"Ah Wan, it's my fault." Rong Zhen regretted his perfunctory words in order to put her at ease, so he had no choice but to tell her everything. "Since Prince Cheng has already discovered it, the only way now is to cut off the silk shop's connection with other places and expose the silk shop and the private salt trade to their noses."
Mingwei listened intently, and only breathed a sigh of relief after Rong Zhen told her the truth.
Although smuggled salt is one of the important sources of revenue for Rongzhen's business, if other connections are used to cover it up in order to protect it, it will only lead to getting bogged down in a quagmire from which there is no way out.
Mingwei calmed down, and she smiled slightly, saying, "Your Highness has the courage to make such a tough decision. I admire you."
"Don't you think... what I did was incompetent?" Rong Zhen was somewhat puzzled by Ming Wei's reaction. To most people, this was clearly an act of cowardice and incompetence. "I could have tried—"
To everyone's surprise, Mingwei shook her head vigorously.
"I can't think of a better way!" Having lived two lives, Mingwei was no longer a fifteen-year-old girl. Instead, she gently comforted Rong Zhen, saying, "Many people are greedy, and not everyone has the courage to make tough decisions!"
Seeing that she was willing to comfort him in a gentle and soft voice, Rong Zhen felt as if he had drunk a bowl of hot soup in the cold winter, and his heart was warmed.
"Thank you, Wan." Rong Zhen's slightly furrowed brows finally relaxed, and his lost eyes regained their light. "I'll handle it." After saying that, he tentatively reached out and gently took Ming Wei's hand.
Mingwei's instinctive reaction was to shrink back, but when her gaze fell on Rong Zhen's expectant eyes, she did not look away, but simply blushed and lowered her head.
Rong Zhen smiled, a gentle smile spreading across his handsome face like a spring breeze.
Will things really go as smoothly as they think?
With her eyes lowered, Mingwei concealed her deep worry. Even if the investigation into the smuggled salt reached its end, would Rong Duo let Rong Zhen go? And what if, to think the worst, Rong Duo discovered everything? His usually weak and incompetent grandson had done so much behind his back—every single thing seemed like preparation for seizing the throne…
Would Rong Duo, who showed no mercy even to his own elder brother, Crown Prince Longde, let Rong Zhen go?
Mingwei suddenly closed her eyes.
******
In the days following their conversation, Mingwei lived in constant fear, terrified that bad news would arrive one day.
That morning, Rong Zhen went to the council hall as usual. Ming Wei had someone bring over a sewing basket, intending to put a pair of shoes on Rong Zhen's back to distract him.
"Your Majesty, here are the flower patterns you requested." The voice had barely reached her when Mingwei, who had been fiddling with the flowers, immediately stopped what she was doing.
The one who came to deliver the flowers on her behalf was Dongyue.
Although Dongyue and Dongzhu, the two maids given to Mingwei by the old lady, were the most clever and capable among the four maids who entered the palace with her, Tangli and Yuelin were still the ones who served Mingwei personally on a daily basis because of their past relationship. Dongyue and Dongzhu were also sensible and never tried to compete with Tangli and Dongzhu.
Mingwei still took the rumors from a few days ago to heart, and she asked Dongyue to investigate them secretly.
Normally, when she does embroidery, Tangli and Yuelin serve her. Today, only Dongyue is in the house. From afar, she can hear the voices of Tangli, Yuelin, Biyun, and others in the courtyard. Mingwei knows that it is about the rumors about her being "jealous" and has found a clue.
"Put it down." Mingwei gestured for Dongyue to sit on the small stool next to her before asking softly, "Did you find anything?"
Dongyue nodded cautiously.
"Your Majesty, this servant has discovered that our head palace maid, Bizhu, has been secretly saying many inappropriate things to other palace maids these days!" Dongyue said in a low voice, "She has played a significant role in spreading those rumors that you are jealous."
Mingwei listened calmly, without even frowning.
"You go out and let Bizhu and Biyun come in to see me," Mingwei calmly instructed. "You all stay outside and keep watch."
