Want to expand but end up contracting

Su Yueming's arrival was like dropping a pebble into a seemingly calm lake. She lived up to Lu Qinglan's expectations, throwing herself into the minutiae of the poetry club with astonishing enthusiasm and meticulousness. She sorted out manuscripts, recorded words and deeds, and even proactively coordinated the delicate relationships between the ladies. Her thoughtfulness and understanding quickly won her the affection of many. She deliberately restrained her edge, always following Lu Qinglan's lead, embodying the meaning of gratitude to the fullest.

Lu Qinglan watched with a cold eye, occasionally offering a few insignificant compliments or rewarding Su Yueming with some inexpensive but exquisite writing brushes, inkstones, and paper. This was enough to make Su Yueming burst into tears of gratitude and work even harder. What she needed was a knife that knew how to read people's expressions and could bite them proactively.

Meanwhile, Chen Xing's "Yunshang Pavilion" was also well on its way. Though small, its wares were gradually becoming distinctive, particularly with novel embroidery patterns and unusual materials from the south, which attracted the attention of many middle- and lower-class officials' families. Lu Qinglan didn't encourage Chen Xing to rush into expansion, instead urging her to proceed steadily and take advantage of opportunities offered by business to listen and observe more, especially the gossip among servants in the mansions' backyards and the expressions and moods of the various masters after returning from court. Even the slightest bit of information should be carefully recorded, compiled into a book, and regularly transmitted via Fuyu.

That day, Fu Yu brought back a thin booklet and whispered, "Miss, Chen Xing said that there have been several new faces in the shop recently. They don't seem to be here to make ordinary purchases, but rather to explore the area. One of them wore a token around his waist that vaguely resembled... the style of the Imperial Household Department."

The Imperial Household Department?

Lu Qinglan's eyes narrowed. Her Yunshang Pavilion hadn't even been revealed yet, so how could it have attracted the attention of the Imperial Household Department? Was it a coincidence, or had someone sensed something?

"Tell Chen Xing not to panic and to continue business as normal. Secretly note down the characteristics of those people. If they come again, you can offer some profit and test their opinions, but do not reveal a single word about the source of the core materials."

"Yes," Fu Yu agreed, adding, "Zhao Tieshou also sent a message saying that, as per the young lady's instructions, he has secretly investigated the carriages and staff of the Lu Mansion and several of our dowry farms and shops, and has compiled a list of several available people with relatively clean backgrounds. Also... he mentioned that there seems to be some unusual activity at the canal transport docks in the capital recently, with a few unfamiliar porters appearing. Their accents aren't entirely northern, but rather have a touch of the soft, gentle southern accent."

Canal transport? Southern accent?

Lu Qinglan tapped his fingertips lightly on the table. At this time in his previous life, it seemed the south was experiencing a moderate flood. The imperial court allocated funds for disaster relief, but the results were ineffective, sparking disputes between local officials and certain forces in the capital... Could this be related? Or... was it connected to the mysterious "Hu Guanshi" and the spices from the Western Regions?

The clues were still confusing, but she had a vague feeling that a larger network was quietly spreading inside and outside the capital.

"Tell Zhao Tieshou to keep an eye out, especially for caravans traveling frequently with the Western Regions and the South, as well as... carriages that may be related to the royal family." She paused, then added, "Tell him to be extremely cautious and prioritize safety."

"I understand."

After handling these covert matters, Lu Qinglan turned her attention back to the public poetry club. She knew that although she was now the future consort of the imperial prince, her foundation was still shallow. Revealing too much political intentions or financial strength too early would only invite unnecessary suspicion and suppression. For now, she needed to "hide."

So, at the second Jinxiu Poetry Society gathering, Lu Qinglan, unlike her gentle guidance from the first, became even more low-key and reserved. She mostly just listened quietly. When she occasionally spoke, it was usually to comment on poetry and paintings, or to discuss romantic matters or health preservation, never once mentioning the court's political situation or the border wars. Even when a princess mentioned, perhaps unintentionally, that the Seventh Prince had recently made some significant progress observing government affairs at the Ministry of Revenue, she simply smiled faintly and tactfully replied, "Your Highness's diligence is a blessing to the court," before subtly changing the subject.

Her gesture, viewed differently by different people, evoked different interpretations. Wei Linlang felt Sister Lu had become increasingly calm and approachable; Liu Ruyan, Zhao Wanyi, and the others considered her dignified and courteous, worthy of a prince's consort. And Lin Wanru, while secretly relieved, felt a growing sense of inexplicable loss. This Lu Qinglan seemed different from the woman she had imagined, the woman who could chat and laugh with Wei Linlang at the racecourse and save lives at a flower-viewing banquet. She was more like... more like the ideal lady of good family that her mother and the female elders in the family had hoped she would become.

Is it true that marrying into the royal family will eventually smooth out the edges? Lin Wanru looked at Lu Qinglan's calm profile, and an indescribable annoyance surged in her heart.

Su Yueming stood in a corner, her head bowed, expertly serving tea and water to the ladies, noting their words and actions while quietly observing Lu Qinglan from the corner of her eye. This future prince's consort seemed more than she appeared. The more low-key she remained, the more unfathomable Su Yueming found her. She needed to work harder, get closer, to seize this hard-earned opportunity.

After the elegant gathering ended, Lu Qinglan sat alone in Tingyu Pavilion, his fingertips unconsciously plucking the strings of the zither.

Hiding the sword is so that it can be unsheathed more easily.

Everything she did now, every chess piece she placed, was accumulating strength for the future. Finances, intelligence, and connections were all essential. But until she had fully developed her wings, she had to be patient, show weakness, and make everyone think that she, Lu Qinglan, was just an ordinary lady with some talent, some luck, and a good attitude. At most, she was a qualified consort who could help her husband manage the inner chambers.

Only in this way will the enemies hiding in the dark relax their vigilance, and she will have the opportunity to deliver a fatal blow at the critical moment.

"Miss, the Seventh Prince's Mansion has sent someone to deliver something again." Fu Yu's voice sounded outside the door, with a hint of helplessness.

Lu Qinglan paused. Xiao Jingche… He didn't seem to back down because of her previous rejection. Instead, he would send her something every now and then, sometimes books, sometimes writing brushes and ink, sometimes rare toys, with a very humble attitude, a kind of cautious flattery.

She sneered inwardly. In her previous life, he had used this kind of gentleness and respect to gradually break down her defenses. In this life, would she repeat the same mistake?

"As usual, return it in its original packaging." Lu Qinglan said indifferently, "Just say that I've been concentrating on preparing my dowry recently and have no time for other things. Thank you for your kindness, Your Highness."

"Yes." Fu Yu took the order and left.

Lu Qinglan plucked the strings again. This time, the tune was no longer the scattered syllables as before, but an ancient song "Yi Lan Cao". The melody was clear, but it concealed a sense of loneliness and indomitable spirit.

Xiao Jingche, please save your kindness for those who need your tenderness.

In this life, I, Lu Qinglan, must walk on a single-plank bridge. Beneath the bridge is a bottomless abyss, and at the end of the bridge lies supreme authority.

There is no one to rely on, and... there is no need to rely on anyone.