After Jiang Li left, she returned to Lizheng Hall. She didn’t tell Ye Jia’er that she’d gone to see the Duke of Su. For the people of Xiangyang, the name Duke of Su was too distant—very few had seen him with their own eyes. If Ji Heng walked on the street, others would only marvel that such a handsome man existed in the world, but wouldn’t think of his identity.

Moreover, Ji Heng’s appearance made the entire matter even more complex. Before she figured out the ins and outs, Jiang Li didn’t plan to tell the Ye family. Even if she told the Ye family members, it would have to wait until the Ye Mingxuan and Ye Minghui brothers returned before carefully discussing it.

After settling all the common people who had come with Guxiang satin demanding silver, the sky was already near dusk. When Jiang Li’s group returned to the Ye Mansion, Guan Shi had already come back. Learning with Zhuo Shi that Lizheng Hall was now fine, they both breathed a sigh of relief. However, Ye Mingyu hadn’t been able to return together.

“Third Brother is impulsive by nature. By the time I arrived, he’d already barged into the yamen main hall. I heard he was shouting to see Prefect Tong and was taken down by the yamen bailiffs. Those bailiffs had strength in numbers—Third Brother was no match. I wanted to see Prefect Tong to plead with him, but couldn’t even see him. The gate-guarding bailiff told me that to see anyone, I’d need to bring silver at the very least. I’d left in such a hurry I didn’t bring any banknotes. I could only get some banknotes and go again tomorrow morning. I hope Third Brother hasn’t suffered.”

“Still need banknotes?” Ye Rufeng said hatefully. “These dog officials!”

Jiang Li had long grown accustomed to this. Not everyone was as honest and upright as Xue Huaiyuan. The smaller the official, the more they enjoyed the benefits power brought. Otherwise why would there be the saying “three years as an honest prefect earns a hundred thousand taels of snowflake silver”?

“Such are the ways of the world.” Zhuo Shi sighed. “Let’s pool together more. We can’t just leave Third Brother.”

“Indeed so.” Ye Jia’er also said. “Fortunately what they want is silver. That makes it easier to handle.”

“Jia’er, you don’t know.” Guan Shi sighed. “With this Guxiang satin incident, the Ye family has already lost quite a bit of silver. Garment shops stopping business with us is another loss we can’t calculate. Human hearts are greedy—what we fear is that these people will be insatiably greedy with endless demands, treating our Ye family like a silver treasury. Once we open this door… to get your uncle and father out will require considerable effort.”

The Ye family were expert businesspeople and saw clearly the greed of human hearts. As long as Tong Zhiyang tasted sweetness from the Ye family, even one Ye Mingyu could be ransomed back with a large sum of silver. For Ye Mingxuan and Ye Minghui, if they didn’t make the Ye family lose their foundation once, he probably wouldn’t let it go easily.

The Ye family was like a piece of fat meat. Tong Zhiyang had been eyeing it for so long and finally found an opportunity to strike—how could he let the duck in his mouth fly away?

Jiang Li smiled. “Actually, there’s no need to worry.”

Everyone in the room looked toward her.

Everyone knew that Lizheng Hall ending safely today was largely thanks to Jiang Li standing up and speaking. Although she was younger than Ye Jia’er and had never managed business, judging by her manner, she handled things more thoroughly than anyone present.

“No need to pool silver. I think Tong Zhiyang will release Uncle Mingyu very soon.”

“Why?” Ye Rufeng asked with furrowed brows.

“Because my father is Jiang Yuanbai,” Jiang Li said. “He’s afraid.”

In Prefect Tong’s study, Tong Zhiyang suddenly threw the book in his hand and loudly questioned, “Jiang Yuanbai’s daughter? How could she be in Xiangyang?”

Tong Zhiyang was short, plump, and round, with small eyes and a garlic-bulb nose. Even at home, he wore shiny official robes. At this moment he seemed furious and was venting at his subordinate.

“This subordinate also doesn’t know.” The subordinate answered obsequiously. “We thought it might be someone the Ye family had pretend to be her, but the Chief Minister’s household guards can’t be faked. People from Xiangyang who’ve been to Yanjing went to look personally and said it is indeed Second Miss Jiang. Second Miss Jiang is truly in Xiangyang now, staying at the Ye family.”