Dongyue was one of the most intelligent and quick-witted among the old lady's maids whose names began with "Dong." The fact that she dared to say it so confidently meant that Bizhu had indeed spread the rumor.
"Yes, Your Majesty." Dongyue, whose cultivation was also quite advanced, responded obediently and tiptoed out.
When Biyun and Bizhu came in, Mingwei was holding two strands of silk thread, seemingly comparing their colors.
"Your Majesty." Biyun and Bizhu were unsure of her intentions, so they bowed and quietly served her. Bizhu, who had been reprimanded by Rong Zhen, was also extremely obedient in front of Mingwei.
Mingwei responded lightly, put down the silk thread in her hand, and asked as if it were a casual conversation, "How long have you been in the palace? What have you done? Do you still have any family members?"
Upon hearing this barrage of probing questions, Bizhu paused for a moment, then exchanged a glance with Biyun, her eyes sparkling with delight. She knew Mingwei was treacherous; sure enough, after the rumors of her jealousy spread, Mingwei, as the Crown Prince's consort, had to take action to protect her reputation.
The easiest way is to promote someone from the Crown Prince's side, which will both enhance one's own reputation and win the Crown Prince's favor.
Bizhu couldn't help but feel excited, but Biyun sensed something strange.
"Your Majesty, I have been in the palace for nine years. I served the Crown Princess before, and after her death, I served the Crown Prince." Before Biyun could speak, Bizhu interrupted, "I also have an uncle who is now helping His Highness manage the late Crown Princess's properties."
Before she could finish speaking, Biyun sensed something was amiss. The most basic duty of a servant is to be obedient and humble before their master. Bizhu's words weren't a reply; they sounded more like a blatant boast in front of Mingwei!
"Oh?" Mingwei curled her lips and raised her eyebrows, saying, "So, you are the most suitable person to serve His Highness?" At this moment, the "serving" she mentioned was naturally not the ordinary service of helping Rong Zhen change clothes and eat, but rather choosing concubines for Rong Zhen.
Unlike Yu Bizhu's ecstatic expression, Biyun's heart sank, and she had a bad premonition.
This time, she didn't speak to Bizhu first, but hurriedly said, "Your Majesty, Bizhu is clumsy. Over the years, only Laifu and a few others have served His Highness personally. I'm afraid Bizhu's stupidity might upset His Highness and disappoint Your Majesty's good intentions." After saying that, she knelt down in front of Mingwei with a "thump," disregarding the presumption in her words, and sincerely said, "Please reconsider, Your Majesty."
Bizhu's eyes widened in astonishment. She stamped her feet anxiously, "Sister Biyun, what are you doing?"
Mingwei understood.
Bizhu was blinded by admiration for Rong Zhen, but Biyun was quite perceptive.
“You can’t make that decision for her.” Mingwei’s smile deepened, her voice as gentle as ever. “I think this is quite appropriate. It’s better to go along with her wishes than for her to gossip about me to outsiders. Putting my dignity aside for now, Your Highness cannot bear to be implicated!”
Biyun's pupils dilated uncontrollably. She never imagined that the loyal Bizhu would be the one who spread the rumors that Mingwei was "jealous".
Under Mingwei's meaningful smile, Biyun knelt with forced composure, her mind racing. Since Mingwei had said it to her face, it proved that Bizhu was indeed involved. At first, she was shocked, but upon reflection, it made sense.
Rong Zhen had long been prepared for the question of the Crown Prince's wife. He knew that the Emperor would decide who would be the Crown Prince's wife, so he decided that while he would treat her with respect when she married into the Crown Prince's palace, he would actually be plotting to sideline her.
Bizhu already liked Rongzhen, and from then on, she had even more expectations.
To everyone's surprise, Rong Zhen married Mingwei, someone no one had expected. The two didn't consummate their marriage on their wedding night, much to Bizhu's secret delight. But as time went on, things became increasingly alarming. When the Crown Princess returned to her parents' home, she brought lavish gifts and had the Crown Prince's token handed to her well in advance—