The hall, filled with many people, fell silent for a few breaths.
Everyone held their breath, waiting for Lu Nianfu's reply. Those with shallow minds already wore expressions of eager anticipation.
Prince Rui had returned from the battlefield in Jiangnan. If his consort could not part with a copper mine, how could the soldiers not feel disheartened? But if she gave it up, tsk, it was a copper mine! For the nation, a copper mine was nothing, but for an individual, all the noble ladies present could slightly imagine themselves in her shoes and feel a pang of pain.
Everyone knew that in this era, salt and mining were the most profitable.
Although copper mines were not as valuable as gold or silver mines, copper was an essential material for casting weapons. In these times of constant warfare, the price of copper had always remained high.
Lu Nianfu looked at the solemn expression, the pose of caring for the nation and its people, and felt a surge of anger.
She had originally thought that the Crown Princess would at least offer something in exchange if she wanted her to relinquish the mine. Who knew she would try to get something for nothing, using her position among the ladies present to pressure her into submission.
Once the mine was transferred through the Crown Prince, the common people would be grateful for his efforts in procuring copper for the army, and the soldiers on the border would surely remember him.
The Crown Prince, grateful for his consort's efforts, would naturally favor her more.
Only Lu Nianfu, who would donate a mine for nothing, would be remembered for contributing a copper mine to the Crown Prince's efforts. Not only would she be giving away her hard-earned gains, but she might also be ridiculed.
Hah, they really took her for a piece of fish on a chopping board.
Lu Nianfu calmly accepted the Crown Princess's bow, then popped a sour plum into her mouth. "Second Sister-in-law's sudden seriousness has startled me. Let me clarify, you mean that the Crown Prince's efforts to suppress bandits were insufficient, and he could not recover the looted copper, so he must compensate from the Jiangxi mine owners. You fear the mine owners would not comply, so you want me, the consort of Prince Rui, to lead the donation of mines, is that it?"
The Crown Princess choked, angered. "Seventh Sister-in-law, speak with caution. Banditry is rampant in Shanxi, and suppressing it is not a matter of a single day. You deflect and evade, are you perhaps unwilling to part with the copper mine?"
"Second Sister-in-law jokes. My husband comes from the military. For the sake of the soldiers, a copper mine can be given up. However, it is inappropriate for me, as a junior sister-in-law, to step forward forcefully to resolve the Crown Prince's predicament. Such matters as leading the donation of mines should be handled by you, the Crown Princess. Perhaps you could donate a gold mine first, and I will follow suit?"
Following Duke Xie Guo, the Crown Princess almost spat blood.
These two must have planned this together.
If she had a gold mine...
Bah, even if she had one, she wouldn't be willing to donate it!
She forced a smile, "Seventh Sister-in-law, if I had mines, why would I bother asking you? Rest assured, as long as you agree, when the Crown Prince returns, I will definitely ask him to request a reward for you in court, bestowing upon you the title of a benevolent merchant."
Lu Nianfu scoffed inwardly, shifting to a more comfortable posture. "Second Sister-in-law, I've been thinking, this matter probably involves court affairs, doesn't it? I cannot make such decisions. Perhaps you could wait a bit longer, and I will discuss it with my husband before making a decision."
"Seventh Sister-in-law, you speak as if the copper mine is your private property, how can you not make the decision? Surely, the dignified Prince Rui would not covet his wife's dowry?"
"If the Crown Prince, as an elder brother, covets it, what's wrong with my own husband offering some advice."
The Crown Princess's face darkened. "Seventh Sister-in-law, speak with caution. The Crown Prince is doing this for the sake of the border soldiers..."
Lu Nianfu muttered softly, "No matter how well it's explained, it's still coveting a sister-in-law's dowry. Otherwise, why wouldn't he lead the way himself? Could it be that the dignified Crown Prince cannot even afford a mine?"
Though spoken softly, her words were clearly heard by all the ladies in the room.
The Crown Princess felt a blockage in her throat, unable to swallow or spit.
Not only was she furious, but she also felt a tremor of panic. She had taken it upon herself to approach Lu Nianfu, thinking that a mere merchant's daughter without much sense would easily hand over the copper mine if intimidated. Who would have thought she would be so slippery and dare to say anything? Now, she was the one caught in the fire, roasted.
If she did not offer a mine, the Crown Prince would be branded as someone who coveted his sister-in-law's dowry and took advantage of others.
At that point, not only the Crown Prince, but also the Empress Aunt would not let her off the hook.
But a mine, how could she dare to agree? Sweating profusely, she finally spoke after a long pause, "Sister-in-law, you may not know this, but although I cannot produce a gold mine, I have donated a silver mine. However, the Crown Prince always acts discreetly, so he forbade me from mentioning it."
The noble ladies had various expressions, each with their own assessment of whether to believe it.
Lu Nianfu finally stood up. "I never expected Second Sister-in-law to be so noble and virtuous. Nianfu is extremely impressed."
The Crown Princess's heart ached as if bleeding, but she had to maintain her dignity as Crown Princess. "As a royal consort, it is my duty to share the burdens of the court."
"Second Sister-in-law's righteousness is admirable. With you leading the way, I believe the other royal sisters-in-law will also make their contributions. When all the Emperor's daughters-in-law have donated mines, the soldiers will surely understand the court's care and concern for them."
The Crown Princess's vision turned black. "What did you say? What does this have to do with the other sisters-in-law?"
Lu Nianfu asked with feigned confusion, "Second Sister-in-law, my husband is the seventh prince. Are you only targeting my meager fortune?"
The Crown Princess: ...
Now she had offended all her sisters-in-law.
Especially the third sister-in-law. To win over the Third Prince, the Third Prince's consort had chosen a lady from a collateral branch of her family. Given the collateral branch's background, this mine would most likely end up with her. The Crown Princess was numb with heartache, completely unsure how to face her father, brother, and the Empress Dowager's wrath.