Yan Mingkun stopped in his tracks and turned back to negotiate with his son. "It's not impossible for me to speak for you at Dali Temple, as long as you promise to never see that little merchant girl named Lu again, and to break off all ties with her!"
"Father—You, you're too cruel! You're breaking up lovers, a knife through the heart of love!" Yan Shuo accused with a bitter face.
Yan Mingkun said earnestly, "Father is doing this for your own good. Women from small merchant families are often greedy, good at planning and scheming, vulgar and opportunistic, not suitable partners!"
"Father, your views are too old-fashioned and rigid. While there are indeed scheming people among merchants as you say, not everyone is like that! You consider yourself a scholar with pure character and superior standing, but look at the court nowadays, Prime Minister Dong, Minister Zhou, and those sycophantic corrupt officials, aren't they all scholars? Are there not many who are opportunistic and greedy for profit? In every field, in every industry, there are good and bad people. Even a bad bamboo shoot can produce good bamboo!"
Yan Shuo's words made Yan Mingkun pause for a moment. He said in a deep voice, "But your father doesn't want you to take that risk. The cost of marital trial and error is too high, and there are many better choices. Why not choose them?"
"What are better choices?" Yan Shuo retorted. "Whether a choice is good or bad is up to me, because it is I who will live with the person I choose, not you and Mother. In this life, I will only choose what I like."
He's really good at arguing. When did this boy's eloquence become so good? Yan Mingkun couldn't be bothered to argue with his foolish son anymore. He frowned and said impatiently, "What I said just now, do you agree or not?"
"I do not agree!" Yan Shuo said stubbornly. "Even if you go to Dali Temple to plead for me, it may not succeed. I cannot sacrifice my lifelong happiness for an uncertain gamble of yours. I will find another way. At worst, if Miss Lu dies, I will die with her. We are all guests of the underworld, early death or late death is still death! This life is so short, I just want to live freely!"
"You—" Yan Mingkun really wanted to scold this stupid son, but he felt that this idiot's words were actually quite reasonable. Well, this boy's brain seems to be okay, not entirely filled with shit. "I won't disturb you any further, Father. I'm going to find a way to save her!" Yan Shuo said and prepared to leave.
"Stop! How will you save her? Whom will you find to save her? Be careful not to get yourself caught!" Yan Mingkun was furious. How could such an intelligent person have given birth to such a foolish son! Both stupid and stubborn!
Yan Shuo said coldly, "Miss Lu said that her sister-in-law has a very good relationship with Consort Mei. I will try to contact Consort Mei!"
"What did you say? They… have a very good relationship with Consort Mei?" Yan Mingkun doubted if his ears had been deafened by his foolish son.
"Mhm," Yan Shuo nodded. "When Miss Lu was first arrested, she asked me to find someone to deliver a letter to Consort Mei."
Yan Mingkun was silent for a moment, then said to Yan Shuo, "Alright, you can go. Don't cause any trouble for your old father!" Yan Shuo ignored his father and quickly walked out. Yan Mingkun stood in place, lost in thought. He really hadn't expected that merchant family to have such a good relationship with Consort Mei. If that's the case, it's not impossible to help. In the past two years, the Emperor has become increasingly disappointed with the Crown Prince, and his favor has increasingly leaned towards Prince Yu. If he could get even a little closer to Prince Yu, the Emperor probably wouldn't notice. Even if the Emperor suspected him, he would have a perfectly valid reason—for his son's lifelong happiness. That merchant family might indeed have something special about them to be able to connect with Consort Mei and even get Consort Mei to personally intervene. Then, regarding his foolish son's marriage, he should maintain a reserved attitude, not dismiss it outright, but investigate first. After thinking everything through, Yan Mingkun decided to find time to inquire about the case at Dali Temple. As the Censorate Grand Master, it was reasonable to supervise all officials. No matter how arrogant and domineering the Fifth Princess was, there was still the Great Xia law. Even if the Emperor doted on his daughter, he would at least outwardly uphold the Great Xia law. Otherwise, it would shake the foundation of the nation. Compared to the empire, a daughter was nothing.
Changle Street, in front of Chunfeng Tower.
Lu Tong and Yang Ming stood under a large tree by the street, speaking quietly with Li Qing. After listening to Lu Tong, Li Qing exclaimed in surprise, "Did your madam really say that? She really intends to spread the news of Hongfen Jiaren disfiguring the Fifth Princess to the entire capital?"
Lu Tong nodded firmly. "That's what the madam instructed, and she repeatedly emphasized that I must explain it clearly."
"But this… this isn't damaging Hongfen Jiaren's reputation? If so, the shop won't be able to continue operating in the future." Li Qing was full of worry.
Yang Ming said, "Madam certainly has her reasons for doing this. Sister Li Qing, you can look at it from another perspective. If Madam can prove that Hongfen Jiaren's products are faultless, wouldn't that be equivalent to free publicity? Moreover, only when the entire city is watching this case will Dali Temple be afraid to act recklessly during the trial. Madam dares to burn her bridges behind her, which means she must be very confident in her ability to clear herself and Hongfen Jiaren of the charges. We should all unconditionally believe and support her."
"Alright! I'll take care of this. I will spread it as quickly as possible and let everyone in the capital wait to watch this grand show!" Li Qing was suddenly filled with heroic spirit.
Yang Ming nodded. "Sister Li Qing, Madam said she would rub Miss Zhou and Miss Dong's faces on the ground this time. Just wait and see the good show."
"Haha, good! I'll wait to see the good show!" Li Qing felt her mood lighten considerably. She would also do her best to help Sister Bai Sheng, not let her fight alone.
Lu Tong also instructed, "Sister Li Qing, also the teahouses, restaurants, theaters, and street corners, spread the word everywhere."
Li Qing smiled charmingly. "Oh, little Tongzi, don't worry. I've been mixing in the muddy waters of the capital for so many years. If I can't even handle such a small matter, then I've truly wasted my time."
Yang Ming and Lu Tong then left with satisfaction. Li Qing returned to Chunfeng Tower. Two girls pulled her, playfully teasing her with charming voices, "Oh, Sister Li Qing, you're quite charming, aren't you? You've even hooked up with boys as young as fourteen or fifteen? And two at once."
Li Qing pulled them aside and said sternly, "Good sisters, I'm not in the mood for jokes today. There's something big to do. Whether we courtesans can get this revenge depends on this!" The two girls exchanged glances and said sternly, "Sister Li Qing, tell us quickly!"
"This is not a place for discussion. Let's talk in the room." Li Qing immediately pulled the two girls into her room.