Chapter 72: Prosperity, buying popular support (1/2)

“How could I? Wanru meimei[1], look at these silks and choose some of your favorites,” Han Yunxi was extra generous.

“No, no, the emperor gave these to sister-in-law,” Murong Wanru hastily refused.

“It’s no matter. I can’t use so many of these, so pick some,” Han Yunxi was quite enthusiastic, even dragging over Murong Wanru by the wrist.

Actually, Murong Wanru had long looked over these treasures. All of Emperor Tianhui’s rewards were foreign tributes that were impossible to buy with money. There were a few items that Murong Wanru especially liked, so she couldn’t help but choose them when Han Yunxi was so fervent.

But then Han Yunxi spoke. “As for me, I still want to know who spread rumors that I could treat illnesses. I’d give her some of these rewards since she played a part as well.”

At these words, Murong Wanru’s hands froze in place.

“Wanru meimei, do you know what kind of person spread those rumors? She was probably trying to help me instead of harm me, right?” Han Yunxi asked very earnestly.

Murong Wanru could pretend all she wanted on her face, but her hands gave her away. Han Yunxi was still holding onto one hand when it recoiled as if being shocked. Han Yunxi filed this away and smiled even more brilliantly as she tugged the hand back down.

“Wanru meimei, hurry up and pick. Don’t be so polite.”

Murong Wanru was all guilty conscience as she forced herself to calm down with a polite tone. “No, there’s no need…his majesty, his majesty’s awards can’t be given to others so easily. Sister-in-law, it’s late. You should rest early, I’ll go accompany mufei.” She didn’t say much else, but fled the scene when she was done.

Han Yunxi saw her retreating figure as hostility flashed through her eyes. There were few people who knew what happened behind the scenes, and even fewer who would profit from spreading the rumors. Besides a few possibilities inside the palace, there were only people in this household. If the empress wanted her to treat the crown prince, she didn’t need to use such a convoluted method. A simple pillow talk with her husband would work. In that case, Murong Wanru carried the greatest suspicion.

Her again. This time it was still her! White lotus, feel stifled all you want this time. Next time, this wangfei will definitely unveil your fox’s tail!

After chasing off both Grand Concubine Yi and Murong Wanru, Han Yunxi finally worked off her grievances. She looked at the large spread of treasure before her and grinned. This feeling was like winning the lottery and getting rich overnight. From now on, she never had to live her days counting the silver again.

She picked up a silver ingot and casually tossed it at a servant girl. “Find some people to help me take these things to the Hibiscus Courtyard.”

The flustered servant caught the heavy silver, a little dumbfounded. Did esteemed wangfei really mean to give her so much? Even the grand imperial concubine wasn’t so generous.

“Still not going?” Han Yunxi asked.

“Yes, this servant will go immediately! Please wait, esteemed wangfei!” the overjoyed servant hid away the silver and ran out.

Very quickly, she brought back six to seven able-bodied men. These men usually acted arrogant whenever they saw Han Yunxi, but now each and every one of them was reverent and extremely respectful. They called her esteemed wangfei this and esteemed wangfei that, like sycophantic lackeys.

With money, even a ghost can grind a millstone. Such words were true logic here.

The items were carefully delivered to the Leisurely Cloud Pavilion in the Hibiscus Courtyard. Who knew, Han Yunxi was very generous and gave them a gold ingot to split between them. These servants had rarely seen gold in their lives and didn’t dare believe it. They treated Han Yunxi with the same respect as a revered forefather and thanked her multiple times before leaving.

“Mistress, that’s gold! It’s enough to cover their salary for months!” Chen Xiang huffed.

“Little Chen Xiang, do you know a principle of poisons?” Han Yunxi asked. Chen Xiang shook her head, so Han Yunxi smiled. “A thorough poison that seeps down to the organs is the hardest type to cure. It’s the same thing when you’re buying popular support.”

Chen Xiang still didn’t understand and shook her head. Han Yunxi had no choice but to say, “Do you think Murong Wanru could be so generous?”

“Even if she was, she doesn’t have as much money as mistress,” Chen Xiang stuck up her lip. In her eyes, her mistress was a wealthy woman.

“That’s the principle. So in the future, these group of people will only side with me instead of her.” Han Yunxi smiled.

Accumulated wealth scattered people, scattered wealth accumulated people. Han Yunxi believed that news of her gold ingot would spread quickly among the servants of the household. See who dared to disrespect her then.

By now, the skies were gradually turning light. Han Yunxi didn’t feel drowsy, so she counted the money with Chen Xiang while cleaning and squirreling it away. It was just like the saying, counting your silver until your hands cramped up–there was so much. When daylight finally broke, the things were finally put away. Chen Xiang was exhausted when she headed to the kitchens to make breakfast, but just as she left the Hibiscus Courtyard, she saw a servant waiting with a plate full of steaming hot food!

Actually, little Chen Xiang didn’t really understand her mistress’s logic, but seeing this she knew that having money really was a nice thing!

Han Yunxi ate a bit but was too tired and sleepless to have any appetite. Her entire body felt listless, so she mused for a bit before telling Chen Xiang to check the main sleeping quarters of the Hibiscus Courtyard.

“Mistress, His Highness Duke of Qin isn’t back,” Chen Xiang reported quickly.

Han Yunxi immediately brightened. She cleaned up her things and prepared to soak in the hot springs. When you were tired like this in wintertime, a soak in the hot springs was the best solution. After verifying that the rooms were empty, she had Chen Xiang stand guard outside while she splashed headfirst into the springs.

Although Long Feiye’s hot spring was located indoors, it was still a natural pool. The water was soft and a good temperature, the depth just right. Han Yunxi felt herself relax as she as she sank in. She leaned against the edge of the pool with her head tilted back, allowing the hot spring to cleanse her body as she made herself comfortable. Very quickly, she turned drowsy and fell asleep.

—

A shadow landed on the right wall of the main sleeping quarters, announcing the return of its master.