Wen Zan maintained strict propriety when he arrived, leaving his house servants and other servants outside the courtyard. They did not enter the inner yard but waited at the reception area in the front hall.
Wen Zan knew that whenever the Fourth Prince visited, he would go directly to Princess Chao Ren’s inner courtyard. After all, they both shared imperial blood, and the Fourth Prince referred to Princess Chao Ren as "cousin," which was a relationship Wen Zan could not compare to.
While Wen Zan waited in the guest hall, he did not forget to hand over the items he had brought to Housekeeper He.
"Master Wen, it’s very kind of you to rember. Our old master’s legs always act up in the winter; he can’t do without this stuff." Housekeeper He accepted the dicine without courtesy. This wasn’t Wen Zan’s first visit—he usually followed the Fourth Prince. Now, with the prince absent, Wen Zan was behaving very appropriately, which made Housekeeper He quite fond of him.
"Housekeeper He, you shouldn’t credit for this—the Fourth Prince repeatedly instructed about it. How could I dare to forget?" Wen Zan was still very polite, but to outsiders unaware of the intricacies within, Housekeeper He, who had been managing everything perfectly without any signs of decline in the estate, was the one truly responsible for keeping it in order.
Therefore, Wen Zan thought that his father was right; Housekeeper He was both devoted and very capable.
"Master Wen, please wait. Since the Commandery Princess agreed to let you in, she naturally intends to see you." Housekeeper He said cheerfully. The fact that Wen Zan had brought the exact items he desired had pleased him greatly; otherwise, it would have taken a lot of effort to find these particular dicines, which were as hard to co by as so rare herbs.
Because the true effect of these dicines wasn’t just for treating arthritis but combined, they had other benefits.
As for Wen Zan’s situation, Housekeeper He felt that the second son of the Wen Family was different from the rest. Although the Wen Family’s main military forces were currently stationed at the Southeast Border, The Emperor’s intention was clear—he wanted to prevent the Wen Family from becoming too powerful with their own army, which could backfire on them.
It was evident that The Emperor was also very wary of the Wen Family at the mont, and especially so today, with two imperial decrees issued. Although, on the surface, they seed to have little to do with the Wen Family, a closer inspection revealed that these were vines spread out by the Wen Family. One might be a coincidence, but two made it hard not to be suspicious.
Housekeeper He remained upbeat. They couldn’t concern themselves with the affairs of the Imperial Family. Besides, Master Wen Zan didn’t command troops and was involved in imperial rchant trade, showing a flexible mind, unlike the arrogance of other Wen Family mbers.
"Her Royal Highness the Princess—"
"Her Royal Highness the Princess—" Footsteps approached, and from the old woman at the door to the maids around her, five or six people ca in. Wen Zan still hadn’t seen Zheng Nianru, but he was already standing.
"Her Royal Highness the Princess—" Wen Zan respectfully saluted as Housekeeper He looked at the servant at the door. Why hadn’t the prince returned yet?
The servant imdiately turned back to wait at the main gate; Zheng Nianru walked in slowly.
"Master Wen, is there sothing wrong with Fu Gong?" Zheng Nianru asked with a slight smile. She appreciated the fabrics Wen Zan had sent recently, so she was quite willing to et with him.
"Commandery Princess, it’s not about the Fourth Prince—I have a matter to discuss." Wen Zan didn’t beat around the bush. He glanced at his attendant, who promptly took a wooden box out of his sleeve and respectfully presented it.
Zheng Nianru frowned slightly. What was this?
Housekeeper He was also startled. Wen Zan had always been an attendant to the Fourth Prince, and it was only when the prince wished to see the Commandery Princess that Wen Zan accompanied him. In his view, if the Fourth Prince were not involved, Master Wen would have no reason to interact with their Commandery Princess.
Oh, but there was that ti in the other residence...
Though Housekeeper He remained expressionless, he stepped forward eagerly to pour water, clearly intending to stay.
"What is this?" Zheng Nianru asked, after a glance, not quite understanding Wen Zan’s gesture.
"Commandery Princess, these are the deeds to the two shops on Main Street and additional ones for incense and jewelry stores. Now, due to unavoidable circumstances, I am gifting them to you, Commandery Princess." Wen Zan explained.
"For ?" Zheng Nianru was taken aback. Initially, they were supposed to share the profits, even including Fu Gong, but Zheng Nianru never took it seriously and didn’t actively inquire about these affairs. Why was Wen Zan suddenly giving them to her?
Wen Zan glanced at the wooden box, reluctant to part with it but his father’s stern words compelled him to discreetly secure a path for the Wen Family without any link to the Fourth Prince.
Although Wen Zan was acquainted with many gentlen in the Capital City, they were all part of the Wen Family’s faction. Suddenly tasked by his father, Wen Zan didn’t know what had happened but complied regardless.
These shops weren’t operated openly. Because the Fourth Prince initially intended to gift them to the Commandery Princess, Wen Zan had not gone through the Wen Family to establish them. Now, this beca the best option.
"Commandery Princess, my father, knowing the businesses I’ve run, was almost ready to break my legs and demanded that I cut all ties. I thought it a pity to let go of my hard work and wanted to leave sothing behind. Now, only you can help , Commandery Princess." As he spoke, Wen Zan knelt down. Housekeeper He was startled, but the Commandery Princess was surely strong enough to accept such a gesture.
"So that’s it." Zheng Nianru nodded. She had heard so things about Wen Zan. That Old Master Wen Kang was disappointed in his son wasn’t a secret of just one or two days. He had repeatedly threatened to stop Wen Zan from indulging in his frivolous hobbies, which wasn’t a secret.
"These shops indeed involve a lot of my efforts; it would be a sha to close them. Since that’s the case, I’ll take them. I’ll manage them for you for now, and if you have the chance in the future, you can take them back." Zheng Nianru agreed, and Nian Xia accepted the items. She considered that these shops represented a considerable sum, which would indeed be a waste to close down. The reputation of those shops was growing, and even she and Xing Yu had secretly visited several tis, finding them excellent.
"Thank you, Commandery Princess—" Wen Zan showed rare respect with his salute, not lingering or saying more, worried he might regret parting with his possessions if he looked again. "Then, I shall take my leave—"
Housekeeper He remained stunned in place, not having recovered from the surprise regarding the shops. He was well aware of their value. Was Master Wen giving them to the Commandery Princess?
Housekeeper He didn’t know if this was good or bad. Still, there seed to be an undercurrent of unease within the Wen Family today, and he faintly sensed that sothing was amiss, but couldn’t quite put his finger on it. Regardless, since the Commandery Princess had already accepted, he naturally couldn’t make decisions on her behalf.
Wen Zan didn’t stay a mont longer once he had handed over the items to Zheng Nianru. He hoped it was just his father being overcautious. Noble Consort Wen showed no signs of involvent, and upon The Emperor’s awakening, there seed to be an intention to bestow more honors upon the Fourth Prince. The Wen Family had also been very careful in their actions in recent years.
He only hoped he was worried over nothing.
Reviews
All reviews (0)