After Yao Suyi left the study, Fu Zhang jotted down the recent events and narrowed his eyes.

The injury at the dock, the debt collectors blocking the gate, the Qilin Pavilion auction—seemingly unrelated incidents, yet they all pointed to one person: Princess Yunshang. She may not have ordered the creditors to demand repayment, but her refusal to continue covering the Prime Minister’s residence’s debts had clearly triggered the wave of collections.

Princess Yunshang had accepted the late Emperor’s marriage decree and had feelings for him. But this time, despite his injury, she hadn’t come to visit. In the past, even a minor illness would prompt her to bring the best physician from Baiyi Hall.

Fu Zhang even suspected that Liang Youyi had commissioned the Qilin Pavilion auction. He wanted to confront her, but calmed himself. It was only speculation—he couldn’t be sure she was behind the auction.

Ultimately, it all stemmed from the dock incident. She had grown suspicious.

Apologize to Princess Yunshang? Speak soft words? Impossible.

A woman must never be indulged. The more you lower yourself, the more she’ll look down on you. Best to never mention the dock again—time would blur the memory.

With that thought, Fu Zhang summoned Zhao Hu: “Go investigate whether Yulouchun, Rongbaozhai, and Chisu Workshop belong to Princess Yunshang.”

“Aren’t you meeting her tomorrow?”

“Just go.”

After Zhao Hu left, Fu Zhang ordered the steward to prepare the carriage—he was heading to the palace.

The afternoon court session had long ended. He asked Chun’an, the chief eunuch serving the Empress Dowager, to announce his request for an audience.

Soon, Chun’an returned with a cheerful smile, saying the Empress Dowager was waiting in the imperial study.

Fu Zhang entered and greeted her. She asked, “Prime Minister, what urgent matter brings you to the palace?”

Fu Zhang knelt and declared, “Your servant is guilty.”

The Empress Dowager said, “Rise, Prime Minister. Speak freely.”

But Fu Zhang remained kneeling. “My mother and sister-in-law are poor managers. The household’s savings are meager. Today, creditors came demanding repayment. I’ve brought shame upon Your Majesty’s favor and sullied your reputation. I am deeply remorseful. I did not wish for the censors to impeach me and cause Your Majesty embarrassment in court, so I came early to confess and beg forgiveness.”

Empress Dowager Liang Yanzhi thought it was something serious and asked, “How much debt do you owe?”

“Eighty thousand taels. That’s the total from the past five years.” He had already paid over seventy thousand taels in cash and goods today, leaving eighty thousand still outstanding.

Hearing this, the Empress Dowager felt it was no big deal. Her Prime Minister was so upright, so loyal. A Prime Minister of the realm, owing only eighty thousand taels over five years? That wasn’t debt—it was her own failure to support her minister adequately.

“You have a whole household to maintain. It’s understandable. I’ll have Chun’an take ten thousand taels from my private treasury for you to repay the rest. If you face hardship again…”

Before she finished, Fu Zhang interjected, “Princess Yunshang’s tavern is doing well. I’ll borrow from her temporarily.”

“Indeed. That tavern was a gift from my grandmother. It brings in at least seventy to eighty thousand taels a year. How could she stand by while creditors besiege the Prime Minister’s residence?”

“She’s displeased with me. I’ve been too focused on state affairs and neglected her. I dare not upset her further.”

Chun’an chimed in, “I heard the Princess wants to break off the engagement.”

“She said that?” The Empress Dowager’s face darkened.

Fu Zhang looked embarrassed. “My elder brother passed early. My sister-in-law and four nieces and nephews came to rely on me. The Princess is unhappy, suspecting I’m using household funds to support them. I truly suffer in silence.”

At twenty-nine, Fu Zhang had spent over a decade in politics. He was composed, diligent, and handsome. His candid words made the Empress Dowager feel he was sincere and loyal. She felt a pang of sympathy.

“Don’t worry. She’s my niece. I’ll speak to her.”

