Four Harmonies and Good Fortune

Chapter 721 Price
The Empress Dowager looked at her own head of the household. The head of the household was good in every way and meticulous, but sometimes she was a bit too naive.

Therefore, some things cannot be taught.

The master of ceremonies strode in, glanced at the Empress Dowager and then at the person in charge of the ceremony, before saying, "On the surface, can this really be considered dangerous? When have you ever seen Jingyuan like this?"

“Normally, we can’t even get them to come, but now they’re coming here every day. It’s clear they’re really in a hurry.”

The head of the department originally intended to advise the Empress Dowager, but there were some things she really couldn't understand.

The head of the palace said, "Her suggestion is simple. But how should Your Majesty proceed?" If too many people in the palace are moved around, the Emperor will surely find out, and trouble will inevitably arise.

The Empress Dowager stood up, picked up a pair of scissors, and tended to the potted plants in her room. She said with a relaxed expression, "Even you all know that if you don't know where to start, how can I help you?"

The master of ceremonies reached out and took the leaf that the Empress Dowager had cut off: "You mean..."

"Jingyuan came to me, didn't he tell me where the problem might lie?"

The master of ceremonies and the master of ceremonies exchanged glances and both understood the meaning behind the Empress Dowager's words.

Zhang She asked, "Do they mean those people might be in the palace?"

The Empress Dowager remained silent, but the master of ceremonies said, "It could be in the palace, or it could be..." somewhere that Wang Yan and Xie Shi cannot reach, such as beside the Emperor, or...

The emcee's eyes flickered, and she was extremely shocked. Xie was even bolder than she had imagined, actually harboring such thoughts.

“Some things don’t need to be said outright,” the Empress Dowager said. “If they don’t have the ability to let me find out the truth, it will be useless even if they come to beg.”

If Xie doesn't speak, she won't give anyone grounds for criticism; similarly, if she doesn't speak, she won't give anyone a handle to use against her.

If some things are not made clear, they will naturally fade away if there is no result.

If we really put it out in the open, who will take responsibility? After all, there are some people you can't just suspect, otherwise you'll be accused of abusing your power.

This Xie woman, let alone someone who doesn't seem like a merchant, even women from prominent families probably wouldn't have such meticulous thoughts.

The Empress Dowager said calmly, "It is precisely because the words have not been made clear that some things are easier to do."

……

With the case in Fujian still unresolved, the people of Bianjing were filled with unease. Every day at court, the emperor wore a stern face, a far cry from his usual gentle and composed demeanor, until the convicted official was imprisoned, at which point his expression softened somewhat.

The high-ranking officials and nobles breathed a sigh of relief in private, and the women began to visit each other.

Qin Wangfu.

Princess Consort Jiang Zhenru of Qin was hosting a banquet when she overheard the women whispering among themselves, and she immediately turned her gaze toward them.

The women quickly shut up and apologized.

Princess Qin is about to give birth, and judging from the shape of her belly, it is likely to be another boy. If things continue like this, when the King of Qin ascends the throne, Princess Qin will surely be made empress.

Who would dare to be the slightest bit negligent in the face of the future Empress?

Jiang Zhenru asked, "What are you saying?"

Since the Princess of Qin had spoken up, everyone else had no choice but to speak as well.

A woman stood up and said, "We were just saying that the Imperial Attendant has made a great contribution this time and will definitely be promoted after returning to the capital."

“How could it be so fast?” another woman said. “After all, he is young and has only been in office for a few years. Besides, with Prime Minister Wang there, the court can’t very well let his eldest son hold any more important positions.”

Upon hearing this, Jiang Zhenru said, "Now that he can manage the Jinzou Academy, it won't be difficult for him to advance further." Isn't the Jinzou Academy important? Without this position, Wang Yan wouldn't have been appointed to handle this case.

Everyone nodded in agreement upon hearing this.

The woman who had spoken earlier said, "If there is another good marriage, perhaps he can enter the Secretariat without waiting for Prime Minister Wang to retire."

When Wang Yan's marriage was mentioned, everyone had something to say.

"Isn't Lady Xie a perfect match? The porcelain shops in Bianjing all listen to her, and she also owns restaurants and perfume shops. Most of the shops at the South City Wharf belong to her."

Jiang Zhenru remained silent, letting the women gossip as they pleased.

Sure enough, someone said, "I heard that Madam Xie sold her restaurant, perfume shop, and shops in the south of the city. Is she preparing to get rid of them?"

"No, they want to buy a ship in Fujian and become a maritime merchant. Otherwise, why would they stay in Fujian and not come back?"

"Wang Yan is there too, doesn't that mean..."

The rest was left unsaid, but everyone knew that Wang Yan was in Fujian, and wouldn't it be advantageous for Lady Xie to buy a ship there? After becoming a major merchant, money would surely flow in continuously, which Lady Xie could then take to the Wang family.

While others rely on distant relatives or collateral branches to make money, Lady Xie can manage everything single-handedly. If someone questions her, she can simply appoint a manager to speak on her behalf in public.

At this point, the women's eyes all held a deeper meaning.

The Wang family must have known about Lady Xie's identity all along, which is why they allowed Wang Yan to associate with a merchant. Once Lady Xie returned to the Xie family, she would be a proper lady from a scholarly family, and everything would fall into place naturally.

No wonder the Wang family is so determined to deal with Xie Yizhi.

After a moment of silence, someone said, "Shouldn't it be the Prince who should marry Lady Xie?"

As the man finished speaking, his voice trailed off, clearly realizing he shouldn't have brought these things up.

Immediately, everyone's eyes fell on the Princess Consort of Qin.

Jiang Zhenru stretched her back, her face showing some displeasure: "Fortunately, the truth was found out, otherwise Jun-ge'er would have married the daughter of the leader of the demon cult, and the entire palace would have suffered innocently."

"Fortunately, before Xie Yizhi's accident, Jun-ge'er sensed something was wrong. Xie Niangzi seemed more like the person who saved him back then. It was because of this that he secretly searched for clues and captured those demon cultists."

Details that were previously unknown to everyone have now become clear after Princess Qin revealed them. The Wang family had known the truth all along but had not informed the Qin Prince's residence, which explains Princess Qin's resentment.

If Wang Yan marries Lady Xie, wouldn't that be tantamount to kicking the Qin Prince's mansion?
The purpose of today's banquet is for everyone to gather information, and hearing this much is considered the result.

Jiang Zhenru smiled and said, "Alright, let's not talk about these annoying things anymore. Let's talk about something else."

The women naturally obeyed the Princess Qin's wishes, and after talking for a while, they each got into their carriages and left.

Jiang Zhenru was also helped back to the main house to rest.

As soon as the door was opened, a woman came to greet them; it was none other than Jiang Zhenru's sister-in-law, Madam Wu.

After Jiang Zhenru's brother passed away, Madam Wu lived as a widow at home. In just a few years, she lost most of her energy and spirit. If it weren't for the young child she had to raise, Madam Wu might have collapsed long ago.

Thinking of this, Jiang Zhenru felt a surge of resentment. If her elder brother hadn't wanted to find out everything and seek justice for the prince, he wouldn't have gone to Guangnan and wouldn't have died there.

This hatred was like a thorn stuck in her heart, making her realize that even as the adopted son of an official and a member of the royal family, she could lose her life at any time; their lives were not in her own hands.

To outsiders, it seemed natural for the prince to regain the emperor's trust, but they were unaware of the price they paid.

(End of this chapter)