Tong Gaozhuo’s men came three times a day, deliberately pressuring Duan Pingchang to force him to yield.
Duan Pingchang played along while secretly seeking a meeting with Xu Donglin.
Xu Donglin, the head manager of the Internal Weaving and Dyeing Bureau, was well aware of what was going on. On one side was the Crown Prince; on the other was Duan Pingchang, backed by Duan Wang.
He wanted no part of a conflict with either side.
Given that Duan Pingchang had helped him earn considerable profits in the past, Xu Donglin offered him some advice. “In life, you’ll face many challenges. Sometimes, lowering your head isn’t the worst thing.”
Duan Pingchang understood from Xu Donglin’s words that the latter had no intention of meddling in this matter, as long as it didn’t delay his ability to deliver results.
This realization reassured him.
His only concern had been that Xu Donglin might side with the Eastern Palace.
“I deeply appreciate your guidance, sir. To say the least, if I’ve been able to take on assignments from the Internal Weaving and Dyeing Bureau, it’s entirely thanks to your kindness. Without it, I’d have long been forced to return to Jiangcheng, my fortune entirely depleted,” Duan Pingchang said sincerely.
Xu Donglin waved his hand. “Back then, you were set up. No point bringing it up now.”
At the time, the situation had left him little choice.
After all, Duan Wang’s faction had explicitly intervened, and one doesn’t casually dismiss the goodwill of their formidable Black-Faced Wangye.
“Sir, I’ve always strived to carry out my tasks with a clear conscience. When those goods were loaded onto the ship, I personally inspected them box by box.”
“Talking about it now doesn’t change anything,” Xu Donglin sighed.
“I understand that, and I wouldn’t trouble you with it. I only wanted you to know that when I carry out tasks you entrust to me, I give them my full attention and would never dare allow any oversight that could implicate you.”
These words seemed to soften Xu Donglin’s expression slightly. “So, do you have a plan now?”
Hearing this, Duan Pingchang felt some relief. After a moment’s hesitation, he leaned in and lowered his voice. “Sir, to be honest, I’ve already replenished the goods. But I can’t deliver them just yet.”
Xu Donglin was startled. “Really?”
“I wouldn’t dare deceive you. I didn’t want to burden you with worry, so I came to report this to you in person.”
Xu Donglin looked at Duan Pingchang with a newfound appreciation. South brocade wasn’t extraordinarily rare, but producing it took time. For him to restock the goods so quickly meant Duan Wang had likely stepped in.
Tsk, it was surprising. Even heroes weren’t immune to the charms of beauty. Duan Wang’s feelings for Miss Duan truly seemed genuine.
“But…”
“But what?” Xu Donglin, having found some clarity, now looked at Duan Pingchang’s hesitant expression with more patience.
“To be frank, sir, I’ve only managed to secure two crates of goods.”
“Two crates?” Xu Donglin’s smile froze.
Well, isn’t that clever? Whoever advised this move clearly aimed to deliver just enough to meet the palace’s required quota.
Feigning obliviousness to Xu Donglin’s reaction, Duan Pingchang continued in a low voice, “I know the delivery usually includes extra quantities, but with such limited time, I simply couldn’t produce more.
“Sir, I’m planning to send a batch of Yucheng multicolor brocade to the warehouse later. I hope you’ll grant me an opportunity to make amends.”
“You can source multicolor brocade?” Xu Donglin asked in surprise.
“Not much, just this amount.” Duan Pingchang raised five fingers.
Five crates?
That wasn’t a small amount.
Xu Donglin broke into a smile. “With that gesture, I’ll smooth things over with the Internal Weaving and Dyeing Bureau for you.”
Duan Pingchang breathed a sigh of relief. This meant he didn’t have to worry about fulfilling the extra quantity.
Although the extra amount was an unwritten rule, it couldn’t be discussed openly. Yet failing to deliver it would offend many parties, which would lead to a lot of trouble.
