Late at night.

Li Zhiyue finally returned to the Marquis’s residence.

Bai Ruzhu’s tears streamed down like pearls: “Yue’er, it was just doing business, but risking your life is not worth it. From tomorrow on, don’t go out anymore. Rest well and heal. How did you end up injured on your neck? What if it leaves a scar? What will we do then?”

Li Zhiyue gave a dry laugh, “Mother, I’m fine, really.”

“If it weren’t for Lord Cheng, would you still be here talking to me?” Bai Ruzhu said. “We must personally go thank Lord Cheng.”

Li Muyun rolled his eyes: “Is that necessary? If not for him, Yue Niang wouldn’t have been kidnapped in the first place. It was his responsibility. Our Marquis’s residence hasn’t even bothered him—that’s already very generous of us.”

“Enough!” The old Marquis said in a low voice. “Today’s incident revealed many problems. Our Marquis’s residence has too few capable people.”

Li Suifeng nodded: “Many prominent families keep secret guards. Shouldn’t our Xiangyang Marquis residence do the same? If something happens again, we won’t have to beg the commander in the capital for help. Those bastards look down on people. It makes me so angry!”

Li Zhiyue realized for the first time that the grand Xiangyang Marquis residence didn’t even have a single secret guard.

But thinking about it, it was somewhat understandable.

Her great-grandfather was a scholar, granted a marquis title for his service protecting the emperor.

Then her grandfather inherited the title, but he spent his time playing around, never thinking about developing the residence.

Over the years, the residence was just an empty shell—worthless in the capital.

Li Zhiyue recalled what she had read in books: after the struggle for succession began, the entire Wei dynasty descended into chaos, even the capital was unsafe.

The court could not be relied on, so it was necessary to maintain a loyal group of secret guards.

But raising secret guards required money.

Although the milk tea shop’s income was considerable, raising an elite force would be a big challenge.

Li Zhiyue lay on her bed pondering future plans and unknowingly fell asleep.

In her dream, she saw Cheng Changyan’s face.

This man surprisingly took her hand and suddenly they flew up, flying all the way to the moon.

He sat her on the crescent moon and they watched the stars together.

It felt strange, and she woke up immediately.

Outside, the sun was already high—it was almost noon.

She had slept so long.

Just after finishing breakfast, Bai Ruzhu arrived at her courtyard and firmly said, “Don’t go to the tea shop these days. Stay at home and rest your injury.”

Li Zhiyue was speechless.

Her wound had scabbed over last night, and she no longer felt pain this morning.

Delaying making money for such a small injury was really not worth it.

But Bai Ruzhu’s eyes were full of tears, so she had no choice but to focus on practicing calligraphy at home.

At first, using the brush was very awkward, but the more she practiced, the more she loved it.

No wonder people say calligraphy cultivates the mind and body—it’s true.

Li Zhiyue obediently stayed at home for three days.

Of course, she was not idle.

During this time, she launched a new product: thick taro milk tea.

In recent days, many tea houses in the capital also began selling milk tea, but they were always behind the Li family—Li’s shop served the meat, while others only served soup.

“Thick taro milk tea tastes really good.”

“It’s still better to drink milk tea at Li’s shop; there are always new products to try.”

“If only they put pearls, grass jelly, pudding, and taro all in one cup, how delicious would that be!”

After learning the customers’ preferences, Shopkeeper Chen immediately reported to Li Zhiyue at the Marquis’s residence.

Soon, Li’s Tea House launched a new policy: toppings were sold separately at 100 wen per serving.

Customers who might have had difficulty choosing toppings now just put all their favorites in one cup.

Drinking milk tea was a pleasure.

Eating toppings was another joy.

Li’s Tea House had a steady stream of customers.

At that moment, a sudden voice rang out:

“The Xiangyang Marquis’s residence is ungrateful and heartless! How dare you still come here to drink tea!”

“What do you mean by that? Tell us!”

“Years ago, a brave man died saving the Marquis of Xiangyang. Before he died, he entrusted his wife and children to the Marquis’s residence. But the Marquis ignored the orphaned family—it’s truly heartless!”

“The Marquis lives in a grand mansion, while the widow and orphans are said to have fallen to living in the cheap rooms of an inn!”

“The Marquis makes a fortune every day, yet the widow and orphans can’t even afford a bowl of plain rice!”

“Li’s Tea House, phooey!”

“People’s hearts have changed!”

“……”

No one knew where the rumors started.

Some tea house owners saw an opportunity and immediately exaggerated the matter, spreading the story in their own shops.

In less than half a day, it spread throughout the capital.

“What!” Li Suifeng was incredulous. “Our Marquis’s residence has taken good care of Sister Zhen’s family. How could such rumors spread?”

Bai Ruzhu frowned: “The Marquis’s residence bought Sister Zhen a courtyard. It’s impossible she fell to living in an inn. And the support we gave them was on par with what the Marquis’s family received. Who is spreading lies about them not even affording rice?”

But steward Li Bo came in from outside: “I inquired. Madam Lu and her family of three are indeed living in the cheap rooms of the Yuelai Inn. And the courtyard the Marquis’s residence bought for Madam Lu was sold three days ago.”

The Li family was shocked.

They thought those were just rumors, but they were facts.

If they were short on money, they could have talked to the Marquis’s residence, but they sold the courtyard without a word.

In the past, the Marquis’s residence and the Zhen family were close; they would have known as soon as the courtyard was sold. But after that incident, their contact had become rare.

“We need to ask and find out what happened,” Li Zhiyue said calmly. “Li Bo, please invite Madam Zhen here.”

Half an hour later, Madam Zhen followed Li Bo from the outer courtyard.

She bowed her head and greeted, “Greetings, Madam.”

“Sister, no need to be so formal, please sit.” Bai Ruzhu handed her a cup of tea. “Have you encountered any difficulties recently?”

Madam Zhen smiled: “No, not really.”

“Well—” Bai Ruzhu raised her eyes, “I heard people say you sold the courtyard—is it a misunderstanding?”

Madam Zhen tightened her grip: “Yes, I sold it. My nephew is about to enter Yanshan Academy, and the pen, ink, paper, and inkstone all cost a lot. Every step requires money. My brother and sister-in-law have no money, so they asked me to help. A child’s education is a big matter. No matter what, I must help, so I sold the courtyard. Madam, is selling it not allowed?”

Bai Ruzhu was momentarily speechless.

The courtyard was bought by the Marquis’s residence and given to Madam Zhen, so naturally it could be sold.

She recovered and asked, “Have you heard the rumors going around?”

Madam Zhen lowered her head, lips curled in a bitter smile.

Her nephew was right—whenever the Marquis’s residence’s interests were involved, they would definitely come to her.

What harm was there in selling one courtyard? +

As long as the Marquis’s residence cared about its reputation, they would buy her another place to live.

Perhaps, she might even be lucky enough to move into the Marquis’s residence itself.