Starting from a thatched cottage, the farmer embarked on the road to wealth through imperial examina

Ye Changyan and Liang Jingcheng then remembered that it was no wonder that Jin Wenshao, who had registered for the Imperial College a year ago, was not seen in the exams after the beginning of the year and in the subsequent admissions. It turned out that Jin Wenshao was afraid of being discovered.

"I remember that kid from the Jin family passed the imperial examination a few years ago. It seems that he passed the imperial examination in the same class as my brother-in-law's fourth disciple, Wang Xinkuan. He shouldn't be so ridiculous, right?"

Xiao Yankai did not have any close contacts with Marquis Dingyuan, and did not have a deep understanding of the Jin family. He only remembered that the Jin family had a Jinshi who passed the imperial examination that year and sent invitations to all the nobles in Shengjing. He also received an invitation from the Jin family at that time, but he had something to do that day, so he asked his son Xiao Jingxing to go.

"Dad, the one you are talking about is Jin Wenxun, the eldest son of the Jin family. I remember that Jin Wenxun should have been sent out to serve as an official. The one Mr. Duan is talking about is Jin Wenshao, the second son of the Jin family."

Xiao Jingxing's words made everyone at the scene burst into laughter. In order to hide the embarrassment, Xiao Yankai raised his glass and signaled everyone to drink a toast.

After one cup, Xiao Yan asked Duan Hong some gossipy questions.

"Who broke off the engagement for the second son of the Jin family? Given the status of Dingyuan Marquis's Mansion, the one who can marry into their family is probably not just an ordinary person."

Duan Hong sighed inwardly, this general really didn't pay much attention to these things. He observed the surrounding environment cautiously out of habit, then spoke in a low voice.

"Princess Chang Qing's youngest daughter, Lu Mei'er."

Ye Changyan naturally knew nothing about the eldest princess and Lu Meir, but after Xiao Yankai heard what Duan Hong said, he nodded in understanding.

"That's no wonder. Princess Chang Qing has been well-behaved and clever since she was young. She is the favorite daughter of the late emperor. Although she and Your Majesty are not born of the same mother, Princess Chang Qing's mother died early, so Princess Chang Qing was raised by the Queen and grew up with Your Majesty. The brother and sister have a deep relationship. If the second son of the Jin family is indeed infected with some strange disease, it is reasonable for Princess Chang Qing to propose to cancel the engagement."

Duan Hong showed a meaningful expression and lowered his voice.

"I heard that this marriage was originally promoted by Concubine Rong. Jin Wenshao, as Concubine Rong's nephew, has now caused such a scandal and was rejected by Princess Chang Qing, which has displeased Concubine Rong. The relationship between the aunt and the sister-in-law has suddenly become a little tense."

Ye Changyan and Liang Jingcheng both felt a little emotional. Sang Li's simple revenge was like a butterfly flapping its wings, which immediately caused a palace fight. And from the meaning revealed in the words of Xiao Yankai and Duan Hong, it seemed that it also involved the fight for the position of crown prince.

After the meal, Ye Changyan and Liang Jingcheng heard a lot of gossip and secrets, but Xing Wang enjoyed the meal.

After returning to Shigu Lane from Yunfeng Tower, Ye Changyan and Liang Jingcheng told Mr. Cai about how Sang Li had poisoned Jin Wenshao, causing Jin Wenshao to have attacks of the poison every month, and how Princess Chang Qing broke off the engagement with him.

"Ah! I never thought that Jin Wenshao's vulgar behavior would cause me so much trouble."

I only heard Mr. Cai sigh and fall into deep thought. It was a long time before I heard him speak again.

"Princess Chang Qing's husband is a direct descendant of the Jiangzuo clan, the Lu clan. The Lu clan has a deep foundation, many of whose sons and daughters have entered officialdom, and many of whose sons and daughters have formed marriages with major clans. Their interests are intertwined and complicated. The Lu clan has its own shipyard and ocean-going caravan in Jiangzuo, and controls a considerable amount of ocean-going trade. Princess Chang Qing's father-in-law is the current patriarch of the Lu clan."

Ye Changyan and Liang Jingcheng seemed to sense something unusual about this matter from what Mr. Cai said.

"Lord Duan said that this marriage was made possible by Concubine Rong. Could it be that she was helping the Second Prince to win over the Lu family behind the scenes?"

Mr. Cai nodded thoughtfully.

"Let alone the other industries of the Lu family, this ocean-going caravan alone is a treasure trove. Nowadays, most of the spices in the world come from ocean trade. It can be said that the Lu family controls a considerable part of the spice supply. This spice business is a huge profit."

As he spoke, Mr. Cai lowered his voice intentionally or unintentionally.

"Now that the position of the crown prince is still undecided, several princes are fighting openly and secretly, trying to win people's hearts. As the saying goes, money can make people move their hearts, and money can make the devil work. Naturally, the princes are eyeing the quick and lucrative profits. The Lu family has such a big piece of fat meat in their arms, so naturally they are coveted."

Mr. Cai's expression seemed to be somewhat meaningful. Ye Changyan looked at Liang Jingcheng and saw that he seemed to be lost in thought, so he turned to Mr. Cai and said.

"It seems that Sang Li's seemingly unrelated action actually led to a huge exchange of interests behind the scenes, and even destroyed the Second Prince's intention to win over the Lu family by taking advantage of the marriage between his maternal grandfather's family and the eldest princess' family."

Mr. Cai nodded slightly, and Liang Jingcheng also came back to his senses from his thoughts and spoke.

"Jin Wenshao was possessed by Sang Li. Logically, the people from Dingyuan Marquis's Mansion and the Second Prince's side would have tried every means to cover up this matter. But how come the Princess found out about it? Even Lord Duan, an official from the Six Ministries who is not of a very high rank, knows the secret?"

Ye Changyan and Liang Jingcheng both turned their gazes to Mr. Cai at the same time.

"Your Majesty is still in his prime. Although the princes have their own ideas, they dare not be too blatant. Apart from secretly winning over court officials, other tricks are naturally endless. It is common to plant spies everywhere. If it is true as Sang Li said, Jin Wenshao will definitely make a big noise when he attacks. Such noise will easily be discovered by those who are interested. It is only a matter of time before it reaches the ears of the princess."

At this time in the Second Prince's mansion, the Second Prince was furious.

"What a bunch of losers! It's been so many days and they can't even catch a weak wet nurse!"

In a rage, the Second Prince threw the teacup in his hand towards the guards lying on the ground. The teacup was instantly smashed to pieces. The splashed porcelain fragments cut a bloody gash on the face of a guard lying on the ground, and blood dripped down instantly.

The Second Prince's wife turned pale instantly and quickly covered her mouth with a handkerchief, fearing that she would scream and disturb her husband again.

On the 15th of February, Jin Wenshao had an attack in the Second Prince's house. The next morning, the wet nurse of the Second Prince's one-year-old daughter disappeared. In the following days, rumors that Jin Wenshao had contracted a strange disease spread among the powerful circles in Shengjing.

Two days later, Princess Chang Qing had Jin Wenshao's marriage certificate returned, saying that Jin Wenshao and Lu Meir's great-grandfather's horoscopes conflicted, and if the two were forced to get married, they might have difficulty having children.

Although the eldest princess' words were polite, her attitude was extremely firm. Concubine Rong specially sent three waves of lobbyists, but none of them could make the eldest princess change her decision.