Chapter 442: Chapter 429: I Can’t Believe You

“Among all the princes, you cause the most headaches for the Empress. If she’s angry with me about anything, seeing you, she’d probably only think about blaming you and forget about me.”

That was Chu Jinnian’s muted reply.

“Damn you, Chu Jinnian, you’re actually harboring such a scheme!” Chu Yunzhao waved off his statement dismissively, “Go on your own then, I won’t accompany you!”

“Oh?” Chu Jinnian cast a glance at Chu Yunzhao, “Is the Fourth Prince sure he won’t accompany me?”

“If the Empress has invited others, there must be other women accompanying our visit…”

If there are other women present, then why can’t the Luo family be there?

Moreover, since they have already planned to meet with the Empress, it’s never impossible to find an excuse to invite the Luo family over. Even if the Empress pays close attention, she can’t restrain them forever, there will always be opportunities.

If he were to invite Miss Luo, it might seem abrupt, and give people reason to gossip, but now with the Empress as a cover, things are different.

“Let’s go, how can we not?”

Once Chu Yunzhao figured this out, his prior dissatisfaction quickly transformed into a smiling face, his grin showing unreserved obsequiousness.

“Everything else doesn’t matter, as long as you, Jinnian, invite me to go with you, I’ll accompany you even through fire and water!” Chu Yunzhao pounded his chest with “thump-thump” sounds.

Seeing that Chu Jinnian had no response to his words, Chu Yunzhao chuckled again, “Thank you, my Prince.”

“If your gratitude is just in words, it seems a little insincere.” Chu Jinnian tilted his head, “How about something more substantial?”

“What do you want?” Chu Yunzhao quirked his chin up.

“Didn’t you offer me a shop before, asking me to choose one out of two? How about giving me the other one now?” Chu Jinnian made his request without any hesitation.

Asking for the shop right away, Chu Jinnian was certainly not modest about it.

And it seemed rather strange somehow…

Chu Yunzhao raised his eyebrows, “Have you recently encountered some financial difficulty? If you need silver, say it directly.”

As Fourth Prince, with the additional backing of Concubine Hui, and even beyond that, the Emperor and the Qiao family, they may not be rich enough to rival the country, but they are absolutely capable of solving the majority of money problems.

“But, wait a minute, you’re short of money?”

The gifts from the former Princess Qi’s dowry had mostly been given to Chu Jinnian, not to mention the Emperor and Empress’ rewards…

Chu Jinnian should be flush with wealth, not in need of funds.

“I am not short of money.” Chu Jinnian answered.

“Then you…” Chu Yunzhao grew increasingly perplexed.

“I just want the store.” Chu Jinnian rubbed his nose, “And it need to be a better and more abundant one.”

“I see, you’re not satisfied unless you can get something out of me…”

Chu Yunzhao sneered.

What are shops for?

They’re for doing business and earning silver.

If he’s not short of money, why would he want so many shops? The highly respectable Prince of Qi doesn’t have any particular interest in business, it’s obvious he just wants to get something from him to be satisfied.

“I can’t give you a shop this time, how about…”

The newly acquired pair of jade vases in the study, Chu Yunzhao found them a bit inconvenient to keep, and thought about giving them to Chu Jinnian to get rid of him.

“If it’s not enough, just save it up, and give it when it is enough.” Chu Jinnian answered.

Chu Yunzhao, “…”

He truly surrendered to this Prince of Qi!

—-

After Chu Yunzhao and Chu Jinnian left, Liang Xuelin was still standing far away, not leaving.

He had been lost in thought for a while.

He was thinking about Chu Yunzhao and Chu Jinnian’s so-called “casual chat”.

The more he thought about it, the more he agreed with what Chu Yunzhao had said.

The cat gifted by the Empress, must be well fed and cared for, but should not be befriended at all – isn’t that what his sister is like?

Despite having a virtuous reputation that benefits her husband, and contributing to the Empress’s health, who gloriously entered the First Prince’s mansion, to the First Prince, isn’t she just like the well-fed cat?

Yes, it must be so.

Otherwise, the First Prince wouldn’t have treated him the way he did, not even willing to meet him, let alone show the slightest favor.

If things go on like this, the whole Liang family won’t be able to benefit from the First Prince’s shine at all.

How irritating. He’s made himself look good in public, and probably pleased the Empress, but behind the scenes, he treats his consort so awfully. It’s simply infuriating.

In this case, what is the meaning of being virtuous? It’s better to do what needs to be done and get the benefits into your own hands.

After all, as Chu Yunzhao said, because the cat was a gift from the Empress, even if it causes trouble, Chu Jinnian wouldn’t dare to act rashly, and must continue to treat it well.

Considering the value his sister brings to the First Prince, and the impact it can have on the Empress’s side, even if she does something outrageous, the First Prince wouldn’t dare to dismiss his sister at will, let alone cause harm.

It seems he need to go home and discuss this matter with his father.

He had to plan carefully for when the Liang family could rise and make himself stand out.

He should make plans as soon as possible.

If the Empress were to pass away in the future, or if the First Prince is crowned prince, there would be as many women in the mansion as there are flowers in this garden, and it would be even harder to gain some power then.

Having figured it out, Liang Xuelin drained his cup and got up to leave.

He walked forward while lost in thought, and unexpectedly bumped into a maid.

He managed to dodge, but almost slipped and fell over.

Annoyed, Liang Xuelin frowned and shouted angrily, “Are you blind? Don’t you see where you’re going? Didn’t you see me?”

“How dare you!” The maid, far from being intimidated by Liang Xuelin’s anger, shouted back furiously, “Princess An Le is here. Step back immediately and give way!”

Princess An Le?

Liang Xuelin was taken aback and a layer of sweat broke out on his back.

Princess An Le, the emperor’s eldest daughter, and the first princess born from the empress.

The First Princess has always held a distinguished status, and because of this, when she was born, the Emperor granted her the title of An Le, implying a life of peace and joy.

When Princess An Le was born, the Emperor even pardoned the whole country, reducing a year’s taxes, demonstrating his love for his eldest daughter.

After that, regardless of which consort bore a princess, none were given such a distinction.

Liang Xuelin hurriedly bowed, “I apologize for my offense, Princess An Le, please forgive me.”

Through the opening in the delicate chiffon curtains of her palanquin, a pair of delicate white fingers extended and lifted a seam.