Tong Zhiyang was stunned. He said, “What’s going on? Wasn’t it said that the Ye family and Jiang family severed contact over a decade ago, that Jiang Li didn’t even acknowledge the Ye family? How could she suddenly come to Xiangyang?”

“This… I heard it’s because Old Madam Ye is gravely ill and Second Miss Jiang came to visit.”

Tong Zhiyang kicked over the stool on the floor. “Are they trying to fool ghosts? After so many years without news, how could they suddenly become so devoted and righteous?”

“And that’s not all… Master, that Second Miss Jiang also stood at Lizheng Hall’s entrance and said, said…” The subordinate began stammering.

“Said what?”

The man hesitated, then repeated verbatim what Jiang Li had said in front of Lizheng Hall to Tong Zhiyang. His memory was quite good—not missing a single word, including Jiang Li’s mention of the Textile Bureau Director and her mocking ridicule of Tong Zhiyang.

After hearing it all, Tong Zhiyang’s complexion turned various shades of blue and white. After holding it in for a long time, he spat out two words: “Bastard!”

To be so mercilessly mocked by a youngster, for someone as pretentious and vain as Tong Zhiyang, was no different from being stripped naked and paraded through the streets. He had to admit that Jiang Li’s sarcasm didn’t carry a single profanity, yet was piercingly sharp. What was even more infuriating was that facing such mockery, Tong Zhiyang couldn’t say anything, because Jiang Li was Jiang Yuanbai’s daughter, and Jiang Yuanbai was the current Chief Minister. He, a mere prefect, was like grass compared to them. Not only could he not refute her, he even had to curry favor with this wealthy young miss, even if only superficially.

“Master, originally dealing with the Ye family was a sure thing. Who knew Second Miss Jiang would suddenly appear midway? Second Miss Jiang is from the Jiang family, so… should we reconsider now?”

The subordinate’s words made Tong Zhiyang think as well. His brother-in-law had recently asked him to find an opportunity to deal with the Ye family, saying that if the Ye family matter was handled well, this prefect position could also have promotion opportunities. Tong Zhiyang had reached his prefect position entirely through this brother-in-law’s support. His brother-in-law worked for nobles in Yanjing City and had many connections. Tong Zhiyang naturally agreed without a second word and acted according to his brother-in-law’s plan. He was just waiting for the Ye family to be tormented miserably and desperately, at which point he would give them a last lifeline that had been planned all along.

Of course, Tong Zhiyang himself also coveted this enormous wealth of the Ye family. He didn’t dare dream of swallowing it alone, and the Ye family’s merchant house was famous throughout Northern Yan—not so easily swallowed. Now it was good—with his brother-in-law, with nobles from Yanjing City backing him, Tong Zhiyang’s courage grew. Taking this opportunity, he could both get a promotion and make a large sum of the Ye family’s silver. Why not?

Everything had been going perfectly well, who knew Jiang Li would suddenly pop out?

Tong Zhiyang speculated that in his brother-in-law’s initial plan, he probably hadn’t anticipated that Second Miss Jiang, who had no contact with the Ye family, would suddenly come to Xiangyang and even stand up for the Ye family. She even brought up the Textile Bureau Director. Tong Zhiyang naturally knew what the Textile Bureau Director was. Heaven is high and the emperor far away—he could reign supreme in Xiangyang City, but before officials from Yanjing, he was nothing.

“This won’t do.” Tong Zhiyang paced around the room twice. “Get paper and brush.”

The subordinate hurried to find paper and brush. Tong Zhiyang wiped the sweat from his forehead, looking at the paper and brush before him, still thinking about how to write.

Jiang Li’s appearance in this matter had already exceeded the plan. Since Jiang Li dared to say in front of Lizheng Hall about writing to Jiang Yuanbai, it showed that Jiang Yuanbai’s attitude and feelings toward the Ye family weren’t completely devoid. If Jiang Yuanbai became angry at him because of this, forget about his brother-in-law—he, a small prefect, probably couldn’t continue. Wealth and honor were certainly lovely, but losing his wife and breaking his army would not be lovely. Tong Zhiyang decided to write and ask his brother-in-law, or have his brother-in-law let that noble person decide, at least tell him how to proceed next. Otherwise, relying solely on himself, if he went down the wrong path, it would be too late for regrets.

Just as he was hurriedly writing, his subordinate suddenly remembered something. “Master, that Third Master Ye is still detained. Should we release him or not?”

