Tao Qizhong smiled and agreed, then brought up the matter of the betrothal gifts with Song Yichun: “…The Wang family has been involved in merchant affairs these past years. If Your Grace has made up your mind, it will be easier for me to speak with the people at Marquis Yan’an’s mansion.”

Song Yichun replied with slight displeasure, “This concerns the dignity of Duke Ying’s household. Do you think I would shortchange my daughter-in-law?”

This was exactly what Tao Qizhong wanted to hear. He apologized profusely and discussed a rough figure with Song Yichun. Just as he was about to leave, Guard Chang requested an audience.

Song Yichun gestured for Tao Qizhong to stay and had a servant bring in Guard Chang.

Guard Chang bowed respectfully to Song Yichun and Tao Qizhong, then said in a low voice, “Yan Chaoqing from Yizhi Hall has gone to Princess Ningde’s mansion with a large number of gifts.”

Song Yichun’s gaze sharpened.

He had a close personal relationship with the Third Prince Consort, Shi Suilan, while Song Mo was well-liked by the Lu family – the family of the old Madam of Duke Ying’s household – due to his mother. When news of the rift between Song Mo and himself spread, Lu Fuli and Lu Zhili even come to the house specifically to inquire about the situation. Although he had brushed it off, he couldn’t speak ill of Song Mo in front of the Lu family. Song Mo was well aware of this and would often ask Princess Ningde, who had married into the Lu family, to help convey messages to the Empress Dowager or the Empress when he needed to request something.

What could Song Mo be asking Princess Ningde for this time?

Song Yichun pondered.

Tao Qizhong stood up, bowed respectfully to him, and said, “Your Grace, I’ll go investigate Yan Chaoqing’s purpose at the Princess’s mansion!”

Song Yichun nodded, and Tao Qizhong left with Guard Chang.

The room returned to silence.

Song Yichun’s gaze fell back on Song Han’s schoolwork.

He frowned and threw the workbook angrily into the corner of the kang.

Gu Yu had invited Wang Qinghuai for a drink, intending to withdraw part of the funds for repairing the old course of the Yellow River.

No one understood better than Wang Qinghuai the financial straits of noble families, who appeared prosperous on the surface but were struggling to make ends meet. This was why he gritted his teeth when dealing with officials from the Six Ministries. Moreover, Gu Yu was known for his extravagance, once losing half a street’s worth in a single night of gambling.

“Sure!” He agreed without hesitation, “Will ten thousand taels of silver be enough?”

In Wang Qinghuai’s view, it was already autumn, and in two months it would be the start of winter. The estate managers and chief stewards of various households would be returning to settle accounts. Ten thousand taels should be more than enough to tide Gu Yu over until then.

To his surprise, Gu Yu shook his head and said, “Is there any way to arrange for fifty thousand taels?”

Wang Qinghuai was shocked.

Gu Yu wasn’t asking if he “could arrange fifty thousand taels” in a consultative tone, but rather demanding that he find a way to arrange it with an air of certainty.

Wang Qinghuai’s first thought was that Empress Wan needed money.

But he immediately dismissed this idea.

Jie Jincheng, the Salt Control Commissioner, was Empress Wan’s man. If she needed money, Jie Jincheng would take care of it. Why would she ask Gu Yu?

But Gu Yu might have been taking the initiative to help.

His mind raced.

If he could connect with Empress Wan through Gu Yu…

Wang Qinghuai smiled and said, “The entire repair of the old Yellow River course only has ninety thousand taels allocated. What urgent matter requires so much money? It might be difficult to divert funds from there, but I have some personal savings, and my father might be able to gather some as well. We just need to come up with a good reason, otherwise, my father might think I’m trying to deceive him!”

Gu Yu understood and thought for a moment before saying, “How about this – Song Mo and I will both withdraw from the project! But we’ll still tell others that we’re partners, and I’ll continue to help expedite payments from the Ministry of Works and the Ministry of Revenue as before.”

Wang Qinghuai was astounded.

By next May, the repairs to the old Yellow River course would be completed, with a minimum profit of 120,000 taels. Previously, Gu Yu and Song Mo had invested 60,000 taels together. Fifty thousand taels wouldn’t even recover their initial investment, and all future profits would go to Wang Qinghuai alone… This was like a poisonous snake biting off its tail, or a brave warrior cutting off his arm.

What dire situation had Gu Yu and Song Mo encountered to be forced into such circumstances?

The reason he could get along with both civil and military officials was that he understood the principle of always leaving some leeway. Not to mention that Duke Ying intended to form a marriage alliance with the Wang family, and Song Mo might become his brother-in-law, while Gu Yu was Empress Wan’s nephew. Even for ordinary officials, he couldn’t just dissolve the partnership like this. If he did, although it would be within his rights, it would lack human touch. The other party would inevitably harbor resentment and might never deal with him again, let alone offer any future support or opportunities.

He just didn’t know if this was Gu Yu’s problem or Song Mo’s.

If it was Gu Yu’s issue, given Song Mo’s shrewdness and capability to help Gu Yu without hesitation, what reason did he have to hesitate? If it was Song Mo’s problem, it was likely eight or nine out of ten related to Duke Ying… That would require careful inquiry.

“That won’t do!” Wang Qinghuai firmly refused. “It’s just fifty thousand taels, why go to such lengths? I have a house in Baoda Ward that’s worth at least ten or twenty thousand taels,” he paused, feigning embarrassment, “However, everyone knows I’m in business. If they hear I’m selling my private residence, they might suspect I’m short on cash. I still have several payments to settle… It would be best to find a broker to sell it quietly, though that way we might only get about ten thousand taels…”

Although Gu Yu knew Wang Qinghuai was trying to earn his goodwill, he still felt that Wang was quite loyal. He thought for a moment and said, “Young Lord, I’ll tell you something, but you can’t tell anyone else.”

