Chapter 120 Thinking of Su Jinyue…
Thinking of Su Jinyue, Xiao Yanhui couldn't help but feel a mix of emotions.
She sought out Su Jinyue to use her unique embroidery skills as a key to gaining access to the Empress. Su Jinyue, of course, didn't come without conditions; her request to the Prince Cheng's residence was to overturn the verdict against his father.
Unfortunately, Su Jinyue was ultimately disappointed by her father, who had always held a shining image in his daughter's heart, was wrongfully imprisoned, and murdered. After meeting the old shopkeeper from years ago, the account books she received were not crucial evidence to prove her father's innocence, but rather a series of records detailing his exploitative and corrupt practices.
Su Jinyue's beliefs and perseverance of many years collapsed overnight, but no matter what, her father's suicide in prison back then was indeed not voluntary.
Therefore, her deal with Prince Cheng's mansion changed from exonerating his father to exposing the evidence, so that those behind the scenes who pushed his father out to take the blame back then would also receive the punishment they deserved.
Unfortunately, the Emperor chose to stop short of punishment back then, and he did the same this time. Back then, Su's father stepped forward to take the blame for everything; this time, it's just a matter of throwing out a few more pawns.
After the matter was settled, Su Jinyue asked Xiao Yan to return, and together with the Xiao family's caravan, they returned to Jiangzuo.
She was undoubtedly very disappointed with the outcome, but she had done all she could. The emperor chose to turn a blind eye, so what could a weak woman like her do?
Xiao Yan could tell that Qin Ji was also disappointed. It was disappointment stemming from his failure to suppress his political enemies, as well as disappointment with the emperor and the state of the court.
"I had long suspected this would be the outcome. The old man is now only focused on indulging in his comfortable dream. He doesn't care about the political situation or the state of the world, as long as it doesn't affect his enjoyment of this peaceful and extravagant life."
To be fair, he used me as a pawn quite cleverly. On one hand, he's been providing him with large sums of money, and on the other hand, he's been exchanging accusations with his second and fifth brothers... One day he'll learn that even a move that goes too smoothly can backfire... My presence is still too overwhelming. Yan Hui'er, let's play it safe and put some pressure on the old man..."
Xiao Yan Hui still vividly remembers Qin Ji's indignant ramblings while holding her, after which he vented his emotions and then dragged her along to discuss "schemes and plots" for most of the night.
Since then, the Prince Cheng's Mansion has become increasingly low-key on the surface.
Prince Cheng seemed completely preoccupied with the troublemakers within the Imperial Guards, focusing all his attention there. But Xiao Yan knew that he had actually already subdued the Imperial Guards; his increased busyness was all due to accumulating hidden power.
"Last time I entered the palace, the Empress hinted that the Emperor's health had deteriorated, and if it were this winter..." Once her thoughts became complicated, Xiao Yan Hui lost all interest in painting.
Looking at the stroke of red that almost went wrong, she chose to put down her brush. Continuing would only ruin the painting that was already more than half finished.
"Master, Sijiao comes in to report that Ruibaoju has delivered a new batch of glassware. Would you like to have them brought over for a look?"
Seeing that her mistress had put down her paintbrush with a hint of annoyance, the cat remembered the message that had been sent by the Four Corners earlier, so it stepped forward to report, intending to distract its mistress from her unpleasant mood.
The glassware business has been making more and more money these past few months, and the master is always in a very good mood when he looks at the accounts each month. Besides, each piece of glassware is exquisitely crafted. It's perfect to enjoy them now to lift one's spirits.
As expected, Xiao Yan became interested again when she heard that a new batch of glassware had been delivered.
"Have them bring it over so I can take a look." After washing her hands with a basin of warm, fragrant water handed to her by a maid, Xiao Yan turned back to Mao'er and gave the order.
The servants below acted quickly; in less than the time it takes for an incense stick to burn, eunuchs and maids lined up in two rows and carefully carried over the boxes and chests from the garden pavilion.
Xiao Yan frowned as she looked at it.
When the wind blew by, I took a closer look at the eunuchs and maids who were carrying things downstairs. Several of them seemed to be shivering slightly as they passed by.
Xiao Yan immediately noticed that although their clothes were not exactly thin, they were still not warm enough compared to the temperature today.
She quickly asked, "Granny Wang, have the winter clothes for this year not been distributed yet?"
Granny Wang quickly replied, "Master, two sets of padded clothes were already distributed during the Mid-Autumn Festival. According to the rules of the manor, the winter robes are distributed on the Winter Solstice." Now, there is still nearly a month until the Winter Solstice, so the thick robes have naturally not been distributed yet.
Gently rubbing her slightly cold hands, Xiao Yan looked at the incense burner at the base of the wall, which emitted a warm and gentle fragrance, and asked the person next to her hesitantly, "Is it cold earlier this year than in previous years?"
As the mistress of the Prince's mansion, her daily life, including clothing, food, housing, and transportation, was taken care of perfectly by the servants around her. Whenever there was a change in temperature, thick clothes and heating supplies were prepared silently. Xiao Yan was not sensitive to these changes herself, which is why she asked this question.
"It seems to be colder than in previous years." Zhu Yue and Mao'er exchanged a glance and gave a somewhat uncertain answer.
Although they had suffered hardships in the past, they had been by Xiao Yan Hui's side for many years. As maids serving their master, they were the kind of people who didn't need to worry about getting through the winter, and they hadn't paid much attention to it on a daily basis.
On the contrary, it was Granny Wang who looked worried. After all, she was old enough to know how difficult winter was, and she had suffered a lot after losing her master a few years ago.
