Chapter Thirty-Six

  "...the spices are adjusted like that, those lists were written in advance and given to us, so it's not like we would adjust them ourselves..." The maid who was passing on the message only vaguely heard these few sentences, and when she went inside, she saw the pale-faced Crown Prince Fu Jun sitting in a chair, with several unknown people kneeling below him.

  "The mistress invites you to go over for a visit."

  Zhao Jia didn't even have time to wipe the dissatisfaction off his face, and his tone wasn't very good either: "What did you call me for?"

  "I don't know either."

  Zhao Jia didn't want to go, having managed the household for so long, not even the ailing Consort Kang looked at her with much regard. She reluctantly got up: "I'll change my clothes and then I'll be right over."

  Kang Qinwang's consort, Yi, was lying on the couch, dozing off for a short while, when she saw Zhao Jia's wife, dressed up like a celestial fairy, walking in slowly. She sneered: "You're really hard to invite."

  Zhao Jia's face showed a look of anxiety, but his tone was very calm. He pinched the handkerchief and wiped the non-existent sweat from his forehead: "To be honest, there are too many trivial matters at home. After dealing with one important thing, another important thing comes up, and it's hard to find time to get away."

  Kang Qinwang's consort sneered: "Busy? Busy sealing off the imperial prince's consort's spice shop?"

  Zhao Jia's expression changed: "I don't understand what you mean by that, Mother?"

  "Don't you understand? You don't understand, yet you dare to take Wen'er's poster and have the City Patrol arrest people and seal off shops? You arrest people with one foot, and with the other, Si Fu Jin has someone deliver incense from Tian Xiang Ge to me. You really are quite formidable!"

  Zhao Jia's expression changed, and his eyes flickered as he said: "It's just an ordinary spice shop. I thought it would be a good idea to have someone come over to blend some nice things for my mother..."

  Kang Qinwang's consort narrowed her eyes: "You mean, it's all because of me? I can't bear the consequences!"

  "No, wife didn't mean it that way!"

  The imperial concubine Kang didn't bother to say more to Zhao Jia: "Hurry up and release the person, and compensate for the silver and good words!" She snorted again: "I'll tell you one more thing, I'm afraid the person who adjusts the incense is actually the Fourth Imperial Concubine, causing such a big disaster. Do you want to destroy the Kang Prince's Mansion?"

  The more he admitted his mistakes, the more he was trampled in the mud. The mistake had already been made, and his losses had to be minimized. Zhao Jia held on, saying: "Why scare me? Our mansion is not afraid of a bald-headed young master..."

  Before Madame Qi finished speaking, Consort Kang snorted: "Ignorant fool! You also dare to say that the Fourth Prince is a bald prince? How was Guo Shilong's case settled? The Fourth Prince is also a formidable figure, and no one in Beijing dared to touch Guo Shilong. He managed to get this bone gnawed down, and it's said that the Fourth Prince has always valued Consort Qi. If you provoke the Fourth Prince, don't say an heir, even a prince might not be spared!"

  Zhao Jia's family didn't dare to say more, shrinking smaller and smaller, with unprecedented weakness. The pain in the heart of Kang Sheng Wang Fu Jin flashed by, her face becoming even more severe: "In the past, I was wrong about you, thinking you were a capable person, but now it seems that you are just an arrogant fool. From now on, don't dare to call yourself in charge of this household's affairs!"

  Zhao Jia's eyes widened in anger: "How can you? How can you take away my stewardship just for this matter? Who else can manage besides me?"

  Kang Qinwang's wife, Pu Yi, said: "You think too highly of yourself. In this mansion, apart from you, everyone else is a nobody. Tomorrow, I'll have the second daughter-in-law take over."

  The Consort of Prince Kang didn't let Zhao Jia's wife say any more, and pointed to a maid beside her: "You've been married for two years without producing an heir, the Prince Kang Mansion has treated you with utmost kindness. From now on, have Dujuan follow along and serve Wen'er together, and quickly give birth to children for the mansion."

  Zhao Jia knew that the Empress Dowager was just using this as an excuse to suppress her, but she had made such a big mistake that she couldn't fight back. Because in the end, it still depended on the Empress Dowager to resolve the matter. As soon as she left the house, she felt a little dizzy and thought fiercely in her heart: The old lady only has a few years left to live, let's see who can outlast whom!

