Madam Wu’s face changed slightly upon hearing this.

The Zhao family had initially only said that the older generation didn’t know their proper place, bullying Zhao Ling because he was from a branch family—a widow and orphan with no one to support them—wanting to seize his property. Such things happened in every prominent family. Now that the Zhao family was willing to humble themselves to resolve this matter and had shown sufficient “sincerity” by asking her to intervene, she was happy to act as a mediator. But for things to reach the point where an elder would kneel to a junior… the matter was likely not so simple.

Even if the Zhao family showed more “sincerity,” if that “sincerity” was like a hot potato that would burn her hands, it wouldn’t be worth it.

She immediately had second thoughts and felt some resentment toward the Zhao family for their deliberate concealment.

However, having just received favors from others, she couldn’t bring herself to turn against them immediately. So outwardly, she had to maintain some courtesy. She scolded the Zhao family representative: “Who is Zhao Ling now? He’s the Emperor’s trusted confidant, a young general who has just won a battle! Is their home a vegetable garden that you can enter and exit as you please? Even when I visit the Zhao family, I need to find an appropriate opportunity, let alone bringing your Eighth Mistress along! Who came up with such a preposterous idea!” Then, softening her tone slightly, she added, “Don’t be anxious. In a few days, it will be the Double Ninth Festival. According to custom, I’ll be sending festival gifts. I’ll sound out Madam Zhao then.”

The messenger quickly said: “Thank you, Madam Wu.” Then added, “What gifts are you planning to send? We can’t have you spend your own money to intervene in our Zhao family’s affairs. Would five hundred taels of silver be enough?” With a smile, he explained, “As you know, we’re insignificant. If I’ve said anything inappropriate, please be forgiving and don’t laugh at me.”

For her to visit the Zhao family, it would cost at most ten taels of silver… Even if she was seeking a favor from Fu Tingyun, twenty taels would be the upper limit.

Madam Wu pondered, thinking this Zhao family representative was quite sensible. Her previous resentment dissipated considerably, and her expression softened as she vaguely replied: “I’ll figure it out.”

This meant she had agreed to accept the five hundred taels from the Zhao family.

The Zhao family representative couldn’t help but breathe a sigh of relief.

She wasn’t afraid that Madam Wu would ask for an exorbitant amount; she was afraid the silver couldn’t be given, and things wouldn’t go smoothly. By the time Zhao Ling took action, Madam Wu’s price would no longer suffice.

With a somewhat fawning smile, she asked Madam Wu: “Do you think we should also find a way to approach General Zhao directly?”

Madam Wu couldn’t hide her astonishment: “Haven’t you already approached General Zhao?”

She had assumed the Zhao family had been rebuffed by Zhao Ling and was therefore trying to reach Fu Tingyun.

“We did!” the Zhao family representative replied with some embarrassment. “Perhaps we didn’t find the right person. General Zhao didn’t even acknowledge us.” She then flattered Madam Wu, “You’re truly influential, Madam Wu. You immediately managed to speak with Madam Zhao.”

Madam Wu instantly felt a surge of unnamed anger.

How much more was this Zhao family hiding from her?

She raised her voice: “What exactly is going on? According to you, General Zhao was still young when he left home. But there are many people with the same name, and your Zhao family has always moved about in Jiangnan. How did you recognize General Zhao? And how did you learn about his family affairs?” By the end of her questioning, her expression had turned somewhat fierce.

Seeing Madam Wu’s anger, the Zhao family representative’s heart pounded anxiously like a drum. She quickly put on a smile and said: “We truly haven’t concealed anything from you, Madam. Our Eighth Master learned about General Zhao’s affairs entirely because of Manager Ye San from Datong Bank, who let something slip during a drinking session. Afterward, when our Eighth Master inquired, Manager Ye San completely denied it. Our Eighth Master found this increasingly suspicious and had people investigate for nearly half a year before daring to confirm. Although we knew that Manager Ye San was on good terms with General Zhao, and that his position as the head manager of Datong Bank’s Beijing branch was due to Zhao Ling’s introduction to officials like Master Qin Feiyu, who rose with the Emperor, it wasn’t appropriate to ask Manager Ye San to intervene…”

Madam Wu felt the Zhao family representative’s words made sense, but she still felt something was amiss, though she couldn’t pinpoint what. She could only let it pass and unenthusiastically reassured the Zhao family representative with phrases like, “Don’t worry, Madam Zhao has been busy with her brother-in-law’s betrothal matters these past few days. Once she’s less occupied, I’ll visit her immediately.”

The Zhao family representative sensed Madam Wu’s coldness, but firstly, they couldn’t find anyone else, and secondly, having already engaged Madam Wu, changing their approach would certainly cause her to withdraw, wasting their previous investments. Additionally, anyone else they found might not have Madam Wu’s influence. So she had to accept the situation, bowing and saying many pleading words.

Madam Wu was annoyed by her inability to read the atmosphere and frowned: “Since you’ve inquired about the Zhao family’s situation, you should also know that Madam Zhao has the authority to make decisions for the family, right? If you can’t get through to Madam Zhao, don’t expect to persuade General Zhao.”

With matters reaching this point, the Zhao family representative could only apologize before taking her leave.

After leaving, she couldn’t help feeling irritated. When reporting back to Eighth Master Zhao, her expression was somewhat unpleasant.

