As the hour of you drew to a close, purple-golden lightning still occasionally streaked across the sky. The streets were long deserted, though the lamps in the brothels along the road remained bright. When the wind blew and rain fell, their light reflected in the puddles on the bluestone road, creating an otherworldly scene.

At this moment, a tipsy Yan Xilai emerged from the Qingchun House. Several raindrops struck his face, feeling ice-cold. His attendant hurriedly tried to shield him with an oil-paper umbrella, but Yan Xilai pushed it away.

Heedless of the weather, Yan Xilai rushed into the curtain of rain, tilting his head back to let the raindrops sprinkle on his face. Though the sensation was chilling, it brought both clarity and excitement.

Indeed, Yan Xilai was excited and felt an indescribable satisfaction. After years of struggling in Nanjing, Yi Housheng had grown through his blood and sweat. Yet why was it Luo Jiu who enjoyed the public glory? Why was Yi Housheng known as Luo Jiu’s enterprise? Over these years, Luo Jiu had accomplished much, but he had used Yi Housheng’s profits to build his reputation – constructing bridges, paving roads, and throwing money around everywhere. He was earning fame through others’ efforts. “Luo the Philanthropist” – what right did he have to that title?

He believed that under his management, Yi Housheng would perform better than it had under Luo Jiu. He wouldn’t have to constantly defer to the money house’s manager as he did now.

This thought had occupied his mind for several years, and he knew that the elder brothers in the North were also quite dissatisfied with Luo Jiu’s constant donations to the court and local government over recent years.

Everyone was waiting for an opportunity, for the right moment.

Today, when he received news of Zhang Juzheng’s death, he saw his chance. Wasn’t Luo Jiu’s position as head of Yi Housheng solely due to General Qi and Lord Zhang’s support? Now that Lord Zhang had passed, General Qi would likely have his hands full with his affairs. This was his opportunity. If he could establish connections with Zhang Siwei, or perhaps he wouldn’t even need to – just building relationships with the current Prefecture Governor and his wife would give him backing equivalent to what Luo Jiu had. Then Yi Housheng would dance to his tune.

Such was the turning of fortune’s wheel.

Yan Xilai grew more excited with each thought. Combined with the evening’s feast, with its delicate hands pouring wine, red sleeves wafting fragrance, and enchanting smiles, he would have shouted for joy if not for the need to maintain his image. He felt that life had finally rewarded his patience.

The rain grew heavier.

“Manager, the rain’s getting worse. Let’s hurry!” The attendant extended the umbrella again – the manager had drunk too much.

“Alright, let’s go.” By now Yan Xilai’s outer clothes were soaked through. A gust of wind made him shiver, dampening his earlier exuberance. He hurried home alongside his attendant.

It was late, with no carriages available.

“Pah! Why did you even come back? Three thousand six hundred taels for a graduation feast – you couldn’t eat that much if you ate until you died!” Unexpectedly, as soon as he entered, Yan Xilai was met with his wife’s angry spittle flying in his face.

“Have you gone mad? What are you talking about?” Yan Xilai wiped the spittle from his face, his complexion turning iron-grey with rage.

“What? You can do as you please but I can’t speak of it?” Madam Yan’s eyes were bloodshot as she spoke.

The news that Manager Yan had spent three thousand six hundred taels of silver on a graduation feast was already spreading like wildfire throughout the official district.

“Yes, I’d also like to ask – Fourth Brother, what exactly was your purpose today? I know you’re not the type to throw away thousands for a woman.” At this moment, another person emerged from the room – it was Manager Xiao Qi from Yi Housheng’s goods division, the Sixth Brother among the siblings. Luo Wenqian was the Fifth Brother, while Luo Jiu’s ranking came from Luo Wenqian’s original clan status.

“So Sixth Brother has come. Let’s talk inside.” Yan Xilai nodded, ignoring his wailing wife as he entered first. Xiao Qi followed with a dark expression.

Inside, Yan Xilai had servants bring tea and invited Xiao Qi to sit. He changed his clothes, drank a cup of hot tea, and then asked Xiao Qi: “So what do you think was my purpose?”

“You want to take Fifth Brother’s position.” Managing the goods division, Xiao Qi was no fool. Upon receiving news of Zhang Juzheng’s death and hearing of Fourth Brother’s actions, he understood Fourth Brother’s intentions.

“Would that be so bad?” Yan Xilai sipped his tea and asked in return.

“Fourth Brother, one shouldn’t be so quick to burn bridges. Back at the gold mine, what did we know besides digging? Even the gold we mined was mostly taken by those middlemen. It was Fifth Brother who risked his life causing trouble in the military camp, using half the mine to gain General Qi’s backing. That’s the only reason we could safely continue mining. Otherwise, our bones might be cold by now.” Xiao Qi’s words weren’t empty – few gold miners met good ends.

He continued: “Then in Nanjing, through the lifting of bans, to the trading – which of these wasn’t won through Fifth Brother’s painstaking efforts? Only then did Yi Housheng achieve its current prosperity. What right do you have to take his position? Can you fill the role of Yi Housheng’s leader?” Xiao Qi was almost shouting. If nothing else, he wouldn’t agree to this.

“Why couldn’t I fill it? Tell me, which aspect of Yi Housheng’s business hasn’t passed through my hands these years? What haven’t I managed? Yes, Fifth Brother created Yi Housheng’s foundation, but hasn’t he wasted plenty these years? Where did his ‘Luo the Philanthropist’ reputation come from?” Yan Xilai responded angrily.

