Dense moss grew in the crevices between the bluestone slabs beneath the covered walkway, though in this winter season it too displayed some withered yellow. Jiang Xuening had been quietly staring at those crevices for quite some time.

Her gaze remained settled and unmoving.

Her entire posture seemed frozen as well.

Zhou Yinzhi had once accompanied Jiang Xuening all the way to the capital and was also a former subordinate of Jiang Boyou. Using the opportunity of entering the manor to deliver some regional specialties to Jiang Boyou, he came to see Jiang Xuening, which didn’t arouse too much suspicion.

Only at this moment, such a situation inevitably made one’s heart pound with anxiety.

Ever since he had relayed the circumstances of negotiations with those Celestial Doctrine people, Jiang Xuening had been like this—she hadn’t spoken for a very long time.

That half letter was pressed between her fingers.

The thin sheet of letter paper was neither brand new nor old. The characters on it were vigorous and powerful, arranged neatly row by row.

When the wind blew, both the letter paper and the writing trembled between her fingers.

Zhou Yinzhi also knew this matter was extraordinary. After considering for a moment, he said, “That person has already been captured, but no matter what, he refuses to write another letter to notify them like the previous person did. He says this matter was already discussed with his companions before he came out, so even if he writes a letter, no one will take the bait again. How about this—might as well go all in and directly threaten them with these two people’s lives to force their compliance?”

This was the most common approach.

Few people could truly disregard life and death. As long as the other party felt sufficient threat, even the hardest person would quickly soften.

However, Jiang Xuening’s eyelids lightly lowered. She actually closed her eyes and said, “Like throwing a weapon at a rat but fearing to break the vase nearby—it’s useless.”

This had never been a fair transaction from the beginning.

People certainly feared death, but the one holding the remaining half of the letter wasn’t this person who had been captured and truly faced a life-threatening situation, but rather his accomplices scattered outside. Thus even if they made threats, others wouldn’t take them seriously.

Moreover, no matter how one calculated it, they were the ones who had more to fear.

More afraid that the remaining half of the letter would be grasped by the court, by the Xiao clan!

Fifty thousand taels of silver.

They truly dared to open their lion’s mouth wide!

Jiang Xuening’s features couldn’t help but turn somewhat cold and severe. Some anger arose in her chest, but ultimately she forcefully suppressed it all. Hadn’t she prepared money early on precisely for moments like this to bring it out and use? Compared to the safety of the Marquis Yongyi’s manor, material possessions were truly not worth mentioning.

Only…

Her brow furrowed slightly as she said, “Though the asking price is somewhat high, it’s not unacceptable. I only fear that what they’re saying is false. Right now it’s because that Gongyi Cheng has lost contact that this group of Celestial Doctrine sleeper agents lurking in the capital have developed these thoughts. But if we give them money and then Gongyi Cheng makes contact again, there’s no guarantee they won’t still present the letter even after taking the money. In that case, we would suffer a great loss.”

Hearing this, Zhou Yinzhi wanted to speak but hesitated.

Jiang Xuening noticed and asked, “What is it? Is there other news?”

There was indeed news…

Only Zhou Yinzhi’s authority wasn’t great enough to understand things too clearly, so he was somewhat hesitant and didn’t quite dare speak.

When Jiang Xuening asked, he hesitated before saying, “Regarding this ‘missing’ Mister Gongyi, the court does have some news. There are rumors within the Embroidered Uniform Guard that when the Prefect of Shuntian suppressed the Celestial Doctrine a few days ago, they shot and killed a Celestial Doctrine leader who seemed to be called ‘Gongyi Cheng.’ But when I came to find Second Miss just now, I heard from colleagues that this person didn’t actually die but was captured and is being held in the imperial prison together with other Celestial Doctrine rebels.”

If either piece of news was true, the credibility of those Celestial Doctrine sleeper agents preparing to take the money and flee increased greatly.

No wave arises without wind!