Eighth Master Zhao knew this was a thankless task, like offering a warm face only to receive a cold reception. After consoling her, he pondered Madam Wu’s words, thought for a while, and then instructed the woman: “In that case, why don’t you inquire about Madam Zhao! Rather than spending money on Madam Wu, it’s better to invest it all in Madam Zhao. If there’s no immediate opportunity to contact her, learning about Madam Zhao’s preferences will help us know how to approach her when the time comes to visit.”

The woman accepted the mission and left.

Meanwhile, after seeing off the Zhao family representative, Madam Wu sat by the window in a daze until Master Wu returned from his official duties. Only then did she gather her thoughts and help him change his clothes.

Master Wu noticed her distraction and asked: “What’s wrong with you? You seem absent-minded.”

“Nothing, nothing,” Madam Wu, not wanting Master Wu to know, quickly smiled in response. But seeing his concerned gaze, she hesitated.

After years of marriage, how could Madam Wu’s concerns escape Master Wu’s notice?

Seeing her reaction, Master Wu said: “Whose affairs are you busy with now?”

Madam Wu couldn’t help but smile sheepishly. After some thought, she told Master Wu everything about the Zhao family’s request for her to mediate with Zhao Ling.

After listening, Master Wu looked surprised, then his expression darkened as he reproached her in a low voice: “How foolish of you! How could you get involved without consulting me first?”

Madam Wu, already feeling uneasy, turned pale upon hearing Master Wu’s words. Her voice became urgent: “What’s wrong? Is there something inappropriate?”

Master Wu said solemnly: “Think about it. What kind of place is Datong Bank? And what kind of person is Manager Ye San, with his ups and downs? If he would let something slip while drinking, how could the owner of Datong Bank trust him to manage the Beijing branch? And of all things, he happened to mention Zhao Ling’s affairs…”

Before he could finish, Madam Wu’s face had turned as white as paper.

“My lord,” she clutched Master Wu’s sleeve tightly, “Are you saying that this was all Manager Ye San’s deliberate doing?” After speaking, she frowned deeply, “But what benefit would Manager Ye San gain from this?”

“Fool!” Master Wu couldn’t help exclaiming, “Without Zhao Ling’s indication, would Manager Ye San dare tell the Zhao family about him? Now that the Zhao family knows about Zhao Ling, as you’ve seen, they fear his revenge and are willing to pay silver to resolve the past grievances. Zhao Ling, without making a sound, has made the Zhao family return all the property they seized from his family, and he’s even made a significant profit… Even in court, family disputes are hard to resolve, but he’s managed to gain benefits while preserving his reputation!”

Madam Wu was stunned: “Then, what should I do?”

“What can you do?” Master Wu was also somewhat angry, “I’ve told you before not to get involved in these messy affairs, but you wouldn’t listen. Now, Zhao Ling has got leverage over you…” As he spoke, thinking about how Zhao Ling had skillfully ensnared the Zhao family without showing his hand, he suddenly felt a chill. “No, I must go speak with Master Qin…” He stood up abruptly and ordered Madam Wu, “Quick, help me change!” His expression showed rare panic.

Madam Wu watched in alarm, feeling as if her limbs weren’t responding properly. She hurriedly called for maids to help Master Wu change, while she hovered around him: “It shouldn’t have anything to do with us, right? I only passed along a message. I meant well…”

Master Wu glared at Madam Wu and said sternly: “Say no more! Family matters should be kept private. He’s registered his residence as Chang’an County in Shaanxi. Whenever the Emperor mentions him, he says Zhao Ling is a southerner with a northerner’s appearance. He doesn’t want people to know about his family affairs. You’ve stirred up a hornet’s nest, and you’re still making a fuss here, oblivious to the danger!”

Madam Wu was so frightened that her legs went weak, and she slumped onto a nearby embroidered stool, tears streaming down her face: “What should I do? What should I do?” Then, in panic, she rose, supporting herself against the nearby moon gate screen, “I… I’ll go see Madam Zhao! You don’t know, General Zhao both respects and loves Madam Zhao. Not only does he never touch those women in the army, but even when those big merchants doing business on the nine borders send beautiful women, he refuses them all… I’ll go tell Madam Zhao that if she agrees to intervene, General Zhao will surely forgive and forget!”

At this point, she was treating a dead horse as if it were alive, willing to try any path that might work!

“Then go quickly!” Master Wu said, having finished changing and leaving.

Madam Wu’s spirits lifted slightly. She freshened up and went to the Zhao residence.

Fu Tingyun was discussing Ah-Sen’s wedding with Yu Wei when she heard Madam Wu had come to visit. Though feeling somewhat annoyed by her, she instructed Zhenzhu: “Please invite her to the hall!”

Zhenzhu acknowledged and quickly brought Madam Wu in.

Fu Tingyun smiled and stepped forward, but before she could say a word, Madam Wu, with tears in her eyes, grabbed Fu Tingyun’s hand: “Dear sister, you must save me this time!”

Fu Tingyun was momentarily stunned.

Madam Wu had already rattled off the whole story: “…I truly meant well, trying to help General Zhao resolve this dispute…” She wiped her tears with a handkerchief, “If not for my husband, I wouldn’t have known I had caused such trouble… My husband also feels we acted inappropriately and has gone to seek Master Qin’s help… I know General Zhao values you most, so I’ve come to you…”