Changsheng: Peak at the Beginning

Qianlong searched the harem but could not find any clues about the secret attack on the empress. If he had not been sure that the empress was very different from when she was in the palace, Qianlong would almost think that the empress had not been attacked.

After the New Year, many things were put on the agenda. Qianlong was so busy that apart from arranging the Sticking Rod Office to take over the Qianqing Palace and the Imperial Kitchen, he had no time to take care of the conspiracy against the Queen and could only let the Sticking Rod Office investigate it slowly.

After all, the Queen, like Qingying, was not awakened by Jiang Xinxin. Even though she seemed to have calmed down a lot and did not force Yonglian to study hard day and night, she neglected the eldest princess Jingse, which made the eldest princess gradually resent her.

Jiang Xinxin had to entrust the eldest princess Jingse to her aunts before returning to the Old Summer Palace, at least to prevent Jingse from living like a lonely person even though she had both parents.

Princess Shuhe's marriage was settled. Qianlong chose a man from the Borjigit clan of Khorchin for her. His family's ancestral pasture was not large, and he was willing to entrust the pasture to other people and live in the capital himself. Therefore, the Empress watched over the Ministry of Internal Affairs and began to arrange Princess Shuhe's marriage.

But Qianlong didn't know whether he forgot or did it on purpose, and he didn't mention Princess Shuhe's mansion at all. Jiang Xinxin was asked anxiously by Xin Taipin, so she said: "The emperor didn't say whether Shuhe has a princess' mansion. If you want to give Princess Shuhe a decent look, why not let the Lu family pay for Shuhe to build a princess' mansion. Then, without the emperor's order, I will naturally grant the plaque of the princess' mansion."

When Concubine Xin saw that Jiang Xinxin was angry, she couldn't help crying under the quilt when she went back, but then she sent a letter to the Lu family.

To be honest, Jiang Xinxin was quite confused when she received the card from Concubine Xin's sister-in-law asking for an audience two months later. Jianqiu reminded her, "Your Majesty, you said before that you wanted the Lu family to build a palace for Princess Shuhe. Concubine Xin sent a letter to the Lu family when she returned. Maybe the Lu family's wife is asking for an audience this time because of the matter of the princess's palace."

Jiang Xinxin finally remembered that this was indeed the case. At that time, she was really annoyed by Xin Taipin's entanglement. She thought that the Lu family was also a big family in Shuzhong, so what was wrong with paying a little money? She just wanted to find an excuse to shut Xin Taipin up.

But after what happened between Concubine Xin and the Lu family, Jiang Xinxin was indeed trapped here. Now she could only hope that the Lu family did not come here to set up a palace for Princess Shuhe.

Jiang Xinxin did not prepare to use the Lu family's name, and the Lu family did not own any real estate in the capital. However, since Concubine Xin was promoted to the position of concubine, they also bought some properties in the capital, but they were all registered under the name of Princess Shuhe.

Madam Lu is Concubine Xin's sister-in-law. The two seem to have a good relationship. When they met, they held hands and were so excited that their eyes were filled with tears. At least she still remembered the etiquette of the audience. After a slight loss of composure, she quickly calmed down and was brought to Jiang Xinxin by Jianqiu.

In the past two years, Concubine Xin has aged a little, but Madam Lu seems to be living a good life. There are some wrinkles on her face, but her expression is amiable and she does not show any sadness, which shows that she is living a smooth life.

Concubine Xin and her sister-in-law Madam Lu knelt down and kowtowed. Jiang Xinxin hurriedly called them up. After the greetings, Madam Lu couldn't help but talk about Princess Shuhe.

Madam Lu smiled and said, "The Queen Mother is so kind that the princess has been able to stay in the capital and meet with the imperial concubine from time to time."

Jiang Xinxin waved her hands, "It's also because most of the princesses that the Holy Ancestor married died young. The late emperor didn't have many children in his early years, and princesses are rare. As the legitimate mother, I have to consider more."