Jiang Xuening lowered her eyes and slowly folded the sheet of letter paper in her hand, only saying, “Whether we believe it or not, we must believe it. It’s just that I can’t gather this much money at the moment. Tell those people that we have the sincerity to buy the letter in their hands, but they must wait over a month. They should know that although they can certainly present the letter to the Xiao clan, the Duke Dingguo may not be a benevolent sort. After receiving the letter, he might very well follow the vine to pull up the root and eliminate them completely—that could even count as a great achievement. Please ask them not to seek their own deaths for now.”

Zhou Yinzhi was somewhat shocked. “But such a large sum of money…”

Jiang Xuening interrupted, “Just go and say it. I’ll find a way to get the silver.”

Even counting what Jiang Boyou had given her some time ago, plus some personal silver she had on hand, she couldn’t gather forty thousand taels, much less prepare for contingencies. The shortage of this portion of silver inevitably caused worry.

After Zhou Yinzhi left, Jiang Xuening sat alone in the room thinking for a long time. Finally, she still sighed and made her decision.

She found someone to pass word to Ren Weizhi’s side.

Thus the very next morning, the merchants and brokers frequenting the Shuxiang Inn suddenly discovered something rather unusual—in the inn’s main hall, a rather large sign had been hung at some unknown time. Written on it was that the forty percent silver shares of the Ren family salt yard in Zigong, Sichuan had been sold out, obtaining twenty thousand taels of silver. Soon they would return to Sichuan to operate the salt yard. As for the use of the tube well, they would regularly dispatch fast horses to the capital to deliver news. As for the silver shares purchased by various people, if needed, they could freely resell them without requiring the Ren family’s consent!

However, the prices and amounts of completed resales would all be recorded on this sign as a public notice.

Once this sign was hung, it was like a stone thrown into a calm lake, stirring up a thousand rippling waves among the traveling merchants and wealthy traders in the capital!

The “betrothal” between Ren Weizhi and You Fangying was settled very quickly.

Ever since You Fangying told Jiang Xuening of her plan and learned she didn’t oppose it, the Embroidered Uniform Guard office here, with Zhou Yinzhi having spoken, naturally cooperated extremely well in releasing her.

That very afternoon, Ren Weizhi went to propose marriage.

You Fangying was merely a concubine-born daughter in the manor. After being “locked” in the prison cell for so many days, no one was willing to spend effort to fish her out. Returning to the manor instead attracted all kinds of cold looks—from the Earl and young ladies above to the maids and servants below, everyone gave her cold looks.

You Yue especially harbored resentment about her going mad and nearly attacking her, and wanted to take the opportunity for revenge.

Who could have imagined someone would suddenly come to propose marriage?

This truly shocked everyone in the manor from top to bottom.

When others came to the door proposing marriage, Earl Qingyuan naturally couldn’t turn them away at the gate. Following propriety, he invited the person in for discussion.

Ren Weizhi had no family relatives and knew no one in the capital, so he came to the door himself.

When Earl Qingyuan inquired, though the man studied, he didn’t even have the merit title of a recommended man and was still a merchant. His first reaction was to look down on him considerably. After all, they were an earl’s manor. Though You Fangying was an inconspicuous concubine-born daughter, on the surface she was still from an official family background—how could she be matched with a merchant? But afterward, hearing that his family actually operated a salt yard and had just raised a sum of money to return to Sichuan, his heart suddenly stirred.

He only asked one question: how much betrothal gift will you offer?

Ren Weizhi said three thousand taels.

The Earl wasn’t very satisfied and saw the guest out with tea.

However, You Yue, who had also been sent back from the palace to the manor these past days, happened to hear about this matter. Her mind stirred and she actually boldly had someone invite Ren Weizhi over to speak—

Few people knew she also recognized Ren Weizhi!

That day, because the Earl had spent over thirteen thousand taels of silver to safely bring her home, she had a huge quarrel with the family. Afterward, disregarding her elder sister You Shuang’s advice, she grabbed her saved private funds and left the house.

At that time, she went to find Ren Weizhi to buy silver shares in the salt yard!

Who would have thought Ren Weizhi actually wanted to marry You Fangying?

