Grinding to Martial Emperor from the Border Army

Chapter 198: Chapter 148: The Scholars Arrive, Sales Boom in South City

Lu Yuan’s entourage made swift progress. After they entered the territory of the Northern Barbarians and presented his title as Prince Qin, the checkpoints along the way dared not obstruct them.

Half a month later, they finally returned to the Imperial City.

He had only just stepped into the Prince’s Mansion when Xiao Hua arrived with her attendants.

Upon seeing Lu Yuan’s mother in the drawing-room, she first gave a very proper curtsy. "Greetings, Auntie."

A slight blush colored her pretty cheeks as she spoke.

Knowing Xiao Hua’s identity, Lu Yuan’s mother immediately rose and took her hand. "Your Highness, such courtesy is more than this old woman deserves."

Unlike Zhou Hongling, while Xiao Hua was also tall, she seemed much more delicate and charming in comparison.

Her figure was flawless, and her looks were beyond question.

Lu Yuan’s mother was quite taken with her and couldn’t help but think, ’My son is truly blessed to be cherished by two women so rare you could hardly find their like in all the world.’

’It was something she had never expected.’

’And each of them possessed a status more noble than the last.’

Xiao Hua said softly, "My mother and I both consider Yuan family. Since you are his mother, you are like a mother to me as well. No curtsy is too much. In fact, my mother has prepared a family banquet today and has invited you and Yuan to join us."

Looking at the lovely young woman before her, Lu Yuan’s mother naturally wouldn’t refuse. She nodded with a cheerful smile. "Alright. As you wish. We’ll go."

She had already learned of the connection between Xiao Hua and Lu Yuan during their journey back, and she was deeply grateful that the Xiao Clan mother and daughter had saved her son.

Now, seeing that this young lady was also so beautiful and considerate, she was naturally delighted.

Lu Yuan said gently, "Mother, let me get you settled in first so you can get some rest. We’ll go to the palace tonight."

"Alright. You two chat. I’ll head back to my quarters first," Lu Yuan’s mother replied, then left with her maids.

When only Lu Yuan and Xiao Hua remained in the drawing-room, he finally spoke. "How are things at court now?"

"All eighteen tribes have been hit by a snow disaster. The situation is grave. The various Vassal Towns are taking advantage of the chaos to seize people, and Mother hasn’t slept in days," Xiao Hua said with a bitter expression.

The Northern Barbarians were truly in a precarious state.

Other empires were watching covetously from the outside, while twelve Vassal Towns defied orders from within. Now, a snow disaster was piled on top of it all.

If things went on like this, she didn’t know how much longer the Northern Barbarians could last.

"How much silver is needed for the disaster relief?" Lu Yuan asked gently.

"The court has been buying up grain from all over, but we never have enough silver. To resolve this completely, I’m afraid it would take no less than twenty or thirty billion taels of silver," Xiao Hua said in a low voice.

For the Northern Barbarians in their current state, this was an astronomical figure.

It was an amount they simply couldn’t produce.

Lu Yuan exhaled softly. "I’ll think of something. I’ll see if I can pull it together."

"Where would you get that kind of silver?" Xiao Hua said with a wry smile. "The news about selling the houses in South City has been out for ages, but no one has bought anything. I’m afraid you’re going to lose your whole investment."

Then, as if afraid of worrying him, she forced herself to sound more optimistic. "Don’t worry, Yuan. No matter what, the court still has some reserves. We’ll definitely make it through the winter."

Lu Yuan shot her a sideways glance. "You still don’t trust me."

"Yuan, it’s not that I don’t trust you... it’s just, your asking price is too high. And you’re offering to teach a Cultivation Technique directly... It’s not right to trick people," Xiao Hua stammered, looking quite adorable.

POK! Lu Yuan rapped her on the head with a knuckle. "Who said I’m tricking anyone? You silly girl, you don’t even trust me?"

Then, he stood and said, "I already have a plan for this. You just watch and see."

After speaking, he called out, "Cai Chong!"

In response, the old steward hurried in, his back bowed.

"Your Highness."

"Has anyone been to South City to buy a house in the last few days?" Lu Yuan asked, his fingers drumming a crisp rhythm on the tabletop.

Cai Chong’s face was grim. "Your Highness, they’re all just looking. No one is actually buying."

Lu Yuan raised an eyebrow, and his tapping fingers stilled. "For the next few days, I want you to send men to wait at the city gates. Put up a sign that reads, ’Welcome, Students of the Academy Palace.’ They will be responsible for guiding the new arrivals and getting them settled.

Are there inns in South City? I want you to acquire a few to receive the students. Until the Academy Palace and the new residences are complete, have them stay there. Use the silver from the Prince’s Mansion’s accounts to pay for it. Go at once."

"Yuan, you’re going to pour even more money into this?" Xiao Hua interjected before Cai Chong could respond. "No one is going to buy those estates in South City!"

She was genuinely terrified of Lu Yuan spending money now.

’Although Mother had said the Northern Barbarians could support her and Yuan, she knew deep down that times were tight in the palace, too. If the Prince’s Mansion really went bankrupt, it wasn’t certain they could find the silver to help.’

’In the past, she still had the silver from selling her jewelry as a safety net. If Lu Yuan spent a bit too much, she could cover it. But she had given it all to her mother now; there was really nothing left.’

Xiao Hua’s urgent plea was met with another flick on the forehead from Lu Yuan. Just as she was covering the spot and yelping in pain...

...Lu Yuan had already sent Cai Chong off to handle his tasks.

As the steward departed, Xiao Hua glared at Lu Yuan, her cheeks puffed out indignantly, but there was no way to stop him now.

In truth, it was mainly because Lu Yuan’s attitude was so resolute.

She didn’t dare to argue with him further.

Lu Yuan chuckled, looking at Xiao Hua, who had turned her back to him. He smiled gently. "Alright, don’t be mad. I have my own plan for this matter, you don’t need to worry."

With that, he gently stroked her head.

Xiao Hua had never been able to resist Lu Yuan.

And with a gesture like that, her anger instantly vanished.

「Meanwhile, inside the Northern Barbarian Imperial Palace」

The Xiao Matriarch sat enthroned in Chaotian Hall, with her ministers lined up on both sides below.

She was grappling with the problem of disaster relief.

"Right now, how much silver can our Northern Barbarian court still muster?"