After lunch, Lu Nianfu felt a bit tired.
She was pondering finding an excuse to return to her room to sleep when she heard the Crown Princess, seated beside her, speak, "Seventh Sister-in-law, this banquet you've hosted today is truly excellent."
Lu Nianfu mustered her energy, "It's alright, it was all arranged by the nannies from the palace."
The people from the Imperial Household Department had previously caused her trouble, but the ones sent afterward were much more honest and diligent, saving her a lot of worry. Although the people she brought from Yangzhou were loyal and capable, their horizons were limited, and they lacked the experience of those from the palace. Therefore, for most banquets, these palace staff would handle the arrangements.
The Crown Princess continued to praise, "But it still requires Seventh Sister-in-law to be willing to spend money. However, Seventh Sister-in-law, you own a copper mine, so this little bit of money must be but a drop in the ocean for you."
Here it comes.
Lu Nianfu hadn't expected the Crown Princess to start from such a topic. Tsk, these people in power in the capital are truly detestable; they never seem to say anything straightforward. If they don't meander through a matter with twists and turns, it's as if they can't showcase their speaking skills.
She shook her head, "Second Sister-in-law, you jest. My copper mine has only just begun to be excavated, and we are far from making money."
"But that's only a matter of time. I've always heard that Seventh Sister-in-law's adoptive father was a merchant, but I didn't know his net worth was so substantial. He even includes a mine in his daughter's dowry. I imagine he would leave even more for his son."
Since ancient times, family wealth was passed down to sons, not daughters, let alone a daughter who was adopted.
Lu Nianfu smiled, "That copper mine is an asset I earned after I got married, it has nothing to do with my late father."
"So that's how it is. Was the money to buy the copper mine earned by Seventh Brother?" The Crown Princess spoke with a double meaning, "It seems Seventh Brother is also quite capable of making money."
Everyone held their breath, listening to the verbal sparring between the two.
What did it mean for Prince Rui to be good at making money? Although he managed the Dali Temple and the Ministry of Justice, in the end, he only received his salary from the court. How could he make money? If it was said to be a reward from the Emperor, then there were even deeper implications.
Lu Nianfu glanced at her calmly and said indifferently, "It's just buying a barren mountain, how much money could that take? It was just luck that a mine was discovered. If Second Sister-in-law has any spare cash, you could try your luck too. Shanxi has no shortage of anything but mines. Buy ten or eight of them, and you're bound to find something good."
She boasted shamelessly, her face full of sincerity.
The Crown Princess: ...
How infuriating! A merchant's daughter of low birth could possess such financial power, casually buying ten or eight mountains. In contrast, she, the Crown Princess... her smile was beginning to falter, yet she had to insincerely praise, "Then Seventh Sister-in-law's luck is truly exceptional."
"Indeed, the Prince also always praises me for bringing him good fortune."
As soon as the words fell, the expressions of everyone in the room froze.
The Crown Princess: ...
This conversation was impossible. She took a deep breath, "Seventh Sister-in-law, wealth is an external possession. For us women, the most important thing is our husband's affection, don't you agree?"
Lu Nianfu: ...
Did the Crown Princess not expect her to offer the mine herself? Was her brain kicked by a donkey? She glanced at her with her little eyes, "Second Sister-in-law, your words are not entirely right. Wealth is indeed an external possession, but without this external possession, one cannot move an inch."
The noble ladies in the capital spoke of wealth with a veiled pride, acting as if they disdained such worldly possessions, afraid of being labeled greedy or vulgar.
The Crown Princess truly hadn't expected that this merchant's daughter, who had married into the imperial family, would not be eager to distance herself from her lowly status but would instead openly admit to loving money.
How was her brain wired?
Before getting to the main point, she had been refuted twice in front of so many people. This was an experience the Crown Princess had never had before. Understanding the implied meaning behind words, none of the people around her would be so oblivious. She wondered if this merchant's daughter was truly foolish or pretending to be.
She actually leaned towards the latter. For someone of humble origins to have Prince Rui devoted to her alone for three years, could a fool achieve this?
The Crown Princess ground her teeth in annoyance. It seemed the roundabout tactic wouldn't work. She had to get straight to the point, "Seventh Sister-in-law, you probably don't know, but recently, your copper mine has caused quite a stir in the imperial court."
Lu Nianfu appeared genuinely confused, "Is that so?"
"What? Did Seventh Brother not mention it when he returned to the manor?"
"The inner palace is not allowed to meddle in state affairs, so why should we women in the inner chambers get involved? The Prince never discusses these things with me."
The Crown Princess took a deep breath, "But this matter concerns your copper mine."
"What about the copper mine?"
"Seventh Sister-in-law should know that a batch of copper was stolen by bandits in Shanxi. The Crown Prince was ordered to suppress the bandits, but suppressing bandits is not something that can be accomplished overnight. The Crown Prince can wait, but the border soldiers cannot. Without copper, how many weapons will they lack? It's possible that many brave young men will be buried on the battlefield because of this. Seventh Sister-in-law, please show mercy and offer the copper mine to the imperial court. I thank you on behalf of the myriad soldiers on the border for your great kindness."
With that, she bowed to Lu Nianfu.