Fu Zhuang felt slightly awkward at how blunt the words were.

“Qilin Pavilion has acquired two treasures: the thousand-year red coral from Ningguo and Master Songqing’s Ten Thousand Miles of Crimson painting. Are you aware?”

“Qilin Pavilion is the foremost treasure house in the realm. What’s so surprising about them obtaining those?”

“The Grand Empress Dowager’s faction has repeatedly targeted me—every step is a struggle. If I could present these two treasures to Her Majesty, things would surely improve.”

He used to avoid discussing court matters with her. Now, he condescended to explain.

Liang Youyi replied curiously, “The Grand Empress Dowager has retired to the inner palace to enjoy her twilight years. I’ve never heard of her interfering in politics. She’s always been kind. Are you just being disrespectful now that the late emperor is gone?”

Fu Zhuang frowned slightly. She knew he didn’t get along with the Grand Empress Dowager. Was she deliberately praising her to provoke him?

“You say that because you don’t understand court affairs. Half the court now bears the surname Cui. Even His Majesty and the Empress Dowager can’t do anything about it.”

“So you plan to bid on the treasures and gift them to her?”

“My monthly stipend is only 120 taels. How could I afford such priceless items? Besides, I’m a court official—I can’t participate in auctions.”

Fu Zhuang spoke this way largely because of Liang Youyi’s usual attitude over the years. He hadn’t considered why she was speaking so differently today. Normally, she would’ve said, “Fine, I’ll bid for them and give them to you.” But today, she laughed as if hearing the world’s funniest joke.

“You don’t have the money—what auction are you attending? No silver and still want treasures? Planning to rob them? Want Qilin Pavilion to hand them over for free?”

Fu Zhuang’s face flushed with embarrassment and anger. He stared coldly at Liang Youyi.

She had changed. He’d lowered himself so much—not blaming her for not defending Chen’er at Yulouchun, nor for hitting his sister-in-law and Yu’er, and even gifting her a gold hairpin. What did she want?

His displeasure showed in his tone: “Why twist words, Princess? You know I urgently need those treasures.”

“Urgent need? Then ask your sister-in-law to bid for it!”

“How can you drag her into this?” Fu Zhang’s composure finally cracked. “She manages the household affairs of the Prime Minister’s residence, busy every day with food, clothing, and supplies. What does she know about auctions?”

“Fu Zhang, you didn’t invite me here today just to have me buy treasures and hand them over to you for free, did you?”

Liang Youyi spoke bluntly. “No wonder you gave me a hairpin yesterday—so you want to trade one hairpin for two priceless treasures?”

With no one else in the room, Fu Zhang blurted out, “In the past, whenever I needed something, wasn’t it always you who got it for me and forced it into my hands? What’s gotten into you now, Your Highness?”

“You know, I almost forgot—when are you going to repay the money I used to buy gifts for you? That birthday tribute you gave His Majesty last summer? I had to pawn the Jade Rabbit and Golden Crow inkstone that my great-grandmother left me to afford it. And it still hasn’t been redeemed!”

“…” Fu Zhang said through gritted teeth, “These two treasures are extremely important to me. Help me buy them first, and I’ll repay you with interest in due time.”

“I can’t. I really don’t have the money!”

“Your Highness, don’t be so absolute. I believe Her Majesty the Empress Dowager and the Duke would very much like you to assist me.”

“Fu Zhang, are you threatening me?”

“It’s just that Your Highness hasn’t distinguished what’s truly important. I’m merely offering a reminder.”

A faint smile appeared on Liang Youyi’s otherwise indifferent face. “Then allow me to remind the Prime Minister: everyone has weaknesses. You’re no exception.”

Fu Zhang finally realized that Liang Youyi was truly different now. He didn’t ask what leverage she had over him, only said, “Asking you to bid for these treasures isn’t because I’m greedy, nor because it has to be you. It’s simply that our interests align.”

In some ways, Liang Youyi felt he wasn’t wrong. But right now, she just wanted to draw a clear line between them.

