Chapter 33: Get Out of the Mansion
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Zhao Shenxing paused, a flicker of surprise crossing his eyes. “Interesting! So the esteemed Princess Consort of Liang has set her sights on my purse? I would very much like to know where you found the confidence to assume that I would borrow money from you.”
Ning Junruo smiled faintly and replied with calm composure, “If Your Highness were not in urgent need of money, why summon me here in such haste? As for why you would ask me, Your Highness knows the answer well enough. But whether you borrow from me or not, I will not force the matter.”
“How presumptuous!”
Zhao Shenxing’s voice rang out sharply. “My mother is ill, yet instead of remaining at home to care for her, you went and opened that Benevolent People’s Academy. That is filial ingratitude. And since you have failed to provide the princely household with heirs, you are also childless. On the strength of those two charges alone, I could divorce you and have you thrown out of the estate without a penny to your name!”
Outside the door, a gust of wind passed through, sending several fallen leaves drifting silently to the ground, as though foretelling something.
Beyond the door, Zisu stood waiting. The faintly audible exchange made her tighten her grip on the sword in her hand.
Ever since her mistress had returned to the estate, she had kept her sword constantly at her side, much to the prince’s displeasure.
“Filial ingratitude? Then may I ask who has been caring for Her Highness all these years? And as for being childless, does Your Highness’s conscience not ache at all?
“If you wish to divorce me, then do so. But after the scene Your Highness caused at the academy yesterday, I believe anyone with eyes can see what this is truly about!”
No wonder she had gone to all that trouble to establish a free academy, despite earning no gratitude for it.
At last, Zhao Shenxing understood her purpose.
His gaze at Ning Junruo gradually grew complicated.
He had never imagined that the seemingly delicate Ning Junruo possessed such formidable skill.
After a long silence, he finally spoke, his voice low and taunting. “Leave. I refuse to believe that without you, I cannot raise the money.”
Ning Junruo inclined herself in a shallow bow. A sharp glint, almost impossible to detect, flashed through her eyes. “Very well. This consort shall take her leave.”
As Ning Junruo departed, the study door slowly closed, leaving behind nothing but silence.
Outside, Zisu followed closely at her mistress’s heels, though her thoughts churned restlessly.
“Tell me,” Ning Junruo asked, suddenly stopping and turning her head, “was I taking too great a risk?”
Zisu considered the question for a moment before answering earnestly, “I think you were too softhearted before, and that only made people fail to respect you as you deserved. But these past few days, you have changed, and everyone seems to hold you in far greater regard. So even if this is a risk, I believe it is worth taking.”
At her words, a faint smile curved Ning Junruo’s lips. “Let us hope you are right. Remember this: from now on, we live only for ourselves.”
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The two figures gradually receded into the distance, leaving behind only a gentle breeze brushing through the corridors of the princely estate.
The moment they left, Zhao Shenxing took a carriage to the residence of Sun Wei, Governor of Liangzhou.
Sun Wei was a genuine man of letters and had never held much regard for this idle, gluttonous prince.
No one understood Liangzhou’s circumstances better than he did. Establishing the Benevolent People’s Academy was an immeasurably good deed.
What he himself had been unable to accomplish, the princess consort had achieved.
When he had gone to the academy last time, he had wholeheartedly approved of the princess consort’s actions. Yet bound by the prince’s command and cowed by his authority, he had been forced to lead men there to seal the academy.
Fortunately, Minister Li had arrived in time, and the scholars had joined together in its defense. Only then had the academy escaped disaster.
Otherwise, Sun Wei would never have been able to forgive himself.
When a servant reported that His Highness the Prince of Liang had come to call, his heart gave a sudden jolt. What did this difficult man want now?
The moment Zhao Shenxing stepped into Sun Wei’s residence, he was met by an air of scholarly refinement and lofty integrity, utterly different from the opulence of the princely estate.
He laughed inwardly. This bookish fellow would surely make him engage in another round of verbal maneuvering.
