A Good Country Wife
Chapter 434 - 428_1

Chapter 434: Chapter 428_1

"Enough! What is all this quarreling about? The Zhang Family has fallen to such a state, and instead of seeking progress, you’re here, bickering endlessly. Not one of you is of any worth!" Family Head Zhang Zhiheng had been silent with a gloomy expression and only scolded angrily after his sons’ quarreling became too much to bear. He cast a dissatisfied look at his favored legitimate granddaughter.

"Peilan, this time you truly were a bit reckless. If the only reasons are those you’ve mentioned, they aren’t enough to justify why you sought the involvement of the Fourth Princess. I hope you won’t disappoint me. Remember, you’re not the only legitimate daughter of the Zhang Family." Although Zhang Zhiheng’s words seemed mild, they carried significant weight, much more so than those of the third eldest Zhang, whose harsh words were no real concern to Zhang Peilan.

Only when Family Head Zhang spoke out did Zhang Peilan start to feel nervous, standing before him respectfully, "Grandfather, I admit that I was rash this time. However, my significant interest in that peasant woman has nothing to do with personal grudges. The Zhang Family has raised me for many years; how could I harm the family’s interests for my personal enmity? The matter concerning this peasant woman is indeed significant; grandfather must be aware of the ingredients that are sought after by all the nobility in Capital City, even the Imperial Palace and the Jiang Family are benefiting greatly from it."

"So what you mean is, these ingredients are related to that peasant woman?" Family Head Zhang caught on immediately, understanding Zhang Peilan’s point. If that were the case, this peasant woman was not to be underestimated. For a mere peasant woman to ingratiate herself with so many powerful figures, even being viewed differently by Princess Yongle, was indeed no small feat.

Family Head Zhang still trusted Zhang Peilan’s words. Although he was initially very angry upon hearing that his granddaughter had taken the liberty of involving the Fourth Princess, it wasn’t significant enough to affect his long-standing favor and trust in Zhang Peilan. Hearing her defense, the anger in his heart had mostly dissipated.

"I have already investigated thoroughly. Those ingredients were originally concocted by this peasant woman. Magistrate Chen was serving in Xin’an City when he managed to form a relationship with the Jiang Family through this woman, leading to his current position. And that woman took the opportunity to start doing business with the Jiang Family, which subsequently opened a workshop in Capital City, turning a huge profit in a short span of time. Even the procurement rights for these ingredients in the Imperial Palace have fallen into the hands of the Jiang Family."

Zhang Peilan had heard this from Chen Ruyu by chance, being quite surprised at the time, and had sent people to investigate the peasant woman further. She felt more and more that this peasant woman could not be left alone; it wasn’t just because the peasant woman had caused her to lose face several times, but also because she genuinely posed a threat to the Zhang Family.

"So it is indeed so. I was wondering why the Jiang Family, which primarily focused on medicinal herbs previously, would suddenly venture into other businesses. How did Jiang Ziqi come to such enlightenment? It turns out it’s connected to this peasant woman. Now, this woman does seem capable, but to our Zhang Family, she is harmful, not beneficial. Given her current relationship with the Jiang Family, it’s impossible to win her over. It’s better to dispose of such a character sooner rather than later. Peilan, you do have some foresight, but even so, there’s still no need to involve the Fourth Princess for such matters. Let’s leave it at that this time, but in the future... do not repeat such actions, otherwise..." Family Head Zhang left his sentence unfinished, yet everyone present understood his implication.

"Rest assured, grandfather. I won’t be so impulsive in the future," Peilan vowed.

After playing mahjong all day, the second day Princess Yongle finally didn’t ask Lin Yue to continue playing with her. After all, inviting someone to the palace wasn’t for mahjong. Princess Yongle took Lin Yue to the Royal Garden, but not long after they started strolling, a palace maid hurried over and whispered something in Princess Yongle’s ear, causing the princess’s expression to become anxious and tinged with difficulty.

"Princess, has something happened?" Lin Yue could tell that Princess Yongle was troubled, possibly because of her, and so she asked.

"There is indeed a matter that needs attending to, but I did promise to accompany you in the Royal Garden," Princess Yongle said with a hint of discouragement, wondering why trouble arose today of all days, just as she was enjoying the garden with Lin Yue. The Empress was likely fuming now, and Princess Yongle knew she had to go there.

"You needn’t worry about me, Princess. If there is something you need to take care of, then go. Don’t mind me. I can wander around the Royal Garden by myself, and you can look for me after you’ve dealt with everything," Lin Yue replied, understandingly.

"It can’t be helped, the matter is indeed urgent, and it requires my attention. I will return as soon as possible," Princess Yongle apologized, then instructed her personal palace maid, "Bilian, stay with Yueyue here. Don’t let anyone bully her. If anyone comes to trouble her like the Fourth Princess did the other day, you have my permission to deal with them firmly. Should anything happen, I will take responsibility."

"Yes, Your Highness. Rest assured, I understand. I will take good care of Mistress Lin," the palace maid responded.

Princess Yongle hurriedly departed, and Lin Yue, accompanied by Bilian, slowly strolled through the Royal Garden. It wasn’t long before another palace maid arrived, whispering something into Bilian’s ear as well. Bilian, looking shocked and without giving Lin Yue any explanation, dashed off like the wind.

Lin Yue sighed, feeling a bit concerned and wondering if something had happened with Princess Yongle, for the maid Bilian would not have reacted so dramatically otherwise.

She decided to head back to Yongle Palace. Although the scenery of the Royal Garden was stunningly beautiful, being left alone dampened her enthusiasm to continue exploring. Moreover, the Royal Garden was notorious for its high incidence of incidents. Without someone to guide her, she feared offending some noble, and no one would be there to speak up for her.

Seeing a palace maid approaching, Lin Yue quickly stopped her, "Excuse me, sister, could you tell me how to get to Yongle Palace? Which way should I go?"

The palace maid evaluated Lin Yue with a glance but was very amiable, "Mistress, you must be the guest invited by Princess Yong’an. The Royal Garden is vast; it’s easy to get lost on your first visit. It would be better if I escort you back; otherwise, the princess would worry if she can’t find you."

"Then I would be much obliged, sister," Lin Yue gratefully replied, trusting the maid because of Princess Yongle’s influence, without suspicion that an escort back to the palace would indeed be preferable.

"Not at all. As the princess’s honored guest, how could I dare neglect my duties? Please follow me, Mistress Lin," the palace maid said. Seeing Lin Yue agreeing so readily with no doubt in her mind, a glimmer of malice flashed in the maid’s eyes as the corner of her mouth twitched imperceptibly upwards, thinking the simple peasant woman was so easily convinced by her words.