Finally getting to the heart of the matter!

Wang Qinghuai’s heart leaped with joy, but he maintained a composed expression and said, “We’ve been dealing with each other for quite some time now. You know what kind of person I am, don’t you?”

Gu Yu smiled and said, “Of course I trust you, Young Lord. It’s just that this matter hasn’t been settled yet. If word gets out, it could cause trouble. It’s best to be cautious.” He then lowered his voice and continued, “Consort Ning has taken a liking to Song Mo, and the Emperor seems to agree. He even summoned Song Mo for a talk. I expect an imperial edict will be issued in the next few days. Since we don’t know when the wedding date will be set, Song Mo wants to prepare more money in advance to avoid being caught off guard…”

It was as if a thunderbolt had struck next to Wang Qinghuai’s ear, causing his voice to change: “Are you serious? Song Mo is to marry a princess?”

“Yes!” Gu Yu smiled, “Duke Ying’s household is renowned, and Princess Jingyi is also of marriageable age. My aunt hadn’t even considered this possibility. I heard it was Consort Ning who pleaded with the Emperor. She’s full of regret now, but whether Song Mo will marry Princess Jingyi or Princess Jingfu is still uncertain. What’s certain is that he will marry a princess.” He added teasingly, “Now Song Mo is extremely worried—my aunt is very protective, and he’s afraid he might marry Princess Jingyi. He even asked me to go to the palace and put in a good word for him with my aunt, promising to buy me a house by Shichahai if it works out…”

Wang Qinghuai could no longer sit still!

“In that case, I’ll quickly help Song Mo gather the money.”

He hastily finished the meal with Gu Yu and rushed home, grabbing a servant to ask, “Where’s the Marquis?”

The servant quickly replied, “The Marquis is talking with Mr. Tao from Duke Ying’s household!”

Wang Qinghuai broke out in a cold sweat upon hearing this. He hurried to the study where Marquis Yan’an received guests and called for a servant attending outside: “Quickly go in and announce that I have an urgent matter. Ask the Marquis to come out and see me no matter what. I’ll be waiting in the small study at the back.”

The servant acknowledged and left.

Wang Qinghuai anxiously waited for his father in the small study.

Soon, Marquis Yan’an entered with a broad smile.

“Dahai, what’s so urgent?” he asked, clearly pleased. “Duke Ying’s household has come to propose marriage again. They’ve offered a betrothal gift of twenty thousand taels, showing how much they value your sister. I was thinking we shouldn’t let the Song family look down on your sister either, so we’re preparing a dowry of forty thousand taels. I was just about to discuss this with you…”

“Father,” Wang Qinghuai anxiously interrupted, dismissing all the servants in the room and even instructing them to “bring tea later.” He then lowered his voice and told Marquis Yan’an the news he had just heard. “How did your talk with Duke Ying’s household go? Did you agree to anything?”

“That can’t be!” Marquis Yan’an was stunned, and after a while, he said, “Song Mo is the heir of Duke Ying’s household. How could he possibly marry a princess? It might have been possible in earlier years, but who wants to marry a princess these days?”

“Don’t forget, the relationship between Song Yichun and his son isn’t very harmonious!” Wang Qinghuai reminded his father.

Marquis Yan’an suddenly realized the implications.

Wang Qinghuai quickly asked, “Did you agree to the Song family’s proposal?”

Marquis Yan’an looked embarrassed.

Wang Qinghuai thought for a moment and said, “Didn’t the Right Commander of the Five Military Commands, Dai Tianyi, send a matchmaker to propose to little sister a few days ago? Go back to the study and say you didn’t know that mother had already agreed to Dai’s family’s matchmaker, and end this matter. In a few days, when the imperial edict comes down, the Song family will naturally understand what happened. We’ll finalize the marriage with the Dai family before the imperial edict is issued. If there are any rumors later, we can distance ourselves from the situation.”

If it weren’t for Duke Ying’s sudden proposal to the Wang family, the marriage between the Wang and Dai families would have already been settled.

Marquis Yan’an nodded and went to the reception study.

“You’re saying that Marquis Yan’an had originally agreed, but as soon as the young lord returned, the matter changed?” Song Yichun stared at Tao Qizhong with disbelief.

“Yes!” Tao Qizhong felt ashamed for failing to accomplish such a simple task. He said in a low voice, “I’ve already sent people to investigate what happened. We should have news in a couple of days.”

“Hurry!” Song Yichun’s face darkened. “I fear the matter isn’t that simple!”

Tao Qizhong lowered his head and responded “Yes” with mixed emotions.

In Song Mo’s assigned side room at the Summer Palace, Gu Yu was lying on the kang by the window, munching on an apple while surveying the room’s furnishings. He clicked his tongue and said, “It looks like the Emperor intends to take you as a son-in-law. Look at this side room – south-facing, spacious, and bright. I doubt even Yao Shizhong has such good accommodations.”

With the Emperor at the Summer Palace, Prime Minister Liang Jifang had been ordered to assist the Crown Prince in governing, while Minister of Revenue and Grand Secretary of the Jinshen Hall, Yao Shizhong, accompanied the Emperor to handle state affairs at the Summer Palace.

Song Mo, sitting at his desk practicing calligraphy, just smiled.

His calligraphy couldn’t compare to that of the Hanlin Academy scholars who had passed both levels of the imperial examinations, but it excelled in its grand layout and vigorous spirit. The Emperor was very fond of it, and in recent days often called him to transcribe Buddhist scriptures or travelogues. In his spare time, Song Mo practiced calligraphy in his room.