As they entered the study, the Grand Secretary’s face grew stern.

He reprimanded his son in a low voice: “What’s the matter? You can’t even maintain your composure?”

Yu Jingxiu dismissed this concern, flashing a smile at his father, his expression revealing a hint of mystery: “Father, you’ll be pleased when you hear this…”

The Grand Secretary raised his eyebrows.

Yu Jingxiu said: “The Marquis of Xiping has sent a message saying that Zhao Ling once smuggled salt…” Before he could finish, his face was already animated with excitement.

“Oh?” The Grand Secretary’s expression brightened involuntarily.

Smuggling salt was already a serious crime, let alone for a frontier military official…

“Tell me in detail, what exactly happened?”

“The Marquis of Xiping has hereditary charge of Liangzhou, right?” Yu Jingxiu smiled. “The merchant caravans trading with Arabia all pass through there. Some desperate outlaws, seeing the potential profit, would form gangs and establish bases to frequently rob these caravans. The Marquis of Xiping selected some skilled fighters from his garrison to form a mounted team, normally responsible for protecting the passing caravans, and occasionally acting as bodyguards for those willing to pay the price. It was quite a substantial income over a year.”

“After He Fu arrived in Zhangye, he became envious. He gathered all the caravans passing through Jiayuguan and established a rule of taking one part in twenty, with the Commander’s office providing troops to protect these caravans.”

“He Fu was, after all, the chief official and claimed the moral high ground. As a result, the Marquis of Xiping’s mounted team had no more profit to make.”

“As it happened, there was a fellow surnamed Feng whose ancestors had been salt smugglers. In recent years, they had been doing very well, and by his generation, they had gradually legitimized their business.”

“Because this Feng shared the same surname as the Marquis of Xiping, somehow they became connected and recognized each other as relatives.”

“The Marquis of Xiping had extensive properties and businesses, and when times got tough, he inevitably had to think of other methods. He turned his attention to this man surnamed Feng.”

“That Feng man didn’t hesitate, saying that as long as the Marquis of Xiping sent a capable person to help maintain order when needed, the capital and manpower would be his responsibility. He beat his chest and guaranteed to pay the Marquis of Xiping two hundred thousand taels of silver a year.” As he spoke, he sneered, “Otherwise, how would the Marquis of Xiping have the money to grease palms in the capital?”

The Grand Secretary nodded, somewhat surprised, and mused: “No wonder some people risk breaking the law. It turns out smuggling salt yields such great profits…”

Yu Jingxiu smiled and said: “Father, you needn’t worry. Zhao Ling doesn’t have that much money—he only smuggled salt for three years, and when he started, he had little capital, relying solely on his ruthlessness and generosity. By the third year, when he had established his operation, he suddenly stopped. That Feng Laosan was puzzled, only later learning that he had voluntarily joined the military camp…”

The Grand Secretary lightly “mmm” -ed, appearing calm and unconcerned.

Yet Yu Jingxiu could sense his father’s relief.

He continued with a smile: “Ever since I introduced Grand Secretary Shen’s eldest son to the Marquis of Xiping’s second son, although He Fu hasn’t loosened his grip, he’s become much more courteous to the Marquis of Xiping. This time, when I inquired about Zhao Ling from the Marquis of Xiping’s second son, he was very enthusiastic. He even asked if I needed help, saying that the Feng family and Zhao Ling are enemies—Feng Laosan’s brother died at Zhao Ling’s hands. Later, after Zhao Ling joined the army and rose in ranks, the Feng family was constantly anxious. He said he could motivate the Feng family to testify…” At this point, his expression became serious, and he said, “Father, I’ve heard that salt smugglers are ruthless people who would draw their knives over a few taels of silver. Since the Feng family and Zhao Ling are enemies, it must be no ordinary grudge. Perhaps the reason the Feng family sought connection with the Marquis of Xiping was to protect themselves against retaliation should Zhao Ling ever succeed…”

“Your words make sense,” the Grand Secretary nodded. “Send a capable person to meet this Feng Laosan—hearsay is false, seeing is believing. If we need to use him, relying solely on the Marquis of Xiping’s second son…” he paused, “might not be forceful enough!”

“I thought the same,” Yu Jingxiu said, showing a hesitant expression. “However, Zhao Ling is currently in the Emperor’s favor. Merely salt smuggling, especially from the past, may not be enough to bring him down—at most, he’d receive a reprimand. After some time, when the Emperor’s anger subsides, he might be reinstated… It would be like startling the snake in the grass… Better to focus our efforts on this Feng Laosan…”

Seeing his son’s insight, the Grand Secretary’s eyes lit up: “Tell me, how would you go about it?”

Yu Jingxiu said in a low voice: “Isn’t Zhao Ling in Xuanfu now? From what the Marquis of Xiping’s second son implied, Zhao Ling doesn’t have much money, but you know the salaries of officials… Who can stand eating vegetables after being accustomed to fish and meat? Why not have someone step forward to vouch for Feng Laosan, helping him turn his hostility toward Zhao Ling into friendship? First, this would make Feng Laosan aware of our methods and be wary; second, we could use this opportunity to ensnare Zhao Ling… If successful, we could then find a way to impeach Zhao Ling for ‘falsely claiming military merit.’ With both cases launched simultaneously—he was saved by the Emperor, and in the Emperor’s heart, he is the Emperor’s man—if such things happened, if not for the crime itself, then for the sake of face, the Emperor would certainly punish him…”

A smile gradually appeared on the Grand Secretary’s somewhat stern face: “During the Dragon Boat Festival, the Marquis of Xiping will certainly send someone with festival gifts. At that time, be sure to entertain the Marquis of Xiping’s second son well!”

