vstars Chapter 426 The Prince's Wedding and Chrysanthemum Appreciation Banquet
Chapter 426 The Prince's Wedding and Chrysanthemum Appreciation Banquet
The eldest prince's wedding is in November, and the Ouyang family's chrysanthemum appreciation banquet is also in November.
The eldest prince will not invite the Jiang family to his wedding, but the Ouyang family's invitation was sent as early as September.
The autumn wind was bleak, and the scenery in the capital was hardly beautiful.
The leaves detach from the tree trunk and wander aimlessly, eventually turning into soil and returning to the earth.
Next year, we will meet the world in another form and say "hallo" again.
How can this not be considered a kind of biological law of conservation of mass and immortality?
Jiang Xiaoqi thinks she can be quite artsy at times, and can feel a lot of emotions just by looking at a withered leaf.
However, there are probably many people like me who are saying things like "one falling leaf tells us that autumn is here".
It speaks of the changing seasons, but also of the overall situation of the world.
At this moment, the palace did not appear more vibrant due to its more magnificent architecture; on the contrary, a sense of solemnity made it more tranquil and desolate than the world outside.
The palace eunuchs were panting heavily, their white breaths faintly visible.
The rows of people stood in perfect order, holding their trays neatly in front of their chests, no one a little taller or shorter than the others, as if they had been measured with a ruler.
These are all gifts from His Majesty to the Empress and the Second Prince; no one else receives them.
Even the eldest prince, who was about to get married, did not receive so many precious gifts.
The emperor's move baffled everyone. Was the empress, who had been neglected for many years, about to regain favor?
Are you kidding me? Is that even possible?
Hey! It could actually be true!
This row of eunuchs was just the first group; following them were palace maids carrying trays, guards carrying wooden boxes, and many palace matrons who looked shrewd and capable.
These elderly palace women weren't carrying anything, because they themselves were gifts from the emperor.
The second prince needs more people to serve him. Who would be more suitable than an old nanny who has been in the palace for many years?
The Empress's palace was bustling for most of the day, and even the Empress herself, as the protagonist of the event, was quite bewildered.
The Empress sat in the main seat, looking at the abundant rewards, and it took her a long time to ask her trusted nanny.
"Your Majesty, what...does this mean?"
The old nanny who had served her for many years smiled and said, "Your Highness, this is because His Majesty values you and the Second Prince!"
She probably wanted to make up for neglecting the Empress for so many years. The old nanny didn't say this aloud.
Although the Empress still had doubts, she couldn't help but smile.
Her son Chang'er is getting married next year, and having these things as a bonus when sending them to the prince's residence would be the icing on the cake.
The young couple will be able to have more money in the future, and their lives will be more comfortable.
Of course, more subsidies would still be needed from the Empress's private treasury. Many of His Majesty's items are indeed precious, but some are not very practical.
Unlike the joyous atmosphere in the Empress's palace, the Crown Prince's residence was shrouded in gloom.
The eldest prince sat at the table, his face so gloomy it could drip water.
His advisor cautiously advised, "Your Highness need not worry too much. His Majesty's actions may have a deeper meaning. Let us wait and see."
The eldest prince snorted coldly, "Wait and see? Father is treating that fool, the second son, so well now, is he trying to embarrass me, the eldest brother?!"
"It's me who's about to get married! Yet the Emperor's gifts are flowing into the Empress's palace like water! What kind of logic is this?!"
"Your Highness! Giving it to the Second Prince is better than giving it to the Third Prince!"
The Third Prince has been making quite a few moves lately; I heard that the Ministry of Revenue has once again used a sum of money meant for bridge and road repairs…
The strategist revealed the information he had discovered, and sure enough, the hot-tempered prince immediately calmed down.
"Third brother! This third brother is truly insatiable! Do you think it's so easy to embezzle the Ministry of Revenue's money? Humph! He won't even know how he died one day!"
"Who can argue with that? The Third Prince has made a terrible move!"
Our people have gathered considerable evidence; we are just waiting for the right moment to strike decisively!
"Well done! You and your men will be rewarded for this!"
"Thank you, Your Highness!"
The strategist narrowed his eyes, as if he had already foreseen receiving a reward and gaining merit for supporting the emperor.
"By the way, don't just focus on the third brother. How's the fourth brother doing? We haven't heard from him in a long time."
"Your Highness, our people haven't been withdrawn from the Fourth Prince's side. The reason we haven't heard from him is because the Fourth Prince has been too quiet."
Well, this person isn't much better off than when he was under house arrest; he hardly ever leaves the prince's residence.
Every day, all you can see are palace servants coming and going, and rice, noodles, and vegetables are delivered to your door by special people.
Even Xiao Dezi, the eunuch most trusted by the Fourth Prince, has been staying in the Prince's residence lately and hasn't shown his face in a long time.
The strategist revealed everything he knew, but of course, there was nothing particularly important.
"What happened to the fourth brother? Has he gone crazy from being confined at home?"
Keep an eye on him. I have a feeling it's not that simple. A barking dog doesn't bite; he has a maternal grandfather who is the Minister of Rites!
"Yes! Your Highness is very thoughtful. We will keep a close eye on whichever prince it is."
"That's not necessary."
The strategist was puzzled. The eldest prince was always suspicious, so how could he have a brother he trusted?
"There's no need to keep an eye on the second prince all the time. There are too many people and too many eyes in the palace. He's the only prince who hasn't left the palace. Father's extra attention is just out of pity."
He's just a fool. So what if he's the legitimate son?
The people of the Great Zhou will not allow a fool who needs help even to eat and drink to become emperor!
"Yes, Your Highness is absolutely right!"
"And the fifth brother, that coward... it's good to keep an eye on him too."
However, I don't need to invest too much manpower; I'll mainly keep an eye on the third and fourth brothers—they are my biggest rivals!
The strategist nodded again, clearly agreeing with the Crown Prince's assessment.
The two of them reviewed the resources they currently had and were dismayed to find that their biggest shortage was money!
That third son of a bitch is clever; he dragged the Minister of Revenue into his scheme. Even if he doesn't have inexhaustible wealth, he'll still be much richer than he is in his own household.
No way! He has to find a way to make money too!
We can't let the third son gain the upper hand in this regard!
With money, we can better recruit soldiers and horses; with money, we can forge weapons to prepare for unforeseen circumstances!
Even the dozens of advisors under one's command require a large sum of money to maintain.
Otherwise, who would willingly work for love? Coming to the First Prince's residence to do free labor?
The strategist probably guessed what the eldest prince was thinking, but he didn't respond at this point. He could come up with other ideas, but as for making money...
As a scholar, he was neither good at nor willing to get involved with the stench of money!