"Don't try to play tricks on me! You are worse than dad... ahem, you are the stingiest person in the whole family. It's not easy to get money from you. How can you just give it away like that? You said you don't have bad intentions, do you think I am a fool?"

Chang grabbed Zhu Kai's ear and looked around. When she found that there was no one around, she whispered, "Do you know that your elder brother asked me to be careful of Sister Lu?"

"Ok?"

Zhu Kai became serious now. He took Chang's hand off his ear and looked at Chang: "Sister-in-law, did my elder brother tell you?"

"said."

Chang sighed, told Zhu Kai what Zhu Biao had said to her, and then said with a sad face: "Brother Kai, you don't know that I dare not talk to Lu now, for fear that she will find out something."

Zhu Kai knew Chang and knew that she was an honest person.

Chang's death in history was very strange. She died of complications during childbirth of Zhu Yunhuan, and later her son Zhu Xiongying died. This allowed Lu to take the throne and become the Crown Princess, and later the Empress Dowager... Lu died, Zhu Xiongying died, and Lu benefited the most. Therefore, many unofficial histories about Chang's death may not be as simple as it seems.

According to official history, Chang was a very jealous person, but Zhu Kai had known her for so many years and never felt that Chang was jealous. Instead, she was a good sister who spoke her mind.

So, what the history books say is wrong.

Then the root of the problem should be Lu, but now she has just married into the Eastern Palace and her true nature has not been exposed, so Zhu Kai did not pay much attention to Lu.

After hearing what Chang said today, Zhu Kai realized that some of Lu's behaviors had alerted Zhu Biao. After thinking for a while, he said to Chang: "Don't worry, sister-in-law. With my brother and I here, nothing will happen."

"She wants a street, doesn't she? Just give it to her. Our two nephews will get the same share, not a bit less."

"Sister-in-law, just do what you have to do. Don't be so deliberate. Besides, I've given her a street to work on. You should communicate more with mother in the future. She knows more than me."

"I don't dare tell my mother."

Chang was very conflicted, "If mother knew, what would she think? Is there discord in the East Palace? Will she punish Lu?"

Zhu Kai signaled Chang to rest assured: "No, mother is a very wise person, what you are worried about will not happen, you just need to tell her and ask her what you should do, and you can just listen to mother for the rest."

"Okay, I'll listen to Brother Kai."

Chang was relieved by Zhu Kai's words and said, "Your elder brother is the same. He never explains to me what he is saying. It makes me so angry!"

Zhu Kai laughed: "Go back and deal with him! By the way, ask mom how she manages dad. Hahaha, I guarantee you can easily control big brother."

"What a bear!"

Chang also laughed, "Aren't you afraid that I will tell Miaoyun and Yuting sisters?"

"..."

Zhu Kai's face was filled with embarrassment. Is this considered shooting himself in the foot?

"Sister-in-law, this is not something you can talk about!"

"Haha, that depends on your performance. If you dare to treat Miaoyun and Yuting badly, I will show you how I will deal with you!"

……

Zhu Kai sent Chang to the East Palace, and then he went around before returning to Fengxian Palace. Xu Miaoyun told him about Lu asking her for a street, and Xu Miaoyun was not stingy and directly gave the street in front of the palace to Chang.

Zhu Kai didn't take it seriously: "Give it to her, and then send 20,000 taels of silver to my sister-in-law. The East Palace is almost broke. How can we have no money during the New Year? The street in front of the palace... Hehe, wife, wait until the beginning of next spring, I will teach you a lesson and teach you how to fight a beautiful business war!"

If Mrs. Lu doesn't do anything weird, then just throw her out on the street and let her play.

If she gets worse, I'm sorry, not only will Fuqian Street be gone, but your Lu family's business will also be gone.

It's only been a year since you entered the palace, but you're already acting so aggressively. Do you really think you're the master of the harem?
It's not your turn to make the decisions in the Ming Dynasty's harem! It will never be your turn!
Fuqian Street is one of the top ten streets in Yingtian Prefecture.

Because this street was built in front of the mansions of various dukes and marquises, selling vegetables here could make a lot of money every year.

The street was handed over to Lu, which made her extremely happy.

As for how to run the business, Mrs. Lu still has no idea, but she knows that the Lu family runs two bookstores selling books, pens, ink, paper and inkstones. She plans to go home and ask Lu Ben for help.

After talking to Zhu Biao about it, Zhu Biao did not refuse. Lu took a lot of gifts home and discussed with Lu Ben about managing the street in front of the city.

