12dz Chapter 132 I'm not even going to compete with him for the princess anymore, what else does he
Chapter 132 I'm not even going to compete with him for the princess anymore, what else does he
When Madam Yu wanted to find a backer for Baochai Tower, she certainly didn't just ask for it with words.
This "phoenixes flying together" is a pledge of loyalty. If Qin Yizhen agrees to protect Baochai Tower and prevent it from being oppressed and schemed against by the powerful, Baochai Tower will naturally retaliate.
If Qin Yizhen were to ask for 20% or 30% of the profits, it wouldn't be impossible.
Reality is cruel. Without connections or powerful backers, it's okay to run a small business, but it's very difficult to survive in places like restaurants, teahouses, and jewelry stores.
Qin Yizhen then asked her, "Why were you unhappy when Madam Yu brought it up earlier?"
“I am unhappy because I invited them here, but instead of doing their duty, they used this ‘Phoenix Soaring’ to scheme against the princess.”
Song Pingping snorted lightly, "The treasure of Baochai Tower, although only one of several, is a unique treasure in the world. In the past, someone offered three thousand taels, but Baochai Tower was unwilling to sell it. Now, it is only twelve hundred taels for the princess."
Although Qin Yizhen was reluctant to get involved in these matters, she still had some consideration after buying the items. So, even though she didn't want to get involved, she still gave them directions.
"This matter is separate from the other. Although I am not pleased with Baochai Tower's actions, if the princess agrees, it will be beneficial and harmless to her."
This is practically a gift that's been offered to you right in front of you.
Qin Yizhen shook her head: "I am not short of money, so I have no interest in dealing with such things. If I have free time, I would rather put more effort into the Department of Child Rearing."
As a princess, she was already of immeasurable nobility, lacking neither status nor wealth. To set up another Baochai Tower would not mean much to her.
Cheng Yan is indeed short of money, but the Pingxi Marquis's mansion has now privately run a Yachun Pavilion, which currently mainly sells velvet flowers, but has also hired craftsmen, and will gradually sell gold, silver and other jewelry. It would be better to put that effort into Yachun Pavilion.
"That's true." Ultimately, their identities and thoughts are different. For Song Pingping, the more money the better, but for Qin Yizhen, she doesn't lack money, so having more doesn't mean much.
"Which powerful backers did the princess find for Lady Yu?"
“My elder sister is one of them. She is not married yet and spends money extravagantly, so she is naturally short of money. Then there is my mother.”
"The Empress Dowager?" Song Pingping was also surprised. "The Empress Dowager is involved in these kinds of things?"
"It wasn't that the Empress Dowager did all the work herself, but rather that she had a few people doing it. However, most of the money eventually went into the national treasury. Madam Yu is quite a heroine, and it would be a good thing if she were to pledge allegiance to the Empress Dowager."
“But…” Qin Yizhen paused, “If Madam Yu takes this path, this Baochai Tower might no longer be the Baochai Tower of the Yu family.”
If Madam Yu were to seek out Qin Yizhen or Princess Huizhen, promising them two or three percent of the money in exchange for protection, the Baochai Tower would still belong to the Yu family. However, if Madam Yu were to seek out Empress Dowager Cheng, it would be far more than just a matter of two or three percent.
It is very likely that Empress Dowager Cheng directly bought Baochai Tower, and the Yu family went from being the owners of Baochai Tower to working under Empress Dowager Cheng.
However, on the other hand, being able to serve under Empress Dowager Cheng is something many people would kill for.
For Yu Jia, it's hard to say whether it's a blessing or a curse.
It all depends on what the Yu family chooses.
Song Pingping was also quite moved, and then said to Qin Yizhen, "Princess, I have also made up my mind. After leaving the Pingxi Marquis's mansion, I will find a house and run a women's teahouse. However, I am shameless and would like the princess to be my backer."
"Oh?" Qin Yizhen said in surprise, "Actually, you don't need to do this. When I have free time, I'll go to your place for a visit, and no one will dare to cause you any trouble."
"But I feel that the princess is being taken advantage of, and I feel guilty. It would be better to share some of the profits with the princess, so that I can feel at ease. Besides, I would also like to ask the princess to help me find some guards."
Qin Yizhen thought about it and agreed: "Alright, you can do it. My dowry includes several houses and a garden, which are currently empty. You can use them."
Qin Yizhen married early. Her marriage was not a 'marriage to a prince consort' but a marriage of rank, so she lived in the Pingxi Marquis's residence and the palace did not prepare a princess's residence for her.
However, Empress Dowager Cheng did not mistreat her and bestowed upon her another garden called 'Plum Garden', but that garden remains vacant to this day.
Song Pingping's eyes lit up. She naturally knew about Qin Yizhen's garden, but after thinking about it, she regretfully gave up.
"Then Princess, please arrange a residence for me, as if Princess has also contributed funds."
"Not using the plum garden?"
"I would like to use it," Song Pingping sighed softly, "but the princess's plum garden is too big. I only want to run a women's teahouse, where the quality of the guests is more important than the quantity, so it's not quite suitable."
“That’s true.” Qin Yizhen agreed. “Then I’ll have Lü Qiao give you the address of the house later, and you can choose one yourself.”
"Thank you princess."
At this point, Qin Yizhen casually mentioned when Song Pingping had left.
"When do you plan to leave the Pingxi Marquis's residence? At that time, I will have the Marquis give you a letter of release from your concubine status. Once you take it, you will be a clean and free person, able to go wherever you want. If you meet a suitable man, you can also get married if you wish."
Song Pingping was taken aback at first, then looked somewhat aggrieved: "Is the princess sending me away?"
“Uh…no, that’s not it.” Qin Yizhen shook her head.
“Then it must be the Marquis.” Song Pingping’s face almost turned black. She had a great deal of resentment towards Cheng Yan. “I knew the Marquis had no good intentions. He couldn’t stand me staying by the princess’s side and had been trying to get rid of me.”
"Even I'm not vying with him for the princess's favor, what more does he want?"
Qin Yizhen: "......"
Seeing Song Pingping's indignant expression and her gritted teeth at Cheng Yan, Qin Yizhen inexplicably felt that something was wrong.
Well......
It was as if she was the rightful owner, Cheng Yan was her legal wife, and Song Pingping was her concubine. The legal wife was jealous and couldn't tolerate the existence of the concubine, so she tried her best to get the concubine to leave.
The concubine resented the wife for being intolerant of her, and her face was full of resentment and grievance.
Qin Yizhen reached out and patted her face to stop the thought.
The more I think about it, the more uneasy I feel. I can't let my mind wander like this anymore.
Qin Yizhen explained, "The Marquis has always been dissatisfied with the fact that I arranged for him to take a concubine. He feels that I don't care about him, so he thought that now that you have avenged half of your great revenge, it is time for you to leave."
Song Pingping sneered inwardly, but after thinking about it, she ultimately decided not to speak ill of Cheng Yan in front of Qin Yizhen.
Ultimately, she still hoped that Qin Yizhen and Cheng Yan would have a long and loving marriage.
“Since the princess has brought it up, in a few days, when my injuries have healed, I will ask the Marquis for a letter of release from my position.”