Chapter 841: Chapter 838: The Idea

The Emperor accompanied Princess Jiuling for a while before returning to the palace.

The Eldest Prince was originally in charge of the palace’s security, but ended up being held hostage and seriously injured, with the Eldest Prince himself also hurt considerably.

Fearing that the assassin’s wicked intentions might persist, the Emperor had Eunuch Fu clean up the bedroom where Princess Jiuling lived before she got married, so she could move back to the palace.

Firstly, if there’s any issue, it would be convenient to find Imperial Physicians since there are always Imperial Physicians on duty in the palace, day and night.

Secondly, Su Jin needs to enter the palace to administer acupuncture to Princess Jiuling, allowing the Emperor to frequently see his own daughter.

Due to his exceptional love for Su Jin, the Emperor empathizes with Princess Jiuling’s sacrificial act to save Princess Fuqing.

Princess Jiuling married into Nanliang and wasn’t even allowed to have children, a constant source of distress for the Emperor.

Now, knowing that Prince Jing and Princess Jiuling share a good relationship, and that he even deceived the Nanliang Royal Family for her, it deeply moved the Emperor.

Princess Jiuling’s biological daughter is naturally the Emperor’s niece.

The Emperor genuinely hopes she can be safe and sound.

The Emperor assigned the task of rescuing Princess Fuqing to Su Chong.

After receiving his orders, Su Chong returned to the Marquis Mansion, reported briefly, and went off to pursue his task.

After the Emperor returned to the palace, Su Jin also left with Xie Jingchen to go home.

Sitting on horseback, Su Jin let out a light sigh.

Xie Jingchen held her waist and asked, “Why the sigh?”

Su Jin did not respond.

She was simply reflecting on the strength mothers possess.

Take the Princess Consort, for example, who endured the pain of a Disguise Gu to see the Prince, and Xie Jingchen, suffering for years with her ruined appearance and hoarse voice.

Also her mother, Mrs. Tang, who took large amounts of medicine to conceive, as Mrs. Jiang described.

And now Princess Jiuling, who spent half a year in a pitch-dark secret chamber to give birth to Princess Fuqing.

Listening to the experiences of these people made Su Jin’s nose sting with emotion.

Xie Jingchen noticed her mood was not great and said, “Perhaps you could think of it from a positive angle.”

Su Jin glanced at him, “What positive angle could there be?”

“At least while Princess Jiuling is recuperating, Nanliang has no reason to demand her return.”

“And Prince Jin of Nanliang is likely already on his way to Daqi or may even have arrived in Daqi territory. Their family could reunite in Daqi and avoid the chaos in Nanliang,” Xie Jingchen’s voice drifted on the wind.

Su Jin was stunned.

She really hadn’t considered that angle.

It takes a hundred days for bones to heal.

At least within five months, Princess Jiuling shouldn’t travel far.

Nanliang could not possibly delay launching their chaos by five months for Princess Jiuling.

Nanliang in their eagerness to retrieve Princess Jiuling to leverage her as a hostage against the Emperor, ended up not only failing to retrieve her but also losing a Prince…

Though the atmosphere was rather sad earlier, Su Jin now couldn’t help but start to laugh.

Indeed, fortune and misfortune are intertwined just as it’s said.

Though today’s visit to the Great Buddha Temple wasn’t tiring, the bumpy carriage ride was taxing, coupled with the mental effort expended in setting Princess Jiuling’s broken bones made her whole body ache.

But at least she wouldn’t need to look for ways to pass the time anymore. She could honestly enter the palace to treat Princess Jiuling’s broken bones.

Before the carriage had returned to the Prince Mansion, a Hidden Guard approached and confessed, “Subordinate was incompetent and did not catch the person who released the hidden weapon.”

If the sleeve arrow had not been shot from the shadows, Princess Jiuling wouldn’t have fallen off the cliff to save Princess Fuqing.

Knowing there was someone in hiding, the Hidden Guards from Prince Zhenbei Mansion chased after the person but failed as the opponent was highly skilled and escaped.

Xie Jingchen did not blame the Hidden Guards. It was clear to everyone who wanted to harm Princess Jiuling.

They just arrived when the assassin was besieging the Eldest Prince…

Xie Jingchen was somewhat puzzled.

If Prince Qi desired rebellion, killing the Eldest Prince would seem to favor raising the Second Prince to power?

The Second Prince is Duke Chong’s biological nephew, their relationship is closer by three degrees compared to Prince Qi and Duke Chong.

Furthermore, the Second Prince is young and less established in court, easier to manipulate.

If he were Duke Chong, he would undoubtedly relentlessly support the Second Prince instead of mingling with Prince Qi. If Prince Qi wanted to vie for the throne, then Prince Qi and the Second Prince would be foes, not allies.

