Harem Daily Life

Chapter 820 Prince Ding's Mansion Enters the Capital

After Xiaoxin, who came to deliver the invitation, went back, he said that the virtuous concubine was too busy to attend the banquet. Shu Cairen was so angry that she vented her anger again.

"What a virtuous concubine she is! When she first entered the palace, she was humble in front of me, often sending me gifts to build a close relationship with me. Now that she has climbed over my head, she is putting on airs."

Xiao Tang massaged Shu Cairen's legs and said, "Cairen is already on good terms with the other concubines. Leaving her will not affect the overall situation."

Shu Cairen sneered and said, "That's true. She is just a dog in front of Queen Tao. I don't want such a dog."

After saying that, she looked at Xiao Tang and said, "Hasn't the money from the Shu family arrived yet? How come three days have passed and there's still no news?"

Xiao Tang's hand tightened and she said, "Reporting to the talented person, the message has been sent. That day, Master Shu said he would find a way, but there has been no reply. Otherwise, how about I go and ask again later?"

Lord Shu hasn't resigned yet, so I should be able to meet him again.

Shu Cairen said coldly, "When I was still a concubine, my father always gave me money quickly. Sometimes I asked for a few thousand taels, and he would give me tens of thousands. Now look, not only is he slow to give, I'm afraid he can't even raise the amount I asked for. It seems that my position as a talented person is not worthy of my father's attention."

Xiao Tang swallowed and said, "Don't worry, the Shu family will definitely help you. Otherwise... I will go and ask now."

Shu Cairen nodded. Her monthly allowance wasn't much, but she needed money for many things. She had no other choice but to ask the Shu family for it. She had also been building relationships with the various palaces, hoping to form an anti-empress alliance. This crucial moment wasn't the time to offend the Shu family.

Xiao Tang took the sign and went to the office where the ministers worked, which was right next to the palace gate. He went in and found Lord Shu.

Seeing that the person coming was someone close to Shu Cairen, Lord Shu was displeased. He found a secluded place and said coldly, "Didn't I tell you to wait a moment while the Shu family thinks of a solution? Three thousand taels of silver is not a small amount. We have to raise some money."

Xiao Tang hurriedly smiled and said, "Don't worry, my lord. I didn't send this servant to urge you. I just came to ask about the progress because I'm concerned about it."

Lord Shu couldn't really lose his temper, so he said, "Wait a couple of days, and I'll definitely send it to her. But... she has no worries about food and clothing in the palace, and no major expenses, so why would she suddenly ask for so much silver?"

Xiao Tang couldn't say that he was trying to maintain relationships with the palaces and was asking for money, so he could only say, "The palace has various hidden expenses and countless rewards. I have no choice but to ask the Shu family for this. I hope you will forgive me."

Lord Shu sighed, agreed to come back in two days to get the silver, and then returned to the yamen.

After Xiao Tang returned and told the story, Xiao Xin beside him interjected, "It would be great if there was some way to make money. I heard that the Empress is in charge of the imperial property, and every year His Majesty gives her a cut, which is tens of thousands of taels a year alone."

Shu Cairen frowned and said, "Where did you hear that? She's so good at making money?"

Xiao Xin said, "I have a sister I know well. She's been transferred to Changle Palace to serve. I once mentioned this to the Empress during a casual conversation. She said that while she was sorting the storeroom, she heard the head maidservant beside the Empress mention that the Empress gets a commission from the imperial estate every year. For anything over 200,000 taels, she gets 10%, and the more she gets, the more she gets. In recent years, the annual income from the imperial estate has been almost 300,000 to 400,000 taels, so the Empress earns at least tens of thousands of taels a year. Add to that the frequent rewards from His Majesty, and the storeroom at Changle Palace is almost overflowing."

Shu Cairen was so angry that her teeth itched: "Okay, stop talking. Who wants to hear about her glorious stories?"

Comparing yourself with others is really frustrating. Shu Cairen not only has leg pain now, but also headaches, arm pain, and heart pain. She feels uncomfortable all over.

Xiao Tang and Xiao Xin exchanged glances, and Xiao Tang stepped forward and said, "Talented Man, you could actually find an opportunity to ask His Majesty for a job to take charge of. That way, wouldn't that provide a source of income?"

