After court ended, Qi Ying immediately returned to the Privy Council.

During the period when he was busy with the metropolitan examinations, he had somewhat neglected affairs under the Privy Council’s jurisdiction. Recently, while recovering from his injuries, he hadn’t met with various departments either. Although documents and correspondence had been exchanged, he still felt somewhat uneasy.

After urgently summoning all departments, he learned that the situation in Gao Wei had changed again.

Previously, rebellions had erupted throughout the northern territories. Emperor Wei Gao Mian had dispatched the Gu family to suppress them. Gu Juhan, the sole son of Duke Yanguo, had taken command of this task. In just under a month, he had already captured several rebel leaders, and the rebellions showed signs of being quelled.

At such a time of military mobilization, if the rebellions within Wei territory were suppressed, Great Liang would lose a force that restrained the Gu family. After long deliberation, Qi Ying finally decided to assign Xu Zhengning to personally disguise himself and head north, secretly supporting several major local rebel forces in Wei territory. Before the Northern Expedition, they absolutely could not allow Gu Juhan to free up his hands.

Xu Zhengning had always trusted Qi Ying and immediately accepted the assignment.

The matter of disguising himself to go north was no small affair—there were many details to arrange. Qi Ying estimated he wouldn’t be able to get away tonight. Before the meeting, he first wrote a note to Shen Xiling saying he wouldn’t return to Fenghe Garden tonight and asking her not to wait for him. He gave it to Qing Zhu to personally deliver, then began his day-long busy schedule.

Xu Zhengning was a reliable person with martial arts skills, making him the best choice for going north. For this trip to Wei territory, Qi Ying not only ordered him to secretly stir up northern rebellions but also gave him the important task of secretly investigating border defenses.

The Privy Council of Great Liang was different from the Military Department—it wouldn’t directly interfere with battlefield matters, but everything outside the battlefield fell under its jurisdiction. The struggle between two nations was not merely on the battlefield, but in invisible and intangible places—such as court intrigue, monetary circulation, civil governance and education—endless possibilities.

Xu Zhengning knew his superior was a person of clear vision, bright mind, forbearance, and decisive judgment. Rather than direct confrontation, he was better at planning before acting. Since taking control of the Privy Council, he had woven a dense, invisible net. Ordinarily, others remained unaware and oblivious, but once trouble arose, they would feel the net’s presence—all-encompassing with nowhere to escape.

And now was the time for this net to tighten.

Xu Zhengning held secret discussions with Qi Ying in the office until deep into the night. When he emerged from the room, he saw his superior’s servant Qing Zhu had been waiting outside for a long time, carrying a food box.

Qing Zhu greeted Xu Zhengning, then knocked and entered the room.

As soon as Qi Ying saw the food box he was carrying, he knew it was from Shen Xiling. His expression unconsciously softened. When he opened the lid, he saw there was long-missed egg custard today, and at the bottom layer of the box was a note in return.

He took it out and unfolded it, seeing only two characters written on it:

“Liar.”

This made him laugh involuntarily upon seeing it.

He didn’t know how this young lady could write characters in such a lingering, tender way, as if every stroke was intentionally or unintentionally enticing people. When he left this morning, he had indeed promised her he would return in the evening. He had broken his promise. He wondered what expression the young lady had when writing these two characters—was it gentle affection, or anger mixed with resentment?

Though he hadn’t witnessed it personally, he knew… it must have been utterly charming.

While Qi Ying was busy arranging Northern Expedition affairs, Shen Xiling also began to get busy again.

She needed to reorganize the business she had set aside for a while. She learned about recent months’ situations from Song Haotang and personally examined the accounts of various shops. At the same time, she finally learned of Yang Dong’s death.

Naturally, Shen Xiling was startled to hear this news. She hurriedly asked Song Haotang how the man had died, worried that Qi Ying had carried out private punishment in anger. Only when she heard it was a judgment from the Court of Judicial Review did she feel somewhat relieved.

