Those who bid after Chancellor Zhangsun Wuji mostly offered between 300 and 600 taels of gold. There were also several minor officials, like Ren Cang. He held a low - ranking position with meager salary and no prominent family background. Let alone hundreds of taels of gold, even hundreds of taels of silver would be a stretch for him.
Not wanting to lose face in front of his fellow officials, he slunk away, saying that he had decided not to participate in the bidding for the location of the library.
Just like that, more than a dozen minor officials left.
Cheng Yaojin couldn't hold back. Watching Ren Cang's retreating back, he shouted, "What's this guy doing here if he has no money? Is he just using the princess's library as entertainment?"
"Exactly! They clearly have no respect for His Majesty and the princess!"
"Such people shouldn't come out and make a fool of themselves!"
After Cheng Yaojin spoke, several generals echoed him.
Ren Cang didn't dare to retort, not even daring to turn around. After walking a short distance on the long street, seeing only unfamiliar eunuchs and maids around, he took out a handkerchief to wipe the cold sweat from his forehead.
These people were really crazy, throwing most of their family fortunes into that library which might not even be built.
He had thought that the tens of thousands of strings of copper coins he had prepared, equivalent to dozens of taels of silver, would be enough to compete with them. But he didn't even make it to the first round.
As soon as they opened their mouths, it was hundreds of taels of gold! Real gold!
How could he compete?
That old scoundrel Cheng Yaojin dared to mock him just because he had some merits! It was simply outrageous!
And that princess, at such a young age, knew how to ridicule others. She was extremely hateful! One day, when she was disliked by His Majesty and sent to Tubo or Khitan for a political marriage, she would know the consequences!
Fuming with anger, he didn't even dare to take the main road after leaving the palace. Instead, he took a shortcut home.
Inside the Taiji Hall, a delicate fruit platter was placed in front of Li Jingyun. She ate while listening to the officials' speeches.
Finally, the highest bidder emerged!
Pei Mingli stepped forward. "I am willing to offer 1,000 taels of gold and lend all my family's books to Her Highness the Princess for copying. I hope the princess will build the library in Yongle Fang."
"1,000 taels?!"
Li Jingyun was shocked and jumped to her feet. "You're not lying, are you?"
"I wouldn't dare to deceive the princess. Every word I say comes from the bottom of my heart," Pei Mingli said, standing upright. With his handsome face, someone who didn't know his background might mistake him for a prince at first glance.
The people in the courtyard were also buzzing with discussion, all stunned by Pei Mingli's offer of 1,000 taels of gold.
They knew that Pei Mingli was a wealthy man in Chang'an, but they didn't know his family was so rich. Was picking up scraps that profitable now? Maybe they should quit their official positions and go pick up scraps instead!
If all 1,000 taels of gold were used to build the library, the library would probably be dozens of stories high and reach up to the clouds!
Even behind the screen, Emperor Li Shimin and Empress Zhangsun were both shocked.
Princess Gaoyang pinched Li Yin's arm and covered his mouth before he could scream. Li Yin looked at Princess Gaoyang tearfully, "What are you doing?"
"I'm checking if I'm still not awake because I went to bed too late last night. Is that 1,000 taels of gold a dream or reality?" Princess Gaoyang said.
"Then why don't you pinch yourself instead of me?" Li Yin was extremely aggrieved and looked at his elder brother.
"You have thick skin. Who else should I pinch?" Princess Gaoyang said without any shame.
Li Chengqian, who had to mediate, quickly separated the two. "Gaoyang, I'm punishing you to go to bed early tonight. Don't be so muddle - headed."
"Got it, elder brother."
After being scolded like this, Princess Gaoyang straightened her back and looked extremely proud.
Li Zhen and Li Zhi, who came late, entered through the main gate of the Taiji Hall. They looked around but didn't see their father, mother, or elder siblings. Weren't they supposed to come and watch? Why wasn't anyone there?
They never thought to look behind the screen. They asked someone to bring chairs and sat down beside Li Jingyun.
Li Zhen sized up Pei Mingli. This guy was unfamiliar. Was there such a person in the court?
"Greetings to Your Highness the Prince of Yue and Your Highness the Prince of Jin," everyone stood up and bowed.
But in their hearts, they were even more confused. Why were these two young princes the ones who came? Where was His Majesty, who should have been present?
Were they really that confident in letting a five - year - old girl handle this matter?
Although so far, there had indeed been no chaos.
"Everyone, please rise," Li Jingyun shared her fruit platter with them and told them to stand up. She now felt confident in handling things.
"Have all of Pei Mingli's words been recorded? Secretary Supervisor, you should lead people to check the books of the top ten bidders in terms of money within tomorrow. Tomorrow, Father will order someone to announce where the library will be built."
Li Jingyun looked at Pei Mingli, her mind full of thoughts.
Since Father had set a trap for her, why couldn't he take the blame for his daughter once?
If Father announced it, surely no one would dare to say anything.
Pei Mingli bowed again. "I understand."
"Reporting to the princess, it has been recorded," said a female official beside Empress Zhangsun. She looked gentle and kind, in her early thirties, with a warm smile on her face when she replied.
Princess Gaoyang, hidden behind the screen, couldn't help but burst out laughing. "They probably came looking for Father and Mother, right? They searched in the front. What idiots!"
"Keep your voice down," Li Yin said.
It felt good for him to be the one saying this for once.
Li Mingda looked at her younger sister with admiration. "Hongxuan is so amazing. She can handle all this."
Now she began to think that it was right for Father to let Hongxuan gain experience on her own. However, asking Father to announce the location at the end probably wasn't pre - arranged, right?
Li Shimin also had a big smile on his face. His daughter was really promising. At such a young age, she could handle things in an orderly manner.
The amounts reported by the others later were mostly around two or three hundred taels of gold. Pei Mingli's bid was uniquely high today.
After the last person finished speaking, Li Shimin took Empress Zhangsun's hand and walked out from behind the screen, followed by Li Chengqian, Li Yin, Princess Gaoyang, and Li Mingda.
The ministers quickly stood up and bowed. "Greetings to Your Majesty, Her Majesty the Empress, and Your Highnesses."
No wonder they hadn't seen them. They had been hiding behind the screen all along.
They hoped they hadn't offended the princess or any of the princes in their words just now. If His Majesty had heard, their official careers would be over!
Li Zhi and Li Zhen were also stunned. They had been behind the screen? They had looked around the Taiji Hall but never thought to look behind the screen.
And Li Jingyun.
They were all there? Father was there, elder brother was there, Sister Mingda was there, and even Mother, who was in poor health, was there?!
They had been watching from behind the screen all along?
She had heard some noise behind the screen and thought it was just a palace servant knocking something over.
So Father had heard all her words just now?!
Would Father be angry? Should she do something to make up for it?
The little princess suddenly became flustered.
"Dispense with the formalities. Do as Hongxuan has ordered. Everyone, step back. Pei Mingli, you stay," Li Shimin said.
He was very curious about this wealthy man from Chang'an who had made his fortune from picking up scraps.
This man was smart and resourceful. Maybe he was a useful person.