After ten years of accompanying me in my studies, the entire court begged me to shut up.

Qianqing Palace, West Warm Pavilion.

Xiao Jing bowed as he entered and said softly, "Your Majesty, the Duke of Cheng and the Marquis of Shouning have arrived."

The Hongzhi Emperor raised his hand: "Summon them!"

A moment later, Zhu Fu and Zhang Heling entered the warm pavilion one after the other, and knelt down, lifting their robes.

"Your subject Zhu Fu pays his respects to Your Majesty."

"Your subject Zhang Heling pays his respects to Your Majesty."

The Hongzhi Emperor waved his hand: "Rise, and take a seat."

Xiao Jing had already brought over two embroidered stools and arranged them for the two of them.

The two expressed their gratitude and each sat on half of their own embroidered stool.

Zhang Heling glanced at Zhu Fu furtively, his mind racing with suspicion.

The emperor's brother-in-law's sudden summons doesn't feel like a good thing!

The Hongzhi Emperor spoke slowly: "The winter solstice is approaching; how are the preparations for the sacrificial rites progressing?"

Zhu Fu was taken aback. Shouldn't this matter be asked of the Ministry of Rites?

However, he still respectfully replied, "Your Majesty, this old minister has caught a cold these past two days and has not gone out, so he is not very clear about the preparations for the sacrificial ceremony."

The Hongzhi Emperor nodded and said, "This is the very matter I summoned you here today."

He looked at Zhu Fu and said calmly, "Regarding the matters related to the Winter Solstice sacrificial ceremony, I have thought about it and plan to make different arrangements this year."

Zhu Fu's heart skipped a beat, and he quickly stood up: "Your subject respectfully awaits Your Majesty's decree."

The Hongzhi Emperor waved for him to sit down and continued, "In the past, the Marquis of Wujing presided over the sacrificial rites in Nanjing. I intend to have the Duke of Ying go there, while you, my lord, will serve as the second officiant in Beijing."

Zhu Fu was stunned for a moment, then overjoyed, and knelt down again: "This old minister thanks Your Majesty for your great favor!"

Ya Xian!

This is the highest priest, second only to the emperor!

Many nobles toil their entire lives, only to never even get a share of the tribute.

I never imagined that at my age, I would be able to play the role of a female performer.

Zhu Fu was so excited that his beard trembled, and he kowtowed three times.

The Hongzhi Emperor smiled and waved his hand, "Alright, alright, get up."

Zhu Fu got up and sat back on the embroidered stool, unable to suppress the smile on his face.

The Hongzhi Emperor then looked at Zhang Heling.

Zhang Heling's heart tightened, and he subconsciously straightened his back.

The Hongzhi Emperor showed a hint of satisfaction: "I have been watching the Marquis of Shouning's recent performance closely."

Zhang Heling was taken aback, unsure whether the words were a compliment or an insult.

The Hongzhi Emperor continued, "I won't mention your past troubles. Recently, you've been behaving yourself, staying at home, not causing any trouble, and not being impeached. I'm very pleased."

Zhang Heling was flattered and quickly rose, saying, "Your Majesty is too kind! I was ignorant before and brought shame upon Your Majesty! From now on, I will strictly demand of myself to never cause Your Majesty any trouble!"

The Hongzhi Emperor nodded, his smile deepening.

"The Marquis of Shouning has truly become sensible, with the court at heart. I am deeply gratified!"

He picked up his teacup and said casually, "I remember that the land I bestowed upon your family, you sold it for money and immediately donated it all. Such loyalty is truly commendable!"

Zhang Heling opened his mouth, but didn't know what to say.

That piece of land sold for 50,000 taels of silver, and you forced me to donate it right away. How could I not be loyal?

But he dared not speak, and could only nod repeatedly: "Of course, of course. As a relative of the emperor, it is my duty to share the emperor's burdens."

