Dream of the Red Chamber: Starting with winning over Daiyu's favorability

Chapter 219 Layout

Seeing Deng Zechen's reaction, Sun Junyue felt a little annoyed.

"Alright, stop with that act. I get a headache just looking at you like this. Just stay the same as before, otherwise neither of us will feel comfortable."

"It was one thing to not know before, but now that we know everything, it's no longer a case of ignorance being excused."

Sun Junyue pinched her brow with one hand, her voice tinged with weariness and helplessness: "Alright, I forgive you."

"Thank you, Grand Princess."

Deng Zechen immediately seized the opportunity, straightening his back, and Sun Junyue chuckled upon seeing this.

This kid must have been waiting for me to say that, right? He really takes after his parents.

Deng Zechen looked at Sun Junyue, whose expression changed very quickly. Although he was not sure what she was thinking, he could sense that the renowned Princess Lucheng had no ill intentions towards him.

Moreover, their previous cooperation was quite pleasant, and with Qin Keqing's connection to him, it was impossible for them to suddenly turn their backs on him and punish him.

Sun Junyue rested her chin on her hand, looking incredibly languid. "These top scholars who passed the imperial examination are really something else. They don't even do business anymore after becoming officials. It seems they look down on my little business."

"Could the Grand Princess have summoned me today just to urge me to finish my manuscript?" Deng Zechen immediately showed a hint of helplessness, spread his hands, and said with a wry smile, "Your Highness is too kind. Those are just petty tricks. I'm currently overwhelmed with official duties and paperwork, and I truly have the will but not the strength!"

Sun Junyue gave a noncommittal smile, raised her chin to gesture for Deng Zechen to sit down, "Sit down, don't just stand here. Qing'er will think I'm bullying you."

"Thank you, Grand Princess." Deng Zechen bowed slightly, lifted the hem of his robe and sat down, his back not fully against the chair back.

After Deng Zechen took his seat, Sun Junyue slowly withdrew her gaze and then casually brought up another matter: "As you know, half of the shops in the capital are under my name, and I know more or less about the other half."

But recently, this strange new thing has suddenly become popular in the capital. Do you know what's going on?

As she spoke, Sun Junyue pushed a familiar-looking brocade box across the table. The bottom corner of the box brushed against the surface with a very soft sound. Deng Zechen knew what was inside without even opening it.

Isn't this just the high-end soap brand he sells in his own shop? He specializes in ripping off big spenders—no, he specializes in customized services.

It seems Qin Keqing hasn't discussed this with Sun Junyue yet, but since she asked, given her status and position...

You can find some information there.

Since that's the case, there's no need to hide it anymore.

"Your Highness, these are just some little trinkets I tinkered with in my spare time. If you are interested, I will send you some more later."

"You admitted it so readily. I thought you would beat around the bush and say that someone else did it."

"These are just petty tricks; they dare not conceal them from the Princess."

As Sun Junyue spoke, she casually opened the brocade box containing the soap, took out a light pink bar of soap, smelled it, and then carelessly put it back.

"I never knew you had this skill."

Deng Zechen closed the box, his gaze falling on his face with genuine surprise.

"I just happened to see it in a book, so I tried making it. I didn't expect so many people to like it."

Sun Junyue shook her head, disagreeing with Deng Zechen's statement, and earnestly corrected him: "Throughout history, countless people have read thousands of books, yet none have been able to turn a few words from old books into a business that everyone is scrambling to make. That's your own ability, your vision and shrewdness; there's no need to say such self-deprecating things in front of me."

Young people are more interesting when they're a bit more spirited.

Those old men in the imperial court, so full of themselves, spouting Confucian doctrines and sages, annoy me just by looking at them: They're so young, yet they act like old scholars—it annoys me even more.

It seems the Grand Princess doesn't like these kinds of polite words.

"Been taught a lesson."

Sun Junyue closed the lid of the brocade box and got down to business:

Sun Junyue's expression softened slightly. She pushed the brocade box aside, no longer dwelling on the soap business. Changing her tone, she got to the point: "I don't care what business you're in or how much money you want to make. I didn't call you here today to interrogate you about those things. You've already seen Bai Shuang'er, you bumped into her right in front of her. Don't you have anything to ask me?"

Deng Zechen tapped his knee lightly with his fingertip, pondered for a moment, and when he looked up, his tone was quite frank: "Since Your Highness has spoken frankly, I will not beat around the bush. However—is it really alright to let the two sisters meet and get along so directly? In my opinion, although they are twins born of the same mother, their personalities are completely different. Keqing is gentle and meticulous, while Miss Bai is strong-willed and sharp-edged. If they suddenly recognize each other, I fear they—may not get along."

He paused slightly, lowered his voice a bit, and spoke frankly despite the sensitive nature of the matter: "Furthermore, Miss Bai's background is involved with the White Lotus Sect. In the past, many people were eyeing her as a pawn. Now, for her to appear so openly in the capital is probably inappropriate."

Upon hearing this, Sun Junyue showed no sign of tension. Instead, she picked up a cup of tea from the table, gently skimming the foam off the surface with the lid. Her movements were unhurried, and her tone was as light as if she were discussing a trivial matter: "It's alright. Since she's in the princess's residence and by my side, if something were to happen to her, then the guards in the capital and the commander of the Embroidered Uniform Guard should really all be replaced."

She took a sip of tea before continuing slowly, "As for the White Lotus Sect, you need not worry about them. They are now working for me."

Deng Zechen's eyes flickered slightly, and he blurted out, "Your Highness—have you incorporated them into your army and recruited them into the government?"

Sun Junyue raised an eyebrow, a faint smile playing on her lips. Clearly pleased by the word "amnesty," a sharp glint of ruthlessness flashed in her eyes, yet remained deeply hidden: "Hmm, what you say is quite accurate. I've scattered them and sent them out; some to trade, some to gather intelligence. They're all useful people. His Majesty is aware of this as well."

Deng Zechen's heart skipped a beat, and he quickly pressed for the most crucial question: "Then—does His Majesty know about their background?"

"They probably guessed it, but it doesn't matter now, since they are just two girls who didn't get the jade tablet."

Moreover, given the current situation, it wouldn't matter if their backgrounds were brought to light. Their birth mother wasn't from a wealthy family to begin with; everyone from that era is dead, and they have even less influence now.

His Majesty is currently busy procuring provisions, and he has a host of other matters to attend to on the nine borders. How could he possibly have time to concern himself with such trivial matters?

Is this inside information? Is His Majesty finally planning to make a move?