Chapter 534

Using the emperor’s name to distribute benefits to the lower-ranking staff, Wang Xiujin carried out the task with remarkable ease. Yet, this also drew disdain from certain quarters. These people dared not voice their discontent openly but whispered countless slanders about Wang Xiujin behind his back. Some said that while Wang Xiujin was indeed capable, the capital abounded with talented men—so why was it only him who caught the emperor’s eye? Surely, it was because he served well, even earning the fourth prince’s brotherly regard. Perhaps there was some unspeakable secret between them. They whispered that the eldest grandson of General Li must have worn countless green hats.

Such talk was confined to small circles; no one dared spread it further. They knew all too well that if the emperor, the fourth prince, the venerable general, or Minister Wang, not to mention the imperial merchants, caught wind of these rumors, their heads would not remain on their shoulders, and their families might be implicated. But these skeptics forgot that under the emperor’s command existed the secret “Surveillance Bureau.” Ever since the rebellion, the emperor had grown wary of officials gathering in private, fearing conspiracies. Consequently, ministers who acted discreetly met tragic ends. When soldiers surrounded them, some were so bewildered they didn’t even understand what was happening.

Wang Xiujin remained unaware of such intrigues; neither the emperor nor the fourth prince wished him to know. Minister Wang was informed but chose silence, unwilling to burden his son. Yet, when it came to those who slandered his youngest son, Minister Wang ensured they understood the true meaning of “worse than death.”

Before the new year, Wang Xiujin and Li Linshan had returned to the Wang family only once. It was on the day when the eldest brother and his wife brought the children back to the capital. Yachang got along well with the children; the eldest brother’s wife was meticulous in teaching and correcting their values and manners. Wang Xiujin found the children more pleasing to the eye than before.

On the early morning of New Year’s Eve, Wang Xiujin accompanied the Li family into the palace, donning court robes to kneel before the emperor. Afterwards, they paid respects to the consorts in charge of the harem. Fortunately, he was not the only male son-in-law there; otherwise, no matter how thick-skinned he was, it would have been awkward. Upon leaving the harem, Wang Xiujin chatted with several fellow male sons-in-law. One mentioned that a minister recently arrested had a cousin who was implicated because she was a concubine of another minister. If not for the malicious glee in her tone, Wang Xiujin might have thought they were close.

However, one male son-in-law’s cousin was only a concubine. Was it because the minister’s rank was too high, or had the cousin’s status fallen? After that son-in-law left, another, who got along fairly well with Wang Xiujin, spoke up: “That man was once tricked by his cousin into becoming a son-in-law. He had a childhood sweetheart, but luckily his wife cherished him and took no concubines. Their children were adopted from their own family line. He’s come to terms with it now, otherwise…”

Wang Xiujin raised an eyebrow and glanced afar, just as Li Linshan’s gaze met his. Wang Xiujin smiled in return. “Everyone has their own fate. Even if he had stayed with his childhood sweetheart, life might not have been better than it is now.”

Those around him were momentarily stunned, then sighed deeply. They envied Wang Xiujin and the recently departed son-in-law. Though his husband treated him well, with several concubines in the household—even if the children were raised under his care—no matter how devoted he was, he could not surpass the bond with their birth mother. As Wang Xiujin said, everyone’s destiny is unique; only heaven knows what life the childhood sweethearts would have led. Even he, before marriage, never imagined his life turning out like this. Though not childhood sweethearts, he and his husband had been classmates for ten years.

Wang Xiujin had no time to dwell on others’ melancholy stories. He strode toward Li Linshan. The two stood together, joining another childless couple in discussing child-rearing. That couple had adopted several children, igniting Wang Xiujin’s envy and rekindling his desire to adopt. He thought of those beautiful girls’ clothes and wished to complete several “good” characters.

Li Linshan, unaware of Wang Xiujin’s thoughts, remained calm. Had he known, he would not have been so composed. It had taken great effort to divert Wang Xiujin’s attention with one child; how could he bear the idea of several more, causing Wang Xiujin to forget him entirely?

In truth, Wang Xiujin had once resolved not to adopt girls. In prominent families like the Lis’, girls were cherished but often faced hardships in marriage. Wang Xiujin did not want adopted daughters to endure such a life. Yet he could not resist the longing to raise a daughter, dress her beautifully, and proudly show her off—a desire he had harbored for a long time but never fulfilled.

