Chapter 433 - 211: How Could a Brain Like That Not Make Money?

Chapter 433: Chapter 211: How Could a Brain Like That Not Make Money?

Once upon a time, the first and third branches of the family hadn’t been particularly close. But thanks to the constant trouble stirred up by Mrs. Cai and Song Qinghan during the palace selection in the Capital City, Song Yunzhao’s relationship with the first branch had grown increasingly warm.

Neither Song Yexi nor Song Hongjiao were with child yet. They both gazed at Yunzhao’s slightly swelling belly, asking with great concern about her health.

As an unmarried young woman, Xie Linlang couldn’t join in on such a topic, so she listened from the side. She covertly sized up Yunzhao’s quarters. The furnishings were exquisite, and the hall’s decor even reflected some of the tastes Yunzhao had before her marriage. The Palace Attendants bustling about had a sharpness in their eyes and were prudent in their actions. It was clear at a glance that they were well-trained.

Then she looked at Yunzhao’s attire. While not overtly extravagant, every piece of jewelry was delicate and exquisite, hinting at the profound heritage of the Imperial Palace.

This put her mind at ease. At least Yunzhao’s life in the palace was genuinely good; she hadn’t been lying to her.

Song Yexi turned to look at Linlang, then smiled at Yun Zhao. "The Xie family’s Second Young Master Xie has become quite the hot commodity in the Capital City. Plenty of families are hoping to marry their daughters to him."

The sudden mention of Xie Jinshu snapped Xie Linlang back to reality, and for a moment, her expression turned a little strange.

Yunzhao was quite surprised. She looked toward the senior madam. "Aunt, is it true?"

The senior madam nodded with a smile. "Second Young Master Xie has made a bit of a name for himself in the Capital City these past two years. He also earned a good reputation for his part in the disaster relief effort. These are all good things."

Song Yunzhao knew that Xie Jinshu had always been very cautious when it came to marriage. His older brother, Xie Jingguan, had studied and passed the examination to become a Scholar, and his wife was the daughter of the Xuanzhou county magistrate.

Why would a county magistrate’s daughter marry the eldest son of the Xie family? Firstly, because Xie Jingguan was genuinely talented. He had first passed the exam to become a Scholar, then passed the exam to become a scholar. As long as he could become an Advanced Scholar in the future, his prospects were sure to be bright.

Xie Jinshu was a merchant, destined to manage the Xie family’s enterprises, so he could never enter politics. Thus, his future wife would certainly not come from a better family background than his sister-in-law.

However, Xie Jinshu had always been ambitious. One could tell just from how he had come to the Capital City from Xuanzhou alone to manage their business interests, determined to forge his own path.

’I didn’t expect his good deed to bring such a fortunate return.’ Yunzhao was naturally happy for him.

If Xie Jinshu could marry a wife from a family of higher standing, then Xie Linlang’s own marriage prospects would improve as well.

Seeing the genuine smile on Yunzhao’s face, Xie Linlang smiled as well. "My second brother says it’s all thanks to your blessing, Zhaoyi."

But Yunzhao replied, "Even if I played a small part, Second Young Master Xie still had to have the courage to act. Not everyone can sacrifice their own interests for the people as he did. The fame and fortune he’s gained now are what he deserves."

The senior madam also nodded in agreement. "That is true."

Song Yexi looked at Yunzhao, and after a moment of consideration, she said slowly, "The Prince Zhenbei Mansion is arranging marriage interviews for Princess Ming’an. They weren’t in a rush, but now that Lord Ji has returned to the Capital City, the matter has become somewhat urgent."

Yunzhao froze. She hadn’t seen He Lan Yun in a very long time. Hearing Song Yexi’s words, she couldn’t help but sigh inwardly. ’Princess Zhenbei must be afraid her daughter will go back to her old flame.’

"Is Princess Ming’an doing all right now?" Yunzhao asked, looking at Song Yexi.

Song Yexi thought for a moment before replying, "She seems to be, at least on the surface. The County Princess rarely leaves the manor these days. When she does go out for a ride, she always takes the Prince Manor’s guards with her. She’s acting much more maturely than before."

