Over the years, Prince Zhan Mansion’s ever-expanding ambition was not unknown to him.
However, the family ties were too entangled; if rashly severed, he feared he might sacrifice the children yet fail to catch the wolves.
Might as well make use of the affairs of the household women, unravel them one by one.
This would not catch the eye of others, yet allow him to pursue the matter peacefully.
Thinking of this, a cunning glint still flickered in his shrewd eyes.
The person standing beside him had grown accustomed to Prime Minister Lin’s ways.
Therefore, without saying another word, he quietly waited.
"Make the arrangements, have our people withdraw quickly; we shall not involve ourselves in the enmity between Prince Zhan Mansion and the Fourth Prince."
At this moment, sitting in the carriage heading to her mother’s home, Princess Rongkang knew nothing.
Her husband behind her was waiting to see her step towards her demise, step by step.
Her heart and mind were filled with thoughts of telling her younger brother what she had surmised.
At Prince Zhan Mansion, seeing a carriage from Prime Minister Lin’s Mansion, the gatekeeper knew at once Princess Rongkang had returned.
He quickly sent someone to notify the inside while going forth to greet her.
"Servant greets the Commandery Princess, wishing the Commandery Princess health and well-being."
"Hmm, is the Prince home?"
"Replying to the Commandery Princess, he is."
"Good, lead the way then."
Their conversation was indeed brief and straightforward, and they went straight through the gate.
This Prince Zhan Mansion was no ordinary place; it was a sprawling courtyard layout, totaling over four hundred rooms, occupying a significant area of Shengjing City.
The mansion was filled with pavilions and towers, with winding corridors everywhere.
For a first-timer, they might easily lose their way.
And right in the center stood the Rui’an Pavilion, which was Prince Zhan’s main residence.
Passing through the handrail corridors and courtyards, Princess Rongkang stepped into this courtyard.
Inside, Prince Zhan was accompanying Consort Wei in a flower viewing.
When he saw Princess Rongkang arrive, he wore a curious expression.
He spoke straightforwardly.
"Why is the elder sister here? Couldn’t you have someone announce your arrival? Come, have a seat."
He gestured to the chair beside him.
And in front of them was a lotus lake at the back of the courtyard, filled with blooming lotuses.
It was the time when endless green lotus leaves and distinctly red lotuses reflected the sun.
Consort Wei, upon seeing Princess Rongkang, was not unfamiliar.
She rose and saluted her, then addressed her properly.
"This concubine greets the Commandery Princess."
Speaking of status, the Wei Family Consort was only a concubine of the princely residence, not comparable to Princess Rongkang.
Thus, she was always courteous and respectful in her presence.
This is why Princess Rongkang held some fondness for her younger brother’s concubine.
A person of sense and discretion.
Seeing Princess Rongkang arrive, Consort Wei smilingly said.
"The small kitchen just made some nice pastries, I’ll go fetch some for the Commandery Princess to try."
Saying this, she got up and left.
She departed without any unnecessary fuss.
In this regard, Princess Rongkang was quite pleased.
Although Prince Zhan was only two years younger than Princess Rongkang, he didn’t appear younger at all.
After all, women of the inner residence are skilled in the arts of upkeep, therefore, even as a younger brother, he looked rather like an elder one.
After sitting down, the attendants were dismissed.
Seeing Princess Rongkang’s serious demeanor, Prince Zhan also sobered his recent cheerfulness.
"What is it, elder sister? Did something happen at the Prime Minister’s Mansion?"
"Yes, news just arrived from the palace, saying the Qiqiao Palace banquet is being hosted by Princess Consort Yi."
Palace banquet, Princess Consort Yi?
"And what about the Imperial Concubine? Why not her?"
After all, during the recent Dragon Boat Festival banquet, she had made quite an impression.
How had it suddenly changed?
"They say it’s a head ailment acting up, so she’s resting at Yao Tai Pavilion. Humph! But Miss Zhou never had a head ailment, where’s this talk of flare-up and recuperation coming from!"
When Princess Rongkang mentioned this, her nostrils flared slightly.
Evidently very displeased with this news.
Yet due to matters regarding the Royal Family, she had to keep her mouth shut.
"So the elder sister suspects that the Imperial Concubine has met some trouble in the palace?"
"Yes, it must involve the main branch of the family."
"The main branch? Those people from the main Lin Family?"
Hearing these words, Prince Zhan sneered.
"Each one of them lacks backbone; this prince doesn’t believe they are causing trouble."
All these years, just by listening, he knew how easy the main branch was to bully.
Just like his wife’s family, weak and incompetent.
If they had the ability or courage to do such a thing, he would indeed have to respect that main Lin Family group.
Seeing her brother’s disbelief, Princess Rongkang had no choice but to recount the events of the past few days.
In the beginning, listening to it, Prince Zhan felt as if hearing a celestial tale, full of confusion.
Then as it continued, his expression became increasingly sombre.
"So the elder sister believes the main branch was bold enough this time because they had the Fourth Prince as their backing?"
Princess Rongkang nodded.
In terms of rank, besides the Empress Dowager, the most closely related to the current Emperor was the Fourth Prince, his uncle by blood.
The scale of Prince Zhan Mansion’s current power.
Half was due to Old Prince Zhan saving the life of the late Emperor once.
The other half was Prince Zhan, expanding the influence after becoming an Assistant Minister to this point.
In these past two years, the Emperor’s attitude towards Prince Zhan Mansion had increasingly grown cold.
Two tigers cannot coexist on the same mountain.
If they wished to ensure the wealth and peace of Prince Zhan Mansion forever, the Fourth Prince was the primary obstacle.
Not to mention, who wouldn’t covet the power in the Fourth Prince’s hands?
Otherwise, he wouldn’t have sent his eldest son to undergo more training under his father-in-law, General Zhen Nan.
Once again, if the early Prince Zhan looked like a wealthy idle man admiring flowers with his beloved concubine at home, at this moment he was the Prince Zhen Shan who could stir up the front court’s wind and clouds.
"Elder sister, rest assured, I have a plan in mind. You just go back for now, by no later than the Mid-Autumn family feast, I’ll find a way to let the Imperial Concubine regain power."
Princess Rongkang nodded.
She had never doubted her brother’s abilities.
After sitting for a short while, she left Prince Zhan Mansion.
In her departure, not once did she mention her supposedly somewhat ill Princess Consort Zhan.
As such, one could imagine the suffocating days she lived in the inner quarters.
After Princess Rongkang left, Consort Wei returned belatedly.
Sitting back in her previous position, she carried a plate of pastries in her hands.
"The Commandery Princess left in such a hurry; it’s a pity about these pastries, she didn’t get to try them."
"No worries, I’ll have them."
With that said, he embraced both her and the plate.
Smiling, he allowed Consort Wei to feed him a pastry, only then did he begin discussing the main issue.
"Elder sister just came to say there’s trouble in the palace, likely due to the main Lin Family causing a stir over a split, causing Lin Guifei to become trapped. Now not only has she lost her power, but she’s also confined in Yao Tai Pavilion."
When facing Consort Wei, Prince Zhan had never had a trace of concealment.
This woman, whom he had adored since they were young, was as important as his heart and liver.
So, fearlessly, he told her everything!