Unlimited Resources: Raising a Minister with a Space Supermarket

Chapter 585 - 516: Ma Xiyue Reappears

Upon first arriving in the bustling Yangzhou, Yu Xiaolian felt somewhat disheartened about not being able to go out and explore.

It wasn’t because of being tied down by a child, but rather because the matter of Cao Guangqiao hiring assassins had not yet been resolved, keeping her confined at home.

Hopefully, the reply from the Capital will come soon!

What Yu Xiaolian hadn’t expected was that instead of the Capital’s reply, an invitation from the Princely Heir of Prince Cheng arrived.

To be precise, it was an invitation from the Princess Consort.

The person delivering the invitation was none other than the ’old steward’ who had guarded the mansion last time. Having chatted with Yu Xiaolian before, he could be considered an ’acquaintance.’

Therefore, when Yu Xiaolian inquired, the old steward revealed the truth.

The Princess Consort of Prince Cheng wanted to establish a Ciyou Hall to specifically take in orphans without parents, and the reason they invited Yu Xiaolian was not just to get acquainted with the legendary female teacher but also to have her make a donation.

Yu Xiaolian was speechless. She had just arrived and hadn’t even stepped out of the front door, yet she was expected to donate money. The thought was quite vexing.

If she donated too much, she’d outshine the Princess Consort, which wouldn’t be good. If she donated too little, she’d seem quite stingy.

Yu Xiaolian thought she might as well pretend to be ill and not go. After all, the incident of them being waylaid by bandits was a well-known secret, so claiming she was terrified by the fierce bandits seemed perfectly reasonable.

Moreover, she didn’t believe the Princess Consort of Prince Cheng invited her solely for the Ciyou Hall matter; there must be other motives.

Perhaps it could be a Hongmen Banquet!

Su Jingchen was growing restless, not receiving a reply from the Capital nor seeing Cao Guangqiao make another move.

He knew the invitation from the Princess Consort of Prince Cheng wasn’t as simple as it appeared, but living with a sword dangling over his head wasn’t pleasant.

Su Jingchen suggested Yu Xiaolian attend the meeting!

This Princely Heir of Prince Cheng didn’t reside in Huizhou but settled in Yangzhou, which was highly suspicious. Su Jingchen didn’t believe he wasn’t eyeing the profits from the Lianghuai Salt Field.

Yu Xiaolian attended the meeting, dressed in relatively formal attire for the Prince Mansion, accompanied by Sun Manyue, Fang Cao, and a driver named Cao Gen.

As for the gift, she hadn’t prepared anything.

She didn’t plan to curry favor with the Princely Heir of Prince Cheng. She had a hunch that the Emperor relocating her and her husband to Yangzhou might indirectly target the Princely Heir.

The Emperor only had Prince Cheng left as a sibling, and if he used corruption as a pretext to kill either the Princely Heir or Prince Cheng, it would undoubtedly provoke everyone to secretly scorn him for lacking familial bonds.

So, does the Emperor want Su Jingchen to persuade the Princely Heir to behave in the future?

Or perhaps others couldn’t keep Prince Cheng’s family in check, so Su Jingchen should tightly guard the salt fields?

It’s probable that after today’s visit, they might get some clarity.

Yet, Yu Xiaolian didn’t expect the Princess Consort of the Princely Heir to be a familiar face.

She was none other than the daughter of the former County Magistrate of Luocheng—Ma Xiyue.

After County Magistrate Ma’s death, Ma Jingwen took the family and left Luocheng, as for

Where they went, Yu Xiaolian had no interest in finding out. She thought they would never meet again in this lifetime, yet here they were.

And under such circumstances!

Thinking of having to give Ma Xiyue a grand salute, Yu Xiaolian felt out of sorts.

This... Yu Xiaolian didn’t know if the Princely Heir was involved in the salt field affairs, but Ma Xiyue inviting her surely wasn’t to discuss salt fields.