In the original plan, Ye Mingyu was just an insignificant person. He didn’t participate in the Ye family’s business and knew nothing about it, so there were no special instructions on how to handle Ye Mingyu. But Ye Mingyu had come knocking on his own. Tong Zhiyang also didn’t mind arresting him—at least if panicked Ye family members brought a large sum to ransom Ye Mingyu, it would also be unexpected wealth for him. But now the situation was different. Better to cause himself less trouble where possible. Having that Second Miss Jiang bear even more grudge against him for no reason wouldn’t be good.

“Detain what? Hurry up and release him! Say it was all a misunderstanding, that subordinates acted on their own authority and it has nothing to do with me!” Tong Zhiyang cursed.

The subordinate hurried out to relay the order.

Tong Zhiyang stood in the room, growing more anxious and flustered the more he thought about it. However, the situation didn’t allow him to delay. Just as Jiang Li had said, she’d already written back to Xiangyang to tell Jiang Yuanbai, so he had to catch up quickly and immediately write to his brother-in-law to have him think of countermeasures.

What a disaster falling from the sky.

Ye Mingyu returned to the Ye Mansion an hour later.

The Ye family members saw him return safe and sound and were all overjoyed. Guan Shi asked Ye Mingyu if he was injured anywhere. Ye Mingyu just shook his head no. Although those bailiffs had arrested him, he wasn’t someone to be trifled with and hadn’t given them any trouble. As for wanting to do anything to him—he was still Third Master Ye after all. Moreover, he had quite a few friends in the martial world. If there were really any problems, who knew who would have trouble?

“I thought tomorrow I’d have to take silver to ransom you.” Zhuo Shi breathed a sigh of relief. “It’s good you’re back.”

“I don’t know what happened either.” Ye Mingyu scratched his head. “Those bailiffs were harsh with me at first, even saying they’d make me suffer. But suddenly tonight they became respectful toward me and even apologized saying it was just a misunderstanding, then released me. I thought the Guxiang satin matter had been clarified, but I didn’t expect Big Brother and Second Brother still haven’t returned.”

Everyone in the room looked toward Jiang Li.

“Why are you all looking at A Li?” Ye Mingyu said. “Is this related to A Li?”

“This matter is indeed thanks to Younger Cousin.” Ye Jia’er then recounted in detail what Jiang Li had done at Lizheng Hall’s entrance. “Prefect Tong must be wary of the Jiang family connection, which is why he released Third Uncle so quickly.”

Ye Mingyu hadn’t expected this layer of connection. Looking at Jiang Li, he didn’t know what to say for a moment. Although he didn’t resent Jiang Li, he’d never had much good feeling toward the Jiang family either. Jiang Yuanbai had remarried so early. The Jiang family and Ji family were well-matched families. Deep down, Ye Mingyu also looked down on the Jiang family’s selfishness and coldness. But today, if not for the Jiang family’s reputation, Lizheng Hall might already be gone. To be saved by those he despised truly left him speechless.

In the past, the Ye family always said they shouldn’t have married Ye Zhenzhen to Jiang Yuanbai. If Ye Zhenzhen had married an ordinary person, perhaps her fate would have been different. But if Ye Zhenzhen had truly married an ordinary person, without the Jiang family’s reputation as deterrent, how long could the Ye family have lasted? In those past years, if not for Ye Zhenzhen being Madam Jiang, the Ye family probably wouldn’t have been so peaceful either. Over a decade had passed. Seeing that the Jiang family and Ye family no longer had contact, these people immediately became restless.

Ultimately, the tree attracted the wind.

Jiang Li saw Ye Mingyu’s discomfort and smiled. “It’s nothing. People bully the soft and fear the strong. Tong Zhiyang is as timid as a mouse yet greedy, acting cautiously in all matters. Naturally he can be intimidated by the Jiang family’s reputation. But if it were someone ruthless and merciless, the result might not necessarily be the same.”

“You seem to understand Tong Zhiyang very well.” Ye Rufeng couldn’t help speaking up.

“From beginning to end, Tong Zhiyang never showed his face, always having others do the work. This shows he’s a timid person. Being so cautious and secure, he probably will only appear after victory is assured and the dust has settled.”

Ye Mingyu nodded and suddenly asked, “A Li, did you really write to your father?”