The Hongzhi Emperor nodded in satisfaction and turned his gaze to Zhu Fu.

Zhu Fuzheng was listening intently. Seeing the emperor looking over, he quickly added, "The Marquis of Shouning is a man of noble character and integrity, truly a model for us subjects!"

The smile on Emperor Hongzhi's face faltered slightly.

Am I praising him?

I'm giving you a warning!

But the old man clearly didn't understand.

The Hongzhi Emperor picked up his teacup, took another sip, and slowly put it down.

"Wealth is something you can't take with you when you're born, and you can't take it with you when you die, Duke Cheng, don't you agree?"

Zhu Fu nodded repeatedly: "Your Majesty is wise! That is indeed the truth!"

The Hongzhi Emperor frowned slightly and said, "The court is in a difficult situation right now! It looks prosperous, but when it comes to spending money, the national treasury is stretched thin. I am so worried about this that I can't sleep well at night."

Zhu Fu sighed, "Your Majesty has worked hard."

The Hongzhi Emperor looked at him, pretended to drink tea, and waited for a while.

That's it?

Thanks for your hard work?

He took a deep breath and decided to be frank.

"The Duke of Cheng has received the emperor's favor for generations. Seeing that the court is strapped for cash, shouldn't he do something to show his support?"

Zhu Fu finally realized what was happening.

So all those words from before were just a prelude to this!

He hesitated for a moment, then cautiously said, "Your Majesty...yet you may also donate some silver?"

The Hongzhi Emperor did not speak, but simply looked at him.

Zhu Fu quickly made a mental calculation.

His meager assets, including the annual income from his farmland and his salary, amounted to only a few thousand taels of silver a year.

There are dozens of people in the household, and with their daily expenses being high, they don't have much money saved up to begin with.

But since the emperor has spoken, we can't very well refuse.

He gritted his teeth and tentatively said, "This old minister is willing to donate five hundred taels to help the court overcome this difficult time!"

The smile on Emperor Hongzhi's face disappeared.

"Five hundred taels?"

He looked at Zhu Fu, his tone turning serious: "Duke Cheng, I've heard your business has been booming lately, but why hasn't your generosity grown? Five hundred taels of silver, can you really afford it?"

Zhu Fu was taken aback, then waved his hands repeatedly: "Your Majesty misunderstands! I...I don't have any business!"

The Hongzhi Emperor frowned slightly: "What? You're even keeping this from me now?"

Zhu Fu was so frightened that he knelt down with a thud.

"Your Majesty, please understand! I truly have no business! My entire family depends on my meager salary and the land I own for survival; where would I find any business?"

He raised his head, his face full of grievance: "Recently, there have been some rumors circulating that I've been involved in some kind of business, but I have no idea how those rumors started! I'm very confused!"

The Hongzhi Emperor looked at him and thought he didn't seem to be faking it.

He stood up, walked over and helped Zhu Fu up, putting on a smiling face.

"What are you doing? If I didn't trust you, would I have allowed you to preside over such an important sacrificial ceremony?"

Zhu Fu was helped to his feet, tears welling up in his eyes.

"Your Majesty is wise! Your Majesty is truly wise!"

He wiped his eyes, gritted his teeth, and said, "This old minister does have some savings. How about this, this old minister will donate 1,500 taels!"

The smile on Emperor Hongzhi's face froze again.

He looked at Zhu Fu, his face slowly darkening.

"Duke Cheng, you can donate if you want, or not if you don't! Don't humiliate me with this thousand or eight hundred taels."

Zhu Fu was so frightened his legs went weak, and he quickly changed his tune: "Your subject will donate three thousand taels! Three thousand taels!"

The Hongzhi Emperor turned his back and waved his hand.

"You may leave! Just pretend I never said anything!"

Zhu Fu panicked completely.

He turned to look at Zhang Heling, his eyes full of pleading.

Zhang Heling was looking down, his shoulders trembling, as if he was trying to suppress a laugh.

