Ninth Imperial Glorious Phoenix Chapter 556

Chapter 556: Gold Mine, Silver Mine (Part One) 

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Capturing Teacher Lin seemed like a one-day affair, but Yuwen Chu had been planning it for a long time, investing a considerable amount of money and effort. He had been at odds with the people of Zhongshan Wang’s household for a long time and had even captured many prisoners before, but capturing someone as significant as Teacher Lin was a first, making it extremely valuable.

Therefore, when Yuwen Chu heard the news in the morning, he immediately rushed to interrogate Teacher Lin and sent someone to bring Liansheng, who had been secretly detained all this time, to ensure that Teacher Lin and Teacher Zhu were truly distinguished. 

After he left, Mingzhu began her daily routine: massaging her belly, drinking medicinal soups, walking around the house, and taking care of Zhuangzhuang. The little baby had a rhythm of eating and sleeping, occasionally waking up and looking at Mingzhu with a bewildered and innocent expression, which was quite adorable. 

“He knows who I am, he knows who I am!” Mingzhu wanted to hold Zhuangzhuang tightly in her arms, feeling overwhelmed by his affectionate gaze. 

“Yes, the baby often heard Wangfei’s voice in the womb, so naturally, he knows who his closest person is.” Zheng Momo quickly folded a stack of diapers and handed them to Wet Nurse Tang. “No slacking off.” 

Wet Nurse Tang smiled apologetically. “How could I dare? The little Highness is clean; whenever he soils himself, he cries until we change him.” 

Mingzhu said calmly, “Don’t blame me for scolding you often. This child is the root of me and His Highness. If anyone makes a mistake due to carelessness, don’t even think about living. I can say it, and I can do it.” The situation was complicated, so she had to be cautious. Besides, her notorious reputation had already spread, so she didn’t care about this at all. 

Su Lan returned from the Prime Minister’s Mansion with a smile. “Wangfei, the old Madam had an extra half-bowl of soup this morning.” She spoke the truth; Madam Cui had indeed been fed an extra half-bowl of soup today, although she didn’t drink it herself because she was still unconscious. But this was still a good thing. No matter what the illness, being able to eat was a good sign. 

Mingzhu wanted to send the best cook in the house to Madam Cui: “Let Bai Shigong go over. Let him make whatever Mother likes.” 

Regarding the matter of concealing Madam Cui’s critical condition, the maids and servants had been unanimously warned, so whatever Mingzhu said was the truth. Su Lan immediately passed on the message. Li Quanxin felt it wasn’t enough and also selected an elderly maid skilled in stewing soup as a backup, personally coming over to report to Mingzhu: “Soup is good for health. Gong Momo is the best at making it. She came from the palace’s imperial kitchen and has many years of experience. Her secret recipes are reliable and effective.” 

Mingzhu naturally agreed without hesitation. As for the message received from the Fu residence, it was simulated to sound like Madam Cui herself, expressing concerns about moving the royal residence. It questioned whether Her Highness had been consulted and expressed satisfaction with the delicious food cooked by the new chef and Gong Momo, finding it refreshing and palatable. 

With such constant back and forth, if one didn’t know the truth, they would think Madam Cui had fully recovered, with only Mingzhu kept the secret. 

Teacher Lin was tight-lipped and stubborn, refusing to speak even after Liansheng recognized that he was not the real Teacher Zhu. He was always looking for an opportunity to end his life. Yuwen Chu wasn’t in a hurry; he had been planning to capture Teacher Lin for over half a year and had already gathered a lot of information about him. 

Everyone has their weaknesses, and Teacher Lin was no exception. Although his wife had died early, he had a son. Perhaps due to his special status, the son had not been raised by them but had been sent to Zhongshan Wang’s residence in the north for upbringing. 

“I’ve already sent someone to find that child.” Yuwen Chu told Mingzhu, “Situations like Teacher Lin’s are quite common. Zhongshan Wang has specially built a courtyard for these children, with the best teachers, meticulous care, and the best food. As soon as they grow a little older, they start learning reading and archery. When they’re older, they learn how to work. There’s a promising future for them. The greater the contribution the parents made, the better treatment the child receives. Dying in service is the most honorable. Depending on the rank, the family can receive a minimum of two hundred taels and a maximum of ten thousand taels of silver in compensation, along with care and benefits. Conversely, if one becomes a traitor, the whole family will perish. That’s why these people under his command are willing to die for him and won’t easily confess.” 

Mingzhu shivered at the thought. “He wants to turn people into livestock to manipulate them! Wait, how does he have so much money? Does that mean few of his men die?” 

Yuwen Chu chuckled. “He has been operating in the north for many years, dealing in fur, iron, horses, medicinal herbs, and even privately mining gold and silver. Do you think he doesn’t have money? As for the issue of the bereaved, he only selects a few useful families to show off to others. Those who are of no use, he has his ways to deal with them. He gives out silver with one hand and takes it back with the other. It’s a cycle. Of course, it doesn’t cost him much silver.” 

Mingzhu felt ashamed for the late Emperor Zhengqian. “Didn’t the late Emperor notice anything?” 

Yuwen Chu replied, “The Emperor died suddenly in his prime. Throughout history, there have been few young monarchs who died so suddenly.” 

There were many implications in his words, and Mingzhu widened her eyes. “Was it Zhongshan Wang’s doing? If you have evidence, hurry up and show it to the Great Empress Dowager. If she refuses to see you, let me go instead. After all, I’ve recovered almost completely these days and am in good spirits.” 

Yuwen Chu mercilessly refused her, “If you haven’t stayed in the house for forty-five days, you can’t go anywhere. I do have evidence, but it’s not conclusive yet. We need to investigate further. Otherwise, do you think the Great Empress Dowager, your father, and the entire royal family are fools? A young Emperor suddenly dying, and you think it’s just bad luck? We’ll have to wait a little longer.” With that, he got up. “Do you have any messages for your parents and fourth brother-in-law?”

“I’m just worried about their health, so I want them to take it easy, eat well, and rest properly. Also, Zhuang Zhuang and I are doing fine, so don’t worry. And, I miss them.” Mingzhu was utterly envious and jealous. Why could he go to the Fu Mansion while she was stuck in the house? That was her maternal home! Her maternal home!

Yuwen Chu nodded. “Just wait, I’ll go settle the marriage proposal for your fourth brother. You can prepare the gifts.”

So confident? Mingzhu joked, “Fourth Brother is a concubine’s son, and he’s never planned for himself all these years. He spends whatever he has and doesn’t have much savings. Although he may receive a share of the family property in the future, he won’t inherit his Mother’s dowry, so he might be poor. I want to give him a generous gift, but I’m afraid of impoverishing His Highness. What should I do?”

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