Xie Jingchen and Su Jin rode back to their mansion, attracting much envy along the way.

After dismounting, Xie Jingchen helped Su Jin down.

They walked side by side into the mansion, where Manager Li was instructing servants, when a maid hurriedly ran over, breathlessly saying, “Manager Li, Third Madam and Princess Nanzhang are arguing.”

Manager Li furrowed his brow, “Why are they arguing?”

The maid quickly said, “Today’s the day for distributing the monthly salary. The third branch didn’t receive their monthly salary. Third Madam went to seek it from Princess Nanzhang, but Princess Nanzhang didn’t give it to her, and who knows what was said, but they ended up arguing.”

Manager Li’s head ached immediately.

He alone as a servant couldn’t handle this, so he sent the maid off and proceeded toward the study.

By right, this should be reported to the Princess Consort, but Manager Li dared not approach her, suggesting that the Princess Consort face Princess Nanzhang?

Should anything occur at Peony Garden, he couldn’t bear the blame.

Manager Li reported to the Prince, who was reading a Military Book, and said, “You handle it”

Manager Li hesitated and said, “Prince, I cannot handle this.”

“Why not let the Heir’s wife go?”

The Prince looked up briefly, frowned, and said, “The Heir’s wife just returned from treating Princess Jiuling in the palace. Don’t bother her with such a trivial matter; leave it be for now.”

The authority Princess Nanzhang holds as manager is precariously positioned; at present, she is being more cautious than ever.

This timing of withholding the third branch’s monthly salary must have a reason.

The Prince does not wish to meet with Princess Nanzhang, lest they argue when he hasn’t even avenged for the third branch; why would he stand for them?

Back at Agarwood Pavilion, Su Jin went to her room. Xingxing went contentedly to collect her salary, curious about why Princess Nanzhang and Third Madam were arguing, and sent Bi Zhu to inquire.

Bi Zhu returned saying, “Princess Nanzhang prepared the monthly allocation for the third branch according to the second branch’s standard. Mrs. Zhao was giving out the salaries, and Nanny Sun from Third Madam’s side went to collect it but found it over two hundred taels short. Nanny Sun complained, and Mrs. Zhao didn’t hand over the salary to her.”

“Nanny Sun returned angrily to Third Madam who went to Princess Nanzhang to argue. Princess Nanzhang stated that the third branch wasn’t considered a legitimate branch, so what’s wrong with giving them the second branch’s allocation? In a fit, Third Madam mocked Princess Nanzhang, and Princess Nanzhang said that unless the third branch dismisses those excess servants beyond their allocation, the money won’t be given, leading to the argument.”

Third Madam, distressed by the treatment at Princess Nanzhang, returned to the South Courtyard, found out Third Master was with Aunt Xue, and angrily went to find Third Master.

Several days without visiting her legitimate wife’s room, Third Madam had to step up for the third branch!

If Princess Nanzhang did not provide, how else would she pay her courtyard’s maids and servants, with her own private funds perhaps?

Third Madam sought money from Third Master, but he couldn’t stand her authoritative behavior especially in Aunt Xue’s presence.

In anger, Third Master slapped Third Madam.

Aunt Xue intervened, saying, “What’s the need for this? Such a small matter doesn’t need this level of arguing.”

Fueled by anger, Third Madam nearly slapped Aunt Xue, but Third Master, who succumbed to suggestion, said, “What idea do you have?”

Aunt Xue sat and charmingly smiled, “Noble families value face highly. For Princess Nanzhang to please the Prince, once the Old Prince went to the border, she cut off the third branch’s supply, forcing them to sell assets. Should the Prince Mansion lose face, naturally the monthly allocation for the third branch wouldn’t be withheld anymore.”

Though Third Madam detested Aunt Xue, she admitted it was a ruthless enough plan, especially since Princess Nanzhang catered to the Prince and neglected the third branch.

It mocked Princess Nanzhang for her efforts to appeal to the Prince but receiving a cold shoulder, and Third Madam’s understanding of Princess Nanzhang convinced her this would rile Princess Nanzhang no less.

In anger, Third Madam decided to proceed with the plan.

The next day, after Su Jin returned from administering acupuncture to Princess Jiuling, rumors started circulating within the mansion.

Su Jin overheard them and couldn’t help but remark how foolish the third branch was, claiming even pigs were insulted by such comparison.

This was a classic case of losing a thousand to harm the enemy while self-damaging eight thousand.

Instead of zealously currying favor with Princess Nanzhang for benefits, they deliberately opposed her. Having seen the maids from Peony Garden lead a doctor out of the mansion, Su Jin felt the third branch was deliberately sabotaging themselves, having no desire for a peaceful life anymore.

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep