Born to Be Either Rich or Noble - Chapter 64

The senior wife of the Park family knew perfectly well what kind of temperament the third wife had.

An assassination attempt on the heir apparent and on their “seventh young lady” was indeed something the third wife was capable of. Killing the witnesses at the magistrate’s office afterward also made sense. According to what the seventh young lady described, the sudden twist that night came from those bandits led by Duan Yuanjin.

The dignified third wife of the Park family falling into the hands of a mere bandit—utterly laughable.

The senior wife did not suspect Qian Tong of fabricating the story; why the third wife ended up imprisoned was something she would eventually learn in full.

Given the way events unfolded, the details must carry their own peculiarities. The senior wife didn’t entirely trust Qian Tong either. Back when the third wife visited Haizhou, she repeatedly warned her: their seventh young lady of the Qian family was exceptionally capable and should not be underestimated.

The senior wife had largely pieced things together. Once she steadied herself, she pretended concern and asked, “And how are your injuries, Seventh Young Lady?”

“I was lucky,” Qian Tong replied, without holding past grievances against the senior wife or blaming her for the third wife’s schemes. She remained warm and polite. “I survived by chance. Five days in bed, and things finally eased. It’s a lesson learned for all of us. The third wife may have a hot temper, but she’s straightforward. All these years she’s bled herself dry for the Park family. Even now at the magistrate’s office, she’d take full responsibility and never drag the Park family down with her. But the heir apparent… Senior Madam, you may not know him well. I’ve spent some time around him—he’s stubborn, unyielding, and won’t tolerate even a grain of sand. He’s suspicious by nature. He may not believe that this matter has nothing to do with the Park family.”

The senior wife sneered inwardly.
Of course she understood.
He had once been their future son-in-law.

Qian Tong, unaware of her thoughts, continued with genuine concern, “Senior Madam, since you’ve returned, have you considered how you’ll negotiate with the heir apparent?”

Who did this girl think she was speaking to?
The senior wife felt Qian Tong was far too unaware of her own place.

Their relationship was not nearly close enough to be sharing such sensitive matters.

Still, the senior wife forced a smile. “My Park family has acted openly and honorably. The heir apparent sees things with great clarity. How could he possibly trouble us?”

“Please don’t stand on ceremony with me,” Qian Tong said, as though she sensed the woman’s guardedness. “Given that the heir apparent issued a public warrant against the second young master with incomplete evidence, it’s clear he’s not the type to leave people a way out.” She shifted slightly, giving the senior wife space. “I came tonight only to remind Senior Madam that if the Park family intends to settle things with money alone, it likely won’t work.”

She continued, “Senior Madam may not know this yet—after the third wife was arrested, the second master of the Park family came to call the very next day, but the heir apparent refused to receive him. Only this morning did he send out invitations—not to the Park family alone, but to every merchant in Yangzhou, more than a dozen households. Have you considered why?”

During the boat ride back, the senior wife had indeed wondered about that.

The imperial court had come to Yangzhou to thoroughly investigate the Four Great Families. What else could they want but money? If the Park family offered enough, the heir apparent would have something to present to the court; the matter would pass.

The senior wife had already estimated a number.
What she did not know was that the third wife had not only attempted to assassinate the heir apparent twice, she had also attempted to break into the prison afterward and was caught on the spot.

With repeated direct confrontations of that scale, the third wife’s life could not be preserved. The Park family would also face punishment. If the heir apparent reported everything to the capital and the Princess Royal and the Emperor were enraged, troops might be sent to suppress Yangzhou. It would be a hard battle.

The Park family held power only within Yangzhou; beyond its borders, its influence shrank considerably. If war truly broke out, their estates would suffer heavy losses.

And who could guarantee that neighboring states across the strait wouldn’t seize the opportunity to cause trouble?
Avoiding war and resolving matters with money was the best solution.

After hearing Qian Tong’s explanation, the senior wife had to raise her budget. But exactly how much—she would wait until she met the heir apparent and read the circumstances.

Qian Tong, having guessed her intention, asked, “Spending money to ward off disaster is wise. But, Senior Madam, have you thought about what amount would be appropriate?”

The senior wife looked at her silently.

Qian Tong explained, “In the past five years, the Four Great Merchants refused the Emperor’s request for aid, saying they were destitute due to war. Again and again, they pleaded poverty. Your intention is sincere, but what will the heir apparent think? What will the court think? They will only believe that the Park family’s words over these years were lies—that your family must have been hiding untold wealth.”

The senior wife’s expression shifted.

“If you offer too little, it’s even worse. Who is the heir apparent? The son of the Princess Royal, the only heir of the Marquisate, now serving as the Assistant Minister of Revenue. He came to Yangzhou only to be targeted twice by the third wife. If we claim she didn’t know his identity, the entire court would laugh. Attempting to kill a court official of his rank—by law—is a crime punishable by extermination of nine clans. If the compensation you offer is too little, it won’t be an apology. It will be an insult.”

Even though the senior wife had a poor impression of her, she couldn’t help but be impressed.
This girl’s mind was razor sharp.

She asked, “Then, Seventh Young Lady, what do you believe the heir apparent wants?”

“I once heard him mention Yangzhou’s canal,” Qian Tong said. “If I read him correctly, he wishes to open a waterway connecting Yangzhou directly to the inland.”

The senior wife’s eyelids jumped.

A canal?
Connecting to the inland?
Wouldn’t that be the same as building a road straight to their doorstep, inviting the imperial troops to march right in?
Would Yangzhou still belong to the Park family then?

What sort of idea was that?
Had this girl already thrown her lot in with the court and was now trying to use the Park family as a stepping stone?

The senior wife’s expression darkened.
Before she could lash out, Qian Tong continued, “Opening the canal may not necessarily harm the Park family.”

The senior wife did not want to listen further, yet Qian Tong’s next words pulled her back.

“Has Senior Madam forgotten? The two salt fields in the Two Huai region now belong to Prince Pingchang.”
(t/n: Regional princely estates often controlled tax-exempt or strategic resources like salt fields.)

With Prince Pingchang guarding the checkpoints, the imperial court still wouldn’t be able to enter Yangzhou freely. Instead, the canal would allow Yangzhou’s goods to flow to the inland far more easily.

Seeing her calm, Qian Tong continued, “Once the canal opens, the amount of goods Yangzhou exports each year will at least double. And there will be no more fears of ambushes along the road. For years those mountain bandits have taken advantage of their terrain to carve up the Four Great Families like hogs. If we switch to water routes, Duan’s men will starve in the mountains.”

The senior wife narrowed her eyes, suspicious. “Are you using my Park family to take revenge?”

Her analysis had some merit, but the canal matter was too significant. She couldn’t decide alone.

Qian Tong didn’t push further. “What I’ve said is only for your consideration. If you feel it’s unsuitable, please forget it. After all, I’m young and inexperienced. I’m sure Senior Madam already has a perfect strategy. Forgive me if I overstepped.”

The conversation ended there.
The senior wife needed silence to think—how exactly should she placate the heir apparent?

——

When the two of them arrived at the magistrate’s residence, the other invited merchants were already there.

Though dinner was scheduled for the hour of the Dog, the heir apparent took his seat at the hour of the Rooster. Those who came early silently thanked the heavens for prompting them to arrive sooner. They stepped forward, greeted him, introduced themselves, and took their seats. Only the Park and Qian families remained absent.

News of the third wife’s attempted assassination had already spread throughout the city.

On the day after her capture, the magistrate’s cavalry seized the gambling house behind Red Moon Sky. As for the other Park family holdings, they remained untouched—for now. Everyone could see the court was waiting for the Park family’s response.

Each passing moment made the gathered merchants sweat on their behalf.

The third wife had courted death; the seventh young lady of the Qian family had dragged the heir apparent away the moment he arrived in Yangzhou. Neither family had escaped disaster.

Some of the merchants had once seen the heir apparent on the streets back when he was still the “seventh son-in-law-to-be.” Back then, they simply thought he was striking and elegant. Now, in full crimson official robes befitting his restored identity, seated at the head table, flipping through a merchant’s ledger without speaking a word, he made their backs damp with cold sweat.

Someone finally whispered to the person beside him, “Why aren’t the Park and Qian families here yet?”

The other man glanced nervously toward the head seat. Seeing that the heir apparent didn’t react, he leaned in and murmured, “Don’t tell me they’re not coming.”

“Impossible…”

Before he finished, a runner’s voice sounded from outside:
“The senior wife of the Park family and the third young master of the Park family arrive… The seventh young lady of the Qian family arrives.”

No one spoke again.

Compared to the once-glorious Four Great Families, these small-scale merchants couldn’t even step onto the same stage. Receiving the heir apparent’s invitation tonight was already an unimaginable honor.

Everyone quietly looked toward the entrance.

A moment later, a procession entered.
The senior wife of the Park family walked at the front, followed by the third young master and Qian Tong. Their coordinated pace almost made them look like a single household.

Wang Zhao glanced at Song Yunzhi.

He continued flipping through the ledger, not lifting his head.

Officials and merchants had always belonged to different worlds. No matter how prominent the Park family was in Yangzhou, the senior wife had no choice but to step forward, sink to both knees, and say, “An old woman of the Park family pays her respects to the heir apparent.”

The third young master knelt behind her. “Third in the Park family’s grandson generation, given name Chengzhi, pays respects to the heir apparent.”

Qian Tong knelt beside him, strictly following the etiquette. Her forehead touched the floor with a resounding bang—loud enough to startle the room.
“A common girl, Qian Tong, pays respects to Lord Song.”

Only then did Song Yunzhi lift his head.

She was lowered behind the Park family, her face entirely hidden. From above, all he could see was the back of her head—and in this posture, every person present sensed a faint plea for mercy.

She should kneel.

Wherever she appeared, Wang Zhao had to be on full alert — and tonight especially, with the Park family also in attendance.

“Be seated.” Song Yunzhi gave her a brief glance, then withdrew his gaze. Now that everyone had arrived, he set aside the account book in his hand and nodded at Wang Zhao to begin.

Wang Zhao stepped forward and addressed the group: “His Lordship has invited you here tonight to understand the livelihood conditions of the people in Yangzhou. All of you are well-known merchants in the city. His Lordship has just arrived and has many matters requiring clarification. Whoever is questioned must not dare to deceive in the slightest. If you know something, state it fully. If you do not, you must not fabricate…”

As he spoke, Qian Tong had already taken her seat.

Each family had only one primary seat; the accompanying attendants sat slightly behind.

Qian Tong happened to be seated beside the Park family’s main wife.

Behind her, the third young master of the Park family spoke to her. She did not catch it, so she shifted her cushion back slightly and leaned in. When she finally heard him, he whispered: “Miss Tong… your hem…”

Qian Tong looked down — a clear footprint marked her skirt. Not someone else’s. Her own. She’d knelt so earnestly earlier that she’d stepped on herself.

“It’s nothing.” She patted it off, turned her head — and met the Crown Prince’s cold gaze.

His eyes were faint, indifferent, free of love or hatred. No emotion at all. By the time Qian Tong dropped her head to salute, he had already shifted away, as if their eyes had crossed only by accident.

Song Yunzhi picked up the first ledger from the low table. “Li Family Butcher Shop.”

The merchant who was called rose in a panic, knelt in the center of the hall, and stammered, “Your Lordship… please instruct me.”

Song Yunzhi did not even open the ledger. “Have you privately traded gunpowder or crossbows?”

The room collectively held its breath.

The Park family’s main wife’s eyes flickered; the fingers hidden in her sleeve tightened.

The butcher, already nervous, nearly collapsed at the question. “Your Lordship, my humble Li family has sold pork in Yangzhou for over five years. I have always obeyed the law — how… how would I dare trade such things? Please investigate clearly!”

Song Yunzhi called up several more merchants.

All said no.

At last only the Qian and Park families remained seated. Song Yunzhi did not call anyone else. Instead he raised his voice: “Those who have privately stored gunpowder or crossbows — step forward.”

The Crown Prince’s methods of playing with the hearts of men were not lacking.

The Park family’s main wife kept herself composed, though she sat as if on needles; she did not move. Neither did Miss Seven.

Time passed in silence.

“Since no one will step forward, you may all sit.”

Those who had been called earlier wiped cold sweat from their brows as they returned to their seats. It slowly dawned on them that tonight would not be as easy as they had hoped.

This banquet felt more like a Hongmen feast — a banquet arranged to entrap someone

And as for whom it was set for — the Crown Prince soon made it clear.

“Miss Qian.”

A collective tightening of breath — and then release.

Qian Tong was about to rise.

“No need to step forward. Just answer.” Song Yunzhi asked, “When I served as your Seventh Uncle-in-law, I traveled to Fuzhou on your family’s behalf and seized a shipment of Jian tea belonging to the Park family. Where is that tea now?”

Qian Tong: …

The crowd inhaled sharply.

So even though the Park and Qian families seemed harmonious today, such matters had occurred between them.

No one expected the Crown Prince to openly acknowledge, before all these merchants, the humiliating past he shared with Miss Qian.

The Park family’s main wife’s expression shifted. She remembered the two Qian family guards who came threatening her back then, using the stolen Jian tea as leverage — so that’s the powerful backing they were relying on.

Qian Tong said nothing.

She genuinely did not know where the tea went.

Was he still angry?

Would one kowtow be enough? Maybe she should knock her head a few more times…

The long silence strained everyone’s nerves. Just as Qian Tong decided to risk an answer, Song Yunzhi spoke again:

“Since Miss Qian will not speak, I will speak for her. The tea is in the hands of the Park family’s third wife. Five days ago, she transported it to your family’s Mingzhu Alley residence, intending to smuggle it by sea. Were you aware?”

Qian Tong froze.

