"Fine," said Xiāo Yúnfèng, her smile unchanged, but her eyes suddenly turned cold.
"Eighth Sister is my sister, she is Imperial Daughter. What are you? How dare you butt into matters between us sisters."
Her voice, usually gentle, was now cold and dignified. The servant trembled uncontrollably, fingers shaking, and repeatedly kowtowed to beg for forgiveness.
Xiāo Yúnfèng lowered her eyes, hiding the gloom and displeasure within them. When she opened them again, she was once more the radiant, inspiring Crown Princess, the dynasty's next emperor.
"Hóng Lí, send this person back to Imperial Father. Tell Imperial Father everything that happened today, word for word."
"Yes." Hóng Lí grabbed the servant and walked towards Changchun Palace.
Along the way, the palace maids and servants were struck dumb by the scene. Only after Hóng Lí was far away did they start discussing.
"That must be the Crown Princess's close attendant, Hóng Lí. She's so strong."
"Oh, you don't know. That's who the Queen Consort specially found for His Highness the Crown Princess. She's skilled in martial arts, of course she's strong!"
"But what happened to the servant?"
"I don't know."
...
Lín Lántíng, who managed the Harem, naturally heard about Xiāo Yúnwù's childish behavior. He flipped through account books with a calm expression.
"Queen Consort, should this matter be addressed?"
Lín Lántíng's eyes didn't leave the ledger. "It's just a child's tantrum. Moreover, Prince Li took poison for the Crown Princess. It's understandable that the Eighth Imperial Daughter would resent Fèng'er. It's better than those rats hiding in the dark."
"Keep an eye on your subordinates. Do not allow the Eighth Imperial Daughter to be wronged."
"Yes, Queen Consort."
As they spoke, a servant entered. "Reporting to the Queen Consort, Hóng Lí requests an audience."
Lín Lántíng frowned. "Send her in."
Hóng Lí entered, first dropping the person she was carrying, then cupped her fists in greeting. "Greetings, Queen Consort."
Lín Lántíng glanced at the bruised and discolored person on the ground. "This is the person I sent to look after Fèng'er."
Hóng Lí explained the entire incident from beginning to end. Lín Lántíng's expression grew increasingly grim as he listened. "This Palace understands. Inform Fèng'er about this. Tell her not to worry about it anymore."
"Yes, Queen Consort. Your subordinate takes leave."
Lín Lántíng nodded slightly and looked at the person on the ground who was recovering. He sneered, "Yuèdù, drag them away and interrogate them thoroughly."
"Yes." Yuèdù walked to the servant in a few steps and slapped him twice. "You traitor."
Soon, news spread throughout the palace that the Crown Princess's attendant had deliberately instigated discord among the Imperial Daughters, and the Queen Consort was furious and ordered a thorough investigation.
"Hypocritical and cunning," Xiāo Yúnwù said angrily. "She's using me to enhance her reputation as a loving sister."
Xiāo Yúnmèng leaned against the window, looking at her angry younger sister, and chuckled. She withdrew a large wad of banknotes from her sleeve.
"Eighth Sister, don't be angry anymore. Here, Fourth Sister will share some money with you."
All three pairs of eyes turned to her. Xiāo Yúnmèng smiled proudly. See, money can solve most problems.
Xiāo Yúnwù and the other two sat in a row at the table, watching their Fourth Sister take out a golden abacus from her embrace.
Xiāo Yúnfú looked at the golden abacus with shining eyes. "Fourth Sister, do you have any more of these abacuses? I don't mind used ones."
Xiāo Yúnmèng's forehead darkened, and she pushed Xiāo Yúnfú's face away. "You're dreaming. I only got this golden abacus by serving Father Consort diligently."
"Receive your money." "Clack, clack, clack." The sound of the golden abacus was heard, and everyone felt it was exceptionally pleasant. Xiāo Yúnmèng placed her fists by her lips and coughed lightly. "I opened eight shops in the capital. After deducting costs, the net profit is thirty thousand taels."
Xiāo Yúnwù's mouth fell open in shock. "This, it can earn so much?"
