The day after the Grand Tutor’s eldest grandson’s full-month banquet, Li Zhiyue heard from Bai Ruzhu that the second young miss Jiang Yan of the Marquis of Xuanping’s cadet branch had been broken off by the Wen family.

“Wen Shaoqing is the Left Minister of the Court of Justice. If it weren’t for Lord Cheng suddenly stepping in back then, Wen Shaoqing should have been the head of the Court of Justice.”

Bai Ruzhu sighed, “The Wen family is well-respected and Wen Shaoqing’s official rank isn’t low—he’s a fourth-rank official. Taking a concubine’s daughter as a match is more than enough… Of course, he is a bit older and already has children, so he’s not the best match. But apart from the Wen family, where else could Jiang Yan find someone better?”

“Her reputation was ruined at the Princess’s banquet before, and now she’s been rejected from the engagement. I don’t think she’ll find a good match in the capital. Most likely, the Marquis of Xuanping’s house will marry this illegitimate daughter off to a remote place, either as a concubine or to a poor family. Anything’s possible.”

Li Zhiyue felt an indescribable emotion.

From this, it seemed that because of Cheng Changyan’s interference, Jiang Yan’s fate was changed.

It appeared that Cheng Changyan was the wildcard in this story.

She frowned, pondering this.

Suddenly, Bai Ruzhu spoke up, “Ahem, Daughter, what do you think of Lord Cheng?”

Li Zhiyue nodded, “A talented young man, promising and capable; he’s bound to rise higher in the future. Our Marquis house should maintain good relations with him.”

“As long as you’re satisfied.” Bai Ruzhu smiled. “The Cheng family has no elders guiding him. I suspect he doesn’t know how to handle such a big matter. So we should take the initiative. Tomorrow, I’ll arrange a matchmaker to come by and first…”

“Wait!” Li Zhiyue interrupted. “Arrange a matchmaker? Mother, don’t tell me you want to marry me off now? I’m only fifteen!”

“It’s just to settle things preliminarily, so no one else gets any ideas.” Bai Ruzhu stroked her hair. “You’re too beautiful; if we don’t secure something early, later you won’t have any say in your marriage.”

Her worries were not without reason.

In her youth, Bai Ruzhu was famous throughout the capital for her beauty, but she had another notorious trait—she was poor at managing the household and often made a fool of herself.

Because of that, many elders of great families refused to let their children marry someone like her, fearing trouble for their descendants.

But her daughter was different—she could earn money and manage a household, far better than her mother.

Even if she became the Crown Princess, it would be fitting.

What if princes competed for her?

She wouldn’t even look at those imperial consorts, let alone concubines…

Well, of course, she only dared to think this silently, never to say it aloud.

She hoped her daughter would marry into a simple family, one without concubines or illegitimate children, so she could have a peaceful life.

The Cheng family was undoubtedly an excellent choice.

“There’s no matriarch in the Cheng family; if you marry in, you’ll be the mistress of the house,” Bai Ruzhu became more pleased as she spoke. “The only drawback is that they’re a bit poor, but our Marquis house isn’t short of money, so it’s a perfect match. Yue’er, listen to me…”

Li Zhiyue covered her ears.

She knew that women born in an era ruled by imperial power had only half their fate in their own hands.

Even a young lady of noble birth like herself, if the emperor whimsically arranged a marriage, could only obey obediently.

She had no strength to oppose imperial authority.

But she didn’t want to blindly accept a marriage arrangement.

Having no better ideas for now, Li Zhiyue changed the subject: “The Grand Theater will open soon. Mother, if you have time, please listen to the plays I’ve written. If anything isn’t good, be sure to tell me so I can revise them.”

Bai Ruzhu loved listening to plays and immediately agreed.

Li Zhiyue prepared to return to her own courtyard.

At that moment, Li Suifeng’s angry voice came from afar.

He strode into the courtyard, slammed his official hat on the ground, and cursed loudly, “Damn it! I’m not putting up with this crap anymore—if it comes to it, I’ll quit!”

“What’s going on?”

Bai Ruzhu got up, picked up the hat, dusted it off, and placed it on the table.

She walked to Li Suifeng and spoke gently, “Husband, don’t swear here. Have some tea and calm down first.”

Li Suifeng gulped down a cup of icy lemon water and finally calmed a bit.

He said, “It’s about the Tower. Didn’t the emperor say I’m in charge? I work from dawn to dusk, afraid of any mistake, but what happens? The younger brother of Consort Shu, actually causes trouble! You know what he did?

He took away fifty thousand taels of silver! The plan was to build the Tower nine stories high, but with fifty thousand taken, only eight stories can be built! When that time comes, the emperor will blame me! And if someone purposely slanders me for embezzlement, the Li family is finished!”

“Consort Shu’s younger brother, young master Zheng of the Zheng family?” Bai Ruzhu frowned. “Since Consort Shu gained favor, he got into the Imperial Astronomical Bureau and was promoted to fourth rank unusually fast. But the Astronomical Bureau can manage the Tower?”

“No, they can’t,” Li Suifeng was angry again. “But his sister is Consort Shu! He said the Tower was built for her, so it’s their Zheng family’s property. Taking their own money to build it, he’s got the right in the emperor’s eyes. I spit on that! I’m writing a memorial now; tomorrow morning I’ll submit it to the emperor!”

“Father, wait.” Li Zhiyue spoke up. “There’s probably a lot of grease in the Tower’s funds. If young master Zheng took such a large sum at once, others would get less and must be unhappy. But if that’s true, why hasn’t anyone reported it to the emperor?”

Bai Ruzhu frowned. “With Consort Shu whispering in the emperor’s ear, complaints wouldn’t help. It would only make Consort Shu and the Zheng family hostile to us, which isn’t worth it.”

Li Zhiyue nodded, “As long as Consort Shu remains favored, young master Zheng can act this arrogantly.”

After all, the emperor in this story is capable but not wise; in his middle and later years, he’s addicted to elixirs and often manipulated by consorts, ministers, and princes.

Reporting problems isn’t the best solution.

“So what, just let it go?” Li Suifeng gritted his teeth. “When I confronted him today, he called me an idiot. Damn it, I may be an idiot, but I’m still better than him! Who does he think he is, shitting on me like that? I—ugh!”

Bai Ruzhu covered his mouth.

“Father, I have an idea.” Li Zhiyue smiled softly. “Since no one wants to manage the Building properly, then we should escalate the conflict…”

As she spoke slowly, Li Suifeng’s eyes grew wider and wider. “Yue’er, you’re clever, really clever…”

The next day after court, Li Suifeng took young master Zheng Wei from the Zheng family to the Drunken Flower Pavilion for drinks.

“Young master Zheng, please come in.” Li Suifeng smiled warmly. “Today I’m treating you to drinks and music, hoping you’ll forget yesterday’s trouble.”

Zheng Wei sneered, “Looks like the Marquis of Xiangyang isn’t as much a fool as people say, knows how to flatter me.”

“I thought about it all night and realized, young master Zheng is a rare talent!” Li Suifeng raised his cup. “The Building Tower is a tall building built for Consort Shu. Young master Zheng using the silver is like money moving from left pocket to right pocket. I don’t think it means much.”

Zheng Wei narrowed his eyes. “Oh? And what’s your advice, Marquis of Xiangyang?”