Shu Cairen frowned, "All the affairs of the harem are managed by Consort Xian, and with Consort Xu Zhaoyi assisting, what else can I ask for?"

Xiao Tang's expression darkened: "It would be great if talented people could get a share of the royal property."

The palace maids would also chat privately. The senior palace maids in Changle Palace were the most envied of the younger palace maids. It was said that Mingyue and Qingfeng could get more than ten taels of silver as rewards a year, not to mention the fabrics, food, jewelry, rouge and powder awarded by the Empress, which were all the best in the palace.

Shu Cairen listened to Xiao Tang's advice. When she thought about how Empress Tao had gained so many personal benefits for herself by relying on the imperial property, she felt jealous and angry.

"Okay, I'll find an opportunity and ask His Majesty to let me take charge of the imperial property." Shu Cairen made up her mind and said with a dark look in her eyes.

In a blink of an eye, the Mid-Autumn Festival in August was approaching. At the beginning of the month, dozens of people from Prince Ding's family came to the capital. They bought a Prince Ding's Mansion in advance, intending to stay in the capital for a while.

Prince Ding, like Prince Changping, also liked to listen to operas. Since he came to the capital, he had held several banquets one after another and invited famous opera troupes to perform in his mansion. Young men and young ladies from various families also attended the banquets. For a time, all the families in the capital became guests of honor in Prince Ding's mansion.

As Concubine Xian had expected, the reason why Prince Ding's Mansion was making so much noise was indeed to find a marriage partner for their grandchildren. However, both Prince Ding and Princess Ding had very high standards, and ordinary families really did not catch their eyes.

After bidding farewell to the relatives from various mansions that day, Princess Ding plopped down in her seat and complained, "The young ladies in the capital aren't particularly outstanding. I don't think many are worthy of our Feng'er. They're either too old or plain-looking. I don't like them at all."

Her eldest daughter-in-law, Chen Yan, said, "Mother has good taste. I'm lucky you found Feng'er. But Feng'er is still young, only sixteen this year, so we can wait another two years. The most important thing now is to send him to the Imperial College. If he can become an official in the future, wouldn't that be a better choice?"

He Feng listened quietly to his mother and grandmother's conversation from the side. He raised an eyebrow and said, "Isn't it easy to enter the Imperial College? Please ask grandfather to tell His Majesty."

Prince Ding snorted coldly, "Do you think everyone can get in? I've already made inquiries. You have to pass the exam to get in. I'll find a few teachers to teach you over the next few days, and then I'll ask His Majesty for a chance during the Mid-Autumn Palace Banquet. Only with our combined efforts can we get this done properly. Don't go out and have fun these days. Focus on studying hard and don't embarrass me."

He Feng did not dare to disobey his grandfather and immediately agreed respectfully.

But early the next morning, he sneaked out of the palace with his men and went strolling on the street under the pretext of buying pens, ink, paper and inkstone.

Although Prince Ding's fiefdom was also prosperous, it was still much weaker than the capital.

"Hey, why are there so many people queuing in front of the shop? Xiaowu, go and take a look, what are they selling?" He Feng asked curiously.

After a long time, Xiao Wu came back with a bag of snacks and handed it to He Feng: "Sir, I heard that this shop, Xiang Man Yuan, was opened by General Qi's sister. Business has always been good."

He Feng said disdainfully, "A general's sister still has to make a living by running a shop? Ha, it's simply a disgrace to the family. Let's go and take a look."

He Feng and his men approached and saw that the shop was crowded with people. A tall young man instantly caught He Feng's attention.

He Jinan suddenly wanted to eat lotus cakes in the Imperial College today, but it was too troublesome to go back to the palace, so he brought his servants to Xiangmanyuan to buy some. Madam Qi recognized him and refused to accept his money no matter what. Jinan had no choice but to use the excuse of helping out in the shop to exchange his labor for lotus cakes.

As soon as He Jinan stood there, the fourteen-year-old boy was tall, handsome, and graceful. In an instant, a group of aunts, uncles, sisters, and sisters-in-law came up to him, all wanting to buy snacks from him.

He Feng frowned and asked Xiao Wu beside him, "Do you think that young master's face is somewhat similar to mine?"