Chapter 279: Reason
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With the mansion’s trivial matters settled and Jiang Shanshan having taken the orders, rumors from outside couldn’t penetrate the Ying Wang Mansion. Mingzhu felt it was time for the next step. When Yuwen Chu asked her about her plans, she just smiled and said, “I’m waiting for an opportunity. Your Highness, please don’t ask anymore.”
Seeing her mischievous eyes shining, Yuwen Chu knew she had come up with some idea and didn’t press further. He was also waiting for an opportunity. He was waiting for the storm to come down and cause flooding. Then, he could legitimately inspect the drainage systems in the capital and check the bottom of the wells.
He always felt that even though Zhongshan Wang had been plotting for years, since he wasn’t in the capital, there were things he couldn’t control. To accomplish so many secretive things, there must be someone inside the capital helping him. Moreover, this person should be quite powerful to deceive the eyes and ears of the capital and secretly build such a complex network of tunnels without anyone knowing.
Yuwen Chu thought about these things, and since Mingzhu was trying to come up with a solution, he didn’t interfere too much. After all, he had his people in the guild, and nothing could escape their notice. He just didn’t want Mingzhu to suffer any losses.
Mingzhu alternated between eating and sleeping, and when she had free time, she would write or draw, often tearing up and burning the paper after finishing. She spent two peaceful days like this, but on the morning of the third day, Yuwen Chu left early, specifically instructing Mingzhu before leaving, “If there’s nothing urgent, don’t go out today. It’s going to rain heavily.”
Mingzhu had been disturbed by him enough last night, and her eyes still couldn’t open properly. Hearing him nagging, she felt annoyed and hummed with a pillow in her arms, “Tired, I’m tired~” She only had this patience with him; if it were someone else, she would have exploded in anger long ago.
Seeing her like this, Yuwen Chu couldn’t help but find it amusing. He gently touched her hair and softly instructed Su Lan and Xiangli a few things before going to handle his own affairs. When Mingzhu woke up and looked out through the window, she saw the sky was clear and blue, with barely any clouds. Thinking of Yuwen Chu’s warning, she chuckled, “What rain? He can also miscalculate sometimes.”
After being served breakfast by Su Lan and the others, and receiving tea, Mingzhu was informed, “Wangfei, Miss Su Ye and Miss Su Zi are here to greet you.”
Su Ye and Su Zi had been in charge of the Northern Garden for a few days since taking over from Zhou Nushi, and Mingzhu wanted to ask them about the rumors surrounding Zhou Nushi and Ping Nushi’s situation. She said, “Let them in.”
Su Ye and Su Zi came in with smiles, greeted Mingzhu first, and then sat down properly on the stools. After chatting for a while, they began to report on the situation in the Northern Garden, “Ping Nushi and Zhou Nushi have been quite quiet these past few days. No one dared to cause trouble, and everyone has been behaving themselves. Steward Li has assigned someone to keep watch over them, and I’ve personally checked on them as per your instructions, Wangfei. Both Ping Nushi and Zhou Nushi are doing fine in terms of clothing, food, and health. No one dares to deliberately neglect them.”
That’s enough. Mingzhu encouraged Su Ye and Su Zi a few more words before sending them away. Then Li Quanxin came in again, happily thanking Mingzhu for the ointment for his wounds, “The medicine you sent, Wangfei, is really good. I couldn’t even sleep properly because of the pain, but after using your medicine, I feel much better today.” Lowering his voice, he added, “Steward Zhu is still lying in bed and can’t get up!”
In a good mood, Mingzhu smiled and discussed with Li Quanxin, “The Double Ninth Festival is approaching. Before, when His Highness wasn’t married yet, even if there were some oversights, no one would blame us too much. But now that I’m married, we can’t afford to make any mistakes. First, find out how the palace plans to celebrate this year. Then, add ten percent to the gifts sent to each palace and mansion, sticking to the usual but ensuring they are safe and reliable. After the gifts are prepared, I want to inspect them personally.”
It was the first time Mingzhu was truly managing household affairs, and Li Quanxin fully agreed with her statement of “adding ten percent to the usual, not seeking novelty but ensuring safety and reliability.” Indeed, given the current situation, with the Fu family marrying into the Ying Wang Mansion, all eyes were watching closely. They feared that any mistake might expose a flaw.
If the gifts followed last year’s old customs, they would be criticized for being stingy as the new Wangfei. However, with the additional ten percent, it was different. It silenced the critics while not increasing the expenses too much. Not seeking novelty but ensuring safety and reliability was even more appropriate. As long as it was passable, there was no need to attract attention.
Li Quanxin agreed, “Wangfei, you’re right. Let me go down first to organize the gift list and then bring it to you for final approval.”
Mingzhu smiled, “Thank you. Remember to write neatly. I still need to review them with His Highness.”
Li Quanxin was sincerely convinced. This was the proper demeanor of a mistress. Have a plan first, arrange it properly, and then let His Highness review it. This way, His Highness could worry less, and they could oversee together. It was a sign of a prosperous marriage. So he smiled ingratiatingly, “Wangfei is truly virtuous. His Highness used to hate these trivial matters. But now, he can rest assured.”
Mingzhu chuckled, “His Highness is in his prime. Don’t call him old.”
Li Quanxin quickly smiled apologetically, “Of course, of course, His Highness is young and heroic, matching Wangfei perfectly.”
Suddenly, Zheng Momo peeked in from outside the curtain, and Li Quanxin guessed something was up, so he found an opportunity to leave. Zheng Momo quickly came in and whispered to Mingzhu, “There’s trouble at the Marquis Changxing’s estate in the outskirts of the capital.”
Because of the rush to fulfill orders, the workers in Jiang Shanshan’s workshop had been working day and night. Caustic soda was a key material for making soap, and its usage required caution. Experienced old craftsmen knew that solid caustic soda should be poured into water, not the other way around, to prevent violent boiling and splashing. Caustic soda was highly corrosive, and getting it on oneself would spell trouble.
However, when the accident happened, the experienced old craftsmen were exhausted, and young apprentices took their place. Yawning and half-asleep, they poured a whole tub of water into the tub containing solid caustic soda, and then the accident occurred. One apprentice lost sight in one eye, and another’s face was severely disfigured.
Normally, with the power and influence of the Changxing Marquis’s estate, it wouldn’t be difficult to handle such a matter. A little coaxing, lying, and intimidation, along with some money, would usually suffice. Unfortunately, to prevent the recipe from leaking, Jiang Shanshan had appointed stewards who were ruthless and cruel. They strictly supervised the craftsmen and would scold or even beat them if they broke the rules. Now, faced with such a tragic incident, instead of prioritizing saving lives, they first wanted to investigate the responsibility of those involved, which aroused public anger.
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