You Yue harbored resentment—first toward Jiang Xuening for suppressing her in everything and making her lose all face, second toward You Fangying, a concubine-born daughter who actually dared pick up a bench and fight with her. She wished she could find an opportunity to put both of them to death.

Thinking carefully, she couldn’t help but sneer coldly.

It was very simple. That little hussy You Fangying barely even left the manor gates normally—where would she meet any outside men? Yet this Ren Weizhi came directly to propose marriage, so it must have been when she previously had You Fangying go inquire about the salt yard matter that the two of them got involved.

An indecent wretch!

Of course, though she thought this in her heart, she needn’t necessarily say it aloud.

You Yue felt this was also an opportunity for herself.

No matter what, she was the Earl’s manor’s legitimate daughter and could speak with authority in the manor.

She immediately gave Ren Weizhi some hints.

Ren Weizhi was also very “tactful.” Most respectfully, he asked You Yue to speak on behalf of his marriage matter, first slipping her a red envelope of one thousand taels, saying after the matter succeeded, he would express his gratitude again.

Holding the money in her hand, You Yue was extremely pleased.

Previously, her over two thousand taels of personal silver had all been used to buy salt yard silver shares, leaving her hand quite tight. Having this one thousand taels of silver naturally made things much more comfortable.

Moreover, there was more to come?

If You Fangying married over there, no matter what, she was still a young lady going out from the Earl’s manor. The money she had invested in the salt yard—wouldn’t it have even more guarantee?

Thus she hypocritically and reluctantly agreed to say a few good words for Ren Weizhi.

Though Earl Qingyuan’s manor still had a title, they held no real power at court. Some time ago, to fish You Yue out from inside the prison, they had spent a huge sum, nearly emptying the Earl’s manor’s old foundation.

Three thousand taels wasn’t much, but it wasn’t little either.

Right after sending Ren Weizhi away, Earl Qingyuan actually felt a bit regretful.

Soon after, You Yue came to persuade him, speaking indirectly and only saying, “Father, you were truly confused in this. That little hussy has a lowly background—which powerful family in the capital looks favorably on her? Even giving her to someone as a concubine, they might not want her. Now this Ren Weizhi—though his background is somewhat low, at least he counts as a scholar. More importantly, his family operates a salt yard. You might not know this, but quite a few people in the capital have bought silver shares in his salt yard. If he returns and succeeds, who knows, he might become a wealthy merchant and great trader. Not to mention right now he’s willing to offer three thousand taels in betrothal money. Never mind whether this person succeeds or not—this is free money! It’s this surnamed Ren who wants to marry that little hussy. Even if we don’t add any dowry for that little hussy later, I imagine he wouldn’t dare say anything!”

The Earl was somewhat troubled. “But I already sent him away…”

You Yue’s eyes rolled as she said, “Isn’t that simple? I’ll have someone call him over again—how could he not come? When you see him then, just say you were testing his sincerity, then agree naturally.”

With such persuasion, the next day Ren Weizhi visited again.

Earl Qingyuan maintained his dignified airs for quite a while before finally agreeing to this marriage arrangement.

On You Yue’s side, she inevitably received another one thousand taels red envelope delivered by Ren Weizhi.

The matter was thus settled.

Only Ren Weizhi’s family was in Sichuan, and he was rushing to return to operate the salt yard, so they very quickly finalized the wedding date. The time was set for one and a half months later. Ren Weizhi would return to Sichuan first, while You Fangying, after the “dowry” was properly prepared in one and a half months, would then marry far away to Sichuan.

When Jiang Xuening heard this matter had been accomplished, she too couldn’t help but breathe a great sigh of relief. Everything was within expectations—nothing unexpected occurred.

However, the other merchants in the capital found this quite remarkable and strange.

No one had expected that after coming to the capital, Ren Weizhi could actually raise such a large sum of money, and along the way even resolve his lifelong major affair. It truly made people somewhat unable to believe it.

Three days later, Ren Weizhi departed to return to the capital.

The innkeeper received some silver and was responsible for continuing to hang up that sign.

Traveling merchants coming and going would see it and couldn’t help discussing it.

