Xinyue got up very early today because the household had a large sum of money coming in. The accountant’s eyes were already gleaming with golden light—ten thousand gold coins! Just thinking about it made blood rush to one’s head.

Xinyue had gained some experience over these years. Ten thousand gold coins could no longer really stir her heartstrings. Her husband said this was money earned from selling a cave, and he still needed to distribute fifty gold coins to each of the old soldiers. Xinyue had no objection to this point. She was just curious what kind of cave could be worth ten thousand gold coins.

However, her husband always earned this kind of inexplicable money. Since people eagerly sent the money to their door, it wouldn’t do not to accept it. Yuan Tiangang had already made the request for the Yun family to receive this wealth three times. At that time, when her husband’s life or death was uncertain, even if someone gave Xinyue a mountain of gold, she’d have no interest. Now that the clouds had cleared and the mist dispersed, naturally she would focus her thoughts on this family’s income.

Yuan Tiangang arrived hurriedly with two wagons just as the sun peeked over the mountaintop. Under Old Qian’s guidance, the wagons were led into the courtyard. Upon seeing Xinyue, Yuan Tiangang didn’t even have time for pleasantries and immediately said: “Madam Yun, the gold coins my uncle promised have been delivered. I wonder if my uncle’s promissory note is available?”

Xinyue smiled and bowed: “You’re an old friend of our Marquis. Since you’ve come to our home, please come inside for a cup of hot tea—there’s no rush to talk slowly.”

Xinyue spoke courteously, but unexpectedly Yuan Tiangang shook his head: “This poor Daoist understands Madam’s kind intentions, but this matter is of great importance and I cannot help but be cautious. Let’s complete the transaction first before drinking tea.”

“Alas, my husband sold the cave too cheaply.” Xinyue sighed inwardly. Seeing Yuan Tiangang so eager to complete the transaction, she knew her husband had been deceived by these damned old Daoists again, even though she had never seen that cave.

Unconsciously, her words carried a few notes of irritation. Yuan Tiangang was also an old acquaintance, so there was no need to be polite. She smiled and said: “My husband is a famous spendthrift. He sold a perfectly good cave for only ten thousand gold coins, letting you get a bargain.”

Yuan Tiangang looked at Xinyue in astonishment and said: “Madam, why do you say this? That cave is a priceless treasure to us. To your household, it’s nothing more than a few extra crystals. Ten thousand gold coins is already quite a lot.”

“Crystals!” Xinyue smiled awkwardly. If it was truly all crystals, even filling the entire cave wouldn’t be worth much money.

“What did you think was inside?” This time it was Yuan Tiangang’s turn to lose his temper.

Just as the two stood facing each other speechless, the accountant came to report that the gold coins had been completely verified—not one more, not one less, and the quality was quite good. After spot-checking one in a hundred, there were absolutely no problems.

Only then did a trace of a smile float onto Yuan Tiangang’s face. He cupped his hands toward Xinyue and said: “Madam Yun, since the gold coins are correct, I wonder if my uncle’s written note can be returned to this poor Daoist?”

Xinyue’s willow-leaf eyebrows rose. Thinking it over, there really was no reason to make a scene. She pulled out the promissory note written by Yuan Shoucheng from her sleeve and placed it on the table. Upon seeing the note, Yuan Tiangang immediately picked it up and carefully examined it. After confirming this was indeed his uncle’s handwriting, he finally completely set down his anxious heart. He pulled out a fire starter from his chest, lit the note, and watched as this promissory note written on hemp cloth turned to ash. He immediately cupped his hands in farewell, unwilling to stay at the Yun household for even a moment. The Queen Mother of the West’s sanctuary was under full construction. That cave was the last destabilizing factor in the entire sanctuary plan. Now that it had been eliminated, naturally there was no time to waste words with the Yun family’s woman.

“Doing business without even a shred of human feeling left. Old Qian, remember this—from now on, our family won’t do this kind of disgraceful business. People always say when buying and selling don’t succeed, righteousness remains. Now the deal is done, yet they turn their backs and deny people—it’s truly rare to see.”

“Madam, nowadays Chang’an City’s atmosphere isn’t right. Every one of them has become this kind of philistine. Loyal and kind households like ours are becoming rare.”

Xinyue walked in front while Old Qian followed behind. Eight household guards struggled to carry two large chests behind them. The master and servant sang in harmony, cursing Yuan Tiangang until they reached the treasury entrance. Today everyone was home. Xiao Ya would be getting married in another month, and she was busy going into the treasury to steal a few more things. Di Renjie planned to enter the treasury to find two medicinal ingredients. Sun Simiao was out of perilla, and he remembered the household treasury seemed to still have some. Shade-dried perilla leaves were good for stabilizing pregnancy.

Today was the good day when the Crown Prince permitted Li Yanrong to come play at the Yun household. Xinyue had promised to pick a beautiful piece of jewelry for her from the treasury, so she and Yun Shou had been standing at the treasury entrance waiting early.

Seeing Li Yanrong and the others enter the treasury, Helan, who was accompanying Xiao Wu outside the treasury, also wanted to go in. She had just stepped forward when Xiao Wu grabbed her back. Seeing Helan looking aggrieved as if about to cry, Xiao Wu said expressionlessly to Helan: “Remember this from now on—the Yun family appears on the surface to be a household without rules, but actually, in this family there are the most rules. It’s just that they’re not explicitly stated—each of us must consciously observe them ourselves.”

