sbdcsierra Chapter 414 Preparing to Sow Discord!
Chapter 414 Preparing to Sow Discord!
The next day, Aunt Fang gave a brief account of what happened at the Lu residence the previous night, naturally including her use of her official power to intimidate others.
Mu Xin Nuan found it somewhat amusing.
"Aunt Fang handled this matter well! That Yang is really an unlikable person. She was so rude to her elder sister-in-law, and Madam Lu still protected her so much? I don't know if she's blinded by her family background and doesn't care about anything else at all!"
"The fact that Madam Yang dares to be so disrespectful in the mansion is probably related to Madam Lu's deliberate indulgence."
“That’s right. If that Liu woman were a sentimental person, she would have been half-dead by now after all these years. Madam Lu? Hmph! This person is quite interesting. Does she really think that just because she’s a cousin of the Crown Princess, I have to be afraid of her?”
"Your Highness, after I saw Madam Lu last night, something suddenly occurred to me."
"What's the matter?"
"This Mrs. Lu seems to be Miss Xie Yilin's aunt."
Mu Xinnuan raised an eyebrow. So that's how it is! She's Xie Yilin's aunt? It turns out she was certain that she would become the Prince of Chang Le's aunt, which is why she was resentful towards her now. To put it bluntly, it was just a psychological gap and a sense of imbalance.
It turns out that she and Xie Yilin are from the same lineage. No wonder she deliberately pretended to be sick and refused to come and visit me.
"Let her be. She thought Xie Yilin would become the Princess of Chang Le, but the reality is quite different from what she imagined. Heh, she can't even handle her own affairs, yet she has the mind to meddle in other people's business. In my opinion, she's too idle."
Aunt Fang's brow twitched. She didn't believe her princess was just talking. This talk of being too idle—wasn't it just another little scheme about to unfold?
"How long has Yang been married into the Lu family?"
"Your Highness, Yang has only been married into the Lu family for a few months, and I heard that the Second Young Master dotes on her. When Yang first entered the household, she sold off one of the Second Young Master's most favored maids, but the Second Young Master didn't seem to be angry."
"Just because you don't get angry once doesn't mean you won't get angry forever. Since Lu Shaohua has a love for beauty, then Yang's jealousy will inevitably boil over sooner or later."
"what do you mean?"
"I will entrust this matter to Chunyu, so Aunt Fang need not worry. As for our Prince's residence, Aunt Fang should keep her eyes open. I do not want the Chunhui Pavilion incident to happen again."
"Yes, princess."
Aunt Fang understood that the Princess Consort wasn't treating her like an outsider; it was a sign of her trust. Thinking about Song Jing's situation gave Aunt Fang a headache. How could there be such ungrateful people in this world?
Now that she's entered the Prince's residence, she should know her place. How can she be so clueless? Does she think that by guarding the second gate every day, she can run into the Prince? Does she think the Princess Consort doesn't know these things? She's truly incredibly stupid!
"Chunyu".
"Yes, princess."
Are you familiar with this city of Yanzhou?
"Your Highness, it's alright. I've come here once before with my master."
"Do you know the most famous brothel in Yanzhou City?"
"Yes, Your Highness." Chunyu felt a little uneasy. Why would Your Highness suddenly ask this? Could it be that she suspects the Prince?
"Find a way to help me find a few women who are gentle, considerate, polite, and well-mannered. Of course, most importantly, they must be pretty and be virgins."
Chunyu was taken aback. "Your Highness, what do you mean?"
"Don't ask so many questions, in short, I'm very useful."
"Yes, Your Highness."
"Rongyue, go to the front and call Ziyi over to me."
"Yes, princess."
Mu Xin Nuan gave Zi Yi a few instructions, but Zi Yi's expression remained unchanged, and she only said one word from beginning to end: Yes!
In the following days, Madam Liu visited twice more, each time playing the zither for Mu Xinnuan to listen to. She also accompanied her in practicing calligraphy. Both women came from scholarly families and got along quite well.
In addition, Mu Xin Nuan intentionally or unintentionally revealed that the prince had been troubled by many things recently, and was particularly troubled by the two poorest counties.
After Lu Shaofeng was summoned to the manor that day, Duanmu Chuze directly appointed him as the fifth-rank chief secretary of the Prince's manor. The official position wasn't particularly high, but the power he wielded was undeniable!
Of course, the Chang Le Prince's Mansion has more than just one chief secretary. Everyone has different responsibilities, and Lu Shaofeng is currently in charge of matters concerning the five prefectures of Yan. These are the five prefectures under the jurisdiction of the poorest prefectures, Qi and Yu.
Lu Shaofeng was busy, and Master Lu saw it all. He naturally understood the prince's intentions to some extent. The prince had taken a liking to Lu Shaofeng, and the princess was praising Liu Shi so highly. If he still couldn't see the underlying reasons, then all his years as an official would have been for nothing!
Madam Lu did come to the Chang Le Prince's Mansion after all, but instead of Madam Liu, she was accompanied by her second daughter-in-law, Madam Yang.
Upon hearing that she had brought her second daughter-in-law, Mu Xin Nuan was slightly disappointed and shook her head slightly. "This Madam Lu is truly clueless. Never mind. Right now, business is more important. When I have some free time, I'll definitely have a good talk with her."
Rongyue advised, "Your Highness, don't be anxious. She's just a lowly noblewoman. Why bother arguing with her? I heard today that there's good news from the eldest son's side."
"Really? Let me see it quickly." Upon hearing this, Mu Xin Nuan's expression immediately brightened, and she completely forgot about Madam Lu, who was waiting for her to summon her.
After reading the letter, Mu Xin Nuan was overjoyed. "Indeed, it's good news. This can temporarily relieve our urgent crisis."
Mu Xin Nuan picked up her pen to reply, and after careful consideration, she ordered Rong Yue to send the letter to the capital.
"Although there aren't many of these cotton-padded coats, it's still a token of our goodwill. It's better than having none at all."
"Your Highness, in my humble opinion, what we've done is nothing compared to the suffering people. So many people are already wearing cotton-padded coats and cloaks when they go out, and the weather is about to turn cold. I wonder how those poor people will manage to get through this difficult time?"
"Even a little girl like you knows how to care for the people and has compassion, but those unscrupulous officials in Yan have never thought about the lives of the people! If I were a man, I would have been so angry that I would have killed them all long ago!"
After Mu Xin Nuan finished speaking, she sighed softly. Before coming here, she only knew that it was bitterly cold, but after arriving, she realized how difficult Duanmu Chu Ze's life must have been.