Each showing his magical powers
Prince An's death, like an autumn rain, washed away the surface dust but only revealed the underlying filth. At court, Xiao Jingche, under the pretext of purging Prince An's remnants, vigorously promoted Han Mingyuan and other humble scholars with no foundation. These men, grateful for the emperor's favor, obeyed his orders, quickly filling the power vacuum left by the retreat of the old forces. Simultaneously, he promoted and demoted important officials like Wei Zheng, who had ties to Lu Qinglan, and launched a covert investigation into businesses associated with Lingfeng Pavilion, using ruthless and ruthless tactics.
The discord between the emperor and the empress has spread from the harem to the former dynasty and is a known "secret" to everyone.
Inside Kunning Palace, however, the atmosphere was unusually calm. Lu Qinglan seemed oblivious to Xiao Jingche's various actions. She even took the initiative to hand over some of the six palace affairs to the Ministry of Internal Affairs, retaining only the personnel management rights for Mingde Hall and Kunning Palace itself, maintaining a very low profile.
However, beneath this appearance of weakness lies a more meticulous and far-reaching layout.
"Your Majesty, Chen Xing has sent news that His Majesty's men are secretly investigating the details of Yufenghao and several other grain stores, especially their financial transactions." Fu Yu reported in a low voice, with worry between his brows.
"Let them investigate." Lu Qinglan was copying a landscape painting by a famous figure from the previous dynasty, his brushstrokes steady and unperturbed. "Yufeng's accounts were cleaned several times through Shen Chong's overseas trade routes months ago. As for the other companies, they weren't closely connected to us, so we can't find anything."
She had long anticipated that Xiao Jingche would start from this point. Over the years, under Shen Chong's operation, Lingfeng Pavilion's core assets had long been broken down into small pieces, circulated through complex overseas trade and industries spread across the country. The few businesses on the surface were just the tip of the iceberg.
"Tell Chen Xing to give away 30% of the shares in our silk weaving workshop in Jiangnan to several local gentry who are related to Master Yang's disciples. Remember, make it seem like they are taking advantage of the situation and demanding it by force." Lu Qinglan put down his pen and gave a light instruction.
Fu Yu was stunned for a moment, then suddenly realized. The Empress was voluntarily giving up some of her interests, paralyzing her opponents while also drawing these local tyrants aboard. At the very least, it would prevent them from becoming enemies for the time being. After all, who would want to go against their own money?
"I understand!"
"What about Zhao Tieshou?" Lu Qinglan asked again. Although the connection with Prince An was broken, she had not given up on tracking down that hidden force.
"Master Zhao, following the Empress's instructions, has stopped investigating Prince An's past and is now focusing on Concubine Xian's maternal family and... several young officials who have had close interactions with Editor Han," Fu Yu replied. "We haven't found anything special yet. However, while Concubine Xian's maternal family has been investigated, their in-laws and former friends still maintain influence in the local area, and there seem to be some unusual movements recently."
"You're just a clown, don't bother with it." Lu Qinglan said indifferently. After this blow, Concubine Xian's line was no longer a force to be reckoned with. The real threat was always "Ninth Brother," who could manipulate Prince An, even Concubine De and the Fifth Prince into mere pawns.
What she needed now was time and patience. In a sense, Xiao Jingche's suppression was also a cover, making everyone think that she, the queen, had lost power, which made it easier for her to act in secret.
That day, the Mingde Hall was filled with the sound of reading. Lu Qinglan had come personally, under the pretext of examining the students' homework. She appeared to be casually flipping through the palace maids' calligraphy and math homework, but her gaze scanned each one sharply. Several maids stood out, their handwriting not only neat but also their understanding of accounting.
"What's your name? Who else is in your family?" She stopped in front of a palace maid with delicate eyebrows and lively eyes and asked gently.
The maid quickly knelt down, her voice clear but with a hint of nervousness: "Your Majesty, my name is Qingdai, and I have no relatives at home..."
Lu Qinglan remembered Qingdai, who was one of the orphans that Chen Xing had found in Jiangnan. She had a clean background and had been doing needlework in the Shangyi Bureau after entering the palace. She was selected into Mingde Hall because of her exquisite craftsmanship.
"Get up." Lu Qinglan gave him a light support. "Your handwriting is good, and your accounts are clear. From now on, you will be transferred to the Kunning Palace study to serve as a clerk."
Surprise flashed in Qingdai's eyes, and she quickly kowtowed in gratitude. The surrounding palace maids all cast envious glances. Unbeknownst to them, this seemingly ordinary promotion was actually Lu Qinglan placing another pawn closer to the center of power. While serving in the study, handling pens and ink, might seem like a leisurely task, it actually afforded access to crucial information about the correspondence.
Meanwhile, the power struggle within the previous dynasty continued unabated. Han Mingyuan and others, promoted by Xiao Jingche, were loyal but lacked practical experience. Their efforts to implement the new policies were met with repeated setbacks, resulting in numerous absurdities and the veiled ridicule of the old guard. Meanwhile, local officials and merchants, secretly supported by Lu Qinglan through Lingfeng Pavilion, capitalized on their agility and ample funds, navigating the new policies like a duck to water. Not only did they achieve outstanding results, they also earned the respect of the people, effectively weakening the influence of Han Mingyuan and his colleagues.
Xiao Jingche noticed this subtle change, but he couldn't find the root cause for a while. He relied more and more on the secret guards and spies around him, and the surveillance of court officials became more and more strict. The entire court was shrouded in a cloud of suspicion.
That night, Xiao Jingche sat alone in the Qianqing Palace, his desk piled high with memorials, his heart aching with anxiety. He found that although he held supreme power, he seemed trapped in an invisible net. Whenever he tried to act, an invisible force would either hinder or guide him, preventing him from completely following his will.
He knew that the source of this network was most likely in the seemingly quiet Kunning Palace.
"Lu Qinglan..." He silently recited the name, his eyes filled with a complex mix of emotions. Fear, anger, and even a hint of admiration and dependence that he himself was unwilling to admit.
In Kunning Palace, Lu Qinglan dismissed his attendants and faced a chess game alone. Black and white chess pieces clashed, the situation unclear.
She picked up a white piece and hung it above the chessboard for a long time without letting it fall.
The time has come for each of them to show their talents. Xiao Jingche has his own way of ruling the country, and she has her own way of survival.
This game is far from over.
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