Chapter 92

Chapter 92: He’s Practically a Walking Gold Mine. It’s never good to go empty-handed when trying to placate someone. Gan Qiongying had no money, so she paced around the room until Manyue came up with a brilliant idea. The kitchen had prepared ginseng soup that evening to nourish the Prince Consort’s health. Since the Prince Consort had run off without drinking it, wouldn’t delivering the ginseng soup to him be the perfect excuse? Upon hearing this, Gan Qiongying felt like hugging Manyue and planting a kiss on her cheek. Manyue was truly her little snuggle bug. Supported by Manyue and carrying a food box, Gan Qiongying hurried toward the carriage waiting at the entrance of the Princess Manor. Under the night sky, the manor was dimly lit, mirroring the emptiness in Gan Qiongying’s heart. “If the Prince Consort drinks this bowl of ginseng soup tonight,” Gan Qiongying said to Manyue as they scurried along, “I’ll double your monthly allowance!” Manyue’s eyes lit up so brightly they could have illuminated the entire courtyard. However, the memory of her last allowance—which had appeared just as quickly as it vanished—still pained her deeply. Thus, she remained cautious this time and didn’t rush to celebrate. Instead, she asked with unusual restraint, “Really?” Gan Qiongying nodded as she climbed into the carriage. “Really! This time, I won’t take it back!” Manyue’s face instantly lit up with joy. She resolved that even if she had to talk the heavens into opening up, she would make sure the Prince Consort drank that bowl of ginseng soup! Meanwhile, Gan Qiongying, having made the bold promise, immediately began to regret it. Sitting in the carriage, she nearly beat her chest in frustration. Manyue’s monthly allowance was already substantial—as the head maid of the Princess Manor, she had always been generously compensated, especially since Princess Duanrong had a penchant for extravagance. Doubling it would amount to nearly two hundred taels… Gan Qiongying truly couldn’t afford to lose her cash cow! Moreover, she still couldn’t figure out why Lihua had stormed off just because she had met two people. Chen Wa personally led the guards escorting Gan Qiongying’s carriage, his expression fierce. Unlike Manyue, who had been completely won over by Gan Qiongying, Chen Wa remained skeptical. Although he knew the Princess currently doted on the Prince Consort and often showed leniency toward the Consort’s household out of respect for Gan Qiongying, he couldn’t overlook the Prince Consort’s audacity in fleeing the previous night. As soon as the Prince Consort had escaped, Chen Wa had immediately sent word to Manyue and even wanted to dispatch men to track him down. If not for Manyue’s intervention, the Prince Consort would have been captured and bound by now. Watching Gan Qiongying personally set out to pursue him, Chen Wa, riding on horseback, couldn’t help but feel that a lowly merchant was utterly unworthy of such effort. Seeking to take matters into his own hands, Chen Wa knocked on the carriage wall and said to Gan Qiongying, “Princess, it’s late at night, and the journey will be rough. Why not leave this to me? I’ll ride to the Consort’s residence and bring the Prince Consort back in no time!” Hearing this, Gan Qiongying rubbed her forehead and let out a bitter laugh. She was already overwhelmed, trying to figure out why Lihua was so angry and how to appease him. Now, with Chen Wa adding to the chaos, Gan Qiongying didn’t feel like saying a word. She glanced at Manyue and waved her hand, signaling for Manyue to handle it. Manyue quickly obeyed, stepping out of the carriage and calling Chen Wa over. For convenience, she mounted his horse behind him and leaned close to his ear, launching into a rapid-fire explanation. Chen Wa's defiant expression gradually shifted. By the time the group arrived beside the Consort's residence, his demeanor had completely transformed, with none of the previous arrogance remaining. Once they reached their destination, before Gan Qiongying could even step down from the carriage, Chen Wa immediately stepped forward to knock on the door. Back when Gan Qiongying first transmigrated and Lihua was captured and brought back to the Princess Manor, it was Chen Wa who had carried out the task. Times had changed. As Chen Wa knocked, he did so with utmost respect, speaking politely to those inside. Clearly, Manyue's brainwashing had been highly effective. Chen Wa now realized that the pants he wore and every bite of food he ate were bought with Lihua's money. The entire Princess Manor relied on the Consort to sustain it—how could he not show reverence? Manyue, having accomplished her mission, retreated to Gan Qiongying's side and