Rebirth: Making a Fortune in Ancient Times

Madam Wang looked somewhat displeased, but since he insisted, she didn't say anything more and nodded in agreement.

"Since Your Highness insists, then we will trouble Your Highness."

"But we need to borrow something from Madam as a token, otherwise the Wang and Xie families might think the messenger is a fraud!" Prince Ding'an then made his request.

Hearing him mention the Wang and Xie families, Madam Wang could no longer hide her displeasure.

"Your Highness, I promised yesterday to send a letter to the Wang family. Why does Your Highness mean you will also send one to the Xie family?"

"Madam, please don't be angry. Let me explain slowly." Seeing that Madam Wang's eyes were red with anger, Zhou Ji quickly spoke up to comfort her, his tone gentle enough for everyone to hear.

His tone surprised the concubine sitting beside him, who turned to look at him. She saw him staring intently at Lady Wang opposite her. Concubine Lu frowned slightly; she didn't like seeing the prince so gentle with other women.

"Your Highness, are you trying to take me hostage? You're using my belongings to threaten my family into paying money. Even if my husband's family doesn't pay, my family will. Is that your intention, Your Highness?"

As soon as she finished speaking, the two maids who had followed her quickly walked from outside the pavilion to Lady Wang's side to protect her, looking at Prince Ding'an opposite them with an attitude of being ready to attack at any time.

“Madam, I have no intention of coercing you, nor will I force the Xie and Wang families to contribute money. However, time is of the essence, and I do not have much time to wait for the Wang and Xie families to consider their options. Therefore, this is also to help them make a decision as soon as possible.”

"Hmph, Your Highness has quite the eloquence, managing to make such a blatant threat sound so refined. What if I didn't agree to write home?" Madam Wang snorted coldly, disregarding the other party's status as she spoke sarcastically.

“Actually, what does it matter whether we write a letter or not? The person sent will convey Madam’s wishes to both families in detail. If Madam really doesn’t want to write a letter, just take out two of her usual items; it will be the same.” Zhou Ji poured himself a glass of fruit wine, drank it down in one gulp, and said gently as he looked at the glass in his hand.

"You..." Madam Wang was speechless with anger. This was a sign they were going to take a hard line. She glanced at the two maids beside her, their faces filled with regret. She should have brought more people with her.

Consort Lu received a look from the prince and quickly smiled as she began to advise him.

"Sister, calm down. Come, let's sit down and talk it over." As she spoke, she reached out to help Madam Wang, but one of the maids slapped her hand away.

"Ah..." Consort Lu cried out in pain as her hand was struck.

"My beloved consort..." Prince Ding'an nervously rose to examine her hand, only to find it swollen and red. He turned back to look at Lady Wang with some anger, but unexpectedly saw her also craning her neck to look at Consort Lu's hand, her face showing regret.

What started as an angry interrogation turned into a heartfelt question, but the words caught in his throat and he swallowed them back. What came out next was a tender inquiry.

"Madam Wang, Min'er is simple-minded and has told me more than once that meeting you as her sister is the happiest thing for her. She meant well just now, not wanting any misunderstanding between us. Why did you have your maid attack a weak woman like her who can't even kill a chicken? Besides, I made it clear that the money is just a loan. It will be repaid with interest one day. Are you afraid I will renege on the debt? If so, I can write you a loan agreement and stamp it with my golden seal. Would that put your mind at ease?"

"Your Highness, I won't allow you to speak of my sister like that." Consort Lu suddenly broke free from Prince Ding'an's embrace and spread her arms to protect Lady Wang.

"Your Highness, my sister is the kindest person I've ever met. If Your Highness is truly short of money, please give me all of my dowry. Please, Your Highness, stop forcing my sister to write home." With that, she turned and looked at Madam Wang with tearful eyes, her expression full of heartache.

“My sister came out to relax because she was unhappy at home. Now you’re making her write home asking for money. How is she supposed to live in the Wang family after this? I’ll give my dowry, my jewelry, and all the fabric for my clothes to the Prince. Please, for my sake, don’t pressure my sister anymore.”

Consort Lu cried pitifully, and Nineteen, disguised as a maid, got goosebumps. She thought to herself, "What a hypocrite! It's amazing she can cry like that and still speak so clearly."

Lady Wang was deeply moved by her words and immediately reprimanded the maid who had attacked her.

"Get out of here right now! Who gave you permission to hit your sister? Apologize immediately!"

The girl was extremely obedient and was about to kneel down and apologize to Consort Lu, but she was stopped by the girl's intervention.

"Good girl, stop kneeling. I know you're just trying to protect your mistress, it wasn't intentional. I don't blame you, I'll reward you instead. From now on, no matter what happens, you should always protect my sister like this." As he spoke, he took off a mutton-fat jade bracelet from his wrist and placed it on the girl's wrist.

The maid was at a loss for what to do after being taken aback by Consort Lu's display of power, and could only look to her mistress for her opinion.

Lady Wang nodded almost imperceptibly, then released her other hand, which was trying to remove the bracelet, and turned to give a curtsy to Consort Lu.

"This servant thanks Your Highness for the reward. I was rude just now, and I hope Your Highness will forgive me."

"No need for forgiveness, you did the right thing, and you are innocent." Consort Lu nodded with satisfaction, looking at the maid in front of her. Then she noticed another maid looking at the first maid with envy, chuckled softly, and walked over to take that maid's hand in return.

"You're a good person too, with a steady personality. I feel at ease having someone like you by my side." As she spoke, she took off another bracelet from her wrist and put it on her hand.

Nineteen looked at the white jade bracelet on her wrist with delight and immediately bowed to Consort Lu to express her gratitude.

"Alright, all of you go outside and serve. I have something to say to your wives."

"Yes," the two maids replied happily, bowing as they heard Consort Lu's instructions, and went outside the pavilion to stand guard.

Seeing how well-behaved they were, Consort Lu smiled slightly, turned around, took Madam Wang's arm, and gently comforted her.

"Sister, the prince is a man, and his mind isn't as delicate as ours as women's. He may not think things through properly, so please don't be angry. For my sake, please don't hold it against him."

Madam Wang looked at the two soft hands draped over her arm, one of which was noticeably red and swollen, and asked her with some guilt.

"Little sister, does your hand still hurt?"