Chapter 112

Chapter 112: Take Me to See! Because of these five hundred thousand taels, Gan Qiongying was so overjoyed that she wished she could cast a golden statue of Lihua. Forget building a temple for that little monk Dingzhen—she wanted to enshrine Lihua and offer three sticks of incense daily, bowing to him morning, noon, and night. The feeling of having silver in hand was simply wonderful; her depressive mood instantly vanished into thin air. With money, what couldn’t be accomplished? As the saying goes, money can make the devil turn the millstone. Gan Qiongying now felt like rolling up her sleeves and pushing that millstone herself! Seeing Gan Qiongying so delighted, Lihua also breathed a slight sigh of relief, unable to suppress a smile as he looked at her. He wasn’t particularly skilled at comforting others. Over the past two days, watching Gan Qiongying remain gloomy and troubled, he couldn’t think of any way to cheer her up. Moreover, regarding the matters with the Emperor, Lihua felt powerless despite his concern. He wanted to help Gan Qiongying but could do little. Seeing how much Gan Qiongying loved silver, he felt somewhat fortunate—fortunate that he had money, and lots of it. If he could use his wealth to make Gan Qiongying happy, that would be the easiest thing for him. Coincidentally, during Princess Hui'an’s birthday banquet, when Lihua met Zhongli Zhengzhen, he had once pretended to be poor and ended up giving all the money he saved to Gan Qiongying. Even without Gan Qiongying, Lihua had no intention of giving it to Zhongli Zhengzhen. His heart, even if not with Gan Qiongying, certainly did not lie with the Jinchuan royal family. Wealth nourishes a person. For two consecutive days, Gan Qiongying remained in high spirits with a rosy complexion, beginning to prepare for the Mid-Autumn Night Banquet. She even ordered someone to craft a set of head ornaments, specifically choosing ruby materials. High-end luxury was synonymous with Princess Duanrong. Lihua was right—only by outshining everyone and showing the Emperor that she was living well would he feel at ease. That day, as usual, Gan Qiongying saw Lihua off at the gate. Lihua had gone to the shops to earn more money. Watching his retreating figure, Gan Qiongying even felt as if silver would fall from him as he walked. After Lihua’s carriage had gone far, Manyue immediately approached and whispered a few words into Gan Qiongying’s ear. “What?” Gan Qiongying looked confused and bewildered. “Chen Wa? What for?” For a moment, Gan Qiongying couldn’t recall what she had previously tasked Chen Wa with doing. It wasn’t her fault—the five hundred thousand taels that had fallen from the sky were still causing waves of gold to ripple in her mind. How could she think of anything else? Such matters weren’t suitable for discussion outside. Manyue helped Gan Qiongying back to her bedchamber. “Princess,” Manyue closed the bedchamber door securely before speaking, “Chen Wa just sent word. The elderly gentleman skilled in vocal mimicry from Phoenix Tower—Chen Wa has already brought him to the suburban villa and settled him there.” Only then did Gan Qiongying remember that day when she went to comfort Lihua, she discovered a talented person in Phoenix Tower and had Chen Wa send someone to make contact. She had completely forgotten about it these past two days. Seeing a figure at the door, Gan Qiongying guessed it was Chen Wa and immediately had him brought in. Chen Wa was beaming with joy. Successfully completing a task meant a reward—this had become an unwritten rule in the Princess Manor recently. After all, who in this world doesn’t love silver? After paying his respects, he promptly reported: “Your Highness, the elderly gentleman skilled in vocal mimicry is named Li Songjiang. He has already been properly settled.” “His background has also been thoroughly investigated,” Chen Wa said. “This subordinate rescued his family. He says he is willing to follow the Princess and serve at her command!” Gan Qiongying tapped her fingers on the table and said to Chen Wa, "Tell me in detail..." It turned out that the old man's dazed expression that night was not because Gan Li had asked him to imitate the voice of a brothel courtesan, but because Wan Niang was once his own niece. Wan Niang was the daughter of his younger brother. His brother, Li Songhai, and his family were kind-hearted and warm, running a steamed bun shop. The couple only aimed for small profits and high turnover, content as long as they could support their two children in studying and learning to read. They would also help the homeless, offering them some food. But there were always those who grew envious and jealous, even harboring hatred. Some troublemakers claimed to have