Yun Chaorong sneered.
Forcing others into a difficult position? Today’s guests were all high-ranking officials and nobles, receiving generous annual rewards and benefits. Ten thousand taels wouldn’t even make a dent in their fortunes.
“Your Highness, we came to attend the banquet today. How could we possibly carry ten thousand taels with us? Why not let us return home and send the silver tomorrow?”
Yun Chaorong waved her hand dismissively. “That would be too much trouble for all of you. This princess has already sent word to the heads of each household to deliver the silver. Once the silver arrives, you may return to your homes.”
No sooner had she spoken than a group of imperial guards rushed into the imperial garden from outside, surrounding it so tightly that not even a drop of water could leak through.
It was clearly a move to detain everyone—no money, no release.
The atmosphere in the garden shifted dramatically.
From the men’s side, someone protested urgently, “We are the sons of noble families. How can Your Highness detain us so arbitrarily?”
Yun Chaorong smiled instead. “Precisely because you are the sons of noble families, you are here today.”
Everyone’s expressions changed as they suddenly realized that today’s attendees included not only the women of their households but also their sons.
This way, even if the heads of the households didn’t care about the women, they would have to pay the ransom for their sons.
“If Your Highness acts in this manner, my father will surely—”
“Surely what? Lodge a complaint with His Majesty?” Yun Chaorong blinked. “Go ahead and complain. You can even report the imperial guards while you’re at it.”
At that moment, the crowd fell silent.
The imperial guards took orders from the emperor.
Today’s events had the emperor’s tacit approval.
“Your Highness, be careful!” Willow Leaf supported Imperial Consort Li, who was on the verge of fainting.
Imperial Consort Li’s legs had gone weak.
She had put so much effort into organizing the Lotus Viewing Banquet, hoping to earn a good reputation and finally hold her head high.
Now it was all ruined.
She had deeply offended every single one of these officials’ families, and they would likely despise her for it.
Yun Chaorong truly was a wicked girl who brought nothing but trouble. And the emperor was no better—he had kept this matter completely secret.
If she had known this would happen, she would never have taken on this task, even if it meant death!
“Princess Rongyang, we understand the reasoning. But this humble subject also has a question.”
Lin Tongyi, who had earlier blushed with embarrassment, spoke up.
“Our families are each donating over ten thousand taels. Given Your Highness’s noble status, may we ask how much you will donate?”
As soon as the words were spoken, some admired Lin Tongyi’s courage, while others watched with schadenfreude, hoping to see Yun Chaorong put in an awkward position.
Yun Chaorong’s eyes gleamed with interest.
An excellent question. She wasn’t afraid of being asked—she was afraid no one would ask!
Yun Chaorong said, “Second Miss Lin asks a good question. Attendants, bring out the items!”
Michun directed a team of people carrying several large chests.
The heavy wooden chests swayed slightly as they were set down, kicking up a cloud of dust.
Clack—
The lids were opened, revealing piles of gold ingots that gleamed dazzlingly in the sunlight.
“With the nation facing hardship, this princess has emptied her private treasury, exchanging it for fifty thousand taels of gold to purchase provisions and supplies.”
You can’t catch a wolf without sacrificing a child.
Her private treasury—she had given it up!
Seeing this, half of the crowd’s anger dissipated.
They truly hadn’t expected Yun Chaorong to donate her entire private treasury. In comparison, their own actions seemed petty.
Lin Tongyi had nothing further to question and simply praised, “Your Highness is truly noble.”
But some still remained unconvinced.
An elderly woman’s voice rang out, “Princess Rongyang is wealthy and privileged, so naturally, it’s easy for you to produce money. But this old woman is advanced in years, and the family’s businesses have been poorly managed. There is absolutely no way I can come up with the money.”
Everyone turned to look and recognized the speaker as Old Madam Su from the Duke of Yuguo’s household.
Old Madam Su’s face was sallow and dry, and even a thick layer of powder could not conceal her haggard, aged appearance.
She was furious at the moment, never expecting Princess Rongyang to be so capable of stirring up trouble.
A few days ago, the princess had barged into her residence, and that matter was not yet settled. Now, she was forcing people to hand over silver.
Donate ten thousand taels of silver? What a beautiful thought! The Duke’s estate’s businesses were poorly managed, with some already collapsed and others sold off. Yet, they still had to maintain the grand facade of the Duke’s estate, with annual income and expenditure barely breaking even.
She refused to believe it—today, if she insisted on leaving, would anyone truly dare to stop her? She even recognized two of the younger guards among the imperial guards!
“Since my household cannot produce the silver, I shall not linger here any longer. Your Highness is young and can afford to stir up trouble, but these old bones of mine cannot withstand it.”
As she spoke, Old Madam Su began walking toward the entrance of the imperial garden.
The imperial guards at the garden gate wore expressions of hesitation. After all, Old Madam Su was the widow of the late Duke of Honor, and they dared not act rashly.