“If Your Highness is unwilling, then I’ll sell everything I own and scrape together the silver myself.” Fu Zhang’s face stiffened slightly. He gave her a long look, wanting to ask what leverage she held over him—but in the end, he said nothing.

Both fell silent.

There was a knock at the door. A servant from the Prime Minister’s residence called through the curtain: “My lord, the weather is cold and the ground slippery. Madam Yao took a bad fall and is seriously injured. Please return quickly to check on her.”

Liang Youyi’s lips curled slightly as she said to Fu Zhang, “You’d better hurry back. If you’re late and miss her final moments, wouldn’t that be a pity?”

Fu Zhang, stung by her sarcasm, snapped at the servant, “If she’s sick, call a physician. What are you bothering me for? I’m no doctor.”

Liang Youyi rose to her feet. “Since there’s trouble at your residence, I’ll take my leave.”

Without another word, she turned and left with Fang Ling, not even glancing back.

Fu Zhang frowned and called toward the door, “Zhao Hu, help me back.”

A servant came in to support him out the door—only to spot a young boy glaring at Fu Zhang from the doorway. It was none other than Cui Jiahong, the Empress Dowager’s grandnephew and heir to Prince Gong’s estate.

Fu Zhang forced a smile and asked gently, “Heir Cui, are you here to admire the treasures too?”

Cui Jiahong gave him a frosty glance, said nothing, and walked off with measured steps, his guards following closely behind.

Fu Zhang turned to the servant, puzzled. “What’s wrong with Heir Cui? Where’s Zhao Hu?”

The servant looked miserable. “When I came up, I didn’t see Zhao Hu—only Heir Cui crouched by the door, eavesdropping. His guards stopped me from saying anything.”

The Treasure Pavilion wasn’t soundproof, and since Fu Zhang and Liang Youyi weren’t married, it was improper for a man and woman to be alone in a room together, so the door had been left open. How long had Heir Cui been listening? How much had he heard?

Despite the cold, Fu Zhang broke into a sweat. He wasn’t usually careless, but he’d assumed Zhao Hu was guarding the door. And really, who would be so bored as to eavesdrop on a conversation between the Prime Minister and a noble lady?

Unfortunately, Cui Jiahong was young, and young people did such things. Fu Zhang could only swallow his frustration. Supported by the servant, he limped downstairs, anxious to catch up with Cui Jiahong and find out what he’d overheard. But just as he reached the stairs, he ran into a group of people chatting leisurely about the best restaurants and gambling houses in the capital. They surrounded one man in the center, whose profile was striking and aristocratic.

Fu Zhang tried several times to get past them, but before he could, Cui Jiahong climbed into his carriage and left. Furious, Fu Zhang shouted, “Move aside!”

The group turned. Fu Zhang recognized a few of them: Gu Ruoxu, second son of Duke Wen; Ji Ran, young heir of Marquis Yannan; and the heir of Marquis Jin—he couldn’t recall his name. All of them were notorious scoundrels in the capital.

The man in the center, with his dazzling looks, clearly wasn’t a respectable figure either.

Fu Zhang’s face darkened. “It’s broad daylight—why aren’t you at home behaving yourselves? Crowding around like this, what kind of example are you setting?”

The young nobles hadn’t planned to engage, but Fu Zhang’s scolding rubbed them the wrong way.

Gu Ruoxu retorted, “My lord, what a display of authority. If you can come admire the treasures, why can’t we?”

“Not convinced? Don’t think I don’t know the trouble you’ve caused. Keep bullying the common folk, and I won’t let you off.”

Fu Zhang clearly looked down on these second-generation nobles. That lit a fire under them.

“What exactly are you accusing us of?”

“You think you’re so great with your power to impeach? Go ahead—try it!”

Just as Fu Zhang was about to explode, the man they were surrounding crossed his arms, looked down at him, and said coolly, “Apologize.”

“You want me to apologize? You’re blocking my way—I should charge you with obstructing official duties!”

“Watch your tone! Who do you think you are, acting arrogant in front of this prince?”

Fu Zhang: … This prince? What prince?