Chapter 425: The Speculation of the Du Family’s Mother and Son
Bai Ruozhu quickly understood her older brother’s intentions, he had already pledged himself to Meng Liangshen’s faction, so he had nothing to fear from residing in Meng Residence.
Bai Ruozhu wasn’t worried about that. Master Xie was a part of Meng Liangshen’s faction, so it was only natural for her brother to pledge his loyalty to Meng Liangshen. Besides, Meng Liangshen was the Emperor’s trusted aide and so, having been entrusted with critical tasks, her brother’s choice of aligning with the Emperor’s faction appeared to be a wise one.
I must say, Bai Ruozhu and her brother gained considerable insights into the current political situation in Danliang Country throughout their journey. Such insights would prove highly beneficial for their future business development. After all, how could one ensure the safety and stability of their business dealings without being aware of the political landscape, given that politics influences the economy?
The current Emperor of Danliang Country was Emperor Wuning, Tang Yin, who was only 25 years old. He seemed naïve and young compared to the Khan of the Turkic Country from the north, Sangke, and Emperor Longchang, Zhou Xinghong, of Chengshui Country to the southeast.
While the power of Danliang Country was formidable, Emperor Wuning, Tang Yin, had ascended the throne only two years ago after the death of the Former Emperor when he was the Crown Prince. However, due to his youth and unstable foundations, many individuals were secretly plotting against him.
Reportedly, the most considerable threat came from Prince Duan, Tang Xu, who was his late half-brother, currently 34 and in the prime of his life. He had his faction and was bestowed with lands in the northwest, thus posing the most significant threat to Emperor Wuning, Tang Yin.
This was why the Emperor had installed Meng Liangshen in Beiyu City and why the Political Officer of the government had a constant presence in Beiyu City and Anyuan Town. The spies they were stalking were not limited to those from the Turkic Country, but also included people from Prince Duan’s faction.
During Bai Ruozhu and her brother’s return to Linjiang Residence, Du Fuling in Du Residence received news and shattered an official kiln teacup in anger.
Madame Du, Du Fuling’s mother, was also furious. She complained to her eldest son, Du Zhongyong: "I never thought that the Bai siblings would visit Meng Residence twice. What the **** kind of luck are they having?"
"They probably rode on Master Xie’s coattails." Du Zhongyong speculated, since all they knew was that the Bai siblings had entered Meng Residence, but they had no idea what their situation was inside. They weren’t that capable.
Lady Du slammed the table, "Your younger brother is also Master Xie’s student, who should have been invited to Meng Residence together. It’s the fault of those unjustly interfering, otherwise, our Du Family would have received more attention from Meng Residence."
"Mother, don’t be angry. Let’s find out quickly who did this and hit back hard." Du Zhongyong said, a ruthless glint flashing in his eyes.
Lady Du nodded, but her brows quickly furrowed, and she asked her oldest son, "What if your father becomes furious after learning of our trouble with the Bai Family and that Meng Residence has taken an interest in them?"
Du Zhongyong sighed softly. It’s now that his mother thinks of asking this. At that time, he tried to dissuade her. She was determined to seek justice for Fuling and, after hearing that Bai Ruozhu could be a potential match, claimed that going to Bai Ruozhu was a favor to her.
Seeing her eldest son not responding, Lady Du knew what the answer was. She gritted her teeth. If the master was displeased and favoured the concubine again, where would she place her face?
"Better not tell your father about crushing the Bai siblings for now." Lady Du pondered and said finally.
Du Zhongyong frowned but eventually nodded, "Don’t worry, mother, I won’t blab."
By afternoon, Du Wenbin returned to Beiyu City with Du Zhongshu and went straight home to the Du Residence.
The Du family was worried about Du Zhongshu’s illness. However, whether their concern was genuine or feigned was uncertain. Before Du Wenbin left, he warned his wife not to tell anyone at home that Du Zhongshu had been poisoned, just to say he had internal injuries from falling off his horse. By pretending they hadn’t noticed the poisoning, they would more easily capture the mastermind behind it.
So by the time Du Zhongshu got home, the old man had some complaints, saying: "You must have dozed off while riding, otherwise how would you fall off like that?"
Everyone in the Du Residence knew how Du Fuling was injured, because she started to scold Bai Ruozhu in the yard as soon as she got home. She’s not good at managing servants, so her words spread quickly in the Du Family.
Facing his grandfather’s ridicule, Du Zhongshu smiled bitterly and said: "I was negligent, Grandpa. The Bai Family has already arrived at Beiyu City ahead of us. Should I invite them to meet you tomorrow morning?"
The old master Du’s eyes gleamed, "Good, you’re not well, so just get the servants to handle it."
At that, a steward in the Mansion readily took over the responsibility. Du Zhongshu laughed bitterly, not knowing who was behind this. Were they trying to steal the toothpaste business under a legitimate pretext?
The toothpaste business brought huge profits to the Du Family. The old man saw the business opportunity hidden within, and at this moment, Du Zhongshu had become the merit holder of the Du Family, the grandson most favored in his eyes. But if someone else in the future were to make the toothpaste business bigger and better, who would remember Du Zhongshu?
That afternoon, the Bai siblings received an invitation from the Du Family. The invitation said that old master Du was inviting them for tea at the Du Residence the next morning.
Bai Ruozhu’s eyebrows knitted slightly. She wasn’t sure what scheme the Du Family was up to by including her brother, or if they simply did it as a matter of courtesy.
In the afternoon, the siblings talked about their experience of visiting the Meng Residence.
"Master Meng intends to let me go to the Study Palace earlier. He will recommend me to join Class A," said Bai Zepei.
Bai Ruozhu was delighted upon hearing this. Class A was the best class in Beiyu Academy. She had heard from the boys at the Inn before that the students in Class A could almost all qualify as provincial graduates. Even the annual competition of the Eight Great Academy was mainly based on selecting students from Class A.
"That’s great, brother. We really should have moved earlier." Bai Ruozhu grinned cunningly and continued, "Now the only problem is father, who is unwilling to leave. When we return, let’s tell him that Madam Meng demanded that we move within seven days. Surely then he will be decisive."
Bai Zepei couldn’t help laughing, "Okay, you’re bold enough to use Madam Meng as a guise?"
Bai Ruozhu wrinkled her nose and said, "It’s true that Madam Meng urged me to move to Beiyu City as soon as possible. She even said that I shouldn’t go back, but have our family come directly here."
Bai Zepei chuckled and shook his head, it seemed his sister had won Madam Meng’s favor. This was good, if someone tried to bully her in the future, they would have to think twice, like Du Fuling and her mother from the Du Family.
Afterwards, the siblings started discussing the details of moving houses. From how many carriages they would need to how the servants should be arranged, they considered every aspect. Bai Zepei, however, was extremely torn about whether to bring his books or not. Leaving them in the Back Mountain Village didn’t feel safe, in case the old lady or Sanlang sold them in just a few days, but bringing them would take up a lot of space.
Bai Ruozhu began to laugh, "Of course you should bring them. Worst comes to worst, we could add another carriage. As the saying goes, ’In books, there are houses of gold. In books, there is food for a thousand years.’ How could we leave the books behind?"
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Here is the fourth update, I’m off now, I’ve got to take my son out to play. Yesterday, I read an article and felt that I’ve been neglecting my child, not spending enough time with him, and because of that, his temper has worsened and he has started acting out just to get my attention. I felt so guilty and couldn’t sleep well all night. To all the parents out there, please try to spend more time with your children. Once they grow up, they may not even want to spend time with us and might find us annoying.