sovbooks Chapter 54 Unexpected Fortune
Chapter 54 Unexpected Fortune
Batu's lips trembled as he tried to say thank you, but he found his throat sore that he couldn't utter a single word.
He simply nodded vigorously, clutching the cloth bag tightly to his chest.
"But..." Yin'e's voice suddenly turned cold, "Remember, you must never touch opium again."
Not even a single bite. I will send someone to follow you, and I will know everything you do.
If I find out you're smoking that stuff again!
He didn't finish his sentence, but Batu's face had already turned as white as paper.
"No! Absolutely not!" Batu shook his head repeatedly, swearing an oath, "Tenth Master, if I ever touch that thing again, you won't even need to lift a finger; I'll tie myself up and come see you!"
Yin'e nodded and called out towards the door, "Fuquan."
The door was pushed open, and Fuquan entered, standing with his hands at his sides.
"Take your maternal uncle out through the side door, and make sure no one sees him," Yin'e instructed.
"Yes, madam." Fuquan responded, turned around and bowed to Batu, "Uncle, please follow me."
Batu, carrying the cloth bag, walked to the door, then stopped and turned back to look at Yin'e.
His eyes were still red, but his gaze had changed.
It was no longer the despair of having nowhere to turn, but a light that had a direction and carried a touch of determination.
"Tenth Master," he said, "don't worry."
Yin'e nodded without saying anything more.
Batu turned around and followed Fuquan out the door.
The room fell silent.
Ulan sat in the chair, head bowed, hands resting on her knees.
Her shoulders were heaving slightly, as if she was trying her best to restrain herself.
"Tenth Master..." Wulan lowered her head, not daring to look at him, "Why...why are you so good to us siblings?"
My brother has caused you so much trouble. I... I stole silver from the manor... Not only do you not blame us, but you even...
She couldn't continue.
Yin'e did not answer immediately.
He was silent for a moment before speaking: "Because you are my wife. Your affairs are my affairs. Your brother's affairs are also my affairs."
Ulan's shoulders trembled violently.
"Everyone in this mansion is watching us," Yin'e continued. "If my wife and I are not on good terms, people outside will think that the Tenth Prince's mansion is unstable."
If we siblings turn against each other, the people of the grasslands will think that the Tenth Prince's mansion has no foundation. Therefore, helping you is helping myself.
He paused, then turned to look at Ulan's profile.
Sunlight streamed in through the window, casting a soft, hazy glow on her silhouette.
"Besides," he said, a slight smile playing on his lips, "you didn't do nothing either. The slaps you gave your brother today were more effective than a hundred words from me."
Ulan finally couldn't help but burst out laughing.
She covered her mouth with a handkerchief, tears and laughter mingling together, her shoulders trembling.
She laughed for a while before raising her head to look at Yin'e.
"Tenth Master, please come to my courtyard tonight. I have something for you."
Yin'e glanced at her, but didn't ask what it was. He simply nodded and said, "Okay."
Ulan stood up, straightened her clothes, walked to the door, stopped, and looked back at him.
Her lips were slightly curved, and there was an indescribable soft light in her eyes.
Then she turned and walked out, her footsteps fading into the distance in the corridor.
Yin'e sat alone in the room, not in a hurry to leave.
He leaned back in his chair, closed his eyes, and tapped his fingers lightly on his knees.
Batu's situation has been stabilized for the time being.
But the real show has only just begun.
The Crown Prince's Palace had been planning for five years, using Gao Mengyuan as a pawn to gradually weave Batu into their web.
This is not something that a mere manager could accomplish; it must have been authorized by the Crown Prince himself.
The prince did not want Batu's money, nor did he want the loyalty of the Urjingarap tribe.
What he wanted was leverage over the Eighth Prince's faction and the Tenth Prince's mansion.
Now, this net is in Yin'e's hands.
Not only did he fail to let the crown prince succeed, he also turned Batu into his own pawn.
Next, he needs to turn this net into a trap for the crown prince himself.
His mind began to race through the possibilities.
What will Gao Mengyuan ask Batu? What will the Crown Prince's residence do next? How will the Eighth Prince react if he finds out about this?
What kind of support could he get from the Ninth Prince? How much did Kangxi actually know about the Crown Prince's alliance with the Mongols?
These clues intertwined in his consciousness, like countless threads, slowly weaving into a larger net.
He needed to find a fulcrum, a fulcrum that would allow the Crown Prince's Palace to take the initiative, while also revealing a weakness in its actions.
He needed to subtly make the Eighth Prince's faction his allies, but he couldn't let the Eighth Prince realize that he was secretly manipulating things.
He needs to maintain a safe distance in this three-way battle.
Don't get too close, lest you get caught in the crossfire; don't drift too far away, lest you lose the initiative.
This move is not easy.
But he had to go.
Yin'e opened his eyes, stood up, and straightened his clothes.
It was already completely dark.
The moon hung in the sky, round and bright, illuminating the entire courtyard as if it were covered with a thin layer of white frost.
He stepped out of the door and walked along the veranda toward the wife's courtyard.
The Princess Consort's courtyard was brightly lit.
Yin'e was stunned as soon as he entered the courtyard.
Seven or eight large boxes were neatly arranged in the courtyard, lined up from the bottom of the steps all the way to the gate.
The boxes were made of rosewood, with copper plating on the corners, polished to a shine.
Some of the boxes still had seals on them, the writing on the seals was a bit blurry, but you could still vaguely make out that it was Mongolian.
Ulan stood on the steps, wearing a light purple qipao, her hair tied in a simple bun, without any jewelry.
Su Mo'er stood behind her, holding a booklet in her hands, her head down, her expression unreadable.
"Tenth Master is here." Ulan's voice wasn't loud, but it was exceptionally clear in the quiet courtyard.
Yin'e looked at her, then at the boxes on the ground, and frowned slightly: "This is..."
Ulan did not answer.
She lifted the hem of her robe, walked down the steps, and stood in front of Yin'e.
Then she bent her knees and knelt down.
Su Mo'er then knelt down.
Yin'e was startled and quickly bent down to help him up, saying, "What are you doing? Get up!"
Ulan did not get up.
She raised her head and looked at Yin'equan.
"Tenth Master, this is all the dowry my father gave me when I married into this family."
Gold and silver jewelry, silks and satins, coral beads, turquoise surfaces, various leather goods, and land deeds for the grasslands.
She pointed to the boxes behind her, then raised her hands above her head and bowed deeply.
"Su Mo'er has made a complete list, not missing a single item. Now, I present it all to Tenth Master."