Bixi Pavilion.
Ning wang sat in the seat of honor, while Princess Huyang sat below him with reddened eyes.
Liu Zhao stood to one side, staring at Princess Huyang with an unfriendly gaze.
It looked as though the moment they disagreed, he would make trouble for Princess Huyang.
Princess Huyang wiped away her tears. “Wangxiong, you must help me this time.”
Ning wang kept his eyes closed and merely gave an “Mm.”
“Wangxiong, say something.” Princess Huyang grew anxious.
Ning wang opened his eyes and said lightly, “Didn’t benwang already have Zhao’er clean up the mess for you? What more do you want?”
Princess Huyang immediately felt wronged.
“That little bastard Liu Zhao took away the coin molds and destroyed all that money. Now I have no money to use. I can’t even get through the New Year. What am I supposed to do?”
Liu Zhao was displeased. “Is gumu blaming me for cleaning up after gufu? Privately minting coins is punishable by death according to the law. Were gumu and gufu truly unafraid of the law and of Imperial Grandfather’s towering wrath?”
Princess Huyang’s expression changed slightly.
Together with the fuma, she had organized people to privately mint coins outside the capital.
As a result, the matter failed to remain secret and attracted the attention of the authorities.
At the time, the fuma happened to be at the minting workshop and was caught red-handed.
Fearing that the capital and the palace would be alarmed, he did not dare reveal his identity.
He only had someone deliver a message to the Princess’ fu, telling Princess Huyang to quickly find a way to get him out.
After receiving the message, Princess Huyang immediately lost her wits. So she went to Ning wang and asked him to find a way to cover up the matter.
When Ning wang learned that those two idiots had actually been bold enough to privately mint currency, he was so furious that he wanted to beat the fuma to death.
Princess Huyang pleaded bitterly, and Ning wang sighed. “Forget it. I’ll help you this once.”
Afterward, Ning wang instructed Liu Zhao to handle the aftermath.
Thus, over the past few days, Liu Zhao had been leaving early and returning late every day, busy with this matter.
The person who had arrested the fuma was only a county magistrate and was not very familiar with affairs in the capital.
Liu Zhao did not personally appear. He merely sent his subordinates out of the capital to settle the case.
Meanwhile, he remained in the capital destroying all the evidence.
The privately minted coins piled up in the Princess’ fu were all transported out of the city by Liu Zhao and melted down.
The coin molds were also destroyed.
Everyone who needed to be silenced had already been silenced, and the fuma had also been pulled out of prison.
Logically speaking, the matter should have ended there.
Unexpectedly, Princess Huyang had come today to complain, saying she had no money to spend and could not get through the New Year, asking the wang fu to provide some support.
In previous years, Princess Huyang would also come asking for handouts, but compared to this year, those occasions were nothing.
Because this year, Princess Huyang’s excuse was simply too shameless.
She never reflected on why she had no money. If the couple had exercised even a little restraint, an annual income of several hundred thousand taels would certainly have been enough to cover their expenses.
Yet Princess Huyang shamelessly placed the blame for her lack of money on Liu Zhao.
How could Liu Zhao not be angry!
Damn it. Bengongzi cleaned up the mess for the two of them. Not only did I not receive a single word of thanks, but all the blame was pushed onto bengongzi. They were even using it as an excuse to extort money from the wang fu.
People need face just as trees need bark. Could they have at least a little shame?
Liu Zhao was not someone with a good temper. Once provoked, he would even argue with Shu fei, let alone Princess Huyang.
“If gumu is dissatisfied with this nephew, then I shall enter the palace right now and seek an audience with Imperial Grandfather. Let him judge who is right.”
Princess Huyang’s expression changed. Covering her mouth, she burst into tears. “Wangxiong, look at Liu Zhao. He’s threatening me. He even wants to report me to fuhuang. How am I supposed to live?”
She sobbed and cried, the sound grating on the ears.
Liu Zhao sneered. “Since marrying the fuma, gumu has become increasingly shameless.”
“Who are you calling shameless? Liu Zhao, do you even understand rank and seniority? No matter what, I am still your own gumu.”
Princess Huyang jumped to her feet in anger and pointed at Liu Zhao’s face as she rebuked him.
Liu Zhao kept a stern expression, a sharp light flickering in his eyes.
He declared firmly, “If you were not my own gumu, I would have beaten you and thrown you out long ago. Why would I sit here listening to your nagging?”
