Chapter 145: Sending Money

Chapter 145: Sending Money

The two lowered their heads to look at him.

The little boy was still shaken by the experience and recounted what had happened: "The candy was stuck in my throat, and your slapping on my back did nothing."

"I thought I was going to die..."

"Then she came to squeeze me, and it felt like something pushed the candy up."

"You can't imagine how relieved and emotional I was, finally able to breathe again."

As he spoke, the little boy could no longer hold back his tears and burst into crying.

The Grand Princess and County Lady Jiu Yang looked at each other.

It turned out that the child had indeed been saved by her.

After a long while, County Lady Jiu Yang said tiredly, "Let it go, Mother."

"We need to move on. Even if my husband is dead, he cannot be brought back to life."

"The Princess of Tianwu is highly favored, and going against her, His Majesty will not let us off. It might even implicate you."

"Now that she has saved our child's life, let's let go of the past."

The Grand Princess grabbed her daughter's hand, her gaze cold and sharp.

"Letting go is impossible."

"Since we've entered the palace, we must deal with that wretch in the Cold Palace."

"It's because of her that my son died young, and my grandson lost his father not long after birth."

"If we can't get to the younger one, we can still go after the older one."

Bei Jingchu didn’t know and didn’t care what happened to Qi Shi.

She was changing clothes and taking a bath, having been smeared with the snot and saliva of the little brat. It was really disgusting.

Fortunately, it was planned to bathe the day before the investiture ceremony.

On the second day, the investiture ceremony was attended by prestigious and powerful ministers.

After the announcement of the imperial decree, there was a luncheon, and various families came to congratulate Bei Jingchu.

Bei Jingchu responded with a business smile.

After forcing smiles all around, her face felt sore.

Rubbing her cheeks, Bei Jingchu thought, Father really left me high and dry, saying it was no big deal and letting me handle it on my own.

Bei Jingchu really wanted to roll her eyes at him. She was only four years old, for crying out loud!

Her tiny shoulders couldn’t carry such a heavy load, okay?

But the emperor didn’t listen. Not only did he not listen, he also took along the Empress Dowager, saying she wasn’t allowed to help.

"Is he really my dad, or did he just adopt me from the wild?"

Hao Yue was confused again. "Are there even wild versions of fathers?"

Thankfully, Noble Consort Fang remembered her beloved Jingchu and came to assist.

Even Consort Xian, who rarely leaves her seclusion, made an exception for her beloved disciple's request.

Bei Jingchu welcomed the guests with the grace of a true hostess. So far, the investiture ceremony had proceeded without a hitch.

Naturally, Princess Fengci was present as well. Today, in front of everyone, she was the very picture of a kind and benevolent elder.

No wonder she's from the Bei family. After losing control during their first meeting yesterday, she now acts as if nothing ever happened.

She even brought a generous gift.

Given the value of the gift, Bei Jingchu decided to let them off the hook this time.

In recent years, Princess Guangde had always attended banquets alone, but this time, she was accompanied by someone unfamiliar.

On closer inspection, it wasn't a stranger after all.

It was Zhao Yu, now grown into a young man!

So she did bring her son back to her side.

However, the atmosphere between them was strange.

Princess Guangde's expression remained indifferent, not initiating any conversation with Zhao Yu, showing none of the maternal affection she had when he was younger.

On the contrary, Zhao Yu was doing his utmost to please her, a complete reversal from before.

Is this what they mean by "the tables have turned"?

As she pondered this, more guests arrived.

"I pay my respects to Your Highness."

It was a familiar face, though they hadn't interacted much.

"Lady Yu, please rise."

It was none other than the yandere lady whose love had become her brother.

Yu Yiguo handed a silk gift box to Bei Jingchu. "This is my personal gift to Your Highness, separate from the Yu family's. I hope you will accept it."

Naturally, Bei Jingchu accepted it with a big smile. She liked people who knew the ropes, hehe.

"This one wishes to speak with Your Highness privately. Would you do me the honor?"

Technically, she couldn't spare the time. Her schedule was very precious, after all.

But Bei Jingchu lifted the lid of the box just a little and peeked inside.

A gold fragrance pouch with a grape, flower, and bird design.

While gold and silver were no rarity to her, the craftsmanship was truly exquisite.

"Alright, one cup of tea's worth."

Bei Jingchu led them into the room and said, "Alright, what is it you want to say?"

"Actually, it's not I who seeks a favor from you, Your Highness, but Lady Tan," said Yu Yiguo.

Yu Yiguo stepped aside, and behind her, a teenage girl stepped forward.

"I pay my respects to Your Highness."

"Ah, the Tan family—yes, I remember them. They are the family who adopted Yiguo as a child bride."

"I remember that after Yiguo was recognized by her birth family, the Shangshu Ling provided them with a substantial sum of money."

"This family used that money as initial capital to start a business, and now they are doing extremely well."

"It seems this girl has come to repay the Tan family's kindness by coming to me for help."

"But why me?"

Haoyue once again marveled at how comprehensive the princess's information network was.

Lady Tan spoke bluntly about her purpose: "I have come to give you money, Your Highness."

"From today onwards, I hope to give 20% of the Tan family's business profits to you each month."

Bei Jingchu: ?

Changyan Haoyue: ?

"Is she trying to take advantage of us?"

"There's definitely something off here!"

Though tempted, Bei Jingchu knew there was no such thing as a free lunch. She asked, "What do I need to do in return for this?"

Lady Tan, knowing that the Princess of Tianwu loved wealth, had come up with this plan.

At first, she had intended to coax Bei Jingchu into agreeing, as if she were a child.

But after meeting her today, she realized that the princess was truly royalty.

From today's banquet, although she was quite inexperienced, she couldn’t be underestimated as just a child.

Lady Tan smiled and said softly, "You don't need to do anything. Just send someone to deliver a letter to me in your name each month."

"Even if the envelope contains nothing."

Bei Jingchu immediately understood.

"By sending her a letter each month, it shows that I am maintaining contact with Lady Tan."

"To outsiders, the Tan family is under the protection of the Princess of Tianwu."

"Anyone who wants to cause trouble or make things difficult will have to consider my reputation."

"Other merchant officials won't make things difficult, and those who want to gain my favor will go out of their way to help the Tan family."

"All I have to do is send an envelope every month, and I can take a share of the Tan family's wealth without doing anything."

"And the Tan family will also receive more benefits in return."

"It's truly a win-win."

Haoyue next to her was starstruck, thinking how amazing the princess was!

Bei Jingchu didn't notice Haoyue's admiring gaze; she couldn't agree so quickly.

Too bad.

If only she had a string of Buddhist beads to fiddle with right now, how pretentious that would be!

Unfortunately, she didn't, so Bei Jingchu could only rub the agate beads on her bracelet.

"Only 20% of the profit, and you want to buy the Princess of Tianwu’s protection and use her name?"

"Lady Tan, are you... a bit greedy?"

"Or do you think I’m some kind of fool?"

With just those few words, though Bei Jingchu hadn’t meant anything by it, Lady Tan immediately knelt down: "Princess, forgive me!"

She was drenched in cold sweat, realizing that even though she knew better than to underestimate the princess, she didn’t expect her to be this sharp.

Her seemingly casual words hid a trap that even some adults wouldn’t have noticed.

After all, who wouldn’t jump at a deal like that—just send a letter and get paid without lifting a finger?