After summoning a eunuch with considerable experience in these matters and hearing his confident assertion that this year would inevitably be a cold winter, Xiao Yan sighed, "I shouldn't have boasted to your prince about having some free time lately a few days ago. See, trouble has come."
"That's why we say things can't stand being talked about. It's also because our master is kind and considerate, keeping everyone in this mansion in mind." Cat quickly came over, massaging his shoulders and teasing him.
"Let them move those glasswares to the storeroom first; we don't have time to look at them today."
Xiao Yan waved her hand, signaling the people who had just brought the things to move them back down. She then immediately turned and instructed the steward to come over so she could rearrange the winter arrangements.
......
"Have the sewing workshop rush to finish this year's clothes. If they can't finish in time, go to the Xiao family's shop to make them. In three days, distribute at least one overcoat to everyone in the mansion. This is an extra allowance for this year. On the winter solstice, distribute the clothes according to the normal allowance. Increase the amount of charcoal and other winter supplies by 30% according to the old custom. Send people to thoroughly inspect all the houses in the mansion... Prepare all of these as soon as possible."
After making general arrangements for things at home, he wrote several handwritten letters and had his errand boy deliver them to the stewards outside the mansion, informing them that a small meeting would be held the next day and that they should all come.
Since this winter is very likely to be colder than in previous years, all the shops, workshops, manors and other places under the Prince's Mansion should make plans and prepare for the cold winter. They should also make budgets for things such as replenishing manpower, increasing purchase quotas, and issuing or increasing supplies as needed.
More importantly, the operations of many of the shops and stores below also need to be adjusted.
Xiao Yan was adjusting her winter business plan, but this was her first winter in the capital. Having lived in the southern part of the country, she didn't really have a real understanding of what a cold winter was like.
In reality, the early and long winters in the North are far more brutal than one might imagine.
As a result, those families in the capital who sensed that winter would arrive earlier this year began making preparations for the winter early. Meanwhile, those people in the more northerly regions outside the Great Wall, who live by following the water and grass, naturally also had to prepare for the harsh winter in the face of the early northerly winds.
"Chief, the Guo family sent less this year." The tent was suddenly flung open by a burly man wrapped in a wolfskin coat, and the biting cold wind outside made the dancing girl, who was spinning around, shiver slightly.
But they dared not slack off in their movements in the slightest; those playing music, singing, and dancing all did what they were supposed to do without making a mistake.
“Seri, you’ve come at the right time. There’s some fine wine and beautiful women newly arrived from the south. Come and have a drink with us. Later, you can choose one of these beauties to take back.” Aruda, who was respectfully addressed as the leader, laughed heartily and invited his capable subordinate to drink with him.
"Chief, although those Southern barbarians have provided some wine and women, the grain and weapons they sent this year are less, and the promised high-quality salt has not been delivered. Even with the several towns they were supposed to raid for us, we're afraid we won't have enough grain to get through the winter. We didn't discount the silver we sent this year."
A small burlap sack was roughly thrown to the ground by Sai Li, and a lot of coarse, yellowish-gray particles were spilled from the open opening. Upon closer inspection, it was the most common low-grade coarse salt in the Qi Kingdom.
This time, not only Seri, but also the other men in the tent who had been drinking with the beautiful dancers were also unhappy.
"What is the Guo family trying to do? Everyone says the Southern barbarians are cunning, but they've managed to fool us."
"Winter came so early this year. If supplies are insufficient, the herders and their livestock will have a hard time."
"Have you been living in peace for too long? Don't you know our swords can drink blood?"
"Chief, we shouldn't have negotiated that deal with them this year. The men are full of youthful vigor. If you ask me, wouldn't it be more satisfying to lead our men to wipe out several cities? We'll have everything we need then. For generations, we've never been so patient in buying things from people."
"......"
Seeing the group of angry junior leaders, Aruda simply raised his hand and pressed down, and these burly men, who were originally furious and had bad tempers, all quieted down for a moment.
This alone shows that Aruda, the great chieftain, was highly respected among these people.
"Why is it that all you guys think about is fighting and killing? Sometimes, before resorting to force, we need to learn to use some strategy."
Seeing that everyone below had quieted down, Aruda said this with a smile, then slowly took out the curved knife hanging from his waist, sliced off a piece of fragrant roasted mutton, and put it in his mouth to chew slowly.
While he ate all the mutton, his servants all waited obediently without uttering a word. Aruda nodded after swallowing the meat, clearly very satisfied with his control over the situation.
Then he continued what he hadn't finished saying: "Just like you said, trading with those southern barbarians for money is not our custom. What has been our custom for generations? Whoever is strong can talk, drink, and eat meat."
But those southern barbarians had a point: "To take, you must first give." So this year, the money we spent on buying things wasn't just a little bit; we're going to buy the seven cities of the north. Then, forget about grain, wine, or meat; those wealthy households' granaries will have everything they need. Even the most fashionable glassware in their capital will be smashed one by one! And those pampered young ladies… hahaha!"
Seeing Aruda's confident expression and hearing his highly inflammatory words, the junior leaders below all blushed.
"Aruda, Aruda, Aruda..." In an instant, all the junior leaders started banging on the table and shouting wildly, and the atmosphere became extremely frenzied.
Although Aruda has been in power for less than five years, he has accumulated a great deal of prestige during that time, and can almost be said to command a large following.
"Pass on my order: prepare the troops. Let's go visit our old neighbor." Aruda waved his hand and gave the order.
Then his gaze fell on the dancers and musicians who had been sent as extras: "Dispose of them." With those three light words, their fate was decided.
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