Chapter 181
Chapter 181: Playing Favorites
Luo Ning was left speechless by the question.
She certainly knew how to win favor.
But…
Apologizing and currying favor were two different things.
“…I was afraid the Prince would misunderstand. The jewelry you gave me is too precious and beautiful. If I wear it, it would not look like I am truly sorry, but like I am having foolish hopes,” Luo Ning said.
“Foolish hopes for what?”
“Dressing myself up like a painted flower and dreaming of seducing the Prince,” Luo Ning said.
Her eyes were clear, like dark gemstones shining with light. There was a playful glimmer of slyness in them.
Xiao Huai Feng said to her: “You have a clever tongue and think too highly of your own wit.”
That was what he said, but his expression was not really stern.
She refused to admit she had not put in enough effort and even tried to handle him.
When he exposed what she had done, she could still give a proper, serious reason.
Xiao Huai Feng saw her intent very clearly and also admitted that she judged her limits very well: she would rather fall short than cross the line.
As a subordinate, she was very qualified.
A subordinate overstepping their place was a big taboo, even more hateful than doing nothing.
Xiao Huai Feng knew all this, yet he still felt that something was wrong.
Because he was not pleased.
His heart was not the least bit soothed.
The Zheng family affair counted as the first real clash between Luo Ning and Xiao Huai Feng.
The process was not very satisfying, but the result was surprisingly good. The two of them could now sit down and talk calmly, and their understanding of each other had deepened.
Luo Ning stayed at Prince Yong’s manor for both lunch and dinner.
In fact, she had wanted to leave after lunch, but Xiao Huai Feng kept her.
He and Luo Ning started talking about smuggled salt.
Luo Ning at once brought out her flattery skills and praised Xiao Huai Feng.
She said: “The Imperial Court controls official salt too harshly and rigidly. It is like water in a small pond. Once it loses its movement, the water becomes dead, and the pond cannot nourish other living things.
“Smuggled salt was born out of urgent need. For the salt mines, there is pressure to increase production, and craftsmen are eager to improve their techniques.
“For commoners, they can buy cheaper salt and make their lives richer. For the economy, when money flows faster, it will nourish all kinds of trade.”
She praised smuggled salt very highly.
When Luo Ning said this, she thought of Xie Zheng Ting, the Chancellor whom Prince Yong would heavily use after he ascended the throne. He had often argued with others about the “money-begets-money principle.”
Luo Ning had never heard this kind of theory when she was a ghost. Once, she heard him talking about it on the street and found it very interesting, so she followed him for a while.
Because of that, she learned quite a bit about Xie Zheng Ting and became very familiar with his way of talking.
Prince Yong later accepted his ideas, carried out reforms, and the people’s lives did become more prosperous.
Luo Ning respected Xie Zheng Ting quite a lot and never thought about stealing his credit. Besides, this “money-begets-money principle” really was something he had figured out himself. Luo Ning did not want to claim it.
She only spoke briefly about the benefits of money flowing.
Xiao Huai Feng really did like this way of thinking. That was why, in her past life, he had promoted the young Xie Zheng Ting against the rules and raised him, a man under thirty from a poor family, to the position of Chancellor.
Now, after hearing just a little bit from Luo Ning, he was not willing to let her go and ended up discussing it with her for half a day.
Luo Ning talked with him until her mouth was dry, so she stayed to eat.
Xiao Huai Feng probably had not talked so much in a long time either and also felt his mouth was dry, so he ordered a maidservant to bring a pot of wine.
“…Prince, at Lushan Academy, Xie Zheng Ting once anonymously published a book like this. He is a distant relative of Madam Pei and has many ideas.
“Because he always likes to come up with new things, the Scholar-Teachers do not like him very much. They say he breaks the rules, so he is not well known at the Academy. But I think he has real talent,” Luo Ning said.
Xiao Huai Feng said: “When I have time another day, I will send someone to look for him.”
The green plum wine was very light. Rock sugar had been added. It was sour and sweet with a hint of alcohol and tasted very good.
Luo Ning could not hold her liquor well. Even such weak wine made her face flush.
She was not drunk, but her cheeks were as red as if they were on fire.
Xiao Huai Feng suddenly reached out and pressed the back of his hand to her cheek: “So hot. If you are drunk, fine, just do not throw up on my table.”
Luo Ning could not help laughing.
