Chapter 1587: Chapter 1525: Talking Politics
Wufu accompanied Madam Zhou for a while, then brought out the rewards from the palace, selected several suitable patterned fabrics for her to make new dresses, and also picked a few festive ruby-encrusted luxurious jewelry for her to wear, before leaving.
"No one is as filial to Madam as the County Lord is; whenever there is anything good, she is sure to send it to Madam first." Qiu Xiang, while playing with the jewelry with Madam Zhou, laughed and said, "Madam is truly blessed."
"Indeed I am," Madam Zhou sighed as her hand brushed over the splendid and luxurious jewelry. "I am truly blessed."
It hasnāt been very long, not even two years, yet her life has undergone a tremendous change, transforming from the poverty of past years to days of luxury, and it keeps getting better.
Now, Wufu has a title, and her future marriage...
Madam Zhou thought of Ah Jiuās respect towards her and couldnāt help but smile. Despite his noble status, he still remained so humble; it must be because of Wufu.
Once the child in her belly is born and grows up well, she will have nothing more to desire.
"Put these away. I donāt see many guests at home now," Madam Zhou said with a smile.
However, Qiu Xiang inserted a ruby pendent into her hair, saying, "Why not, girlā no, the County Lord said, women adorn themselves not just for guests, but also for themselves. You canāt neglect the County Lordās filial piety."
"You really know how to talk," Madam Zhou said with a soft scold and laughter.
...
"You were supposed to rest indoors, yet you are running around everywhere." Ah Jiu looked at Wufu with displeasure.
Wufu said, "These are just minor injuries; I canāt sleep well, so Iād rather come to chat. Whatās this, has Song Jiaoer been demoted?"
Ah Jiu nodded, snorting coldly, "Only demoted by one rank, she got off too lightly. It seems that the Emperor is somewhat apprehensive of Prince Weiās Manor."
"Hmm?" Wufu, not too sensitive to political affairs, propped her chin and asked, "What do you mean? If fearful, then why demote at all?"
"This action has two purposes: firstly, Song Jiaoer instructed the guards to shoot hidden arrows, which you and Jadeite exposed on the spot, and in such a dangerous situation, it equated to disregarding the lives of the noble girls present. Those ladies, even if not of higher status than Song Jiaoer, were raised delicately; those officials, would they let it go?"
"If this hadnāt been exposed, it would be fine. But since itās already uncovered, without an explanation, it wouldnāt suffice, otherwise, the Emperorās reputation wouldnāt stand. The ministers would think heās indulging Song Jiaoer, hinting subtly that he fears the power of Prince Weiās Manor. The demotion not only settles this incident but also tempers the ambitions of Prince Weiās Manor, and serves as a warning to Prince Wei."
Listening, Wufu said, "From your perspective, is Prince Wei truly that domineering?"
"Prince Wei is belligerent, having controlled the Northwest for many years with military power in hand. Though heās stubborn, heās also a formidable hero, having won numerous battles; otherwise, he wouldnāt hold his position securely." Ah Jiu looked at her and said, "He is now Prince Wei, privately, the people already consider him the Northwest King. However, do you think he doesnāt wish to become the true Northwest King? Or even Emperor!"
"Will Prince Wei rebel?"
Ah Jiu said, "Time and fate are unpredictable, itās hard to say. But speaking of a formidable hero, who doesnāt aspire to be the foremost?"
"Will this commerce endeavor elevate the economy of Prince Weiās Manor further?" Wufu furrowed her brow.
Ah Jiu smiled and tapped her forehead, "Though itās labeled commerce, making silver is one thing, but the true intent is to understand the routes in the Northwest for the future..."
He didnāt finish his sentence, but someone as clever as Wufu knew what he meant, and fell into silence.