocratic families and nobles will always only value the interests in their hands and not care about the lives of the people.”

When Li Yu heard this, she thought for a while and said to Zhou Jia, “How much taxes can we collect from the commoners? If they collect too many taxes, it will only force the commoners to have no way out. Families with fields will bring their fields to join those High Scholars, officials, and big families. At that time, the land will be merged into the hands of these people, and it will be even harder for the Imperial Court to collect taxes.

“I think that if we want to collect taxes, we should start with merchants. The Imperial Court shouldn’t control tea, wine, and silk the way they control salt and iron. They should let go of the trade restrictions and let all merchants participate. They also have to enact laws to restrict local officials. Officials are not allowed to harass merchants at will. This way, the Imperial Court won’t be a tool for those aristocratic families and vermin to fill their pockets.”

Zhou Jia thought for a long time when he heard that. He felt that Li Yu’s words were not unreasonable, but these few things were in the hands of those noble families and vermin. Would those people agree if they touched their interests?

“Yu’er, you don’t know this, but the largest casino in the capital city belongs to the eldest princess’s husband’s family, let alone these things. Once we touch the interests of these people, we will be attacked by a group. I can’t let you fall into a predicament.”

“That’s true! The Zhou family is rootless and can’t withstand the anger of these people.” Li Yu thought for a moment. “Xiao Xi, you can enter the palace and mention to His Majesty the consequences of increasing the taxes of the commoners. Let’s see what he thinks.”

Zhou Jia smiled and shook his head. “His Majesty has long thought of it. There’s no need for us to remind him. Go to sleep first. I’ll go deal with that official document and rest.”

“Yes!” Li Yu watched Zhou Jia go out. After lying down, she thought to herself that it was not easy to be an official, nor was it easy to be an emperor. It was better to find a mountain to be a mountain king.

After the Mid-Autumn Festival, Li Yu went to Li Qing’s house to see if there was anything she could help with. When she arrived at Li Qing’s house, she saw Madam Gong and a smiling woman discussing what to prepare at the banquet. Li Yu went forward and bowed with a smile. “Aunt, it’s been hard on you.”

“Why are you so polite to Aunt?” Madam Gong went forward to hold her hand and smiled reproachfully. “Ah Yu, come, this is the aunt of Ah Qing’s wife. She’s here to help manage Ah Qing’s marriage.”

“Thank you for your trouble.” Li Yu smiled and bowed to Madam Wu.

Madam Wu smiled and supported Li Yu. “Madam Li, it’s not convenient for you. We’re all family, so there’s no need to be so polite. Besides, we should help with

Ah Qing and Wanwan’s wedding.”

Li Yu smiled politely. “Thank you, Aunt. I’m young and don’t know anything. It’s all thanks to you and Aunt.”

The three of them chatted politely for a while before going to look at the new house. Madam Gong and Madam Wu told Li Yu about the guests invited to the wedding banquet and what to prepare. Only then did Li Yu realize that holding a wedding banquet was so complicated. It took a lot of effort to hold a wedding banquet. She thanked the two of them gratefully again.

In the end, Madam Gong and Madam Wu smiled and sent Li Yu out. After Li Yu returned home, she thought for a moment. There was still a month before Li Qing’s wedding. She began to pack her things and prepare to return to Wang Family Village.

Zhao Cai returned and reported, “Madam, there’s a banquet at the Minister’s Mansion tonight. Master is going to the banquet and told you not to wait for him.”

“Alright, prepare some hangover pills for Master,” Li Yu said.

Zhao Cai agreed and left. Li Yu woke up and remembered that she had not seen Mr. Wen. She called Xing Hua over and asked, “Where did Old Master go? I haven’t seen him today.”

Xing Hua smiled and said, “Madam, Old Master and Manager Xiang went to the old residence to pick Old Master Zhou up to sell flowers early in the morning.”

When Li Yu heard this, she recalled that she had never shopped in Flower and Bird City before. She smiled and said, “Let’s go! Let’s go to Flower and Bird City too.”

When Xing Hua heard that she was going to the Flower and Bird Market, she jumped happily. “Aye! Madam, I’ll get Han San to prepare a carriage now.”

Granny Yang watched as Xing Hua ran away with light footsteps. She smiled and said, “Madam, the children in our residence are still the most lively. These little girls in the other residences are all like wooden stakes. They’re all careful with their actions.”

Li Yu thought about how Granny Yang had managed the Zhou family well after she had been at the manor for so long. Her relationships were all stable, so she did not have to worry much. She smiled and said to her, “Granny, don’t leave the Zhou family in the future!”

In the past few days that Granny Yang had been in the Zhou family, she had long liked the days when the Zhou family did not have to fight infighting.

When she heard Li Yu’s words, she immediately knelt down and kowtowed to Li Yu. “Thank you, Madam. I like the Zhou family. I’ll stay in the residence in the future. I won’t leave even if you kill me.”

Li Yu smiled and helped her up. “Don’t worry. As long as the Zhou family is stable, you’re a member of the Zhou family.”

“Yes, Madam, ” Granny Yang replied with a smile.

With Han San driving the carriage, Li Yu brought Xing Hua to Flower and Bird City. Flower and Bird City in South city was on a remote street. When they arrived, Han San stopped the car and placed the wooden stool. “Madam, we’ve arrived at Flower and Bird City.”

“Okay.” Li Yu and Xing Hua got out of the car and saw that the street entrance was filled with all kinds of flowers. After walking in, they felt that the street market was filled with all kinds of fresh and rich flower fragrances. Flowers and plants of different shapes and sizes and bonsai plants were either as blooming beautifully or budding. They were all neatly placed by the shopkeepers. Many vendors were bargaining in front of them.

Li Yu and Xing Hua slowly strolled around. When they reached the middle of the market, they saw Old Master Zhou rolling up his sleeves and holding a pot of orchids. He was talking to the guests happily. When Li Yu saw him and the flowers and plants in the shop, she felt that he really liked these flowers and plants and was serious about doing this. She walked over in relief.

When she reached the corner, she saw Mr. Wen squatting down and looking at a pot of emerald plants. Xing Hua smiled and went forward to bow. “Old Master, what flowers are you looking at?”

Mr. Wen looked up and saw Li Yu and Xing Hua. He smiled and said, “You’re here too! I saw that the shopkeeper of this shop said that his flowers and plants came from a foreign land. I’m here to take a look at this pot of vanilla..”