“Father, about this Lotus Viewing Banquet…”
In the imperial study, Yun Chaorong pulled the Emperor aside and whispered to him.
The Emperor’s expression shifted several times, showing some hesitation: “Rong’er, this isn’t very proper, not very honorable.”
Yun Chaorong used her small hands to give the Emperor a haphazard shoulder rub: “Father, just tell me if this method can relieve the urgent needs of the national treasury.”
She had thought of some money-making ideas, like selling novel items as some time-traveling heroines in books did, earning money in a dignified and glorious manner.
But in the short term, even if such ideas could generate income, they could never fill the vast emptiness of the national treasury or meet the military needs at the front lines.
Now, with the nation in crisis, the front lines strained, and displaced refugees scattered along the borders, those noble families who had skimmed plenty of profits in peacetime still lived in extravagance, unwilling to help the nation in its time of need.
This was the time to gather everyone’s strength.
The Emperor sighed: “It could, indeed.”
“The one leading the troops at the front is my own elder brother, your precious eldest son. Do you care for him?”
The Emperor glanced at his daughter: “Is there any need to ask? Of course I care.”
“Whether it’s a white cat or a black cat, if it catches mice, it’s a good cat! If it solves the problem, it’s a good strategy.”
“This matter may displease many.”
“Father, have you ever cared whether they’re happy or not?” Yun Chaorong widened her eyes.
“No.”
“Then what is there to hesitate about?”
The Emperor thought about it. Setting aside reputation, it seemed there really was nothing to hesitate about. Supporting his good eldest son was more important.
“Let’s do it! Those parasites should have coughed something up long ago.”
“Father is wise! For your daughter to have such a wonderful father, I must have accumulated great virtue and performed great deeds in my past life…”
Yun Chaorong began blowing rainbow farts, and by the end, it was unclear whether she was praising someone else or herself.
Seeing his daughter grinning broadly, the Emperor was also amused.
After a while, Yun Chaorong emerged from the imperial study holding a scroll of names, her face full of fighting spirit.
“Princess, you seem so happy. Where are we going next?” Yingxia, who had been waiting outside, stepped forward.
Yun Chaorong raised an eyebrow: “Let’s go! To Linhua Palace, to catch someone for hard labor.”
Eunuch Huang, who served before the Emperor, smiled as he saw Yun Chaorong off, thinking to himself: Princess Rongyang is different from before. Now she truly carries the bearing of a royal master.
Yun Chaorong eagerly took Yingxia to Linhua Palace.
Her experience with Linhua Palace was now excellent; arriving there made her feel thoroughly comfortable.
After hauling those treasures back to Morning Sun Palace last time, she had taken Nanny Yu and Michun to take stock of the storeroom.
When she saw the storeroom, she understood why the original owner had been able to be so generous.
Gold, silver, jade, porcelain, fabrics, and cosmetics were arranged by material and style in separate sections. There was even an area dedicated to Western curiosities.
She truly possessed too much…
While taking stock, Yun Chaorong noticed a shelf that seemed to hold only men’s accessories.
When she asked, oh ho—they were things the original owner had prepared for Xie Nanzhu.
Well, those could be disposed of.
Yun Chaorong first picked a few items to send to Prince Rui. Then, when she saw a small deer-shaped warm jade, she thought of Su Jingyuan.
This jade would suit him very well.
Yun Chaorong didn’t hesitate; she acted on her thought.
“Send these few items to my eldest royal brother. Have someone deliver this jade to the Second Young Master Su.”
After saying this, she casually pointed to an ivory-white robe and two hundred-year-old lingzhi mushrooms: “Send these to him as well.”
Michun handled matters meticulously. Instead of having someone from Morning Sun Palace deliver them directly, she had them sent separately through the imperial physician and Prince Rui’s residence.
Although Yun Chaorong enjoyed visiting Linhua Palace to enhance her experience, the palace’s reaction to her presence was quite the opposite.
As soon as she arrived at the palace gates, the servants knelt in unison, fearing they might be a step too slow.