  The Prince Kang knew about it, called his son to scold him, and was annoyed in front of Princess Kang: "How did you offend the Fourth Princess for no reason? What can be done now?"

  Kang Shizi's wife sighed and said, "It can't be helped, I'll have to send this sickly child out to talk things over with the Fourth Mistress. The Fourth Mistress only had someone deliver some spices, hinting at it in a veiled way. It seems she doesn't necessarily want to make trouble for our household. Let's just talk things through and maybe we can resolve it."

  Kang Qinwang also sighed: "It's all right, it can't be helped."

  The Crown Prince of Kang rarely got angry in front of Zhao Jia's family, but today he was scolded by the Crown Prince because of Zhao Jia's fault. Zhao Jia felt guilty and the Crown Prince finally turned around and yelled at her. Moreover, that night he stayed in Du Juan's room. The atmosphere in the Crown Prince's mansion seemed to change overnight, and the clever servants immediately sensed it...

  The grand army went on an expedition, and the capital city had less than half of its male population, but this did not affect the full moon banquet of the eldest grandson of the Nara House. Quan Pei entered the door and saw that Awu Luo herself came out to welcome her, holding her daughter's hand and walking inside: "......It's rare to come back once, go around everywhere......"

  King's aunt, who rarely entered the capital, also brought her family to Beijing because her husband was transferred to work as an official in the capital. She lived with her daughter in Nara Palace to accompany Aroshi. Seeing Quan Pei, she smiled and said: "When I left the capital that year, you were just a 10-year-old little girl. In the blink of an eye, you became the imperial son's Fu Jin. Auntie almost doesn't dare recognize you." She also called her nine-year-old daughter Juan Yan to pay respects to Quan Pei: "Born in Suzhou, such a small place is not comparable to Beijing. Haven't seen the big world, Fu Jin don't laugh at us."

  Wang's aunt and Jueluo Shi looked similar, with round faces, long eyebrows and eyes, and a few similarities to Yuanyuan. They were both beautiful, with red lips and white teeth, and had a lively and elegant appearance that was very likable. Compared to Ruyi standing next to her, she was much more impressive. Ruyi seemed to sense this too, and the smile in her eyes was somewhat forced when looking at Yuanyuan.

  Among the female guests who came in, there were not a few little girls. Ruyi originally wanted to take these girls out as the host, but Jialuo pointed at Juan Yan: "Juan Yan, go out and play with your sisters!"

  The smile on Ruyi's face almost couldn't hold up, and it wasn't until Yuanyuan took Ruyi's arm with a hint of embarrassment and led her out with several other girls that Ruyi was spared from further awkwardness.

  Jueluo saw it and sighed with Wang Yiniang and Quan Pei: "Juan Yan Hou Dao."

  "His aunt covered her mouth and smiled: 'She's the youngest at home, spoiled and doesn't know anything.'"

  My uncle Wang Runnian was a second-class Suzhou governor, and the family had a simple population. Auntie Wang was only a few years younger than Jiao Luo's mother, but she still looked radiant with youth, which showed that life was indeed comfortable.

  The maid outside came in and said: "The Princess Consort of Prince Gong has arrived!"

  Jueluo and Wang's aunt both stood up, Jueluo said: "I didn't expect that Qinwang Fuzheng would also come, it's really......" While speaking, she hurriedly went out to welcome him.

  Kangqin Wang's consort looked well, and upon seeing A'ruo she said: "It's been a long time since you've gone out for a stroll. Fortunately, these past few days your body has become much more robust. I thought I'd come over to share in the joy!"

  The lady of the Irgen clan smiled and supported the Consort of Prince Gong: "I didn't expect to have troubled you, please sit inside."

  Kang Qinwang's consort smiled and agreed, while searching for Quan Pei. Seeing the faint smile on Quan Pei's face, she couldn't help but let out a gentle sigh of relief, pulling Quan Pei's hand: "I've been wanting to talk to Si Furen for a long time, today I finally got to see her."

  Quan Pei didn't withdraw her hand, a polite smile on her face: "Indeed, I admire Madam Fu's character and would like to have a good chat with her."

  It's a good thing you're willing to talk, and Consort Kang is all smiles now.