At Lizheng Hall, Jiang Li had said she’d already told Jiang Yuanbai about Xiangyang’s matter, having Jiang Yuanbai report it to the Textile Bureau Director so the Textile Bureau would dispatch personnel. Ye Mingyu hesitated before continuing, “Your father… will he really stand up for this matter?”

In the Ye family’s view, Jiang Yuanbai probably wouldn’t stand up for such a small matter. In Jiang Li’s view, the reason Jiang Yuanbai wouldn’t act wasn’t necessarily because it was a small matter, but because of involvement with the Right Chancellor. Although the Jiang family and Li family were adversaries, they had carefully maintained balance all these years. If it were before, Jiang Yuanbai wasn’t afraid to directly oppose the Li family, but now with Prince Cheng behind the Right Chancellor, the Jiang family had to be more careful in their actions.

If it meant offending Prince Cheng for the Ye family’s sake, Jiang Yuanbai definitely wouldn’t act.

Jiang Li shook her head. “No.”

The Ye family members all looked at her in surprise. Ye Jia’er asked, “Then, Younger Cousin was bluffing Prefect Tong?”

“Not quite.” Jiang Li said. “Although I didn’t write to Father, I did write to Elder Cousin Brother Ye. Elder Cousin Brother Ye is now the newly appointed Revenue Vice Director. The Textile Bureau Director also won’t dare slight him. Moreover, I also told Elder Cousin Brother Ye to use my father’s name freely. The Textile Bureau Director will take it even more seriously. I think as soon as the Textile Bureau receives the report, they’ll immediately dispatch people to Xiangyang.”

No one expected Jiang Li to say this. Ye Rufeng asked uncomfortably, “How can you have Big Brother use your father’s name?”

“At the palace banquet, Elder Cousin Brother and I together received the Emperor’s gifts. Others all know of my relationship with Elder Cousin Brother Ye. I see Father’s regard for Elder Cousin Brother is also quite appreciative. I imagine when colleagues inquire, Father also won’t avoid it. Since people in Yanjing City all think Elder Cousin Brother Ye and Father are on the same side, why not let them misunderstand thoroughly? To have reputation and not use it—wouldn’t that be a waste?”

Her matter-of-fact attitude gave people the illusion that Jiang Li wasn’t using her own father, but rather a stranger.

“Aren’t you afraid of bringing trouble to your father?” Ye Rufeng asked. “You’re acting on your own authority. When you return to Yanjing City, your father won’t forgive you either.”

“So what?” Jiang Li smiled slightly. “The rice is already cooked. He can’t very well kill me, can he?”

This attitude of a stubborn pig not fearing boiling water, of letting the boat straighten itself when it reaches the bridge, truly left the Ye family members speechless.

But Jiang Li knew clearly in her heart—doing all this, besides sincerely wanting to help the Ye family, she wanted to cut off any possibility of alliance between Prince Cheng and the Jiang family. She wanted to make the rift between Jiang Yuanbai and the Right Chancellor irreparable. Only then would she have an opportunity to exploit.

As for how Jiang Yuanbai would vent his anger after returning to Yanjing City—that was something to consider later. To deal with Yongning and Shen Yurun, she was willing to pay any price.

Even her life.

If there truly was someone behind Tong Zhiyang, her appearance should have already disrupted his plans. He would inevitably write seeking help, but before that, Jiang Li’s letter to Ye Shijie had already gone out. Before Tong Zhiyang received specific countermeasures, presumably the Textile Bureau’s people would already arrive in Xiangyang, and everything wouldn’t be up to Tong Zhiyang anymore.

This timing sequence was precisely the opportunity.

“So rest assured.” Jiang Li smiled. “I think Tong Zhiyang won’t act rashly recently. However, the Guxiang satin we’ve collected back must be well preserved. The Guxiang satin I’m wearing has no problems, showing that the problematic Guxiang satin only appeared recently, or rather only in Xiangyang. No matter how you think about it, it doesn’t seem coincidental. When the Textile Bureau people come, they should be able to investigate clearly.”

Ye Jia’er nodded. “I think so too.”

After discussing arrangements for the next few days, the Ye family members dispersed to rest. Jiang Li walked behind. Ye Mingyu was ahead. She called to him, “Uncle Mingyu.”

Ye Mingyu stopped. “What is it, A Li?”

“A word in private.”

