Yang Yixiu didn’t have Qi Yuansi’s good fortune.

He sneaked back home, not through the front gate but around to a dog hole in his family’s back courtyard wall—his childhood escape tunnel, the secret weapon that had provided him countless opportunities to slip out onto the streets. Yang Yixiu found the spot, but after years of disuse, the hole was covered by vines and thorns, making it impassable.

Yang Yixiu wasn’t discouraged. He looked at the bricks on the wall. Back then, to make climbing easier, he had removed several bricks. Now, relying on memory, he tried pulling… He let out a small triumphant cheer as his fingers found purchase and slowly pulled out a brick.

Using the brick steps, he scrambled up the wall in a few moves. Below, the early spring jasmine flowers had already bloomed, a brilliant yellow carpet that would cushion his fall if needed. Yang Yixiu smiled smugly—one, two, three, jump!

The next moment he fell into a large net.

Around the net, several servants quickly gathered, pulling it closed to trap the struggling Yang Yixiu inside, then hefted him with “heave-ho” sounds toward the front courtyard.

They also went to the study, where Minister Yang was waiting inside. Seeing that indeed a large net had caught a big fish, he stroked his beard and sneered: “Little rascal!”

Thud—Yang Yixiu was heavily thrown to the ground. He did a carp flip to get up, then wrapped in the fishing net, hugged his father’s leg and began crying.

“Dad, I missed you so much!”

“Dad, I was sent to Yongping for training! That godforsaken place where birds don’t lay eggs—Di Yiwei is a female demon, the camp food tastes worse than shit, ten people sleep in one tent, listening to snoring and farting every day, and we had to get up at the yin hour to run ten li!”

“Dad, they’re all bastards! No academy camaraderie at all, and the Crown Princess is shameless, forcing me to join suicide squads in Western Rong. That group wanted to please the Crown Princess and forced me to go along. That broken place Hanli Khan Desert nearly killed me from thirst, hunger, and exhaustion!”

Yang Yixiu cried with running nose and tears, his tone pitiful and genuine, moving hearts and bringing tears to all who heard.

Minister Yang raised the feather duster he was preparing to beat his son with, but in the face of such miserable wailing, slowly, slowly lowered it.

He kicked his son away, put his hands on his knees, and carefully examined his son’s expression: “Is everything you said true?”

Yang Yixiu squeezed his eyes and nose together and raised his hand: “I swear!”

He wiped all the tears and snot on his father’s robe hem.

Old Yang didn’t mind his son’s little gestures—this son had always been full of such tricks since childhood, with elaborate backup plans even for climbing walls. Old Yang had capsized in the gutter countless times and wanted to believe but didn’t dare.

Through the Xiao family’s information channels, he learned that his son was actually one of the Crown Princess’s loyal supporters. In his rage, he stationed people daily under his courtyard walls, determined that the moment his son stepped foot inside, he would immediately tie him up, chain him in a room, and if he ever let him leave the house again, he wouldn’t be surnamed Yang!

Indeed his son returned and was caught, but the reaction was unexpected.

After crying, Yang Yixiu lay down at his father’s feet wrapped in the fishing net: “Dad, I’ve suffered all the way and finally managed to shake them off to run home, planning to atone for my mistakes by reporting and performing meritorious service. Why are you tying me up and beating me?”

When Minister Yang heard this, his eyes lit up, and he hurriedly said: “What do you want to report about the Crown Princess? Do you know where she is now?”

“Of course I know, but Dad, my butt hurts.”

Minister Yang quickly ordered the fishing net removed.

Yang Yixiu rolled up from the ground, dusted off his clothes, and sat in the grand master’s chair next to his father.

“Now you can speak,” Minister Yang said. “The Second Minister is very dissatisfied with me because of your actions. If you return now to make accusations, your previous mistakes can be wiped clean. Tell me properly.”

“Dad, I’m thirsty.” Yang Yixiu picked up Old Yang’s cup and was about to drink.

Minister Yang snatched the cup away and had to order tea for the young master.

When tea came, Yang Yixiu guzzled it down.

“Now you can speak, can’t you?”

Yang Yixiu crossed his legs and looked sideways at the room full of servants.

“Doing such disgraceful things, yet Dad you let so many people listen? If word gets out, how can your son face people in the future?”

Minister Yang thought this made sense and waved everyone out.