She knew Qi Ying always protected her. Yang Dong had acted so excessively that time—he would certainly be angry and couldn’t possibly let the other party off lightly.

She didn’t know Yang Dong was her uncle, much less that Qi Ying had been even more determined to kill him to protect her identity. She simply felt some panic upon suddenly hearing of someone’s death, especially thinking his death was somewhat related to her, which made her feel some guilt. But later, upon reflection, she thought of how innocent Shopkeeper Feng was, how innocent his family was. Yang Dong had committed evil deeds for so many years—dying to compensate those people was appropriate. Gradually, she felt relieved.

Without the guild’s constraints, Shen Xiling’s textile business in Jiankang flourished even more. Shopkeepers who had previously wavered and hesitated now had no concerns and actively sought out Shen Xiling, competing to do business with her. Shen Xiling was not greedy by nature and had no intention of monopolizing—she originally didn’t want to expand her business too much. But remembering Qi Ying’s earlier words to act normally and not let people see signs of leaving Jiankang, she had to agree to the shopkeepers’ requests and began seriously expanding her business territory.

Though she initially agreed reluctantly, once she actually started, she was spirited every day. Whether it was her natural love of doing business or natural love of earning money, Shuipei and the others all teased her for being a money-grubber.

Shen Xiling felt somewhat embarrassed but also somewhat justified in her heart, thinking that although gold and silver might be somewhat vulgar, didn’t food and warmth throughout the four seasons all depend on them? Moreover, when she and Qi Ying later lived together under assumed names, she would need to earn money well. Otherwise, she would be fine, but how could someone of Qi Ying’s background endure a life of poverty?

She wouldn’t let him suffer hardship.

With this grand ambition of supporting him, Shen Xiling’s enthusiasm for earning money was particularly high. She wasn’t even satisfied with just textile and restaurant businesses anymore. She began venturing into more trades—medical halls, pawnshops, medicinal herbs, rice shops—she began paying attention to all of them. While exploring and considering, she carefully selected businesses that were both profitable and inconspicuous, preparing in advance for her and Qi Ying’s future days.

With these matters on her mind, she could temporarily extract herself from missing Qi Ying. The days when he couldn’t return to Fenghe Garden due to official duties no longer seemed so difficult to endure.

Meanwhile, the Qi family also had some minor excitement, which was actually related to Qi Le.

Since failing the metropolitan examinations, Fourth Young Master Qi had been melancholy all day, confined to his room without coming out. After a few days, he became frenzied again and began running outside the mansion—going to plead outside the Zhao family gate again, obsessed with asking his aunt and uncle to intercede once more.

Perhaps his daily vigil outside the mansion gate was too conspicuous. The Zhao family, unwilling to be so embarrassed and conspicuous, softened and let him in once. Now Qi Le had a place to exert his efforts. Clinging to his uncle and aunt, he pleaded bitterly. No matter what harsh, cutting words his aunt said, he acted as if he hadn’t heard, single-mindedly wanting to marry Zhao Yao.

His devotion couldn’t move his prospective mother-in-law, but it truly moved Zhao Yao.

After all, she had grown up with Qi Le since childhood—their bond couldn’t be said to be shallow. Especially since Zhao Yao had given up her somewhat unrealistic infatuation with her Second Brother, she increasingly felt Fourth Brother’s goodness. Yes, although he wasn’t like Second Brother with his superior background and excellence in everything, he was sincere in his treatment of her. Even when Mother despised him so much, he still didn’t give up—this moved her greatly.

Once moved, Qi Le’s childhood kindness to her immediately surfaced: the crickets they had fought together, the restaurants he had taken her to eat at, the jokes he had told her—she remembered them all. She felt Qi Le was wonderful, at least better than marrying some strange man randomly. Even if those men had better prospects than Fourth Brother, most probably couldn’t compare to Fourth Brother’s handsomeness!

She didn’t want to marry an unattractive man!

