The streets were crowded with commoners, their faces stunned and bewildered as they watched the Seventh Prince bow three times to the old General Zhong. In their eyes, the Seventh Prince was known for his decadence and idleness, yet even he showed gratitude and remembered the contributions of loyal and brave officials to Yulin.
Xie Jingqi never cared about others' opinions. After bowing, he straightened up, took the box from Zhong Shaowen's hands, and held it close. He stood proudly outside the four major medical halls.
Old General Zhong watched the Seventh Prince, his chest tight, his throat sore. This was the Seventh Prince who brought him both comfort and shock. "Observing the people's plight, showing benevolence and respect for the worthy... these are the nascent signs of imperial aura!"
Royal charisma was the fortune of the nation. It was also majesty and presence. Who would have thought that the usually dissolute Seventh Prince would possess the most imperial aura among all the princes!
The commoners on the street, already stirred by the Seventh Prince's words, seeing him personally holding the box, were further inspired to donate generously to the military funds. Soon, the news spread throughout the city.
When the court officials heard that the Seventh Prince was standing on the streets, they were shocked. Even if the Seventh Prince was dissolute, he was still the Emperor's son. Those who worked in the court, unless they wanted to lose their positions, would not dare to ignore a prince.
Thus, people from various official residences quickly came forward to donate military funds. The merchants who had previously turned away Old General Zhong found themselves unable to sit still. The commoners were united, and the officials were donating out of their own pockets. If they, the merchants, did not donate, how could they continue to conduct business in the capital? Especially under the watchful eyes of the commoners, they not only had to donate but also donate a substantial amount. The merchants, weeping as they handed over their hard-earned silver into the box, felt as if their hearts were bleeding.
Sun Zhiting stood in front of his medical hall, watching the merchants who had been so arrogant yesterday. He muttered, "The 'drunkard's intent is not in the wine' that the master orchestrated is truly brilliant, making one clap with delight."
Chen Gang chuckled, "Anyone the master sets his sights on will not escape unscathed."
Xin Bi and Wang Can, standing by, were happy to watch the show. The current court officials were cunning. They were no different from the merchants who had refused Old General Zhong yesterday – all cut from the same cloth, stinking of mutual corruption. They enjoyed the prosperity and peace brought by others but were quick to distance themselves when it came to their own expenses. Now, the master had ripped off their fig leaves and stomped on them, which was truly satisfying.
Since the officials had donated money, they were eager to announce it to the world. Soon, the news of the court officials sharing the Emperor's worries and supporting the military fund donations blew into the palace. This made it impossible for those officials who wanted to feign ignorance and not donate any more money. The snowball grew larger and larger; no one could escape.
In the imperial study, Emperor Xiaochang was already accustomed to the self-congratulatory habits of these old and cunning officials. However, he had not expected that the one who could make them bleed this time would be the usually unreliable Seventh Prince. "Fenggu, are there any candidates recommended by the court for the deputy general accompanying Tonglin this time?"
"Reporting to Your Majesty, not yet."
Emperor Xiaochang nodded, smiling with satisfaction. It was good that there were none yet.
The Minister of Revenue, upon hearing that the entire city was donating military funds, was so excited that he wished he could offer three sticks of incense in his courtyard. However, Zou Hansheng, who was still in the Imperial Hospital, was not so pleased. He had been speaking confidently just moments ago, but when he saw his father rushing home to get money, he was stunned. He could laugh when it didn't concern him, but now that it was his turn to pay, how could he still laugh?
As more and more people donated, although the amount was still far from the expected military funds, it was better than nothing. Xie Jingqi, who had stood by all day, personally sent Old General Zhong into his carriage before riding away.
Leaning back on the soft couch, Old General Zhong was physically exhausted but his spirits were high. Thinking of his granddaughter's plea the previous night, he couldn't help but say, "I never realized that the eldest daughter of the Ji family was so trusted by the Fourth Prince. It seems that the eldest daughter of the Ji family has an unclear relationship with the four major medical halls... I never imagined that such a young girl could possess such capability. Truly, she cannot be underestimated."
He was old, but not senile. It was precisely the Seventh Prince's arrival today that had thoroughly ignited the people's hearts. Although he was also moved by the Seventh Prince's sincerity, it did not mean he couldn't see the underlying scheme. Thinking carefully, this plan was proposed by Ji Zizhao. If the Fourth Prince did not truly trust her, he would not have easily pushed the Seventh Prince into such a precarious position. He did not know the relationship between Ji Zizhao and the four major medical halls, but it was likely that the relationship was not simple, to be able to unite the four major medical halls, which disdained the nobles of the city. The more Old General Zhong thought about it, the more shocked he became. His eyes, which had seen much of the world, gazed out the window and he couldn't help but sigh, "Zheng Yong, you have once again made this old bone of mine immensely envious."
Zhong Shaowen, also sitting in the carriage, heard this and surprisingly did not retort.
Ji Renran stood outside the Zhongyong Marquis's mansion, looking troubled. She saw Zhong Shaowen helping Old General Zhong alight from the carriage. "Brother Zhong Jia, may I ask who this is..." Ji Renran, who recognized Old General Zhong at a glance, smiled and feigned ignorance. If she had initiated the acquaintance, it might have been seen as seeking to climb the social ladder, but if introduced by Zhong Shaowen, it would be different. The mere thought of being able to say she had conversed with the Zhongyong Marquis filled her with pride.
Old General Zhong looked at Ji Renran, then asked his grandson beside him, "Shaowen, a friend of yours?"
Zhong Shaowen quickly clarified, "Grandfather is mistaken. This is Miss Ji Renran, a friend of Xinyi."
Hearing this, Ji Renran was about to continue their conversation. However, just as she opened her mouth, Old General Zhong turned and walked into the mansion. As the Zhongyong Marquis of Yulin, not everyone was qualified to converse with him.
Zhong Shaowen: "..." Praising Ji Zizhao effusively, yet turning away coldly from Ji Renran. The same Ji family, yet such a stark contrast in treatment. Even I, his own grandson, can't stand your double standards!
Ji Renran's face paled slightly. "Brother Zhong Jia, did I say something wrong? Why does the Zhongyong Marquis dislike me so much?"
Zhong Shaowen smiled and said, "My grandfather has never liked to joke with youngsters, so Miss Renran need not worry. By the way, why are you standing at our gate?"
Ji Renran's expression darkened further upon hearing this. "Since parting ways with the Zou family last time, I haven't seen the eldest daughter of the Zhong family. I intended to visit today, but I never expected to be directly refused entry by the eldest daughter of the Zhong family."
Zhong Shaowen: "..."
"I treated the eldest daughter of the Zhong family sincerely. I don't understand what misunderstanding there is. Why... why does the eldest daughter of the Zhong family dislike me so much?" Ji Renran said, her eyes beginning to redden.
Zhong Shaowen consoled her, "Perhaps Xinyi was held up by something. Miss Renran, please don't take it to heart."
Ji Renran shook her head, tears streaming down her face. "Last time at the Zou family, I saw my elder sister conversing happily with the eldest daughter of the Zhong family, and I was happy for them. I never expected that after that, the eldest daughter of the Zhong family would repeatedly distance herself from me."
These words, implicitly suggesting that Ji Zizhao was instigating their estrangement, were too obvious. Even Zhong Shaowen, a simple-minded man, could sense that something was amiss.