"Well, tell us about some interesting things happening in Liang Capital City first."
"The most lively event in Liang Capital City now is the Fragrance Competition Conference to be held the day after tomorrow."
"What's the Fragrance Competition Conference?"
"This Fragrance Competition Conference is a competition held by fragrance merchants from all over the country in the capital to compete in blending fragrances. The winner gets to become the exclusive fragrance supplier to the royal family for the next year."
"It's an annual grand event in our Liang Capital City. There will be dignitaries and noblewomen coming to watch the excitement."
"Such an interesting event, we should go and join the fun. Where will the fragrance competition be held?"
"Fragrance Collection Pavilion."
"Where's that?"
"Fragrance Collection Pavilion is Runan Principality Consort's property. It's the biggest fragrance workshop in our Liang Capital City. Eighty percent of popular fragrances on the market are blended there."
"Quite knowledgeable at such a young age. Do you know who King of Liang trusts the most now?"
"Of course I know, it's Gao Sheng, Runan Principality Consort's brother. Everyone in the capital knows that. You can easily find out by asking around when you go out, guest."
"It seems this Runan Principality Consort is quite influential in the capital."
"Of course. And I heard the princess she gave birth to even receives more favor from His Majesty than the imperial princess."
"This Runan Prince has been guarding the borders for four to five years without returning to the capital. But his wife and daughter are living a good life here."
"Who doesn't know that? There were rumors before that the princess was actually King of Liang's illegitimate daughter. Runan Prince got so furious when he heard about it that he left for the borders and hasn't returned for many years."
Everyone looked at each other in disbelief.
"Ah, I shouldn't have said that. My guests, please never mention this outside. This is a taboo of the royal family. Don't spread rumors, or you'll lose your head."
"We know. We definitely won't talk nonsense outside. Quite knowledgeable at such a young age, I wonder where you heard all this."
"I've been wandering around Liang Capital City since I can remember. All the little beggars in the city are my friends. There's no gossip I don't know."
"Alright, it's getting late. Here's one or two silver coins, go home now." The Crown Prince threw one or two silver coins to the child.
The child caught the coins skillfully and said happily, "Great, thank you guest. If you need a guide later, you can find me at the city gate today."
After bowing to the people in the hall, the child left merrily.
The hall became quiet again after the child left. They didn't expect to hear such a big secret as soon as they arrived.
"I wonder how much of it is true?" Lord Shi said.
"Whether it's true or not, we'll find out after some investigation. Let's gather information separately starting tomorrow."
"Yes."
When the guards returned from outside, the sky had already darkened. They bought dinner from a restaurant outside and brought it back.
In the guest hall, the Crown Prince, Qin Chuyuan, Lord Shi, Gong Xiaohua were talking while having dinner. A guard came to report that the child guide from the day and a woman had come to see the masters.
"Oh? What matter brings them here so late?"
"It seems that the money we gave the child this afternoon was too much. They've come to return it."
"People nowadays who find money too hot to handle, not bad. It's a small matter, you go deal with it." The Crown Prince said to Gong Xiaohua.
"Yes."
Gong Xiaohua got up and went to the front gate. She saw a careworn woman leading a child here. The woman's clothes were thin, her lips purple from the cold, and her clothes patched everywhere but washed very clean - she was poor but hardworking.
Seeing Gong Xiaohua, the woman immediately bowed with the child and spoke apologetically, "Miss, sorry to trouble you, but my boy was ignorant. He only served as your guide for an afternoon but took one or two silver coins from you. That was too much. Please show understanding and take the money back." As she spoke, she held out the silver coins.
Gong Xiaohua didn't take them, "Madam, that was payment he deserves for his service."
"But it's too much. My family is poor but I won't cheat."
"It was promised by our young master. Would Madam have my young master go back on his word and become an untrustworthy little man?"
"This..."
"If Madam feels apologetic, it just so happens that we lack someone to do daily cleaning here. If Madam doesn't mind, you can come help us and save me the effort of finding others. It pays 200 wen a day. You can start tomorrow if that works for you."
"I'm willing, but 200 wen is too much. Just give me 50 wen per day like what I normally make outside, Miss."
"Madam, there are ten of us here. You need to wash clothes for ten people every day and clean the yard too. It's hard work, so 200 wen is reasonable. You can use the money to hire a few more trustworthy helpers. And our young master has plenty of money, don't worry about him, Madam."
Seeing the large yard, the woman realized that she definitely wouldn't be able to finish the work alone if she took this job. Since the guest trusted her, she shouldn't try to get away with doing only half the job either. So she didn't decline anymore, "Alright then, and just call me Wu Sister-in-law instead of Madam."
"Wu Sister-in-law, take the child home, it's cold out here."
"Yes, yes."
Watching the two leaving figures, Gong Xiaohua returned to the guest hall.
Qin Chuyuan hurried up, "You sent them away?"
"Mhm."
Seeing his subordinate who was also his close friend being all lovey-dovey, the Crown Prince's back molars ached from the sourness, "Really difficult to watch. Can't be apart for a second. I'm wondering if I came out to watch you show affection?! Or to run errands?!"
Hearing this, he received a deep glare from Qin Chuyuan.
"Alright, pretend I didn't say that. You came at the right time. We were just discussing tomorrow's plans. You go with A Yuan, and I'll go with Lord Shi separately." Lord Shi was Deputy Minister of Rites.
"No. The safety of the Crown Prince should be top priority. I need to stay with you." Gong Xiaohua objected.
The Crown Prince glanced at Qin Chuyuan with raised brows, signaling this had nothing to do with him and it was up to Qin to handle it himself.
Qin Chuyuan stared intensely at the Crown Prince with his back towards Gong Xiaohua. But the other completely ignored his gaze and looked away instead.
An invisible contest of wills was happening between them. Lord Shi who stood by the Crown Prince understood the situation and quickly clarified his stand, "Then I'll bring two guards with me tomorrow. You two do as you wish." After speaking, he hurriedly walked away.
Seeing the Crown Prince's schadenfreude expression, Qin Chuyuan didn't want to bother with him anymore. He coughed drily and said righteously with a straight face, "I'll go with the Crown Prince so we can look out for each other."
The Crown Prince tried hard not to laugh as he played along, "Alright, A Yuan is well-informed. Who knows, we might get some unexpected gains with him around." He had to respond, lest he suffer more "revenge" later on. Can't afford to offend, can't afford to offend!
"Your Highness, your subordinate has something to report."
"What's the matter?"
"I've made arrangements for the child's mother to come help with some daily chores starting tomorrow."
"No problem. We were going to hire someone for daily chores anyway. I trust your judgement."
"Thank you, Your Highness."
"Mm. It's late, everyone make your own arrangements."
"Yes. Your subordinate bids farewell."
