CHAPTER 349: CHAPTER 349: USING HER PARENTS TO ELIMINATE THE EMPEROR

After highlighting the importance of the charity foundation, it was mentioned who came up with the idea, and everything fell into place perfectly.

Qu Fulan didn’t decline the offer either. Why wouldn’t she accept the reward, especially when it’s the Emperor’s reward?

"Do I need to prepare anything?"

"No need, just attend the banquet with me. This time there’s no assigned seating, so you’ll sit next to me."

"Alright."

"It’s just a pity that this achievement is still not enough for the Emperor to change his mind and grant you a title."

"If there’s no title, there’s no title. It doesn’t affect anything."

"That’s not acceptable. One day, I’ll definitely earn you a title."

Heir Pei has such capability. How could he not earn some titles after fighting on the battlefield a few more times?

It’s just unfortunate that at this moment, Heir Pei wouldn’t have imagined that what he worked so hard to get for her would eventually be handed to her effortlessly by someone else.

Without breaking a sweat.

"I’ve been away from home for half a year. Have you been living well at home? Is there anything amiss?"

"Both the old lady and the madam treat me well, there’s nothing amiss."

Truthfully, she’s lucky to have married into such a family. Otherwise, if she ended up like the original host in Xiao Shiqing’s family, she would’ve left long ago and wouldn’t have stayed to suffer grievances.

"Did you encounter any difficult-to-solve problems?"

"I ran into some business troubles, but later sought the help of Prince An and the others to resolve it."

It was that Luosifen business—they had complaints about the strong smell, and the authorities wouldn’t allow the store to continue.

If there were many complaints, of course, the officials would look into it, and some officials were bribed to cause trouble.

Had it been just ordinary officials, Qu Fulan would’ve just sent someone to handle it, but it turned out to be the relative of Vice Minister Zhou Baiying, Xiao Shiqing’s cousin, from the Ministry of Personnel.

They were already against the Pei Family, and if they knew it was Young Lady Pei’s shop behind the scenes, it could’ve caused more significant issues, embarrassing everyone.

It wasn’t convenient for Qu Fulan to handle the situation, so she enlisted Prince An and company to not only take care of the troublemakers but also unveil their intentions.

It turns out competitors saw the Luosifen business thriving with constant customers and didn’t want it to continue, so they paid off others to make trouble.

The phrase "competitors are enemies" isn’t just empty words. While fair competition wouldn’t garner complaints, these underhanded tactics stir discontent.

"Then I shall hold a banquet to thank the four of them properly."

"Yes, they deserve proper thanks."

Otherwise, if they had been from a background with no backing, the business would’ve closed long ago. In this world, running a business is tough without connections.

...

The two continued their conversation until they both unknowingly fell asleep.

Meanwhile, in the imperial palace.

Princess Zhuyu couldn’t sleep again, and for no reason. She had received another note.

Half a year had passed since the last one—a second note.

——If the princess knew her biological parents were unjustly killed by the current Emperor, would she still enjoy her princess privileges without worry?

She has biological parents?

Her original parents weren’t her real parents? And the current Emperor isn’t her father? Then who are her real parents?

Princess Zhuyu was desperate to catch the note passer immediately and interrogate them for clarity, even at the risk of her life. Thinking this, she rushed to the window, only to see no one.

Eventually, she returned to her bedside with a dazed expression.

On another note, the Seventh Prince was being thoroughly looked after by Consort Zhang, who was holding his hand and showing constant care. This time, the Seventh Prince had also gone out to provide disaster relief, earning considerable merit.

"You’ve lost a lot of weight, it pains a mother’s heart. I wonder how your father will reward you at the palace banquet." Consort Zhang felt her son had made the most contributions.

The Seventh Prince remained humble as always, "This time, my eldest brother, fifth brother, eighth brother, and ninth brother all went as well, and everyone’s contribution is about the same. Father won’t favor one over the others."

Consort Zhang was unwilling to hear that, "What makes them comparable to you? Clearly, you’re the most outstanding among all the princes, yet your father still hasn’t named you the Crown Prince."

"Father surely has his reasons. Saying such things, Mother, only embarrasses me; it’s unwise to let others hear."

"I understand, it’s just us here, who would listen? Mother knows what she’s doing."

Over on the Empress’s side, care was also showered upon the Fifth Prince. Although not her biological son, she’d nurtured him for many years; even raising a dog develops feelings.

Sadly, humans aren’t dogs and have their consciousness.

This is why there always seemed to be some sense of distance between the Fifth Prince and the Empress. In truth, the Fifth Prince was distant with everyone, but it didn’t mean he wasn’t grateful. He showed proper respect and didn’t arbitrarily scold or beat his staff; as long as they didn’t err, they needn’t worry about being reprimanded under his service.

In the eldest prince’s quarters, since he was injured, Consort Xian’s palace was still brightly lit, busy checking her son’s body and supervising his medication.

"Do not make this known now; don’t let Father know, or he’ll worry and it might affect his health." The eldest prince advised gently with a warm demeanor.

Consort Xian paused her bandaging, then said, "Don’t worry, Mother understands."

The other palace attendants observed and remarked on the eldest prince’s noble character. If it were any other prince, sustaining injuries from disaster relief efforts, the palace would be in uproar to ensure everyone knew, seeking the Emperor’s care. Not him—he hides his achievements and reputation.

A prince like him would certainly be virtuous as an emperor, bringing the people prosperity.

The next day, Princess Zhuyu, as usual, visited the Emperor, Empress, and Empress Dowager to pay her respects, then spent some time with her palace sisters.

After all, it had been nearly a year since she entered the palace; she couldn’t remain reclusive forever.

However, among the palace sisters, the sincerity of relationships was uncertain, and lies were hard to discern, so Princess Zhuyu learned to maintain superficial relationships.

Afterward, she left the palace to visit Young Madam Pei.

The note naturally found its way to Qu Fulan.

Qu Fulan was also amazed. It’s been so long, and yet there’s only the second note. Such patience!

When she opened it, she frowned deeply.

So, the one behind it knows about Princess Zhuyu’s biological parents? And they were unjustly killed by the Emperor?

Who are the real parents?

What evidence is there to prove it was an unjust killing?

She even suspected the Li Family was wronged but hasn’t found any evidence to support it yet, and now, with just a baseless statement, someone plans to sway people—how childish.

Though seemingly childish, one has to admit, when used by someone with ill intentions, few could remain unaffected.

Moreover, they still didn’t know what the other side’s trump card was. What if there really was evidence? What would Princess Zhuyu do then?

Things were getting increasingly complicated.

Yet, by this stage, Qu Fulan vaguely understood Princess Zhuyu’s role in all of this.

To use her parental history to have her remove the Emperor or harm him to achieve their aims.

"I can’t assure anything now because I don’t know what evidence the other side holds, but regardless of what they have, it’s clear they knew your identity from the start, clearly treating you as a pawn to fulfill their objectives. If the notes are true, their role in this is unclear, they might be the ones who framed you—who knows."