Chapter 88
As soon as the imperial decree was issued to establish the Crown Prince, the Prince of Yan's Palace transformed overnight. The originally vermilion gate was painted the more majestic red of the palace walls, and fully armed Crown Prince guards were stationed beside the stone lions at the entrance, creating an awe-inspiring presence.
The servants in the mansion walked on tiptoe, even their breathing seemed lighter. This was no longer the prince's residence, but the future center of the empire, the residence of the crown prince.
Song Qingyuan stood in the courtyard, watching the Ministry of Works carefully remove the plaque that read "Prince of Yan's Mansion" and replace it with the flamboyantly written "Eastern Palace." She felt no wavering. She knew that this gilded plaque was both an honor and a heavier yoke.
"Crown Princess, it's windy outside, be careful not to catch a cold." Xia He, the personal maid, put a gold-woven cloak on her.
Song Qingyuan gathered his cloak and cast his gaze towards Shen Yanzhi, who was directing the relocation in the distance. He had changed into a black, gold-trimmed, official Crown Prince's uniform, less aloof and aggressive than before, and more composed and majestic, like a crown prince.
But she knew that nothing in him had changed at all.
"I'm afraid he hasn't slept a wink these days." Song Qingyuan asked softly.
Xia He nodded. "Your Highness rises at the beginning of the Yin hour every day to process memorials from the six ministries, discuss matters with officials from the Imperial Household Department, and familiarize himself with the various regulations of the Eastern Palace. Last night, he didn't go to bed until three o'clock in the morning."
Song Qingyuan felt a slight pang in his heart. From Prince of Yan to Crown Prince, it seemed like a quick ascent, but in reality, it meant that the responsibilities he had to bear and the dangers he faced had increased exponentially.
The eyes of the entire Zhou Dynasty were focused on this East Palace. Countless people were waiting to see what he would do next, and even more people were waiting for him to make a mistake so that they could bring him down.
"Send him the snow frog and lotus seed soup that's warm in the kitchen," Song Qingyuan instructed. "Also, tell Sun Jimao to come over this afternoon. I have something to discuss with him."
"Yes." Xia He responded and retreated.
Song Qingyuan turned and walked into the inner hall. The furnishings inside the hall had been completely renovated, lavishly decorated, yet also seemed empty and cold. She didn't like this feeling, and she still missed the small study in Prince Yan's mansion. They could bump into each other with a single turn, and the air was filled with the familiar scent of ink and his presence.
She walked over to a long rosewood table, on which lay a huge map of the capital's commercial layout. This was a map she had drawn over several days based on the information provided by Sun Jimao.
The map uses different colors of cinnabar to mark the locations of major shops, restaurants, and pawnshops, as well as the intricate network of relationships behind them.
If Yupinxian wants to become an instant hit, it must precisely penetrate the market. Sun Jimao's business route solved the problem of "breadth," while the core of Beijing needed to solve the problems of "depth" and "height."
She wants "Yupinxian" to be not only a condiment on the tables of ordinary people, but also a symbol of taste for the powerful and wealthy.
Just as she was concentrating on her thoughts, Shen Yanzhi walked in. He immediately saw the picture and his wife who was concentrating in front of it. He walked lightly behind her and put his arms around her waist from behind.
"What are you thinking about?" His chin rested lightly on her shoulder, and his warm breath brushed her ear.
"I'm thinking about how to help our Crown Prince fill the national treasury." Song Qingyuan turned her head and rubbed her cheek against his with a bit of playfulness.
Shen Yanzhi chuckled softly, the vibration of his chest transmitting to her back through the thin clothes. "My Crown Princess is truly far-sighted." He deliberately used the title "I" with a hint of ridicule.
Song Qingyuan didn't buy it and poked his chest with his finger: "Stop talking nonsense. I plan to have Sun Jimao start with some of the most upscale restaurants in the capital, such as 'Zuixianlou' and 'Wangjiangyue'.
We provided them with a batch of 'Yu Pin Xian' for free to try, with only one request: to put up our promotional sign in the most conspicuous place in the lobby and to promote dishes made with 'Yu Pin Xian'."
"Oh? Why is it free?" Shen Yanzhi became interested.
"You can't catch a wolf without sacrificing a child." Song Qingyuan's eyes sparkled, "The patrons of these restaurants are either rich or noble. They are the most discerning and trendsetting group in the capital.
As long as their taste buds are conquered, the reputation of "Yupinxian" will naturally spread. Then, it won't be us begging people to buy it, but they will rush to buy it."
"Not only that," she added, "I also asked Sun Jimao to spread the word that the production of 'Yupinxian' is limited and the brewing process is complicated. In the first month, only 300 bottles will be supplied to the entire capital.
Apart from those top-tier restaurants, only those with Duke-level or higher residences are eligible for reservations."
Shen Yanzhi's eyes were filled with admiration. This tactic, later known as "hunger marketing," was masterfully executed by her. It both inflated her value and created a sense of scarcity, precisely capitalizing on the competitive mentality of the powerful.
"Qingyuan, with you, there is no need to worry about not accomplishing great things." He held her hand and kissed it on his lips.
The two were just being affectionate when a eunuch's urgent announcement suddenly came from outside the door: "Your Highness the Crown Prince, Your Highness the Crown Princess, Your Highness the Prince of Qi is requesting an audience outside the palace gate. He said... he has something important to discuss with Your Highness."
Shen Yanzhi and Song Qingyuan looked at each other, and saw a hint of understanding in each other's eyes.
What is coming will eventually come.
Prince of Qi, Shen Chonghuan, was the emperor's third son, born to a humble concubine. He was impatient, simple-minded, and ambitious. With Prince Wei leading the charge, he happily followed behind, cheering on.
Now that King Wei has fallen and Shen Yanzhi has become the crown prince, he has become the most restless person.
"Let him in." Shen Yanzhi's tone was very flat, as if he was just talking about an insignificant matter.
A moment later, the Prince of Qi, dressed in a princely dragon robe, strode in. His face flushed, his eyes filled with undisguised jealousy and resentment. He didn't even bother to greet me, and immediately shouted, "Second brother, no, now it's Your Highness the Crown Prince. Congratulations! That's quite a move! Stepping on the corpses of your own brothers to ascend to the throne, it must feel pretty good, right?"
These words were so rude that the servants in the hall held their breath in fear.
Song Qingyuan frowned slightly.
Shen Yanzhi remained calm, even offering the King of Qi a seat. "Third brother, what are you talking about? The King of Wei's affairs are the judgment of our father. What does it have to do with me? Did you come here today just to say these sour words?"
"Sour talk?" The King of Qi jumped up like a cat whose tail had been stepped on. "Isn't what I said the truth? No sooner had you taken over the salt administration than the Jiangnan salt merchants ran into trouble, and the King of Wei was banished to his fiefdom. How could such a coincidence happen? Do you dare to say that you weren't the one who sent that anonymous letter of accusation?"
Shen Yanzhi picked up the teacup and gently blew away the foam without raising his eyelids. "Third brother, you can eat whatever you want, but you can't say anything you want. Slandering the crown prince is a serious crime. If you have evidence, you can go to the emperor and sue me. If not, I will just pretend I didn't hear what you said today."
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