Rebirth: So what if my husband is a little crazy? He loves me.

Chapter 213 Liu Yue's Test

"You've done your best. I was just impatient last time and my tone wasn't good. Please forgive me, little sister," Shen Li said smoothly.

"I'm glad my cousin-in-law doesn't blame me. Can I still come here often?" Liu Yue was both surprised and delighted that things went so smoothly.

Shen Li nodded: "Of course, there's no need to be reserved at home."

Liu Yue was overjoyed. The Crown Prince's concubine had said that Shen Li was difficult to fight, but in her opinion, she was just an easy target who was only good for her family background and had no real scheming.

She sat there for a while, and finally left satisfied after taking a pair of jade bottles from Shen Li's room.

Peony stomped her feet in anger. This person was too greedy. Although her master didn't lack those things, she was still very unhappy about them being taken away.

"Where's Yudie?" Shen Li asked casually in the evening after dinner.

The doors and windows were closed, and only Lianqiao and Shaoyao were in the room.

“Oh, she’s been following Miss Biao around.” Peony lowered her voice: “She comes back very late every night, and we barely exchange a few words.”

"Call her over."

Even when Yu Die was summoned by Shao Yao, her pen never stopped; she was recording what Liu Yue said to the maid beside her after leaving the courtyard.

Shen Li noticed that Yu Die, whom she hadn't seen for over a month, seemed to have grown taller. She asked Yu Die to sit down before asking, "How's the surveillance going?"

Yu Die summarized a sentence in her densely filled notebook, and seeing that no one else was around, she spoke up:

“She was in frequent contact with the Crown Prince’s concubine. She provided the concubine with information about the household, and the concubine promised her that she would become our master’s concubine after the matter was settled.”

"You were eavesdropping on their conversation?" Shen Li couldn't help but find her mysterious behavior amusing.

Lianqiao and Shaoyao were both shocked. Liu Yue actually had the idea of ​​marrying into the family?! Doesn't she look in the mirror usually?

Yu Die shook her head: "The restaurant is too far away to hear. I made the conclusion myself. I even secretly copied down the notes they used to pass messages between them."

As she spoke, she turned to a page in the notebook, which contained mostly information that Liu Yue had circulated. This included details about her and Gu Chang'an's marital relationship, their favorite and least favorite dishes, and whether Gu Chang'an had colluded with the Prince of Yi.

It can be said that she was meticulous about everything, and Shen Li herself was unaware that she didn't like eating vegetables and only liked eating meat.

"As expected, he's not very well-behaved." She wasn't too surprised after reading it; it's not surprising that someone so brainless would do anything.

Yu Die nodded affirmatively. She also felt that Liu Yue was very restless. If the adults could give her a kind look, she would probably be even more arrogant.

"This traitor, ever since she came to our household, has been provided with the best food and supplies, yet she has been secretly plotting against you and your son-in-law."

Peony said irritably, "Miss, in my opinion, she should be beaten up and thrown out of the mansion."

“No, the Liu family are, after all, the son-in-law’s relatives. If we handle it this way, we won’t be able to explain the reason to outsiders, which will definitely damage our reputation.” Lian Qiao rejected the idea and said, “It would be better to deal with it quietly.”

As she spoke, she stretched out her palm and made a downward cutting motion.

Seeing this, Shen Li didn't know whether to laugh or cry: "You two really are worthy of being raised by your mother."

"Isn't it good?" Peony asked.

"Just pretend you didn't hear about this tonight. You can still treat her the same as before when you see her in the future." Shen Li looked at Yu Die: "Also, from today onwards, you don't need to follow her anymore."

"I'm a little worried," Yu Die advised. "Let's keep an eye on her."

"Knowing what kind of person she is is enough. You should take a break and not fall behind in your studies." Shen Li gently patted her shoulder.

"Yes."

Although Peony didn't understand, she quickly agreed. Since Miss knew, she must have a plan, and she must be more farsighted than them.

Of course, the main reason she wasn't worried was that young ladies these days wouldn't be soft-hearted.

