books44 Chapter 42 He Mingwen's Scheme (2)
Chapter 42 He Mingwen's Scheme (2)
He Mingwen was filled with resentment and helplessness. He knew all too well that his private army and assassins required enormous financial support, but the manor's finances were so tight that even buying food was a problem, let alone having any extra money to support these private forces. Just as he was feeling anxious, the steward beside him suggested, "Your Highness, why not send a letter to the palace to inquire whether the Empress has any solutions?"
He Mingwen thought the idea was feasible, so he immediately got up and wrote a letter. After finishing the letter, he handed it to Zheng Kuan and instructed him, "Send this letter to the palace as soon as possible." Zheng Kuan respectfully accepted the letter and replied, "Yes, Your Highness, I will go immediately."
Watching Zheng Kuan's departing figure, He Mingwen's gaze turned to the kneeling guards. He waved his hand, signaling them to leave. After the guards left, He Mingwen sighed to the steward, "Even my mother's side will likely be unable to achieve anything. It seems I must seek my maternal grandfather's help. However, I am currently confined to my quarters and cannot go out at all!"
The steward pondered for a moment and then offered a suggestion: "Your Highness, Grand Tutor Liu once served as the Emperor's tutor. If Grand Tutor Liu were willing to plead for Your Highness, perhaps the Emperor would make an exception and allow Your Highness to leave the palace." He Mingwen expressed doubt: "Would he be willing to help?"
The butler replied confidently, "Of course, after all, Miss Liu is His Highness's future princess consort!" He Mingwen thought it made a lot of sense. If he could give Liu Xiaoyu a better life, his family would also benefit accordingly.
He Mingwen grew increasingly angry and couldn't help but raise his voice, saying, "Do you know how much money Qin Yaoyao won at the poetry competition?" The butler shook his head, indicating he didn't know. He Mingwen continued excitedly, "At least tens of thousands of taels, at most hundreds of thousands of taels!" Upon hearing this number, the butler's mouth dropped open in astonishment, and he exclaimed, "So much!"
He Mingwen continued, "Of course! The minimum bet that day was several thousand taels, and some even placed tens of thousands! With so many people attending the poetry gathering, how much do you think she could earn? If we could get our hands on Qin Yaoyao, all our problems would be solved. It's outrageous!" After saying that, He Mingwen slammed his hand on the table.
The steward sighed helplessly and said, "It's a pity. If His Highness hadn't been betrothed, or if Miss Qin hadn't been betrothed either, then it might have been possible. But in the current situation, how can His Highness marry Miss Qin? Alas..." However, He Mingwen retorted nonchalantly, "Why not?" seemingly full of confidence in the idea.
The steward asked doubtfully, “Your Highness, your plan to snatch Miss Qin from the Prince of Zhenbei is not impossible, but is she willing to become a concubine? Even if she is, her parents probably won't agree. We certainly can't make her the principal wife, as that would break the engagement with the Grand Tutor's family. If that happens, it will be difficult to explain to the Emperor, especially since we can't offend Grand Tutor Liu right now. After all, if Your Highness wants to leave the palace, you'll need Grand Tutor Liu to plead with the Emperor on your behalf.” He Mingwen smiled slightly and said, “Then why not just make her a concubine willingly?” “Your Highness means…” He Mingwen observed the steward's expression and continued, “What if she loses her virginity? I don't believe He Yanxi would ignore everyone's criticism and accusations and marry her. Then, the young prince will abandon her, she'll be jilted, and who in the entire capital would marry her? When I propose then, she'll only be grateful to me, and her whole family will thank me. Then, I can do whatever I want.”
The steward then asked, "So, what does Your Highness intend to do?" He Mingwen smiled slyly and said softly, "I've heard that she'll be going to the White Horse Temple in a few days to offer incense and pray for her grandmother. We can pretend to be bandits and ambush her on the way. I'll have her clothes stripped off, and then rescue her before her chastity is compromised. That way, she'll surely fall head over heels for me and be determined to marry no one else."
However, would things really go as smoothly as he wished? The answer was clearly no. At this moment, Qin Yaoyao was completely unaware, happily sewing exquisite embroidery with her personal maids.