“Right now, only those four can enter this treasury. I can’t go in. Master loves me most, yet he also won’t let me casually enter the treasury. But your brother-in-law can go in anytime, anywhere. This is the rule I must observe.”

“Now let me tell you what rules you must observe. First, Yun Shou is your husband. If you want something, you can tell him and let him get it for you, but you absolutely cannot take it yourself.”

“Second, don’t compare yourself with Li Yanrong in everything. Her father is the Crown Prince and will be Emperor in the future. Your father is just a scoundrel—there’s no comparison. The Yun family’s temperament is gentle, so I found you a comfortable nest. As long as you behave yourself this lifetime, living in wealth and honor won’t be a problem. You and your mother are both not clever people. If you want your younger brother and mother to live good lives, remember to learn from everyone in this household.”

Helan bit her lips tightly, tears falling. Xiao Wu still stared fixedly into her eyes and said: “Actually, you and I are both outsiders compared to this household’s people. I have a master skilled at instructing disciples—you don’t. You only have me, this second aunt. I only teach once. Once you’re not tolerated by the Yun family, your only way out is to return to Shu and marry some random farmer. Remember?”

Seeing Helan nod repeatedly, Xiao Wu finally let her go. She pulled a golden walking hairpin from her own head and inserted it into Helan’s hair. Seeing her with the appearance of a meek and submissive little wife, only then did she embrace Helan and say softly: “Yun family men are all devoted people. You definitely won’t live worse than others in the future. Second Aunt won’t be wrong about this.”

As the two were talking, they saw Xinyue and the others emerge from the treasury. Di Renjie held two packages of medicinal ingredients in his hands, with a basket also hanging on his arm. Xiao Ya pouted as her sister-in-law drove her out of the treasury, very unwilling, constantly muttering: “Stingy sister-in-law. Won’t even give one string of rubies.”

Li Yanrong had an additional string of green beads around her neck. Each one was crystal clear, seemingly with flowing water light, making her small face appear even more fair and delicate. Yet Yun Shou’s hands were empty. Just as Helan’s tender feelings were in turmoil, Li Yanrong pulled a string of pearls from her sleeve and personally placed them around Helan’s neck, clapping her hands and laughing: “Little sister is indeed beautiful!”

Helan was clearly older than Li Yanrong, but at this moment could only curtsy and thank Li Yanrong for the gift. Xinyue glanced sideways, taking this entire scene completely into her eyes, secretly smiling. Then looking at her foolish son, she couldn’t feel happy anymore. Could it be that all Yun family men were this unromantic? Her own husband was the Great Tang’s most intelligent existence!

“Why should boys of my Yun family need to please women?” So said the supremely domineering old grandmother.

The old lady now had sufficient qualifications to say this. Her grandson was promising—before long, the marquisate would become a dukedom. It was said the Ministry of Rites was already preparing documents, and the Court of State Ceremonial was researching what rank of county duke could manifest Marquis Yun’s peerless merit.

Although everyone in court and country knew that Yun Ye wanted the title Champion Marquis, the Minister of Rites roared in court that how could the Great Tang have a Champion Marquis, a title from within the passes? Did this mean the Great Tang was preparing to restore Han system? Could the Great Tang’s eight hundred military prefectures not find one suitable title?

Just at this time, a rumor spread. Yun Ye could have originally slain all the Turks who offended the Great Tang beneath his horse, but because a favored concubine gave birth, for the safety of the concubine and child, Yun Ye’s great army remained beneath Suiye City for two extra days. This caused a large force of Turks to flee into Lesser Balur and follow their young king Helu to begin campaigning westward.

This news spread too suddenly. Whether it was appropriate to elevate a rank for an arrogant and extravagant general at this time became the mainstream voice in court again. The censorial officials who reported based on hearsay finally revealed their own hideous faces, exposing Yun Ye’s life story in minute detail before the public. An empire’s invincible general became overnight a contemptible worm pursuing petty gains. That the Emperor could endure not killing such a spendthrift already demonstrated sage wisdom and illumination—how dare anyone expect more?

“Who is this?” Li Er asked Empress Zhangsun in bewilderment. Empress Zhangsun also shook her head, finally saying: “I heard the news first spread from Zhaohua Ward, then everyone knew about it.”

“Have I been too lenient with Chang’an’s common people? How dare they comment on a general fighting for the nation like this? Order the Chang’an Prefect to investigate with full force and punish severely without leniency! How dare malicious rumors deceive the masses!”

“If in the future every time I want to reward a minister, wouldn’t it be blocked by these commoners’ opinions? This trend absolutely cannot be allowed to grow!” After understanding the harmfulness of this behavior, Li Er flew into a rage.

“Preventing people’s mouths is harder than damming rivers. If commoners want to say something—speaking a phrase you don’t like to hear, Your Majesty—we truly don’t have any good methods. Whom do you plan to arrest? How will you arrest them? Do you plan to set the precedent in our Great Tang of being punished for speech?” Empress Zhangsun knew Li Er was just venting his anger, so she stood to one side speaking casually.

What Yun Ye was really like, she knew clearly in her heart. The Emperor also knew clearly, and even Yun Ye himself knew clearly. Whether to enfeoff him as a duke or not was truly superfluous.