"You wish! Something as incredible as that celestial garb is not for common folk like us."
The speaker was a rather well-known merchant in the capital.
He looked enviously at the Third Prince, who was leisurely strolling through the rain as if it were a clear spring day, not a drop touching his fine garments. His heart itched with jealousy like it had been scratched raw by a cat's claws.
He had barely finished his sentence when he turned eagerly toward Tang Xinhua, trying to curry favor.
"May I ask, Miss Tang, where did you obtain such a miraculous treasure?"
"This is no celestial treasure," Tang Xinhua said, her tone light and graceful. Seeing that the setup was complete, she raised her voice just slightly to catch the attention of those nearby. "These are goods from Qiongzhou. They are called raincoats and rain shoes. Think of them like umbrellas, but designed to be worn on rainy days."
"You mean… we can buy them too?"
At once, the merchant's finely honed instincts for profit kicked in.
"Do they produce a lot in Qiongzhou? Are they expensive?"
"They produce a fair number," Tang Xinhua replied with a warm smile. She had come precisely to promote these goods and was prepared to answer every question thoroughly. "But the price is a little high. These are made entirely of rubber, which only grows in Qiongzhou. Harvesting it takes quite a bit of labor, so the cost can't match something cheap like cotton.
For example, a pair of rain shoes costs one hundred wen. A raincoat requires even more rubber, so it goes for two hundred and eighty wen. But wear them on a rainy day and you'll see — not only are they waterproof, they keep you warm too."
"What a fine invention this is!"
A full set from Qiongzhou — coat and shoes — cost three hundred and eighty wen. If merchants bought in bulk, surely the price would go down.
And if they brought them to wealthy, rainy regions like Jiangnan, even selling them at five or six hundred wen a set would be no problem at all.
This was a brand-new venture. No one else had stepped into this market yet.
The merchants present grew so excited they abandoned their meals altogether, rushing home in a hurry to calculate how they might seize the opportunity.
Meanwhile, in the Eldest Prince's residence...
The Eldest Prince was still fuming over the betrayal that morning in court. General Wei Yuan's sudden defection had come as a brutal blow.
When he heard news of the Qiongzhou rain gear, his expression darkened even further.
"Qiongzhou. Tang Muzhi. It's Yun Shu's people again! Why is it that everyone under Yun Shu turns out to be a peerless talent? Even Tang Xinhua — a cast-off woman — managed to revive the Tian Waitian Restaurant and Xianting Pavilion!"
His voice turned cold and venomous.
"But the ones I choose? Useless, the lot of them. If they're not failures, they're traitors!"
The advisor standing beside him grew visibly uneasy, feeling that the insult might well have included himself. Yet in front of the Eldest Prince, he dared not speak too boldly.
He could only humble himself and offer a cautious reminder.
"General Wei Yuan is a man who values loyalty and sentiment above all else. Your Highness once saved his son's life. That alone ought to bind him firmly to our cause. Today's defiance may be due to us keeping him in the dark about our plans. He likely felt excluded and acted out in anger."
"Besides," the advisor continued, lowering his voice, "Qian Wanqing was merely a minor servant. His loss doesn't harm Your Highness in any meaningful way. General Wei Yuan was likely just venting his fury.
Once his temper cools and he reflects on the situation, he will no doubt come to apologize personally."
"Who wants his damn apology?"
Though the advisor's reasoning had soothed him somewhat, the Eldest Prince still ground his teeth in frustration.
"I showed him such immense favor, yet he's never once shown gratitude. And now, just because I used him for a minor matter — one that didn't even touch his own interests — he dares to act like this? Ungrateful cur!"
"Your Highness is right," the advisor said quickly.
"When General Wei Yuan comes to make amends, I must make sure to let him know his place."
"Hmph."
The Eldest Prince gave a grunt of approval. Finally, he stopped dwelling on the subject and turned toward the window, his gaze fixed in the direction of the palace.
His voice turned low and grim.
"The matter I ordered — how goes it?"
"All is in place!"
Now it was the advisor's turn to sound energized, the dull tension in his voice replaced with vigor.
"In truth, fortune has smiled on us. Originally, Her Highness the Crown Princess was holed up in that estate outside the city, heavily guarded. Our people could not get near. And with the capital's surroundings so carefully monitored, it was near impossible to find someone conveniently infected with smallpox.
Smallpox spreads fast. Usually, when one case is discovered, more follow. It quickly grows into a full-blown epidemic.
But fate favored us."
The advisor leaned in slightly.
"About thirty li outside the city, in a remote little village, an outbreak occurred. It went unnoticed since the village was secluded and sparsely populated. By the time we arrived, most of the villagers were already dead.
Yet we found one still clinging to life."
"Interesting."
After a day of nothing but setbacks, the Eldest Prince finally heard a piece of good news. The gloom that had clung to him lifted in an instant, replaced by hearty laughter.
"You tell me — is this not the Heavens aiding this Prince?
Throughout history, it is the eldest and the legitimate heir who holds the Mandate. Now the central palace stands vacant, and His Majesty has no legitimate son."
The advisor's flattery flowed effortlessly.
"Your Highness is the Eldest Prince. It is only natural that the throne belongs to you. That so-called Crown Princess? Her mother was a mere Noble Lady. She herself is a woman. She is neither eldest nor legitimate, and even her sex is against her. How could she ever be compared to Your Highness?"
"Surely even Heaven could not bear the injustice and has stepped in to set things right."
"Well said!"
The Eldest Prince's laughter grew louder, entirely pleased.
"You always know just what to say."
"This matter you've handled well. But the true test lies ahead. Do not fail this Prince."
"I shall devote all my strength and loyalty to Your Highness."
The advisor rose, bowing deeply with both hands.
His tone was firm and resolute, and the Eldest Prince was quite satisfied with the display.
Clapping the advisor's shoulder twice, he leaned closer and promised in a low voice.
"If you succeed this time, you will be this Prince's greatest merit official. If this Prince one day takes his rightful seat, the position of Right Prime Minister shall be yours alone."
"Many thanks for Your Highness's favor!"