Zhao Ci really wasn't bluffing Gu Xiangzhu.
He truly did have his own selfish reasons.
In fact, they were all selfish reasons.
The kind where he hadn't considered anyone else in the slightest.
He took a deep breath. "Mother, are you aware of the matter concerning my new princely mansion?"
"Hm?"
Gu Xiangzhu understood at once. "You mean you want to establish your own Pill Workshop, then use the contracts from the Gongdan Conference to claim as your own achievement?"
Zhao Ci nodded gravely. "A mother knows her son best. You really do understand me, Mother!"
Gu Xiangzhu considered this for a moment, then smiled. "Actually, you don't need to worry so much about establishing your mansion. As long as I secure this contract, you can continue to be an idle Prince and live a carefree life. The Imperial Family's rules may prevent me from giving you too many resources directly, but once you leave to govern your own fief, I can arrange for Cultivation Resources to be sent to you through other channels."
"So, Mother..."
Zhao Ci suddenly became uncharacteristically furious. "So I'm just supposed to be a burden on you for my entire life, fated to be a good-for-nothing? If that's the plan, what's the point of me even getting my own mansion?"
Gu Xiangzhu: "..."
'This really was a bit of a headache.'
'But on second thought, he had a point.'
'If Zhao Ci truly had no drive at all, he couldn't possibly have locked himself away for seven days to concoct a medicinal liquid like this.'
'But why?'
'How had the good-for-nothing who was once content with his own mediocrity become like this? What was the turning point?'
"Mother, do you remember when you asked me to plead with Grand Scholar Kan to help persuade Father Emperor to grant me a fief?"
Zhao Ci gave a bitter smile. "At the time, I didn't know the real reason. I just thought Grand Scholar Kan simply didn't want to marry his granddaughter to me. But later, on the second day after the marriage was arranged, the two of them came to my door. Only then did I realize that they were worried about being dragged into the murky waters of the succession struggle.
But I have absolutely no designs on the throne! I just wanted to do something for my parents, to show some filial piety, and for that, they treated me with utter contempt.
And that Zhao Yong... back when I was just drifting through life, I used to let them make sport of me. Then I finally came to my senses and decided to cut all ties with them.
But I never thought he'd be the one to come looking for me.
I just want to do my own thing. It's not like I'm plotting some great evil or wildly ambitious scheme. Why do I have to be their target?
Mother!
I don't know what your situation is, but that day Miss Luotang hinted to me that the two of us are not in a good position in Lingge.
The only way for us to avoid being targeted is for both of us to keep a low profile—for you to be a harmless Noble Consort, and for me to be a weak, hedonistic Prince.
Yes!
I've been a good-for-nothing for years. I don't care if I just keep on rotting away.
But what about you, Mother? You single-handedly established so many businesses that have both generated revenue and cut costs for the Imperial Family.
Are you really willing to put up with being wronged like this?
Well, I'm not! And whatever they don't want us to do is exactly what I'm going to do!
Whoever bullies us, I'll take them down!"
Gu Xiangzhu: "..."
If Zhao Ci had said this two years ago, she wouldn't have felt a thing.
But now... the fact that she was repeatedly hitting a wall with her Pill Workshop business was all too real.
She dreamed of poaching a group of Senior Alchemists, but the three major Elixir Clans seemed to have made a pact. It wasn't just them; even freelance Senior Alchemists politely refused her offers. She had even tried to recruit one from the Imperial Family's Tributors, only to be met with endless obstruction.
To make matters worse, she had once tried to arrange for a Senior Alchemist from within the Demon Sect who had a relatively clean background.
And the result...? The man ended up dead!
Before, she had hoped to ease the tension by having Zhao Ci leave for a fiefdom.
But now, the plan for the fiefdom had failed, and on top of that, he had established his own mansion.
The conflict wouldn't just fail to subside; it was now destined to escalate.
'In that case, I might as well let Zhao Ci be a bit more high-profile. If one day he could truly reach the same heights as the Fourth Prince, my own enterprises in Lingge would surely become much more stable.'
'Even if he failed and ended up taking a clerical position in the Imperial Clan Court, it would completely extinguish any hope of him vying for the throne, and the pressure I feel would vanish along with it.'
'When I think about it carefully, it would mean three difficult years for me at most. But if Zhao Ci proved his mettle, he might even create a chance to turn the tables.'
In fact, Zhao Ci's current mindset gave her a glimmer of hope.
'It was as if Kan Tianji and his granddaughter had knocked some sense into the boy after all those years of him being in a daze.'
'With ambition like that, it's a shame he can't join my sect.'
'It's just this medicinal liquid...'
