Chapter 392: Chapter 232: Noble Princess Consort Rong Falls Out of Favor?_2
"This is what aligns with my impression of the previous dynasty." Zhao Yao asked, "Mother Consort, do you think Father will agree to lift the sea ban?"
"I’m afraid not for now; Great Zhou is still not completely at peace." After hearing Zhao Yao’s plan for maritime trade, Liang Zhaoyi thought it was a very profitable idea. "Only when Great Zhou achieves complete peace will your father have the mind to deal with other matters."
Zhao Yao thought it made sense; with Great Zhou not yet fully at peace, how could his father and the ministers focus on maritime affairs?
"Mother Consort, do you think Great Zhou can achieve full peace within three years?"
"Yes, within three years, the world will definitely be at peace."
Zhao Yao scratched his face and said, "Sigh, we have to wait another three years."
"Even if your father abolishes the sea ban now, your fleet cannot set sail immediately." Liang Zhaoyi, amused by her son’s eagerness, said, "Your fleet doesn’t even have a single sea ship right now; how can you set sail for trade?"
"That’s true; these three years will give me time to prepare and build a fleet." Zhao Yao took the letter Liang Zhaoyi handed over and continued to read.
In the letter, Zhao Yao’s uncle wrote that he had established good relations with various forces in Qingzhou.
Although Qingzhou is located by the sea and is the smallest of all the states, due to frequent trade with foreigners, the court closely manages Qingzhou, and there is no lack of governance.
Great Zhou absolutely does not allow overseas foreigners to cause trouble in Qingzhou, nor does it allow Qingzhou officials and citizens to collude with overseas foreigners for profit.
"Mother Consort, why can’t uncle send overseas goods to the capital for sale like second uncle?" Zhao Yao had not thought of this before, but now he finally realized.
"Because it is forbidden for officials or citizens to privately sell goods from overseas foreigners." Liang Zhaoyi explained, "In fact, the Qingzhou Government Office has always been the one trading with overseas foreigners, not the Qingzhou citizens. Of course, Qingzhou citizens can trade with foreigners, but only for small items."
"Father is truly cunning."
Liang Zhaoyi lightly tapped Zhao Yao’s forehead, "Is that how you speak of your father?"
Zhao Yao grinned sheepishly, said no more, and continued reading his uncle’s letter. His uncle wrote that Qingzhou had places specialized in building sea ships, as well as many experienced sailors. He would hire the best master in Qingzhou to craft the sea ships and enlist the most experienced sailors as Zhao Yao’s crew. In short, he would help Zhao Yao build a fleet in Qingzhou.
"Uncle is truly reliable," Zhao Yao said with a smile, "Second uncle and grandfather are also very reliable." They always felt they couldn’t help him much, especially not in vying for that position, but every task he asked them to assist with, they accomplished very well.
"Yes, they are very reliable."
"I don’t have to worry about the fleet anymore; now I just have to wait for second uncle to return." After reading his uncle’s letter, Zhao Yao quickly wrote a reply.
"When will your second uncle and the others return?" Liang Zhaoyi asked.
"According to the original plan, they will stay in Wusun for more than three months and depart for home in September." Zhao Yao said, "However, if the things second uncle buys are too many, he should return early, leaving others in Wusun."
Liang Zhaoyi’s brow slightly furrowed in worry: "If they buy too much, won’t the journey back to the capital be unsafe?"
"Second uncle will definitely hire an escort agency." Zhao Yao said, "I hope he can return early; I’m still waiting for him to buy me a falcon or a sea eagle."
As they were speaking, Gui Xing stood at the study door knocking.
"Your Highness, the kitchen prepared mung bean soup."
"Come in then."
"Yes, Your Highness."
Gui Xing brought in two bowls of mung bean soup, "Your Highness, the soup has cooled, perfect for drinking."
"Wasn’t it iced?"
"Your Highness, it’s too late at night; drinking iced mung bean soup could be harmful to your stomach and body."
Zhao Yao pouted, "It’s so hot, I want it iced."
"Your Highness, if you drink iced soup at night, your stomach will definitely act up."
Zhao Yao puffed his cheeks and said nothing more, obediently drinking the cooled mung bean soup.
"Earlier, Noble Consort sent someone to Changle Palace to summon the emperor, claiming she was ill."
Hearing Gui Xing, Zhao Yao unceremoniously mocked: "How many times is that already, the third time?" Ever since Qin Xiulian entered the palace, Noble Princess Consort Rong became very delicate, falling ill every now and then. "Did Father go?"
"The Emperor didn’t go; he sent Mr. Sun."
"Then Noble Consort Rong’s well-thought-out plan failed again." When she initially claimed illness, Father went to see her. But after Noble Consort Rong fell ill again, Father never visited. It seems her ’illnesses’ weren’t real. "What point is there in doing this, it only angers Father." Such petty attempts to win favor are too base.
"She’s just unwilling to accept it." The thoughts of Noble Consort Rong are easy to guess. "Now both the imperial court and harem say she has fallen out of favor."
"Hasn’t she?" Zhao Yao said, "Since Yingpin entered the palace, Father visits Changle Palace daily. Father hasn’t set foot in Yongxin Palace for a long time now."
"Your Father is angry with Noble Consort Rong, not vexed." Liang Zhaoyi said meaningfully, "Noble Consort Rong hasn’t truly fallen out of favor."
Gui Xing and Zhao Yao were both taken aback by this.
"Not fallen out of favor? But the Emperor hasn’t visited her in nearly a month, a first!" Gui Xing said incredulously, "Noble Consort Rong has never been so coldly treated by the Emperor. Previously, no matter what missteps she made, the Emperor at most stayed angry for three days before reconciling."
"This shows the Emperor is very angry with Noble Consort Rong." Liang Zhaoyi thought of how Zhao Yao almost died under the knife of an assassin sent by Noble Consort Rong, a cold gleam flashing in her eyes.
"Noble Consort Rong sent someone to assassinate Princess Consort Ying; it’s only right that Father is furious." Zhao Yao recalled the assassination attempt, still shaken. If not for the sudden appearance of Hidden Guard, he might have been killed by assassins sent by Noble Consort Rong. "Such brazen assassination is too overbearing; if Father continues to indulge Noble Consort Rong, she will become even more flagrant. Father’s current cold treatment is appropriate."
Liang Zhaoyi thought to herself: the emperor’s coldness towards Noble Consort Rong is not because she sent someone to assassinate Princess Consort Ying.