Princess Huyang realized she truly had no way of dealing with Liu Zhao. Once his temper flared, he was completely unreasonable.
Only by working on Ning wang, her elder brother born of the same mother, might there be a turning point.
Princess Huyang cried and wailed. “Wangxiong, are you really going to leave me to die? In such a grand Princess’ fu, we cannot even produce five thousand taels now. How am I supposed to get through the New Year? Is wangxiong really going to watch me suffer from cold and hunger?”
Ning wang sighed. “The New Year is almost here. The income from the estates and shops should already have been deposited into the treasury. How can you possibly have no money to spend?”
“Wangxiong knows very well that I only collect the income from the estates and shops once every three to six months. Nearly all of this year’s income has already been spent.”
Ning wang earnestly advised, “Living on future income is not a long-term solution. If you have already spent all of this year’s earnings, what will you do next year?”
Princess Huyang sniffled. “When next year comes, the stipends and salaries from my title will be issued, and we can survive the hardest few months. It’s just that the expenses during the New Year period are truly too great. Wangxiong, please help me.”
Seeing that Ning wang remained silent, Princess Huyang cried again, “If even wangxiong refuses to help me, then I truly have no way to live.”
Ning wang frowned, thoroughly annoyed.
But Princess Huyang was his full-blooded younger sister, and he could not truly leave her to her fate.
With a stern face, Ning wang sharply asked, “Was it because money was tight that you and the fuma went and privately minted currency?”
Princess Huyang nodded weakly. “Didn’t wangxiong already know? Why ask again?”
“Shut up.” Ning wang flew into a rage. “How many times have I told you to live within your means? Why can’t you show any restraint? Why have you and the fuma become more and more outrageous?”
Princess Huyang said aggrievedly, “Neither the fuma nor I are good at managing finances.”
Ning wang let out a cold laugh. “An excuse. Even if neither you nor the fuma are good at managing finances, is the Princess fu steward just for show? Do you not know how to listen to the steward’s advice?”
Princess Huyang looked disdainful. “The steward nags too much. I told him to get lost.”
“The one who should get lost is you. Absurd!” Ning wang was furious and pointed at Princess Huyang as he scolded her.
Princess Huyang immediately felt wronged and began sobbing again.
“Wangxiong, are you being so vicious to me because you want to beat me to death?”
Ning wang sneered. “Benwang won’t beat you to death, but benwang will beat that fuma to death.”
“If you beat the fuma, I won’t live either.” Huyang truly loved her husband deeply and was willing to fall out with Ning wang for his sake.
Ning wang was delighted. “Good. Then get out for benwang right now. You are not welcome here at benwang’s place.”
Didn’t she want to protect the fuma? Then she could go live a hard life with him. He would no longer concern himself with them.
Princess Huyang burst into tears. “If mufei learns that wangxiong treats me like an enemy, who knows how heartbroken and distressed she will be. Can wangxiong bear to make mufei sad?”
Ning wang remained unmoved. “Are you finished? If you are, leave immediately.”
Princess Huyang was angry, resentful, and panicked all at once.
She and the fuma were accustomed to a luxurious lifestyle, and the New Year period was precisely when expenses were highest. If she had to entertain guests in a shabby manner, where would she put her face?
Princess Huyang lowered her stance and asked softly, “Can wangxiong be a little more courteous to the fuma?”
Ning wang laughed loudly. “Benwang has long wanted an excuse to teach the fuma a lesson. Do you think benwang will be courteous to him?”
Princess Huyang felt conflicted and torn. “How does wangxiong intend to teach the fuma a lesson?”
Ning wang said casually, “Start with twenty strokes of the board. What do you think?”
Princess Huyang’s face turned pale. “Twenty strokes? Wouldn’t that cost the fuma half his life?”
Ning wang smiled, his gaze cold. “Only half his life, not his whole life. That is already exceptional mercy on benwang’s part. If you are dissatisfied, feel free to leave.”
After struggling with herself for a long time, Princess Huyang asked again, “Then how much money can wangxiong give?”
Ning *wang replied offhandedly, “Five thousand taels.”
“Only five thousand taels?” Princess Huyang nearly jumped up in anger. “Wangxiong, are you deceiving me?”
Ning *wang’s face darkened. “Benwang’s money doesn’t fall from the sky. The old man is determined to clear the Ministry of Revenue’s outstanding debts. Benwang owes the Ministry hundreds of thousands of taels. How am I supposed to repay it? You think five thousand taels is too little; benwang doesn’t. If you don’t want the money, benwang is not eager to give it.”