He was getting tired from all this and also gulped down a large mouthful of tea.

Every time he faced this child since childhood, he always ended up thirsty and tired—he was used to it.

After everyone left, Old Yang held his tea, stared at his son, and said: “Now you should… be able to… speak… right…”

By the last word, his hand loosened.

Yang Yixiu leaned forward in time to catch the falling teacup, steadily placing it on the tea table, smiling: “Hold on tight there.”

Minister Yang stared hard at his son, futilely opened his mouth several times, tried hard to widen his eyes, but ultimately couldn’t resist the drug’s effects and closed his eyelids.

Yang Yixiu watched with a constant smile. Only after his father fell asleep did he carry his father to the study’s daybed, cover him with a blanket, and casually pick up the drugged tea to splash it in the incense burner.

Then he stood up and said loudly: “Very well, I humbly follow father’s teachings and will reflect on my mistakes behind closed doors. You rest well, sir.”

He walked out grandly, saying his father didn’t want to be disturbed and he was returning to his room.

Minister Yang’s personal attendants peeked to see their master indeed sleeping and didn’t dare disturb him. Since the master hadn’t spoken, they didn’t dare interfere with Yang Yixiu’s actions, so they watched him pass through the hanging flower gate toward the inner courtyard.

Entering the inner courtyard, Yang Yixiu turned a corner, exited through the side passage by the west wing room, climbed the artificial mountain, found the rope he had hidden there, and once again climbed over the wall.

Sitting on the wall, he looked toward the front courtyard study.

The medicine he got from Rong Pu would let his father sleep for three days and nights.

With the Ministry of Rites Minister who should be hosting the suburban reception inexplicably asleep, let’s see if they could still manage their welcome.

Sigh, his father had worried enough about him. Now he could finally get a good sleep—this was his son’s filial piety. How touching.

Yang Yixiu shook his head emotionally, slipped down the wall, and disappeared into the night.

…

On West Treasure Street, various wine shop and restaurant banners fluttered. Among them, under a blue banner with a yellow ox painted on it, though the shop didn’t have many customers, it emitted the most intense aroma.

Passersby walking past the shop unconsciously swallowed and looked enviously at the large chunks of red meat piled in the shop’s counter.

This was Tian Ji, which had branches throughout the capital. Tian Ji initially became famous selling beef, but since beef was one of Da Qian’s forbidden meats, it could be sold in remote prefectures but didn’t have much supply in the capital. Therefore, Tian Ji now mainly sold mutton and various dried meats, with very good sales. It was one of the more upscale meat shops in the capital.

An ox cart stopped in front of the shop, and a ragged-looking big man jumped down and headed into the store.

A wealthy merchant buying meat at the shop entrance looked disdainfully at the man’s coarse cloth clothing, his eyes almost rolling to the sky: “Where did this stinking beggar come from, forcing his way next to people? Shopkeeper, can’t you drive him away…”

Before he finished speaking, the shopkeeper who had been too lazy to pay attention and had been calmly drinking tea suddenly threw down his teacup, stood up, and rushed out: “Young Master!”

The surrounding meat buyers were all shocked.

Young Master?

This guy?

The young master, tall and broad, faced the crowd’s shocked gazes without any face-slapping satisfaction of a novel’s male protagonist. He grinned: “Manager Wang, I have urgent business to discuss with you.”

He pulled Manager Wang into the back courtyard. Soon after, Tian Ji’s workers came out to hang a “Closed Today” sign and lowered the shop boards.

Inside the shop, the managers of all seventy-two shops, along with Tian Ji’s general manager for all of the capital, gathered at the fastest possible speed.

Tian Wu had barely managed to sneak into the city with Qi Yuansi. Qi Yuansi had disguised himself and found an acquaintance from the gate guards that day, quietly bringing the three in. When bringing them, the other party examined all three carefully many times, confirming none were women, before taking advantage of the crowd to open a crack in the side gate. After the three entered the city, someone seemed to be pursuing them from behind, so the three immediately went separate ways. Tian Wu found a broken ox cart and went directly to Tian Ji’s largest shop in the capital.

