Chapter 184
Chapter 184: The Prince Makes His Move
Qiu Shi Dong thought very highly of Wang Tang Yao.
Wang Tang Yao had the bearing of an elegant young master from a great house. In both his figure and his looks, he was very graceful and noble.
Compared to him, his brother the Marquis of Jian Ning was vulgar and greedy. He only relied on his ancestors’ blessings to live a good life and had never developed true noble manners.
After sending Qiu Shi Dong away, Wang Tang Yao sat alone in thought.
[It is related to Prince Yong’s intended consort again. Could it be that she set this up?]
[Let us see how deep her waters are.]
Qiu Shi Dong was using the Wang Family as a stepping stone. Wang Tang Yao saw it all.
He felt nothing but contempt.
[What kind of thing is Qiu Shi Dong? An old fox who thinks he is a lone wolf. How laughable.]
Qiu Shi Dong wanted to cozy up to the Zheng Family, so Wang Tang Yao decided to let him try.
“If this really has something to do with Luo Ning, then I will find a pretext to make trouble for her.”
Wang Tang Yao introduced Qiu Shi Dong to the Duke of the Realm.
Qiu Shi Dong said he could get in touch with Prince Jiang’s manor. He was willing to act as a go-between and work on the Duke of the Realm’s behalf.
“You should first send someone to ask whether the Prince is willing to sell that villa. His fief is in Wanzhou Prefecture. Near Wanzhou Prefecture, our Zheng Family has two mountains we can transfer to the Prince,” the Duke of the Realm said.
He added: “If he does not want mountains, we can also name a price in silver.”
Qiu Shi Dong had a refined air and did not show a merchant’s timidness.
His manners were like those of a young master from a great house. He was richly dressed, his looks were decent, and he left a good impression.
So the Duke of the Realm was willing to talk with him.
Qiu Shi Dong smiled slightly and said: “I will of course do my best for you, my lord Duke. I will first send someone with a message. Once there is a reply, I will personally go to Wanzhou Prefecture. Within half a month, I will surely give you an answer, my lord Duke.”
The Duke of the Realm said: “If you succeed, I will definitely reward you.”
“Then I thank you in advance, my lord Duke,” Qiu Shi Dong said.
He left the outer study of the Duke of the Realm’s residence in a good mood, his steps even more relaxed.
At the gate, he ran into Zheng Jia’er.
Zheng Jia’er had heard that a broker had come, so she blocked Qiu Shi Dong and asked: “You are the broker recommended by the Wang Family? The Wang Family does not want Hot Spring Villa?”
Qiu Shi Dong cupped his hands in salute and said: “Fourth Miss, the Marquis of Jian Ning’s manor has no wish to buy another villa. The Duke of the Realm dotes on you, and you are noble, so he wants to add blossoms to brocade for you.”
Zheng Jia’er said: “You are quite good at talking. Let me warn you. If this villa ends up in the Marquis of Jian Ning’s manor through your hands, I will skin you alive.”
“I will remember that,” Qiu Shi Dong said.
“Hot Spring Villa must be bought. Keep that in mind,” Zheng Jia’er said again. “I do not care what you say to Prince Jiang, and I do not care how my Father instructed you. If you cannot handle this matter, you will not get past me, unless you do not want your life.”
Qiu Shi Dong answered once more: “Please be at ease, Miss. I am only a commoner, yet I was able to meet the Duke of the Realm. Of course I have some confidence.”
From his tone, Zheng Jia’er felt he was almost certain to succeed.
She let out a breath and felt that she had not only beaten Luo Ning, but also Pei Yu.
She was impatient by nature and liked to show off. She immediately sent out word that the next time it snowed, she would invite the young ladies from great houses to her Hot Spring Villa to enjoy the snow.
The noble girls had not yet received any invitation, but they had already heard the message.
Some of them were displeased. “She should buy it first before talking. Princess Consort Jiang used to have a close relationship with the Empress Dowager. Prince Jiang’s manor is far from the Capital City, and they do not need to curry favor with anyone. That villa is reserved for their children and grandchildren. They may not be willing to sell it just to give the Duke of the Realm face.”
After all, he was a Prince of the Blood.
He had not entered the capital for more than ten years. Perhaps he had his own plans, but his network of connections had not been cut. How could the great clans pinch him as they pleased?
And what could the Duke of the Realm’s household really do?
Everyone remembered what happened with Zheng Xiao. If it were not for the Empress Dowager and the Emperor thinking of Her Majesty the Empress and her great merits, they would already have acted against the Zheng Family.