The events from last time were still fresh in their minds, and they pressed their foreheads to the ground, each bowing lower than the last.
“Long live Princess Rongyang! Long, long live!”
Yun Chaorong was quite satisfied with her intimidating presence.
She had no intention of being a gentle and amiable princess; her style was one of dominance and intimidation.
What surprised her this time was that Imperial Consort Li had actually taken the initiative to come out and greet her.
“Princess Rongyang, have you been well these past few days?”
This time, Imperial Consort Li hid the resentment in her eyes well, but a trace of grievance still leaked through.
And within that grievance, there was even a hint of eagerness to please Yun Chaorong.
The Emperor had not visited her for some time, her fellow consorts in the rear palace avoided her, and even her correspondence with her family had been cut off.
“Of course I’ve been well, far better than you could ever be, Consort.”
Yun Chaorong strode boldly into the hall and took a seat at the head of the room.
Imperial Consort Li bit her lip and sat in a lower seat.
This time, without Yingxia having to urge them, a palace maid quickly brought tea.
Yun Chaorong picked up the tea, blew on it, and suddenly found herself craving milk tea.
Seeing Yun Chaorong drink her tea in silence, Imperial Consort Li couldn’t help but speak first:
“Princess, regarding the Lotus Viewing Banquet you mentioned, I have come up with a plan.”
“Let’s hear it.” Yun Chaorong adopted the posture of a leader listening to an annual report.
Imperial Consort Li outlined her ideas in detail, including which departments to involve, which palace servants to assign, and specifics for the venue arrangements.
After all, having reached the position of Imperial Consort, she certainly had the capability to organize a banquet.
“Proceed as planned.” Yun Chaorong approved.
Imperial Consort Li wore a troubled expression: “Princess, I…”
“Within today, word will come from His Majesty to lift your house arrest.”
“Thank you, Princess!” Imperial Consort Li’s anxious heart finally settled.
Yun Chaorong rested her chin on her hand: “Take this list. Everyone on it must be invited.”
Yingxia walked over to Imperial Consort Li and handed her a scroll of names.
Imperial Consort Li unrolled it and exclaimed in surprise: “So many people! I thought we were only inviting women? Why are male family members included as well?”
“I never said we were only inviting women. What, can’t you handle this, Consort?”
“It’s not that I can’t handle it, but such arrangements are rarely made.”
“Then can you do it or not?”
“I can, I can handle it.” Imperial Consort Li put away the list, controlling her facial expression to show she was still capable.
Yun Chaorong clapped her hands: “As expected of an Imperial Consort, never one to back down easily. Do your best. Both His Majesty and I have high hopes for you. Don’t let us down.”
With things put this way, Imperial Consort Li could only reply: “I will certainly not disappoint His Majesty and the Princess.”
“Since the Consort is so dedicated, should I reward you with something as a token of appreciation?” Yun Chaorong pretended to ponder.
Imperial Consort Li almost blurted out: “I dare not! Sharing His Majesty’s burdens is my duty. How could I dare ask for rewards?”
Having learned from her last mistake, she wished to stay as far away as possible from anything from Morning Sun Palace.
“Since the Consort is so virtuous, I won’t say anything more.”
Having achieved her goal, Yun Chaorong was satisfied and ready to return to Morning Sun Palace for a nap.
As soon as she left Morning Sun Palace, she unexpectedly ran into the siblings Shen Qingzhi and Shen Yazhi again.
“Rong’er, what a coincidence! Where are you headed?” Shen Qingzhi pushed to the front first.
Yun Chaorong thought to herself that this was bad and quickly held her head: “I’m feeling dizzy. I need to return to the palace and rest.”
No school! She didn’t want to go to school!
Shen Yazhi smiled and reached out to touch Yun Chaorong’s forehead. “I see that Her Highness looks full of vitality, with a rosy complexion. You should be in excellent spirits.”
Yun Chaorong touched her own face: Damn it, she had been taking too good care of herself lately.