“Forty percent silver shares of the salt yard, divided into forty thousand shares, obtaining twenty thousand taels of silver—calculating it out, one share is worth five qian of silver, which is five hundred wen. I never imagined there would really be people who’d pay money. Are there really this many wealthy people in the capital?”

“Well naturally! You still don’t know?”

“What do you mean?”

“That Manager Lu from the Youhuang Hall in the capital put out five thousand taels—holding ten thousand shares in his hand. That’s really having money and not being afraid. He truly dares to buy!”

“Right! What if that surnamed Ren runs off with the money?”

“You don’t understand this then. People have already discussed the marriage arrangement with Earl Qingyuan’s manor. This tells you I can’t run, so please rest assured. Moreover, if the silver shares can be resold, those who aren’t confident in him can just sell their silver shares out now.”

“Said so lightly—who dares buy? Let alone five qian per share, I wouldn’t buy even at two wen per share. A broken-down salt yard with a blueprint they won’t show anyone—who believes he has the ability to make the salt yard succeed?”

“Strange—Manager Lu only put out five thousand taels. Where did the other fifteen thousand taels come from?”

“I know Manager Liu who does silk fabric business bought a few hundred taels’ worth to have fun. After all, he’s not short of money—just considered helping the younger generation. Do any of you want to buy? I can help you negotiate.”

“Who’d buy this!”

…

In summary, though everyone discussed and was curious, in the period just after Ren Weizhi returned to the capital, there were small amounts of silver shares outside, but few people wanted to offer a price to buy.

Even the occasional offers weren’t willing to buy at five hundred wen per share.

Some offered three hundred wen, some offered four hundred wen.

However, it was truly strange—the first five days saw few inquiries, but on the fifth day a transaction actually was completed. Silk shop Manager Liu was a friend of Ren Weizhi’s father. Considering helping the younger generation, he spent three hundred taels of silver to buy six hundred silver shares to hold in his hand. He had already considered this silver as having gone down the drain and hadn’t expected to get it back.

But someone actually came to buy from him.

The one negotiating was a young lady. Manager Liu didn’t recognize her, but anyway the other party offered three hundred fifty wen per share, which could let him recover two hundred ten taels of silver. He was quite satisfied and without much thought sold the silver shares in his hand.

Thus the shopkeeper of that Shuxiang Inn changed to a new sign board, recording this transaction’s number of shares and price on it with clear, proper strokes.

The very day it was hung attracted countless people to observe.

The tea water money the inn sold multiplied, delighting the shopkeeper.

Only the crowd pointed at that sign board, but all generally laughed loudly in ridicule. “Look, look—buying at five hundred wen but only able to sell at three hundred fifty, a full thirty percent loss! Those who bought several thousand taels’ worth must be furious seeing this, right?”

Someone echoed, “Right, a huge loss.”

Someone sighed, “I think this salt yard, this Ren Weizhi isn’t reliable. Going forward, I’m afraid even three hundred fifty won’t have buyers—it’ll drop further!”

Sichuan and the capital had quite a distance between them. Moreover, everyone had never heard of any “tube well” and fundamentally didn’t believe this thing could draw out new salt brine from deeper places in old salt wells that could no longer be used.

The price of this salt yard’s silver shares then continuously declined.

In the following ten days, two more transactions occurred, but the prices were respectively three hundred wen per share and two hundred ninety wen per share.

Ever since learning these salt yard silver shares could be freely traded and resold, Lu Xian had constantly paid attention to news from the Shuxiang Inn side. When he learned the first transaction sold at a price of three hundred fifty wen, he couldn’t help cursing.

When the price dropped to two hundred ninety wen, he nearly had his nose twisted crooked with anger.

Though he knew he was hoping the salt yard would succeed so he could profit greatly from future dividends, when learning about the share price, he really couldn’t restrain his restless hand. Sitting in Youhuang Hall fiddling with his abacus and calculating carefully, he’d invested five thousand taels and lost nearly half! His heart dripped blood!

You Yue of Earl Qingyuan’s manor was even more dumbstruck. For several consecutive days she couldn’t sleep well, secretly calculating her money and cursing Ren Weizhi bloody.

