A thousand-weight thread
Xiao Jingche received Lu Qinglan's letter and read it over several times under the lamplight. The handwriting was elegant and the words were sincere. Although she didn't express her opposition directly, the metaphors of "muddy water," "hidden reefs," and "thread ends" clearly expressed her concerns. He was not unaware that the Ministry of Revenue was a dangerous place, but once the arrow was shot, there was no turning back. The success of the grain transport case had greatly increased his reputation and also allowed him to seize the opportunity to pursue the victory. However, Lu Qinglan's reminder was like a bucket of cold water, calming his heated mind a little.
He picked up his pen and wrote back briefly, "You are right. We should proceed step by step." He adopted some of her suggestions and decided to slow down the pace, starting with some marginal accounts to avoid touching the core interest groups too early.
However, even if the tree wishes to be still, the wind will not stop. The Third Prince's family had suffered losses in the grain transport case, so how could they sit idly by and watch Xiao Jingche's hand reach into the Ministry of Revenue? At a court meeting a few days later, an imperial censor stepped forward and impeached the Seventh Prince for "exceeding his authority and interfering in government affairs, disrupting ministry affairs," accusing him of using the guise of an investigation to unite with a faction and suppress dissidents, directly blaming Xiao Jingche for his impure motives.
Xiao Jingche was well prepared and responded calmly. He listed several obvious omissions and irregularities in the Ministry of Revenue's accounts, and spoke in a resounding voice: "Your son is ordered to assist the Ministry of Revenue. If I see anything suspicious, I will investigate it thoroughly. This is my duty. How can I be accused of exceeding my authority? If I remain silent or unable to write down obvious flaws for fear of offending others, wouldn't I be betraying my father's trust and unworthy of the court's salary?"
The two sides exchanged sharp words in the court, neither side giving in. The emperor sat high on the dragon throne, his face solemn, and did not immediately express his position. He simply ordered the impeachment memorial and Xiao Jingche's defense to be kept.
When the news reached the Lu residence, Lu Qinglan was trying on her wedding dress. The intricate, heavy gown, with its phoenix-peony pattern and layers of pearls and gemstones, was almost suffocating. She stared at her beautiful yet unfamiliar self in the mirror, her eyes calm and composed.
"Miss, there's a lot of noise going on upstairs." Fu Yu tidied her skirt while whispering, "I heard the Third Prince's people were saying some very unpleasant things."
Lu Qinglan raised her hand and stroked the cold gold embroidery on the wedding gown. She said calmly, "It's as expected. Your Highness is now the target of public criticism, and we must be more cautious." She paused, "What has Su Yueming been up to lately?"
"It's the same as always, she's close to Miss Liu. However, I've noticed that she seems to be secretly inquiring about the list of your dowry assets and the person who will manage them."
Lu Qinglan raised the corner of his lips in a cold arc: "You have quite an appetite. Let her find out and give her a copy of the list... a revised one." Some baits need to be made attractive enough to catch giant crocodiles in deep water.
With the wedding imminent, the Seventh Prince's palace dispatched maids and maids to teach etiquette and familiarize herself with the procedures. Lu Qinglan cooperated seamlessly, perfectly portraying the shy and expectant young lady about to marry. However, in the middle of the night, when no one was around, she would still review the secret reports sent in from various places and handle the affairs of Yunshang Pavilion and the Shen Chong caravan.
That day, Chen Xing personally visited the Lu residence, ostensibly to deliver a batch of newly arrived, top-quality Suzhou embroidery material for Lu Qinglan to select. After dismissing her attendants, Chen Xing lowered her voice and reported, "Miss, word has come from Boss Shen that people from the Third Prince's Mansion have been contacting several caravans we've partnered with, promising large sums of money in an attempt to steal our supply. Furthermore, there are rumors at the docks that Yunshang Pavilion's goods...are of dubious origin, with some murky connection to the Western Regions."
Lu Qinglan's eyes narrowed. She wasn't afraid of commercial competition, but when it came to the "Western Regions," it wasn't just a simple business war. This was most likely a counterattack from the Third Prince's faction, trying to cut off her financial support or even accuse her of collaborating with the enemy!
"Tell Shen Chong to keep the caravan stable and offer some concessions if necessary. As for the rumors..." Lu Qinglan pondered for a moment, "There's no need to deliberately clarify them, but the accounts of Chen's Grocery Store (Yunshang Pavilion's cover) must be clearer and cleaner. The sources of all goods must be traceable. Also, have Zhao Tieshou pay attention to who is spreading the rumors."