Only a fool would admit it. She immediately cried, “I was unaware, Your Lordship!”

Song Yunzhi’s expression did not change. His gaze shifted to the Park family’s main wife. “And you? Were you aware?”

The main wife was still trying to figure out why he had suddenly raised the matter when she was hit by the revelation that the third wife, aside from attempting to assassinate the Crown Prince, had also committed tea-smuggling. Her mind stalled.

She instinctively looked toward Qian Tong — after all, the girl had not told her anything about tea.

What she saw was Qian Tong’s panic-stricken face.

Useless.

The main wife took a deep breath and quickly calmed. She had come tonight to offer apologies. At this point she knew clearly — the third wife could not be protected. Abandoning any last hopes, she lowered herself and bowed deeply.

“Your Lordship, please judge fairly. My Park family has always been loyal to the court. Our head of household constantly instructs us never to defy imperial law. His heart is devoted to His Majesty’s benevolence and the well-being of the people. The third wife’s actions have chilled our entire household. We are deeply remorseful. Our head sent a letter overnight and sent me here to beg Your Lordship’s forgiveness…”

She had not finished when two squads of armored cavalry marched in, spears drawn, lining both sides of the entrance.

A moment later, the heavy doors slammed shut.

The suffocating pressure settled over every head in the hall.

Tonight, even if the Crown Prince killed everyone here, he would owe no explanation to anyone. The main wife, seasoned in courtly dealings, understood power. The more one knew, the closer fear and desire for power pressed upon the heart.

Her composure crumbled beneath the weight of absolute authority. She retreated several steps, then dropped to her knees, bowing repeatedly.

“I have come today precisely to beseech Your Lordship to uphold the law. The third wife committed treason, sought to harm Your Lordship — her crimes deserve death. My Park family will not shield her. We submit entirely to your judgment.”

An apology required a gift.

“Our Park family bears responsibility for raising such a reckless, ungrateful person. We cannot face His Majesty. We must atone to the court — and to Your Lordship — to lessen our guilt.”

She was setting the terms of negotiation.

Song Yunzhi remained silent, waiting for her offering.

Had he allowed her a chance to propose terms from the start, she might have remained steady enough to negotiate privately. But he began by pressing charges, allowing her no breath — nor did he spare her from the humiliation of offering terms in front of everyone.

If she named a sum of money, she would fall directly into the exact accusations Miss Seven had warned of: whether she gave too much or too little, it would be wrong.

And before she could think of another bargaining chip, Miss Seven’s words from the carriage echoed through her mind like a curse.

Opening the canal would not disadvantage the Park family.

Behind her, the third young master whispered “Mother,” and the main wife steeled herself.

“Our Park family is willing to open the Yangzhou canal, to benefit the people of Great Yu, and make amends before the world. We beg Your Lordship’s mercy.”

Silence fell.

Opening the canal would create a direct link between the Park family and the imperial court. Militarily, commercially — the court had no reason to refuse.

Years ago, the Park family had blocked segments of the waterways to prevent imperial troops from launching surprise attacks on Yangzhou. Now, to save themselves, they were offering to open them.

After a pause, the Crown Prince finally spoke.

“The Park family’s intent to benefit the people — I accept. As for the third wife, I will judge her according to the law.”

The Park family had set the tone. Having offered something as vast as a canal, the other merchants could hardly leave without contributing anything.

After a suffocating quiet, the butcher rose trembling:

“Tomorrow, this humble man will distribute free meat broth in the eastern district… for seven days.”

“I donate one thousand catties of cotton.”

“I donate one hundred bolts of cloth.”

“I donate two hundred taels of silver.”

…

Everyone finished their pledges.

At last, it was the Qian family’s turn.

The Park family’s main wife, still pale from her earlier recklessness, was curious to see what Miss Seven — the one who had given her that bold idea — would now offer.

The Qian family patriarch did not hesitate. “The Qian family offers one salt well to the court.”

Because of the terrain, several of the Qian family’s mountain-side wells no longer produced salt. Their profits came from sea salt instead. Qian Tong intended to casually offer one of the dry wells.

Though Yangzhou’s salt merchants depended on official salt permits, the imperial court would also find it extremely difficult to claim a salt field here — because salt fields were managed by the court’s own appointees.

By Prince Pingchang.

So if the Qian family privately gave the Crown Prince a salt well — whether it produced salt or not — it would be a promising beginning.

But before Qian Tong could name which well, the Crown Prince spoke first:

“On behalf of the court, I thank Miss Qian for her generous contribution. I hear the Park family’s eldest son once held a salt field in Lian Alley, which has now come under your name?”

A sharp chill shot through Qian Tong’s heart.