After Yan Qingqing presented the method for refining fine salt, the emperor began to have a site built so that Yan Qingqing could demonstrate it to them.
In fact, the emperor had a lot of confidence in Yan Qingqing, after all, the major events she had accomplished since being granted the title were all quite impressive.
Yan Qingqing wasn't in a hurry; she would just wait.
However, Xiao Moyan was getting anxious and flustered.
Not only did he fail to be granted the title of prince, but he also gave Xiao Mochen an opportunity to gain favor with the emperor, allowing Yan Qingqing to reap a huge benefit.
Once Yan Qingqing's salt-making methods are successful, the salt taxes and salt officials will be out of his control.
Therefore, Xiao Moyan always had a gloomy face and became even more tyrannical towards the people in the manor.
Xiao Moyan's concubines suffered even more. He vented his anger on them, and for several days in a row, some of them were wrapped in straw mats and secretly carried to the mass grave.
For a time, the women in Xiao Moyan's harem were all in a state of fear. In the end, they sought help from the Crown Prince's Consort.
The Crown Prince's wife is the daughter of the Minister of Personnel. She has been dignified and composed since childhood. Because her father is a high-ranking official in the court, the Crown Prince has some respect for her, but he also finds her too boring and never spends the night at her place.
In the end, the Crown Prince's wife told Consort Yu about it.
After learning of this situation, Consort Yu summoned Xiao Moyan to Xihua Garden.
Seeing Xiao Moyan drunk and unable to open his eyes, Consort Yu was furious and slapped him across the face.
He angrily rebuked, "Look at the state you've become! No wonder your father refused to make you a king. You have no bearing of a prince at all!"
The slap did sober Xiao Moyan up a bit, but he immediately slumped back onto the stool and said, "Yes, I am a useless person."
"Since my father and mother both look down on me, I might as well hand over the position of Crown Prince to Xiao Mochen."
Consort Yu snorted and said, "Look at you, so spineless. You've been defeated by such a small matter. How will you be an emperor and manage such a large court in the future?"
Upon hearing the word "emperor," Xiao Moyan's eyes lit up, but then dimmed again as he said, "With Xiao Mochen around, how could Father Emperor possibly care about his son?"
Since his return to the palace, he has won even more favor from his father, the emperor.
His maternal grandfather guarded the southern border and commanded an army of 300,000.
The 300,000-strong army in the north were grateful for his kindness in escorting the supplies, and the palace guards were his own uncles.
Now, some old fogies in the government have started to support him.
What I have is nothing more than the garrison of the capital and the Yu family.
Once that old woman Yan Qingqing succeeds in making salt, those salt officials will become a bunch of useless people, unable to even embezzle salt taxes.
"Without money, power, or soldiers, how can I compete with Xiao Mochen!"
After listening, Consort Yu sneered and said, "These forces are enough."
Although the Imperial Guards were the emperor's personal guards, how many men could there be?
The garrison in the capital city numbered a full 50,000.
If the Great Yan Dynasty's power is insufficient, we can also rely on the Northern Liang people.
Besides, Pei Zisheng has only been in charge of the Imperial Guards for a short time; how could they possibly be all his men?
Upon hearing this, Xiao Moyan's eyes lit up as he looked at Consort Yu and asked, "Mother, are you connected with Beiliang? Do you have any people in the Imperial Guard?"
"I told you long ago, Mother, you had a trump card. Why didn't you say so sooner? If that's the case, what would I have to fear from Xiao Mochen?"
After saying that, Xiao Moyan laughed twice.
Consort Yu rolled her eyes and said, "These are all the trump cards I have. If I had given them to you earlier, wouldn't you have become even more arrogant?"
"I'm telling you, go back and behave yourself. If you dare cause trouble or bother the people in the manor again, your mother will definitely make you pay."
Xiao Moyan readily agreed, promising not to cause any more trouble, but at the same time he begged Consort Yu to hurry up, because he could hardly stand it anymore.
Consort Yu agreed, because she herself was also about to reach her breaking point with all this humiliation.
She served the emperor for so many years and even had a son who came of age, but in the end, she only managed to become a concubine.
Yu Jin'er has always been proud and arrogant. For so many years, she has been humble and subservient, and she still has to pretend to be domineering, big-breasted, and brainless. It's enough already.
However, this matter cannot be rushed; she needs to plan it carefully. After all, one wrong move could lead to utter ruin.
Meanwhile, on Yan Qingqing's side, Ding Xiu also successfully entered the Imperial Academy under her recommendation.
Ding Xiaopangzi is a cheerful person who can adapt well to any place.
Especially with Li Xiangkang by his side.
Everyone knew they were from Lady Mingzhao's family, and no one in the Imperial Academy dared to look down on them.
Seeing that his son was adapting well, Master Ding felt much more at ease.
A few days later, he bid farewell to Yan Qingqing. Yan Qingqing knew that his family business was in Chengyang County, so she did not try to stop him. She just told him to wait two more days and go back with Li Xiangping so that the two of them would have company on the way.
Li Xiangping is the agricultural official of Chengyang County. It is already difficult for him to be out for so many days. Even if Lord Gao is very lenient, he cannot be away from his post for an extended period of time.
Besides, the village has already been established, which is a good time to conduct scientific research. He hasn't figured out the grafting and hybridization techniques yet, so he has to go back.
Yan Qingqing knew this was Li Xiangping's responsibility, so she asked Yuan Huiniang to pack his things.
Yuan Huiniang had never been separated from Li Xiangping since they got married, so she felt somewhat reluctant to part with him.
But there were more things to do in the capital. Her mother-in-law asked her to help manage the Mingzhao Mansion and take care of her younger sister's pregnancy, so she couldn't leave.
Yan Qingqing could tell what Yuan Huiniang was thinking from her expression. So she said, "Huiniang, if you really can't bear to part with your eldest son, then go back with him."
"With Mu Xi, Yue Niang, and I, we can take care of things here."
Yuan Huiniang quickly explained, "Mother, I didn't. I just haven't been separated from my husband before, and I'm afraid he won't be used to being alone at home."
Upon hearing this, Li Xiangping smiled and said, "Hui Niang, don't worry, I will take good care of myself."
Besides, there are so many servants in the house.
While you're in the capital, you can still help your mother. Your eldest sister's pregnancy and your second sister's marriage both require your attention.
"You should go to the capital and broaden your horizons, make some friends, so you can brag to the villagers when you return to Canghe Town."
Yuan Huiniang listened to Li Xiangping's words and said with a half-smile, "I didn't say I was going back to Canghe Town with you, why are you so nervous?"
How could I not know that doing more work in the capital would help ease my mother's burden?
Or are you saying you can go back home and live a carefree life where no one can control you?
Upon hearing this, Li Xiangping quickly explained in a low voice, "Huiniang, don't talk nonsense, I didn't mean that."
Seeing that the young couple were still bickering, Yan Qingqing quickly stopped them, saying, "Alright, you two stop arguing. I believe we'll all be able to go home soon."
Li Xiangping wanted to go back, so safety was naturally his top priority.
Yan Qingqing sent him twenty secret guards.
Two days later, Li Xiangping and Ding Yuanwai set off back to Canghe Town. Xiao Mochen, upon learning this, personally came to see them off.
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