Fu Zhang thanked her and left the palace with ten thousand taels tucked in his sleeve, feeling pleased. Whether or not Princess Yunshang was behind the trouble, no one could control Fu Zhang. Unfortunately, the ten thousand taels would go toward debt repayment. The auctioned treasures still weren’t covered.

Early the next morning, Eunuch Chun’an arrived at the Duke Ding’s estate with a message: the Empress Dowager missed Princess Yunshang and requested her immediate presence at the palace.

Jiang Shuang repeatedly asked Chun’an what the matter was, but he only smiled and said it was nothing serious—just a chat.

Old Madam Liang was thrilled to see Chun’an and eagerly asked after the Empress Dowager and the Emperor’s health. Chun’an replied, “All is well, all is peaceful. Old Madam, take care of yourself. With the Empress Dowager and the Emperor both concerned for the Duke Ding’s estate, your blessings are far from over—please look after your health.”

“Eunuch Chun’an, when children grow up, there are always things beyond our control. Please ask the Empress Dowager to discipline them more. If anyone acts disloyally or unjustly, let them be punished or even executed.”

“Certainly. I’ll pass your words to Her Majesty.”

Liang Youyi dressed properly, her attire and accessories modest yet befitting her status as a noble lady. Upon entering the palace, she greeted the Empress Dowager respectfully.

Empress Dowager Liang Yanzhi didn’t say much—she simply ordered Liang Youyi to kneel and continued reviewing memorials.

Someone had already reported to Fu Zhang: “Prime Minister, Princess Yunshang has entered the palace. It seems she upset the Empress Dowager and has been kneeling in the imperial study ever since.”

Fu Zhang paused, then slowly replied, “Her Majesty’s decisions are not for us ministers to question.”

“Oh.” The official immediately fell silent.

Liang Youyi had offered her greetings but received no response, so she obediently knelt for a full hour. She felt no particular distress. For her aunt, kneeling for an hour or two was the lightest form of punishment. It wasn’t about pain—it was about warning.

As lunchtime approached, Fu Zhang entered with several memorials, requesting imperial judgment.

Seeing Liang Youyi still kneeling, he respectfully asked, “Your Majesty, Princess Yunshang came to greet you. Were you too busy and forgot?”

The Empress Dowager looked up. “Do you know what you did wrong?”

Liang Youyi replied calmly and respectfully, “Your servant is dull-witted. I ask Your Majesty to enlighten me.”

“Then continue kneeling…”

Fu Zhang immediately knelt beside her. “Your Majesty, Princess Yunshang is my fiancée. If she has erred, I am willing to share her punishment.”

The Empress Dowager sighed. “You may both rise.”

Fu Zhang helped Liang Youyi to her feet. Her knees were fine—Fangzhi had secretly fitted her with kneepads before she entered the palace.

“Prime Minister, you may leave. I wish to speak with Princess Yunshang.”

Once Fu Zhang exited, the Empress Dowager’s expression turned stern. She said to Liang Youyi, “Today, more than ten people have come and gone from this study. Only the Prime Minister showed concern for you and was willing to share your fate.”

“I cannot be at odds with the Prime Minister. I need him. The Emperor needs him. Great Chen needs him. Do you understand?”

Liang Youyi nodded. “I understand.”

“The world says the Duke Ding’s estate holds immense power, that the Liang clan enjoys endless glory. But do you know—if not for me, the Duke Ding’s estate would have collapsed long ago?”

“I understand.”

“Behind me stands the empire of Great Chen. I am not merely the daughter of the Duke Ding’s estate—I am the backbone of twenty million citizens. I can bestow honor upon the Duke Ding’s estate, and I can revoke it at any time!”

Having delivered her warning, the Empress Dowager looked at the obedient Liang Youyi and said, “As the daughter of the Duke Ding’s estate, your fate is tied to its rise and fall. Cherish your bond with the Prime Minister. Do not let others sow discord and lead you to irreversible regret.”

Liang Youyi understood she was being threatened.

The Empress Dowager offered no rebuttal, no explanation. Before imperial power, Liang Youyi was an ant. Her only choice was to survive.

Cherish her bond with Fu Zhang? Ha—