Now that he had made up his mind, Wang Xiujin immediately began planning adoptions. If it were a boy, he might hesitate—after all, the era favored sons. Adopting daughters was easier. If he just asked, perhaps even the village chief’s granddaughter might become an option. Lost in thought, his words grew somewhat perfunctory. Fortunately, the conversation was light; both parties understood that standing together was a rare chance to avoid troubles. So, when Wang Xiujin’s mind wandered, no one remarked.

At the afternoon palace banquet, Wang Xiujin ate hot pot, repeatedly picking lamb to nourish himself. The man who had chatted with him earlier noticed and followed suit. As the man ate, memories of his own cousin’s husband surfaced. He knew why the minister had been arrested, but some things were unspeakable. He owed this knowledge to his cousin’s loose tongue. Since she entered that household as a concubine, she had once boasted about her life. Gradually, regret crept in. Her eyes betrayed envy, and once, in a drunken stupor, she asked if she could have her husband back. Furious, he rolled up his sleeves and ordered servants to give her a few slaps. Perhaps those blows sobered her; thereafter, whenever she saw him, she no longer acted arrogantly but adopted a humble demeanor. Yet, he never softened toward her. From the moment he was forced out by her scheming, all he felt was hatred.

His cousin’s cautious demeanor lasted a few years before turning reckless. She became pregnant, and the doctor said it was likely a boy. Suddenly, she regained her haughty airs, flaunting herself and sneering at him for being childless. He wanted to strike her several times but was restrained by his husband, who only said, “Let’s see how long she can laugh.”

His husband’s words were prophetic. One day, overhearing his cousin gossiping about things her husband confessed while drunk, she spoke as if witnessing it firsthand, terrifying him. From then on, he avoided her to protect himself. Now, true to his husband’s prediction, the cousin’s husband was arrested, and she was implicated. Poor child in her womb would likely suffer the same fate.

“The lamb will smell gamey once it cools; the fat will congeal on the plate. Best to eat it while hot,” Wang Xiujin said, turning to see the man deep in thought as he picked lamb. Today the emperor had shown mercy; the palace banquet was simple, just hot pot. Though modest, it was beloved by all court officials. No one cared much for cold dishes, and if not for maintaining good impressions before the emperor, no one would endure eating them. Each year before the banquet, officials prepared medicine to prevent discomfort. This year, seeing the hot pot, both military and civil officials silently rejoiced, knowing they wouldn’t need their remedies.

“I heard this meat comes from your estate,” the man said, tossing some lamb into his mouth. Though slightly cooled and gamey, he wasted none. During the festival season, beef and lamb were costly, especially beef, which was several times more expensive than usual—and scarce even for the wealthy.

“Yes,” Wang Xiujin nodded, contemplating whether to move his estate to the mountains next year. Yet he worried about wild beasts; relocating might attract predators. Losing livestock was one thing, but if people were harmed, that would be disastrous.

“I have an impertinent request,” the man said. His own estate raised livestock too. He didn’t ask for much—just to buy some from Wang Xiujin at market price for family consumption, not profit.

Wang Xiujin raised an eyebrow, signaling him to continue. The man smiled and made his request. Wang Xiujin’s mind raced. Initially, he raised cattle and sheep not for profit but to satisfy his appetite. Now, with growing herds, his estate could not keep expanding. Sometimes he even had to plan meals days in advance, contrary to his original intent. Better to share offspring with others, leaving his livestock to supply his shops, workshops, and family.

After agreeing to the man’s request, Wang Xiujin began drafting plans. When the banquet ended, he found an opportunity to exchange a few words with the fourth prince, then left the palace contentedly with Li Linshan. Li Linshan did not inquire about their conversation. After parting ways with Minister Wang outside the palace gate, they returned home. Madam Wang, citing poor health, did not attend the banquet. Wang Xiuyun, the emperor’s adopted daughter, was also absent due to a cold, unwilling to risk passing the illness to the emperor.

After seeing off the ministers, the royal family’s private feast began. The emperor called the fourth prince close, noticing that after the banquet, Wang Xiujin seemed to have spoken to him about something.