Madam Lu flattered again, "That's also because of the Queen Mother's kindness. The princesses have really benefited from her!"

The awkward conversation could no longer continue. Madam Lu was very good at reading people's expressions and took the initiative to mention Jiang Xinxin's calligraphy: "I heard that the Queen Mother has always loved calligraphy. I wonder if Princess Shuhe's princess mansion can have the honor to ask the Queen Mother to give her a calligraphy work?"

Jiang Xinxin and Zhuanyan looked at Jianqiu. They didn't expect that the Lu family was willing to spend money on Princess Shuhe.

But if you think about it, you can understand that Princess Shuhe's husband is from Khorchin after all, and is a descendant of the Golden Family Borkigit. Even if the ancestral grassland in the family is small, it is very good for the Khorchin tribes and is placed outside.

Especially nowadays in the wool business, whoever controls the raw materials will have more say, and the Lu family must also want to get involved in the wool business.

Jiang Xinxin, who had figured it out long ago, of course couldn't agree right away, and she just used the ancestral rules to perfunctorily say: "The emperor did say that if the Lu family builds a princess's mansion for Princess Shuhe, I will be happy to give the princess a plaque. But you want more than just a princess's mansion, and this is unprecedented. I have to discuss it with the emperor first."

Mrs. Lu did not show any sign of disappointment when she heard this. She just expressed her sincerity and showed how much the Lu family valued their granddaughter, Princess Shuhe.

As soon as Mrs. Lu left the garden, Jiang Xinxin immediately invited Emperor Qianlong, who was spending the summer in the Old Summer Palace.

When Qianlong arrived, Jiang Xinxin asked Jianqiu to bring up the chilled Tremella and lotus seed soup, and also a plate of snowy snacks. Qianlong couldn't help but whet his appetite just by looking at the cool soup and snacks, and when he tasted the sweet and slightly sour taste, he couldn't put it down.

Seeing that Qianlong was eating well, Jianqiu was secretly satisfied, but Jiang Xinxin was indifferent.

Once the hot tea is served, it's time to get down to business.

Jiang Xinxin asked Qianlong, "Do you remember what I told you before about Shuhe's princess mansion?"

Qianlong also knew that the Lu family had presented a badge to Jiang Xinxin, so he knew what was going on. However, he waited for Jiang Xinxin to continue, so he passed on the topic: "I do remember. I remember that the Lu family seemed to have presented a badge to me yesterday. How come the Lu family is willing to build a palace for Sister Shuhe?"

Jiang Xinxin said: "The Princess's Mansion is a small matter. Although it costs a lot, the wool in hand is obviously more important."

Qianlong was not interested in the things of Shuhe's husband's family, and said directly: "Since the Lu family is willing, let's just make it a rule. I will soon send troops to Japan, and the treasury can't afford to buy a princess's mansion for Sister Shuhe. If the Lu family takes over the princess's mansion, I will confer the title of Gulun Princess on Sister Shuhe to appease her."

Well, since Qianlong has his own plan, Jiang Xinxin has nothing to worry about.

After another half month, Jiang Xinxin accepted the Lu family's request for another audience. When Madam Lu came in, Jiang Xinxin said directly: "Since Madam Lu can assist her husband in raising children and grandchildren, she must be knowledgeable about court affairs. The emperor doesn't mind you interfering in the wool business. Because he wanted to use troops against Japan, he neglected Shuhe's affairs. He plans to confer Shuhe the title of Princess Gulun."

Mrs. Lu understood the meaning of the song and immediately expressed her willingness to give Jiang Xinxin a "reward" and was even more willing to contribute to the sending of troops to Japan.

Jiang Xinxin did not comment. Anyway, Princess Shuhe's wedding was in August. If the Ministry of Internal Affairs did not buy a palace for Princess Shuhe, the prince consort would be very willing to pay for a house for the couple.