Free Web NovelChapter 219: Chapter 219: Irritable
The three brothers parted on bad terms, and after watching the spectacle, Kai Yuan returned home to find that aside from Zhuang Datou keeping watch, everyone else was asleep. He found a corner to sit in and let Zhuang Datou rest, sitting there alone, staring blankly at the night sky.
He was trying to guess who had sent those three women.
It certainly wasn’t the Third Prince, as the Gu Family was already bound to him. His task now was to protect this family to make them willing to hand over their possessions.
The First Prince and the Second Prince seemed possible, but neither of these Princes were easy to deal with, and it was unlikely they would use such a crude tactic.
As for the newly rising Fourth Prince, who had always been low-key in court, he had realized he couldn’t compete and had quietly withdrawn, taking his family to their fiefdom early on.
And for those Princes who had yet to mature, it was unlikely they would be so anxious to get involved.
However, even if they weren’t, what about their maternal families?
The silver Taels that Gu Baijiang had secretly hidden were not known in exact numbers, but one could guess the general amount. If one wanted to develop power, this would be a significant resource, tempting anyone with ambition.
What a bother, thought Kai Yuan as he snapped a tree branch and tossed it into the fire. How could the Third Prince do things so hesitantly? If he wanted to achieve greatness, he should quickly get things done and offer some benefits first.
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Rong Ruiyuan returned to the capital and stayed in the palace for several days before returning to his own mansion.
The mansion had been tidied up again, but without those luxurious decorations, it felt somewhat neglected. ƒreewebɳovel.com
Apart from the reception area, which was still decorated with some semblance of style, the other courtyards appeared quite simple.
"Your Highness, how should we tidy up the main courtyard?" The steward, feeling supported upon seeing the Third Prince return, asked. Although he was carefully cultivated by the Internal Affairs Department, his job as steward was difficult. With such a tight budget, apart from covering the mansion’s expenses, there was also the substantial cost of welcoming the Princess Consort into the mansion.
"Just arrange it as you see fit," Rong Ruiyuan said, rubbing his temples. The constant stream of issues was giving him a headache.
"But there’s not much silver left in the mansion."
"Didn’t you just receive five thousand Taels last time?" Rong Ruiyuan opened his eyes, a sharp look in his eyes.
"Your Highness, you did give the servant five thousand Taels of silver, but with more than a hundred people in the mansion, covering the monthly food and allowances, and purchasing basic necessities for each courtyard again, even with careful budgeting, there’s only a few hundred Taels left." The steward was also in a difficult position. He had given many gifts to be assigned this lucrative position by the Internal Service Department.
But in less than a year on the job, this lucrative position turned into a hot potato.
The mansion was ransacked overnight, and the stewards, being the first in line, were held accountable.
At that time, he had received ten board lashes, rested for a few days, and now still had lingering pain in his buttocks.
Rong Ruiyuan did the math, thinking the steward wouldn’t dare deceive him, but he really didn’t have much silver. "How are things at the manor?"
Thinking of the manor bestowed by the Emperor and Noble Consort, which brought in a substantial income each year.
"Just after the early autumn harvest, each manor had already sent over their grain and profits, but there won’t be more income until after spring ploughing next year."
"... Take these five thousand Taels to use for now," Rong Ruiyuan said, taking a silver note from his pocket and handing half to the steward. "There are too many people serving in the mansion. Return those idling their time away to the Internal Service Department."
"Your Highness, I’m afraid that’s not possible. The Prince Mansion still needs staff to arrange the wedding banquet, and without enough personnel, it won’t operate smoothly.
And I’m afraid this silver still won’t be enough, as the main courtyard needs proper renovations, and in a few days, the Princess Consort will come over to deliver her dowry."
Fortunately, when the decree for the marriage was issued, the Noble Consort had already sent a betrothal gift, or else it would have been a disgrace.
"Then have your people arrange everything properly, but keep it simple.
The Emperor has always advocated for frugality and against extravagance, as his son, it is only right for me to take the lead."
"The wedding banquet should also be simple," Rong Ruiyuan said, feeling a headache at the thought and wanting to postpone the wedding further if he could.
But since the Astronomical Bureau had already set the date, and the Emperor had approved it, no changes could be made.
"Your Highness," the steward, knowing the Prince had lost his cool these days, said gently, "The wedding banquet is organized by the Internal Service Department and should not be too simple, as you are a Prince, and cannot tarnish the royal’s reputation."
Only then did Rong Ruiyuan remember this and felt much more relaxed. "You reminded me. If that’s the case, I’ll trouble you to have someone keep an eye on the Internal Service Department. The wedding should not be inferior to my two elder Imperial Brothers’."
"Rest assured, Your Highness, I have personally attended to it. As for the arrangements for the main courtyard, Your Highness should provide instructions too."
Rong Ruiyuan furrowed his brows. "You handle these matters as you see fit. If you don’t know, just call the Internal Service Department to assist."
The steward nearly cried, "Besides the responsibilities of the Internal Service, we must also prepare internally.
The people from the Princess Consort’s side have already taken measurements and will deliver the dowry soon. We need to prepare."
Rong Ruiyuan was becoming impatient. How could marrying a wife be so troublesome? No matter how it’s put, it just needs silver.
Thinking of the missing thief, Rong Ruiyuan was furious. If he caught that damn thief, he vowed to have him torn limb from limb and his family annihilated.
Rong Ruiyuan slammed the remaining silver notes on the table. "Use these first; if it’s not enough, find a way yourselves."
The steward sighed, knowing it could get tight, but with frugality, preparations could be managed.
Since the Prince had spoken, he, as a servant, couldn’t say much more, just hoping the master wouldn’t blame them later. freёwebnoѵel.com
Rong Ruiyuan turned to leave, intending to rest, but as he turned the corner, the steward rushed up again, "Is Your Highness going to rest? The main courtyard is being tidied up. Perhaps Your Highness should stay in another courtyard for now."
"You wretched servant, why didn’t you say so earlier," Rong Ruiyuan turned towards the concubine’s courtyard, needing to vent his anger.
That darn thief, that darn Gu Baijiang, damn everyone was opposing him.
After Rong Ruiyuan disappeared from sight, the steward let out a long sigh. The Third Prince had always been this irritable; he had been too good at hiding it.
Ah, this wretched life, when would he no longer have to toil like a beast?
"Steward, the kitchen sent a message saying the rice supply is running low. What are your arrangements?"
"Steward, the ladies in the rear courtyard complained that this quarter’s clothes haven’t been made. When will someone come to take their measurements?"
...
The steward looked helplessly at the sky, indeed, this was the royal inner house...
