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“This… this humble official has no idea either!” Imperial Guard Commander Zhang Wei thought for a moment and replied, “There are two large storerooms in the rear courtyard, but aside from some empty chests, there’s nothing inside.”
Shang Nian went to inspect the storerooms in the rear courtyard and found them exactly as Zhang Wei had described.
The chests in the first storeroom were extremely familiar to Shang Nian—each bore a large engraved character “Shang.”
These were the chests that had held Shang Ruoyi’s dowry.
As for the other storeroom, not even a single chest remained.
Originally, they had intended to show the world just how much wealth the Dingguo Prince Residence had amassed over the years, proving that it was not as incorruptible as people believed and had indeed engaged in embezzlement. But now, the entire mansion had been emptied—cleaner than if it had been ransacked—by some unknown hand.
How were they supposed to proceed with their plans now?
“What?” In the Imperial Study, the Emperor was shaken by the news. “Nothing at all?”
“Your Majesty, as it stands, the Dingguo Prince Residence is nothing but an empty mansion.”
“How is this possible? Could there be hidden chambers or something of the sort?”
Shang Nian shook his head. “Your Majesty, Lord Zhang and I thoroughly searched the entire mansion using its blueprints. There was nothing—not even the dowry of my unfilial daughter remained. Only empty chests were left; all the contents had vanished without a trace.”
Zhang Wei quickly added, “I examined the surroundings of the Dingguo Prince Residence and found no signs of forced entry.”
Everything in the Dingguo Prince Residence seemed to have disappeared overnight.
“I understand. You may leave.” The Emperor sat on the Dragon Throne, rubbing his temples.
Shang Nian hesitated before lowering his voice and saying, “When Lord Zhang and I left, many commoners witnessed our fruitless search. Now, the entire capital is speaking out in defense of the Dingguo Prince Residence, saying… saying…”
“Saying what?” The Emperor slammed the table in anger. “Out with it!”
“They say the Dingguo Prince Residence is innocent, that Your Majesty has wronged loyal subjects.” Shang Nian’s voice grew quieter as he spoke, for the Emperor’s expression darkened with each word.
“Audacious!”
Everyone in the Imperial Study dropped to their knees in unison. “Your Majesty, please calm your anger.”
“Your Majesty, someone must be spreading these rumors to stir unrest,” Shang Nian said gravely. “The culprits are surely remnants of the Dingguo Prince Residence or those court officials who previously defended them.”
Emperor Tianshun’s expression darkened further—Shang Nian’s words aligned with his own suspicions.
It was entirely possible that these same people had taken the wealth of the Dingguo Prince Residence.
“If such rumors persist, arrest the offenders immediately, regardless of who they are, and punish them severely as a warning to others.”
“Your servant obeys the decree.”
As Shang Nian and Zhang Wei exited the Imperial Study, they happened to encounter Noble Consort Zhao bringing Crown Prince He Lingsheng to pay respects to the Emperor.
“Your humble servants greet Your Highness the Crown Prince and Noble Consort Zhao.”
“Rise.”
“I heard the Dingguo Prince Residence has been completely emptied,” He Lingsheng said solemnly. “Is it true?”
Shang Nian nodded. “Indeed. Moreover, many unfavorable rumors are circulating among the people, and His Majesty is deeply troubled by the matter.”
Upon hearing this, Noble Consort Zhao whispered to He Lingsheng, “As Crown Prince, it is your duty to share your father’s burdens.”
“This son understands.” He Lingsheng nodded and strode toward the Imperial Study.
Shang Nian was just about to take his leave when Noble Consort Zhao said with a smile, “I have long heard that Prime Minister Shang’s legitimate daughter is both talented and beautiful, gentle and virtuous. As I have been confined to the deep palace and often feel bored, it would be wonderful if she could come to the palace to keep me company when she has time.”
Upon hearing this, Shang Nian was overjoyed.
Noble Consort Zhao’s words were clearly an opportunity for his daughter to learn palace etiquette in advance.
In this way, his daughter’s marriage to the Crown Prince would proceed smoothly.
“It is my daughter’s great fortune to serve by Your Ladyship’s side,” Shang Nian quickly replied. “Once I return home, I will have her prepare to enter the palace.”
Upon returning to the Prime Minister’s Residence, Shang Nian immediately urged the servants to pack Shang Yufu’s belongings.
“My lord, what is happening?” The First Wife hurried over from the rear courtyard and asked in confusion as she watched the servants busily packing. “Why are you packing Yufu’s things?”
“Madam, wonderful news, wonderful news!” Shang Nian repeated Noble Consort Zhao’s words. “Our Fu’er’s good days are about to come.”
The First Wife exclaimed excitedly, “Is it true?”
After receiving Shang Nian’s confirmation again, the First Wife rushed to the rear courtyard. “Fu’er! Fu’er!”
Shang Yufu was embroidering in the rear courtyard at the time.
Hearing her mother’s call, she set aside her embroidery and was about to step outside when the First Wife burst in excitedly.
“Mother, what is it? What happened?”
The First Wife dismissed the servants in the room and closed the door.
“Fu’er, Fu’er, your fortune has arrived.”
“What fortune?”
“The Crown Prince!”
At these words, Shang Yufu’s eyes lit up.
“Is His Highness the Crown Prince selecting a consort?”
“Not yet, but this is even more important.” The First Wife took Shang Yufu’s hand and said excitedly, “Noble Consort Zhao has invited you to the palace to keep her company.”
“Noble Consort Zhao? The Crown Prince’s birth mother?”
“Exactly.” The First Wife smiled. “As long as you win Noble Consort Zhao’s favor, the position of the Crown Prince’s principal consort will undoubtedly be yours! And when the Crown Prince ascends the throne in the future, you will be the Empress, the mother of the nation. Our Shang family will finally have an Empress!”
Shang Yufu’s face brightened with joy. His Highness the Crown Prince was a man of exceptional talent and appearance, and she naturally admired him.
Previously, she had thought her engagement to the Dingguo Prince Residence was unbreakable, and she would inevitably marry He Jingheng, the Heir Apparent of the Dingguo Prince Residence. If He Jingheng had not been crippled, he would have been a first-rate husband—his looks and talents surpassing even the Crown Prince’s, a young general revered by all, destined to inherit the title of Prince Ding. She would then have been the lofty Princess Consort.
But fate was unkind—he had become crippled, and the entire Dingguo Prince Residence had been exiled. She was immensely grateful that the little wretch Shang Ruoyi had taken her place in the marriage; otherwise, she would be the one suffering now.
As the legitimate daughter of the Prime Minister’s Residence, only the Crown Prince was worthy of her.
“Mother, don’t worry! Once I enter the palace, I will do everything in my power to please Noble Consort Zhao.”
“I knew it—our Yufu is destined for great fortune.”
While the Shang residence was bustling with preparations to send Shang Yufu into the palace, news of the Dingguo Prince Residence being completely looted reached He Jingheng’s ears.
He frowned. Whoever could empty the entire Dingguo Prince Residence without a trace was beyond his imagination.
Just then, a potato was placed before him.
He expressed his thanks. Potatoes were a common food during military campaigns—cheap and filling—but they usually just boiled them. He never knew potatoes could be prepared in so many ways.
“Why do today’s roasted potatoes taste different from usual?”
Shang Ruoyi smiled. “My secret recipe.”
She always said that. He Jingheng chuckled and didn’t press further.
Just then, dark clouds rolled across the sky, signaling an approaching storm.