Lu Ben was the Minister of Taichang Temple and a knowledgeable man. He was quite curious to see Lu returning home. This was not the time for her to go home to visit her relatives, and she had not told him about it in advance.

"Why are you back?"

Lu Ben was very puzzled. Looking at his daughter's bulging belly, he couldn't help but blame her: "It's so cold, it's more important to protect the fetus, don't rush back and forth."

"Father, I have something to discuss with you today."

Lu found out that there was a street in front of her palace, that Zhu Kai did a big business, and that she couldn't stand the way Zhu Yuanzhang, Ma Xiuying, Zhu Biao, and Zhu Kai got along with each other in the palace... She told Lu Ben all the news.

Lü Ben did not interrupt her, but after she finished, he was very angry: "You are so confused! What did I tell you before you entered the palace? Don't get involved too early. You must abide by the virtues of a woman and follow the rules of a woman. The palace is deep, what can you see clearly?"

"That's exactly why I came to see my father."

Mrs. Lu did not show any emotion in response to Lu Ben's rebuke. She just explained, "Zhu Kai is doted on by His Majesty and the Queen. His status in the palace is even higher than that of the Crown Prince. They have no respect or courtesy. I really can't stand it. I feel that they are hiding many things from me. I am always an outsider. Mrs. Chang is just an ordinary woman. She doesn't know how to assist the Crown Prince, but I can't do anything."

At this point, Mrs. Lu looked up at Lu Ben and said, "If this continues, where will my daughter stand in the imperial palace?"

After hearing these words, even though Lu Ben disapproved of his daughter's behavior, he had to remain silent.

Lu Ben was not surprised by the problems that Lu encountered. The reason was simple. Lu and Zhu Yuanzhang's family lived in different environments, so their personalities were naturally different.

The Lu family grew up in a scholarly family, while Zhu Yuanzhang rose from humble beginnings. Even when Zhu Biao was born, Zhu Yuanzhang had already become a vassal king. But how could they compare with the Lu family?

Zhu Yuanzhang...was a grassroots emperor after all, so the children he taught naturally couldn't get rid of the rural atmosphere.

Countryman!
However, this countryman was the emperor, and everyone had to obey him. Some living habits also had to change because of Zhu Yuanzhang.

It was difficult for Lu to change, and she did not have the determination to stabilize her mind. Seeing that Lu Ben did not speak, Lu continued, "This street should have belonged to the prince, but the prince trusted Zhu Kai and handed it over to him. Moreover, Zhu Kai only gave the East Palace 20,000 taels of silver as dividends during this New Year. If I were to manage this street, I would definitely be able to double the income. Zhu Kai is just relying on the emperor and queen's favor for him and the prince's trust in him to do whatever he wants. If this continues, he will cheat the prince of how much silver he has."

Lu Ben considered himself a scholar. He regarded money as dirt, so he had little interest in money. He opened a shop at home just to maintain the family expenses.

Since his daughter wanted to seize the management rights of a street and bring financial support to the East Palace, Lu Ben, as a father, of course had to support his child: "The housekeeper of the family is in charge of the two study rooms at home. If you need it, just let him help you."

"Okay, my maid Xiao Cui is also quite literary, let her connect with Uncle Wang."

Lu's first goal of coming home was achieved, and then she said to Lu Ben: "Father, my daughter's position in the East Palace is not stable. Can you teach me so that the prince will look up to me and stop treating me as an outsider?"

This is the most important purpose of Lu's coming home.

"You can't rush this matter."

Lu Ben looked at Lu and said solemnly, "A mother's status depends on her son. You should look forward to the baby in your belly. During this time, you should not do anything or worry about anything. Just give birth to the baby first, and we will work out the rest slowly."

Mother is more valuable than son?

Mrs. Lu did not agree with this, and instead said to Lu Ben: "What if he is still a noble son? Can he still be the crown prince?"

"How do you know that he can't become the crown prince?"

Lu Ben asked back, and Mrs. Lu was stunned. Lu Ben said, "From now on, His Royal Highness will be the Crown Prince for another twenty years. Twenty years can change a lot. The baby in your belly has not been born yet, and there are many opportunities for change. How can you know who will have the last laugh?"

Opportunities always come to those who wait and are patient. Temporary success is not considered success. The one who laughs last is the ultimate winner.

Mrs. Lu was awakened by Lu Ben's words, and then she said, "I understand, father. I know what to do when I return to the palace."

The baby in the belly is the most important.

……

After the Little New Year comes the New Year, and every household is preparing for the New Year.

Zhu Kai is also preparing for the Chinese New Year, but his preparation is different from others. He plans to tear down his house.