This meant that his father approved of his idea.

This affirmation of his abilities made Yu Jingxiu’s features involuntarily reveal joy.

He cupped his hands and bowed to his father: “Father, rest assured, I will not allow anyone to suspect me.”

The Grand Secretary said nothing, merely patting his son’s shoulder with satisfaction before turning to leave the inner chamber.

Yu Jingxiu returned to his room with a smile.

Fan was lazily leaning against a large pillow, watching Mozhuan and two young maids do needlework for her unborn child.

Seeing her husband return, she quickly sat up: “You’re back!”

“Don’t get up!” Yu Jingxiu smiled as he sat beside her, taking her hand. “How are you today? Are you well?”

Fan smiled and nodded.

But Mozhuan said: “It’s that Concubine Wu again. Seeing that the Young Mistress is pregnant, she’s afraid the Young Mistress will be stingy with her, repeatedly asking the sewing room matron how her summer clothes should be made. The matron was confused, thinking the Young Mistress had given special instructions, so she came to ask. The Young Mistress was peacefully looking at the night-luminous pearl you gave her with this servant, but ended up having to go to Concubine Wu’s place and lecture all the maids, wives, and matrons in the courtyard…”

“Enough!” Fan finally spoke up to silence Mozhuan. “Why do you talk so much? Managing the inner courtyard is my responsibility. The Young Master is already running around busy outside, and when he finally returns home, you bring up these trivial matters to bother him… Do you want to be reassigned elsewhere?” By the end, her voice had grown severe.

Mozhuan quickly knelt, her glance flitting toward Yu Jingxiu: “Young Mistress, I dare not speak out of turn again…”

Seeing Fan’s maid appealing to him, Yu Jingxiu felt this was because Fan was considering his feelings, which greatly pleased him. He smiled and said: “All right, all right, such a small matter… I’ve been talking with my father for so long that my throat is almost smoking…” The last sentence was directed at Fan.

Fan exclaimed, “Oh my!” and hurriedly instructed Mozhuan, “Quick, go pour some tea!”

Mozhuan rose with a smile, acknowledging the order.

Yu Jingxiu then said, “Wu came to ask you for clothes? I find her usually so quiet… Could it be that the maids and matrons around her incited her…”

Fan was taken aback, then felt a pang in her heart and said tearfully: “Do you think I’m wronging her…” Before she could finish, tears had already fallen.

“No, no,” Yu Jingxiu quickly took out a handkerchief to wipe her tears. “I was just asking! Don’t misunderstand!”

Fan let him wipe her tears, choking up as she said: “I know Concubine Wu is an honest person, otherwise Mother wouldn’t have chosen her for our household, but people change…”

Yu Jingxiu’s brow furrowed slightly as he listened, saying with some displeasure: “Enough, don’t speak of this matter anymore…”

That Wu was also a beauty, but because she had been sent by Madam Yu, Yu Jingxiu particularly disliked her… Fan knew this. Having achieved her goal, and seeing Yu Jingxiu’s displeasure, she immediately changed the subject: “What were you discussing with Father that left your throat so dry?”

“It was about Zhao Ling…” Yu Jingxiu naturally had no guard against Fan. He was still pleased that his father had adopted his idea, so the words slipped out, but then he felt it inappropriate and quickly stopped, smiling: “Just some messy outside matters, you wouldn’t understand if I told you!”

Fan was bored at the time, and hearing this, she smiled: “If my lord tells me, won’t I understand then?” She added, “Who is this Zhao Ling?”

“A military man,” Yu Jingxiu curled his lip, his expression showing some disdain. Seeing Mozhuan enter with tea, he took the cup and said, “Has there been no word from your mother yet?”

With Fan pregnant, Madam Yu had personally written a letter and sent someone to Lady Fan’s home.

“By my calculation, a reply should arrive in the next day or two…” Fan replied, when she suddenly remembered hearing something about fighting in Xuanfu. She couldn’t help but ask, “This Zhao Ling, is he the Commander of Xuanfu?”

“Him? How could he be the Commander of Xuanfu?” Yu Jingxiu sneered. “He’s just a fellow who cleans up after Mo Yi!”

Hearing this, Fan became even more curious: “Who is Mo Yi? Why do you say this? Zhao Ling cleans up after him?”

“Don’t concern yourself with these matters.” Yu Jingxiu didn’t want to discuss this further. He smiled, using a toothpick to pick up a piece of candied winter melon and bringing it to Fan’s lips. “Your responsibility now is to take good care of your pregnancy. Don’t think about other things!”

Fan smiled as she ate the preserved fruit, but her curiosity remained undiminished.

The next day, she sent Mozhuan to gather information.

When Mozhuan returned, her face was somewhat pale.

“Young Mistress,” she whispered in Fan’s ear, “that man called Zhao Ling is the Deputy Commander of Xuanfu. Because he serves on the throne, he’s already a third-rank general at just twenty-four or twenty-five years old.” She paused before continuing, “I heard his wife’s surname is Fu.”

“Fu?” Fan exclaimed in shock: “Did you hear correctly? Who said this?”

“Everyone outside is discussing this matter!” Mozhuan said. “They say that with Zhao Ling’s great achievements this time, the Fu woman will likely receive an imperial title!”