Zi'an's side was making a lot of noise, but Concubine Gui's side was really in a mess.
King Nan Huai came back with a gloomy face. He sat down after entering, without saying a word, and just sulked to himself.
The noble concubine knew what he was angry about, and said calmly: "Just take back the deposit, don't take this batch yet, wait for the next batch."
"How can we possibly get it back? Those people received double the deposit paid to the Wulin Alliance. Now we don't want those bows and crossbows, and they want us to pay double the deposit. I told you to wait and find them after the matter is confirmed. Now look what happened. We have lost a lot of money in vain." King Nan Huai said resentfully.
The noble concubine was very angry, "Who knew he would keep this secret? This was all set in stone, but suddenly he sent a divorce letter, changed the candidate, and asked you to investigate the Yaozhi case."
"How can he be such an easy person to deal with? If he was really so stupid, my son wouldn't have been unable to return to the capital for so many years. He probably knew about your alliance with Liang Shulin a long time ago. Liang Shulin's rescue of Lord Cui couldn't stand up to investigation. I'm afraid he has reported it to the Empress Dowager now."
The noble concubine was silent for a moment, with resentment in her eyes, "I didn't underestimate him, I just thought that he would care about the mother-son relationship. Even if he knew that I had formed an alliance with Liang Shulin, he would at most benefit from it. Who would have thought that he would directly cut off his retreat? He is really crazy. He didn't plan to be the emperor, so why can't he let you be the emperor? He is fighting so hard, not for the throne, nor for money, what is it for?"
"Mother, your thoughts are so childish. You are going to kill him, how can he still care about the mother-son relationship? His heart is made of stone, and he will not be soft-hearted to anyone."
"He is quite nice to Xia Zian," Noble Concubine thought for a moment, "What do you think of Xia Zian? Can we start with her? I don't believe that she doesn't want to be the queen."
Prince Nan Huai sneered, "Is it appropriate for your Majesty to ask me this? If you cooperate with Xia Zian, then Murong Jie will be the emperor. What business does it have on me?"
The noble concubine knew that she had spoken out of turn and shouldn't have said this in front of him, but once the thought was planted, it continued to take root.
She had observed that Xia Zian was a utilitarian person. The people she made friends with were either rich or noble, such as Hu Huanxi, Murong Zhuangzhuang, Chen Liuliu, and Rouyao. Moreover, the reason she did not marry King Liang that day was probably because she knew he was violent and because he had no real power.
But once she was told to marry Murong Jie, she happily agreed. Did she have no ambition? Impossible.
She comforted Prince Nan Huai, "Of course, mother can't look for Xia Zian. After all, mother attacked her before, and she hates mother to the core. But this person's methods can be used. After all, people always have something they like, either money or power. She has power now, but she doesn't have much money. Besides, you see that the people she made friends with, Hu Huanxi, the princess, and the Chen family, are all wealthy families, so this may be a breakthrough."
"Mother, you think too simply. Xia Zian is not easy to bribe. She and Murong Jie probably have feelings for each other."
"Emotions have a price. Besides, they don't spend much time together, so how can there be any emotions?" The noble concubine never believed in so-called emotions. It is impossible for a person to pursue emotions all his life without pursuing real things. "Also, if she is smart, she should know that Murong Jie has no intention of becoming the emperor. He is now a big tree that attracts wind and has offended many people. If she doesn't get some benefits, what will she do when she retires? Power is temporary, and only the money in hand is real."
"Where can we get the money to bribe her now?"
"It is uncertain whether Xiao Xiao is dead or alive. If Xiao Xiao dies, Zhuang Zhuang's wealth will fall into the hands of the Xiao family. Now that Murong Jie is still in power, he can issue an order to collect all of Zhuang Zhuang's wealth into the national treasury. Of course, whether it will be collected into the national treasury in the end is up to Xia Zian."
"Will Murong Jie listen to Xia Zian?" Prince Nan Huai felt that this would not work. He was different from the Noble Concubine. The Noble Concubine thought about everything based on her own habitual thinking. She believed that everyone could be bribed. There were almost no people like Murong Jie who did not ask for anything. Xia Zian must have used a lot of means to climb up from an unpopular daughter of the Prime Minister's Mansion to the current position of Regent Princess. She was a person who asked for something.
As long as there is something to desire, there will be a weakness. If you seize this weakness, you can make full use of it.
She learned this from Queen Mother Long. Back then, Queen Mother Long told the six palaces that anyone vying for the throne must first have this ability. If not, they should hide their weaknesses and not be exploited. Because, as long as one is a human being, they must have weaknesses. Once someone catches their weakness, they will have to pay with their life.
At that time, she remembered Queen Mother Long's words clearly. She had always hidden her ambitions, especially in front of Queen Mother Long. She was very cautious. However, no matter what she did, Queen Mother Long's eyes seemed to be able to see through people's minds, so she didn't like her.
Prince Nan Huai became alert in his heart. He knew very well that his mother only wanted the position of empress dowager. She wanted power and she didn't care who would be the emperor between him and Murong Jie.
If Xia Zian were to surrender to her and persuade Murong Jie to fight for her, then her fate would be sealed.
Old Madam Chen hosted a banquet for guests and also invited the noble concubine, but she would not go.
Because she knew that the Chen family could not rely on her, and she would not approach anyone who had no use for her.
However, she heard a piece of news that the Grand Princess Murong Zhuangzhuang would also attend.
She was horrified and questioned Ah Fu, "Didn't you always order people to monitor the princess's mansion? Why didn't you know she was healed?"
Ah Fu was also very aggrieved, "Yes, Noble Concubine, our people have not withdrawn yet, and we don't know how she survived."
"Waste!" The noble concubine cursed loudly. So, she knew about the farce in the palace today.
As soon as she had the idea of bribing Xia Zian, it was quickly extinguished, and she couldn't help but feel dejected.
However, this might be better. If Murong Jie cared about Xia Zian, then he would definitely listen to Xia Zian's words. Even if Xia Zian asked him to fight for the throne, he would not agree immediately and would consider it carefully. As long as he was willing to think deeply and try, once he tasted the sweetness of power, he would be unable to stop.
This is the human heart.
The Chen Mansion is very lively today. Under the pretext of inviting guests to dinner, in fact it is just a trial wedding to test the servants' reactions and responses. After all, for the Chen Mansion, Liu Liu's marriage is a big event, and there will be no room for any loss.
Naturally, people from the Xiao family were also invited today. When Zi'an and Murong Jie went in, the old lady was talking seriously to Marquis Xiao about the gift and dowry.
Zi'an seldom attends weddings in modern times, but he knows that it is a struggle between two families that are about to become relatives, a struggle over money and status.
However, the conversation surprised Zian.
(End of this chapter)