“Father,” Xiao Chengjing raised his head, his voice not loud, but carrying an undeniable firmness, “the matter in Jiangnan involves a wide range of issues, and is probably not a single case. Salt administration, grain transport, civil unrest, and may even involve collusion between local powerful families and certain forces in the capital.”
My third brother is exceptionally talented, but lacks experience. This trip is extremely risky, and I fear there may be oversights.
He paused, ignoring his third brother's instantly grim expression, and continued, "As the Crown Prince, I have an inescapable duty. Such matters, which shake the foundations of the nation and wreak havoc on the people's livelihood, I am willing to personally go to Jiangnan to thoroughly investigate! Firstly, as the Crown Prince, I can deter the villains and demonstrate the court's determination; secondly, the overall coordination and dispatch will be more direct, avoiding the inconvenience of information back and forth between the capital and Jiangnan; thirdly..." He looked intently at the Emperor, "While in Jiangnan, I also have important matters that require my personal attention."
The last sentence, though vague, carries immense weight.
A sharp glint flashed in Emperor Xiao Che's eyes. The Crown Prince was usually very composed and rarely volunteered to take such a dangerous risk.
Important matters in Jiangnan? What important matters could make him abandon his central position in the capital and go there personally? Considering the strangeness of the previous palace banquet and the "serious illness" of the Shen family's daughter... the emperor had a vague guess in his heart.
He gave Xiao Chengjing a deep look and remained silent for a moment.
“What the Crown Prince says makes sense,” the Emperor said slowly. “The Crown Prince’s personal presence certainly demonstrates the court’s importance. Very well, the Crown Prince shall be fully responsible for the affairs of Jiangnan. With the token bestowed by me, he shall control the civil and military officials of Jiangnan, thoroughly investigate the long-standing problems, appease the people, and quell the chaos! Third Prince,” he turned to Xiao Chengyu, whose face was ashen, “you shall remain in the capital to assist me in handling daily affairs. During the Crown Prince’s absence from the capital, you must be even more diligent.”
"Your subject... obeys the decree." Xiao Chengyu gritted his teeth and agreed, his gaze towards Xiao Chengjing filled with resentment and inquiry.
Xiao Chengjing's face was ashen as he bowed and accepted the order: "Your subject will certainly not fail Your Majesty's trust!" But his heart was already racing, yearning to fly to Jiangnan immediately. Shen Yuewei, wait for me!
---
Jiangnan
Under Shen Yuewei's deliberate management, life seemed to have truly returned to peace. Her daily routine was extremely regular.
In the early morning, he took his personal maid Chun Tao to his family's "Yun Jin Xuan" silk shop.
The shop wasn't large, but it was tastefully decorated. She didn't actually run the business; she mostly sat in the back private room, listening to the manager's reports, flipping through the ledgers, and selecting the latest fabric patterns. Occasionally, she would also take a look around the front hall.
"Greetings, Miss Shen." A wealthy merchant's wife, who was a regular customer, greeted her with a smile. "My daughter loved the 'Sky Blue After Rain' embroidery that you picked out last time. Now she's asked me to come and see if we have any new Suzhou embroidery fan paintings."
"Madam Li, you're too kind," Shen Yuewei replied with a slight smile, her demeanor dignified. "A new batch of double-sided embroidered fans has arrived; the craftsmanship is exquisite. Chuntao, take Madam Li to choose some." Her speech and actions were impeccable, befitting a young lady from a once-wealthy family who, despite her family's decline, still maintained excellent manners and managed her ancestral property in Jiangnan. No one would associate her with the eldest daughter of the Shen family in the capital, embroiled in palace secrets.
In the afternoons, she often went to the renowned "Listening to the Rain Teahouse" in the city. She would ask for a private seat by the river, order a pot of Biluochun tea, and a few exquisite snacks. Sometimes she would meet up with a few newly acquainted ladies from respectable families or widows of literati to appreciate paintings, sip tea, and discuss poetry, songs, and local customs. More often than not, however, she was alone.
Outside the window, small boats with awnings glided by on the river. Shen Yuewei's gaze seemed to be fixed on the shimmering water, but her thoughts had already drifted far away.
"Young lady, please try this freshly made lotus root starch and osmanthus cake. It's sweet but not cloying." Chun Tao pushed the pastry in front of her and broke the silence in a low voice, "You seem to be lost in thought again today."
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