On the night ten days before the grand wedding, someone came pounding at the inner gate.
"My lady, young master, this is bad. A fire has broken out in the southern warehouse."
The granary in the south of the city is the Shu family's largest granary in the capital. Inside, three hundred thousand dan of newly harvested rice from the south is stored. This batch of rice is the vital lifeline of the Shu family.
"How is the fire? Have people been sent to put it out?"
"The fire is too large. The government firefighters said the wind is feeding the flames and it is completely out of control."
"Three hundred thousand dan of grain. This. What should we do?"
"Father, do not worry. The more critical the moment, the more we must remain calm. Uncle Fu, take everyone from the household to fight the fire. Tell them that for every bag of rice they manage to save, the Shu family will reward them with one tael of silver."
"Yes, my lady."
"Ji'er, how did this fire start?"
"Father, what do you think? The weather is dry and the granary is a vital, heavily guarded area. We have always kept a strict watch. How could it be such a coincidence that on the eve of our grand wedding, such a massive fire suddenly broke out?"
"The crown prince?"
How naive. Using such underhanded tactics, he thinks burning my granary will break my spine. But this fire of his has burned away the rations of hundreds of thousands of citizens in the capital. He has put himself in direct opposition to all the people of the city.
"Father, if he wants to play with fire, then I will play a bigger game with him, to drag him down completely. Zikuan, I need you to do something for me."
"Just say the word. I would go through fire and water without a second thought." He listened, and then he was already reaching for his cloak. "Good. I will get on it right away."
It is so good to have him around.
"Father, leave the rest to me. Before dawn, I will give you a satisfying result."
I sat there quietly and waited, waiting for my prey to walk step by step into the trap I set for him.
Crown Prince, you thought you burned down my granary. You burned down your own future. This great fire will become the death warrant of your career as crown prince.
The great fire in the south of the city was finally put out. The Shu family's largest granary was burned to a heap of ruins. Out of three hundred thousand dan of grain, not even one tenth remained. The loss was devastating.
"Your Highness, this strategy of yours is truly brilliant. By burning down the Shu family's granary, let's see how she can grandly marry that poor scholar."
"Indeed, and with grain prices skyrocketing, the public's resentment will boil over. When that time comes, the emperor will surely blame the Shu family and revoke the imperial decree for the marriage."
"That wench Shu Ji'er dared to offend this prince. Sooner or later, she will come begging to me on her knees. This prince wants her to know the consequences of offending me."
He seemed already to see me kneeling at his feet, begging for mercy like a dog.
"Your, your Highness. This is bad."
"Panicking like this? Where are your manners?"
"Your Highness. The Shu family. The Shu family has opened their granaries to distribute grain."
"What? Where did she get the grain from?"
"It is the one in the west of the city. They opened the granary early this morning, and they announced the Shu family will sell rice at fair prices across the capital, with an unlimited supply of grain. All the citizens of the city, they are all praising her, calling Lady Shu a living bodhisattva."
"Impossible. Absolutely impossible. The granary in the west of the city has at most one hundred thousand dan of grain in stock. How can she offer an unlimited supply? She is bluffing. Send down the order. Buy up all the grain available on the market for me. I want to leave her with no grain to sell. Let's see how she keeps up this act. Living bodhisattva."
However, his order came too late.
"Brother Zikuan, what a brilliant move. With this eyewitness, the crown prince will be utterly overwhelmed."
"Your Highness, my lady says this is only the first step. What happens next will depend on you, Your Highness."
"Rest assured, I know what needs to be done. You two can just sit back and enjoy the show."
The next morning at court, the memorials came in a wave. Impeach the crown prince.
"Rebellious son. What a rebellious son. Issue the decree. The crown prince is confined for three months. Thoroughly investigate the arson case. Anyone involved shall be severely punished without leniency. Shu Ji'er has rendered outstanding service and is rewarded with ten thousand taels of gold. The Ministry of Rites shall organize the wedding, ensuring she is married off with grand splendor. By grace of heaven, the emperor decrees."
"Good. Good."
A moral blemish became his permanent brand, leaving his position as heir apparent on thin ice, and I became the biggest winner in this political game. I secured my family business and clipped the crown prince's wings. I proved to everyone that the man I chose is no useless fool. He possesses both courage and resourcefulness. More importantly, I proved to everyone that the Lin Zikuan I chose is not just a book-smart scholar. He is my most capable helper and my most trustworthy partner.
"I'm back."
"Thank you for your hard work."
"For you, anything is worth doing."
Though the road ahead may be filled with storms, I am no longer alone. With him by my side, I have nothing to fear.
"Bow to each other. The ceremony is complete."
At that moment, looking into his smiling eyes, I felt absolutely certain in my heart that he is the one for the rest of my life.
"Ji'er, I will never fail you in this lifetime."
"Husband, you must remember the family rules of my Shu family."
"I am all ears, my wife."
"Second, everyone in the Shu family is under my control. And the third and most important rule, you are under my control too."
"All right. I will listen to you in everything, my lady."
The moonlight outside the window is just right, and our story has only just begun.