Princess Huyang cried again. “Wangxiong’s heart is truly cruel. You want to have the fuma beaten and only give me five thousand taels to keep things running. You might as well let me starve to death.”
Ning wang said coldly, “When you’ve starved down to your last breath, benwang will send people to bring you back from the Princess fu. At that time, benwang will support you and never let you go hungry.”
Princess Huyang felt chilled to the heart and said, “Eight thousand taels!”
Ning wang closed his eyes to rest.
Princess Huyang gritted her teeth. “Six thousand taels. Wangxiong, no matter what, you must give me six thousand taels. Even if you don’t care about me, you should think of your two nephews.”
Ning wang opened his eyes. “Fine. Benwang will give you six thousand taels. Dalang, take men to the Princess fu immediately. Arrest the fuma and give him twenty strokes of the board. Make sure you beat him hard for benwang.”
Having received the prince’s command, Liu Zhao immediately moved to carry it out.
“Zhao’er, he is your gufu. Be gentler when you strike.”
Princess Huyang stopped Liu Zhao, hoping to move him with family affection.
Liu Zhao smiled coldly. “Gumu, rest assured. I know my limits.”
Liu Zhao naturally knew his limits. He guaranteed that after twenty strokes, the fuma would not die, but he would definitely lose half his life.
Liu Zhao departed.
Princess Huyang collapsed into a chair, limp as mud, as if her body had been hollowed out.
“Wangxiong is always so heartless.”
Ning wang flew into a rage. “If benwang were truly heartless, then just for the matter of the fuma privately minting coins, benwang would have killed him long ago. Why would I need to listen to your crying? Not only would benwang kill him, I would exterminate his three clans as well.”
Princess Huyang wailed. “If you exterminate his three clans, you might as well kill me too, along with your two nephews. Include us all.”
Ning wang kept a stern face. “He had the nerve to mint coins privately, so why doesn’t he have the nerve to go to the palace and complain? Do you dare tell fuhuang and mufei everything you’ve done?”
Princess Huyang froze. She did not dare go to the palace to complain, fearing that word might leak out and reach the Emperor’s ears.
Privately minting currency was a capital crime.
Given the Emperor’s violent temper, he really might have the fuma executed.
If someone took the opportunity to kick him while he was down, the Emperor might truly order the extermination of the fuma’s three clans.
Princess Huyang did not dare take that risk. She only dared cry and complain a little in front of Ning wang, her elder brother.
…
Liu Yi arrived at Bixi Pavilion, intending to seek an audience with Ning wang, but was stopped by the attendant Chang En.
“Si gongzi, please return. Wangye is discussing important matters with the gongzhu. No one may enter without a summons.”
Liu Yi said angrily, “Why is da ge allowed to be inside?”
“Who said da gongzi is inside? Inside there are only wangye and gongzhu. Da gongzi is not there.”
Liu Yi looked suspicious.
“I clearly heard that da ge is also inside? You old servant, why are you lying?”
“I am not lying. It is si gongzi who believed rumors and mistakenly thought that da gongzi was inside.”
Seeing Chang En so certain, Liu Yi thought, could it be that Liu Zhao really is not inside?
He was still hesitating, wondering whether to continue or leave, when Pei shi happened to arrive.
Pei shi came in a fury. She had long accumulated a bellyful of resentment toward Princess Huyang. Every year she came to ask for handouts, and each time was more excessive than the last. It was truly outrageous.
Chang En blocked Pei’s path. “Please stop, wangfei niangniang. Wangye has ordered that without his permission, no one may enter.”
“Move aside. You dare stop even benwangfei?”
Chang En frowned and bowed. “Please forgive me, wangfei niangniang. Wangye gave the order personally. Laonu dares not disobey.”
Pei shi kept a stern face. “Then immediately report to wangye. Tell him that upon hearing Princess Huyang has come to visit, benwangfei misses her greatly. Unable to wait, I personally came to greet Princess Huyang.”
Chang En agreed and instructed a young eunuch to report to wangye, while he himself continued to stand guard at the courtyard entrance.
The young eunuch returned a moment later. “Wangye invites wangfei to enter.”
Pei shi let out a cold snort, flicked her sleeve, and entered Bixi Pavilion.
Liu Yi also wanted to take the opportunity to go in, but then heard the young eunuch say, “Wangye only invited wangfei inside. Unrelated persons may not enter.”
