Looking at the astrological chart that Kongji had written for her, indicating a compatibility with Hongzhou, Lanqin felt this matter truly exceeded her expectations. Holding the chart, she thought she could summon Gengshi to ask if it was indeed hers. But is the wheel of history truly unchangeable?
“Master, you can’t believe everything Master Kongji says.” When Cui Niang saw Lanqin holding the note and not speaking for a long time, she assumed that Lanqin was saddened that she and her own son had a fate that was incompatible.
"Cui Niang, actually I don't really believe in these things about fate," Lan Qin said with a light smile.
"Then why did you ask, Master?" Cui Niang asked, puzzled.
"It's nothing, Cui Niang. Your mistress was just feeling sentimental." Lanqin naturally couldn't tell Cui Niang what was on her mind.
When Fourth Master returned, he asked Lanqin what the monks at Tantuo Temple had said, and whether Hongzhou was missing something in his destiny.
"Master, Hongzhou has recovered much better after a few days of recuperation. In my opinion, it's not a matter of fate; it's just that they didn't take good care of him." This was the first time Lanqin had shifted the blame to the servants below.
"Then punish them! All of them go and get a beating and be fined their monthly wages," Fourth Master said upon hearing Lanqin's words.
"Master, Hongzhou is much better now. After you gave him that beating, who will take care of him? Remember this, I have already reprimanded them, and they will not dare to be careless in the future." Lanqin said, a bead of sweat dripping from the side of her head.
"Alright, remember this. If these servants dare not serve you properly again, I will break their legs and expel them from the manor!" the Fourth Master said coldly.
"Yes, if they dare to be careless again, we will not let them off the hook. Master, the lobsters are hibernating now, and the people who run lobster restaurants all over the country must be coming back. How much silver did you make this time?" Lanqin quickly changed the subject, as this master's domineering aura had recently started to rise again.
"Yes, I've already ordered them to close the restaurant and return to the capital. Qin'er, I really can't believe that a lobster restaurant like this could make so much money and raise a million taels of silver for the court. It's unbelievable," the Fourth Prince exclaimed.
Upon hearing this, Lanqin sighed inwardly: "Indeed, it can make you rich! Whether it's people from ancient times or people from later generations, everyone loves the deliciousness of lobster!"
"This million taels of silver will be used to subsidize the people affected by the disaster, so that they can get through the cold winter safely," Lanqin said with emotion.
"Qin'er, all of this is thanks to you. If it weren't for your idea, how could I have come up with these ideas!" Fourth Master said, embracing Lanqin.
"Then you must remember that I raised a million taels of silver for disaster relief for you. You mustn't be stingy when I need to spend money in the future," Lanqin said playfully.
"Alright, when you need money, I'll give you all the money in the manor. But I can't think of any place where you'll need money," the Fourth Master said, looking down at the young woman.
"I haven't thought of that yet. I'll tell you when I do," Lanqin said.
"Qin'er, last time you said you wanted to distribute these disaster relief funds directly to the affected people, avoiding the exploitation by middlemen officials. Do you have any specific details?" Fourth Master asked.
Lanqin lowered her head and thought for a moment, but she really couldn't come up with a solution.
"First, have officials go down to the front lines to count the number of people affected by the disaster, and then collect the silver one by one according to the number of people. The imperial court will send out inspection teams to conduct inspections incognito. If anyone dares to distribute silver in a way that does not conform to the imperial court's regulations, they will be dismissed and investigated," Lan Qin said.
"But the local people are afraid of retaliation in the future, so they dare not tell the truth!" Fourth Master sighed.
It turns out that ordinary people are the same throughout history, oppressed but afraid to speak the truth! Lanqin sighed, "Then the only solution is to establish a mutual supervision mechanism within the court."
The Fourth Prince nodded and said, "Actually, whenever there is a major disaster, Father Emperor always allocates disaster relief funds, but they are still embezzled by various corrupt officials, which exacerbates the local disaster situation. The bureaucracy is corrupt!"
The fact that the Fourth Prince could express such sentiments reflects a problem felt by every member of the ruling class. Therefore, after ascending the throne, Emperor Yongzheng vigorously punished corruption, and he himself worked exceptionally diligently, ultimately dying young from overwork.
Lanqin thought to herself, "Could I change the Fourth Master's fate? Just like I hold Hongzhou's fate in my hands, am I powerless to change it?"
"My lord, Master Kongji calculated Hongzhou's fate today. I originally planned not to tell you. I wanted to wait and see. But I'm afraid it might harm Hongzhou." Lanqin decided to tell the Fourth Prince after all, he was Hongzhou's father. He had also clearly told her that he truly did not want to lose any more children.
"What's wrong with Hongzhou?" Fourth Master asked, seeing that Lanqin looked very serious. He listened patiently to her continue.
“Master Kongji said that Hongzhou’s birth chart is incompatible with mine,” Lanqin said, frowning. “We must send him to someone whose fate is compatible with his to ensure his lifelong peace.”
"Is that so? How can a mother and her child not get along?" Fourth Master said in disbelief.
"Master Kongji also said that Hongli's destiny is very compatible with mine. I thought, then, wouldn't Hongli and Hongzhou's destinies clash? Is that why Father Emperor took Hongli to the palace to raise him?" Lanqin boldly guessed.
The Fourth Prince frowned. What Lanqin said wasn't entirely impossible. After all, Emperor Kangxi paid close attention to Lanqin's twins, so it wasn't out of the question to have their fates calculated. Moreover, Ji Changming of the Imperial Observatory had been frequently serving the Emperor lately. Could it be that the Emperor had asked him about Hongli and Hongzhou?
"My lord, Hongli is becoming more and more obedient and clever. I really miss him. Hongzhou is also frail and sickly, and I worry about him every day," Lanqin said.
"Would you be willing to send Hongzhou to be raised by someone whose birth chart is compatible with his?" the Fourth Prince said. "I will go and talk to Father Emperor. If that's the case, then send Hongzhou away and bring Hongli back."
Lanqin remained noncommittal; she hesitated, after all, Hongzhou was also her own son, and both were equally dear to her.
"There's no rush. Let's discuss this carefully!" Seeing Lanqin's hesitation, Fourth Master didn't urge her to make a decision.
"Master, let's take another look. Perhaps our thinking isn't correct," Lanqin said finally.
The Fourth Prince nodded, but Lanqin's words did indeed make him suspicious of why Kangxi insisted on bringing Hongli into the palace. He hadn't expected that his twin sons' destinies would be anything extraordinary. Thinking of this, the Fourth Prince decided to go to the palace the next day to ask Ji Changming first, hoping to get some information from him.
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