“What do you mean ‘wasted’? Everything Fifth Brother has done has been crystal clear. Yi Housheng is now like a great tree that attracts the wind. Fifth Brother spent money to gain a good name, but that name is also Yi Housheng’s shield. Didn’t you just waste three thousand six hundred taels yourself? How do you explain that?” Xiao Qi glared at Yan Xilai.

Yan Xilai was momentarily silenced by these words. After a sigh, he said: “Sixth Brother, it’s not that I absolutely must do this. It’s just that Fifth Brother has managed Yi Housheng for over ten years. Recently, as business has grown larger, everyone’s share of the profits has gotten smaller. The elder brothers are worried. This is their letter to me – take a look.” Yan Xilai pulled a letter from his robes and handed it to Xiao Qi.

Xiao Qi took it suspiciously. Upon reading, his expression darkened. The letter instructed Yan Xilai to investigate Luo Jiu’s accounts and transactions and to replace him if necessary.

“You people…” Xiao Qi’s face was very unhappy. He understood the main problem lay with Yan Xilai. The elder brothers in the North didn’t know the situation here, so naturally they believed whatever Yan Xilai told them. In short, Fourth Brother’s ambitions had grown too large, too wild over these years.

But as the youngest, he couldn’t control others.

“Sixth Brother, I’m doing this for Yi Housheng’s benefit. You must know that with Zhang Juzheng’s death, how many people are eyeing Yi Housheng, wanting to tear it apart? Luo Jiu is stubborn, hanging everything on Zhang Juzheng alone. That’s no good for Yi Housheng.” Yan Xilai explained further.

“You think this is good? Yi Housheng stands for righteousness, generosity, and sustainable growth. Righteousness comes first. Zhang Juzheng has barely drawn his last breath, and you’re already seeking new patrons. Hmph, I just hope you can uphold Yi Housheng’s reputation.” With that, Xiao Qi threw down the letter and left. He couldn’t change things.

Yan Xilai picked up the letter with an ugly expression, watching Xiao Qi leave. With this letter, he believed that even if Sixth Brother wouldn’t support him, he wouldn’t interfere. After all, Sixth Brother had been saved from the snow by Eldest Brother.

That night, torrential rain fell, surely flooding many good fields and homes.

A crack of thunder made Zhen Niang jump from her doze. She had only just closed her eyes, indifferent to Yan Xilai’s matters. But the news of Zhang Juzheng’s death kept circling in her mind. Thus, even though it was past the zi hour, she had only just begun to drift off when the thunder startled her. Worried about Young Master Lin and Miss Yu, she put on clothes, lit an oil lamp, and, clutching her collar with one hand and holding the lamp with the other, left her room to check on them.

Young Master Lin slept soundly as usual, but Miss Yu had pushed off half her blanket, exposing her little arms and legs.

“This girl, never a moment’s peace,” Zhen Niang muttered softly, tucking Miss Yu in. After checking that the windows and doors were tightly closed, and seeing Miss Yu sleeping deeply, she returned to her room reassured.

Back in her room, she found Luo Wenqian already dressed and sitting at the table. The candle was lit, a faint ink fragrance filled the air, and papers were spread before him as he wrote something.

Zhen Niang walked to Luo Wenqian’s side and looked – it was a document dismissing Yan Xilai from his position as Yi Housheng’s manager.

“Brother Luo, don’t do this. It’s better to remain unchanged in the face of change.” Zhen Niang leaned on Luo Wenqian’s shoulder, one hand gently pressing on the paper as she spoke softly.

“Why not? Extraordinary times call for stern measures.” Luo Wenqian pulled Zhen Niang to sit down. He was indeed angry today, but not at Yan Xilai’s ambition and overstepping. Ambition was human nature, and in truth, there was nothing inherently wrong with it.

What truly angered Luo Wenqian was Yan Xilai’s disregard for the bigger picture and lack of restraint. With Zhang Juzheng’s death, Yi Housheng had lost its protective umbrella. This was the beginning of chaos when Yi Housheng needed unity to weather the storm. After all his years managing Yi Housheng, after investing so much silver, the vast network of relationships he’d built couldn’t be shaken by Zhang Juzheng’s death alone. If they stayed united, surviving this crisis wouldn’t be difficult.

Instead, Yan Xilai’s impatient search for new backing was the most unreliable approach. Never mind talk of seeking Zhang Siwei’s protection – Yi Housheng bore Zhang Juzheng’s unmistakable mark, which no patron could wash away. After years as manager, Yan Xilai still couldn’t see this point, which truly disappointed him. If Yi Housheng sought Zhang Siwei’s protection now, they’d most likely end up as meat on someone else’s plate.

Thus, in chaotic times, stern measures were needed. He had to remove Yan Xilai.

“Brother Luo, have you considered what Manager Yan is relying on to act so boldly?” Zhen Niang stared into Luo Wenqian’s eyes.

Luo Wenqian looked back at her, brow furrowed, unconsciously gripping her hand so tightly it hurt: “You mean Yan Xilai has the elder brothers’ support?”

“I can’t be certain, but tomorrow you might watch Brother Xiao Qi’s reaction. Without the elder brothers’ support, given Brother Xiao Qi’s character, he would surely turn against Manager Yan. If they do support him, Brother Xiao Qi will certainly flee, avoiding this entirely.” Zhen Niang said.

“Very well, let’s see.” Luo Wenqian nodded calmly, though his heart churned.

But Zhen Niang had other thoughts – it might not be bad if Brother Luo used this opportunity to step outside Yi Housheng’s bounds.

Only by stepping outside could one control the whole game.