Naturally Yuanjue had no reason to refuse. Fan Liangdi and Prince Dongping had only told them to complete this matter, but hadn’t forbidden them from seeking others to help. Moreover, finding Elder Chen to conspire together was something that Steward Qian himself had personally hinted at. After a moment’s consideration, he agreed. The next day he dispatched a trusted subordinate to deliver the letter back to Huangjue Temple.
After Yuanjue’s departure, the other monk brothers of the Yuan generation had all emerged to prominence. Among them, the most outstanding was none other than Yuanxing, who had once lived and eaten alongside Yuanhui and had also guided the Three Difficulties. He now managed the Discipline Hall in Yuanjue’s stead. At this moment he was reporting to Yuankong. Upon hearing Elder Chen’s letter, he couldn’t help but laugh: “It seems the Eastern Palace’s actions have truly lost popular support. That’s why Old Master Chen has lingering fears and wants the benefit of a Princess Consort position before he’s willing to continue handling affairs for the Prince and Lady Liangdi.”
There was also a deeper meaning—to test whether Fan Liangdi and Prince Dongping planned to use them and then discard them, or if they truly had sincere intentions to recruit them under their banner from now on. Once bitten by a snake, one fears ropes for ten years—moreover, Old Master Chen wasn’t someone who specialized in doing good deeds. Master Yuankong nodded and instructed Yuanxing: “When Benefactor Qian comes tomorrow, you can tell him exactly as it is.”
Yuanxing respectfully acknowledged the order. These past few days, Qian Ying had come punctually and diligently. Though ostensibly waiting for Elder Chen’s reply, he maintained his composure. Whenever he came and heard no letter had been sent back, he showed no anxiety. He would sit down and drink tea for an entire afternoon, or play chess with Yuankong.
When Qian Ying arrived the next day, Yuanxing relayed Elder Chen’s reply word for word, then clasped his hands together toward Qian Ying: “News from Jinzhong indicates they’ll depart around the end of the fifth month. Sir should make an early decision.”
For such a major matter, they would need a very long time to prepare, lest any loopholes appear again.
Both being shrewd people, upon hearing these words he immediately understood what the other meant. Qian Ying decisively nodded. Upon returning, he mentioned this matter to Prince Dongping: “Old Master Chen has probably become ‘once bitten by a snake, afraid of ropes for ten years’ because of the spring examination affair.”
But even if once bitten by a snake, afraid of ropes for ten years, one shouldn’t use his marriage as a bargaining chip! Zhou Weiqi’s face showed difficulty. His first reaction wasn’t anger—after all, whom he married made no difference? To him there was fundamentally no distinction. The difference only lay in whether the help was great or small. If Elder Chen were still the Second Minister, not only would Zhou Weiqi be interested, but back then Fan Liangdi had also considered Chen Mingyu as one of the candidates. But now the Chen family no longer enjoyed their former glory—just a Jinling Minister of Revenue, unable to stir up any waves whatsoever.
Fan Liangdi also almost immediately rejected this absurd proposal: “Given the Chen family’s current status, how could we form a marriage alliance with them?! After carefully selecting from thousands, to bring back the daughter of a criminal official’s family who was punished for spring examination fraud and selling exam papers? If this spreads, wouldn’t it become a laughingstock?! Moreover, given the Chen family’s state, how difficult would it be for them to rise again?!”
Qian Ying found talking with Fan Liangdi somewhat exhausting. He was somewhat puzzled about what exactly this Lady Liangdi had relied on to captivate His Highness the Crown Prince for so many years. But exhausting as it was, he still needed to explain things clearly to Fan Liangdi for the present and future. He steadied himself and tactfully reasoned with her: “If this matter truly succeeds, at that time His Highness will be the Eastern Palace’s sole heir, representing the general trend. If that time truly comes, what’s there to fear about family background or not? If willing to give it, just promote the Chen family back up. If His Highness doesn’t like them, or if the Chen family proves difficult to use, feel free to select another young lady from a prestigious family to preside over Qingning Palace. Right now, the urgent priority is still to win over the Chen family first. What they require isn’t much either, and His Highness’s consort selection isn’t urgent enough to need deciding at this very moment.”
Fan Liangdi hesitated and furrowed her brow. She knew Qian Ying made sense. Right now the urgent priority was to first eliminate the thorn in their eye, Zhou Weizhao. As long as Zhou Weizhao was dead, what difference would it make if Prince Dongping married even a cat or dog? At that time, as the legitimate heir of the Eastern Palace, which family’s daughter couldn’t he marry if he wanted?
Seeing Fan Liangdi seemingly swayed, Qian Ying glanced at Prince Dongping, then continued his persuasion: “Moreover, although the Chen family has lost power, they haven’t been completely abandoned by His Majesty after all. Haven’t you seen Chief Grand Secretary Chang’s father? Years ago he was similarly impeached because his son received an exceptional recommendation and was consequently demoted to a desolate wilderness? But many years later when His Majesty remembered him and had use for him, he still transferred him back from the northwest. This shows worldly affairs are unpredictable and cannot be judged absolutely. Old Master Chen is going to Jinling. Back during the Yangzhou corruption case, the entire system of southern officials underwent almost complete replacement. His Highness the Crown Prince has always regretted not gaining any benefits from it. Now that Old Master Chen, that old fox, is going there, the Crown Prince will certainly rely more heavily on the Chen family. Under such circumstances, agreeing to bring in a Chen family daughter as Princess Consort really isn’t so important.”
Fan Liangdi hadn’t reacted earlier, but now hearing Qian Ying explain everything so meticulously, she immediately understood. Weighing the pros and cons in her heart, she immediately became clear-headed. She pursed her lips and glanced at Zhou Weiqi. Seeing Zhou Weiqi also looking back at her, she said softly: “Do you have your own decision?”
Zhou Weiqi recalled that a few days ago the Crown Prince had indeed mentioned wanting Old Master Chen to find ways to obtain silver in Jinling. Knowing that following Qian Ying’s words was indeed appropriate, he nodded: “Your son is willing to put the Chen family’s hearts at ease.”
Since that was the case, Fan Liangdi naturally had nothing more to say and finally nodded in agreement.
Qian Ying moved extremely quickly to reply to Huangjue Temple. Yuankong had long predicted that this Mister Qian would certainly be able to persuade Fan Liangdi and Prince Dongping. Upon receiving the news, he only felt it was within reason and immediately had someone send another letter to Yuanjue.
Only then did Old Master Chen truly begin earnestly plotting subsequent matters for them. Having worked conscientiously for the Eastern Palace all these years, now that he suddenly discovered opening his mouth actually yielded benefits, he was quite overjoyed. He even became somewhat gentler toward Old Madam Chen. After so many days, he stepped into his wife’s quarters again and discussed Chen Mingyu’s education with her most gently: “When the grand-aunt arrives, have A’Yu stay by her side and learn more skills. Her pride is high and she cannot bear setbacks—she needs to be tempered and trained first.”
Now he wasn’t even having Old Madam Chen personally teach matters of the inner residence. Old Madam Chen felt bitter inside, not knowing whether she felt more joy or more sadness. She numbly nodded—after all, she had personally raised Chen Mingyu. She had devoted truly too much effort to Chen Mingyu, so naturally she had no reason to wish ill for her.
That grand-aunt had once trained a princess consort. Having her teach Chen Mingyu would indeed have benefits. This child was good in every way, except her temperament wasn’t quite magnanimous enough. If this could be properly adjusted, it would be extremely good for both her and the Chen family in the future.