Seeing this, Old Madam Su’s face grew even more smug.
But after taking only two steps, she heard gasps from the women behind her, followed by Princess Rongyang’s voice:
“Old Madam Su, this is the last time I will say it—
No one is to leave without permission.”
Yun Chaorong’s voice suddenly turned icy, each word chilling as frost.
Old Madam Su shivered and turned around, only to see the princess holding a bow and arrow, aimed directly at her.
The bow was drawn to a full crescent, the arrow nocked and ready.
“You, you… I am the widow of the late Duke of Honor! Even if you are a princess, you cannot treat me this way!”
Old Madam Su’s hands trembled slightly in fear.
Her maternal family had long declined, with later generations relocating to southern counties. Only she remained in the capital, living in a grand mansion and never suffering any hardships.
Having lived a life of comfort and privilege for years, even after the old Duke’s passing, she still held the title of Old Madam and was respected everywhere. When had anyone ever dared to treat her like this?
Seeing the other noblewomen watching her, she felt she could not afford to lose face now.
“Hmph, if I insist on leaving, would Your Highness truly dare to kill me?”
With that, she lifted her foot to walk away.
Whoosh—!
The long arrow whistled through the air, cutting through the wind.
It struck Old Madam Su’s high, coiled bun and embedded itself in the red-lacquered pillar behind her.
Old Madam Su’s hair was pinned to the pillar, half of her bun unraveling.
“Ahhh—! Murder—!”
Old Madam Su screamed even more pitifully than a pig at New Year, abandoning all pretense of dignity and composure.
Terrified out of her wits, she cried out twice before fainting on the spot.
Yun Chaorong instructed two palace attendants, “Carry Old Madam Su into the pavilion. Do not leave her outside blocking the path.”
Everyone watched as the previously haughty Old Madam, now with half her hair disheveled like a female ghost, was carried into the pavilion with her eyes tightly shut.
As soon as Yun Chaorong finished giving orders, Yingxia hurried to her side and whispered:
“Your Highness, Young Master Su is feeling unwell and asks if he may rest in the Flower-Viewing Pavilion of the imperial garden?”
A flicker of displeasure crossed Yun Chaorong’s eyes.
Feeling unwell? Was it an old ailment acting up, or had he been frightened by her earlier actions?
“Let him go. Have him rest in the side chamber of the Flower-Viewing Pavilion.”
Yingxia accepted the order and went to find Su Jingyuan.
After the earlier commotion, everyone recognized the situation and quieted down, obediently sitting in the imperial garden waiting for their families to deliver the silver, though unease lingered in their hearts.
The Shen siblings were the calmest at this moment, not only because they had a good relationship with the princess, but also because their grandfather had long ago mentioned at home that the nobles in the capital were deeply corrupt. If they could donate silver to help the country through its difficulties, that would be the best strategy.
Otherwise, sooner or later, they would be made an example of.
Shen Yazhi quietly accompanied her grandmother, knowing that once her grandfather received the news, he would immediately send the silver.
At times like these, the sooner it was sent, the better. If they were late, even sending the silver might not earn them any favor.
Shen Qingzhi also did not make a fuss, knowing that Yun Chaorong was currently establishing her authority, and he must not hold her back.
This way, Yun Chaorong suddenly found herself with free time again.
She instructed Michun, “I am tired and will rest for a while. If there is any news, report it to me at the Flower Viewing Pavilion.”
Michun wore a serious expression, looking as though she carried a great responsibility. “Yes, Your Highness. Please rest assured and leave it to this servant.”
Yun Chaorong put down her bow and arrow, flexed her wrists, and walked through the winding garden path to the Flower Viewing Pavilion.
Yingxia happened to be coming out from inside.
“Your Highness, Young Master Su is already resting in the side hall. He also said he wishes to request a private audience with you later.”
“Understood.”
Yun Chaorong went straight to the main hall.
After entering the main hall, she left the palace attendants outside and walked alone into the inner chamber.
But before she could sit down, she turned around, opened a small door leading to the side hall, passed through the carved pearwood corridor, and appeared in the side hall.
“Your Highness.”
The man reclining on the couch sat up, his long hair like satin cascading down, the collar of his robe slightly loose at the chest.
Yun Chaorong took a sharp breath: You, you were just taking a nap—why do you look so alluring!
Dressed in her martial attire, she strode to the couch in a few steps, reached out to grab a handful of his black hair, and teased:
“Do you have any money to donate?”
Su Jingyuan reached into his sleeve for the hundred-thousand-tael silver note, about to take it out, when he heard Yun Chaorong continue:
“If you have no money, I can lend it to you, but today you must serve me well.”
The words “serve me” rolled off her tongue with a melodious and suggestive tone.
Su Jingyuan’s Adam’s apple bobbed as he tucked the silver note back into his sleeve and calmly replied:
“I hope Your Highness will understand—my pockets are empty.”