The Good Grandson of the Red Chamber

Chapter 90: Accusing

Xia Chengzong smiled, thinking that this was the norm.

What new product can become an instant hit as soon as it's launched, earning you hundreds of thousands or even millions of taels of silver a year?

Do you think all other business owners are dead?

Countless people in the market have invented wildly popular products, only to have them either stolen or disappear without a trace.

Even if he were a grandson of the emperor, and even if he had Prince Zhongshun as his partner, it wouldn't work.

Because their rivals were his several uncles who were vying for the throne.

His several good royal uncles probably already regarded him as a thorn in their side.

The struggle for succession requires massive financial support.

How could they possibly just stand by and watch themselves make a fortune?

Xia Chengzong felt that the methods they used were already very restrained.

Before long, Prince Chungshun also arrived.

Xia Chengzong personally went out to greet him.

Upon meeting, Prince Zhongshun, without waiting for Xia Chengzong to greet him, asked breathlessly, "Brother Zong, do you know about the perfume?"

"Does Brother Zong have any good ideas on how to salvage our reputation? If not, this business deal might fall through."

"This perfume business is a very lucrative business; it's extremely profitable, with a profit of at least tens of thousands of taels of silver a year."

"It would be such a shame if it just turned yellow like this!"

At this point, Prince Zhongshun added angrily, "Don't let me find out who's causing trouble behind this. If I find out, I won't let them off easily!"

Xia Chengzong said, "I can guess who's causing trouble behind the scenes!"

Prince Zhongshun hurriedly asked, "Which bastard is behind this? Tell your fifth uncle quickly!"

Xia Chengzong's lips twitched a few times before he said, "Fifth Uncle, I suspect that it might be one of your good uncles pulling strings behind the scenes!"

Upon hearing this answer, Prince Chungshun immediately launched into a tirade of curses.

"I knew it was these scoundrels who dared to mess with us! Fifth Uncle, I'm going to their palace with my whip right now and give them a good beating!"

"We should really ask them what they're up to. Do they think they don't respect me, their fifth brother?"

After saying this, Prince Zhongshun turned to leave, but was stopped by Xia Chengzong.

His fifth uncle had no other great ambitions; his favorite things were drinking, listening to music, and making money.

He had no great ambitions and never thought of seizing the throne. Most importantly, he had no heirs, only a few daughters and no sons.

His biggest weakness was having no heir, which meant he was excluded from the struggle for the throne.

The throne could never be passed to a prince who had no heir.

Because he was harmless, none of the princes who aspired to participate in the struggle for the throne had ever made things difficult for him.

For them, there's no need to create an enemy out of thin air.

Therefore, the four princes, the sixth prince and the eighth prince, were very polite to Prince Zhongshun, and would even give way to him on some matters.

However, the crown prince was deposed after his rebellion.

As Xia Chengzong began to distinguish himself, and Prince Zhongshun became very close to Prince Zhongzheng, everything changed.

In particular, now that he has started doing business with Xia Chengzong, how could this not arouse the hostility of his brothers who are vying for the throne?

Given that things have come to this point, how could these princes still give in to him?

Going there would only be pointless and embarrassing.

Thinking of this, Xia Chengzong said, "Fifth Uncle, wait a minute. I'm just guessing, without any evidence. If you go like this, how can they admit it?"

"Also, this time, they're probably targeting me, and Uncle Wu is likely implicated because of me."

"That was an oversight on my part, Uncle. You really didn't need to get involved in this mess!"

"Fifth Uncle can withdraw from this business, or he can operate in secret and not show his face in public."

Upon hearing this, Prince Chungshun couldn't help but burst into laughter.

He patted Xia Chengzong on the shoulder and said, "Brother Zong, is your fifth uncle afraid of them?"

"Furthermore, even if Fifth Uncle wanted to back out, do you think they would let him off the hook?"

"Your fifth uncle loves making money the most. If they try to cut off my source of income, they're essentially taking my life!"

"Tell me, how can I, your fifth uncle, just let this go so easily?"

"Brother Zong, just tell me what you need Fifth Uncle to do."

Xia Chengzong explained the pros and cons to Prince Zhongshun. He actually hoped to get Prince Zhongshun's help, but did not want to use underhanded means to drag him down.

Now that Prince Chungshun knows the truth, he is still willing to help him.

This protective sentiment moved Xia Chengzong deeply.

He said with a smile, "I did have a backup plan; I hadn't prepared one beforehand."

"But since they've resorted to such underhanded tactics, we have no choice but to follow suit."

"There's no need for Fifth Uncle to take action; he can simply watch the show."

Prince Zhongshun laughed and said, "Your fifth uncle isn't old yet, and he's not afraid of trouble. If there's anything you need from your fifth uncle, just ask."

Xia Chengzong nodded and said, "If there's anything I can do to help you, Uncle Wu, I certainly won't stand on ceremony with you."

After Prince Chungshun left, Xia Chengzong went directly into the palace.

The backup plan he mentioned was inside the palace.

More than half a month ago, he sent this perfume as a gift to the Empress and a group of concubines.

At the time, he even had the imperial physician and a eunuch specializing in poison testing examine the perfume formula.

The perfume's ingredients were determined to be only alcohol and flower juice.

The Empress was grateful for his filial piety and rewarded him with many gifts.

The other concubines also received generous rewards.

At the time, Xia Chengzong did this to show his filial piety, and also to keep a backup plan.

Now, his backup plan is starting to come in handy.

After entering Kunning Palace and paying his respects to the Empress, Xia Chengzong began to weep before her.

"Grandmother, someone is bullying your grandson! I can't go on living like this! Please, Grandmother, save your grandson!"

Xia Chengzong wiped his eyes with his sleeve, tears streaming down his face, looking utterly miserable.

Okay, actually I didn't shed any tears.

But he wiped his eyes until they were red with his sleeve, and his emotions were so sincere that the Empress didn't notice anything amiss.

Hearing his tearful complaint, the Empress felt heartbroken and quickly took his hand, asking:

"Zong-ge'er, tell me quickly, who has the audacity to bully you? Grandmother will certainly not let him off easily!"

This time, the Empress was truly enraged!

Someone must have had the audacity to bully her well-behaved, sensible, filial, and obedient grandson!

This person is absolutely wicked and must be severely punished to avenge my grandson!

Xia Chengzong cried out, "Grandmother, as you know, after I separated from the family, the Prince's Mansion's expenses amount to tens of thousands of taels of silver a year."

"And the income of the grandson's mansion is only about ten thousand taels of silver a year, which is far from enough."

"My grandson didn't want to rely on others, so he thought of doing business to earn some money to supplement the family income."

"The perfume I gave to my grandmother the other day was the way I came up with the idea to make money."

"Even the Empress Dowager said it was excellent, but who knew that someone outside would slander the perfume."