Ch 45: The Empress’s Mother’s Family

The room’s pot lacked water, so Li Jiao’yu reboiled a pot and pushed a steaming porcelain cup before Meng Tingyue.

“I didn’t expect the Crown Princess to come today, nor did I prepare…”

Li Jiao’yu felt somewhat constrained. She had just finished exercising and was covered in sweat, smelling musty, unlike the Crown Princess who was clean; a faint medicinal fragrance could be detected on the Crown Princess.

“It’s alright, I came today to inquire about some matters.”

Meng Tingyue didn’t mind; instead, seeing them run and train earlier piqued her curiosity about their backgrounds.

Li Jiao’yu nodded slightly and began to tell her story.

Li Jiao’yu’s parents both passed away; her brother raised her. She entered the Crown Prince’s Mansion five years ago, at its initial construction, sent by her brother. She was among the first to enter.

She was neither the Crown Prince’s concubine nor related to anyone in the mansion; her only brother worked under the Crown Prince.

Everyone in the North Garden was like her.

“Though I don’t know what my brother does under the Crown Prince, I know it must be extremely dangerous; otherwise, he wouldn’t have visited me once in five years, only sending occasional letters. I can’t even find a way to send him a letter.”

“Recently, the letters have become less frequent. Each time I try to see the Crown Prince, Ling Xiao turns me away, saying my brother is on important business and cannot send letters.”

A shadow clouded Li Jiao’yu’s eyes.

Meng Tingyue slightly furrowed her brows, thoughtful.

Unreasonably confining someone to the mansion has two possibilities: protection or threat.

She couldn’t determine which applied to Li Jiao’yu’s situation.

Perhaps both.

“What were your requests yesterday?”

Li Jiao’yu seemed surprised that Meng Tingyue was curious about what she had said, pausing before answering, “I have two requests: first, to ask the Crown Princess to protect the other girls with me.”

“Second, to ask the Crown Princess to let me see His Highness the Crown Prince.”

“Some in the mansion, like Qiao Lige, believe they are special to His Highness the Crown Prince, dreaming of rising to prominence; but who knows if that branch leads to soaring flight or a plummet?”

“The Crown Princess saw those with me—those with flawed appearances, who only feel awe toward His Highness the Crown Prince, not disrespect. They don’t fight or compete; they’re all pitiful.”

“If one day I’m gone and can’t protect them, I hope they won’t be bullied by people like Qiao Lige and can live peacefully. Perhaps one day their families will return for them.”

Meng Tingyue looked at her with an ambiguous smile. “Why do you think I can help you?”

She herself was barely safe, and she didn’t consider herself a good person.

Li Jiao’yu’s gaze was firm. “From the moment I saw the Crown Princess, I knew she wasn’t bad at heart, just like the Crown Prince. Though he’s fierce and keeps us confined to the mansion, preventing us from seeing him, I know he’s not a bad person.”

She added, “I’m usually good at judging people, never wrong.”

Meng Tingyue seemed amused, covering her face with her handkerchief and laughing. “I’m a merchant; I don’t make losing deals.”

“We can obey the Crown Princess and serve her.”

“You can’t leave the mansion; how can you serve me? I don’t need people to serve tea and water.”

Li Jiao’yu frowned thoughtfully.

Meng Tingyue touched the porcelain cup and drank some warm water.

“Unless you show me your worth, I won’t help you.”

Meng Tingyue slowly stood up and walked toward the door.

Li Jiao’yu’s voice rang out as she crossed the threshold.

“I can help you bring down Zheng Steward.”

A hint of amusement appeared in Meng Tingyue’s eyes. Turning around, she composed herself, her expression calm. “Zheng Steward… I have no quarrel with him. Why would I bring him down?”

Li Jiao’yu saw her turn and knew she was ambitious.

“If the Crown Princess wants to firmly control the Crown Prince’s Mansion, Zheng Steward cannot remain.”

“Since the Crown Prince’s Mansion was built, the Crown Prince has been on campaigns, rarely returning. When he’s away, Zheng Steward is the master of the Crown Prince’s Mansion, managing everything. He engages in private affairs, embezzlement—everything—but since he manages the mansion and the Crown Prince trusts him, no one dares to speak up.”

“Zheng Steward enjoys the Crown Prince’s trust and is careful and discreet, leaving no trace. Unless the Crown Princess can find decisive evidence, the Crown Prince won’t dismiss him.”

Hearing this, Meng Tingyue asked, “Why?”

“Because Zheng Steward is from the Empress’s maternal family.”

A hint of surprise flickered in Meng Tingyue’s eyes; her brows slowly furrowed; she hadn’t considered this.

If Zheng Steward truly was from the Empress’s maternal family, it would be difficult to remove him.

Unless she could completely subdue Zheng Steward and make him obey her.

If Zheng Steward embezzled mansion funds as Li Jiao’yu said, a large sum, he wouldn’t return control to her for a thorough investigation.

Difficult.

A sense of frustration arose in Meng Tingyue’s heart.

Embezzlement is the easiest crime in the inner court. The Crown Prince has countless shops and fields; if he really embezzled for five years, the sum would be enormous.

Would bringing down Zheng Steward be opposing the Empress?

Meng Tingyue said seriously, “Do you have evidence?”

Li Jiao’yu shook her head. “I don’t have proof of his embezzlement, but I know other things he’s done.”

“He once killed an innocent person.”

Meng Tingyue’s eyes widened slightly. This was no small matter. “This wasn’t reported?”

Li Jiao’yu shook her head again. “The girl was mute. After her death, her family was greedy for money, so the matter was settled with money; no waves were made. I saw it by accident.”

After returning from the North Garden, Meng Tingyue pondered Li Jiao’yu’s words.

Li Jiao’yu had no reason to lie about this; it was most likely true.

Unfortunately, it happened a long time ago, and Li Jiao’yu only caught a glimpse, not seeing the family’s face clearly; she didn’t know who the girl was.

Everyone in the mansion is Zheng Steward’s person; she couldn’t ask personally.

“Crown Princess, are you sending soup to His Highness today?” Qin Mama returned from the room.

“Yes, I said I’d send it daily; it can’t be missed.”

Meng Tingyue, having just returned to the courtyard, went to the kitchen.

Study.

Shen Yunheng had just returned from the military camp when he heard a servant report.

“Your Highness, the Crown Princess went to the kitchen again today. This was sent by her.”

“Where is she?”

“The Crown Princess has already left.”

Ling Qi stood beside Shen Yunheng. Hearing this, his gaze couldn’t help but fall on the porcelain bowl, wondering what the Crown Princess would do for the Crown Prince this time.

He guessed several answers and waited for the Crown Prince to open the lid to see if he was right.

“Leave.” Shen Yunheng didn’t raise his head or look at the porcelain bowl.

Ling Qi reluctantly left.

Only after Ling Qi left did he pick up the porcelain bowl.

Seeing the bright red goji berries floating in the chicken soup, his usually calm eyes seemed to cool.

He stirred the bowl with a porcelain spoon, recalling that day at the inn.

“Ling Qi.”

Ling Qi entered. “Your Highness.”

“Forget it, leave.”

Ling Qi: “?”