This would do.
Without the shop, fortunately, there were still some savings. Once the storm passed, reopening the shop would suffice.
But half a month later, someone, from who knows where, lodged a complaint at court. They accused the Shih Family of illegally seizing someone else’s property deeds. They claimed the shop originally belonged to another family. Furthermore, they alleged the Shih Family, relying on their powerful status and substantial business, had forcibly taken over this ancestral property.
This... Grand Tutor Shih blew his beard and glared in anger. He scolded all his butlers and servant boys who managed his affairs.
"Couldn’t you handle these matters cleanly?"
"Now look what has happened! They’ve come knocking with a lawsuit. Isn’t this just digging a pit for your master?"
The butler and servant boys knelt below, not daring to speak.
After Grand Tutor Shih had cursed for a while, he clutched his chest and collapsed onto a chair.
"My reputation in my twilight years! Ruined! Ruined!"
He had feigned integrity all his life, only for someone to bring up such a fault in his old age. It was truly... an utter embarrassment!
The Emperor found out about the matter shortly after it came to light. And so, the Shih Family was once again disciplined!
"Return the shops to their original owners. Furthermore, hand over half of the earnings from these years as rental money for the properties. Consider this matter settled!" Zhao Junyao thus decreed.
Grand Tutor Shih could only grit his teeth and swallow the bitter blood.
"I thank Your Majesty for your generous forgiveness!"
Zhao Junyao nodded in satisfaction.
"As an important official of the Imperial Court, you must set an example for the other officials!"
"I never want to hear of such matters again!"
Grand Tutor Shih’s insides ached with the effort of suppressing his frustration.
"Yes! This servant acknowledges his guilt!"
Zhao Junyao waved his hand, comforted him with a few kind words, and then sent Grand Tutor Shih away.
After these events, one after another, Zhao Junyao’s anger had long since dissipated, and even Xia Tingfeng was very pleased.
So, as soon as the storm calmed down, he immediately summoned Madam to the palace. This was to allow her to visit his sister and also to inform his sister of these matters, sharing the joy with her.
Zhao Junyao did not object at all. He gave the direct imperial approval: "Consort Xian Pin was frightened and unable to sleep at night and is in poor health. Her family is specially allowed into the palace to visit!" Thus, Ni Manxue had her opportunity.
「The weather was excellent that day.」
Ni Manxue rode a sedan chair into the palace.
It was still the familiar Qingya Residence, but... the person had changed.
Xia Ruqing had lost some weight, and her skin was somewhat pale. After all, she had "fallen ill" and was not fully recuperated, having to eat only bland food during this period.
Seeing her complexion, Ni Manxue began to worry.
"Your Highness, you look..."
Xia Ruqing gave a slight smile.
"I’ve been recuperating for over a month; it’s almost behind me!"
Luckily, I woke up; otherwise, I might have been gone. Having walked on death’s door, it truly wasn’t something that rest and sleep could easily restore. Detoxifying the body also requires a process, doesn’t it?
Ni Manxue nodded.
After uttering a few pleasing words, she steered the conversation elsewhere.
"Your Highness is unaware, the Marquis he..."
Ni Manxue relayed all the recent events that had transpired outside the palace to Xia Ruqing.
In the end, Ni Manxue said with a smile, "Although the Marquis is not much of a talker, his mind is full of you!"
"You must take good care of yourself, as even I look forward to your recovery every day!"
"We hope that by next year, you will give the Little Prince a younger brother!"
At the mention of this, Xia Ruqing’s smile took on a hint of bitterness.
"I can barely manage one, how could I possibly cope with a second!"
With the Empress in The Central Palace lacking a child, it’s so difficult for those of us below to have one too! When Little Bun was born, it seemed smooth, but in reality, it was fraught with danger. Consort Cheng Pin’s child was even premature. If she hadn’t been so cautious all the time, the preterm baby might not have survived. And now... we still don’t know what will happen! In such circumstances, the thought of continuing to give birth... I dare not even contemplate it!
Ni Manxue knew she had touched on Her Highness’s sore spot and regretted it in her heart. Yet she still smiled on the surface.
"Even if it’s a few years later, it would be good. Your Highness, you are still young!"
Xia Ruqing smiled and waved her hand.
"Still young? Let’s drop the subject, shall we!"
She then asked, "How is Jingfeng doing, and how is Sister Cai Yang? Can she write yet?"
As soon as the affairs of the residence were mentioned, Ni Manxue finally felt a sense of familiarity and gradually relaxed.
"All is well at the residence!"
"The second master is studying hard in the study every day, and he will be taking his examinations soon!"
"As for Second Sister Cai Yang, I’ve hired a Teaching Sister, and that child is intelligent; she has grown graceful and slender!"
It’s such a pity... not being of legitimate birth, such a fine child still can’t be matched with a reputable family. Otherwise... alas!
Ni Manxue always felt a deep regret when she thought about this.
Xia Ruqing, however, just smiled faintly.
"It’s already very good, all thanks to my sister-in-law’s efforts!"
Ni Manxue quickly stood up.
"Your Highness is too kind. It’s all this servant’s duty!"