  The lady of the Zhaoluo family had already seen some sharp heads, and specially invited the wife of Prince Gong and Quan Pei to sit in the study inside. It was quiet and peaceful inside, unlike the crowded and noisy outside.

  Andala's mother-in-law was accompanying Andala, and upon hearing that Princess Consort Kang had arrived, she smiled and said: "Your sister is the one who has a good reputation in Prince Kang's mansion, and it's actually the Princess Consort herself who came to give you face!"

  Anda Shi forced a smile, feeling that something was amiss. If not, why would Zhao Jia Shi, who should have come today, not show up, but instead his mother-in-law came? She paused and instructed the maid: "Go take a look at what Consort Kang is doing."

  Yatou went out and came back in a moment, saying: "Talking with Fourth Mistress in the house!"

  "Is there anyone else?"

  "When there is no one else around."

  Only two people were there, what was said must not be simple...

  Yatou supported Kang Shu Wang Fu Jin as she lay on the couch, her body really not feeling well. She half-reclined on the couch and spoke to Quan Pei: "Excuse my rudeness."

  Wei Wei slightly nodded: "You're being too polite."

  Kang Qinwang's wife smiled and said straightforwardly, "It was all because my daughter-in-law didn't understand the situation. She actually caught someone from your household and sealed off the shop. It was all because I wasn't strict enough in teaching her. I've already told her to stay at home and reflect on her actions from now on. This is a small token of our sincerity, please accept it, Fourth Furen."

  An inconspicuous red lacquer box, opened to reveal five 1,000-tael silver notes, and another box of dazzling gemstones that catch the eye.

  Wei Ting glanced at him faintly and said, "I told you, you're being too polite."

  Kang Qinwang's consort was somewhat surprised and hesitantly said: "Zhao Jia's daughter doesn't understand things, I'll have her stay in the ancestral temple for a few days?"

  Quan Pei smiled shallowly: "You don't have to be so hard on her, after all, you didn't know it was my shop. I said it, and I want to have a good talk with you."

  Kang Qinwang's consort finally understood and a look of realization appeared on her face: "That's right, since we came in I've been the one speaking, it's your turn to speak now."

  The serene study outside is the mottled green bamboo, the wind blows through the rustling sound, and the charcoal basin is still burning in the house, making people feel as if they are in the spring day. The woman in front of her has a gentle and beautiful eyebrows, like a fine ancient painting, inadvertently revealing a few points of ancient elegance. When she speaks, the expression on the face of Princess Kang almost can't hold on.

  "I heard that your family is in the shipping business, I don't want much, just a 2% share."

  Doing business on the sea is risky but also profitable, although it's only a small share of 2%, the annual dividend can be at least tens of thousands of silver coins, which is a lion's mouth wide open.

  Kang Qinwang's consort frowned and looked at Quan Pei, seeing her lightly sniff the tea water in the teacup before putting it down. Only then did she speak unhurriedly: "Of course, I'll split this silver with you 7 to 3. You know about this matter, just the two of us."

  She bought it with three-tenths of silver and earned seven-tenths herself. It seemed that Princess Kong was getting a good deal, but in the end, this silver wasn't hers to begin with.

  Although they had never met before, but just a few words made the Empress Dowager Kang cautious, because this condition was indeed tempting, and she herself also had some heart.

  Kang's family is wealthy, but she herself has limited financial resources. If she cooperates with Quan Pei, she can earn a bit more income each year. What reason does she have to refuse?

  Her calm and gentle voice suddenly made her tense, and then she heard Guan Yu say: "You are the root of the disease that was left behind when you gave birth to the child. Although it is a bit stubborn, it is not incurable."

  Kangqin Wang's wife was only in her forties. After all, if she could be cured of her illness, it wasn't impossible that she would live another ten or twenty years.

  The outside noise started, presumably it was almost time to enter the banquet hall. Soon, a maid would come in and invite them to go out together, which would miss the best opportunity for negotiation. Quan Pei's words were implicit, but she only said that much and began to flip through the books on the table. However, Consort Kang was trapped in unprecedented anxiety, hesitating for half a moment before finally speaking up: "Please, Fourth Lady, speak clearly. If you can really cure my illness, I won't ask for those three parts, all of it will be yours."

  A faint smile appeared on Rongyu's face, like a slowly blooming orchid releasing its delicate fragrance: "The Princess Consort of Prince Gong is indeed straightforward."