Since the Third Princess arrived here, Han Zhongyu has returned to the Han residence to avoid suspicion.
The Third Princess didn't care; for her, Han Zhongyu's absence made it easier for her to act.
So, after laying the groundwork for more than half a month, Jinghe, who thought she had become familiar with the managers of the manor, began to gradually win over Qu Xiaodie and the others.
After spending more than half a month getting to know them, she felt she had a thorough understanding of Qu Xiaodie, Zhao Hu, and Steward Sun's personalities. Everyone has weaknesses, and what she saw was that Qu Xiaodie longed for family affection, Steward Sun was talented but unappreciated and loved money, and Zhao Hu loved power.
So they began to defeat them one by one.
First, on a moonlit night with few stars, he went to find Sun Chongren carrying a pot of peach blossom wine.
Sun Chongren made a polite remark
"Greetings to the Third Princess!"
"No need for formalities! Manager Sun, it's so late, aren't you finished yet?"
"Yes, another quarter is coming to an end. I'll first sort out the accounts so that the princess can check them."
Princess, is there something you need that brings you here so late?
"The tea served here by Mr. Sun is of poor quality; I fear it has been an insult to the princess!"
Sun Chongren's voice was cool, polite, and distant.
The Third Princess said
"It's alright, I'm not here for tea anyway, I just want to have a word with Manager Sun."
I heard that Manager Sun used to be a scholar and was once among the top students. It's a pity that he is now a servant. Although Manager Sun has some reputation outside, he is ultimately a businessman and cannot be considered respectable.
It's truly a pity!
Sun Chongren listened, then calmly sat down and looked at the Third Princess opposite him.
"What exactly does the Third Princess want to say to a lowly merchant like me?"
The Third Princess was somewhat displeased with his attitude, but she didn't dwell on it. After all, everyone at Jade Spring Manor was like that; she'd set proper rules for them once she was in power.
Therefore, the way
"To be honest, I've come here on behalf of the Fifth Prince to recruit talented individuals."
My fifth brother has been deeply favored by the Emperor since childhood, and his future is limitless. However, he is currently in need of capable people. If Steward Sun is willing to serve my fifth brother, he will surely be rewarded with high rank and generous salary in the future, allowing him to return to officialdom and make great strides.
With your talent, it would be a waste to spend your whole life as a steward of a mountain villa. The imperial court is your true stage!
Your ideals, your ambitions, and your grudges—I heard that the person who harmed you was only sentenced to exile, and another was given a few lashes and sent home. Now, two years later, they are still living a life of luxury. Are you content with that?
All of this can be achieved as long as you put on that official robe.
Think carefully about which path you should choose!
Sun Chongren seemed quite interested.
The third princess was very satisfied and left after speaking.
After everyone left, Sun Chongren drank the tea beside him and continued to tally the accounts.
The next day, a similar scene played out again with Zhao Hu. The Third Princess said that as long as he agreed to pledge allegiance to the Fifth Prince and help her take control of Yuquan Manor, he would be rewarded with the position of Fourth-Rank General.
Zhao Hu nodded blankly.
"Okay, you can go now."
The Third Princess was overjoyed, thinking that Zhao Hu had agreed, but inwardly she sighed that the boorish man was just brainless.
The next day, I went to see Qu Xiaodie.
Qu Xiaodie recognized her from the footsteps and closed the ledger in her hand.
"What brings the Third Princess here so late?"
"nothing!
I saw your light was still on, so I came over to check.
Xie Yushu is really something, leaving such a huge mess for you to manage all by yourself, how tiring!
Look at your dark circles! How can you keep this up?
Qu Xiaodie smiled
"Princess, you are joking. I just looked in the mirror and my complexion is very good, radiant. Where did these dark circles come from?"
Besides, I built this villa myself, and I know everything about it. It's just a casual look around; it's not tiring at all.
Seeing that Qu Xiaodie hadn't taken the bait, the Third Princess smiled and said...
"Okay, okay, I know you're amazing, you're a strong woman, I just care about you!"
"Thank you for your concern, Your Highness!"
"Don't be so polite. To be honest, I really admire you. If I had someone like you under my command, I'd be laughing in my sleep and would treat you like a sister!"
"I dare not accept such praise; I am far too unworthy to be the princess's sister."
"I'm telling the truth, Steward Qu. Cooperate with me. No matter how loyal you are to Xie Yushu, she will only use you as a servant. But I really admire you. Cooperate with me, serve the Fifth Prince, and help me manage Yuquan Manor. After it's done, I will definitely have my Fifth Brother bestow upon you the title of First-Rank Princess."
You have made great contributions to the development of Yuquan Manor to this point. However, how many people outside know you, Steward Qu? When Xie Yushu is mentioned, everyone gives her a thumbs up and praises her as remarkable. In reality, she is just resting on your laurels and being admired by thousands!
Have you ever considered that her achievements are at least half as significant as yours? Is that fair to you?
As long as you cooperate with me, you will be able to reach the same level as her in the future!
Think about it carefully!
The Third Princess thought she would need a few days to consider, but before she could even turn around and leave the room, Qu Xiaodie said...
"Go ahead and do whatever you want, I'll go along with it!"
The third princess thought she was hallucinating and asked again.
"You've made up your mind so quickly? Are you serious?"
"I've already thought it through. Just tell me what you need me to do!"
The Third Princess could hear her own heartbeat. She hadn't expected to persuade these people so easily; it felt almost unreal.
As far as she knew, Qu Xiaodie had been with Xie Yushu the longest. She had expected that Sun Chongren and Zhao Hu would join the Fifth Prince for fame and fortune; no man could refuse the glory of promotion and advancement.
But Qu Xiaodie agreed too quickly! She became a little uneasy.
Qu Xiaodie also saw through her thoughts, and said seemingly casually
“I’m in charge of everything inside and outside this manor. If it weren’t for Han Zhongyu protecting her, would she have become the manor owner?”
I've disliked her for a long time!
Upon hearing this, the Third Princess smiled knowingly.
"A good bird chooses a good tree to perch on, and a wise manager understands the situation."
Now that the three key figures have been dealt with, it doesn't matter who the less threatening ones are. Everything is ready now, except for the poison.
The two men sent by the Fifth Prince had actually arrived a few days earlier, but they were apprehended by Zhao Hu's men as soon as they reached the entrance of the manor. After being interrogated for three days, the two men, seeing no hope of escape, committed suicide by exploding their meridians.
In the end, Zhao Hu only found a packet of Broken Heart Powder.
Xie Yushu looked at the Heartbreak Powder in front of her and pondered for a while before saying...
"Go and get some peony pollen, have two of my brothers take it and deliver it to the Third Princess. Don't let anything slip. Let her do whatever she wants. I want to see who's backing her up!"
Zhao Hu's eyes lit up upon hearing this.
"Master's skill is superior, I admire you. I will go and do it right away."
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