As Duan Pingchang still needed the Internal Weaving and Dyeing Bureau for his livelihood—and potentially opportunities in the other 23 imperial bureaus—he couldn’t afford to make enemies here.
Even the most ordinary clerks in these bureaus were not people he could afford to cross. A minor act of sabotage on their part could cause endless headaches.
As for the multicolor brocade, while valuable to others, it was of little significance to him.
Back in Jiangcheng, his daughter Xixi used handkerchiefs embroidered with gold and flowers. What was multicolor brocade compared to that?
Too bad that now they lived under the shadow of the imperial court and couldn’t afford to stand out too much.
Otherwise…
***
Eastern Palace
“Your Highness, everything is proceeding as planned. Duan Pingchang is still racking his brains trying to replenish the goods. However, South brocade is typically produced in Jiangcheng and then shipped to the capital. Finding skilled embroiderers here is exceedingly difficult. Even if there are some, they’re likely employed by prominent families. With his status, how could he possibly convince them to help? For now, he’s merely putting on a brave front. Another day or so, and he’ll have no choice but to bow his head,” Tong Gaozhuo reported with a deferential smile.
The Crown Prince, dressed in dark robes, sat behind his desk and glanced at Tong Gaozhuo. “Have there been any movements from anyone else besides Duan Pingchang?”
Tong Gaozhuo grinned. “Your Highness, Xu Donglin is a seasoned fox. He would never willingly entangle himself in something like this. He knows well enough that his own interests won’t be jeopardized. As for Xie Fang, his position is too shallow. Even if he wanted to help, he lacks the power to intervene.”
“What about Duan Wang? Has he made any moves?”
“I had my men watch him closely. He hasn’t sought help from Duan Wang.”
The Crown Prince frowned. “And what about the Dingyuan Marquis household? Any activity there?”
Tong Gaozhuo thought for a moment before replying, “Miss Duan did visit her family a few days ago. However, she left smiling and chatting with Madam Duan. She didn’t seem aware of the situation.”
“Is that so?” The Crown Prince’s brows knit together. Something about this didn’t sit right with him. After a brief pause, he instructed Tong Gaozhuo, “Send someone to inform Duan Mingxi of the situation.”
He wanted to see how Duan Mingxi would respond!
“Yes, Your Highness. I’ll see to it immediately.”
Tong Gaozhuo withdrew. Shortly after, Zeng Tuo entered and bowed. “Wangye, Yu Cheng has returned.”
“Let him in,” the Crown Prince ordered.
“Yes.”
Zeng Tuo stepped out and called for Yu Cheng. “Guard Yu, His Highness will see you now.”
Yu Cheng nodded and strode into the hall.
“Your subordinate greets the Crown Prince.”
“How did it go?”
“Your Highness, the matter of Lady Fu drugging Lady Gan can no longer be concealed. Wang Buming has obtained evidence proving that Xu Yiniang was behind the creation of the Yuteng Pills. This matter has become quite troublesome,” Yu Cheng reported.
“Useless!” the Crown Prince snapped in anger.
Yu Cheng couldn’t help but think to himself, Indeed, they’re useless.
If that Xu Yiniang had been truly clever, she’d have learned to make the Yuteng Pills herself, rather than paying a physician to do it for her.
Now that the physician had been caught, he’d confessed everything to save his own life.
“Your Highness, Lady Fu’s reputation has already been ruined. If she enters the Eastern Palace as a liangdi, it may tarnish your own reputation,” Yu Cheng advised. “Your Highness, you must make a swift decision.”
The Crown Prince looked at Yu Cheng and asked, “Chen Chang told you to say this to me?”
Yu Cheng: …
He knew he couldn’t hide it from the Crown Prince, so he admitted outright, “Yes, both Mr. Chen and Mr. Liang believe that with Miss Fu’s character, allowing her into the Eastern Palace would not only tarnish Wangye’s reputation but also disrupt the peace of the palace. Such a hidden danger is better eliminated sooner rather than later.”
