Chapter 799: Have a Death Wish
Translator: Atlas Studios Editor: Atlas Studios
Even though there was no problem with this invitation, after this incident, Official Liu still broke out in a cold sweat.
Yu Youyao took the invitation and nodded. “I already know about this. It’s just that I’m in mourning, so it’s not appropriate for me to meet outsiders. Lord Li, please thank the four families for me.”
Official Liu hurriedly said, “I’ll go back and report to Lord Li now.”
The Pure Spirit Temple was a famous temple in Liancheng. The four families had invited Princess Shaoyi there and given her enough respect. However, Princess Shaoyi rejected the four families as she was mourning. It was obvious that she did not take them seriously.
The expressions of the four family heads, who were waiting in the government office to hear the news, immediately darkened.
Lord Li lowered his head and drank his tea without saying anything.
Official Liu moved closer to Lord Li and said in a low voice, “The courier station is heavily guarded inside and out. There are sentry posts every five steps in the small courtyard where Princess Shaoyi lives. When they’re pulled together, all of them will be activated. The princess also has an expert who’s proficient in poison techniques with her. Anything that the princess obtains has to be tested before it’s sent to her.”
As soon as these words were spoken, the scene was so quiet that one could hear a pin drop.
After a while, the Qiao family head slammed his palm on the table and was furious. “She’s the daughter of an external minister. She’s really putting on the airs of a princess. We’re already giving her respect.”
Master Zhang said sarcastically, “Tell this to Princess Shaoyi. Let’s see if she doesn’t punish you for being disrespectful and offending your superiors.”
Master Zhao gloated. “Her title as a first-grade Saint Venerable Princess is what everyone wants. She hasn’t even warmed up to it yet. If we provoke her, we’ll have a death wish.”
Master Qiao was furious. “You…”
“Alright.” Master Wan interrupted his anger impatiently. “Each of you, speak less. Why are you still fighting among yourselves at this time?”
Only then did the three of them reluctantly shut up.
Master Wan looked at Lord Li. “In Lord Li’s opinion, what kind of person is this Princess Shaoyi?”
After Princess Shaoyi arrived in Liancheng, the dock was cordoned off by King Yue Fei’s troops. Even the four families did not know what was happening and thought that there was an important resource. They secretly investigated and realized that King Yue Fei patrolled the area every day. There was nothing unusual, so they did not care.
It wasn’t until yesterday when Lord Li went to the courier station that they sent someone to investigate. They didn’t expect that the entire courier station would be under martial law and they didn’t find any news.
Only then did they suddenly understand that there was definitely a big shot living in the courier station. Even King Yue Fei had to treat them with respect.
How could they sit still?!
He quickly went to the government office to ask, and Lord Li did not hide it. “Princess Shaoyi was invited by King Yue Fei to help him promote the planting of sweet potatoes in the North and relieve the drought in the North. She’s now staying at the Liancheng courier station.”
As soon as these words were spoken, the four families knew that a big Buddha had come to Liancheng.
It was the kind that had to be presented with offerings.
However, what Lord Li said next made the hearts of the four family heads sink to the bottom.
The four families thought about it. Princess Shaoyi had come to plant sweet potatoes and would not stay in Liancheng for long. Princess Shaoyi was kind and wanted to take in refugees. This was not a big deal.
Each family would pay tens of thousands of taels of silver. They would first settle a group of refugees and fool this Buddha away.
That was why there was an invitation.
They had never expected Princess Shaoyi to refuse.
Lord Li said cautiously, “How much do you know about Princess Shaoyi?”
Master Wan’s heart sank again.
Lord Li was very crafty and slippery, and he was also very good at playing along with the wind. From his cautious attitude towards Princess Shaoyi, it was obvious that Princess Shaoyi was definitely not someone to be fooled.
Lord Li put down his teacup. “It’s said that aristocratic families are made of iron. The Yu Clan is undoubtedly a flowing dynasty. Although it has fallen for hundreds of years since our dynasty, the family’s foundation is still there. The Yu Clan has always taken root in the royal court. They even nurtured another cabinet aide, a first-grade Saint Venerable Princess.”
The so-called superiority of the four family heads was shattered by these words.
In the previous dynasty, the Yu Clan was once the number one family that produced high-ranking officials in the Great Zhou Dynasty.
Why were they given this title?
Among the many families, in terms of the history of their family, the Yu family was rare.
The only one who could compete with them was the Ye family of Linjiang.
“In history, the Wang clan of Langya nurtured 36 empresses. This means that the upbringing of the daughters of aristocratic families is not inferior to that of men. The so-called teachings restrict ordinary women. Look at Princess Shaoyi. During the mourning period for her grandmother, she went to Quanzhou to recuperate. Everyone in the world said that she was extremely filial. During the mourning period for her grandmother, she was invited by King Yue Fei to the North. She should have been rebellious, but if this news spreads to the world, the world will praise her for her kindness.”
It was definitely not a coincidence that a woman could do this.
He who understood the times was a wise man. However, how many people in this world could see the current affairs through its surface appearance and make a choice that was beneficial to them?
Not everyone had the ability to adapt to the situation.
To be able to do this, one had to be at least a talent.
“Princess Shaoyi is a disciple of Madam Ye, and she also has a nanny in the palace by her side who has raised her well. Her horizons and breadth of mind are not something ordinary people can compare to. In the past dynasties, most of the daughters of foreign ministers have been conferred noble titles and married into the royal family. Just look at King Yue Fei’s solicitous attitude towards her. You should know how much the royal family values Princess Shaoyi.”
After a long speech, Lord Li still did not answer Master Wan’s question directly or comment on Princess Shaoyi. Instead, he mentioned Princess Shaoyi’s family background and reputation.
Even though the four families were inferior to the Yu Clan, they understood what Lord Li meant.
If they wanted to be enemies with Princess Shaoyi, they had to first consider if they could afford to provoke the Yu Clan behind her. Secondly, they had to consider the imperial family behind her. Now, there was King Yue Fei, who had a large army, standing behind her. It was obvious how much the imperial family valued her.
Princess Shaoyi was the eldest daughter of the first wife of the clan. She had been raised since she was young and was not inferior to a man. She did not lack breadth of mind, methods, temperament, and shrewdness.
The furious Master Qiao’s expression turned solemn.
Master Li sighed softly. “A large number of refugees have gathered outside the city. If we don’t settle them down, trouble will happen sooner or later. As the county magistrate of Liancheng, it’s my responsibility to help them. You’ve already offended King Yue Fei. Even if the city is in chaos, you won’t be able to escape responsibility. Even if your crime isn’t punishable by death, it will delay your plan to earn money.”
King Yue Fei advocated taking in refugees, but the four families turned a deaf ear. Princess Shaoyi’s involvement in Liancheng’s silkworm business might not be without King Yue Fei’s intentions.
Unfortunately, after being a local tyrant in Liancheng for so long, the four families had forgotten their limits. From the moment Princess Shaoyi handed over her business card, Master Li knew that once something happened in Liancheng, the four families would not be able to respond.
The four family heads looked at one another, unable to make up their minds for a moment.
Lord Li did not want to persuade them anymore and only said, “That’s all I’ve said. You should make the decision yourselves!”
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