"The Prince of Yuzhang, are you feeling sorry for Beiyan's silver, or do you think I'm unworthy?" she retorted.
The people from the Ministry of Works had told him that if building a palace cost one - fold of silver, then renovating it would cost at least three - fold. It was far from a simple repair. Moreover, Queen Dugu's requirements were not easy to meet. Even a small potted plant had to be placed in the finest official kiln porcelain.
Huo Wei was about to speak when Aunt Meijiang walked in with a medicine bottle. "I'm here to apply medicine to Her Majesty's fingertips," she said.
Huo Wei frowned darkly and snatched the medicine bottle from her. "You can leave. I'll do it myself," he said.
After saying that, Huo Wei half - squatted down, took Dugu Luanyue's somewhat cold fingertips in his hand. Dugu Luanyue instinctively resisted and pulled her arm back. "Huo Wei, what are you doing?" she asked.
Huo Wei's pale pink lips curved slightly. He took a bit of the ointment and forcefully took her soft hand to apply the medicine. His voice was both cold and gentle.
"I've thought about it. Your mind is actually quite simple. You don't want to see Beiyan cooperate with Dongning. You're afraid that after the two countries are firmly tied together, Nanchu will be left out, right?"
Dugu Luanyue's eyes fell on the fingertip that had been pricked by a needle. Watching Huo Wei's actions, she twitched her eyebrows.
This mighty general in the army was surprisingly gentle when applying medicine. It was the first time he had treated her like a woman.
She thought that she had been cold enough to Huo Wei. If she continued like this, things would get tense again.
Huo Wei warned, "Stop your little tricks. If you hinder the cooperation between Beiyan and Dongning, I won't let you off."
Suddenly, her eyes turned red. "Why do you always think of me as such a complicated person? We could have chosen people from the Ministry of Works to renovate the hot - spring palace. Why did I specifically choose you?"
The fair and delicate fingers in Huo Wei's broad palm trembled slightly. He slowly raised his eyes and saw the beauty in front of him wiping away her tears. A teardrop glistened on her blushing cheek, full of grievance.
Dugu Luanyue whispered, "I just wanted to see you more often. And yet you're being mean to me again.
I knew you disliked me when I was in your mansion last time. But I just couldn't hold back my desire to see you, so I asked His Majesty to choose you as the chief supervisor. If you're not willing, then we can replace you."
After applying the medicine to all ten of her fingers, Huo Wei stood up. His voice softened a bit. "Is that really the case?"
Dugu Luanyue nodded slightly, and the golden hairpin in her hair swayed with the movement.
As a woman in the harem, she naturally wouldn't discuss state affairs with Huo Wei. So every action of hers was motivated by love.
Huo Wei said, "Then take a look at this memorial. If you approve, we'll start the work."
Dugu Luanyue got up, took the memorial, and handed it back to him without even looking. She said softly, "You decide."
After that, she added another sentence.
"Just, Huo Wei, you can't make the hot - spring palace too shabby. If it's too shabby, won't I be laughed at by the concubines in the harem?"
Huo Wei took the memorial. "I'll renovate it within a reasonable range," he said.
After giving this ambiguous answer, he left.
Every time he saw Dugu Luanyue recently, he had some inexplicable feelings. Anyway, there was a sense of uneasiness deep in his heart.
Suddenly, Dugu Luanyue hugged his slender waist from behind, pressing her cheek against his broad and solid back.
"After the hot - spring palace is renovated, can I wait for you there?"
Huo Wei's steps were held back. He felt a warm and soft body pressing against his back, and the uneasiness in his heart grew stronger. "Your Majesty, this is inappropriate," he said.
Dugu Luanyue coquettishly said, "Just now, the Prince of Yuzhang held my hand tightly and refused to let go while applying medicine. Was that appropriate?"
Huo Wei removed her hands and left Fengluan Palace directly.
Dugu Luanyue watched Huo Wei's departing figure, pondering carefully, and the corners of her lips curved.
She raised her hands and looked at them. She was also a bit confused as to why Huo Wei said harsh words but still applied medicine to her. It was really strange.
Aunt Meijiang walked over and said in a low voice, "Your Majesty, the Prince of Yuzhang is from the military. He hates extravagance the most. Will your actions make the Prince dislike you?
Moreover, the craftsmanship and materials you've requested for this renovation are really hard to meet, and the cost is huge."
Dugu Luanyue said thoughtfully,
"My goal is not only to disappoint the Crown Prince of Dongning with Beiyan but also to use this as an excuse to further empty Beiyan's already - not - so - rich national treasury.
As long as the national treasury is empty, Huo Wei's plan to march south will be postponed again and again. Huo Wei is determined to attack Nanchu. Besides trying to win his heart, I also have to trip up his plan."
Only then did Aunt Meijiang nod reassuringly. "I understand, Your Majesty. Your plan to exhaust the national treasury serves two purposes. It's excellent."
Beiyan had been at war with Xiliao for three years, and its national treasury was already empty. The cooperation with Dongning had already put some strain on the finances.
Coupled with Dugu Luanyue's many silver - consuming requirements for the renovation of the hot - spring palace, this squeezed out some of the little silver left in Beiyan's national treasury.
Without sufficient funds, Huo Wei didn't dare to easily march south.
But there was a hint of helplessness in her eyes. She shook her head.
"If I had a choice, I wouldn't want to use such tactics. Murong Min doesn't need a wise and tough - minded queen. He just likes simple and obedient girls to play with him."
According to her former nature as the Crown Princess, she wasn't the kind of person who played such tricks. She was the one who charged into battle in the court. But now, like a phoenix trapped in an abyss, she couldn't see the dawn.
Dugu Luanyue dragged the golden train of her phoenix robe and went to Zichen Palace. Entering the palace, she leaned on Murong Min and said aggrievedly,
"Your Majesty, forget about the renovation of the hot - spring palace. I won't soak in the hot spring for the rest of my life if I have to suffer humiliation."
Murong Min hugged her and wiped away her tears. "What happened? Who made you angry?"
Dugu Luanyue sobbed, "It's naturally the Prince of Yuzhang. He's not satisfied with this and that of mine. It's just a renovation of the hot - spring palace, and I don't even dare to put forward my requirements."
Murong Min looked at Yingxi. "Bring me the memorial the Prince of Yuzhang just submitted."
Eunuch Yingxi brought the memorial. Murong Min glanced at it casually.
"The Prince of Yuzhang is also thinking about the court. He doesn't have the same relationship with you as I do, so naturally, he's tougher and calmer."
Dugu Luanyue quickly took the vermilion imperial brush and handed it to Murong Min.
"Yes, Your Majesty is my husband. Naturally, you should side with me. I don't have many requirements. I just hope that after the hot - spring palace is renovated, Your Majesty can also have a comfortable experience.
Such a large hot - spring palace isn't just for me to enjoy."
Murong Min readily approved the memorial. Just as the memorial for the renovation budget of the hot - spring palace was sent out, Huo Wei came to Zichen Palace. His face was serious.
"Father, have you carefully examined the funds for the hot - spring palace renovation requested by Her Majesty? Such a huge expense has affected the military supplies. If the national treasury continues to be depleted like this, when will Beiyan be able to attack Nanchu?"
Just as Murong Min was about to speak, the Second Prince Murong Hua walked in. His voice came before he did. "Your Highness, the Prince of Yuzhang, you're wrong."