Chapter 1546: Chapter 1522: Salary (Part 2)

Manbao spoke earnestly to Yin Huo, “Your health is weak, how come you don’t wear a gauze hat when you go out?”

Yin Huo replied, “In this weather, I never stay outdoors for long.”

In the past, Yin Huo wouldn’t even venture out for summer outings, and even when moving from one courtyard to another, the servants would stop him, urging him to wait until the heat dissipated before heading out. He mostly walked under the corridor and had servants shielding him with umbrellas, never facing the blazing sun.

Well, everyone exchanged bits of unknown information, achieving mutual understanding.

However, their goods couldn’t be exchanged, and when it was time, the boatmen rowed the boats back.

The mates waiting on the shore stepped forward to tidy up the food boxes, settling the meal expenses at the same time.

Everyone was straightforward, each paying their share per person, then splitting the boat cost evenly, before heading their separate ways.

Manbao and the others donned their straw hats, watching Lu Xiaofu and company, whose faces turned red under the sun, and said, “You should wear straw hats next time you go out, or gauze hats.”

Lu Xiaofu glanced at the straw hats on their heads, then at the attire which didn’t quite match the hats, and decided it might be best to go out less.

Bai Shan and his group waved and left, whereas Lu Xiaofu’s group turned to the Guardian of the Nation Temple to inquire for news, with both agreeing to exchange information during a meeting later in the month, debating whether to choose the Guardian of the Nation Temple or Xuandu Temple.

Bai Shan agreed, returned home, and spoke to his grandmother about it, asking her to send someone to inquire at the Xuandu Temple.

He said, “I initially thought we could simply burn some paper money at home to perform the rite like every other year during Ghost Festival, but since Lu Xiaofu and the others, solo in the capital, planned to light eternal lamps for their ancestors, our entire family is here and ought to pay more respect.”

Old Madam Liu contemplated for a moment and said, “Alright, I’ll send someone to inquire too. Since we’re going to the Xuandu Temple, we’ll also visit the Guardian of the Nation Temple.”

She laughed, “You kids have tender faces; the Taoist Zhixing at Xuandu Temple might mislead you. Don’t assume monks don’t tell lies; when they do, no regular person can match them.”

Bai Shan, considering what Daohe and Daoxu learned daily, nodded in deep agreement.

Old Madam Liu then inquired about Manbao’s salary, chuckling, “Has her document been prepared?”

Bai Shan paused, scratched his head, and said, “She hasn’t made one, and her siblings-in-law certainly wouldn’t know how, as her documents were previously penned personally by Mr. Zhuang.”

Old Madam Liu then chuckled, “The documents submitted to the Ministry of Revenue need to be archived, and future salary receipts require verification with ingots, so they can’t look shabby.”

She reached out to take two gold-sprinkled documents from the desk, handing them to Bai Shan, laughing, “These documents were specially written by Mr. Zhuang; all Manbao needs to do is affix her seal.”

Bai Shan opened them, revealing neat and powerful characters on high-quality hard paper, glimmering slightly, suggesting the sprinkling of copper foil.

Bai Shan took the documents, asking, “Grandmother, when I get the salary…”

Old Madam Liu cheerfully said, “I’ll make you a copy just like it.”

Bai Shan was satisfied, carrying the documents to find Manbao.

Seeing the documents, Manbao was pleasantly surprised and touched them affectionately for some time, “Why submit such excellent documents?”

Bai Shan replied, “It’s about appearances; since grandmother made them, you should submit them. It’s better than letting them gather dust.”

Manbao agreed, though still reluctant to give up such exquisite documents.

Even her reluctance was mirrored by Zhou Wulang and others who saw it, “Is this golden shimmer gold foil?”

“The cover is, inside it’s copper.”

Zhou Wulang smacked his lips, “These documents must be expensive; if they are merely token submissions, couldn’t any ordinary document suffice? Why make such fine ones?”

Ms. Fang also gently touched it, whispering, “Isn’t Old Madam Liu too considerate?”

Yet she still said, “Since it’s made, use it; it’s for auntie’s dignity. We can’t have auntie acting as an officer with ordinary documents; meeting colleagues might feel embarrassing.”

Manbao said, “I wouldn’t feel embarrassed. Becoming an officer is due to one’s capability.”

“That’s true, but we can’t let auntie be underestimated,” Ms. Fang replied, “Since we have it, we must uphold appearances.”

Manbao nodded.

Ms. Fang asked, “Doesn’t it need a seal? Where is the seal?”

Manbao retrieved her private and official seals, placing them side by side, applying them to two documents, then handed one to Zhou Lijun, “Their salary is paid monthly, likely when I’m still in the palace, so make sure to collect the salary every month.”

Zhou Lijun took the document and nodded.

Manbao kept the other one, planning to take it to the palace the next day, intending to register it with the Ministry of Revenue on the third.

At this moment, Liu Huan had just returned home, coincidentally encountering Minister Liu returning from tea with someone, in deep thought with furrowed brows.

Recalling Zhou Man’s instructions, he immediately hurried after him to pay his respects, “Grandfather, you’re back.”

Minister Liu glanced at his grandson, acknowledged, and asked, “You returned as well?”

Without waiting for Liu Huan’s reply, he continued towards his study.

Liu Huan followed closely, “Grandfather, I have something to discuss with you.”

Minister Liu reluctantly paid a little attention and said, “Go ahead.”

“Grandfather, Zhou Man will visit the Ministry of Revenue the day after tomorrow to submit documents. Could you arrange someone to wait for her in the afternoon? She’s worried she might be late coming from Daming Palace, and the ministry staff could leave.”

Minister Liu’s attention returned somewhat, asking, “What documents is she submitting to the Ministry of Revenue?”

“It’s for her salary documents; she’s due to receive her salary this month.”

Minister Liu, as the head of the national Ministry of Revenue, rarely bothered with the salaries of lower-ranking officials.

Silently pondering, he asked, “Just for this matter?”

Liu Huan, observing his grandfather’s dark expression, nodded, bewildered, “Yes, grandfather could easily tell the uncles and brothers under you, right?”

Minister Liu couldn’t help but tap his grandson’s head, “Does something so trivial require me to personally instruct? If not possible the day after, isn’t it fine to wait another day? Delaying salary won’t kill anyone; even Shengzhou’s relief funds get delayed.”

Liu Huan, the innocent scapegoat: …

Tears welled in Liu Huan’s eyes, as he turned to flee, “I’ll tell grandmother; grandfather, you’re venting work frustrations on me…”

Minister Liu reached to grab him, but the boy dodged swiftly, running with agility.

Minister Liu: …

On the third, Minister Liu still wandered the Ministry of Revenue, casually summoning a clerk, “Keep an eye out today for Zhou Man from Chongwen Pavilion and Imperial Hospital, submitting documents and seals. Ensure her documents and seals are archived, don’t delay the salary issuance.”

The clerk swiftly complied respectfully, pondering how Zhou Man seemed highly favored, receiving specific instructions even for such minor matters from the minister.