Su Peisheng immediately fell silent.
The master and servant strolled leisurely toward the river, while someone followed them at a leisurely pace.
Fourth Master said he was going to check out the river, and he really did. On the way back, Fourth Master looked at the muddy footprints by the river and let out a soft "sigh".
Su Peisheng lowered his head, unable to suppress a laugh in his heart.
The wealthy families of Jiangnan really can't stay put, it's just a pity... their plans are going to fall through.
This is a trick by our master to lure us away from our prey.
The real show is just beginning.
"Su Peisheng, did you bring rain gear with you today?" Fourth Master suddenly spoke up.
Su Peisheng subconsciously shook his head, not quite understanding why his master would suddenly ask such a question. By the time he realized what was happening, Fourth Master had already disappeared.
Then... it started to rain.
Goodness, another day of getting soaked to the bone.
...
For more than half a month, the Fourth Prince took Su Peisheng and several guards to stroll around the river. He spent several days inspecting the severely damaged areas.
This has made some people...feel uneasy.
Soon, a powerful clan proposed repairing the riverbed, fearing unforeseen events during the rainy season.
The implication was that they wanted the imperial court to provide the funds.
Fourth Master neither agreed nor objected, but simply gave the person who brought it up a meaningful look before continuing to check on the river every day.
The Jiangnan region, known as the land of fish and rice, is so wealthy that it's no exaggeration to say it's overflowing with riches. The prominent families of Jiangnan hold sway over the region's prosperity.
Every year, Jiangnan sends a considerable amount of tribute to the imperial court, but unfortunately, it amounts to less than one-fifth of Jiangnan's annual harvest.
The Emperor had long intended to rectify this situation. This trip to Jiangnan was merely a warning to certain people not to squander the last bit of His Majesty's favor.
The Emperor values benevolence and filial piety, but how much of it is truly benevolence and filial piety is clear to any discerning person.
It's all just for show. If the Cao family knows what's good for them, they can still stand strong a hundred years from now. But if they're too greedy, there are plenty of cautionary tales to tell.
Su Peisheng, eyes downcast and focused on his own thoughts, said, "Sir, it's almost the end of June, we... it's time to return to the capital..."
Fourth Master looked down at the bustling traffic below and said, "No rush. Pack your things first. We'll be heading back to the capital soon."
On the fifth day of the seventh lunar month, the Cao family finally stepped forward, saying they were willing to share the burden of the imperial court and would personally fund the repair of the river.
The Fourth Prince actually had a backup plan, but news came from the capital that Lady Zhangjia was doomed. The Thirteenth Prince had never been favored by the Emperor, and who knew what those people in the Imperial Household Department would do.
He then wrote a memorial overnight, and after receiving Emperor Kangxi's approval, he hurried back to the capital. As for the remaining details of the Jiangnan matter, he entrusted them to the Third Prince.
It's a pity that despite Fourth Master's hard work, all the credit went to Third Master.
However, Fourth Master didn't care at all, because he had already obtained the most crucial step and the most important thing from his trip to Jiangnan.
It's time to seize this lucrative opportunity with the Cao family.
...
Inside the palace, at Yonghe Palace.
"Why are you in such a hurry to come back? It's not that your mother cares about the reward, it's just that your third brother got the benefit for nothing..." Consort De rambled on as she straightened the clothes of the Fourth Prince.
The Fourth Prince chuckled: "Mother, the reward isn't for this one."
Consort De scolded playfully, "Have you forgotten what your mother told you before you left?"
This trip to Jiangnan was originally intended to give the fourth prince a legitimate reason to serve, as the emperor had taken a liking to him. Now, the third prince has reaped all the credit…
That makes no sense.
How come the fourth brother is still confused after going to Jiangnan?
The mother and son were talking and lost track of time when Consort De invited the Fourth Prince to stay for lunch.
In the house.
During the two months that the Fourth Master was away, the manor was relatively peaceful. However, Li Chenjiao caught a cold when she returned on the evening of the Dragon Boat Festival.
It took more than half a month to fully recover.
However, during Li Chen's pampered days, he heard a lot of gossip, such as how the Third Prince's wife beat up Zhao Jia, who was about to become a concubine, and made Zhao Jia bleed. Oh, Zhao Jia was already pregnant, and it was said that she was already five months pregnant at the time.
Then, in a fit of anger, the Third Prince also got into a fight with his wife, Lady Dong'e. Well, the Third Prince was scratched by his wife.
Finally, Emperor Kangxi intervened and punished the Third Prince's wife, Dong E, while Zhao Jia was betrothed to a secondary prince's wife ahead of schedule, even though the original date was set for December of this year.
This is really...
Then there's the Fifth Prince's residence. The Fifth Prince's wife is incredibly virtuous and generous; she arranged for the Fifth Prince to take in three beautiful concubines.
Hiss, Fifth Master has always been fond of beautiful women, and he already has quite a few in his harem. Now, three stunning beauties have arrived—won't they start fighting?
Well, I heard that the Fifth Prince hasn't been to the palace for several days in a row, and that his wife is spending a lot of money to find some nourishing tonics.
I know everything I need to know.
Looking at it this way, among the brothers, Fourth Master's backyard is the most peaceful. But how much of it is truly peaceful is anyone's guess.
The first troublemaker, the one stirring up trouble and gossiping, should be Dan Gui.
In the past two months, he has come more than ten times, but Bai Jiashi seems to have never seen him.
And here comes the osmanthus again.
Li Chenjiao peeled peanuts, her slender waist twisting slightly, her phoenix eyes arching upwards: "What did she say this time?"
Qiu Ci's expression was not good, probably because she was angry with Dan Gui: "A few days ago she was still somewhat well-behaved, but today she just tried to barge in. Luckily, Xiao Luzi stopped her."
Li Chen chuckled, imagining the scene for a moment before saying, "She really thinks I'm an easy target?"
Actually, Dan Gui doesn't come here to do anything. At first, she wanted to incite Li Chenjiao and Bai Jia to quarrel, but Li Chenjiao wouldn't even see her, so Dan Gui changed her mind and now comes to make trouble every day.
Li Chenjiao didn't believe that the Fujin (principal wife) was unaware of this and was simply turning a blind eye.
Li Chenjiao suddenly asked, "Has Dangui been to the Song family's place?"
Qiu Ci thought for a moment and replied, "I think I've been there two or three times, but I heard that Princess Song met with me."
Li Chenjiao then asked, "Has Bai Jiashi gotten a new maid to serve her?"
Qiu Ci nodded: "Yes, it is Ju Xiang from the manor, originally from the needlework room."
Li Chenjiao peeled the red skins of peanuts with her delicate, spring-onion-like hands, but a thought suddenly popped into her mind: "Dan Gui... is she probably no longer a member of the Baijia family?"
Qiu Ci looked at Li Chenjiao, puzzled.
Li Chenjiao spent a long time peeling peanuts, picked one up and tasted it, then slowly uttered two words: "Song family!"
But Li Chenjiao felt something was off, like something was not quite right.
But Li Chenjiao couldn't figure it out for the time being, so she didn't think about it too much and asked Qiu Ci, "I heard that Fourth Master is coming back in the next couple of days?"
Qiu Ci nodded slightly.
Li Chenjiao continued peeling peanuts: "That's good. If Dangui comes again tomorrow, let her come in."
The reason for delaying the handling of Dan Gui is that the Fourth Prince is not present. If she were dealt with, the Princess Consort would inevitably cause trouble. However, with the Fourth Prince present, the Princess Consort dares not show favoritism.
etc!
Bias?
If... Dan Gui isn't a member of the Song family...
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