Thinking this way, Zhao Yao’s heart also began to turn. The Zhao mansion became even livelier—Qi Le pleading earnestly in the front hall, Zhao Yao crying bitterly in the back courtyard. The two seemed like tragic mandarin ducks separated by a staff, even more pitiful than opera singers, giving the Zhao family elders massive headaches. Even someone as strong-willed as Zhao Qishi lost her bearings. Finally, she was defeated by Zhao Yao’s two-day hunger strike, and her stance gradually softened.

For Qi Le, this was truly earth-shattering joy!

He actually had never been very interested in pursuing scholarly achievements and becoming a high official. He always felt such outstanding endeavors should be left to his father and brothers—wasn’t it fine for him, a concubine’s son from an aristocratic family, to be an ordinary wastrel? His previous distress over failing the examinations wasn’t for his own career prospects but because he thought he couldn’t marry Sister Yao. Now seeing there was still hope for this matter, he was naturally overjoyed, forgetting all worries and remaining delighted all day.

Since he was happy, he naturally forgot his resentment toward his second brother from a few days ago and completely abandoned his various self-pitying emotions, beginning to be carelessly joyful.

This behavior, falling in the eyes of his third brother Qi Ning, made him even more indignant.

Qi Ning was unsuccessful in everything and already emotionally gloomy. He had thought Fourth Brother would at least be on his side, giving him someone to talk to. Who would have thought this fool was so cheap—getting just a little hope from the Zhao family, he forgot everything from before!

Did he not remember how Second Brother had harmed and hurt him! How partial and heartless Father was!

Even if that Zhao Yao who now showed him favor was only turning back to him because she had no better choices—if she could climb a higher branch, would she remember who Qi Le was!

This spineless fool could really anger someone to death!

The more Qi Ning thought about it, the angrier he became, and the lonelier he felt in his heart. He felt that no one in the entire Qi family truly understood him, and no one truly cared about him. They all only cared about their own happiness and success, paying no attention to him.

These emotions accumulated for several days. By coincidence, he received a letter—an invitation from a friend asking him to join a small gathering. Qi Ning was bored out of his mind and simply accepted the invitation to go out and relax.

This friend was none other than Fu Ran, a concubine’s son of the Fu family, who had even spoken with Qi Ning at the flower gathering on Qingji Mountain three years ago.

Qi Ning originally had little to say to this Fu family concubine’s son, but some years ago when taking the provincial examination, their examination booths happened to be adjacent. Being confined together for several days, they developed some fellow-feeling, and gradually became good friends.

Fu Ran had been thin three years ago and was even thinner now, almost skeletal. His skin remained extraordinarily pale. When speaking, he still slightly tilted his neck back, and his whole person still had a peculiar lazy feeling.

Qi Ning initially didn’t know the reason for his condition. Later, when their friendship deepened, he learned that Fu Ran had the habit of consuming Five Stone Powder. The Qi family had upright family traditions—the children never touched such things. Qi Ning had never seen this substance before. When he first learned Fu Ran used this stuff, he was both shocked and disgusted, nearly breaking off relations with him. Seeing Qi Ning’s strong aversion, Fu Ran never used it in front of Qi Ning again.

But sometimes this thing was irresistible. For instance, when Qi Ning arrived slightly late for their appointment today, he entered the restaurant’s private room and saw Fu Ran using it. Though Fu Ran immediately put it away upon seeing him arrive, Qi Ning still noticed.

The room had a pungent, choking smell. Qi Ning frowned but said nothing, just took his seat.

After he sat down, Fu Ran poured him tea. Qi Ning accepted it and casually asked, “Broad daylight—how did you end up touching this stuff?”

Seeing Qi Ning had pointed it out, Fu Ran didn’t hide it. He smiled openly, then said lazily, “What’s the harm? I failed the metropolitan examinations anyway—am I not allowed to find some pleasure for distraction? Jing’an is being too harsh.”

His words were half-joking, but as soon as the metropolitan examinations were mentioned, Qi Ning’s expression couldn’t help but harden again, feeling somewhat displeased.

