Wei Tingyu left Cuizhen Pavilion and headed straight for Duke Jing’s mansion.

When Wei Tingzhen heard that Song Mo had invited Wei Tingyu to participate in the dredging of the Grand Canal, she was overjoyed, as if manna had fallen from heaven: “Is this true? What exactly did Song Mo say to you? What did he tell you? How much money is needed? Which section did he assign to you?” She dismissed the maids serving in the room and pulled Wei Tingyu to sit on the large kang by the window, firing questions like a string of firecrackers.

Wei Tingyu excitedly recounted their conversation to Wei Tingzhen in detail.

Wei Tingzhen’s mind began to race.

For canal projects like this, the prices were set by the Ministry of Works, the money came from the Ministry of Revenue, and the labor was corvée from various prefectures and counties. All they could do was supply some stone materials. Since they weren’t experienced in the stone material business, they would naturally need to find several strong merchants. The four canal sections represented a massive business worth over a million taels. Even if they let those merchants advance some funds, people would surely be fighting over it. If they only profited from the price difference, although the money would be less, it would be stable and worry-free…

She could almost see piles of silver pouring endlessly into her purse. She became extremely excited: “Brother, you must agree to this. If we can make this deal, our family will have capital for opening shops or doing business with the Ten Warehouses in the future. By then, it won’t matter if you want to distance yourself from Song Mo…”

Mentioning this matter was like a bucket of ice water poured over Wei Tingyu’s head, cooling his enthusiasm somewhat: “This… this doesn’t seem right. It’s like abandoning the bridge after crossing the river. He had good intentions in inviting me to invest…”

“Didn’t you say that Song Mo was ruthless and not a good person?” Wei Tingzhen, feeling exposed by Wei Tingyu’s words, lost face and snapped, “You said this, and you said that. What exactly do you want?”

“I… I didn’t say anything,” Wei Tingyu mumbled. Remembering Song Mo’s cold eyes, he suddenly felt a chill in his heart. “Maybe we shouldn’t get involved in this business… I’ve heard that canal projects can easily lead to corruption cases. Who knows how many important court officials have been demoted or beheaded because of this… It’s not a good business! Otherwise, why would Gu Yu and Song Mo, who don’t lack money, think of pulling me in?” The more he spoke, the more he felt he was right, and his tone became firmer. “It’s better if we associate less with Song Mo. Mother also said that peace and safety are blessings. What’s not meant for us, we shouldn’t force…”

Wei Tingyu’s words also cooled Wei Tingzhen down, and she began to seriously consider the matter.

Her brother was right. How did such a good opportunity, which others couldn’t even dream of, suddenly fall into her brother’s lap?

Or perhaps, something was about to go wrong on their side, and Song Mo wanted to use her brother as a scapegoat?

Otherwise, it didn’t make sense why Song Mo would actively seek to befriend her brother…

The more she thought about it, the more suspicious she felt about the whole affair.

Could it be that Song Mo had this plan in mind from the beginning of his association with her brother?

“You’re right!” Wei Tingzhen frowned and said to Wei Tingyu, “This matter…” She originally wanted to say “Let’s forget about it,” but thinking about all that silver flowing into someone else’s pockets made her heartache. Her words changed again, “We need to think this through carefully… It’s best to discuss it with your brother-in-law… And you should discreetly gather more information… What if Song Mo wants to give you a leg up? Wouldn’t we be missing a great opportunity? Such chances don’t come often… We might not find another opportunity like this… We need to think carefully…”

Discussing with his brother-in-law seemed like a good idea for Wei Tingyu, and he urged Wei Tingzhen to invite Zhang Yuanming over.

However, Wei Tingzhen had a thought and smiled, “What’s the rush? Your brother-in-law is busy calculating accounts with the household steward. Didn’t Song Mo also say that this matter is still in its early stages? Do you want everyone to know about it now? Of course, we should wait until your brother-in-law is free, and then I’ll talk to him properly.” She also instructed Wei Tingyu, “This is a crucial matter. You must not mention it to anyone else, not even to Wang Qinghai. Keep it secret, understand?”

“This… doesn’t seem quite right…”

“You blockhead.” The Wang family had built their fortune on canal projects for the Ministry of Works, and Wang Qinghai couldn’t keep a secret. If he accidentally let something slip, given Wang Qinghuai’s shrewdness and capability, he might forcefully insert himself into the project. Even Song Mo and Gu Yu would have a headache dealing with that. But Wei Tingzhen couldn’t say this directly to Wei Tingyu, as he took his friendships too seriously.

Wei Tingzhen took a deep breath before saying, “If this deal falls through, how will you explain it to Wang Qinghai later? And what will the Wang family think of you? Can’t you be more discreet in your actions?!”

“Oh, you’re right!” Wei Tingyu scratched his head embarrassedly, made a few promises to his sister, and spoke of his hopes and concerns, feeling both excited and worried. As it was nearing dinnertime, he thought of his mother alone at home and declined his sister’s invitation to stay, returning to the Marquis of Jining’s mansion.

Zhang Yuanming was kept by his father to dine in the outer courtyard. Wei Tingzhen ate hurriedly by herself and lay on the kang, thinking about this matter.

