CHAPTER 250: CHAPTER 250: SOMEONE IS WATCHING!

Li Qingmu felt very desperate inside and quickly said, "My dear, you heard it wrong!"

"I did not hear it wrong!"

Long Yue, with a blank expression, slammed the platter of pastries onto the table fiercely, making the table buzz.

"Going to the brothel is fine, but I must go with you!"

"I plan to take A shao and the Young Prince. Don’t worry, I won’t lose my head. A brothel is a place full of people and the easiest to have something happen. I need to create some reasonable events to have an excuse to go back."

Li Qingmu voiced his thoughts to avoid the two women misunderstanding.

"Create an event? Given the current situation, going back is impossible. Only by reappearing in the Emperor’s sights do we have a chance to turn the tables! Mr. Li’s idea is fine, but the method is too... could we take another approach?"

The brothel can ruin reputations, especially for the Young Prince...

Li Qingmu glanced at Qi Jingyu, thought for a moment, and said, "It would indeed be inappropriate for the Young Prince to go."

The original intention of taking Qi Jingyu was actually to let him meet with An Xiang, but since Shi Qin didn’t want that, so be it.

"Shi Qin, I think I can go!"

Qi Jingyu hadn’t said a word, and when he finally did, it left Shi Qin completely taken aback.

"Princely Heir, you’re being reckless! Such places ruin reputations, how can you go?"

"Who is reputation meant to impress? Shi Qin, as long as we don’t commit murder or arson, nor rob anyone, just spending silver for fun at a brothel may only be seen as ridiculous, but not deadly. This way, we can actually attract His Majesty the Emperor’s attention!"

Qi Jingyu spoke earnestly, changing his previous arrogant demeanor.

Two years have passed, and this young man has matured significantly.

"If you want someone to remember you—and never forget—the best way is to give them a slap!" Long Yue admired the Young Prince’s courage and comforted him, "No matter how good you are to someone, even if you give them your heart, they might not remember you forever. But if they’re your enemy, they’ll always curse you in their hearts, wishing to grind your bones to dust!"

Shi Qin was stunned, realizing this was indeed the case.

The Old Princess Consort was good to those around her, and they were devotedly loyal, but that was only from their perspective. At the time, the Old Princess Consort was framed by Empress Qiao because she had a traitor close to her!

If you’re good to them, they might not remember you. But if you’re not, they certainly will harbor a grudge!

Shi Qin slightly bowed with respect, "I was wrong before!"

It was rare for her to use the term "servant," indicating genuine remorse.

Qi Jingyu gestured for her to rise, continuing, "How did Grandpa stand out among the late Emperor’s tens of princes?"

Not because his talent was ahead of everyone, in fact, there were too many remarkable princes among the late Emperor’s sons. Being the son of a concubine, he barely had any weight.

Thus, Grandpa took the opposite path. While others worked hard to show off, he worked hard to discredit himself, doing things that weren’t serious but annoyed the late Emperor."

"Right, so the late Emperor remembered him, thinking he had such a mischievous prince!" Li Qingmu let out a knowing chuckle, "Yet every time the Emperor called him over to scold him, he would somehow make the late Emperor laugh. Over time, the late Emperor gave him more attention.

Until the great drought in Hanbei when the court was helpless, he ventured there as a Prince, leading the local people to dig channels and wells, guiding water flow, thus overcoming the crisis. From then on, he truly entered the Emperor’s sight..."

Li Qingmu spoke at length, sharing some of Qi Yun’s history of gaining power.

Shi Qin nodded, "Our Emperor is very clever. Otherwise, he wouldn’t have gained the throne as the son of a concubine."

"So we can replicate this! It’s not just about getting his attention, more importantly, it’s to resonate with Grandpa, reminding him of his own childhood when he sees me."

Qi Yun struggled during his childhood, and having similar experiences could inevitably evoke compassion.

This is their biggest card at present.

"So, Shi Qin, let me go!"

Shi Qin slightly bowed, "Since the Princely Heir has made up his mind, I will certainly assist to the end!"

"My dear..."

Li Qingmu looked at his little wife with pleading eyes.

Long Yue, expressionless, simply handed him a pastry, shoving it to him, "If I find out you’re philandering, I’ll break your legs!"

Li Qingmu, sensing the strong hostility from his young wife, nodded his head vigorously, "Yes, my dear, rest assured, I won’t even look at them!"

Heh, this pathetic man, not a word out of his mouth is genuine!

Early the next morning, Li Qingmu set out with Qi Jingyu and Cao Xiao. Long Yue tidied up and went to the farm.

The farm had vast fields of medicinal herbs, which after a few months, some short-growing ones were ready for harvest. Long Yue felt it was necessary to take a look.

"Good morning, Madam!"

"Hello, Madam!"

"Madam!"

"..."

Upon arriving at the farm, farmers along the way greeted Long Yue warmly from the ridges.

As their employer, Long Yue was generous, giving them enough wages, making their lives much better than before.

These were the most ordinary farmers, simple-minded, with honest customs, easy to communicate with.

Long Yue nodded slightly in acknowledgment.

Subsequently, she went to one of the stewards in charge here.

Long Yue appointed three stewards, having them take turns each day, making it easy to supervise and maintain checks and balances.

With only two people, collusion is possible, but with three, it’s harder for them to unite, and if something’s off, there would always be slip-ups.

This wasn’t because Long Yue was overly suspicious, but the saying goes, "Do no harm, but be wary of harm done to you."

The one in charge today was a middle-aged man, slightly short, named Hu Dafu.

His face looked prosperous, and upon seeing Long Yue, he greeted her and led her to the field’s edge.

"Madam, this area is ready for harvest. Do you want it collected?"

Long Yue examined the field closely, confirmed there were no issues, and nodded, "Right, have it harvested, loaded onto carts, and transported to the city."

"Hey, alright!"

"You’ve all worked hard; when the harvest is good, I’ll increase your wages."

"Oh, thank you, Madam!"

Hearing a wage increase, the steward’s eyes lit up immediately.

Words mean little; wage increases are genuinely beneficial.

After a while, Long Yue suddenly asked, "Has anything unusual happened on the farm lately?"

"Huh? Unusual?"

"Anything different, even strange?"

"Well... Madam, now that you mention it, I do feel something’s off!"

Long Yue’s pupils narrowed slightly, "Speak!"

"Madam, I have a feeling someone’s been watching our farm!"