She is... Yu Xiaolian’s nemesis!

She could still remember the resentful look in Ma Xiyue’s eyes when she defeated her at Jianyin Academy.

Well, now she is a Princess Consort, and you a minister’s wife, giving her a salute is obligatory.

Ma Xiyue sat in the center, reveling in the joy of Yu Xiaolian bowing her head in salute.

The tables have turned; who would have thought Yu Xiaolian would end up on her turf, these were truly heavenly helps to her.

Bending her knees slightly for a courtesy was Yu Xiaolian’s limit; as for a full kneeling ceremony, Yu Xiaolian wouldn’t perform it.

Her husband is a third-rank official; what of the Princely Heir? He merely has the title of Heir, without any substantial office, so why should she be afraid!

Yu Xiaolian bent her knees slightly as a gesture, then stood straight without waiting for Ma Xiyue to say she could dispense with further formalities.

Even without considering Su Jingchen, she herself is a seventh-rank academic official, the Princess Consort of the Princely Heir couldn’t demand her to perform a full kneeling ceremony, she would only kneel for the reigning Emperor.

Yu Xiaolian braced herself for Ma Xiyue to flare up inside.

Unfortunately, she had prepared a long list of comebacks but Ma Xiyue didn’t make things difficult, instead, she courteously offered her a seat.

Progress indeed, Yu Xiaolian sighed inwardly. Ma Xiyue was no longer that spoiled and unruly daughter of the County Magistrate back in Luocheng.

Understandably so, her father the County Magistrate had passed away, leaving her with no reliance. If she didn’t behave more reserved, she’d be foolish.

But how did Ma Xiyue end up connected with the Prince Mansion? She even became the daughter-in-law of Prince Cheng’s family, which is rather peculiar these days.

Even if County Magistrate Ma were alive, he wouldn’t be qualified to be in-laws with Prince Cheng!

Could it be because of love?

A myriad of possibilities flashed through Yu Xiaolian’s mind.

"Mr. Yu, it’s been years since we met, how have you been?" Ma Xiyue acted like an old acquaintance.

Yu Xiaolian forced a smile, "I’m well, how is the Princess Consort?"

Ma Xiyue showed a bitter smile, "I... it’s just like that."

Yu Xiaolian raised an eyebrow; Ma Xiyue shouldn’t appear discontent in front of her, given her current high status.

"Since my father passed, my mother took my brother and me to grandparent’s home in Yangzhou, living under others’ roof... It’s quite unbearable!" Ma Xiyue conveyed as if catching up with an old friend.

"However, no matter how tough it was, things have improved now. Seems like I have some fortune in my fate, wouldn’t you say, Mr. Yu?"

Yu Xiaolian couldn’t grasp Ma Xiyue’s intentions, but reckoned she wouldn’t dare do anything to her, "The Princess Consort indeed is a blessed person!"

"I heard you married Su Jingchen? Back in Luocheng, I noticed there was something unusual between you two. Seems my observations were quite accurate." Ma Xiyue covered her mouth with a smile.

"Yes, we now have a child, only six months old, so I can’t leave her for long.

But since the Princess Consort invited me to discuss the Ciyou Hall matter, I had to come. I wonder what assistance I can provide for the Ciyou Hall?" Yu Xiaolian said calmly.

Ma Xiyue felt secretly pleased over Yu Xiaolian’s apparent eagerness to leave.

Afraid, aren’t you!

Well, since you’re here, don’t think of leaving easily!

"No rush, Mr. Yu. The Ciyou Hall matter is quite simple, gathering some silver is just about it.

I have a muddled account here that the mansion’s accountant has calculated for days but still finds unclear. Everyone knows Mr. Yu is a genius in arithmetic, so I’d like to seek your help to sort this out, thus putting an end to this mess!" As Ma Xiyue spoke, she instructed someone to bring over two thick stacks of account books.