Chapter 755 - 532: The Zhao Family Raises Silver

Chapter 755: Chapter 532: The Zhao Family Raises Silver

But on second thought, the idea was rather delightful.

Song Yunzhao’s head and her heart were at war.

Feng Yi couldn’t help but laugh at her expression.

Song Yunzhao: ...

’What’s so funny?’

"I just never thought you’d hesitate over something like this," Feng Yi said.

Song Yunzhao shot Feng Yi a look. ’I can’t share my man, but I won’t give up the perks, either. You can’t expect a horse to run without letting it eat—there’s no such thing as a free lunch in this world. Since the Emperor can’t be shared, the other benefits must be ramped up. Isn’t it better when everyone is happy?’

"Let me think about it," Song Yunzhao said. "Besides, there’s so much going on right now, and the summer retreat is still a long way off."

Feng Yi agreed with a smile. "Once our dear Imperial Consort has made up her mind, she can just let me know."

’So sarcastic.’

After their playful banter, Song Yunzhao brought up the matter of Chu Donghui and Ling Yunhe again.

Speaking of which, Feng Yi’s expression remained unchanged. "Chu Donghui has tempered himself for the past few years. It’s time to send him out and see what he can do."

’Oh, so he’s a promising talent the Emperor has his eye on, sent out to get some practical experience. But judging by the outcome, things are a bit delicate.’

’And of all places, he had to go to Huizhou.’

"As for Ling Yunhe, it’s likely because he used some rather unconventional channels when he procured those military provisions. Chu Donghui probably asked for his help."

Song Yunzhao: ...

’If not for Feng Yi’s exceedingly casual tone, I would have thought it was no big deal.’

"Isn’t that collusion between officials and merchants?"

Feng Yi laughed heartily. "The lines between the legitimate and the illicit have never been completely clear. Besides, a knife may be a weapon, but it all depends on whose hand is wielding it. Ling Yunhe is a merchant; he’s bound to know the ins and outs of dealing with officials. Chu Donghui may have roped him in to do the heavy lifting, but he won’t let him work for free."

Song Yunzhao glanced at Feng Yi. ’I never expected Feng Yi to be such an open-minded Emperor. His perspective is truly broad.’

’He appoints people based on merit, not convention. He has all the makings of a wise ruler.’

Since Feng Yi clearly had the situation under control, Yun Zhao didn’t press further.

Ling Yunhe was, for all intents and purposes, branded as part of the Imperial Concubine’s faction now. Knowing he was safe was a relief.

Still, the mention of Huizhou planted a seed of doubt in her mind. ’Something must be happening there. But Feng Yi didn’t say anything. Is it because he doesn’t want me to worry, or is there another reason?’

The thought of Huizhou inevitably led to Linfeng, and Linfeng was far from unfamiliar territory—the Zhao Family was there.

So, it had all come full circle.

Yun Zhao decided not to dwell on it. She would just wait and see how things unfolded.

’I suspect Feng Yi himself hasn’t gotten a clear grasp of the situation yet, which is why he couldn’t explain everything to me thoroughly.’

「Meanwhile」 After sleeping for a full day and night at Xie Jinshu’s residence, Ling Yunhe finally crawled out of bed. He wolfed down a meal and only then had the energy to speak with Xie Jinshu.

Seeing his state, Xie Jinshu couldn’t help but ask, "What in the world happened to you?"

He had collapsed the moment he walked through the door. Xie Jinshu had been busy running around, summoning doctors and fetching medicine. Now that the man was finally awake, he deserved an explanation.

Ling Yunhe first thanked Xie Jinshu. "Brother, you’re the only one I can trust. That’s why I had to come straight to you."

"Spare me the pleasantries. What exactly happened?" Xie Jinshu asked, looking at Ling Yunhe.