“Minister Sun, I apologize for arriving without notice.” Zhao Shenxing deliberately adopted a relaxed air, though an authority that brooked no refusal lay hidden in his tone.
Sun Wei came out at the sound of his voice. His brows drew together slightly, but he still bowed with impeccable courtesy. “Your Highness’s arrival honors this humble residence. I have merely been occupied with official business and was unable to greet you from afar. I beg your pardon.”
“Think nothing of it. I have come today to ask something of you.” Zhao Shenxing changed direction at once and went straight to the point.
Sun Wei’s heart tightened, though he maintained an appearance of calm. “Oh? What might Your Highness require? If it lies within my abilities, I shall certainly do my utmost.”
“You have presumably heard of my predicament. My mother is gravely ill and urgently requires money. I wish to borrow some silver to meet this immediate need.”
There was a hint of helplessness in Zhao Shenxing’s voice, but his eyes were as sharp as an eagle’s as he studied Sun Wei’s reaction.
Sun Wei’s expression shifted slightly. The Prince of Liang was usually so arrogant and overbearing; how could he have lowered himself to borrow money so readily?
Yet mindful of the other man’s status, he answered cautiously, “What Your Highness requires should indeed be provided. It is only…”
“Only what?” Zhao Shenxing arched a brow, plainly displeased by the hesitation.
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“Only Liangzhou has suffered drought for the past two years. Tax revenues have fallen sharply, and the treasury is empty. We truly cannot produce a great deal of silver.” Sun Wei sighed, his voice filled with regret.
At his words, Zhao Shenxing’s expression darkened and brightened by turns. Clearly, Sun Wei’s attitude had taken him by surprise.
After a moment of thought, he abruptly rose and swept his sleeve through the air. “Very well. Since that is how matters stand, I would like to see who in all of Liangzhou still dares say the word ‘no’ to me, Zhao Shenxing.”
His Highness the Prince of Liang had always been vindictive. Sun Wei knew perfectly well that this request to borrow silver was no more than throwing meat buns to a dog—once gone, it would never return.
But for the sake of his own future, he could only brace himself and say, “Your Highness, please do not misunderstand. This subordinate is not refusing. Her Highness is gravely ill, and I am willing to help. It is only that… I hope Your Highness will keep his word and truly use the silver for Her Highness’s treatment.”
His mother’s chronic illness could not be cured in any case. Using the silver for the household’s expenses would also ease the worry that plagued her.
Zhao Shenxing gave a soft laugh and nodded. “Naturally. I am not a man who breaks his word.”
“Your Highness, please wait a moment. I shall prepare the silver at once.” Sun Wei clasped his hands, rose, and took his leave.
Zhao Shenxing picked up the teacup and took a sip. But the aged sparrow-tongue tea was utterly incomparable to that served in the princely estate. The harsh bitterness was so difficult to swallow that he frowned.
“My apologies for keeping Your Highness waiting.”
Sun Wei entered with a young servant. He had assumed that after finally making such a request, Sun Wei would somehow manage to scrape together several thousand taels.
But when he saw the dozens of silver ingots on the tray in the servant’s hands, Zhao Shenxing’s gaze turned cold in an instant, disbelief showing between his brows.
“Minister Sun, is this what you call doing your utmost to help?” His voice was low, carrying an unmistakable pressure.
Sun Wei looked embarrassed, though he pretended to remain composed. “Your Highness, you know that my household is not wealthy. These silver ingots may not amount to much, but they are the most I could possibly raise. I beg Your Highness’s understanding.”
Outside the door, several servants happened to be passing by. Their whispers were carried inadvertently into the room on the passing breeze.
“I can hardly believe it. The esteemed Prince of Liang actually came here in person to borrow money!”
“Exactly. I have never seen him in such a state before. Isn’t he usually so overbearing?”
“His Highness came all the way here to beg, and our lord certainly has some nerve. He sends him off with such a paltry sum, without even fearing that His Highness will come looking for trouble later…”
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