No one was optimistic about the salt yard.

Before, many people would occasionally go to the Shuxiang Inn to look, but as the silver shares fundamentally couldn’t be sold and that board wasn’t changed for days at a time, everyone’s attention gradually decreased, leaving only a few people who were still quite persistent in occasionally going in to glance.

Until one month after Ren Weizhi left the capital, news about the Zigong salt yard suddenly spread among all the salt merchants—

The tube well had been built!

They heard it was built very tall, fully several zhang high. When erected, it looked like a small building—appearing quite novel and frightening. After being erected, the salt workers hired with money at the salt yard exerted themselves drilling downward. When the news came, compared to previous salt wells, it had already gone deeper by over one zhang and was continuing to drill downward!

The news spread from among the salt merchants to ordinary merchants.

Before long, it was confirmed: Ren Weizhi’s side in Sichuan had dispatched fast horses to the capital. On the sign board in the Shuxiang Inn’s main hall was written the news that the tube well’s first frame had been erected and a deep well drilled!

At this, the inn that had been deserted for nearly half a month once again welcomed numerous curious merchants and traders, and even ordinary people coming to watch the excitement.

More prosperous than at its previous peak!

People holding silver shares in their hands and those considering buying silver shares all gathered here, mutually discussing and listening to the situation. Though that salt yard hadn’t actually drilled out salt brine yet, offers of two hundred ninety wen or even lower had completely vanished. At three hundred wen no one sold, at four hundred wen no one sold, at five hundred wen no one sold either. Not until someone—who knows who—offered the high price of six hundred twenty wen, which was six qian and two fen of silver, was a small transaction finally completed!

All those who had previously ridiculed others for “buying at a loss” couldn’t help but look at each other in dismay.

Moreover, some keen and clever people suddenly realized from these price changes something even more crucial—

Like Lu Xian.

Upon hearing someone say that now even six hundred-some wen couldn’t buy salt yard silver shares, the back of his head practically exploded. Only at this time did he somewhat come to his senses, vaguely understanding what those simple few characters “silver shares can be freely resold” actually meant!

It meant that without the salt yard actually having earned money yet, as long as everyone felt the salt yard could earn money, the silver share price could soar!

And those holding silver shares needn’t wait for the salt yard to be well-operated and receive regular dividends. By directly reselling the silver shares in their hands, they could obtain large profits in advance!

Silver and silver shares actually had this kind of method of operation!

Simply unprecedented, unheard of!

Lu Xian couldn’t help pondering: did Ren Weizhi think up this method himself, or was it thought up by someone else who purchased silver shares? He had only put in five thousand taels total. The remaining fifteen thousand taels—in whose hands were they all…

One month passed in the blink of an eye.

The people on the Celestial Doctrine side holding the remaining half letter finally couldn’t sit still. News came pressing for when they could produce those fifty thousand taels of silver. Seeing the agreed deadline was about to arrive, they were clearly somewhat anxious.

Zhou Yinzhi also wondered where Jiang Xuening would find such a large sum of money.

He once again came to the Jiang manor to relay the news to Jiang Xuening.

With the year’s end approaching, snow fell more frequently in the capital.

Charcoal fires had already been lit inside the rooms.

Jiang Xuening thought that once matters passed, sooner or later she would still have to return to the palace. Knowing Xie Wei was a strict person, having not touched the qin for a while, when she thought of it she inevitably felt apprehensive. She practiced playing the qin to calm her mind, so at this moment she sat before the qin table tuning the strings.

Hearing Zhou Yinzhi’s words, she didn’t even shift her gaze, only casually pointing at that desk and saying lightly, “Take ten thousand taels first and give it to them. Ask them to rest assured.”

As for the remaining portion…

Jiang Xuening’s fingers lightly hooked, the qin strings trembled, and trembling musical notes flowed forth, gently rippling through the cold air. Her voice was also soft. “As for the remaining money, it will come soon.”

Wait a bit more.

Patiently wait a bit more.

It still hadn’t reached the time for the best price.