Ye Mingyu followed Jiang Li to Ye Minghui’s study. Jiang Li had Tong’er keep watch outside. “Uncle Mingyu has traveled far and wide, so you should have some friends.”

Hearing this, Ye Mingyu laughed heartily. “That’s right, I indeed have many friends.”

“These people should all be those who would go through fire and water for friends. Uncle Mingyu, I think there’s something that must be done by you or your friends.”

Seeing Jiang Li’s serious expression, Ye Mingyu involuntarily put away his smile. “What is it? Tell me, A Li.”

“Everyone in Xiangyang City knows that Tong Zhiyang is henpecked. Although this person is insatiably greedy, in matters of men and women he’s very clean, never even setting foot in pleasure houses. Precisely because of this, his wife is willing to have her family pull strings for him, letting him sit in this Xiangyang prefect position.”

Speaking of matters between men and women, even Ye Mingyu felt somewhat uncomfortable. Yet seeing Jiang Li’s completely calm expression, as if discussing the most ordinary matter, Ye Mingyu could only find reasons for Jiang Li in his heart. After all, Jiang Li had spent eight years in the nunnery, pure-hearted and with few desires, understanding that form is emptiness and emptiness is form. Naturally she viewed matters between men and women very indifferently.

This must be transcendence!

His thoughts wandering a bit far, Ye Mingyu heard Jiang Li continue, “However, privately Tong Zhiyang isn’t as proper as he appears on the surface. He has a mistress, settled not far from Xiangyang City on the city outskirts. He bought a house for the mistress, and she even bore him a son.”

“What?” Ye Mingyu was shocked. He’d never heard of such a secret. To think that Tong Zhiyang who feared his wife like a tiger would have such audacity!

“Uncle needn’t be surprised.” Ye Mingyu’s astonishment left Jiang Li somewhat speechless. She said, “That mistress is young and beautiful, much beloved by Tong Zhiyang. Moreover, his wife at the mansion only bore him two daughters. Tong Zhiyang yearned desperately for a son. The mistress gave him a son in one attempt, making her even more precious to Tong Zhiyang. Every so often, he goes to visit this mother and son.”

Ye Mingyu was so shocked his jaw couldn’t close. “You—what you’re saying is true?”

“Absolutely true.” It must be known that Xue Zhao had used precisely this weakness of Tong Zhiyang’s to prevent him from continuing to trouble Xue Huaiyuan. At that time, Tong Zhiyang had just gotten a son from his mistress. Calculating now, it had been five or six years. Jiang Li had inquired and found that over these five or six years, there had been no rumors spreading about Tong Zhiyang having a mistress outside. Clearly Tong Zhiyang hid it very well. She even specifically had someone go look at the city outskirts—that mother and son were indeed still there.

Regarding this mother and son, Tong Zhiyang’s devotion was laughably persistent.

“Even if what you say is true,” Ye Mingyu asked, “how do you know these things? A Li, you’ve been in Xiangyang less than a month. These matters—my big brother and the others have lived in Xiangyang for decades yet never heard of them.”

The secret Jiang Li revealed would surely shock others greatly upon hearing it. Perhaps they’d even think Jiang Li was lying. Ye Mingyu wouldn’t think Jiang Li was lying, but he was utterly baffled. Jiang Li wasn’t from Xiangyang—why did she know Tong Zhiyang’s affairs so clearly? Not only that, she also knew about Tong Zhiyang’s brother-in-law serving as Palace Bell Director in Yanjing City. Ye Mingyu believed Jiang Yuanbai couldn’t possibly pay attention to a prefect in Xiangyang. These matters definitely weren’t learned from Jiang Yuanbai.

How did Jiang Li know?

“The guards I brought back from Yanjing City.” Jiang Li smiled. “These guards could also be considered carefully selected by Father for me. I had a guard go to Prefect Tong’s mansion to investigate. As it happened, Tong Zhiyang was ordering people to send silver to that mother and son. I had someone follow them and discovered it was indeed true. Thus I learned this secret.”

She naturally couldn’t tell Ye Mingyu it was because of Xue Zhao that she knew of this. This explanation was reasonable enough. At least besides this, Ye Mingyu couldn’t think of any other way Jiang Li would know. Consider it a coincidence.

“Alright, A Li, you’re telling me about Tong Zhiyang’s mistress—what’s your intention?”