Song Yexi was now He Lan Yun’s cousin-in-law, and the two families had always been close, so if she said so, it must be true.

"The County Princess must have come to the traveling palace this time, too?"

"She didn’t want to come originally; the Princess Consort insisted on bringing her," Song Yexi said. "But she seems quite happy now that she’s here. She went riding at the horse track just yesterday. In a few days, the Prince Manor is hosting a banquet. It’s really to select a husband for the County Princess, so that day is sure to be bustling."

The young men accompanying their families to the traveling palace were sure to be the most promising and favored sons. Choosing a husband from among them might not yield the very best match, but it certainly wouldn’t be the worst.

Song Yunzhao didn’t know much about Princess Zhenbei, but she recalled the book describing her as an extremely rational person. ’It’s just a shame that in the book, both of her children were major villains. Thankfully, it looks like they’re on the right path now.’

’This time, Helan Yue even followed Prince Zhenbei on a military campaign. In the book, he never left the capital, let alone set foot on a battlefield. He spent the entire story revolving around the protagonist.’

Listening to them share so much news from the Capital City, Yunzhao felt a bit dazed. She had been in the palace for so long that the outside world was starting to sound unfamiliar.

Which family’s daughter had just been betrothed, which family’s son had caused trouble again, and who got his head bashed in after being caught secretly keeping a mistress—Yunzhao couldn’t stop laughing at all the stories.

"Speaking of which, ever since Grand Tutor Qin’s eldest son lost his official post, he’s been indulging in wine and women day and night. He even took one of the singers into his residence as a concubine, and Grand Tutor Qin nearly broke his legs for it."

Song Yunzhao’s interest was instantly piqued when she heard gossip about the original protagonist’s family. ’Her brother didn’t inherit his father’s high intelligence or his deft political touch. He’s just overly ambitious and impractical. In the book, he caused plenty of trouble for her—definitely one of her more "special" relatives.’

Seeing Yunzhao’s interest, the senior madam explained in detail, "Grand Tutor Qin has been pulling strings to get his son reinstated in an official position, so he’s especially concerned about his reputation. That’s why this incident made the Grand Tutor so furious."

Song Yunzhao scoffed. "With a disposition like Qin Yuanjing’s, he’d just return to office and become the scourge of some new place. Grand Tutor Qin is really something else. He’s supposed to be a paragon of virtue, yet he can bring himself to do something so unscrupulous."

"None of Grand Tutor Qin’s children are exceptionally gifted. His eldest son is already considered one of the better ones. If his future is ruined just like that, the Qin Family would naturally be unable to accept it."

Yunzhao paused for a moment before saying, "Perhaps Grand Tutor Qin passed all of his intelligence on to his daughter."

Song Yexi was reminded of Qin Xiyue and frowned slightly. "Qin Wan Yi hasn’t done anything to you, has she?"

How could Song Yunzhao explain the situation to Song Yexi? It wasn’t something that could be cleared up in a sentence or two. So she just said it plainly, "She and I are rivals."

Everyone was speechless.

Xie Linlang’s expression soured. She huffed and said, "Back before the palace selection even started, it was obvious something was going on between Qin Wan Yi and Young Master Ji. Princess Ming’an really suffered because of her."

For someone so calculating to enter the palace was naturally not a good thing for Yunzhao.

Yunzhao looked at Xie Linlang. "Let’s not bring up the past. She’s a concubine in the harem now. If someone were to overhear you, it wouldn’t do you any good."

"I just can’t stand her," Xie Linlang said. "But don’t worry, I know how to be discreet."

’Once I leave this room, I won’t say a single word about it.’

With that thought, Xie Linlang looked at Yunzhao. "My second brother is preparing to open a branch of the Yuquan Building here at the traveling palace."

Song Yunzhao was momentarily speechless.

’Xie Jinshu sure is fast. With a mind like that, how could he not make a fortune?’

"If he’s only starting to build now, won’t it be too late?"

’By the time it’s finished, the Emperor will be ready to return to the palace. How is he supposed to make a huge profit then?’