Grain prices have risen across the country. To stabilize them, the Third Prince submitted a memorial suggesting the court intervene to curb prices and strictly prohibit merchants from hoarding grain.
He proposed this in the imperial court, leaving the Crown Prince with no choice but to confront the Third Prince after the session.
"Third Brother, what is the meaning of this?"
"Second Brother, why do you ask?"
"Stop playing dumb. Bringing up grain price control at this time is clearly to help Situ Yan! I never thought that after so many years as brothers, you would stab me in the back."
The Third Prince's expression turned stern. "Second Brother worries too much. I am merely concerned that a surge in grain prices would make it difficult for the common people to even eat."
The Crown Prince flicked his sleeve. "You're fooling ghosts. Don't think I don't know how close your wife is with the Rui King's consort."
"If Second Brother insists on thinking this way, then there's nothing I can do," the Third Prince replied without further explanation. He bowed and was the first to leave. The Crown Prince had never anticipated the Third Prince would switch allegiance. Watching his retreating back, a wave of panic washed over him.
If his own brother, who grew up with him and was even related by marriage, couldn't be relied upon, how many others were truly loyal to him?
When Emperor Changwu arrived at Changning Palace, the Third Prince's consort, Fu Yingyu, had already been kneeling on the corridor for half an hour.
The wind, carrying a fine drizzle, began to dampen her elegant palace robes with moisture.
Emperor Changwu suppressed his anger and asked kindly, "Why is my third son's consort here?"
Fu Yingyu turned and, recognizing the Emperor, felt a sense of relief. Now that Father Emperor was here, her ordeal could end. Although she had a cushion beneath her knees, maintaining the same posture for so long was still uncomfortable.
She dutifully turned to bow to Emperor Changwu. "Your daughter-in-law greets Father Emperor."
"Get up quickly, no need to kneel. Xiao Fuzi, quickly send the Third Consort back to her residence and have the imperial physician examine her."
By this time, eunuchs and palace maids who had heard the commotion were already kneeling on the ground. The Empress, seemingly realizing what was happening later, emerged and offered her greetings. Seeing Fu Yingyu being helped up by two palace maids, a flicker of guilt flashed in her eyes. She glared at the chief palace maid beside her. "Why was I not informed of the Emperor's arrival? Are you blind?"
Emperor Changwu snorted. "If I had been informed, how would I have known you had found a new way to torment your daughter-in-law?"
"Your Majesty, you misunderstand your humble servant," the Empress said, biting her lip and appearing on the verge of tears. Yet, her eyes darted towards Fu Yingyu. In the past, at such moments, Fu Yingyu would have been shrewd enough to find an excuse to step down gracefully.
But today, Fu Yingyu merely leaned weakly against a palace maid, her eyes even closed.
The Empress was instantly enraged. The Third Prince had indeed rebelled; otherwise, this little wretch would never have dared to disrespect her so much.
Emperor Changwu, seeing her furious yet forced to restrain herself, shook his head.
The imperial harem was divided into factions. Noble Consort Ying had always followed the Empress's lead when she was alive, and her son naturally followed the Crown Prince. Even his wife was from a family arranged by the Empress. If the Empress had treated the couple even a little better, she wouldn't have pushed the Third Prince away.
Arrogant and self-righteous.
In matters of employing people, the Crown Prince had inherited the Empress's flaws entirely. But in this world, nothing was given. Suppressing someone while expecting their unwavering loyalty was simply a pipe dream.
How could those beneath not feel disheartened by such actions from their superiors? It was one thing for the Empress, a mere woman, but for the Crown Prince to behave this way, Emperor Changwu had been deeply disappointed for a long time. Yet, he had advised him long ago, but the Crown Prince simply wouldn't listen.
Emperor Changwu had no inclination to reprimand the Empress. His purpose achieved, he flicked his sleeve and departed.
This Changning Palace was better left unvisited.
Situ Yan was destined to clash with the Crown Prince. Lu Nianfu, while gathering news about disaster relief, actively engaged in diplomacy among the ladies. In her previous life, her businesses mostly catered to these noblewomen, leading her to frequent various gatherings. At that time, she was merely a secondary consort of the Prince of Ning. Yet, for these people to profit from her, she had to greet them with a smile.
Compared to then, her current starting point was much higher.
Alas, if only she had been more diligent this lifetime and avoided such occasions whenever possible, she wouldn't have ended up only being close with the Third Prince's consort.
There's a saying in business: there are no eternal friends or enemies, only eternal interests.
This saying applied equally to officialdom. Lu Nianfu knew very well that the superficial acquaintances made at banquets would be utterly useless. Therefore, from the beginning, she had formulated a plan to forge connections with the ladies of various families under the guise of earning some pocket money.
Fortunately, Xiangdai Pavilion was famous enough, and her wine workshops were also well-regarded.
It wasn't too difficult to get started.
Soon, the reputation of Rui King's consort as aloof and unwilling to socialize quietly changed. When people mentioned her, they would more often praise her straightforwardness, generosity, and knack for making money. These ladies might not have much influence with their husbands, but they could certainly sway them with pillow talk.
When husbands learned that their wives had made money with Rui King's consort, they couldn't help but think.
Those who had followed the Crown Prince over the years had gained little, while Rui King's consort was adept at making money. The Rui King himself had always been known as a bringer of wealth. Thinking about it, those who had followed the Rui King in recent years seemed to have all been promoted and prospered.
Take Meng Changdong and Song Ming, for example.
Even Cheng Beiyu, who was disfavored by his father, had entered the Censorate.