Chapter 391: Farewell Banquet

Chapter 391 The Send-Off Banquet

He Qingxiao's heart skipped a beat, though he kept a straight face. "Yes, I'm back."

Xin You's gaze shifted slightly, turning toward Emperor Xingyuan.

Emperor Xingyuan tapped the ledger in a booming voice. "I summoned all of you to announce something. The summer grain tax collection from the southern regions piloting the new policy has been completed."

The ministers had already guessed as much upon seeing He Qingxiao, so they showed no surprise upon hearing the emperor's words—though they still offered the expected congratulations.

Emperor Xingyuan noticed their indifference at a glance.

Of course, the additional tax revenue had been squeezed from the coffers of powerful clans, including some of their own families.

But Emperor Xingyuan cared little for his ministers' feelings. With authority, he called out to the Minister of Revenue, "Minister Yu, as the man in charge of Great Xia's coffers, take a look first."

The Minister of Revenue had long been curious about the tax figures. At the emperor's command, he took the ledger with eager hands and opened it, his eyes widening. "Four million taels of silver!"

Those present were ministers and high officials. Though none understood account books as well as the Minister of Revenue, they were all familiar with key figures.

"This—this is just the summer grain tax from those few regions? Could there be a mistake?" the Minister of Rites exclaimed.

Others buzzed with astonished whispers, unable to believe it.

"The tax silver will soon be deposited into the national treasury," Emperor Xingyuan said with finality.

This implied there could be no error—unless He Qingxiao and his men were willing to risk their heads.

After surveying his ministers' stunned faces, Emperor Xingyuan smiled and asked, "What do you all think of the new policy now?"

The Minister of Revenue was quick to respond. "Your Majesty, if the tax revenue from the northern pilot regions also shows a significant increase, it would prove this policy truly benefits the state and the people while increasing revenue. It should be implemented nationwide!"

The southern regions alone had quadrupled their summer grain tax revenue. And since autumn taxes traditionally exceeded summer grain taxes, even if other regions were less prosperous and only doubled their contributions, the final tax sum would still be staggering.

By then, the Minister of Revenue would no longer fret over bare coffers but instead worry about how to spend the surplus.

What a wonderful problem to have!

Imagining this prosperous future, the Minister of Revenue chuckled to himself.

The other ministers: "..." Minister Yu has gone mad.

Far from reprimanding the Minister of Revenue for his impropriety, Emperor Xingyuan felt gratified.

If only all his ministers could be as public-spirited as Minister Yu, implementing the new policy would face far fewer obstacles.

"Very well. We'll discuss this in detail once the northern tax revenue arrives. However, we can expand the policy to a few more southern cities and begin land surveying immediately..." Emperor Xingyuan laid out with precision the next steps for the new policy.

Xin You listened quietly, sneaking a look at He Qingxiao.

He clearly hadn't rested much during his long journey. Weariness showed on his face, his robes were stained with dust, yet his eyes burned with intensity, drawing attention away from everything else.

He Qingxiao noticed Xin You's gaze.

When it came to her, he was always more perceptive.

But he didn't meet her eyes. Instead, he lowered his lashes, battling his pounding heart and surging longing.

Xin You looked away discreetly as Emperor Xingyuan announced, "Prince Baori will set out for Xiling tomorrow with this batch of white sugar. Changle Marquis, you will attend today's farewell banquet." (Note: A tael is an old Chinese unit of weight, commonly used for measuring silver or gold, roughly equivalent to 50 grams.)

"Yes."

Emperor Xingyuan looked at Xin You. "The successful completion of this transaction is largely due to Lady Xin's contribution. You must be tired after all this busy work—go and rest well."

Though he had no objection to Prince Baori becoming a son-in-law living with the bride’s family, he couldn’t let Ayou appear at such an occasion, so people wouldn’t think the emperor was rushing to marry off his daughter.

Afterward, all the officials, including Xin You, left, leaving only He Qingxiao to speak with Emperor Xingyuan in private.

Xin You did not return to the Hanlin Academy but went back to the Xin residence first to change into a fresh set of clothes before heading to Qingsong Bookstore.

"Boss, you look really good today," Liu Zhou said right away.

Xin You gave a nonchalant "Hmm" and walked toward the bookshelves.

Xiaolian, who had accompanied Xin You, covered her mouth to hide a laugh.

Liu Zhou, that dummy, didn’t even notice that Miss had put on a little makeup today.

"Xiaolian, you seem to be in a good mood today."

"Of course! The sugar workshop’s work is finally done, so Miss can rest properly now."

Best of all, Lord He was finally back.

Watching Miss fiddle with the little monkey figurine Lord He had given her, Xiaolian felt anxious on behalf of both of them.

They were perfect for each other—why were they both so closed off? Miss was like this, and Lord He was the same.

"Xiaolian, can I ask you something?"

"Go ahead."

Liu Zhou pulled Xiaolian aside and lowered his voice. "What does Miss really think of Prince Baori?"

"Shut it! How could Miss possibly like Prince Baori?"

"Good."

Xiaolian frowned. "Why’s a guy like you even asking?"

"Just curious, that’s all."

At least he hadn’t lost his bet.

As the sun dipped westward, He Qingxiao, having bathed and changed into his Scarlet Official Robe, showed up right on time for the farewell banquet.

When Prince Baori arrived, he scanned the room and immediately felt disappointed.

"Minister Yu, where’s Lady Xin?"

During his time in the capital, aside from officials from the Ministry of Rites and the Court of State Ceremonial, Prince Baori was most familiar with Minister Yu.

He said it loudly, without a care, drawing many glances.

He Qingxiao finally got a good look at Prince Baori.

The foreign prince, described in letters as blunt to the point of rudeness, was in fact a remarkably good-looking young man. His youth, beauty, candor, and confidence made even his slightly unconventional words and actions exude an irresistible vitality.

It was a passion most men in Great Xia lacked.

A bittersweet feeling rose again, swirling but too timid to escape his heart, only raging within its small confines.

He Qingxiao suddenly realized that Ayou, who had endured the pain of losing her mother, might actually be better suited for someone like him.

Before the banquet had properly begun, he raised a cup of fine wine and downed it in one gulp.

The Minister of Revenue, cornered by Prince Baori, had no choice but to answer, "Lady Xin has been busy with the sugar refinery lately and is exhausted."

"Is that so?" Prince Baori sighed, clearly disappointed. "Xiao Wang is returning to Xiling tomorrow. Will Lady Xin see me off the way Lord Yu will?"

His mouth twitched.

What did he mean, "the way Lord Yu"? The Emperor hadn't even ordered him to see the prince off.

"This old man wouldn't know."

Prince Baori regretfully raised his wine cup when his gaze suddenly paused.

He had spotted an unfamiliar face.

Originally, he thought all the officials of Great Xia looked more or less the same, with the most handsome being the Emperor of Great Xia. Yet now, here was a man whose bearing was even more striking.

"Lord Yu, who is that young official in the vermilion robes?"

The Minister of Revenue quietly looked down at his own crimson robes, thinking to himself—does the prince only have eyes for handsome men? Clearly, all the ministers present were dressed in vermilion.

"That is the Changle Marquis, the Jinlin Guard North Town Supervising Envoy, who has just returned from an official assignment."

"Such a young Lord Marquis..."

Prince Baori stared at He Qingxiao, suddenly hit by a sudden thought: Could it be that Lady Xin has feelings for someone like the Changle Marquis?