Volume 1 Chapter 18
Quietly returning to the Palace of Eternal Beauty, Leng Jiu pondered for a long time and finally decided to have Lu Chang fetch Long Yue Li. This matter really required him; no one else would do.
“You’re looking for me?” Long Yue Li, looking a bit tired, had just prepared to take a rest when he arrived. Still as flirtatious as ever, he approached without any reservation, practically sticking to her.
Speechless, she pushed away his too-close head. “At least we’re in the palace; can’t you pay a little attention? Otherwise, Long Yi will come to my palace again for tea!”
“Are you afraid?” Long Yue Li raised an eyebrow, then laughed meaningfully. “Are you saying that in the palace, one doesn’t need to pay attention?”
Leng Jiu rolled her eyes at him. “I’m looking for you for a reason. Can you stop with all this nonsense?”
“Can there be a legitimate reason for you to find me?” Long Yue Li looked genuinely surprised.
Leng Jiu, with no patience, said, “What’s with that expression?”
“Nothing! It’s just that I come ten times, and you drive me away ten times. Unexpectedly, you’re looking for me on your own this time. It feels a bit strange!”
Thinking about it, it seemed true. With a dismissive blink, she chose not to comment. “I want to cooperate with you to open a shop and borrow your name for it.”
“Could it be that the Empress Dowager is tired of her role and wants to dabble in business?” Long Yue Li was a bit surprised, but not too much.
“The Empress Dowager is indeed a bit bored with what she’s doing. However, I’m not saying this on a whim. I’m determined to succeed in what I’m planning.”
“Now I’m interested. But, with so many businesses in the world, what line of business does the Empress Dowager want to pursue?”
“Casino, brothel, bank. The most profitable options are no different.”
Long Yue Li leaned lazily, supporting his head. “Your ambitions are quite grand. Under the imperial city, these three are almost entirely controlled by the court ministers, nobles, and wealthy families. Do you think you can just open them?”
“Don’t I still have you?” Leng Jiu dismissed it. “Other than Long Yi, there aren’t many people in the court who can surpass you. Can it be that the Prince of Xuan can’t handle it either?”
Long Yue Li looked at Leng Jiu with a deep gaze, without any hint of desire but seemingly trying to see through her soul. “While that may be true, why should I help you?”
Leng Jiu also knew he wouldn’t agree so easily. Despite his casual demeanor, he wasn’t someone easily fooled. Moreover, she wasn’t someone special to him. Why should he agree just because she asked?
Walking around a folding screen, she went to the desk, took the things she had written, and smiled as she handed them to Long Yue Li. “Read this before you say anything.”
Long Yue Li took it and, with his slender, white fingers, gently flipped through the pages. As he turned each page, his interest grew, and after a moment, he put it down, looking at Leng Jiu with curiosity. “Is this something you wrote?”
“Who else?” Leng Jiu raised her eyes disdainfully. “If you agree, then we become business partners. We each contribute half of the capital. You can find a few capable people to manage it. I’ll take care of choosing the location and overseeing the construction. Once the place is built, we’ll hang your name, and after it starts making a profit, we’ll split it seventy-thirty!”
“Three for you and seven for me?”
“Three for me and seven for you!”
“Why should I, the Prince, contribute a substantial amount of money and even provide people, only to have the name used by you? At the very least, it should be a fifty-fifty split, right?” Long Yue Li objected.
“It’s because I came up with the idea, and you’re just lending your name, waiting to collect money. Giving you thirty percent is already generous!” Leng Jiu responded without expression.
“Hmph! What’s that supposed to mean? I won’t agree. It should be at least a forty-sixty split, or there’s no room for negotiation!” Long Yue Li, with his raised eyebrows, seemed determined.
Seeing him getting worked up, Leng Jiu found it amusing. “Fine! We’ll go with your proposal.”
Long Yue Li raised his hand. “Come on!”
“Why?” Leng Jiu asked.
“A pledge with a handshake!” Long Yue Li explained.
Leng Jiu smiled and raised her hand. With three crisp claps, her hand felt a bit numb.
Lowering his hand, Long Yue Li put away the documents. “These days, my little imperial nephew gave me a few troublesome tasks. If I hadn’t just gotten some free time, I might not have come to you. I’ll arrange for someone to handle this matter immediately. I’ll let you know when the personnel are decided.”
It seemed that Long Yue Li was wary of his imperial nephew, Long Yi. However, to what extent he was wary remained to be seen. Bringing back her focus, Leng Jiu said, “You can go now.”
Long Yue Li, for once, exited through the main door. As soon as he left, a eunuch arrived with a message for Lu Chang. After hearing it, Lu Chang entered, saying, “Empress Dowager!”
“Speak.”
“It’s in the Palace of Consort Li. It’s said that after drinking the bird’s nest sent by Consort Shu this afternoon, there were signs of a miscarriage. Fortunately, the imperial physician intervened in time, and both mother and child are safe. Upon hearing this news, the Emperor was furious. In a fit of anger, Consort Shu was immediately sent to the Cold Palace. Consort Shu is no more!”
Leng Jiu was somewhat surprised. “Just like that, sent to the Cold Palace? Without any investigation?”
“It is said that the Imperial Guards found safflower and musk on the maidservant of Consort Shu. The evidence was conclusive. The maidservant was immediately beaten to death with a rod, and without giving Consort Shu a chance to explain, she was dragged to the Cold Palace!”
Leng Jiu sneered inwardly. Indeed, Consort Li was quite clever. What did Consort Shu lack in the Palace of Eternal Beauty? At this critical moment, how could she not know that someone wanted the life of her child in her womb? Yet, she still drank the bird’s nest sent by Consort Shu. In the end, she saved the child but got rid of Consort Shu without leaving a trace. Truly cunning!