Seeing Zhu Fu looking over, he quickly stopped smiling, put on a stern face, and became serious.

Left with no other choice, Zhu Fu could only bite the bullet and say, "This old minister will donate five thousand taels!"

The Hongzhi Emperor remained with his back to him, without uttering a sound.

Zhu Fu was sweating profusely with anxiety, and then looked at Zhang Heling.

Zhang Heling finally couldn't hold back any longer, coughed lightly, and said, "Duke Cheng, I donated 50,000 taels back then."

After hearing this, Zhu Fu was completely distraught.

Zhang Heling looked at Zhu Fu with a sincere expression: "You, the Duke, can't be outdone by me, can you?"

Zhu Fu opened his mouth, as if to say something, but couldn't utter a word.

Fifty thousand taels?

It's hard to say whether the total amount of silver accumulated by the Duke of Cheng over four generations is even 50,000 taels!

But now that things have come to this point, is there really any other choice?

Even if it means selling everything we own, we have to get through this first...

His lips trembled for a while before he finally managed to squeeze out a few words through gritted teeth.

"This old minister will also donate 50,000 taels!"

Emperor Hongzhi then turned around, a relieved smile on his face.

"The Duke of Cheng is a man of great integrity, and he voluntarily used his family fortune to share the burdens of the court. I am very pleased."

He walked back to the couch and sat down, picking up his teacup: "Alright, the sacrificial ceremony is a serious matter; you should all hurry back and prepare!"

Zhu Fu and Zhang Heling bowed and took their leave.

Even after leaving the Qianqing Palace, Zhu Fu's legs were still weak.

He leaned against the wall, inching his way out step by step, his face pale and covered in cold sweat.

Zhang Heling followed behind, looking at his appearance, and couldn't help but want to laugh, but also felt a little sad.

Why does this scene look so familiar?

He quickly stepped forward and took Zhu Fu's arm.

"Old Duke, please slow down."

Zhu Fu turned to look at him, his lips trembling: "Marquis of Shouning, did you really donate fifty thousand taels back then?"

Zhang Heling seemed to be thinking of something sad, and let out a soft sigh.

Zhu Fu's eyes reddened: "No...why? What were you thinking back then?"

Zhang Heling thought for a moment, then said earnestly, "If His Majesty wants it, how can we, as his subjects, refuse?"

Zhu Fu fell silent.

After a long while, he also let out a soft sigh.

"you're right!"

The two supported each other as they slowly walked towards the Meridian Gate.

As soon as he exited the Meridian Gate, Zhu Fu's sedan chair bearers came to greet him. Seeing that his expression was not right, they were startled.

"Master! Master, what's wrong?"

Zhu Fu waved his hand, wanting to speak, but his vision went black and he swayed.

The sedan bearers quickly steadied the sedan chair and said anxiously, "Sir! Are you feeling unwell?"

Zhu Fu leaned against him, and it took him a long time to catch his breath.

He gazed at the gray sky, his lips moved, and his voice trembled.

"Fifty thousand taels...fifty thousand taels..."

The sedan chair carriers were completely confused and asked, "Sir, what fifty thousand taels?"

Zhu Fu did not answer, but simply closed his eyes and sighed.

Standing beside him, Zhang Heling looked at him and suddenly felt much more at peace.

He stepped forward and patted Zhu Fu on the shoulder: "Old Duke, think positively. Money can be earned back. Besides, with such a large business, do you really need a little bit of money?"

Zhu Fu opened his eyes, looked at him, and felt like crying but had no tears.

"Marquis Shouning, who exactly said I have business dealings?"

Zhang Heling shook his head, his smile meaningful: "No, no, alright! You should go back and get some rest; you have a long life ahead of you!"

After saying this, he cupped his hands in greeting and got into his sedan chair.

Zhu Fu stood there, watching the sedan chair go further and further away, his mind filled with questions.

What business do I have?