Shen Yazhi: “Since Your Highness has recovered, it would be best to return to the Hall of Thoughtful Learning early. Master Sun asked about you just the other day.”
“Rong’er, there’s no time like the present. Why not come with us directly today?” Shen Qingzhi added to the chaos from the side.
Yun Chaorong: “I didn’t bring any paper, pens, or books.”
Yingxia cleverly said, “Your Highness, I’ll go fetch them for you.”
Yun Chaorong: “I haven’t reviewed the lecture notes Yazhi gave me earlier. I won’t be able to keep up today.”
Shen Yazhi: “It doesn’t matter. I can explain them to Your Highness on the way.”
Yun Chaorong: “I, my legs are tired. I can’t walk.”
Shen Qingzhi: “Rong’er, I can carry you… Hey, Yazhi, why are you pinching me again!”
“At your age, men and women should not have physical contact.” Shen Yazhi glared at her brother. “We can ask Nanny Yu to arrange a cool sedan chair.”
Yun Chaorong: …Thank you so much.
Not long after, Nanny Yu actually sent people carrying a cool sedan chair, and she herself came along as well.
Nanny Yu half-pushed, half-supported Yun Chaorong onto the sedan chair: “It’s a good thing that Your Highness is going to the Hall of Thoughtful Learning. If the late Empress knew that Your Highness is so diligent in her studies, she would surely be comforted.”
The late Empress came from the Rong family of Lingnan, a scholarly family that had produced great Confucian scholars for generations. Patriarch Rong was immensely learned, with vast knowledge and a strong memory. Among scholars under heaven, none could surpass him.
The late Empress herself was also well-read in poetry and literature, her talent and insight far exceeding that of many men.
As for the princess… well, the late Empress passed away early and didn’t have time to cultivate the temperament of a scholarly family in the princess.
Nanny Yu said to Shen Yazhi, “Miss Shen, regarding matters at the Hall of Thoughtful Learning, we servants cannot help the princess. We can only ask you to remind Her Highness more often.”
Shen Yazhi was already accustomed to Nanny Yu’s repeated requests and replied naturally, “I have been the princess’s study companion since childhood. Reminding Her Highness about her studies is my duty.”
Yun Chaorong: …No need, really, there’s no need at all.
The group arrived at the Hall of Thoughtful Learning, and Nanny Yu quickly withdrew with the people and the sedan chair.
“Your Highness, let’s go in.”
Yun Chaorong was pulled inside by Shen Yazhi with an expressionless face.
Seeing Yun Chaorong’s half-dead expression, Shen Qingzhi whispered beside her:
“Rong’er, you’re probably the only one in the Hall of Thoughtful Learning who understands me.”
This pain of not wanting to go to school but being dragged along!
Yun Chaorong: “Besides Yazhi, who would be willing to come?”
“Of course there is!” Shen Qingzhi’s fair head bobbed in front of Yun Chaorong. “That Yun Jingshan! These days, she’s been quite the center of attention.”
“Yun Jingshan?” Yun Chaorong slowed her steps. “She’s at the Hall of Thoughtful Learning too?”
She had been so busy these past few days that she had almost forgotten about this person.
Shen Qingzhi continued chattering: “With you, the legitimate princess, absent, she’s been made to look like a golden branch and jade leaf. In my opinion, she’s not even worth one of your little fingers…”
“Brother! A gentleman should not speak ill of others behind their backs.” Shen Yazhi pulled Shen Qingzhi away.
“I’m no gentleman!” Shen Qingzhi declared righteously.
The two argued for a while, then turned to find that Yun Chaorong had already strode toward the Hall of Thoughtful Learning.
Yun Chaorong, walking ahead, was full of enthusiasm, her eyebrows curved like crescent moons.
If only they had said so earlier. Wherever Yun Jingshan was, she was more than happy to go.
The taste of bullying a green tea sister—ha, just thinking about it felt satisfying.
Standing at the entrance of the Hall of Thoughtful Learning, the radiance of knowledge fell upon Yun Chaorong’s wicked smile.
“Shan’er, my dear sister, this princess has come to play with you.”