By the time they arrived in Beijing together, Wu Yanbin had become quite familiar with the siblings Yang Tingzhi and Yang Yutong.
Wu Yanbin also learned their true identities: they were the Second Prince and the Fifth Princess.
This time they returned to Beijing from their maternal grandparents' home to discuss with their maternal grandfather how to proceed in the future.
The Emperor is getting old, but he has been delaying in appointing a Crown Prince. His health is also deteriorating this year, so Consort Shu is getting anxious and wants to discuss the matter with her family.
What they need most right now is money, which is why they thought of Sun Xiaoli, a rising star in the capital. They originally planned to win over the Sun family after returning to the capital, but now it seems that it's better to take action directly.
Wu Yanbin and Sun Xiaoli are still husband and wife, which is the best way to take advantage of each other. Yang Tingzhi seemed to see the Sun family's money overwhelming him and laughed happily.
Xiao Li naturally knew that Wu Yanbin had run away, but it wasn't a big deal. He was just a useless person, and she didn't plan to remarry, so it didn't matter to her.
However, rumors began circulating in the market that Wu Yanbin had run away with his mother and Sun Niangzi's dowry, leaving the poor Sun Niangzi behind.
Everyone sympathized with Xiao Li and cursed Wu Yanbin and his mother as scoundrels, completely ruining their reputations.
Xiao Li devoted herself wholeheartedly to managing her family business, and Sun Zhicheng trusted her completely, entrusting her with the management of the family business.
Over the past three years, Xiao Li has expanded the Sun family's business to various parts of the dynasty, truly becoming the richest person in the dynasty.
Xiao Li's two maids also became her right-hand women, and they had long been managing several areas on their own, greatly reducing Xiao Li's workload.
Xiao Li secretly made connections with the emperor, becoming his personal treasury. Of course, her martial prowess also brought benefits and protection to the Sun family.
The Sun family had already moved from Yancheng to the capital.
Inside a manor lived the entire Sun family. The largest and best courtyard belonged to Sun Zhicheng and Liang Shi, while Xiao Li lived in the courtyard next door.
At this moment, a pale-faced, beardless man arrived at the manor. His high-pitched voice made it clear that he was a eunuch.
“Master Sun, we are here on the orders of the Second Prince to borrow money. We have heard that the Sun family owns three restaurants in the capital. The Second Prince will naturally take good care of us.”
Sun Zhicheng looked distressed. It was not easy to offend the royal family. However, the money was borrowed and never returned. It was fine once or twice, but if it became a habit and every prince came, wouldn't the Sun family become the royal family's private treasury?
Xiao Li played with a jade pendant. "I heard that the Second Prince just returned from Yuncheng. Why would he come to my Sun family? Besides, how could a prince like him be interested in such a small amount of money from my Sun family?"
"Who are you, little eunuch? How dare you cause trouble using the prince's name? Believe me or not, I'll report you to the Minister of the Court of Judicial Review!"
The young eunuch was about to continue speaking when he turned his head and saw the jade pendant in Xiao Li's hand. He was so frightened that he couldn't speak.
"I...I...I'm sorry, I was blind. I'll be leaving now!"
After saying that, he ran away as if his pants were on fire.
Sun Zhicheng looked on blankly, wondering what was going on.
"Father, if any eunuchs come in the future, don't be afraid. Just take this jade pendant, and they won't dare to come again."
Xiao Li placed the jade pendant into Sun Zhicheng's hand.
"Goodness, what's going on?"
"It's nothing. This is the emperor's jade pendant. He's lucky he ran fast, otherwise I would definitely have sent him to jail."
Sun Zhicheng was so frightened that his hand trembled and he almost dropped the jade pendant, which gave him a cold sweat.
"Ah...this needs to be enshrined. I'll go set up an altar right now!"
Xiao Li touched her nose and let him be.
Liang was holding a one-year-old boy, Xiao Li's younger brother. Two years ago, Xiao Li helped Liang improve her health, and unexpectedly she became pregnant and gave birth to Sun Jinyu.
Although they had a son, Sun Zhicheng and Liang Shi still loved Xiaoli very much and put her first.
"My dear daughter, how did you obtain the jade pendant? It's not something you can just get anytime."
Xiao Li said proudly, "Mother, don't you know my abilities? I can scale walls and leap across rooftops without batting an eye. I've gained the emperor's favor, and he gave this to us."
"That's good. Don't take any risks. Our family has plenty of money. If things really don't work out, we can always go back to Yancheng. That would be fine too."
"I know, Mom. I will take good care of myself. Don't worry."
"good."
Xiao Li took her little brother, a chubby little dumpling, even cuter than Xiao Jiu.
That evening, Xiao Li went to the Second Prince's residence. Yang Tingzhi had already gotten married and moved out of the palace, and had been granted the title of Prince Ping by the emperor.
This actually shows that the emperor did not favor him.
"Your Highness, we can't wait any longer. I've heard that His Majesty's health is failing, and he might issue an imperial edict any day now, at which point it will be too late to save him."
Yang Tingzhi thought about it for a moment. This was indeed a difficult problem. He was not ready yet, and recruiting soldiers was not something that could be done in a short time.
Several key figures in the city have not yet been bribed, and most importantly, the money has not yet arrived.
"Your Highness, we have already taken control of the Imperial Guards, which gives us a 60% chance of success. With the addition of your maternal grandfather's influence, this is extremely feasible."
"Yes, Your Highness, things could get complicated if we wait too long!"
"Your Highness..."
The advisors all agreed to force the emperor to abdicate, and Yang Tingzhi also began to waver. In addition, the return of the eunuch who went to Sun's residence in the afternoon indicated that the emperor already knew about the matter.
I might be held accountable tomorrow. That despicable Sun family has actually sided with the Emperor. Once this is done, I'll make them pay!
"Alright! We'll meet at the palace gate at 3:45 tonight. With Mother's help from within and without, we'll take it down in one fell swoop."
"Good, success is assured!"
"A resounding victory!"
Looking at the farce before her, Xiao Li found it laughable. Trying to force a coup with such paltry sums of money was a foolproof plan. It was probably just that their blind faith had made them overconfident.
Xiao Li quietly left for the palace, leaving a letter for the emperor informing him of the matter. As for what the emperor would do next, that was none of her concern.
That night, the capital was ablaze with fire, and the commotion outside was immense. Ordinary people kept their doors tightly shut, not daring to step out.
The next morning, rumors spread that the Second Prince's attempt to force the emperor to abdicate had failed and he had been sent to guard the imperial mausoleum, along with Consort Shu and the Fifth Princess, who were banished to the Cold Palace.
Consort Shu's family was not spared either; they were exiled to the Northwest and followed the path of her ancestors.
On the day of their departure, Xiao Li gave the prison warden a large sum of money; the fate of these people was predictable.
When Wu Yanbin heard this news at the teahouse, he was so angry that he broke his chopsticks. The Second Prince was really too stupid. He was so eager for quick success and instant benefits. He hadn't even gotten his hands on the Sun family's property yet, and he was already making his move.
Since that's the case, he has no choice but to give them up. It's a pity to waste such powerful figures. He wonders if the Fourth Prince and the Fifth Prince can be of use to him.
After investigation, it was found that the fourth prince was too cunning. He was still alive and well by the side of the empress, and he was even as close as brothers with the third prince. If he was not innocent, he was insidious.
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com