Now Liu Yi was embarrassed.
“Mufei, mufei…” he called out repeatedly.
Pei shi turned around and said to Liu Yi, “Go back to your room first. This matter has nothing to do with you.”
When an elder comes to ask for handouts, how can the younger generation be allowed to see it?
Liu Yi sulked, glaring fiercely at Chang En. Old thing, relying on fuwang’s favor to throw his weight around in the fu. One day, bengongzi will make you pay.
Left with no choice, Liu Yi could only leave.
As Pei shi entered the main hall, she saw Princess Huyang sobbing and crying very sadly.
Pei shi gave a mocking smile. “Aiya, why is meimei crying? Did wangye say something harsh?”
Princess Huyang secretly snorted, though her face was full of grievance. “Saosao has arrived. I was just feeling heartbroken.”
Pei shi sat down beside Ning wang. “What do you have to feel wronged about? If you run out of money, wangye will naturally give you money. With such a good elder brother, countless people can only envy you. Meimei, what else are you dissatisfied with?”
Princess Huyang was unhappy. “Don’t ask me.”
Pei shi sneered. Coming to ask for handouts and still developing a sense of superiority.
As if the wang fu’s money all belonged to her Princess fu and could be taken whenever she wished.
Pei shi glared at Ning wang. Look at the mess you’ve made.
Ning wang coughed twice. Naturally, the matter of privately minting coins could not be told to Pei shi.
He said, “Once the new year begins and the stipend is distributed, things will be fine.”
Pei shi rolled her eyes toward the heavens. Still counting on the stipend? How many months would that be enough for Princess Huyang and her husband to spend?
Not engaged in production, ignorant of management, unwilling to listen to advice, and living extravagantly without restraint, this was Princess Huyang.
Every year as the New Year approached, Pei shi would be angry for several days because of Princess Huyang.
Pei shi said to Princess Huyang, “Over these years, meimei’s judgment has not grown, but your temper certainly has.”
Princess Huyang wiped away her tears and said aggrievedly, “I knew saosao was dissatisfied with me, but I never expected saosao would scold me to my face. Another day when I enter the palace and see mufei, I must ask her to judge this matter fairly.”
Pei shi flew into a rage. “Meimei comes to ask for handouts and somehow still manages to preserve her dignity. As your saosao, I cannot even say half a sentence to you, is that it? Must we present silver with both hands and beg you to accept it before you feel satisfied? Bah! Benwangfei is not some lowly creature who has to use money to curry favor with you.”
The moment Pei shi turned hostile, Princess Huyang burst into loud tears.
“Wangxiong, you saw it with your own eyes. Saosao humiliates me like this. You must stand up for me. Otherwise, call Liu Zhao back and do not allow him to lay hands on the fuma.”
Ning wang looked speechlessly toward the sky.
Similar scenes played out every year. He simply treated it as watching a performance.
Pei shi, however, caught the key point in Princess Huyang’s words.
“You said to call Liu Zhao back and not allow him to lay hands on the fuma. What do you mean by that?”
Princess Huyang cried as she said, “Wangxiong wants to have the fuma caned. Twenty strokes.”
The moment Pei shi heard this, she was overjoyed.
With charming eyes full of delight, she looked at Ning wang. “Wangye, you have finally done something that truly satisfies the people.”
Ning wang laughed loudly. “Fuma’s conduct is absurd. Fuhuang is busy with state affairs. As his jiuxiong, it is naturally my duty to take on the important task of disciplining him. This way, there is no need to trouble fuhuang himself.”
Pei shi’s mood immediately improved.
Beat up the Prince Consort and then give him money, she was happy to do that.
Princess Huyang, however, refused to accept it. “Saosao has absolutely no sympathy.”
Pei shi smiled. “Meimei, ah, this is where you do not understand. As the saying goes, the deeper the love, the stricter the reproach. Wangye sending people to discipline the fuma is all for your sake. If the fuma stops going out and causing trouble, you will have a quieter life too, right? Not that I should say it, but as a dignified princess, you ought to strictly discipline your husband. How can you indulge such absurd behavior?”
Princess Huyang truly loved the fuma deeply.
She immediately defended him. “He suffers in his heart. When he goes out, he is not truly being absurd; he is merely venting the bitterness in his heart. In our dynasty, from the day a man becomes a fuma, his official career is cut off. With no hope for a career, can he not even be allowed to vent a little?”
Leave a Reply