Chapter Six: The Infiltration in Progress

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Everyone turned to look and were surprised to see a gold-inlaid cloisonné begonia-style pot holding red coral!

Such an item was quite rare.

Lin Zheng quickly descended; he remembered that this coral tree had been a gift from the Emperor to Prince Ning when he came of age!

Lin Zheng’s expression brightened somewhat.

Nanny Cui seized the moment to add, “The Princess Consort is the legitimate mistress of the Prince’s residence. The Empress has said that from now on, everything in the household will be managed by the Princess Consort. Lord need not worry about her suffering any injustice.”

Since Nanny Cui was a member of the household, her words carried weight, and the murmurs among the people finally ceased.

“You… your concubine in the household…” someone began.

“Little sister, which family’s inner chambers are without women?” Lin Menghua interrupted with a slight smile at the corner of her lips.

Lin Qingwan’s face went pale and then flushed—it was true! Jiang Ping also had concubines, two of them, in fact!

“Enough! Sister Hua has returned; let’s go prepare for the banquet!” Lin Zheng said impatiently.

Madam Su quickly acknowledged.

“Sister Hua, come with me first!” Lin Zheng said, turning to leave with his hands behind his back.

Lin Menghua followed him all the way to the study.

“What’s going on? Why is Qingwan so certain that your life is miserable?” The elder sat in a meditation chair, his face faintly showing signs of fatigue.

“Perhaps because she hopes I am not doing well,” Lin Menghua sighed, and amidst the elder’s confusion and shock, she disclosed Su’s and Lin Qingwan’s original plan.

“The willow branch from that day was buried beneath the plum tree in the courtyard. If Grandfather inspects the incense burner’s replacement girl, he’ll find out soon enough,” Lin Menghua added.

“Such stupidity!” Lin Zheng slammed the table sharply, startling those outside the room to ask what was wrong.

“Nothing,” Lin Menghua replied calmly.

“Do they not realize this is treason against the Emperor? What good can come of such actions?” Lin Zheng lamented in anguish.

Lin Menghua remained silent for a moment. Perhaps they had imagined the consequences but failed to grasp their severity.

They thought that once the deed was done, they could cover it up, forgetting that the majesty of the imperial family brooked no challenge!

Though the fault lay with Su and Lin Qingwan, Lin Zheng bore almost the entire wrath of the Emperor alone.

Lin Menghua looked at the elder’s stooped back and fell silent before saying, “Grandfather, why not select outstanding children from the clan, regardless of birth, to adopt? You could take a look at the old family estate.”

“After all, Second Uncle is a scholar, but our branch comes from a line of military men!”

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She did not want Lin Zheng to lose his vitality day by day simply because she had married away and no longer bound him.

Lin Zheng sighed, a faint trace of weariness on his face. “Sister Hua, Grandfather is old. It takes at least fifteen years to cultivate a child. Have you considered, if Grandfather does not have enough time to train him, where will your support come from in the future? What will you do?”

“Grandfather, if I speak of support, I believe I will be the Lin family’s own support in the future!” Lin Menghua said as she slowly walked out, pushing open the door to gaze at the clear sky outside.

“Grandfather, rest assured in your selection! Your health is robust; you will live a long life!”

Lin Zheng stared at her back, somewhat lost in thought.

He was not one to dawdle; having spent half his life on battlefields, he was always decisive and swift.

“Good! Then we must hasten the selection and send away the second branch first!”

The elder’s eyes were resolute; the decision was made.

“I heard from the aunts that there is a child named Lin Qi’an at Uncle Wu’s old estate. Grandfather might want to take a look.”

That child had reached the position of school tutor by his own merit before the original owner died.

If Lin Zheng were to carefully nurture him, he could surely inherit his legacy.

Lin Zheng kept the name in mind, planning to investigate further. Then he recalled something else, “Sister Hua, I heard Prince Ning is about to be assigned to a fief.”

Lin Menghua smiled slightly. “Grandfather, rest assured, he will return.”

In about a year, they would return.

Lin Zheng thought this was merely to comfort him, sighed, and did not dwell on it.

By the time Lin Menghua left the mansion after dinner, it was already evening.

The carriage arrived at the Prince’s residence and went straight to the Ren Wang Shaohua courtyard to rest.

When Nanny Cui went to the front hall to report, Fu Cen stared at her intently, his gaze so dark it seemed to drip with water.

“Who told her to touch that red coral?” Fu Cen demanded sharply.

Nanny Cui replied cautiously, “Consort Gui said to let the Princess Consort manage the household affairs as she sees fit.”

“And besides…” She glanced at Fu Cen’s grim face and added, “Thanks to that red coral, we managed to control the situation today!”

“Oh?” Fu Cen’s interest was piqued.

Nanny Cui vividly described the scene.

Hearing about Lin Menghua’s behavior, Fu Cen frowned. “Is the household’s matter really being gossiped about so widely outside?”

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It was not surprising that the palace knew—how else could even a minor official know about things in his own mansion?

While the Prince’s residence was not completely airtight, it should not be so leaky either.

After hesitating a moment, he dismissed the person and summoned a servant.

“Go and investigate thoroughly!”

...

When a prince is assigned to a fief, though the rites and labor ministries handle the arrangements, they cannot just wash their hands of it. Fu Cen had made several trips just to select the chief clerk for the Prince’s residence.

The fief required many things, some of which the Emperor and Empress personally subsidized; Consort Gui contributed as well. Lin Menghua also arranged in advance for people to purchase supplies and deliver them to the territory, so nothing would be lacking upon arrival.

Fu Cen’s prince was the first of this reign to be assigned a fief, and with Consort Zhang favored, the Emperor paid great attention, ensuring no shortage of funds.

As the head mistress of the household, Lin Menghua began to manage affairs formally.

She first settled in Nanny Wang, brought from the mansion, and promoted the maids Green Willow and Green Bamboo to the rank of first-class maidservants. These three were all born within the family, making them trustworthy.

She also tasked Nanny Wang with maintaining good relations with the older housemaids, while the two maids mingled with the girls serving in the courtyard, making friends and gathering information on daily happenings in the residence.

In her spare time, Lin Menghua cared for the courtyard’s situation, telling the younger maids that when they came of age, if they found someone suitable, she would advocate for them and let them leave the household.

The young maids, innocent by nature, blushed shyly. Although they did not respond openly, they harbored hopes in their hearts, understanding that serving in the Princess Consort’s quarters carried a certain dignity.

This was excellent—hope gave them energy to work harder.

When interests aligned, loyalty would naturally follow.

She knew loyalty was not easily earned, but she was not in a hurry. There was still a long road ahead, and for now, she only required basic obedience and acceptance.

Nanny Wang’s progress was smooth; after two nights out for drinks, she had uncovered the details of the elders in the residence, gaining a basic understanding necessary for managing personnel.

Lin Menghua, taking advantage of preparations for the fief assignment, needed manpower. She sent trusted aides to the storerooms to help inventory, to the market to purchase supplies, and to settle accounts on the estate’s fields and farms.

Those sent out were all selected talents from her own circle, first having them follow the managers to familiarize themselves and build relationships, then gradually taking on some responsibilities.

Consort Gui, residing deep in the palace, only saw Lin Menghua’s increasing competence and rewarded her with numerous gifts.