He glanced at Fu Ran sitting across from him and said, “If you hadn’t mentioned it, I would have forgotten—you took the examinations with my fourth brother this year. How was it? Did you also fail?”

“Need you ask?” Fu Ran smiled strangely. “Your second brother was so ruthless—even willing to exclude his own brother from the third tier, much less irrelevant people like me.”

Qi Ning set down his teacup and remained silent.

Fu Ran glanced at him, smiled again, and changed his tone: “But I truly admire your second brother—doing what he knows is impossible isn’t something anyone can achieve.”

Qi Ning had come here today already holding back anger. Having just sat down, he had already heard Fu Ran mention his second brother twice, naturally feeling increasingly displeased and having his stronger dissatisfaction with his second brother provoked.

His face darkened as he said to Fu Ran, “What’s there to admire? Do you still think my second brother is some righteous person? He’s just seeking fame and fishing for reputation. Plus he’s treacherous and shameless—better not to mention him.”

These words were quite inappropriate.

If facing others, even if Qi Ning were extremely angry, he wouldn’t speak such thoughtless words. But Fu Ran was different—he had long spoken ill of his legitimate elder brother in front of Qi Ning. With this precedent, Qi Ning subconsciously felt he had support and spoke without restraint.

Fu Ran was indeed his confidant. Seeing Qi Ning’s displeasure, he immediately began agreeing with him: “Yes, yes, seeking fame and fishing for reputation. For the sake of his own reputation, he harmed your family too. I heard from my father that they’re mobilizing troops soon—also your second brother’s idea, supposedly to cover up his mistakes in the metropolitan examinations. Truly remarkable—for one person’s gains and losses, the entire nation must be thrown into turmoil. War can be started at will.”

These words stoked Qi Ning’s anger higher. He felt he had finally found someone sensible to talk to—neither fearing Second Brother’s power nor being a spineless pushover like Fourth Brother. For a moment, he felt extremely compatible with Fu Ran, more so than with anyone in his entire life!

Just then the restaurant server brought wine and food. The two drank together while chatting freely, each speaking ill of their elder brothers, competing in their thoroughness and lack of restraint, giving Qi Ning great satisfaction.

But this satisfaction was short-lived. After it passed, it was replaced by even more confusion.

What use was there in cursing Second Brother with others? It was just verbal pleasure—he still couldn’t compare to Second Brother in anything. He wasn’t as powerful, wasn’t as valued by the family, and couldn’t easily obtain the beautiful Wenwen like he could. He could only be jealous of him and continue having nothing.

What should he do after today? Study hard for several more years and take the provincial examination again next time? What if he still couldn’t pass? The imperial examinations were already extremely difficult. Now with Second Brother’s actions, it was even harder for aristocratic families to enter government service. Wouldn’t it be even more impossible for him to pass? If he had nothing, what kind of wife could he marry? Would he have to cry and make scenes at people’s gates like Fourth Brother, wagging his tail and begging for mercy?

Absolutely not!

But what should he do in the future…

Qi Ning was thinking chaotically in his drunken state when he heard Fu Ran across from him say, “Jing’an, there’s something… I want to ask your opinion about.”

Qi Ning noticed his words were quite hesitant and felt strange, saying, “What need is there for such stammering between us? Just speak directly—do you need my help with something?”

Fu Ran had just consumed Five Stone Powder and drunk wine, so he was hot all over. He loosened his clothes and leaned back in his chair, appearing particularly slovenly and down-and-out, yet with a wonderful sense of ease and freedom.

He raised his cup toward Qi Ning and said, “It’s not that I need your help—I have a money-making business here and wanted to ask if you’d be willing to do it with me.”

Qi Ning was stunned: “Do business?”

Fu Ran tilted his head back and drained his cup, laughing loudly: “Exactly, business! Commercial techniques are despised by our families, but in the end, these gold and silver objects are reliable—they can buy comfort and pleasure. Isn’t that much better than staying in the mansion gates reading those sour books every day?”

These words hit exactly the right spot in Qi Ning’s heart, coinciding perfectly with his thoughts!

