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Expecting a relaxed New Year’s Eve this year, Wang Jinhe found herself being confronted during the banquet midway through.
While she was preparing food for her two children, she suddenly overheard someone talking about her, “I wonder what the princess will come up with next. Aren’t the seasonal vegetables and fruits she sells too expensive? Could the princess consider lowering the prices a bit?”
“It would be even better if there were more items available.”
Frowning, Wang Jinhe confronted the individual, looking puzzled, “Do I know you? Why do you feel the need to give us advice on how to sell our products?”
She didn’t know many officials in the court. She was most familiar with the Minister of Agriculture and a few generals. It was surprising to have someone she didn’t recognize questioning her like this.
“I don’t mean to meddle in the princess’s affairs; I just feel that if there were more products available at lower prices, more people would be able to afford them,” the person casually shifted the responsibility onto Wang Jinhe.
Wang Jinhe looked at the young man in confusion, wondering if there was something wrong with his head.
“You’re quite strange. Do you think we can just magically produce more of these items at your request? They don’t just sprout from the ground; it takes a lot of time and effort to grow them,” Wang Jinhe retorted.
“Do you even know how much it costs us to produce these items? Do you think we can simply increase production or lower prices at will? How shameless can you be?” Wang Jinhe couldn’t help but chuckle at the audacity of this person.
How did someone like this even become an official?
Xiao Bao was displeased with this person causing trouble for Wang Jinhe suddenly.
“Is this person trying to take advantage of you, Mommy?” Xiao Zhi nodded in agreement, “Probably thought it was easy to pick on you in Daddy’s absence, trying to belittle you in front of everyone with these high-yielding products.”
“Talking about high-yield crops is probably just an excuse. What he truly wants to mention are the health improving Fruits, vegetables and drinks in Mommy’s hands, right?” Xiao Zhi remarked, looking at the individual with a knowing smile.
“What nonsense are these two kids spouting?” the individual said, somewhat embarrassed.
After scrutinizing the person for a while, Xiao Bao finally spoke up, “Brother, do you think this person looks guilty of something, like they have a guilty conscience?”
“Indeed.”
“You…”
Wang Jinhe’s gaze turned cold as she looked at the person and asked in a chilly tone, “Do you have an issue with my two children?”
The Prime Minister glanced at the speaker and sneered, “Lord Zhong, you never change, always shameless. You didn’t speak like this when the Prince was around. Why don’t you wait until the Prince returns to the court before making such comments?”
“You’re right. Don’t think that just because the Prince isn’t here, you can bully the Princess and her children. Do you think we are all powerless?”
“The Prince is out on the frontline fighting, and here you are causing trouble for the Princess. You sure have guts. If you’re so capable, why not go to the battlefield yourself?”
Both civil and military officials ganged up on Lord Zhong, leaving him embarrassed.
“I was just curious,” Lord Zhong tried to defend himself.
“Is that so? Well, I’m also curious about the affairs in Lord Zhong’s household. Perhaps when I return, I can have my people investigate. What do you think?” Wang Jinhe smiled gently at Lord Zhong, causing his expression to change.
“Is the Princess threatening a loyal official of the court?”
“If you perceive it as a threat, then so be it. I couldn’t care less.”
That sentence felt like a fierce slap across Lord Zhong’s face.
Lord Zhong’s expression changed multiple times, regretting causing trouble for Wang Jinhe.
At this moment, Lord Zhong realized that Wang Jinhe was not one to be trifled with. She wouldn’t allow herself to be bullied just because Su Yu wasn’t around.
“As for increasing the yield of high-yield crops by a few hundred pounds, and as for the health improving vegetables and fruits in my possession, what does that have to do with you? Are they yours?” Wang Jinhe calmly questioned.
With that single statement, Lord Zhong was left feeling utterly embarrassed.
“No matter how much money I make from this, it’s my own business. What concern is it of yours?” Wang Jinhe coldly eyed the person with a half-smile, half-sneer.
Others nodded in agreement with Wang Jinhe’s words, “The Princess is right. What does this have to do with you?”
“If you envy it, that’s your own issue. After all, what I have in my hands is unique. How much I sell it for and how much I earn is my family’s affair, none of your business.”
“Do you have any further opinions on my family’s matters, Lord Zhong?” Wang Jinhe asked, looking at Lord Zhong.
Lord Zhong was left feeling extremely awkward by Wang Jinhe’s words.
Turning to his colleagues beside him, hoping they would speak up in his defense, they all turned away as if they hadn’t seen or heard what Wang Jinhe had said.
“Do you have any more questions about my family’s affairs, Lord Zhong?”
“If not, I hope we can put this matter to rest in the future,” Wang Jinhe said coldly.
“The Princess is jesting,” Lord Zhong awkwardly replied.
“I never jest with people, and I hope Lord Zhong understands that some matters are not to be meddled with just because you wish it,” Wang Jinhe’s assertiveness made Lord Zhong’s expression turn sour.
Frowning at Wang Jinhe, Lord Zhong remarked, “Princess, being so forceful in front of so many people and even in the Emperor’s presence, isn’t that going too far?”
Surprised by Lord Zhong’s self-righteous demeanor, Wang Jinhe found it somewhat amusing, “Isn’t it you who initiated this confrontation in the first place, Lord Zhong?”
“I…”
Xuan Feiran looked at Lord Zhong, his expression displeased as he spoke, “I have never inquired about how much Xiao He and Xiao Yu earn. Lord Zhong, you seem to be overly concerned about this.”
Wang Jinhe nodded in agreement, “What the Emperor says is true. If even the Emperor doesn’t inquire about it, Lord Zhong, you are indeed being impolite.”
Although Lord Zhong felt somewhat resentful, now that the Emperor had spoken, any further arguments from him would be futile.
“This is my mistake. I apologize to the Princess,” Lord Zhong admitted.
Wang Jinhe sneered. She had no interest in his apology. “There’s no need for an apology. I only hope that Lord Zhong will be more mindful of what should and shouldn’t be said in the future.”
“Yes,” Lord Zhong’s face turned an unpleasant shade of green and purple.
At this point, Xuan Feiran spoke up, “Just because Xiao He’s products are sold at a certain price doesn’t mean you should have any thoughts about it. Xiao He’s products don’t just fall from the sky.”
“Yes, Your Majesty,” Lord Zhong felt remorseful. How did he end up listening to the instigation and causing discord, especially by saying such things at the palace banquet.
Wang Jinhe glanced at Lord Zhong with a hint of sarcasm. Such a person wasn’t worth her effort, but a lesson needed to be learned.
This was just a brief incident. After the palace banquet concluded, Wang Jinhe prepared to head back.
Upon reaching the palace gate, Wang Jinhe encountered Lord Zhong. She gave him a cold glance before walking towards the carriage heading to the Su Mansion.
Xiao Bao scrutinized Lord Zhong and muttered disapprovingly, “Not having any abilities but coveting other people’s things is quite something.”
Lord Zhong’s expression changed multiple times upon hearing Xiao Bao’s words. Were the Princess’s children always this harsh in their speech?
“The Princess should focus on managing her own children rather than concerning herself with other things,” Lord Zhong retorted.
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