After hearing his request, the managers of the seventy-two shops fell silent. After a long while, the general manager said: “Young Master, have you calculated what half-price meat means? Our family’s meat has always been carefully selected with quality ingredients and thin profits. Half price means for every jin of meat sold, we lose three qian and five fen of silver. How many people in the capital can’t afford our meat—once it’s half price, these poor people could trample down our shop’s threshold. Not to mention this round would sell out two seasons’ worth of inventory, and the next batch of meat hasn’t been transported yet. We’d either have empty shops for months or transport another batch—not counting the extra labor costs from rush work, just the long-distance transportation alone costs so much silver…”

Long-distance meat transportation was very particular, and the meat selected for Tian family’s dried meat was very carefully chosen, all transported from thousands of li away. The Tian family had contracted with a company specializing in various special transportation that could guarantee the dried meat and other items would reach the capital without spoiling or losing flavor, but the price was also staggering.

Before Tian Wu could speak, an old manager in charge of three shops, one of the Tian family’s veteran managers, said: “Young Master, this old man will say something he shouldn’t—though you have decision-making authority over all the capital’s shops, the master sent you out hoping you’d study well to bring glory to the Tian family. If something happens to you… Fifth Young Master and Seventh Young Master are both in Jiusui, serving filially by the master’s side.”

All the Tian family managers nodded. The meaning was clear—the Tian family’s vast business didn’t necessarily need him as heir. If he recklessly caused losses to family interests, he should be careful not to lose his own future.

“What are you saying, Seventh Uncle? Little Five and Little Seven staying in Jiusui to serve filially in my place is wonderful.” Tian Wu smiled cheerfully. “As for losses, there will definitely be some temporarily, but in the long run it will definitely be profitable. I’ve bet on the biggest stake in the world—our Tian family will sooner or later become Da Qian’s first merchant family. You uncles must trust me.”

The general manager was a capital native, a capable manager the Tian family had specifically hired at great expense to prevent strong dragons from being suppressed by local snakes. He was well-informed and could probably guess his meaning. Shaking his head, he sighed: “Young people.”

The other managers were mostly old hands from the Jiusui Tian family. Hesitating, they all looked to the oldest manager, brother of the Tian family’s old steward, whom even Tian Wu had to call Seventh Uncle.

Seventh Uncle said: “Since the Young Master has spoken, it must be done. But we should at least keep next half-year’s capital, otherwise if these poor people in the capital buy everything out, how will our thousand-plus workers inside and outside survive? How about just the seven shops on West Treasure Street and nearby Shengyi Workshop at half price? That would also gain some reputation for our Tian family.”

The managers from West Treasure Street and Shengyi Workshop came forward to agree, but Tian Wu sat without moving.

Seventh Uncle said: “The Young Master is tired. Better rest early. Asen, Asen, come serve the Young Master in washing up.”

“No rush for that.” Tian Wu stood up, rolled up his sleeves, and chuckled: “Think my clothes are dirty? Well, they’ll be even dirtier soon, so might as well save up and wash them together.”

“How will they be even…” Before Seventh Uncle finished speaking, Tian Wu’s vinegar-bowl-sized fist had already slammed hard into him: “Because I still have to beat you!”

A muffled “bang,” Seventh Uncle’s nose bled profusely. Tian Wu didn’t know to quickly withdraw his hand after hitting, so he indeed got splattered.

Tian Wu pulled back his fist, blew on it, and smiled broadly: “The Princess was right—talking more is worse than doing more, doing more is worse than hitting more. For certain idiots who babble nonsense, just beat them until they shut up.”

Without waiting for the nose-covering, mumbling Seventh Uncle to say anything, he turned to the roomful of shocked, quail-like managers: “Brothers, my brother is in trouble and needs my help. It’s nothing difficult, just spending some family wealth. Our Tian family doesn’t have much of anything else, but we do have money. If we can’t even help with this much, what kind of men are we?”

The men from Jiusui, born and raised tough, who loved competing in everything and would even compete over who could piss higher, were immediately stirred up: “That goes without saying—empty the purse!”

“We’ll go right now.”

“The Young Master rarely acknowledges a brother—how can we not support the Young Master’s reputation? Without saying more, the twelve shops in South Market will send people to notify every street and alley.”

“We’re leaving too, need to prepare goods. The capital’s excitement will depend on our Tian Ji.”

The managers chattered excitedly, rolling up their sleeves to get to work.

Tian Wu stuck out his belly and grinned, waving his big hand: “Brothers have worked hard! After this is done, everyone gets an extra month’s salary!”

“The Young Master is generous!”