She did not bother to dodge, because the skin on the back of his hand was cool and felt very comfortable to her. She said: “If I throw up, I will eat it back again so I will not dirty the Prince’s eyes.”
After hearing that, Xiao Huai Feng himself felt like throwing up.
He pinched her cheek on the way back: “You are very bold!”
“I would not dare,” Luo Ning said.
Xiao Huai Feng let go, stood up, and said: “Someone come, send the Princess Consort back home.”
Luo Ning said: “…I am not full yet.”
Xiao Huai Feng ignored her. He stood and walked quickly back toward the Inner Courtyard.
He was probably so disgusted that he could not be bothered to look at her again.
Luo Ning had no choice and had to leave. Her steps were steady, and she was only a little drunk, but her face was far too flushed.
When she returned to the Marquis of Zhen Nan’s manor, she went in through the side gate and went back to Wenqi Courtyard.
After a simple wash, the maidservants helped her take down her hair. She had already fallen asleep leaning against Qiu Hua.
When she woke up early the next morning, she was still confused for a moment and asked a maidservant: “When did I come back yesterday? Did I make a scene while drunk?”
“You went to sleep as soon as you came back,” Qiu Lan said with a smile. “You slept so soundly that you did not even notice when we changed your clothes.”
Luo Ning said: “That wine really did go to my head a bit.”
But it had indeed been weak wine, so she did not feel any of the pain of a hangover.
Instead, because she had slept a night without dreams, Luo Ning felt bright and refreshed.
After breakfast, Luo Ning planned to go to Luo You’s courtyard.
Because he had been in prison, Luo You had temporarily stopped his studies. He had to wait for a notice from Chunshan Academy before he could enroll again.
Luo Ning was planning to talk with her brother when an eunuch attendant from Shoucheng Palace came with a message, saying that the Empress Dowager wanted to see Luo Ning.
She immediately changed her clothes and fixed her hair, then went to Shoucheng Palace.
The Empress Dowager had her sit by her side and asked about her brother: “Was he frightened?”
“He is fine. He can think it through. He is still young and can bear some blows,” Luo Ning said. “But I heard that Third Young Master Zheng killed himself out of fear of punishment.”
“At least that way he preserved the last bit of face for the Duke of the Realm’s manor and Fahua Temple, and he still knew to ‘fear his crime’,” the Empress Dowager said.
Zheng Xiao’s death was something that made everyone very happy.
Those filthy matters could now be covered up by his suicide like a bright brocade blanket and never be mentioned again.
The Censorate would also find it hard to attack the Empress now.
“A’Ning, last time…” The Empress Dowager stopped mid-sentence.
Luo Ning said: “Imperial Mother, you have always been fair. I understand that in my heart. The Luo family is also grateful that you stood up for us.”
“It was Third Zheng who was at fault first. If we were truly fair, the Dali Court should have arrested him, instead of letting your two families discuss how to handle it.
“I was confused for a moment. The Empress has been worn out caring for the Eldest Prince’s illness, and she cried so hard that I showed favoritism at the time. A’Ning, do not blame me,” the Empress Dowager said.
Tears shone in Luo Ning’s eyes.
She wanted to say that someone who is truly partial never realizes that they are partial.
The fact that the Empress Dowager could say this meant that Luo Ning’s place in her heart was only growing. She had not lost to the Empress.
“Imperial Mother, I only look at the result. In this matter, the Luo family spoke up for justice, and the people now know that the Imperial Court’s laws are strict and clear, and that the Imperial House does not cover up for noble clans.
“Whether for the Luo family or for the state, there was no bad result. That is enough. Imperial Mother, I am very thankful. You have always been very good to me,” Luo Ning said.
The Empress Dowager held her hand: “You really are a sensible, good child.”
She called over a Steward Aunt and told her to bring a set of hair ornaments to reward Luo Ning.
Luo Ning thanked her.
“…How are Your Majesty and the Eldest Prince these days?” Luo Ning asked.
The Empress Dowager said: “They are both better. Thanks to the ancestral spirits’ protection, they have made it through this trial.”
“Imperial Mother, you should also take a little less on yourself,” Luo Ning said.
The Empress Dowager squeezed her hand again: “You always keep me in your thoughts. Things on my side are too busy, and I cannot think only of you. You must take care of yourself. If you are wronged, you must say so.”
Luo Ning answered that she would.