Sigrún has taught at the Iceland University of the Arts as a part-time lecturer since and was Dean of the Department of Fine Art from -. In – she held a research position at Reykjavík Art Museum focusing on the role of women in Icelandic art. She studied fine art at the Icelandic College of Arts and Crafts and at Pratt Institute, New York, and holds BA and MA degrees in art history and philosophy from the University of Iceland. Sigrún lives and works in Iceland.

As soon as the tax reform order was issued, Gu Chang'an got busy. The poll tax was changed to a land tax, and taxes were levied according to the area of ​​the land. Everyone, whether an official or a scholar with academic achievements, had to pay taxes.

In this way, taxes were shifted from the poor to the rich. People with little or no land did not have to pay taxes or paid less taxes, which greatly improved their living standards.

As for wealthy households, they have to pay more taxes, since they own more land.

To reduce losses caused by grain collection, transportation, and storage, Gu Chang'an standardized the tax to silver, requiring local areas to pay only silver.

This saves a lot of manpower and resources, and the algorithm is also simpler and clearer, greatly improving efficiency.

However, this completely offended the powerful and wealthy class. They originally owned vast lands but only needed to pay taxes to a few family members. Those with official titles could even avoid paying taxes altogether.

But such good days are gone after the reforms, and the expenses increase significantly every year, so naturally people feel resentful.

Many people in the court openly or secretly tried to harm Gu Chang'an, but Gu Chang'an held both the Ministry of Revenue and the Court of Judicial Review, and had the emperor's support, making him an unshakeable force that was difficult for others to challenge.

Several people who made excessive noises were arrested by the Flying Fish Guards that very night and thrown into the Imperial Prison. It is said that they confessed to all the wrongdoings committed by their grandparents' generation that day.

The King of Chess was very anxious because he couldn't get involved.

The Crown Prince took this opportunity to bring up the matter of appointing a Crown Princess again.

The emperor could not delay any longer, so he asked the empress to make a list of candidates. The empress eventually selected several people, including Shen Yue and Lin Wan'er.

In the past, the Prince of Yi could prevent the Crown Prince from marrying into a powerful family, but now he can only watch helplessly.

Although the candidates are all daughters of powerful figures in Kyoto, the two most important ones are undoubtedly the daughters of the Shen and Lin families.

Shen Li was furious when she heard the news.

Gu Chang'an risked offending powerful figures across the country for the sake of the nation and its people, a thankless task indeed.

The emperor will naturally protect him now that the benefits haven't been realized. But once the money is in the national treasury and the tax system is finalized, Gu Chang'an will become a dispensable figure.

Would an emperor continue to oppose the powerful and influential people of the land because of a dispensable figure?

Unless they have other value, it is not uncommon for them to be killed to appease the anger of the powerful.

Gu Chang'an had a difficult childhood and was determined to bring happiness to the people. She didn't stop him.

But the royal family, who are the ultimate beneficiaries, not only do not help, but are also thinking about selecting a concubine, and they are also eyeing Shen Li's sister and friends!

Li Heng, you want a Crown Princess, right? I'll give you one right here!

Sigrún has taught at the Iceland University of the Arts as a part-time lecturer since and was Dean of the Department of Fine Art from -. In – she held a research position at Reykjavík Art Museum focusing on the role of women in Icelandic art. She studied fine art at the Icelandic College of Arts and Crafts and at Pratt Institute, New York, and holds BA and MA degrees in art history and philosophy from the University of Iceland. Sigrún lives and works in Iceland.

Liu Yue came to Shen Li's place almost every day, saying that the room was nice and there was plenty of ice, making it cool and comfortable.

Shen Li always treated her well and was very patient with her, seemingly without any suspicion.

Liu Yue also felt that Shen Li seemed to be very guileless, and she always spoke casually, directly asking questions.

"Sister-in-law, I've heard that your younger sister is very likely to be chosen as the Crown Princess. At that time, your family will be related to the royal family. When His Highness the Crown Prince ascends the throne, your family will be a family that produces an Empress."

She kept watching Shen Li's expression, her probing even written on her face.