Chapter 214: Showing Off Love
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After walking around, Mingzhu saw that it was time for Yuwen Chu to return to the mansion, so she returned to her room and asked for the menu for that evening. Suddenly, a servant came to report, “Fourth Master Fu is here.”
It must be that there was progress in the investigation she asked him to do! Mingzhu hurriedly said, “Quickly, let him in!” with a smile on her face, she greeted him at the door. Fu Mingzheng was still wearing his official robes, and when he saw her, he looked disdainful, “What trouble are you causing now?”
Mingzhu had long been accustomed to his sour face. She greeted him cheerfully and invited him inside, asking someone to serve tea. Fu Mingzheng scrutinized her room critically and raised an eyebrow, “Not bad.” Finally, he added, “His Highness Ying Wang is afraid that people won’t know he’s wealthy. This place is so magnificent, haven’t you seen gold and silver before?”
Well, she had just spoken about his various pitiful aspects to Yuwen Chu, hoping that Yuwen Chu would take better care of him and not let him go down the same path again. Yet, as soon as he entered, he began to criticize. Mingzhu glanced at the mansion maidservant standing outside the door, and coquettishly said, “I like this kind of thing. Do you think everyone is like you, who doesn’t know how to enjoy? Our Highness also has to bear it.”
Fu Mingzheng glanced at her with a smile that wasn’t a smile, “So soon, you’re already siding with him? You’re indeed like water that’s been poured out after marriage.”
Knowing that her fourth brother was just teasing her, Mingzhu found it unpleasant to hear, “I’m not siding with anyone…”
Fu Mingzheng smiled and intercepted her before she could finish defending herself, “Just joking with you. Seeing you doing well, your fourth brother is very happy.” He then showed her the sleeve arrow attached to his arm and whispered, “How is it?”
Seeing that he took her words to heart, Mingzhu felt extremely happy. She asked eagerly, “Have you tried it? Is it effective?”
“Extremely effective…” Fu Mingzheng elongated his voice in response, then handed her a piece of paper, “What I was investigating for you.”
“Oil, caustic soda, spices, quartz sand, borax, lime…” Mingzhu frowned, “The Marquis Changxing’s mansion has been buying most of these items recently?” In other words, those glass products and soaps made by Jiang Shanshan were produced using these items?
Fu Mingzheng took the tea handed to him by Su Lan, took a sip before speaking, “Yes, her workshop is not in the capital, but rather in a manor on the outskirts of the capital, at the estate of Marquis Changxing. It was established not long ago. As for the craftsmen making fragrant soaps, not to mention, but those who make glass are said to have been poached from Chang Xing Ji at a high price. The entire estate is heavily guarded. The craftsmen are only allowed to leave for special reasons, and at other times, they are not allowed to leave, let alone go out alone, probably to prevent the leakage of formulas and techniques.”
“So, her glass-making method is actually similar to glazed tiles?” Mingzhu knew that Chang Xing Ji was an old shop that made glazed tiles, and even the glazed tiles used in the palace was supplied by them.
Fu Mingzheng smiled, “It’s probably similar. Do you really want to get her formula? If you want, you probably have to ask His Highness Ying Wang.”
Mingzhu was puzzled, “Why do I have to ask him?”
“Let him use his beauty to deceive Jiang Shanshan for the formula.” Fu Mingzheng said matter-of-factly, “Maybe Jiang Shanshan is waiting for him to ask her for it.”
“Then promise her the position of side concubine? Is she dreaming?! This time, I have to make her shoot herself in the foot.” Mingzhu thought of Yuwen Chu using his beauty on Jiang Shanshan and became furious. After pondering for a while, she counted on her fingers to calculate which of these items was best to control. Oil, for example, was a daily necessity. If she controlled it and raised the price, it would probably cause public anger and affect people’s livelihoods. It was also impossible to enact a special decree to limit oil usage, as it would damage the reputation of her Father and brothers’ family, and her Father wouldn’t allow her to do such a thing.
The best way is to control several major oil shops in the capital. For large purchases, increase the price, and for small purchases, maintain the normal price. Although there are certain difficulties in implementing this, it’s not impossible. As for spices, most wealthy families use them, and the amount used for those soap should not be large, so we don’t need to intervene there. Caustic soda is used by few people, so it’s easy to control. Other items such as quartz sand, borax, and lime are also easy to control.
Having made up her mind, Mingzhu discussed with Fu Mingzheng, “I don’t care how you handle it Fourth Brother, but you must help me achieve these few things. If you can’t persuade Father, I’ll do it myself. Anyway, this time, even if I have to spend money, I won’t let her shine.”
Fu Mingzheng sneered, “She won’t allow people to buy oil in batches, that would be too troublesome. But have you ever thought, what if she squeezes the oil herself? With such a small soap, how much oil can be produced in a vat? Caustic soda, quartz sand, borax, and lime are easy to deal with. So in my opinion, it’s not easy for you to make her earn money for you unless you exert great effort to confront her and prevent her from succeeding in this business. Wanting to succeed while being soft-hearted, what’s the point? If I were you, I would toughen up. What if the oil price rises? Ordinary families who can’t afford it before still can’t afford it. What difference does it make if it’s a little more expensive?”
Mingzhu felt like rolling her eyes, “You came here to help me come up with ideas, why do you only make me angry?”
Suddenly, Yuwen Chu laughed outside the door, “What Fourth Brother-in-law said is quite right. Those who want to achieve great things shouldn’t care about trifles. Sometimes, you have to be ruthless when it’s necessary.”
Fu Mingzheng quickly got up and saluted, “Greetings, Your Highness.”
“Family members don’t need to be polite. Fourth Brother-in-law, please sit down.” Yuwen Chu stretched his hand towards Mingzhu, then shook his clothes, indicating that he wanted to change his clothes.
Serving him to change clothes in front of Fourth Brother was too much, wasn’t it? Mingzhu originally intended to ask Su Lan and the others to serve him, but just as she gave Su Lan a signal, Yuwen Chu coldly glanced at Su Lan, who had to lower her eyes and pretend to be dead. Yuwen Chu then looked back at Mingzhu with a smile and said, “Zhuzhu… Aren’t you going to help me change my clothes?”
Zhuzhu… But how could she change his clothes herself? Mingzhu reluctantly walked over, first helped him remove his jade belt and outer garment, then took the casual robe handed over by Su Lan and helped him put it on. She complained in a low voice, “With guests at home, His Highness couldn’t change behind a screen or in another room.”
“Fourth Brother-in-law isn’t a stranger, right?” Yuwen Chu enjoyed her service with a content expression, then asked Fu Mingzheng very cordially, “Fourth Brother-in-law won’t blame me for being rude, will he?”
Fu Mingzheng smiled and replied with a straight face, “This is His Highness’s house. His Highness can do whatever he wants. Witnessing His Highness and Wangfei getting along so harmoniously, I’m overjoyed. When I return home, I’ll tell the elders in the family, and I’m sure my parents will be very pleased.” He was just showing off their affection to him, wasn’t he? He understood. His sister had married well, and Yuwen Chu was content. A little flattery wouldn’t hurt.
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