novelnext Chapter 1186 - 1175: Wealthy Merchant
Chapter 1186 - 1175: Wealthy Merchant
"Mother is talking about Prince Linsan coming to our Jing’an City?"
As soon as they heard the name Prince Linsan, both Li and Ye Lu’s eyes lit up, especially Ye Lu, whose face showed a look of longing.
"Yes, that’s exactly it. What do you think?" Li asked with some excitement. Perhaps realizing her attitude was not befitting her status, she coughed softly and continued, "Our Ye Family has become a target. Who knows how many people are eyeing us? I know it would be more convenient to choose the nearby Prince Donghe, but I’ve heard Prince Donghe is ruthless, and he may not treat people kindly."
Ye Qiu nodded: "Yes, I’ve heard that too."
"It’s good that you know. But Prince Linsan is different. He’s young and promising, and he has shown interest in offering Lu’er the position of concubine. If we can support Prince Linsan, wouldn’t that be a complete turnaround for us? And if Lu’er could bear a child, all the better."
"Mother makes a valid point." Ye Qiu continued to nod.
Li and Ye Lu were delighted: "So you agree? I’ll arrange for people to prepare to welcome Prince Linsan’s entourage."
Ye Qiu then showed a look of concern: "But I’ve heard Prince Donghe has also sent troops over. What if they try to stop us?"
"Don’t be afraid; Prince Linsan will surely help us."
"But after all, the third sister is the legitimate daughter of our Ye Family. Is it appropriate for her to become a concubine?" Ye Qiu hesitated and asked again.
Li instinctively glanced at Ye Lu, and seeing her daughter nod slightly, she reassured her, "Though she would be a concubine, being a concubine isn’t much different from a main wife. Besides, our Lu’er is so beautiful. Why worry that she can’t win Prince Linsan’s heart? I’ve heard that Prince Linsan’s main wife hasn’t been able to bear a child. If Lu’er goes there and gives birth to his child, wouldn’t that be unique?"
Listening, Ye Lu’s eyes showed ambition. Perhaps this was paving the way for the protagonist. Before the heroine married the male lead, Prince Linsan had no son. It used to be refreshing to read the novel; now it favored her. As for the heroine, whose whereabouts are still unknown, apologies, but Prince Linsan can only be hers.
"Even so, we haven’t agreed to collaborate with Prince Linsan, yet he’s already offering a concubine position. I feel somewhat uneasy."
Hearing this, Ye Lu grew anxious and blamed him for his lack of courage. As the head of such a prominent merchant family, how could he be so timid? No wonder there was no Ye Family later in the novel—he probably obliterated it with his cowardice. Truly foolish.
But he was the Family Head. If he didn’t agree, what could she, a mere woman, rely on to support the male lead? Her brother’s words were laughable. He fantasized about a collaborative relationship, as if she didn’t know that merchants were the lowest class next to slaves in ancient times. How could someone, like Prince Linsan, aspiring to ascend the throne, stoop so low?
Yet Ye Lu didn’t consider that merchants weren’t always low-status in every dynasty, especially in chaotic times. Behind each Vassal King, there was the backing of wealthy merchants, much different from a time of peace. Moreover, reaching out to Prince Linjiang themselves only lowered their status. Could this method not be considered foolish?
"Brother, I think there’s nothing wrong with it. It shows Prince Linsan’s sincerity, does it not? Brother, trust me, Prince Linsan is destined for greatness."
"Really? You haven’t even met Prince Linsan, yet you believe in him so much?" Ye Qiu looked up at her.
Ye Lu felt a bit uneasy under his gaze, awkwardly smiling: "Isn’t this what people below have found out? Brother, think about it, the court is in chaos. Besides the rebellious rebels, there are only a few Vassal Kings with any reputation. But Prince Linsan is the youngest among them, and there’s never been any report of tyrannical rule in his fiefdom like Prince Donghe. I believe his future achievements will be limitless."
"You make valid points. Then let’s see. If Prince Linsan’s people are willing to help us fend off Prince Donghe’s men, then I’ll consider it."
Li and Ye Lu were delighted, feeling that Ye Qiu had agreed, not noticing any issue with his words about considering it.
That evening, Ye Cheng came to his courtyard. Besides teaching Ye Cheng the Body Forging Technique, Ye Qiu also replaced all the Ye Family’s outer staff who were loyal to Li.
"Brother, second and third uncles said they have located two places. One has a dangerous terrain, easy to defend and hard to attack, while the other is not as advantageous but is broader." Ye Cheng reported back to Ye Qiu.
"Very good. Deploy men to guard both locations, then gather craftsmen to build fortifications. I want to repair the houses and hire people as quickly as possible."
"Also, I’ve made a list of those from mother’s family managing our Ye Family’s business. You can act whenever you wish, Brother."
"Keep monitoring them. If they don’t touch our Ye Family’s assets, let them be. But if they follow Li’s orders and take our assets to pledge allegiance to Prince Linsan, act without mercy."
Ye Cheng’s expression turned stern: "Yes."
Three days later, Prince Donghe’s forces arrived first, marching directly to the Ye Family’s gate without any courtesy. The leading generals sat on their horses, looking down on the Ye Family’s servants.
"Summon your Family Head to come and pay respects." The one who spoke wasn’t the general but a soldier beside him, pointing his sword at the servant, showing no courtesy at all.
Seeing their disrespectful conduct, the merchants and onlookers around scattered in a flash, even the Ye Family’s gatekeeper trembled in fear. Prince Donghe’s notorious reputation was indeed frightful. The followers were as their master, none bothering with common folk.
"Are you people from His Highness Prince Donghe?" Ye Qiu had heard of their arrival, and without waiting for a servant to announce, he came out himself, bowing and saying, "Apologies for not welcoming you from afar, please bear with me. As common folk, I abide by national laws. May I ask what guidance the lords have?"
"Guidance?" The general glanced down at him disdainfully. "His Highness has heard your Ye Family has two taels of fortune. His Highness bestows you the favor of presenting it."
Ye Qiu looked troubled: "Well..."
The general’s face darkened: "Are you unwilling?"
"It’s not that I’m unwilling, but isn’t it surprising Your Highness Prince Donghe finds this paltry two taels appealing?" Ye Qiu gestured as if reaching for his wallet, "I have fifty taels here..."
"You’re mocking me!" Before Ye Qiu could finish, the general was already enraged and thrust his sword.
Ye Qiu barely dodged and asked in confusion, "How do you mean, sir? You mentioned wanting only two taels, and now you blame me for giving more? In that case, then let me..."
"Haha!" Two bold commoners, who hadn’t left and were still watching the scene, couldn’t help but laugh aloud. This further infuriated Prince Donghe’s men.