"Yes," Chen Xing agreed, and then took out a small brocade box from her sleeve. "Miss, this is what Boss Shen brought back from the south. He said it's a 'telescope' from overseas that can see very far away. It might be useful to you, Miss."
Lu Qinglan opened the brocade box, revealing an exquisitely crafted brass telescope. She was moved, thinking this item would be extremely useful for deploying troops and surveying terrain. She could find an opportunity to have Wei Linlang pass it on to Wei Zheng, as another favor.
After Chen Xing left, Lu Qinglan fiddled with the telescope alone, her heart aching. The Third Prince's counterattack was swift and fierce, not only in the court but also in the economic sphere, even attempting to connect her to clues from the Western Regions. This showed that he already considered her an important figure in Xiao Jingche's life and wanted to eliminate her as soon as possible.
The road ahead is indeed more difficult and dangerous.
Three days before her wedding, according to etiquette, Lu Qinglan had to go to the palace to express her gratitude and pay her respects to the Empress and the other high-ranking concubines. This was the first time since her rebirth that she officially set foot in the Forbidden City, the city that had swallowed up her past life.
The palace remained just as she remembered, its red walls and golden tiles, its grandeur and majesty. Yet, every carved beam and painted building exuded a suffocating sense of oppression and coldness. She wore the auspicious attire appropriate for a prince's consort, her head bowed as she followed the eunuchs who led the way. Her steps were steady, but her heart felt as if it were immersed in a cold pond.
The Empress's Changchun Palace remained magnificent, warm and fragrant with fragrance. The Empress, seated at the head of the table, was well-maintained, her face kind, and she offered Lu Qinglan many words of encouragement, praising her as "dignified and virtuous, a perfect match for the prince." However, the scrutiny and calculation that flashed through her kind eyes did not escape Lu Qinglan's notice.
The other concubines were also all cheerful and friendly, but their words were full of sharp wit and probing. Especially Consort De (the Third Prince's biological mother), who had given birth to three princes, took Lu Qinglan's hand and sighed with a smile, "The Seventh Prince is truly blessed to have a wife as talented and beautiful as Miss Lu. When Miss Lu marries, please assist His Highness well. The affairs of the court are very complicated. Sometimes, men are too competitive, and we women in the harem need to be more persuasive and advocate harmony."
These words sound caring, but in fact they imply that Xiao Jingche is too radical in the court, and remind Lu Qinglan to "admonish" him.
Lu Qinglan lowered her eyes and replied respectfully: "Your Majesty's teachings are correct. Qinglan will remember this. In the future, I will strictly abide by the code of conduct for women, serve Your Highness wholeheartedly, manage the inner quarters, and will not dare to discuss state affairs." She lowered her attitude very low, only talking about the inner quarters, not the court, which made Concubine De feel like she was punching cotton.
After leaving Changchun Palace, Lu Qinglan's back was already covered in cold sweat. This palace was indeed full of traps, every word a tactic. She took a deep breath and forced herself to calm down. This was just the beginning. From now on, she would step into this place more frequently, dealing with these women with different mindsets.
It was already evening when she returned to the Lu residence. The afterglow of the setting sun stained Hengwu Courtyard with a warm golden hue, but it couldn't dispel the chill in her heart.
Fu Yu helped her take off her heavy headgear and said in a low voice, "Miss, Miss Lin came this afternoon and saw that you were not there, so she left a letter."
Lu Qinglan took the letter and unfolded it. Lin Wanru's handwriting held a rare sharpness. She mentioned that she had been secretly monitoring her father's conversations with his staff and that it seemed the Third Prince was trying to win over several neutral generals, possibly including one of her cousins. She warned Lu Qinglan to be wary of pressure from within the military against the Seventh Prince.
Lu Qinglan held the letter close to the candle and lit it. The information Lin Wanru provided was crucial! If the Third Prince could truly sway some of the generals within the army, it would be a huge threat to Xiao Jingche. She had to deliver this information to Xiao Jingche as quickly as possible, while also trying to consolidate her relationships with border generals like Wei Zheng.
A thread of silk is of heavy weight, and a single hair can move the whole body.
The court, the harem, the economy, the army... every aspect is fraught with danger. She feels like she is walking on a tightrope on the edge of a cliff, surrounded by thick fog and an invisible abyss beneath her feet.
However, her eyes became more determined.
Now that you have chosen this path, there is no turning back.
Only by holding on to every thread in your hand and making careful arrangements can you fight for a chance of survival in this turbulent sea.
The wedding would be another battleground, and she was ready.
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