What was wrong there in a homeless young woman wanting a piece of her deceased mother’s old clothing?

Even someone as hard-hearted as He Zeyou couldn’t help but feel compassion upon hearing this.

He lowered his guard, but still weighed the matter carefully before speaking hesitantly: “I can barely protect myself now. Sir Shen enjoys abundant imperial favor, and since he bears a grudge against me, I’m unwelcome wherever I go.”

“No matter,” Ruyi dabbed at the corners of her eyes with her handkerchief. “Sir Shen is magnanimous and not one to hold grudges. After we come out of the Liu manor, I’ll host a gathering for the Marquis and Sir Shen to drink together. Once word spreads, the Marquis’s predicament will be resolved.”

Only then did He Zeyou smile, looking at her fondly: “Since you put it that way, I’m naturally willing to help you with this favor.”

He paused, then probed: “I’ve been thinking of acquiring a shop recently, but haven’t found anything suitable. Do you have any recommendations?”

This was a leading question—everyone in Lin’an City knew that the most profitable shops were on Gongshen Street.

Ruyi continued wiping her tears: “It’s too early to discuss this now. Tomorrow, when we go to the Liu manor, if we can successfully obtain my mother’s belongings, I naturally have three good shops I’d be willing to recommend to the Marquis.”

Her words carried deep meaning, and He Zeyou effortlessly caught the implication.

She was willing to give him three shops? What generous terms indeed. It seemed that while Liu Ruyi no longer favored him as before, she was still someone who valued relationships.

This was a profitable deal—he had no reason not to make it.

However, to prevent Liu Ruyi from changing her mind or having some ulterior motive, he decided to first get the relics into his own hands. Then it would be a straightforward exchange—completely foolproof.

Having made up his mind, He Zeyou eagerly began preparations.

Grand Preceptor Liu had some grievances with him, so it wouldn’t be easy to get his agreement. Therefore, on the day of visiting the Liu manor, he not only brought Liu Ruyi but also several nimble cat burglars as backup.

Given the Marquis Manor’s status, Grand Preceptor Liu couldn’t refuse to receive his calling card.

Upon entering, He Zeyou saw the old Grand Preceptor’s ugly expression but didn’t immediately state his request. Instead, he said: “This junior heard that your manor has been short-staffed recently. Good household servants, yet somehow one died in the pond and a whole group died on Cang’er Mountain.”

In negotiations, the key was to immediately grasp the opponent’s weakness.

The old Grand Preceptor indeed frowned: “The affairs of my humble manor need not trouble the Marquis.”

“We’re practically half father and son-in-law—the Grand Preceptor needn’t be so formal with me.” He Zeyou sat down. “Ruyi and I have a destined connection. Perhaps we might become one family in the future.”

Having said this, he changed direction: “Ruyi’s beauty is unparalleled—she must have inherited Lady Liu’s looks.”

At the sudden mention of this person, Grand Preceptor Liu became guarded.

He had received the first imperial favor since the dynasty’s founding, and Minister Wen, who opposed him, had gone to great lengths to find dirt on him. So he had quickly disposed of all personnel related to Lady He.

Having finally slept peacefully for a few days, what did Marquis Ningyuan mean by bringing up his wife now?

Did he have some new evidence?

Remembering that this man was about to become Minister Wen’s son-in-law, Grand Preceptor Liu’s eyes narrowed.

He Zeyou hadn’t noticed anything, feeling he’d said enough, so he called toward the door: “I brought a gift today for the Grand Preceptor to see.”

He was sincere in this—in his view, Liu Ruyi was after all his flesh and blood, and it was surely right for the father and daughter to see each other after so long apart.

However, Grand Preceptor Liu’s expression changed dramatically upon seeing the person who stepped through the door. The teacup beside him was knocked over and shattered into pieces.

Ruyi seemed to have been splashed by the tea water. She gathered her skirts and stepped back half a pace, looking at him reproachfully: “How could the Grand Preceptor be so careless?”

“You—” Grand Preceptor Liu was so frightened his lips turned white. He stood up and dodged to the side. “How could you, how could you?”

How could someone he’d personally watched die come back?

That’s right—the people sent to bury her had all mysteriously died on Cang’er Mountain, and no protective formation had been set up on her grave.

“Don’t come near, don’t come near.” Grand Preceptor Liu shook his head and waved his hands, his eyes full of terror.

He Zeyou was puzzled by his reaction: “What’s wrong with the Grand Preceptor?”

He was genuinely curious, but to Grand Preceptor Liu’s ears, it sounded like deliberate gloating.

Grand Preceptor Liu gripped the chair’s armrest, forcing himself to calm down, then shouted outside: “Someone, someone come! Seize her, seize her for me!”

Several servants rushed in and easily restrained Ruyi.

Ruyi obediently allowed herself to be forced to kneel, looking innocently at He Zeyou: “Marquis, am I truly so deserving of death?”

He Zeyou felt some pity—he felt her suffering was ultimately related to him, so he still tried to persuade the Grand Preceptor: “Blood is thicker than water. How can the Grand Preceptor bear it?”

How can you bear it? How can you bear to kill your daughter?

—This is how Grand Preceptor Liu heard it, and his whole body began trembling.

He Zeyou knew about his killing of his flesh and blood! Not only did he know, but he’d brought Liu Ruyi back to threaten him!

What did they want? His wealth and property, or to see him ruined and disgraced?

Thinking of Minister Wen Yuan’s detestable old face, Grand Preceptor Liu shook his head repeatedly.

No, he couldn’t fall. He still needed to pave the way for his son step by step. He still wanted to see Xuanhe reach the pinnacle of power and bring glory to their ancestors. How could he be intimidated by this young upstart?

Forcing himself to calm down, Grand Preceptor Liu glared viciously at He Zeyou, beginning to calculate the possibility of taking his life here and now.

If a marquis died in his manor, he probably couldn’t explain it away.

So what should he do?

Grand Preceptor Liu lowered his eyes, his voice trembling: “This old man is unwell today and cannot continue receiving guests. Please leave first, Marquis.”

He Zeyou was displeased—he hadn’t finished speaking, and this was far too discourteous. Moreover, he hadn’t obtained the relics yet. How could he exchange them for those three shops?

But before he could say more, the servants came forward to physically escort him out. At the same time, several house servants dragged Liu Ruyi toward the back courtyard.

He Zeyou grew anxious: “The person I brought—how dare you lay hands on her! She’s not considered a daughter of the Grand Preceptor’s manor now!”

Grand Preceptor Liu looked at him coldly, then turned to instruct his trusted aide: “Personally escort the Marquis to his carriage. Drop him off at Gongshen Street, then bring back some braised meat from there for me.”

The aide understood, bowed in acknowledgment, and accompanied Marquis Ningyuan out to the carriage.

With Liu Ruyi dragged to the back courtyard and He Zeyou unlikely to survive past Gongshen Street, Grand Preceptor Liu wanted to breathe a sigh of relief, but his heart still felt blocked, as if some calamity was about to befall him.

This inexplicable unease soon found its cause.

“Master, Sir Shen from the Bureau of Ancestral Affairs has arrived,” a servant reported. “Along with Minister Wen from the Dragon Abyss Pavilion and Sir Zhuo from the Ministry of Justice. They’ve been waiting at the gate for some time.”