fallen ill from eating their buns and were now bedridden, demanding compensation from Li Songhai. They brazenly asked for a hundred taels, threatening to smash tables and dishes if they didn’t get it. This was clearly a scheme by competitors. Li Songhai, of course, had a clear conscience. But with such a commotion and passersby gathering to watch, it was inevitable that some would believe there was something wrong with his buns. After a few incidents like this, people gradually stopped buying from them. At the time, Li Songjiang was still serving in the military. That battle in Nánzhào ended in defeat, and he narrowly escaped with his life, returning with one eye nearly blind and scars from knife wounds on his hands. Moreover, because the general he followed was not killed in battle but went missing, many rumors spread that the general had defected to the enemy. After they were disbanded and sent back, they didn’t even receive severance pay. Disabled and ashamed to return home, not wanting to burden his family, Li Songjiang planned to secretly take one last look at his home before leaving. But when he arrived, he found the bun shop still there, though the people running it had changed. Li Songjiang inquired everywhere and finally learned that his brother’s family had moved away, with no one knowing where they had gone. With no news of his family, penniless, and disabled, Li Songjiang felt utterly hopeless. He walked to the docks, intending to drown himself, when he happened to be spotted by Lihua, who was inspecting cargo ships at the docks that day. Lihua sent someone to stop him. After hearing his story, Lihua first arranged for his injuries to be treated. But Li Songjiang was determined to die, attempting suicide several times without success. It wasn’t until Lihua brought him a portrait of Wan Niang that Li Songjiang finally regained his senses. It turned out that after his brother’s family moved away, they lived in extreme hardship in another place. When floods struck, the entire family contracted the plague. In the end, they exhausted all their savings but could only save Wan Niang. However, because Wan Niang was somewhat attractive, she was targeted by human traffickers during their escape and sold into a brothel, registered as a lowly prostitute. Misfortune always strikes the most vulnerable, and calamity seems to seek out those already suffering. To give Li Songjiang the will to live, Lihua promised to find a way to protect Wan Niang from being mistreated. Learning that Li Songjiang had served in the borderlands, trained horses, raised sheep, and could imitate the sounds of other animals with remarkable skill, Lihua arranged for him to be trained by a theater troupe. He brought him on stage, and after his training, Lihua sent him to perform at Phoenix Tower. He also promised him a generous salary, allowing him to earn the money to buy Wan Niang’s freedom. In this way, Li Songjiang found a reason to live. After hearing this, Gan Qiongying was deeply moved, but she had heard too many tragic stories these days and was not easily swayed by them. Indeed, as Mr. Lu Xun said, the sorrows and joys of this world are not shared. What truly moved Gan Qiongying was how Lihua continuously extended a helping hand to such unfortunate souls and went to great lengths to give them a reason to live. This pure kindness was something Gan Qiongying had never seen in anyone, not in this life nor the last. "How did you get him to agree to work for me?" Gan Qiongying asked Chen Wa. "Did you buy Wan Niang's freedom?" "This subordinate promised Li Songjiang that as long as he works for the Princess, not only will Wan Niang be freed, but she will also be removed from the lowly household registry," Chen Wa replied. Although Lihua had a great deal of wealth, in the face of power, the role of money was sometimes limited. He was a merchant; he could indeed easily buy Wan Niang's freedom. However, to get her out of the brothel and remove her from the lowly household registry—only those who held power could accomplish that. Moreover, Lihua had never been one to associate closely with the nobility. It was impossible for him to go to great lengths to remove a brothel woman he didn't even know from the lowly registry. Being able to use Wan Niang to keep Li Songjiang alive was already an act of great mercy, like a Bodhisattva reincarnated. Her Consort truly was as beautiful in appearance as he was kind-hearted. "Clever," Gan Qiongying clapped her hands. "The matter was handled very well. Settle the person properly. As for removing Wan Niang from the lowly household registry, leave that to you to handle. If you need money for anything, just speak to Manyue." Chen Wa's face immediately lit up with joy at the praise, and