Gu Xiangzhu's tone softened. "Ci, I'm truly relieved to see you thinking this way. However, I'm afraid it will be difficult for you to accomplish much on your own."
"Well..."
Zhao Ci looked conflicted. After a long moment of thought, he said, "Mother, what do you think of this plan? I'll continue to develop the medicinal liquid. Once it can be mass-produced, I'll establish a Pill Workshop in my name. Then, you can have your Pill Workshops form an alliance with mine. Nominally, I'll be the leader, and we'll enter the Gongdan Conference that way.
The credit for the achievement will be mine, and you can manage the Alchemists and any income from the Pill Association. Just give me a cut of the profits.
All I want is the credit, enough so that I can recruit my own Mansion Officials. I'll still have to rely on you to manage the Pill Workshop afterward."
'He wasn't so delusional as to think Gu Xiangzhu would just hand over her entire operation.'
'He couldn't possibly take all the money for himself; he'd be happy just to skim a little off the top.'
'But he had to get all of the credit.'
'Most importantly, the Alcohol Refining Technique had to remain in his hands.'
"Well..."
Gu Xiangzhu hesitated instinctively. No matter how she looked at it, it sounded like she would be working for Zhao Ci—and bringing the team of Alchemists she had worked so hard to assemble along with her.
But as he continued, she realized that wasn't quite the case.
'After all, the Alchemists are mine. As long as they remain under my control, obtaining the Alcohol Refining Technique will only be a matter of time.'
'This business will be mine sooner or later, unless the Emperor decides to stick his nose in.'
'But even if the Emperor wanted to interfere, he would need a proper reason. Otherwise, he could just get lost.'
She contemplated for a moment before finally nodding. "Excellent! Ci, you may proceed with confidence. However, researching the medicinal liquid all by yourself is far too taxing. I have a group of craftsmen under my command. Why don't I send them to help you brainstorm?"
'Industrial spies, huh?'
"That won't be necessary, Mother!"
Zhao Ci quickly shook his head. "When I'm working on something, I like to be alone. If there's anyone else around, I get all fidgety, and my brain just goes numb!"
"I see..."
Gu Xiangzhu gave Zhao Ci a thoughtful look, then smiled and stood up. "If that's the case, I won't disturb you. But don't overexert yourself. It wouldn't be worth it to succeed only to ruin your health."
'This demoness actually knows how to show some concern.'
"Mother, I'll see you out!"
Zhao Ci stood up as well. As he was walking her out, he suddenly remembered something. "Oh, right, Mother. Zhao Yong was incredibly arrogant today. He said there's no way we'll get the Pill Furnaces from the Zhuge Family. Are you confident you can win them?"
Gu Xiangzhu hesitated for a second. "I'll do my best. Do you have an idea?"
'She said that, but in truth, she wasn't confident at all.'
'This morning, she had gone to see the matron in charge of the Zhuge Family's affairs in Lingge, hoping to secure an order in advance.'
'But to her surprise, Mrs. Zhuge gave her the runaround the entire time.'
'She spouted plenty of nonsense.'
'But made zero promises.'
Zhao Ci nodded. "I have a plan, of sorts."
Gu Xiangzhu looked surprised. "Oh? Let's hear it..."
"I don't quite know where to begin!"
Zhao Ci scratched his head, looking a bit sheepish. "Mother, do you have anyone who specializes in gathering and spreading information? If you do, could you lend them to me for a bit? Then, when it's time to bid, bring me along. It might just work wonders."
Gu Xiangzhu thought for a moment, then drew out a Jade Pendant. "Take this. Someone will come to your door tomorrow morning. Just tell him what you need!"
"Mm!"
Zhao Ci nodded, saw Gu Xiangzhu onto her carriage, and watched until the carriage disappeared around the street corner.
TSK TSK!
He let out a comfortable stretch.
'That went smoothly.'
'Though I can't guarantee it's a one hundred percent success,'
'I'm already eighty percent sure.'
'Still thinking about co-opting my technique?'
'In your dreams.'
'Even if I agreed, that Old Deng, Zhao Huan, wouldn't.'
'A demoness from the Demon Sect?'
'She's just a worker... oh no, more like a contractor, that's all!'
'As for what comes next...'
'I need to find a way to improve the elixir's quality, or I won't be able to land any of the high-end contracts.'
'I have to get this batch of Pill Furnaces.'
'I've got my eye on them.'
'They're as good as mine!'
Zhao Ci caressed the Jade Pendant in his hand. 'Zhao Yong, my dear brother, don't blame your little bro for playing dirty.'
'That guy Zhao Yong has some powerful backing.'
'It looks like I'll have to resort to some unconventional methods.'