Chapter 118 The Imperial Grandson, Palace Banquet.
Lin Xin remained behind closed doors awaiting punishment, but before the punishment was issued, An Zi returned first.
His trip to Suzhou went smoothly. The headquarters of the merchant guild was quite alarmed when they learned of Bai Quan's accident. Among the merchants, there were quite a few who had ulterior motives and planned to take advantage of the situation. However, when the family retainer who accompanied him revealed his identity, those few people realized that they had such a powerful backer. They were startled again, and their restless hands immediately withdrew. They obediently cooperated with Anzi and handed over the accounts.
Xu Rong listened to what he said and kept it in mind, but didn't react much to the rest. After all, she wasn't familiar with the situation in Suzhou yet. As long as she could keep those people in check for now, that would be enough. Once Bai Quan was rescued, he would handle the rest.
Having obtained the accounts, she summoned her brother, Hongliu.
Brother Hongliu fled thousands of miles with them last year and gained a lot of experience. Now he works as a steward in the outer courtyard of the mansion. Compared to other mansions, he is rare for his age. So he is enthusiastic and hardworking, and manages the dozen or so newly purchased servants under his command well.
Hearing that Xu Rong had recently assigned him an important task, he readily agreed: "Grandma, just tell me what you need me to do."
"Going on long trips is a bit dangerous."
Brother Hongliu wasn't afraid: "When I was going through hardships with my grandma, those arrows would whiz past my ears. No matter how dangerous it was, it was nothing special."
Xu Rong smiled and said, "Okay."
He told him his plan one by one, which could be summarized in four words: pay to ransom the person.
Brother Hongliu stuck out his tongue upon hearing this: "Wow, isn't this almost like a kidnapping by bandits?"
Xu Rong nodded, "It's really not bad."
Now, the money is ready, and the person is clearly there; the only thing we're unsure about is Prince Qing's temperament.
“Your Highness is of noble birth, so it’s unlikely you would act like a kidnapper and kill your hostage. But noble people are unpredictable. They might not care about the money, or they might take the money but still not release the hostage.” Xu Rong analyzed for him. “You need to figure out the right balance and how to handle it yourself. The only thing I can teach you is to prioritize your life. You can earn money again, but you only have one life.”
Brother Hongliu nodded repeatedly: "Now that Grandma says so, I understand."
Who wouldn't want to serve a master who cherishes their life? He was full of enthusiasm and assured, "Grandma, don't worry, I will do my best to bring Brother Baiquan back."
“This is one thing, and here’s another,” Xu Rong said. “After you arrive in Pingliang, pay attention to the situation of the local farmland and farmers, and have someone report back as soon as possible.”
Lin Xin knew that his brother Hongliu knew about the memorial he had submitted—Lin Ding had scolded Lü Boming at home, and he also knew why Xu Rong had given this order, so he quickly nodded again: "Yes."
Xu Rong dismissed him, saying, "Alright, go pack your things and have a good talk with Anzi. Ask him if you have any questions. You can set off in three days."
Brother Hongliu agreed and went downstairs.
Without mentioning how busy he was with packing, the very next day, Xu Rong received news that Lü Boming and Xiao Shan were officially engaged.
The engagement ceremony has been completed so quickly. The traditional six rites have actually been simplified. However, it is said that he has already received his parents' approval in a letter, so it is not considered a breach of etiquette. It is normal for a widower who has passed the imperial examination and needs a wife to manage the household affairs, and for an unmarried girl who is considered old in this era, to speed up the wedding.
The more he received numerous official appointments, the more neglected Lin Xin's household seemed.
It's no wonder that a top scholar who just entered the workforce has been relegated to a lowly position, causing people to sigh at his unsuccessful career.
So what if you have a powerful background? There are rules in officialdom.
Before he knew it, Lin Xin had been at home for eight days. He didn't wait for any punishment or for the Hanlin Academy to summon him back. According to Yue Hanlin, the reason for the delay was that the cabinet was deadlocked. Some thought the case should be closed based on the prefect's defense, while others, whether they had heard rumors about the prefect's character or not, thought that an imperial envoy should be sent to investigate. When the disaster situation became uncertain, the efficiency of the ministers also decreased.
After all, with such a vast territory, there are countless major and minor events happening every day, so the incident in Pingliang is nothing special when it's caught up in it.
The cabinet was too busy to attend to other matters, and with the arrival of a joyous occasion, the emperor's attention was temporarily diverted.
The Crown Princess gave birth to a son last month after the imperial examination results were announced. Now that he has been a month old, the palace will hold a grand celebration banquet.
This was the most authentic eldest grandson whom the Emperor had longed for for many years. He had already informed his officials, but due to his excessive caution and anticipation, he waited until the grandson was a month old and looked plump and healthy before officially issuing a document to announce it to the people of the world. At the same time, he summoned his officials to celebrate together.
The Emperor held a banquet in the main hall of the outer court, while the Empress held a banquet in the inner palace. The Crown Princess, who had just finished her postpartum confinement, also summoned some close female relatives from the Eastern Palace to have a chat.
Xu Rong received the Crown Princess's decree. Therefore, she was actually busier than Lin Xin—Lin Xin, as one of the relatively new top three scholars, could have had a place in the main hall, but because he was staying at home, officially it was for self-reflection, and he couldn't even go to the government offices, let alone such occasions.
Lin Ding was somewhat dejected because of this. He could have gone, but his son had sent Ginseng to stay at home, so he couldn't show his face. This diminished his prestige by more than half, which was even more painful than if he couldn't go at all.