When she got married, her parents had prepared a dowry of 120 loads to the best of their ability. Although it looked splendid, it couldn’t withstand scrutiny. Among her sisters-in-law, she had the weakest foundation. If it weren’t for her father-in-law often secretly giving them some silver, even their daily social interactions would have left them struggling. If this deal could be made, she wouldn’t have to be so tight-fisted. But if Zong Yao found out about this, he would surely tell his father. Money moves people’s hearts, and if her father-in-law intervened, what would be left for the Wei family? What would happen to Wei Tingyu then?

Wei Tingzhen decided not to tell Zhang Yuanming about this matter.

If she paid attention, she could surely gather information herself!

When they made money, she and her brother could split it, no, her brother could have the larger share, and she would be content with a smaller portion. She only needed enough pocket money to entertain relatives, the rest could all go to her brother.

From this matter, Wei Tingzhen’s thoughts turned to Wei Tingyu’s marriage.

Husband and wife are one, and she knew that by slapping Dou Zhao’s face, her brother had also lost face. The reason she proposed marrying Dou Zhao within a hundred days was actually to probe Dou Zhao’s status in the Dou family.

The fact that the Second Madam personally refused this proposal showed that Dou Zhao was still quite valued in the Dou family.

She wondered how much dowry Dou Zhao would bring.

For a large family like the Dous, it sounded good, but because of the many children, the amount each person could get was very limited. Moreover, Dou Zhao’s mother was of ordinary birth, and Dou Zhao’s stepmother, Madam Wang, might not wholeheartedly support Dou Zhao…

Thinking of this, she sighed deeply again.

Before exchanging horoscopes with the Dou family, her father should have discussed it thoroughly with her.

Although the Wei family couldn’t be called a noble house of great wealth, they had the advantage of simple family affairs, and her brother had successfully inherited the title. Finding someone of outstanding birth and appearance might not have been difficult.

In the end, it was all because her father had been too eager in this matter.

Wei Tingzhen sighed somewhat helplessly when suddenly her husband Zhang Yuanming’s voice came from the room: “What’s wrong? Why do you look so worried?” He had heard that Wei Tingyu had visited, so he smiled and asked, “Did something happen with Tingyu?”

“What could happen to him?!” Wei Tingzhen smiled evasively, “I’m just worried about what he’ll do after the mourning period ends.”

Zhang Yuanming was also helpless in this matter.

He thought for a moment and said, “Why don’t we ask Song Mo for help? I think Song Mo values your brother quite highly.”

Wei Tingzhen told Zhang Yuanming about Wei Tingyu’s reservations about Song Mo, and said, “This child is just a bit confused.”

After listening, Zhang Yuanming smiled and said, “Your brother is indeed overthinking it — think about it, if Duke Ying was in the right, and Song Mo killed his guards and made such a display, Duke Ying would have probably reported it to the Emperor by now. How could he swallow his anger like this? Tell your brother not to worry too much. Song Mo is a person worth befriending.”

Wei Tingzhen’s eyes darted back and forth as she listened.

It seemed that the canal project could be done after all!

She could almost see silver flowing like water into her purse.

Wei Tingzhen couldn’t help but smile broadly as she poured a cup of tea for Zhang Yuanming.

In the Yizhi Hall of Duke Ying’s mansion, Gu Yu also personally poured a cup of tea for Song Mo.

Song Mo jokingly thanked Gu Yu.

“No need to thank me!” Gu Yu grinned casually, then said, “Are you planning to let that Wei Tingyu get involved? We don’t lack money, and Wei Tingyu isn’t capable of doing much…”

“Eating alone isn’t a good habit!” Song Mo smiled, “Besides, how can one earn all the silver in the world!”

Gu Yu was puzzled: “But right now, you need money…”

Just like in war, where supplies come first.

Song Mo needed money to fight against Song Yichun.

This was also why Song Mo decided to get involved in the canal project.

“Let him have a small share,” Song Mo said. “Consider it as us bribing more people in the Ministry of Works and the Ministry of Revenue.”

Gu Yu said no more.

Song Mo then asked him, “Since I killed my guards, do your playmates all think I’m a tyrannical and unrestrained person?”

Gu Yu was taken aback.

Song Mo smiled and said, “Just tell me the truth, I just want to hear an honest answer.”

Gu Yu had always thought Song Mo was very strong.

He nodded and said, “Not everyone, some people were just very surprised.”

Song Mo made an “Oh” sound and seemed lost in thought for a moment.

Gu Yu asked him, “What’s wrong?”

“Nothing,” Song Mo said vaguely, Dou Zhao’s calm and composed face appearing in his mind again. “I was just asking!” An unusual emotion grew uncontrollably in his heart.

Dou Zhao’s guards had been involved in this incident, so Dou Zhao must have known about the situation early on.

Yet from beginning to end, she hadn’t shown the slightest hint of shock or fear.

What was she thinking?

And how did she view this matter?

Song Mo wanted to ask Dou Zhao.

After officially receiving the assignment for the four sections of the canal project, Gu Yu asked Wei Tingyu to symbolically contribute some silver. He then went to Jining, wined, and dined with the prefect and county magistrates for several days before finalizing the canal project matters. Then he rushed to Xuzhou… By the time Gu Yu returned from Jiangnan, they had already eaten the Laba congee.

After freshening up, he went to Duke Ying’s mansion.