Climbing to the Top: A Reborn Queen's Journey
Chapter 23: Schemes

Chapter 23: Chapter 23: Schemes

Jiang Shaohua looked at Aunt Mei and smiled meaningfully: "As long as Aunt Mei takes good care of Father’s daily needs and keeps me from worrying, that’s the best gratitude."

Aunt Mei was chosen by Prince Nanyang from among many maids, not only for her exceptional beauty but more importantly for her gentle nature and ability to understand the bigger picture.

A person like Aunt Mei is certainly not a fool.

Jiang Shaohua’s words were layered with meaning, and the more Aunt Mei thought about it, the more alarmed she became. She subconsciously looked up to meet Jiang Shaohua’s gaze.

Jiang Shaohua’s eyes remained still, calmly looking at Aunt Mei.

Those eyes, as deep as a serene pond, were unfathomable in depth.

Aunt Mei quickly lowered her eyes and softly replied: "The servant was chosen by the Prince to serve Lu Junma and has never forgotten the Prince’s grace for a day. To be able to alleviate the Commandery Princess’s worries is a blessing for this servant."

Jiang Shaohua smiled, "As long as Aunt Mei is diligent, I won’t treat Aunt Mei poorly. From this month onward, Aunt Mei will receive a double allowance as my contribution to Aunt Mei’s powder silver."

Aunt Mei tearfully thanked again, fully aware that the Commandery Princess could also punish as she rewarded.

She belonged to the Nanyang Prince Mansion and relied on its support. Even if she bore many children for Lu Xuan, her heart had to lean toward the Commandery Princess.

Her mother, father, and brothers all worked in or outside the mansion. Her contract, along with her family’s, was in the Commandery Princess’s hands...

Her fate rested on the Commandery Princess’s whim.

Jiang Shaohua glanced knowingly at Aunt Mei, fully understanding: "Ruohua is still young. She should start reading when she turns five next year, studying together with Ying. In our Prince Mansion, there is no gender discrimination in education. Girls also study just like boys."

Aunt Mei had arrived with apprehension and left with a spring in her step.

Lu Ruohua tugged at her mother’s sleeve: "Mother, why are you so happy?"

Aunt Mei looked at her daughter with affection and softly laughed: "The Commandery Princess acknowledges both you and your brother, so Mother is very happy."

Lu Ruohua tilted her head, confused: "I’ve always been big sister’s sister!" _{fre eweb\(n)ovel(.)co(m)}

Oh, silly girl, your father is but a son-in-law in the Prince Mansion. You carry the surname Lu, while the Commandery Princess carries the surname Jiang. If the Commandery Princess doesn’t acknowledge you, no one can force her to.

Aunt Mei didn’t voice these thoughts, only smiling and advising: "Regardless, from now on, when you meet the Commandery Princess, you must be respectful and heed her in everything."

Lu Ruohua cheerfully agreed.

Lu Ying raised his head and asked his mother: "If Father and Big Sister say different things, who should I listen to?"

Aunt Mei was taken aback, hesitated for a moment, and then quietly said: "In front of your father, listen to him. In front of the Commandery Princess, listen to her. However, you must remember, this is the Commandery Princess’s mansion."

Lu Ying understood, quietly responding: "I get it. Outwardly, I listen to Father, but in my heart, I’ll follow Big Sister."

Aunt Mei reached out and stroked Lu Ying’s hair.

The three of them entered the courtyard.

Lu Xuan had been waiting for a while, showing some impatience: "Why are you back so late? Were you made to wait all day and then turned away?"

Aunt Mei lowered her head and replied: "No, the Commandery Princess received us and spoke kindly with us for half the day."

Lu Xuan: "..."

Lu Xuan’s expression stiffened, and he incredulously pressed on: "She was willing to see you? And even chatted with you? You aren’t lying to me, are you?"

Aunt Mei mustered the courage to look up: "How would a servant dare lie to you? The Commandery Princess was very kind to us. Today, she said she would hire a teacher for Ying’er to study and also allowed me to receive double the monthly allowance."

So shallow-minded. Double allowance sounds nice, but it’s just an extra twenty taels a month. For such a grand mansion, it’s a mere drop in the ocean.

Yet arranging for a tutor is somewhat like an elder sister’s responsibility.

"Ying will have a future, which will be a point of pride for her elder sister, and she’ll have more support in the future." Lu Xuan said matter-of-factly: "Since she has these intentions, then receive them."

Aunt Mei quietly agreed.

Recollecting being repeatedly turned away at the mansion’s doors, Lu Xuan felt a pang of discomfort, and motioned for Aunt Mei and the children to leave.

Fang Quan had been gone for two days without any news on successfully completing his task.

Lu Xuan called for Bian Dong, a long-term follower: "Go to the gate and see if Fang Quan is back."

Bian Dong, after hiding for a day and a night, was no longer swollen, and his palm mark had faded. He boldly went to the gate. The gatekeeper, Steward Tao, was of average height and unimpressive appearance, around forty years old.

Upon Bian Dong’s inquiry, Steward Tao replied: "Fang Changsui hasn’t returned, but Chief Historian Chen just sent someone back with word. He said Mr. Zhao had been received and would arrive at the Prince Mansion in about an hour."

Bian Dong was secretly taken aback and discreetly slipped a purse to Steward Tao before rushing back to report this critical news to his master.

Lu Xuan was both shocked and angry, surprised that Chen Zhuo escorted Mr. Zhao quietly, and angry that Fang Quan’s task lacked progress.

"Sir, Mr. Zhao will be entering the Prince Mansion in an hour," Bian Dong, cognizant of his master’s mind, advised cautiously: "Whatever needs to be done, there’s probably no time."

Lu Xuan exhaled deeply, steadied himself and said: "No need to panic, first go to the finance office and request two thousand taels of silver, saying I am interested in purchasing an old master’s calligraphy from the previous dynasty for a high price."

Bian Dong accepted the order and left, returning within a short time, looking downcast: "The finance steward said, for large sums of silver, the Commandery Princess’s approval is necessary."

Lu Xuan was enraged: "I have never been restricted in using silver before. Why now do I need the Commandery Princess’s approval? What’s more, what counts as a large sum?"

Bian Dong replied truthfully: "Any sum over a hundred taels."

Lu Xuan: "..."

Lu Xuan’s face was slapped metaphorically, his anger flaring visibly.

Bian Dong, fearing a severe reaction, hastily consoled: "Sir, calm down. Perhaps the finance steward misheard. Allow me to seek an audience with the Commandery Princess to clarify."

Having faced setbacks before, Lu Xuan hesitated to face the Commandery Princess directly again and said coldly: "There’s no need."

"Hosting a literary gathering and purchasing calligraphy and antiques require silver. Without funds, how will you spend, sir?"

Bian Dong’s bluntness struck sharply at Lu Xuan’s fragile male pride.

Slap! Slap!

Lu Xuan’s palm burned with anger, cursing: "Get out!"

Bian Dong retreated, covering his face despondently.

Lu Xuan drank a pot of cold tea to quell his temper and then headed to Haitang Courtyard.

This time, Jiang Shaohua agreed to see him: "Chief Historian Chen has received Mr. Zhao; they’ll arrive at the mansion soon. Father and I will go together to greet Mr. Zhao."

Lu Xuan felt a wave of relief, his face softening into a warm smile: "Alright."

The matter of requesting silver lingered at the tip of his tongue before being swallowed.

After all, as a father, he had to maintain his dignity.

Jiang Shaohua observed Lu Xuan’s hesitation and inwardly offered a mocking smile.