Chapter 220: Two Tigers
Meng E returned, but did not see the Weary Marquis’s wife or mother in the palace.
Marquis Ping’en’s wife had exaggerated her influence. Her so-called palace visit was merely a routine matter. Since the Empress Dowager was ill, noble ladies had to take turns visiting and attending to her as part of their duties as subjects, but that was all. The Empress Dowager didn’t really need them – they stayed one night in the palace before being sent away.
The court historians would solemnly record the noble ladies’ loyalty, but did not care about what happened.
Han Ruzi had anticipated this outcome. He looked at Meng E a bit longer and couldn’t help saying: “Your appearance has changed quite dramatically.”
Meng E was wearing makeup, adding several degrees of glamour quite unlike her usual self.
“People in the palace know me, so I had to disguise myself a bit.”
Han Ruzi smiled without saying much, but Meng E turned and left, seemingly annoyed.
Starting that afternoon, Han Ruzi suddenly became busy. First, he attended a poetry society gathering in the city with Yang Feng, where they met many scholars and literati, including an official from the Ministry of Revenue.
When discussing opening granaries, this official shook his head without hesitation: “Grain is fundamental to the state and of utmost importance. We cannot act rashly. Want to downplay this matter? Impossible. We must have an imperial edict before the Ministry can order local granaries opened.”