He immediately felt joy in his heart, but still had some doubts and asked Fu Ran, “What kind of business? How much can we earn?”

Fu Ran had been leaning back, but now he sat up straight, moved closer to Qi Ning, and beckoned him. Qi Ning immediately leaned his ear over and heard Fu Ran say, “A business with guaranteed profits and no losses. If done well, in one year we could have…”

He stopped speaking and just made a gesture for “three.”

Qi Ning looked at his gesture and swallowed, tentatively asking, “Three hundred taels?”

Fu Ran laughed heartily and said, “Ten times more.”

Three… three thousand taels?

Qi Ning was shocked!

What kind of business could be so profitable!

Fearing it might be some murderous, robbing enterprise, he naturally didn’t dare believe easily and hurriedly asked Fu Ran for details. Fu Ran’s usually lazy expression became excited as he asked Qi Ning in a low voice, “Jing’an, what produces the most money?”

Qi Ning frowned, then heard Fu Ran answer his own question: “Money itself.”

Money breeding money…

Qi Ning was somewhat uncertain. After thinking, he asked, “You mean… lending private debts?”

Fu Ran smiled without speaking and nodded.

Qi Ning swallowed again and asked, “What interest rate?”

Fu Ran made a gesture for “four.”

“Four percent?” Qi Ning’s eyes widened again. “Are you crazy! This violates laws and regulations!”

Private debt lending had long been nothing new among the people. Especially during famine years, wealthy families would make large grain loans, gaining interest of a hundred thousand coins from just one county—truly enormous profits. But later, private debt became too prevalent, making borrowers unable to repay, which was detrimental to people’s livelihood stability. Great Liang then established laws clearly stating that for every tael of silver, only three percent monthly interest was permitted—no more could be demanded, nor could interest be added to interest.

Four percent interest far exceeded legal limits. If discovered and reported to officials, the light punishment was flogging, and if the amount was large, it meant execution!

But Fu Ran was completely unconcerned and even mocked Qi Ning: “Jing’an, your family indeed has upright traditions, but surely you’re not so unworldly?”

“Laws?” Fu Ran laughed loudly. “Those are just written for common people to see. What kind of people are our fathers and brothers? Would they just watch us suffer punishment? Besides, this business has existed for a long time—your family probably has people doing it too, just not telling you.”

Fu Ran’s light mockery made Qi Ning’s face burn with shame, and a stubborn defiance arose in his heart. He steadied himself and said, “Am I someone who fears trouble? It’s just that this four percent interest is too high—why would poor people borrow from you instead of those with lower rates? Even if they do borrow from you, what if they exhaust everything and still can’t repay? Wouldn’t that be like drawing water with a bamboo basket—all for nothing?”

Qi Ning wasn’t brainless—both questions hit the mark. But Fu Ran remained calm and collected, answering confidently, “Want to find lower rates? Where are there lower rates? Even if there are, you just don’t allow them to exist—isn’t it just a matter of words?”

“As for whether they can repay, that’s even less important,” Fu Ran poured himself another cup of wine. “Before borrowing, they must mortgage their farmland. If they can’t repay, we’ll take their land—isn’t that also a beautiful thing?”

Qi Ning understood.

This was a domineering business: first violating court laws by lending private debts at high interest, then using forceful means to prevent low-interest lenders from operating, indirectly forcing people to borrow from them. If they couldn’t repay, they’d take farmland as collateral… truly guaranteed profits! Three thousand taels a year was an underestimate!

Was this business good? Of course it was! It would be false to say Qi Ning wasn’t tempted. But he was still a child of the Qi family. Although there were no shortage of dissolute relatives, his father and brothers were upright people who would never allow him to do such business. If something went wrong, then…

Fu Ran saw Qi Ning’s timidity. His eyes flashed as he moved closer, coaxing persuasively: “What are you afraid of? This is our Fu family’s business. If you want to do it, you’d be following me. If anything happens, my family elders will take responsibility—you’d just be getting some small profits.”