Xie Jinshu knew that Chu Donghui had been ordered south to investigate a case, but he didn’t know the specifics. However, the fact that Ling Yunhe was asked to be a guide, and that it was connected to last year’s grain procurement, told him that this was no simple matter.

’The military provisions case was investigated twice, and countless officials fell because of it. Why would the Emperor want to keep digging into it now?’

’And sending Mr. Chu south... no one would have guessed he was there to investigate a case. Everyone assumed the Emperor sent him to study water management under Ding Xian.’

Ling Yunhe pantomimed zipping his lips shut before saying, "There are some things I can’t talk about. They involve court secrets."

Xie Jinshu understood. "Then just tell me what you can."

Ling Yunhe looked at Xie Jinshu. "Do you remember when Lady Ding came to the Capital City last year?"

Xie Jinshu nodded. "Of course, I remember."

’He might forget other matters, but he remembered anything involving the Imperial Concubine with perfect clarity.’

Ling Yunhe’s cheeks were gaunt and his eyes were bloodshot. Even after so much rest, he still looked utterly exhausted. He lifted his gaze to Xie Jinshu. "The Ding family wanted a marriage alliance with the Song Family. The ones pulling the strings behind it all were the Zhao Family."

"What?" Xie Jinshu knew about the marriage proposal and that it had failed, but he had no idea there was such a scheme behind it.

It was understandable that Xie Jinshu didn’t know. At the time, the matter had been contained within the Duke Qin Mansion and the Song Family’s small circle around Yun Zhao, so word never got out.

Lady Ding had been rebuffed in the Capital City and suffered a minor embarrassment, which diverted everyone’s attention. No one thought to look for another hand at play behind the scenes.

"How do you know that?" Xie Jinshu’s expression turned serious.

Ling Yunhe let out a long sigh. "Well, I was heading south with Mr. Chu. Since Huizhou isn’t far from Linfeng, I figured that since I was already there, I might as well do some business. I connected with a few major merchants in Linfeng, and that’s how I found out the Zhao Family has been secretly selling off their fields and properties to get their hands on silver."

Ling Yunhe remembered there was a Beauty Zhao in the palace, so he asked around for more details.

The Zhao Family was a prominent clan in the region. Selling off land and shops was not something they wanted to publicize, so they kept the news under tight wraps.

But among merchants who do business with each other, everyone knows everyone else’s business. So, while outsiders were in the dark, it was an open secret in their circle.

Ling Yunhe was a member of the Ling Family and now managed business for the Imperial Concubine. Naturally, he was well-received when he arrived in Linfeng. It wasn’t long before someone tried to curry favor by passing this information on to him.

"I was curious at the time, so I casually asked what could have happened to a great clan like the Zhao Family to make them start selling off their family assets. The person wasn’t very clear on the details, only saying that a branch of the Zhao family was establishing a foothold in the Capital City and needed some silver for personal use."

"That kind of excuse might fool others, but people like us would never believe it. If they wanted to establish themselves in the Capital City, they would have planned for it long ago. And if they had planned ahead, the silver would have been prepared in advance. This sudden rush to raise funds means they must have run into some major trouble."

Xie Jinshu looked at Ling Yunhe. "They did run into major trouble. Beauty Zhao has become Lady Zhao."

Ling Yunhe was startled. "Really?"

The moment he returned to the Capital City, he had headed straight for Xie Jinshu’s residence and hadn’t had time to catch up on recent events.

"So, the Zhao Family is scrambling for silver to help Lady Zhao in the palace?" Ling Yunhe asked.

"It’s hard to say." Xie Jinshu didn’t know either. He looked at Ling Yunhe and asked, "How much silver did the Zhao Family raise this time?"

Ling Yunhe made a hand gesture.

Xie Jinshu frowned. "Ten thousand taels?"

Ling Yunhe nodded. "Yes. If they’re raising it for Lady Zhao, how would they get such a large sum into the palace?"

’I’m afraid it might not be for Lady Zhao at all.’