Xiāo Yúnmèng raised her eyebrows proudly. "Of course. I'm even planning to open shops all over Da Ning."
"Then all this pure silver will fall into our pockets." She said this, looking at the three sisters with a raised eyebrow.
The breathing of the three instantly quickened. Even the usually calm Xiāo Yúnróng couldn't help but feel excited.
"Seventh Sister and I each get three shares, which is nine thousand taels. Fourth Sister gets one point five, that's four thousand five hundred taels."
Xiāo Yúnróng nervously and excitedly accepted the banknotes. Although she followed the Crown Princess and didn't lack money, who would refuse more money?
Xiāo Yúnmèng then distributed the remaining money to the other two, and said to Xiāo Yúnwù, "Eighth Sister, don't be discouraged. Although you only get one thousand five hundred taels this time, next month, Fourth Sister's shops will increase to sixteen. Fourth Sister won't let you lose money."
Xiāo Yúnwù threw her arm around Xiāo Yúnmèng. "Fourth Sister, what are you thinking? As a sister who just waits to receive money, having received this much for only investing money, I'm already very satisfied. These days, I've seen dark circles under your eyes. You must not have slept well. I have some calming flower tea that Seventh Sister gave me. I'll bring it to you later."
Xiāo Yúnmèng was deeply touched. As expected of someone trained by Seventh Sister, she's always so thoughtful.
Xiāo Yúnfú and Xiāo Yúnróng exchanged a look, then quickly looked away as if avoiding something.
Xiāo Yúnfú snorted, "Fourth Sister, this little girl is borrowing flowers to offer tribute. I'm different. I have the 'Floating Clouds Brocade' that Father Consort gave me. I'll send it to you."
Xiāo Yúnmèng nodded excitedly. This was acceptable. She could smuggle it out and make a fortune.
The three sisters looked at Xiāo Yúnróng.
Xiāo Yúnróng was silent for a moment. "I have a Su embroidery screen that Father Consort gave me years ago."
Xiāo Yúnmèng repeatedly refused, "That won't do. Lianjun is probably saving it for your future husband. Don't waste it."
Xiāo Yúnróng said helplessly, "I have two identical ones, Fourth Sister. Don't worry."
Xiāo Yúnmèng was relieved. A Su embroidery screen! I'll keep it and give it to my future husband, hehe.
After they finished distributing the money, the tutor walked in.
They immediately sat up straight.
The tutor said meaningfully, "Wealth is an external possession. Do not be overly immersed in it."
All four put on respectful expressions, but inwardly cursed, "Hypocrites."
Xiāo Yúnróng was stunned. Why did she get infected by Eighth Sister?
In the Imperial Study, Xiāo Zhāohuá had finished his work for the day. Looking at the news from the palace and various official residences, his expression was serious, but inwardly he was overjoyed.
In Scholar Li's residence, a young servant, vying for favor, accidentally scratched Scholar Li's face. Scholar Li, feeling disgraced, requested leave.
Xiāo Zhāohuá's eyebrows twitched. From a stack of memorials, he accurately pulled out one and wrote a 'no' over the original 'yes.'
Zhang Xuan, watching from afar, twitched. His Majesty wanted to see Scholar Li make a fool of himself.
After writing, Xiāo Zhāohuá contentedly closed the memorial and continued reading.
In Prince Li's manor, the takeaway box meals had become popular in the capital, and they were hard to get. The mighty General disguised himself and personally queued up.
Xiāo Zhāohuá's heart stirred. Next time, he would go incognito to Seventh Sister's manor to try them.
The Fourth, Fifth, Sixth Imperial Daughters, Prince Li, and the Eighth Imperial Daughter had jointly opened a business with an estimated monthly profit of thirty thousand taels.
Xiāo Zhāohuá beckoned Zhang Xuan beside him. Zhang Xuan understood and stepped forward to pour a cup of tea.
Xiāo Zhāohuá took a sip of tea to moisten his throat. "Summon Fourth Imperial Daughter."
"Yes."