Chapter 35: Women Need to Be Soothed
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Ever since the academy was founded, every movement within the Prince of Liang’s residence had become a favorite topic of conversation among the people of Liangzhou.
The latest sale of old household belongings was no exception. Before the news had even properly spread, all manner of rumors were already circulating.
When Dowager Consort Xu heard of it, she was consumed with fury. Learning that Consort Xiao had devised the plan, she immediately summoned both her and Zhao Shenxing.
“Have you heard the rumors circulating outside?”
Dowager Consort Xu forcefully suppressed her anger, her eyes blazing as she fixed her gaze upon Xiao Yunji.
“I put you in charge of the household, and this is how you manage it? You keep saying that I am gravely ill. Those who do not know the truth will think I am on the brink of death, beyond all hope of recovery. You are plainly cursing me to die sooner!”
They could hardly tell people that the residence was struggling to make ends meet and had been forced to sell its old possessions.
The excuse they had used was that the dowager consort was seriously ill.
The rumors circulating outside were truly vile.
It was the first time Dowager Consort Xu had spoken such harsh words to her face. Xiao Yunji flushed with embarrassment and defended herself in a quiet voice.
“Mother, please do not misunderstand. That was not my intention. I only did it because I had no other choice.”
“What a fine ‘no other choice’!”
Dowager Consort Xu sighed and turned toward her son with an expression of exasperation.
Her sharp eyes were filled with disappointment and helplessness.
“How much could those old possessions possibly be worth? How is it that you have become as short-sighted as she is?”
Zhao Shenxing lowered his gaze to the floor.
“Mother, I sent someone to inquire about it. It seems this month’s allowance may arrive late. I truly had no choice but to resort to this.”
“What a fine ‘no choice’!”
Dowager Consort Xu’s voice rang out sharply.
“Last year, the allowance was delayed by nearly four months, yet the Princess Consort never sold anything from the residence. You are the dignified Prince of Liang, and you actually mean to survive by selling off old belongings? If word of this gets out, never mind that you and I will lose all face—how will you answer to His Majesty?”
Her words jolted him awake.
A feudal prince selling his household possessions to survive was unheard of.
If this truly reached the capital, His Majesty would certainly send someone to investigate.
When that happened, not only would his frequent visits to the pleasure quarters be exposed, but Heaven knew what else might come to light…
Cold sweat broke out all over Zhao Shenxing. He hurriedly bent low in a formal bow.
“Thank you for your instruction, Mother. Your son was foolish.”
Only when she heard the words “His Majesty” did Xiao Yunji realize how serious the matter had become.
“Mother, I admit my fault. I will return at once and investigate who leaked the news. Once that loose-tongued person is found, I will have them punished severely and expelled.”
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“Go!”
Dowager Consort Xu waved a feeble hand.
“In the five years the Princess Consort managed the household, nothing like this ever happened. You have only been in charge for a few days, and already everything is in chaos. The storeroom keys should be returned to her.”
“This…”
Xiao Yunji hesitated.
“I fear she may refuse to accept them if I take them over.”
“Go.”
Dowager Consort Xu turned to her son.
“Things have become terribly unsightly. Women need to be placated. Speak to her properly, and perhaps the money will be produced after all. She must still manage this household. Take the keys to her.”
Zhao Shenxing’s expression darkened, but he could only nod reluctantly.
In the covered corridor, Xiao Yunji had her maid return the keys to him.
“My lord, I visited the inn last time. The Princess Consort’s little courtyard was furnished with exquisite care; she clearly does not lack money. Though her temperament is cold, she is a good person. I sincerely hope the two of you can reconcile.”
Zhao Shenxing took the keys. He glanced at her as though he wanted to say something, then turned and walked toward Orchid Court.
Inside Orchid Court, Ning Junruo was sorting through the academy’s newly delivered lists and account books when Huai Xi entered to report that the prince had come to see her.
Without even raising her head, Ning Junruo said, “I am busy at the moment. Tell him that if he has come to borrow money, the answer is no.”
Huai Xi obeyed and left, returning shortly afterward.
“Miss, His Highness says he wishes to discuss the management of the household with you. He came especially to return the keys today.”
So he knew how to ask permission to see her now!
Remembering how he had kicked open her door the last time, Ning Junruo could not help but give a cold laugh.
“Well, well, Zhao Shenxing. I never thought I would see the day.”
She set down her brush, a hint of amusement passing between her brows, and asked leisurely, “Then let us go out and see him.”
Outside the courtyard, a gentle breeze swept past, carrying several withered pomegranate blossoms from their branches.
Zhao Shenxing paced back and forth, repeatedly looking up toward the path leading to the courtyard. He appeared distinctly ill at ease.
Just then, Ning Junruo approached with graceful steps. Her skirt swayed lightly as she walked, and her calm composure seemed innate.
The moment he saw her, Zhao Shenxing stopped and hurried forward to meet her. The keys clenched in his hand glimmered faintly in the sunlight.
“Has Your Highness come for something?” Ning Junruo asked as she stood beneath a flowering crabapple tree.
Zhao Shenxing came to a stop before her and held out the keys.
“Mother says that you are the most suitable person to manage the household.”
Ning Junruo did not take them immediately. Instead, she arched a brow at him, her tone faintly mocking.
“Oh? Since when has Your Highness taken an interest in household affairs?”
How could Zhao Shenxing fail to hear the sarcasm in her voice? Remembering his mother’s repeated warnings, he forcibly suppressed his anger and offered an awkward smile.
“I was indeed in the wrong before. From now on, I hope you will bear more of the household’s affairs.”
Was this an attempt to yield?
Or an apology?
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Ning Junruo was still wondering how to respond when Huai Xi suddenly hurried over.
“My lord, Your Highness, there seems to be a problem at the shop in the eastern part of the city. The shopkeeper is urgently requesting an audience.”
That shop in the eastern district was the residence’s most important source of income. If something had truly gone wrong, even the household’s basic food and necessities might be in jeopardy.
Zhao Shenxing’s expression changed. He was just about to ask for more details when Ning Junruo interrupted him.
“I will go and take a look. After all, I was the one managing it before.”
So she still cared about the residence after all.
A flicker of hesitation crossed Zhao Shenxing’s eyes.
“I will go with you.”
Ning Junruo shot him an exasperated look.
“Since Your Highness is going, then I will not.”
Zhao Shenxing stopped in his tracks.
“What do you mean by that?”
She could hardly tell him that she simply did not want to go with him.
Ning Junruo replied coldly, “In that case, I shall no longer interfere. I will go visit the dowager consort.”
This woman was stubborn by nature. If he did not indulge her, who knew what trouble she might cause?
Knowing that he could not persuade her for the moment, Zhao Shenxing handed the keys to Huai Xi.
“Keep the keys for now. I will go see what has happened at the shop.”
Huai Xi stared blankly at the keys in her hand.
“Miss, are we truly supposed to accept them?”
With no money in the accounts, those keys were nothing but a hot potato. Ning Junruo cast her an exasperated glance.
“Who told you to take them?”
“As a servant, how could I disobey my master?” Huai Xi stared at the keys in her hand, so aggrieved that she was nearly in tears.
“Then what are we supposed to do with them?”
“Come on. We are going to see the dowager consort!”
At first, Ning Junruo had thought the dowager consort was gravely ill. But after summoning the household physician and learning that it was merely a recurrence of an old ailment, and not a serious one at that, she had not gone to pay her respects.
She had just reached the ornamental rockery when a maid named Cherry suddenly appeared and blocked their path.
“Your Highness, my mistress requests your presence. She says there is something important to discuss with you.”
Cherry bowed respectfully.
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