NOVPUBEverything in the palace returned to normal.
Consort Jia became overly protective of her precious son.
Her previously flamboyant personality was now tempered with caution.
On the other hand, Consort Shu remained quiet.
According to Shen Roujia’s thoughts, the Bai family was not one to swallow their grievances silently.
They were likely brewing trouble in secret.
However, these matters no longer concerned Shen Roujia.
She had already started investigating past events.
Meanwhile, in the Morning Glow Palace, a gloomy atmosphere prevailed.
Xu Lianggen furiously smashed his teacup on the table.
“Xiao Sinian shut down my cannon factory because of an external debt…”
Consort Shu glanced at Xu Lianggen, frowning. “Impatient fool.”
“Is this the time to confront him?”
Xu Lianggen stood frozen.
Consort Shu had never reprimanded him before, and this was the first time she spoke to him in such a tone.
“Mother…”
Consort Shu’s face was pale, clearly still unwell.
“Son, our Bai family is not to be trifled with. In another six months, it will be the imperial examination. As long as White Stone Academy stands, the Bai family will remain unshaken.”
“To accomplish great things, one must learn to endure.”
Xu Lianggen appeared deep in thought, contemplating something.
Consort Shu, still looking pale, had not yet fully recovered.
“If the royal mansion cannot support itself, I will provide you with more silver. But remember, your father despises extravagance. Do not show any signs of it.”
Xu Lianggen looked at his loving mother, calculating something in his mind.
“Mother, do you think I have the ability to unify the horse market?”
Consort Shu sharply raised her head, staring at Xu Lianggen. “Geng’er, what are you saying?”
The horse market had always been controlled by the Zhao family. However, due to the vast and fragmented border regions, many areas were not unified.
This led to significant management issues.
But since the Zhao family was Consort Jia’s maternal family, they were at odds with the Bai family and would never willingly relinquish such a profitable enterprise.
Xu Lianggen smiled enigmatically. “Since I mentioned it, Mother, please just answer.”
Consort Shu had raised Xu Lianggen for over twenty years, only to realize now that he had grown beyond her control.
She could no longer understand his thoughts.
“With Geng’er’s talents, you are among the best of the princes. Why couldn’t you achieve it?”
Xu Lianggen nodded in satisfaction.
“Since I have Mother’s support, I will speak plainly.”
As he spoke, he handed over a jade pendant.
“Mother, please take a look.”
Consort Shu took the warm white jade pendant, her expression momentarily stunned.
“Why does this look so familiar?”
She seemed to remember something and rushed into her room, hurriedly searching through her belongings.
She came out holding another jade pendant, similar in craftsmanship.
Comparing the two, Consort Shu said, “These were made from the same material. I remember clearly that the Empress distributed one to each palace.”
Xu Lianggen, having obtained the answer he wanted, placed the jade pendant on the table.
“Mother, this is my birthday gift to you.”
Consort Shu was even more puzzled. “Where did you get this?”
Xu Lianggen chuckled, “By chance, I picked someone up yesterday. That person was the eldest son of my cousin’s family, Li Yong.”
“To save his life, he revealed a great secret to me. If I didn’t tell you, Mother, you would never believe such a coincidence.”