“At a time like this, she still jumps out to steal the spotlight. Her Majesty the Empress must be so disappointed. Right now the Empress is hoping her maiden family members will keep a low profile and endure,” Pei Yu also said.
Pei Yu’s remark that Zheng Jia’er was “stealing the spotlight” was carried by someone with an agenda straight to Zheng Jia’er’s ears.
Zheng Jia’er was furious. “Once I have bought my villa, I will smash her mouth first.”
This matter spread noisily among the prestigious clans for several days.
Zheng Jia’er kept people waiting at the gate of Qiu Shi Dong’s residence. As soon as he came back, she would send out invitations and vent her anger.
In less than ten days, Qiu Shi Dong returned from Wanzhou Prefecture.
He first went to the Wang Family, wanting Wang Tang Yao to help him, because he had failed.
Wang Tang Yao’s face darkened. A trace of wickedness rose within his charming brows and eyes as he said: “You were the one who begged me for this. Since you could not do it, you should take responsibility yourself.”
Qiu Shi Dong had not expected Prince Jiang to reject him in one breath and be so firm about it.
He had great confidence in his own glib tongue, yet he had never imagined that Prince Jiang would shut him out. When he still refused to leave, the long blades of the manor bodyguards were already about to rest against his neck.
He even brought up Great Master Hui Neng’s name, but it was useless.
He had miscalculated.
Even so, business always had gains and losses, and Qiu Shi Dong did not take it to heart.
He had also expected that Wang Tang Yao would refuse to help him further.
He smiled and said: “Then I can only go alone to apologize to the Duke of the Realm.”
Sitting in the carriage, Qiu Shi Dong had already thought up his excuses.
He could handle these powerful nobles in the Capital City. He was not only quick-witted and aware of their greed, but also very rich.
Even for the prestigious clans, the ready silver in Qiu Shi Dong’s hands was very tempting.
All of a sudden, something pierced through the carriage curtain. It was like a faint gust of wind that slipped into Qiu Shi Dong’s arm.
There was a sharp sting on his skin.
He turned his head to look, but there was no tear in his clothing.
Yet the light sting was very clear.
It felt like an ant had crawled up and bitten him.
Qiu Shi Dong very much wanted to take off his clothes and check, but at that moment the carriage reached the gate of the Duke of the Realm’s residence.
He had failed in this matter and would need to spend effort to smooth things over, so he could not worry about it for now.
He straightened his robe and walked into the outer study of the Duke of the Realm.
A maidservant brought in tea.
Qiu Shi Dong drank the tea and felt cold all over his body.
His back seemed to break out in sweat.
[What am I nervous about?] he asked himself.
There was no need.
[This little storm is nothing. I have seen big scenes. I can handle it.]
However, something was not right.
His hand was trembling slightly. The faint sting slowly spread. His hand was unsteady as he held the teacup, and the tea inside shook and sloshed.
Qiu Shi Dong took two deep breaths.
His health was very good. He had no old illness. [What is happening to me?]
The Duke of the Realm came in.
Seeing Qiu Shi Dong’s pale face and the cold sweat on his forehead, he frowned and said: “You did not manage it, did you?”
Qiu Shi Dong said: “My lord Duke…”
“How did Prince Jiang reply?” the Duke of the Realm asked coldly, clearly displeased.
The excuses in Qiu Shi Dong’s mind almost vanished. His tongue felt as heavy as a thousand catties. He gripped the arm of the chair and could not get a single word out.
“Did you not even see Prince Jiang?” the Duke of the Realm asked.
He was utterly disappointed. “You are a nobody. How could you handle this matter? And I actually trusted you.”
He shot Qiu Shi Dong a look full of dislike. “Enough. Leave.”
He could not be bothered with Qiu Shi Dong.
Qiu Shi Dong was about to stand up when Zheng Jia’er came in.
She pushed close to his face and demanded: “You bought the villa, right? Just try saying you did not…”
The Duke of the Realm frowned and said: “Jia’er, do not be rude.”
Qiu Shi Dong struggled to stand.
“How am I being rude? I have waited so many days that I am worried sick,” Zheng Jia’er said angrily. She gave Qiu Shi Dong a shove and said: “Speak. Give me a clear answer quickly. You are driving me crazy!”
She did not use much strength, yet Qiu Shi Dong fell face first to the ground, hitting the bluestone floor with a dull thud.
Zheng Jia’er: “…”