“Don’t speak carelessly.”

Though the two estates were at odds, a woman’s reputation was precious. He wasn’t a saint, but he had no intention of using vile tactics to ruin an innocent woman.

On the first day of the twelfth lunar month, after returning from the dock, Feng Que hadn’t mentioned his encounter with Liang Youyi to anyone in the estate. His second aunt wept as she recounted how the Duke Ding’s estate had repeatedly provoked the Prince Qi’s estate over the years. Early this year, Empress Dowager Liang Yanzhi had even publicly declared in court that Prince Qi’s estate lacked heirs and revoked imperial farmland granted by the late emperor, reallocating it to officials in greater need.

Second Aunt insisted it wasn’t about grain yield—it was about bullying the Prince Qi’s estate, because they had no one!

The Consort Dowager was more pragmatic. With Feng Que as the estate’s only heir, what use was all that land? If the Empress Dowager wanted it, let her have it.

Feng Que listened quietly all evening, never interrupting. Cold light filtered through the curtain’s seams, casting a chill with no warmth. A vague restlessness stirred in his chest.

Late at night, his trusted aide Zi Mo appeared silently. “Your Highness, someone placed an order at Lingyin Pavilion to investigate Fu Zhang’s past—especially his relationship with his widowed sister-in-law, Madam Yao.”

“Who placed the order?”

“Their skills are formidable. I didn’t dare alert them.”

Feng Que raised a brow with a half-smile, thinking of Princess Yunshang, who had struck the Prime Minister’s carriage earlier that day. Who else would care about Fu Zhang and his sister-in-law’s relationship? Aside from the censors, likely only his fiancée. If it was her that would be interesting.

“And then?”

“They also inquired why Your Highness returned to the capital.”

“Oh? Investigating me?” Feng Que grew curious. He’d only just returned to the capital—someone was already digging into him? Was it Princess Yunshang?

He told Zi Mo, “Copy Fu Zhang’s records in detail and pass them along. And track the investigator—find out who’s so interested in me.”

Three days later, the order investigating Fu Zhang and Madam Yao was completed. Zi Mo reported that the client’s skills surpassed his own—he couldn’t catch them.

Feng Que was intrigued. “You couldn’t catch them? Since when does Tianfeng City have someone that skilled?”

Before Lingyin Pavilion could uncover the client’s identity, news about the Prime Minister’s residence came flooding in: “Your Highness, today Fu Zhang’s eldest son hosted dozens of classmates at Yulouchun. Princess Yunshang refused to pay the bill. All past expenses charged to her account are now being covered by the Prime Minister’s residence.”

“Your Highness, Rongbaozhai detained Fu Zhang’s second son and his classmates. Manager Shen brought five or six staff to the Prime Minister’s residence to demand repayment.”

“Your Highness, the manager of Chisufang publicly demanded payment from Madam Yao. Princess Yunshang brought a punishment paddle and beat her severely—her face was disfigured.”

“Your Highness, managers from over a dozen shops blocked the Prime Minister’s gate, demanding payment. Madam Yao told them to ask Princess Yunshang instead. Half the city is laughing.”

“Your Highness, Censor Huang Desheng received an anonymous denunciation accusing Fu Zhang of purchasing treasures to bribe the Grand Empress Dowager.”

“The day before yesterday, the Prime Minister entered the palace. No one knows what he said to the Empress Dowager, but he left looking smug. Later, Princess Yunshang was urgently summoned.”

…

At first, Feng Que thought Princess Yunshang was just a cold beauty. But lately, he found her rather intriguing.

Rumor had it she adored Fu Zhang and obeyed his every word. Her great-grandmother had left her a lucrative wine shop, and its profits flowed like water into Fu Zhang’s hands.

But recent events painted a very different picture.

Yesterday, Zi Mo came to him, eyes sparkling. “The Prime Minister reserved a private room at Qilin Pavilion and invited Princess Yunshang to view treasures. Your Highness, shall we go eavesdrop?”

So Feng Que, who had planned to lounge at home, couldn’t resist the drama and headed to Qilin Pavilion.

…

“Hey, the Grand Empress Dowager’s nephew is eavesdropping on Fu Zhang!” Jian Yuheng glared with fox-like eyes at Fengque.

Yesterday, the young lord had bet that the Grand Empress Dowager’s nephew, the heir of Prince Gong’s estate, would come to Qilin Pavilion to eavesdrop. Heir Cui was only ten, but known as a scholarly prodigy. Would he really stoop to spying?

Jian Yuheng didn’t believe it and bet against Feng Que—loser would serve the winner for a year. But today, Heir Cui really showed up. Prince Gong’s carriage had been parked outside Qilin Pavilion since dawn.

“Simple. I told him that if he came to Qilin Pavilion to eavesdrop, I’d teach him how to solve the Luban lock.”

“How do you know he couldn’t solve it?”

“I made that lock. I gave it to the Imperial Academy’s head scholar, who used it to test students. Whoever solves it becomes his final disciple.”

“You’re ruthless,” Jian Yuheng muttered. “Fine. I’ll serve you for a year.”

One bet, and Jian Yuheng had sold himself to Feng Que.

As they spoke, Feng Que placed a chess piece swiftly. “You lost again.”

Jian Yuheng looked down—he’d lost another game. He was beginning to understand what it meant to always lose to the young lord. He hadn’t won a single match in years. Even betting on a child eavesdropping—Feng Que won.

He tossed the chess piece aside. “Fu Zhang wants to become the imperial tutor. He plans to buy two treasures to win the Grand Empress Dowager’s favor.”

“Then we can’t let him succeed.”

“You want them? I’m warning you—the thousand-year red coral and Ten Thousand Miles of Crimson painting are real treasures. They won’t come cheap!”

Jian Yuheng grew wary. He’d work for Feng Que, but he wasn’t about to spend money for him.

“Figure it out. Just don’t let Fu Zhang win the bid.”

Feng Que didn’t want the treasures—he just didn’t want Fu Zhang to get them. That old, ugly man had no business dreaming big.

Feng Que lifted his chin. “Huang Desheng is here!”

Jian Yuheng looked down and saw Huang Desheng sneaking along the wall in plain clothes. “Why is he here?”

He didn’t believe Huang Desheng came to buy treasures.

The poorest officials in court? The censors. They were broke and vicious—once they bit, they never let go.

If Huang Desheng came to Qilin Pavilion, he was definitely hunting for dirt.

“Could it be… Fu Zhang?” Jian Yuheng turned to ask—but Feng Que had vanished.

Liang Youyi entered the private room on the second floor of Qilin Pavilion through a side passage. Fu Zhang was already waiting. “Have a seat,” he said, pouring her a cup of tea. Steam curled gently from the cup.

As Prime Minister, he was burdened with countless affairs. Yet today, he had humbled himself to invite her to admire treasures—and even poured her tea personally. Surely she should be moved?

Liang Youyi glanced at the tea but didn’t touch it. It smelled fragrant, but she remembered the unidentified pills he’d received from Baili Xiao on the southern border. She wouldn’t even touch the cup. Not to mention how he’d set her up in the palace.

“Prime Minister, you’re skipping court today just to help me select treasures?”

Fu Zhang was caught off guard by her tone. He composed himself and replied formally, “The Princess is unmatched in wealth and status. I fear anything I purchase may not be worthy of your gaze.”

“If you’re unwilling to spend on me, why invite me at all? Don’t tell me—you expect me to buy the treasures for you?”