He tilted his head back and drained his cup again, saying, “Jing’an, I’ve always considered you a close friend. Seeing you living miserably, I wanted to help you. If you really don’t appreciate it, I don’t need to be so eager. Just pretend I never mentioned this today.”

After speaking, his face had already turned cold, showing displeasure and contempt, as if mocking Qi Ning’s concerns and cowardice.

Qi Ning was someone who couldn’t stand provocation. Seeing Fu Ran show such an expression, how could he endure it? Moreover, he now regarded Fu Ran as a rare close friend and really didn’t want to lose this support. With alcohol clouding his judgment, he steeled his heart and said to Fu Ran, “How could I not appreciate it? I was just asking a few more questions. I’m grateful that you think of me like this—let’s not say more. Count me in. From now on, we’ll share both prosperity and adversity!”

Hearing this, Fu Ran’s expression turned pleasant again, making Qi Ning feel relieved. He heard him laugh heartily: “Exactly as it should be! But I’m pulling you in to help you—there’s no adversity for you to share. Third Young Master Qi just needs to wait to earn until his pockets are full!”

Qi Ning agreed with a few words, then mentioned his situation somewhat awkwardly, saying his parents were strict at home, he wasn’t very well-off, and he didn’t know how much private debt was considered proper.

Upon hearing this, his close friend immediately said, “No problem. Jing’an is new to this path and should indeed be cautious. Starting with something small to test the waters is good—just contribute whatever you have. I’ll advance the rest for you—no problem.”

This was truly wonderful. Upon hearing this, Qi Ning was even more grateful to Fu Ran, thinking he was truly righteous and admirable, naturally expressing countless thanks.

With the matter settled, both were extremely pleased. They drank and celebrated that day, eating until afternoon before ending.

After the gathering, the two young masters bid farewell and departed in their carriages. But after Qi Ning’s carriage had gone far, the Fu family young master quietly returned, re-entering the restaurant, going up to the third floor, and entering the elegant room that had been next to where he and Qi Ning had gathered.

Pushing open the door, sitting inside was… Fu Zhuo.

The legitimate son of the Fu family, elder brother of Fu Rong and Fu Ran.

Fu Ran, who had just been drunk and loudly cursing his family’s elder brother with Qi Ning, now completely changed his demeanor. He was extremely respectful to his legitimate elder brother, standing before him with head bowed in a deep bow: “Elder Brother.”

Fu Zhuo was leisurely sipping tea. He waved his hand indicating his younger brother should sit, then asked, “Did you tell Qi Third all those words your sister taught you?”

Fu Ran kept his head lowered: “I told him everything. He harbors deep resentment toward Second Young Master Qi and, just as sister predicted, is completely confused about his prospects. I only said a few words and he agreed to the debt-lending business.”

Fu Zhuo smiled, seeming quite satisfied. He nodded and continued, “Mm, give him some benefits first—don’t be too hasty.”

Fu Ran continued with his head bowed, respectfully saying, “Yes.”

Fu Zhuo set down his teacup and leisurely rose to leave the room. Fu Ran followed behind his elder brother, hesitating to speak, then called out: “Elder Brother…”

Hearing this, Fu Zhuo turned back, understanding. He patted Fu Ran’s shoulder and said, “You did very well. I’ll remember to mention it to Father and Mother. Concubine Ding will also be happy for you.”

Concubine Ding, Fu Bi’s concubine, Fu Zhuo’s birth mother.

Fu Ran’s whole body trembled, his expression both sad and joyful. After coming to his senses, he bowed to Fu Zhuo again, saying, “Thank you, Elder Brother.”

Fu Zhuo smiled faintly, patted Fu Ran’s shoulder again, his eyes showing faint contempt and pity, then turned and left.

Author’s Note:

Double update~

Want to say that Qi Third and Qi Fourth are still somewhat different

Also next chapter (approximately the next next update) has some content with risk of being censored [but I’m definitely not violating rules!!], giving advance notice. At that time it’ll still be 18:30 (shh