he replied in a loud, booming voice, "Thank you, Princess!" Gan Qiongying was startled by Chen Wa, but she quickly laughed, pointing at him and saying, "You ill-mannered thing! A reward!" Chen Wa then shouted again in his booming voice, "Thank you for the reward, Princess!" This time, even Manyue covered her ears and rolled her eyes dramatically. Look how happy he is over a little reward money. So lacking in ambition. The Princess gives her the most rewards! "Dismissed," Gan Qiongying waved at him with a smile. Chen Wa accepted the order and withdrew, but as he reached the doorway, he remembered something. The Princess was in a good mood now. Why not take this opportunity to also seek some favor for those brothers who "never see the light of day"? So, Chen Wa suddenly turned back, knelt down again, and said, "Princess, on the day you were detained by the Regent, I immediately sent someone back to seek aid. Even after learning of your safe return, their hearts have not been fully at ease." Chen Wa looked up, his eyes bright with anticipation. "The guards who train day and night ask me almost daily if any villains still attempt to abduct or harm the Princess." "These past few days, they've intensified their training even more. They're all eager and determined, swearing that if anyone dares to harm the Princess again, they will fight with all their might to ensure that person never returns!" "Would the Princess like to go see the soldiers' training? Let the brothers see with their own eyes that the Princess is safe. It would also put their minds at ease for their training!" Before Gan Qiongying could fully grasp what was happening, Manyue, standing beside her, frowned upon hearing this and immediately said, "The underground is damp and cold. How could the Princess possibly go to such a place? You're a martial man, strong and healthy. How could the Princess withstand the chill drafts down there?" "She could wear more layers, put on a heavy cloak," Chen Wa retorted stubbornly, his response swift. "Just a quick look, wouldn't that be alright?" "But the Princess still needs to go select hair ornament designs later. Where would she find the time to go underground to see your private soldiers..." Manyue looked at Gan Qiongying. That group of grown men lived and ate underground. The air circulation was poor, and the smell was quite unpleasant. Manyue had been there once and found it distasteful. Naturally, Manyue did not want Gan Qiongying to go. In her heart, Gan Qiongying was precious beyond compare. How could she set foot in such a filthy place? Chen Wa frowned, his expression clearly disapproving of Manyue's words, even growing somewhat agitated. "What do you mean, my private soldiers? All two thousand of them are loyal to the Princess, ready to lay down their lives for her at any moment!" His tone was impassioned, his face flushed. "To ensure those guards can one day serve a great purpose, a sea of silver has been poured into them. After all this time, the Princess should at least see the results!" In the past, he would never have dared to make such a request. But recently, Chen Wa had clearly noticed the Princess paying more attention to the guards in the estate, even showing particular regard. Their monthly allowances had increased slightly, and they had even received two extra sets of summer clothes compared to last year. Manyue was about to say more but noticed a change in Gan Qiongying's expression and held her tongue. Still, she glared at Chen Wa with wide, round eyes, wishing she could give him a good pinch—this reckless fool! Gan Qiongying finally emerged from her confusion. Through the two's conversation, she realized she actually had a private army! And they were all hidden underground in this palace—something she had never known! Such a huge matter, and she had been completely unaware—my heavens! No wonder the estate spent so much silver every month; she had always wondered where it all went! Gan Qiongying had never examined the accounts closely. It was only after Lihua took over managing the household two months ago that expenses began to shrink. Before that, money had flowed like water, and Gan Qiongying had assumed it was due to the entire estate's ingrained extravagance! But it turned out the funds were being used for a proper purpose! From Chen Wa's words, even if Lihua hadn't gone to rescue her that day, her own people would have arrived in less than a quarter of an hour! They had been training for a long time! And they were likely Duan Rong's true secret, the one she had kept hidden underground all these years, unwilling to reveal. For a moment, Gan Qiongying trembled with excitement, her eyes wide as marbles. She slapped the table and declared, "Take me to see them!"