The morning court assembly finally concluded. Wei Ping and Cai Xian walked side by side, a few steps behind Yue Fuguang.
Exchanging a glance, they both understood the other also intended to visit the Ministry of Justice prison.
"Little Pearl, you said Bai Yu has run quite far. How far is 'quite far'?"
[Master, Bai Yu is likely nearing the border of Dayan's territory.]
"Quite clever, isn't he? Planning to flee the country!"
Wei Ping and Cai Xian, walking behind her, exchanged another look. If Bai Yu crossed the Dayan border and never returned, capturing him again would indeed be extremely difficult.
Yue Fuguang speculated, "The Bai family has ties with Nanzhao. Is he going there to seek refuge with relatives?"
[He is seeking refuge not with relatives, but with a lover. And he is not heading to Nanzhao, but towards the Western Qiang direction.]
"Xie Zhiyao? The marriage alliance procession?"
Cai Xian and Wei Ping had also arrived at the same thought. Calculating the time, at the procession's speed, they would be out of Dayan territory in another five or six days.
Chasing after them now, it was uncertain if they could catch up.
[Little Pearl isn't certain either, only sensing he moved in that direction.]
"You... Lord Wei, Minister Cai, what are you...?"
Yue Fuguang had just exited the palace grounds and was about to board her carriage when she noticed Wei Ping and Cai Xian following behind. Further back were Feng Tang and others, who had hastily stopped and turned, now hurrying towards their own offices.
A flicker of embarrassment crossed Wei Ping's face. He chuckled awkwardly, "It's just that we haven't seen the Junior Mentor at court for two days and missed you dearly.
So, after court, having nothing better to do, this official thought to accompany Minister Cai in seeing the Junior Mentor off."
Cai Xian added, "Lord Wei speaks truly. This official also wished to thank the Junior Mentor. That flaky pastry you sent was truly exceptionally delicious.
Even my mother greatly enjoyed it; her appetite has improved considerably these past two days."
Wei Ping: He knew Lady Cai. Since when had her appetite ever been poor? Especially when it came to pastries. Cai Xian took after her in that regard.
Yue Fuguang climbed into her carriage and waved at the two with a smile. "Thank you, my lords, for seeing me off. We shall meet again in two days."
Watching Yue Fuguang's carriage depart into the distance, the two men turned in perfect harmony towards the imperial prison. Cai Xian even beckoned to Feng Tang, who had turned back.
"Lord Feng, have you dispatched men to pursue Bai Yu?"
"Rest assured, Minister Cai. This official has already urgently sent a squad. Yu Dali is leading them personally, with two horses per man. We hope to intercept him before he crosses the border."
The case of the four great families colluding with foreign tribes, plundering the dynasty's merchants and commoners, and plotting rebellion was tried for nearly half a month before finally reaching a conclusion.
If not for the ample evidence in hand, it wouldn't have been resolved so quickly.
And it wasn't over. Many subsequent matters required handling, so the heads of those involved would need to remain on their shoulders a while longer.
During these days, another major event occurred. Prince Qi, Xie Qi, was found guilty of plotting rebellion with irrefutable evidence. Before Emperor Mingxi could issue the decree for his execution,
Prince Qi, knowing escape was impossible, preemptively drank poisoned wine and died. According to Wei Ping's later report, the poison used was originally concocted by Du Zhongxian.
Yue Fuguang still remembered the conflicted expression on Wei Ping's face when he reported this.
Noticing something amiss, Emperor Mingxi pressed, "Does Minister Wei have more to say? What poison did Xie Qi take?"
He immediately regretted asking, for he saw Wei Ping's face scrunch up as if in pain, instantly giving him a foreboding feeling.
Sure enough, his beloved Minister Wei reported, "Your Majesty, the poison Prince Qi ingested, confirmed by Daoist Xuanmingzi, is called 'Boundless Spring Scenery.'
This official has never heard of such a poison before!"
Emperor Mingxi's face stiffened as he nodded. "We... are also hearing of it for the first time... As for Prince Qi, find him a coffin and bury him."
Even now, thinking of that scene made Yue Fuguang want to laugh.
"Fuguang, what are you thinking about that makes you smile so happily?" Yu Ningxuan, sitting across from her in the carriage, asked curiously.
"I was thinking how beautiful my estate would be in spring if the entire hillside were planted with flowers."
"Planting a whole hillside with flowers?" Yu Ningxuan exclaimed with delight. "Then we must certainly come for a good visit in spring."
Yue Fuguang nodded. "Naturally. But, Second Sister, do you think flowers are only for looking at?"
"Otherwise? They have other uses?"
Yu Ningxuan thought for a moment. "Are you going to use them for making perfume?"
Yue Fuguang gazed out at the snow-covered wheat fields. "Yes and no. What I want to make is essential oil, different from the scented waters you usually use.
Also, the scented soap you use now—in the future, adding essential oils extracted from various flowers will make it even better than the current version, with a more fragrant scent."
"Essential oil? I've never heard of that. Another clever idea from your smart little head?"
Yu Ningxuan's face was full of pleasant surprise, and she looked at her sister's fluffy head, truly wanting to reach out and ruffle it.
Her itching hands twitched within her sleeves, but she ultimately didn't dare extend her claws.
Never mind whether her sister would agree, if their grandparents, father, and mother found out she dared pat her sister's head...
They would surely make her relive a complete childhood!
Yue Fuguang didn't explain further, simply saying, "I'll provide the methods. You and our sisters will be responsible for the subsequent production, management, and sales. What do you think, Second Sister and Fourth Sister?"
Yue Fuguang looked towards Yu Ningxin, who had been watching them with a smile without speaking.
"What does Fourth Sister think?"
Yu Ningxin smiled gently. "Fourth Sister naturally thinks it's excellent. I only fear we sisters might not manage well and hold you back."
Yue Fuguang waved a hand dismissively. "It's fine. Consider it practice."
She then smiled confidently. "Trust me. As long as you follow the recipes, the products will not be inferior. Your task will be to manage the workers and the sales in the shops."
The system's products were guaranteed to be top quality, and the recipes were no exception—perfectly suited for production in this era, yet yielding results far superior to it.
"Then we are reassured."
"Let's be clear upfront. You won't receive wages; I'll give you a share of the profits. I provide the recipes and raw materials; you handle the management.
We'll split it seventy-thirty. I take seventy, you take thirty. The products will target the high-end market. I imagine within a year or two, your share of the profits will rival the dowry funds from the family estate."
Both sisters blushed crimson at the mention of dowries. The second, third, and fourth sisters were all of similar age, with Yu Ningxuan especially reaching the age for marriage discussions.
However, upon hearing they could receive such a share of silver, instead of being pleased, they quickly declined. "There's no need to give us a share. That's far too much."
Particularly Yu Ningxin, being a concubine-born daughter, was more cautious. "We sisters will follow your arrangements and assist you. We don't need wages, and a profit share is absolutely out of the question."
Yue Fuguang shook her head, saying deliberately, "It's settled then. Thirty percent, and don't ask for more. You know me, sisters—I'm lazy. If I had to do the work myself, I'd rather not earn this money at all."
The two thought about their sister's recent behavior and had to admit it indeed matched the description of 'lazy'!
They couldn't help but cover their smiles. Seeing her sisters laugh, Yue Fuguang wasn't annoyed. She was proud of her leisurely ways—after all, she had the means for it!
"Don't laugh just yet, sisters. Consider this matter agreed upon."
