Selling wife for fame? Kick out the scumbag and marry the new emperor to enjoy the harem of favors

Chapter 187

iron ore.

What does he need the iron ore for?

In the next private room, Xie Wei, having overheard the entire conversation, frowned, his mind filled with doubt.

The personal servant, Song Qing, also looked puzzled. "Could it be that they're going to resell it? Or do they want to take a share of the profits that Xichi Kingdom makes from selling iron ore within our territory?"

"Anything is possible. Never mind, let's go back first," Xie Wei said in a deep voice.

Song Qing responded and quickly walked to the window, pushed it open a crack, and saw that Xie Mingshen and Zhao Zaiyan's carriages had already left. Only then did he turn around to indicate to Xie Wei that they were safe.

The master and servant quietly left.

Upon returning home, Xie Wei shared the matter with his wife, Madam Fan.

Fan was also somewhat surprised that the item traded between Xie Mingshen and the Xichi people was iron ore.

Then came the doubt.

“What can Father-in-law do with iron ore? Our dynasty prohibits the sale of private mines. Being caught is a serious crime. If it’s just about sharing the profits, the mansion has many properties, so it’s not lacking in these.”

With the Xie family's century-old foundation and Xie Mingshen's position as Grand Secretary, they had amassed a considerable fortune during the previous dynasty and were certainly not lacking in wealth.

"Since ascending the throne, he has been very cautious. Most of the money he obtained through shady means has probably been cut off. The household expenses are considerable. He also needs to support some advisors, as well as servants on the estate. He needs to smooth things over and make arrangements everywhere. In addition, many students are studying for free at the academy that our Xie family has established. All of these things need to be supported."

Xie Wei frowned and gave examples one by one.

Madam Fan hadn't thought much about it at the time, only concerned with the expenses of her own household, so she felt that she didn't lack money. But after hearing what Xie Wei said, she realized that she still did.

Especially the academies; the Xie family opened five in various prefectures and the capital, all of which required real money.

When it was first founded, the idea may have been to do something for underprivileged students, but now it has become a tool for the Xie family to win the favor of scholars and to win people's hearts from the bottom up.

It's obvious who the scholars who graduated from the academy founded by the Xie family would associate with after entering officialdom.

"This matter must be informed of Her Majesty," Lady Fan said softly. "This truly constitutes the crime of treason."

They take money from the Westerners and do things for them, isn't that right?

Xie Weichang let out a breath, raised his fist and slammed it on the table. Although he did not say anything, the anger on his face was already impossible to hide.

in the palace.

Upon receiving this news, Xie Jiu immediately smiled.

"A fox's tail cannot be hidden."

“There are no secrets that stay hidden forever. If you do something, there will always be something to hide about it,” Qingfang said.

Xie Jiu got up and slowly paced around the room. "He's short of money. Those five Xie family academies all depend on him, the head of the Xie family, to provide the funds. If he can't make up for it, things will get bad."

"Putting everything else aside, people are bound to become suspicious. How come the Xie family has always been able to afford to support them? Where did the money come from?" Xie Jiu smiled faintly, appearing gentle, but her eyes flashed with cold light.

Chunrong chimed in, "Whether it's selling illegal mines or directly taking a cut of the profits from the mines from the Xichi people, these are serious crimes. It would be great if we could get concrete evidence!"

“Then we must facilitate their deal.” Xie Jiu lowered his eyes.

But she didn't intend to tell Zhao Xingjin right now that Xie Jiu wanted to do it herself this time.

However, we still need to think about how to proceed.

The capital of Xichi Kingdom is not close to the capital of Dajing. It would take at least until after the New Year to receive a message. Now, with the New Year just around the corner, Zhao Xingjin has already said that he needs to rest and that any matters can be discussed after the New Year.

This was keeping the Western Kingdom in suspense, but Xie Jiu knew that not everything would be discussed again; only matters that Zhao Xingjin didn't want to discuss now would be. With everything peaceful inside the palace, things outside were also calm.

It seems that everyone is starting to focus on the Chinese New Year.

The New Year's Eve palace banquet is also an important event.

This year's palace banquet was grander because Xi Chi was present.

In previous years, only members of the imperial family and relatives were present, but this year, officials of the second rank and above were also allowed to bring their families to the palace for the banquet.

It's more lively with more people.

And soon after the palace banquet began, it truly provided everyone with a spectacular show.

Zhao Xingjin announced directly to the public that Zhao Zhiyu, the daughter of the Earl of Qing'an, would be named Princess Heyi and married to Gao Sui, the Prince of Yi of Xichi Kingdom.

This move caught Shangguan Yi and the others completely off guard.

"Your Majesty, a marriage alliance between our two countries is certainly a good thing, but this matter has not yet received the approval of our Emperor."

Zhao Zaiyan was interrupted as soon as he opened his mouth.

"What, do you mean your emperor won't agree?" Zhao Xingjin held the golden wine cup in his hand, his sharp gaze sweeping over him.

Clearly, it's dissatisfaction.

"I am happy today, but I am just sharing this joyous occasion with you all in advance. Even Prince Yi has not said anything, yet you still have to jump out and spoil the mood. If it weren't for the fact that you share the same surname as me and there might be some ancestral connection between us, I would have killed you today!"

After speaking, he threw the golden cup in his hand, which landed right in front of Zhao Zaiyan.

Zhao Zaiyan was so frightened that he immediately knelt down.

How could they not be afraid? Zhao Xingjin is not their emperor. This throne was won through real fighting, and he has a reputation for tyranny.

To put it simply, even a powerful dragon can't suppress a local snake. At present, Xichi Kingdom can't be considered a powerful dragon, and Dajing is even more than just a small local snake.

So, faced with Zhao Xingjin's current outburst, the members of the Xichi Kingdom delegation, including Shangguan Yi, who was usually quick to speak, all fell silent.

Just as the atmosphere on the field became tense, a gentle yet clear female voice suddenly rang out from the crowd.

"Your Majesty, although I am not talented, I am still a daughter of the Zhao family. If the Western Chi Kingdom is not satisfied with this marriage, it is perfectly acceptable to say so. Why make excuses? The women of the Zhao family do not rush to marry."

Everyone looked in the direction of the voice and saw that the person who stood up was Zhao Zhiyu, the eldest daughter of the Marquis of Qing'an.

Xie Jiu naturally noticed her as well.

Furthermore, it was noticed that, unlike last time, she was wearing a royal blue dress this time, exuding the dignified and composed demeanor of a well-bred lady. Her voice was not loud, but it was very imposing, revealing her pride. Compared to her previous pale yellow dress and calm and gentle appearance, her aura was noticeably sharper this time.

This only proves that she was always like this, and that she was just pretending last time.

No wonder, no wonder he took the initiative to suggest going to Xichi Kingdom.

Xie Jiu had already seen ambition in Zhao Zhiyu.

"Please don't be angry, young lady." Gao Sui stood up and bowed respectfully to Zhao Zhiyu. "I am honored that His Majesty has taken such good regard for me and proposed this marriage. How could I refuse? These officials are too old-fashioned. Just ignore them. I believe my betrothal gifts from Xichi will be sent along with the marriage certificate. I would like to offer you a cup of wine as an apology."

He said these words with a smile, which was considered to give Zhao Zhiyu enough face, so Zhao Zhiyu naturally stopped being pretentious.

Raise a glass and drink with him.

Finally, his gaze lingered on her for a moment, as if appraising her, before slowly withdrawing it, seemingly quite satisfied.

Gao Sui, on the other hand, was quite magnanimous. He smiled and sat down again.