Xu Rong calmed down: Because of the promise made to the Xiao family, Madam Wei had been feigning illness and had not left the house except for the day she went to see Lin Xin parade through the streets on horseback. Therefore, according to the imperial decree, she was among those invited, but she could not go. Since neither she nor Lin Xin were going, Xu Rong had no reason to go out with her father-in-law, Lin Ding, so she could not go either. Under these circumstances, the Crown Princess specially summoned her. While there was certainly the relationship between Xu Huazhang and Luo Yanfeng, thinking deeper, it was also partly due to Lin Xin.
He was unable to attend the formal banquet, but his wife continued to enter and leave the palace as usual; discerning people could naturally see the underlying trend.
When Xu Rong and Lin Xin discussed this matter, Lin Ding overheard it and was overjoyed. He was no longer depressed, so Xu Rong asked him to borrow a few more servants. Without even asking what they were for, he readily agreed.
After dismissing his brother Hongliu and his entourage, Xu Rong went to the banquet.
Having been here for so long and possessing a relatively high status, this was still her first time entering the forbidden palace of the imperial city.
This shows that the emperor's power was truly immense, and it was not just empty talk.
Xu Rong didn't feel much awe, because she had been here before before she transmigrated.
This place later became a popular tourist attraction. When Xu Rong went there, he saw the most people he had ever seen and heard the most different dialects. Forget about awe or nostalgic thoughts; being there was like being in a super-large market.
That said, there were many banquets held throughout the palace today, and quite a few people attended, but it was much quieter.
Led by palace attendants, Xu Rong walked quietly along the high palace path.
It wasn't until they entered the palace of the East Palace that things became a little more lively—Xu Rong could hear Luo Yanfeng's laughter even before entering.
"Big sister, look, he's smiling at me! Haha, he doesn't have a single tooth!"
After hearing what the Crown Princess said, Luo Yanfeng laughed again: "That's right, he hasn't grown any teeth yet."
After a palace servant announced her entry, Xu Rong was able to enter and heard the Crown Princess's voice: "You're about to get married, why aren't you more composed? What will become of you when you get to your husband's family?"
Xu Rong smiled upon hearing this. Xu Huazhang and Luo Yanfeng had already completed their engagement ceremony, and the wedding date was set for June, which was indeed coming soon.
Luo Yanfeng saw her at this moment, blushed immediately, stood up, and seemed a little nervous: "Sister Xu."
The Crown Princess, sitting on the kang (heated brick bed) beside the rocking bed, laughed: "Well, so you do know how to be ashamed after all."
"Big sister!" Luo Yanfeng called out insistently.
Xu Rong stepped forward and bowed. After listening to the Crown Princess and Luo Yanfeng chat for a few more minutes, she learned that the Crown Princess had only invited her younger sister from her maternal family and herself to come. Originally, Madam Luo should have come as well, but she had caught a cold and was afraid of passing it on to the young prince, so she dared not come. Only Luo Yanfeng came.
"This little one is still quite frail; I'm afraid he might get bumped by too many people," the Crown Princess said kindly to Xu Rong. She then ordered a palace maid to find Xu Rong a seat and added, "Therefore, His Majesty has decreed that no outsiders should be allowed to come here."
Xu Rong paused in his sitting position, understanding her unspoken meaning—that her summons was approved by the Emperor.
The direction she had been guessing became clear: the Crown Princess did not interfere in politics, but the Emperor's words and actions could not possibly be unrelated to court affairs.
She calmed down, smiled and bowed: "Your Majesty is just and benevolent, and your humble servant is deeply grateful for Your Majesty's grace."
The Crown Princess knew she understood, so she smiled and beckoned her over to see the little prince.
Luo Yanfeng suggested, "Big sister, let Sister Xu give you a hug."
The little prince was not to be given away easily. Luo Yanfeng had her own subtle idea: the Crown Princess had been struggling to conceive for many years, and now she was finally pregnant, and it was a boy at that, but Xu Rong still hadn't shown any signs of pregnancy.
The elders all say that holding a newborn baby can bring you the good fortune of pregnancy.
The Crown Princess also introduced a doctor to Xu Rong, and Xu Rong immediately understood the situation. Since Xu Rong was practically replicating her own post-marital path, she felt a strong sense of empathy and thus agreed: "Okay."
Xu Rong: "..."
She didn't actually mean it that way, but it wouldn't be polite to refuse. So the wet nurse came over and took the little prince, wrapped in a yellow silk quilt, out of the cradle. Xu Rong carefully took him into her arms, hugged his precious little body for a moment, and then quickly returned the quilt to him.
"His Highness the Imperial Grandson is truly a man of dragon-like bearing and phoenix-like grace." After holding the chubby baby, she tactfully praised him.
Although it was clearly flattery, the Crown Princess still looked pleased. No parent doesn't love to hear compliments about their child, especially since this child was so hard-won.
She spoke a few more words about the young prince, then casually remarked, "Don't rush things at home. Once the banquet is over, things will naturally become clear."
This clearly refers to Lin Xin's matter. The full moon banquet for the imperial grandson is a joyous occasion celebrated by all under heaven. Events like Pingliang, which are considered unlucky, were postponed for this reason. However, the word "understand" indicates that the emperor is more inclined to send an imperial envoy to investigate.
Xu Rong felt more confident and thanked her, saying, "Yes, thank you for your comfort, Your Majesty—"
Before he could finish speaking, a palace servant rushed in.
"Your Majesty, something has happened in the main hall."
The Crown Princess turned her head in surprise: "What?"
“The magistrate of Pingliang sent a clerk who knocked on the palace gates to report that Pingliang had not received rain for a whole month, and with the summer harvest just around the corner, the entire territory was barren!”
The Crown Princess suddenly stood up.
"..." Xu Rong also stood up.
It seems she doesn't need to wait for Brother Hongliu's reply anymore.
But it was just said to be unlucky—
This is truly a case of what you fear most coming to pass; it's a real stroke of bad luck.
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