even raised an eyebrow at her, looking proud and smug. Gan Qiongying couldn't help but feel both amused and exasperated. Still, she was quite relieved to see that Chen Wa hadn't led his men in breaking down the door. Soon, someone came to answer. Most of the people in the Consort's residence were elderly, weak, ill, or disabled, with very few able-bodied guards in sight. Upon seeing Gan Qiongying's carriage, they hurried out, trembling with deference, and respectfully bowed to her. When they learned of Gan Qiongying's purpose for visiting, they immediately said, "Princess, you may not be aware, but the Prince Consort did not stay long at the residence. He only briefly greeted us before heading into the city to inspect the shops." Upon hearing this, Gan Qiongying immediately instructed Manyue to inquire about which shops the Consort had visited. The old steward was honest, and the people of the Consort's residence had been specifically instructed by Lihua not to deceive the Princess. Soon, the old steward provided Gan Qiongying with a long list of shops, stretching from the eastern to the western streets. It included everything from cosmetics and clothing stores to fan and umbrella shops, as well as taverns, inns, and even brothels—covering all kinds of establishments. Basically, every seven or eight shops, one belonged to Lihua's enterprises. Even if not under his name, he had investments in them. Gan Qiongying took the lengthy list and climbed back into the carriage to "chase her husband across a thousand li." As she read through it, her heart raced with astonishment—this was her first direct glimpse of Lihua's capabilities. This was the Imperial City of Nánzhào, right under the emperor's feet, where powerful clans were entrenched and authority clashed. Yet Lihua had managed to penetrate so deeply into such a place! No wonder he could give her two hundred thousand taels a month and even provide Zhongli Zhengzhen with the initial funds for his rebellion. He was more than just a God of Wealth—he was practically a moving vein of gold. Gan Qiongying had initially felt somewhat irritable, but after reading the list of businesses and matching them one by one along the streets, her heart felt as if it had been smoothed by an iron—exceptionally calm yet burning with warmth. Tonight, even if she had to carry him on her back, she would bring the God of Wealth home! However, finding Lihua in the bustling streets of the vast Jinchuan Imperial Capital, among so many shops, was no easy task. They followed the list to many shops, only to be told each time that Lihua had just left. If not for the fact that Lihua lacked the ability to foresee the future, Gan Qiongying would have suspected he was deliberately avoiding her and playing hide-and-seek. Fortunately, when they inquired at the fifth shop, they finally learned where Lihua had gone. He had gone to a tavern at the end of the main street called Phoenix Tower. Even someone like Gan Qiongying, who had rarely left home since transmigrating, knew of Phoenix Tower's reputation. Because Manyue had gone to buy various delicacies from Phoenix Tower for Gan Qiongying more than once. Gan Qiongying had even tried the roast duck from Phoenix Tower, which was truly exceptionally delicious, with crispy skin to boot! However, when she ate it, Gan Qiongying never imagined that Phoenix Tower was actually Lihua's business. The roast duck was so expensive—if she had known it was Lihua's business, she wouldn't have had to spend money... Moreover, Phoenix Tower was a large-scale establishment that combined an inn, opera performances, and dining into one, with a total of five floors. It stood out prominently in the entire Imperial City, and there was even a massive stage set up outside. Gan Qiongying stepped out of the carriage and saw the entire building ablaze with lights, towering in the night. Even from the outside, she could see the bustling crowd inside and hear the clamor emanating from within, a clear testament to how popular this place was. Before entering, Manyue produced a veil hat from somewhere and asked Gan Qiongying to put it on. "Princess, please wear this. You are quite a celebrity in Yindu now. If someone recognizes you and causes a commotion, it would be troublesome." Gan Qiongying hesitated and said, "It's not that serious, is it? Who would pay attention to me? Wearing this might actually draw more attention..." Though she said this, Gan Qiongying never acted on her own accord, as her understanding of this era was very limited. Heeding advice ensures a full stomach. She quickly put on the veil hat and was supported by Manyue, while Chen Wa followed behind them with guards. The group swiftly entered Phoenix Tower.