Chapter 416: Temptation (Two)
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Because she felt that this world was too ignorant, she didn’t dare to stand out too much, fearing that it would affect her own safety. She could only proceed step by step. Now that there was no turning back, there was no need to retreat!
Jiang Shanshan stretched out two fingers and pulled the paper from under Yuwen Chu’s hand, threw it into the brazier, and said lightly, “This is just an ordinary rocket, it’s worthless. The most useful things are hidden in my mind. Just like before, if there are problems with my personal safety, the person I entrusted will give these treasures to your opponent.
There’s no way. I’m forced to be anxious. I have to survive, don’t I? Your Highness, consider carefully. I’ll be waiting for your reply at home. Remember, you only have three days. Three days later is the wedding day of Linan Wang and the Wusun Princess. I will also attend. I hope to hear good news from Your Highness by then. Don’t doubt me, you know, I can do it.”
Yuwen Chu left without saying a word.
Jiang Shanshan didn’t stop him. She watched him leave with a smile. She had already won, and no one could resist such temptation. With powerful weapons at hand, there would be countless troubles. Everyone would calculate this.
Outside the carriage, Yuwen Chu gestured for Jing Song to get in with him. “Did you hear everything?”
As the only one who entered the room with Yuwen Chu, Jing Song couldn’t have not heard. He felt embarrassed and said, “I heard everything.” Such a huge temptation, even someone as resolute as Your Highness would probably not be able to resist, right? Then, what should Wangfei do?
On one side was the grand plan, on the other was love and affection. To have both, someone had to make concessions. Jing Song tentatively suggested, “Why not negotiate with Second Miss Jiang? Apart from becoming a concubine in the mansion, you can satisfy her other conditions?”
“Because I know she won’t agree, there’s no need to negotiate.” Yuwen Chu shook his head.
Jing Song had been holding back for a long time, and finally couldn’t help asking softly, “Then, will you agree to let her enter the mansion?”
“No. If I agree to her, there will be no possibility between Wangfei and I.” Mingzhu was right. Jiang Shanshan was not a small role; her strength far exceeded his previous assessment and imagination.
It seemed that Mingzhu and Jiang Shanshan had read the same strange book and gained this strange knowledge. And Jiang Shanshan’s knowledge was more comprehensive and detailed than the book she had. So Jiang Shanshan knew more than she did.
Was there really such a book? Yuwen Chu subconsciously rubbed his right thumb and index finger together, lost in thought.
This action, he hadn’t done it unconsciously since marrying Wangfei. Today, he unconsciously made this gesture again. What did it mean? Jing Song didn’t dare to speculate further, just thought to himself, if it were him, what would he choose? Although you can’t have both fish and bear’s paw, people are greedy and want both.
Until the Court of the Imperial Clan, Yuwen Chu didn’t say another word. Jing Song suggested, “This matter is very tricky. Why not gather Zhou Changshi and Mr. Meng to discuss it together?”
Yuwen Chu decisively refused, “This is my private matter. There’s no need to tell them.”
Right, too many people, too much noise. Those people didn’t know about the affection between Your Highness and Wangfei, so of course, they would readily accept Jiang Shanshan as a concubine. Looking at the world, which prestigious mansion only had one legal wife without concubines? Even for a loving couple, there was a side room maid for occasional needs.
Jiang Shanshan came from a decent family and could bring substantial benefits to the mansion. It was perfectly reasonable for her to become a concubine; it wasn’t like she was competing for the position of Wangfei. Everyone would think that the Wangfei should take the initiative to make concessions, or she would be considered ignorant and unreasonable. After a tumultuous argument, the situation would change.
It’s really tricky, now it’s not a problem that can be solved by just killing someone. Jing Song felt sorry for Yuwen Chu. “Your subordinate won’t talk about this matter.”
It’s not that Jing Song won’t talk about it and Mingzhu won’t know about it. Since Jiang Shanshan dared to show her cards to him, she would find a way to spread this matter to Mingzhu’s ears. Yuwen Chu lowered his eyes and said softly, “Make a careful plan and take her away at the wedding of Linan Wang and the Wusun Princess in three days.”
Jing Song went to carry out his orders, and Yuwen Chu went to the Court of the Imperial Clan. After climbing two steps, he suddenly stopped and looked back, seeing a figure flash past the corner of the west alley. He quickly made a gesture to the guard Zhou Jie.
Zhou Jie immediately brought a few people and rushed to the west alley to intercept the person. However, they returned empty-handed; the lurking person seemed to have disappeared into thin air. Zhou Jie reluctantly reported back to Yuwen Chu, who waved his hand, indicating not to worry about it.
At the same time, Mingzhu convened Li Bochun, who managed her dowry for her, and several other stewards who came with the dowry to discuss matters. “There are too many places where money is needed. I want to activate the dowry, but I can’t think of a suitable business. Do any of you have any good suggestions?”
The group of stewards began to discuss eagerly. One suggested doing a grain business since they had so much produce from their estates, and they couldn’t consume it all. It would be best to exchange it for money. After all, food is a necessity; everyone needs to eat, making it the most stable business.
Another suggested opening a fabric shop since there are many officials, noble ladies, and young ladies in the capital who need clothes. As long as the styles are good and the quality is good, there will be no problem selling them. They could even leverage connections to sell to the palace, ensuring a profit without risk.
Another suggested opening a bank. The reasoning was that their family had students scattered all over the world, and the Wangye’s business was booming. Taking advantage of their influence would be a good way to make money.
There were also suggestions to open restaurants, cosmetics shops, and so on.
Mingzhu had Su Lan write down all the suggestions. Seeing that Li Bochun had been silent the whole time, she paid extra attention to him. After sending away the other stewards, she asked, “Steward Li, do you have any ideas?”
Li Bochun solemnly said, “This humble servant manages the funds for Wangfei and knows that you don’t lack money. If you want to do this, it must not be for yourself. So, this humble servant wants to ask Wangfei, do you prioritize making money or seeking reputation?”
Finally, someone astute was speaking up. Mingzhu sat up straight and humbly asked, “What do you mean by prioritizing making money or seeking reputation?”
Li Bochun said, “There is a saying, ‘Alcohol, women, wealth, and status are the four walls that everyone hides behind.’ In this world, no one can escape these four words. If Wangfei simply wants money, there are two fastest ways to make money: one is through the pleasure quarters, and the other is through gambling dens. However, these two businesses, if kept secret, are fine. But once exposed, whether it’s for you, Wangye’s Mansion, or the Xiangye Mansion, your reputation will be greatly affected.”
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