The winter in Yingtian Prefecture is very cold. Zhu Kai had never thought about renovation before, but now that his wife is pregnant, of course he has to take care of her first.

After much thought, I decided to install a radiator in the Fengxian Hall.

The method of making the radiator is very simple. Zhu Kai told the craftsmen in Jiangzuying his requirements. The house was measured that morning, and someone came to install it the next day.

Zhu Kai installed water pipes in the Fengxian Hall and then set up a water boiler where the eunuchs lived. They did not need to go out at night and could burn firewood and add water directly in the house.

Place five large iron buckets on the roof, let the water in the buckets flow to the place where water is boiled, and then flow through pipes to the buckets on the roof.

After only half an hour, the entire Fengxian Hall became warm. There was no need to wear thick clothes in the hall, and even ventilation was needed to ensure that the temperature dropped slightly.

Of course, Zhu Kai did not enjoy it alone. Others also connected the water heating in order.

The first to be affected was the Kunning Palace where Ma Xiuying lived.

At first, Zhu Yuanzhang was very angry about Zhu Kai's behavior. Why did you demolish the Fengxian Hall during the New Year? And now you want to demolish the Kunning Palace?

However, when Zhu Yuanzhang felt the benefits of the water and heating pipes, he completely forgot about his previous reprimand to Zhu Kai, and lay comfortably on the chair, saying to Zhu Kai: "After the New Year, install this kind of heating pipes in the palace. In this winter, we will finally not have to catch a cold anymore... You are thoughtful."

"can."

Zhu Kai readily agreed, and then started talking about money: "But Dad, the price of our Ming iron is not low. It will cost a lot of money to fill the entire palace. This money... I won't make money from you. I will make it for you at the cost price, okay?"

"You bastard, are you obsessed with money? You even want to make money from us?"

Zhu Yuanzhang cursed, but Zhu Kai listened without paying any attention. You can curse if you want, but the money I owe you must not be less than a penny.

Fortunately, Zhu Yuanzhang has made a lot of money following Zhu Kai, and he is not stingy with his money. Seeing that Zhu Kai refused to give in, Zhu Yuanzhang could only helplessly tell Zhu Kai: "Go find Yuan Qi to get the money."

Yuan Qi was in charge of Zhu Yuanzhang's private treasury, and all the money in the treasury was kept by Ma Xiuying. Zhu Yuanzhang knew his financial situation, so he didn't mind spending a little money to make himself live more comfortably.

Zhu Kai also wanted to install water and heating pipes for Zhu Biao, and Chang was willing to do so. However, after hearing that Zhu Kai asked Zhu Yuanzhang for money, Lu insisted on giving the money to Zhu Kai.

Has this little woman started calculating money?

Zhu Kai didn't give her face and said with a smile: "Since sister-in-law insists on paying, just give me half after I finish the decoration."

Mrs. Lu smiled and said, "What are you talking about, Second Prince? It will cost a lot of money to decorate the entire East Palace. How can you only pay half of it? The Crown Prince is your elder brother. As the elder brother, he should not take advantage of his younger brother."

"Sister-in-law misunderstood."

Zhu Kai looked at Lu with a smile, "You are not the only one living in the East Palace, there are also my elder brother and my sister-in-law Chang. If I take half of your money, I will still make some money."

"..."

This one sentence made Mrs. Lu blush and she became even more dissatisfied with Zhu Kai.

If you don't want to take the money, just say it directly. Why do you have to use Zhu Biao and Chang to ridicule me?
They take advantage of you, but I won’t!
Mrs. Lu felt that as the eldest sister-in-law, she should be upright in front of Zhu Kai: "Okay, then I will pay half of the money, thank you Second Prince for taking care of the East Palace."

"You're welcome."

Zhu Kai left with a smile on his face, and when he turned around he smiled even more happily.

You silly woman, if you keep doing this, you will end up killing yourself!
After hearing about what Lu did, Zhu Biao and Chang chose to remain silent. Since Lu had made her choice, let her do it.

The palace is also preparing for the New Year, and everyone seems to be very busy... Zhu Kai is not busy, because he will be disliked wherever he stays. He wants to go find Cao Guogong Li Zhen, but he can't grow vegetables in the middle of winter, right?

Zhu Kai has not been out to play since he returned to Yingtian Prefecture. His two brothers-in-law, led by Xu Yingxu and Xu Tianfu, kept coming to the palace to look for Zhu Kai, saying that the people outside had been waiting for him until the flowers withered, and that they wanted Zhu Kai to come out of the palace to meet with everyone and have a meal. This was a good opportunity to congratulate Zhu Kai, after all, he was going to be a father. (End of this chapter)