Tang Ning sensed something amiss but remained composed. “It’s already an inconvenience for Ah Ru and me to visit your residence. How could we trouble you further, Madam Cui?”
The woman across from her quickly responded, “How could it be a trouble? Though I’ve only recently met you, Princess, I’ve long heard of your deeds.”
“Whether it’s founding Rongsheng Academy with the Rong family’s resources or your care and protection for impoverished scholars, each act is truly admirable. I’ve long wanted to invite you to our residence for tea, but I feared it might seem too forward. Now that I finally have the chance, would you do me the honor of joining me?”
Madam Cui lowered her stance considerably, her words brimming with admiration for Tang Ning.
Yet, Tang Ning’s suspicions only deepened. Cui Lin had only recently been released from prison and returned to his residence. By all accounts, the Cui family should harbor only enmity toward them, not goodwill. What was Madam Cui’s intention in deliberately seeking her favor?
After a brief pause, Tang Ning offered a faint smile. “Since Madam Cui is so gracious, it would be ungracious of me to refuse.”
Madam Cui’s face lit up with a warm smile. “Princess, Lady Xue, this way, please.”
The Cui family estate was extraordinarily intricate, with sprawling gardens and scenic vistas at every turn. Unlike the typical residences of other officials in the capital, the Cui estate was vast, its winding paths and serene courtyards exuding an air of elegance and refinement, a testament to centuries of accumulated wealth. Every pavilion and tower carried an aura of grace and charm.
Madam Cui led Tang Ning and Xue Ru through a covered walkway until they reached a flower hall. The hall was adorned with vibrant chrysanthemums in full bloom, while outside, the osmanthus trees had yet to shed their blossoms, their fragrance wafting through the windows and filling the entire space.
As Tang Ning and Xue Ru took their seats, servants promptly brought in tea and delicate pastries.
Madam Cui sat at the head with Tang Ning, while Xue Ru settled slightly to the side.
Pointing to the pastries arranged on the table, Madam Cui smiled and said, “These osmanthus cakes and chrysanthemum honey tarts are made with the finest osmanthus and chrysanthemum petals of the season. The chef is a retired master from the imperial kitchen, and his skill is unparalleled. Princess, Lady Xue, please try them.”
Xue Ru didn’t respond immediately, waiting until Tang Ning reached for a pastry before taking one herself.
Tang Ning took a small bite. “It’s quite delicious. Ah Ru, you should try it too.”
Xue Ru’s face dimpled with a shy smile as she nibbled on a piece.
“What do you think?” Tang Ning asked with a smile.
Xue Ru nodded. “It’s good.”
Madam Cui, observing the two sisters closely, noted Xue Ru’s gentle and refined demeanor. Though not as striking as Tang Ning, Xue Ru had a delicate, jade-like beauty and carried herself with impeccable manners. She was far from the timid, frail illegitimate daughter the rumors had once painted her to be.
Madam Cui smiled and remarked, “The Princess and Lady Xue seem to share a close bond.”
Tang Ning replied, “Ah Ru is my sister. Naturally, we’re close. But Madam Cui, you’ve gone to such lengths to keep us here today and even dismissed the servants. Surely it’s not just to let us sisters enjoy your estate’s fine pastries?”
Madam Cui hadn’t expected Tang Ning to be so direct, but she didn’t deny it. “Indeed, I have two matters I’d like to discuss with you, Princess.”
Tang Ning, holding a pastry, said nothing, her expression one of attentive listening.
Madam Cui continued, “Regarding my father’s earlier scheme against Lord Xiao, neither my husband nor anyone else in the household was aware of it. My father’s time in prison has led to remorse, and upon his return, he lost his position as Minister. Now, he lies ill in bed.”
“My husband and I discussed it and feel that we owe you a personal apology. Even if we were unaware of my father’s actions, the Cui family is not blameless, as he was the one who acted first. But Lord Xiao is busy, and it’s difficult to visit him directly, so I hoped to convey our apologies through you, Princess.”
Tang Ning smiled faintly. “I’m not well-versed in the Cui family’s affairs, and my brother rarely discusses court matters with me. But since Minister Cui was released from prison, I assume the matter from that night has been resolved. Madam Cui need not worry.”
Madam Cui’s expression grew serious. “My father’s release was due to Lord Xiao’s magnanimity, but his actions with Madam Xuan Qin were truly excessive. The Cui family, along with a few others, compensated Lord Xiao, but those were debts owed to the He family and unrelated to this apology.”
“My husband and I felt that this was insufficient to express our regret, so we’ve prepared a separate gesture of atonement. We hope you and Lord Xiao will accept it.”
Tang Ning’s smile faded slightly. She hadn’t expected Madam Cui’s invitation for tea to be a pretext for “offering a gift.” She didn’t believe for a moment that they were unaware of the twenty million gold pieces the Cui family had paid to “redeem” Cui Lin, an amount that had bled the family dry, unlike the other families who had merely been scraped. The Cui family had been forced to break their very bones to gather such a sum.
And now they wanted to give more? Tang Ning’s instincts told her this gift was not to be accepted.
As Madam Cui leaned forward to place a brocade box on the table, Tang Ning was about to refuse when Madam Cui spoke again.
“The household’s liquid assets have nearly all been converted to gold, and with my father in charge, my husband and I have little say. However, my natal family in Yanzhou is known for its copper and iron production and holds one of the rare court-approved mining permits, allowing trade with the imperial court.”
Tang Ning’s words caught in her throat as she realized what might be in the box.
Madam Cui opened the brocade box and pushed it forward. “This contains the deed to an iron mine outside Yanzhou City. My husband and I wish to gift it to Lord Xiao.”
Tang Ning’s breath hitched.
Xue Ru’s eyes widened in shock.
An iron mine?!
Even Xue Ru, with her limited understanding, was stunned, and Tang Ning herself nearly rose from her seat.
Copper, iron, gold, and silver were strictly controlled by the court. Even if mined, they were considered restricted goods. Only a select few families were permitted to trade them with the court, and private dealings were strictly forbidden. Violators faced the dire punishment of having their households confiscated and clans exterminated.
The grain transport scandal had escalated precisely because it involved the smuggling of salt and iron, entangling the Lu family and giving Emperor An an excuse to pressure the noble families, creating an opportunity for Xiao Yan to exploit. Yet, Madam Cui’s gesture was astonishing, she was offering an entire iron mine.
Leaving aside whether such a thing could even be gifted, its value far surpassed any gold or silver.
If it were anything else, Tang Ning would have refused without hesitation. But an iron mine…
Her grip tightened on the pastry, her fingers tensing. Though her brother held the tiger tally, those forces were not truly loyal to him. Emperor An and the Crown Prince still held power, and forcibly mobilizing troops could invite backlash. The tally was more a deterrent, a tool for critical moments. For her brother to achieve his ambitions, he needed to either win over or swiftly cultivate a trusted “private army.” And for that, the most critical need was “military supplies.”================
You can read ahead to chapterr 770 (100+ extra chapters) here
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