All the managers bowed in unison, lifted their robes, and hurried away to help the Young Master spend lavishly.

Seventh Uncle covered his swollen nose, mumbling: “Wastrel! Fool! I’ll write to the master to break your legs!”

The general manager also shook his head: “Young people just fool around. The Tian family’s vast business will be ruined!”

Tian Wu chuckled.

“Don’t worry,” he said. “With me, the Tian family will definitely prosper, accompanying this dynasty for hundreds and thousands of years. Even when you two old bones turn to dust, our Tian family will never fall!”

…

The long convoy rolled over green shoots beneath thin snow, entering the blue-gray city gates.

This was Kun City, the nearest city before reaching Ru Prefecture. Having arrived here, they entered the protection range of Ru Prefecture and its surrounding hundred thousand elite cavalry. From the Tiger Guard leader to the lowest soldiers, everyone breathed a sigh of relief.

The Great King had awakened when assassinated that day but soon fell unconscious again. Before losing consciousness, he only had time to issue a few orders to consolidate the army and appoint generals to fight the rebellious Liang Shiyi. Though he awakened occasionally afterward, it was intermittent. From beginning to end, the Tiger Guard leader hadn’t been able to properly report the events of this period.

Also because the Great King couldn’t handle affairs and only the Fifteenth Prince remained among the princes, everyone gradually realized that the current Fifteenth Prince was actually the most favored by the Great King among the remaining princes.

The most favored first tier—eldest, second, and fourth sons—were dead, deposed, or missing. The next tier of better-born seventh, ninth, eleventh, twelfth, and fourteenth sons were also dead. Fifth son was mentally impaired, third, sixth, and thirteenth sons were too lowly born, eighth son was lame, tenth son had a strange and narrow temperament that was never liked… the rest weren’t brought along. Counting them all, only the Fifteenth Prince remained.

After all, besides being fond of wine and women, the Fifteenth Prince had decent birth, decent learning, and decent horsemanship. His previous mediocrity now became an advantage. Even being fond of wine and women wasn’t considered a big deal by men.

Recently the Fifteenth Prince, perhaps stimulated by events, had visibly stopped drinking and become spirited, even helping the Tiger Guard leader handle various affairs. When doing practical work, he was quite organized and showed considerable talent.

The Tiger Guard leader’s attitude toward him became more respectful daily. Even the Embroidered Uniform Guard leader, who was close to no one, gave him some respect. Seeing this, everyone’s attitudes changed accordingly.

The Kun City Prefect was a shrewd man who could see the changing winds at a glance. He showed the Fifteenth Prince measured respect and warmth, receiving the group in the prefectural office and organizing a banquet to invite the Fifteenth Prince, Tiger Guard leader, Embroidered Uniform Guard leader, and various commanders to relax.

The Tiger Guard leader naturally refused. Even with Ru Prefecture close at hand and reinforcements coming to meet them, he didn’t dare relax.

The Embroidered Uniform Guard leader never attended banquets. But the Fifteenth Prince was somewhat tempted after the prefect repeatedly promised it would definitely be worthwhile. The Tiger Guard leader understood his meaning—banquets were minor matters, but Kun City was close to Ru Prefecture, the secondary capital, with many powerful officials’ families and relatives in the city. Such a reception banquet was also Ru Prefecture court’s acceptance and identity confirmation of the Fifteenth Prince, his debut stepping forward, quite meaningful.

Therefore the Tiger Guard leader expressed that the prince should also relax a bit—recently the Fifteenth Prince had served day and night by the Great King’s bedside and had worked quite hard.

After slight hesitation, the Fifteenth Prince accepted the prefect’s kindness.

The banquet was held at the city’s largest venue, Clear Wine Emerald Sleeve Tower. This large restaurant combining all currently popular entertainment opened every night with music and singing everywhere, brilliant lights, a den of luxury and powder-scented pleasure quarters where even the water flowing from gutters outside carried rouge fragrance and pale pink color.

The most central pavilion of Clear Wine Emerald Sleeve Tower was particularly elegant. The roads outside the pavilion seemed covered with snow that rustled underfoot, but close inspection revealed countless tiny crystals, creating a crystalline snowy ground—such extravagance was amazing.

Such luxury made people curious about who the behind-the-scenes owner of Clear Wine Emerald Sleeve Tower might be among the wealthy merchants and tycoons.

Happy Mid-Autumn Festival