“As we’ve seen, Tong Zhiyang extremely dotes on this mother and son. I suspect Tong Zhiyang is involved in the Ye family’s Guxiang satin incident this time. Perhaps there’s someone guiding him behind the scenes. To avoid any mistakes, I need him to have something to fear. At least before the Textile Bureau dispatches people to Xiangyang, he can’t interfere.”

Ye Mingyu looked at her, not quite understanding what Jiang Li meant.

“Since Uncle Mingyu is a person of the martial world, taking away a mother and son shouldn’t be difficult.” Jiang Li said. “I hope Uncle Mingyu or Uncle Mingyu’s friends will abduct Tong Zhiyang’s mistress and son. When Tong Zhiyang suddenly receives the news, all his energy will be focused on finding this mother and son, leaving no other energy to deal with the Ye family. When necessary, we can even use this mother and son to threaten—” Jiang Li smiled. “You must know Tong Zhiyang doesn’t dare let his wife know about this mother and son’s existence. Once the matter comes to light, his Xiangyang prefect position will be lost. To guard this secret, Tong Zhiyang will definitely spare no effort to make any deal with you. After all, he’s someone who fears his wife like a tiger.”

Ye Mingyu now understood. Jiang Li wanted him to abduct Tong Zhiyang’s mistress and son and hide them away. Whether as a bargaining chip or as a tool to distract Tong Zhiyang, with Tong Zhiyang wary of harming them, he naturally wouldn’t dare do anything to the Ye family.

He said, “A Li, you want me to abduct a mother and son…” Not harming wives and children—they as people of the martial world disdained doing such base things and were unwilling to bully women and children.

Jiang Li seemed able to guess his thoughts. She looked calmly at Ye Mingyu. “Uncle Mingyu, when Tong Zhiyang dealt with the Ye family, when he incited the masses to attack and smash Lizheng Hall, did he consider that the Ye family had a houseful of the old, weak, sick, and disabled? Not to mention Elder Cousin Brother Ye is currently serving as an official in Yanjing City. Grandmother’s health isn’t good—if she learned the Ye family had trouble, how could she be at peace?”

“Moreover, having you take away that mother and son isn’t to do anything to them. They can have good food and drink, only suffering some fright. When matters are settled, send them back. They’ll have lost nothing.” Jiang Li smiled. “We’ve already reached a life-or-death moment. Uncle Mingyu can’t afford to be tenderhearted like a woman.”

The last sentence, though spoken gently, seemed to carry inexplicable severity.

Ye Mingyu felt his heart tighten upon hearing it. Thinking it through carefully, he said to Jiang Li with shame, “I thought too simply. What you could see, A Li, I couldn’t see. I’ve truly lived these years in vain.” He said seriously, “Leave this matter to me. Tomorrow I’ll find a few trustworthy friends and locate a place others can’t find. Since Tong Zhiyang fears his wife like a tiger, he certainly won’t openly go find that mother and son regularly. This is precisely our opportunity.”

Jiang Li nodded. “After the deed is done, by the time Tong Zhiyang receives news, it will already be too late. To find them again will be extremely difficult.”

“However,” Ye Mingyu said, “you said Tong Zhiyang is involved in this Guxiang satin incident with someone guiding him behind the scenes—is this true?”

Their Ye family had been unable to find the cause of the Guxiang satin problem, let alone blame Tong Zhiyang. If what Jiang Li said was true, this matter was no small thing.

“I’m only suspicious.” Jiang Li said. “There’s no concrete evidence. However, as long as we wait for the Textile Bureau to arrive in Xiangyang, everything will come to light.” Jiang Li smiled faintly. “I think even if Tong Zhiyang’s audacity exceeded the heavens, he wouldn’t dare openly interfere under the noses of the Textile Bureau’s dispatched personnel. Moreover, with his most beloved mistress and son as threat, Prefect Tong should weigh the pros and cons.”

Even if there truly was a high official in Yanjing City who could protect Tong Zhiyang, and that official happened to be the powerful Right Chancellor, Jiang Li speculated that the Right Chancellor cherished his reputation and would absolutely not let his name leak out, lest he implicate himself when matters came to light. Not knowing how stable his backing was, Tong Zhiyang wouldn’t be bold enough.

Moreover, with Tong Zhiyang’s son and mistress’s whereabouts unknown, Tong Zhiyang would inevitably have misgivings. He would understand that distant water couldn’t quench immediate thirst. He would first be a person who recognized the times.