The Duke of Yi’s execution of his biological son caused a tremendous stir in the capital.

The Emperor pardoned the Duke and allowed him to select a male heir from a collateral branch of the family to continue the family line.

Within three days, the Duke had made his decision.

Everyone assumed he would pick a boy around ten years old, easier to raise and mold.

But to everyone’s surprise, he chose a man in his twenties, already married with children, who moved into the Duke’s residence with his entire family.

After everything was settled, the Duke of Yi’s family came to the Marquis of Xiangyang’s estate to express their gratitude.

“Duke, Madam, Young Master, please come in!”

The old marquis and Li Suifeng came out to greet them and led the family of three into the main hall.

Bai Ruzhu and Li Zhiyue were waiting at the courtyard entrance.

Upon seeing the real young master of the Duke’s household, Li Zhiyue sighed inwardly—he truly looked the part, practically identical.

“If Miss Li hadn’t informed us, our Duke’s household would still be raising someone else’s child!” The Duchess burst into tears. “When my son was born, the wicked wet nurse swapped him. Her son lived in luxury at the Duke’s manor while mine suffered daily abuse and hardship. He’s grown up now without even learning to read…”

The young man stood up and cupped his hands to Li Zhiyue. “I am Yu Jin. I will always remember Miss Li’s great kindness. If there’s anything I can ever do, I will give my all.”

He had been abused since childhood and long suspected he was not his mother’s biological child.

He had tried to find his real parents, but with limited means, he failed despite his efforts.

Who would have thought they were in the capital, less than twenty li away?

“This is a small token of gratitude from the Yu family. Please accept it,” said the Duke.

With a clap of his hands, several attendants carried in numerous boxes and placed them in the room.

Li Suifeng was dumbfounded. “No, no, this is too much…”

“It’s not too much—not at all,” said the Duchess. “We do have one more humble request. Only your household and ours know the truth. Please help keep it that way by ensuring your servants stay quiet.”

Li Zhiyue nodded. “Don’t worry, Madam. This matter won’t leak from our household.”

These gifts were both a thank-you and a hush payment.

Li Zhiyue accepted them graciously.

After the Duke’s family left, Bai Ruzhu had the boxes opened.

One was full of fine silk, another with silver ingots, another with jewelry, and the last with antiques and paintings.

“This is… extravagant!” Li Suifeng said in disbelief. “This must be worth at least ten thousand taels of silver!”

Looking at the silk, Bai Ruzhu suddenly remembered something she had been neglecting lately.

She asked, “Yue Niang, we’ve been getting deliveries of all kinds of fine fabric every day. The storage rooms are full. Why are you buying so much silk?”

“For… for my dowry,” Li Zhiyue improvised. “I’m already fifteen. It’s time to start preparing it. The more, the better.”

Bai Ruzhu laughed. “You silly girl. What kind of young lady prepares her own dowry? That’s a mother’s job!”

Li Zhiyue pouted. “But I might not like what you prepare! I want to buy more myself and pick and choose. If I don’t like something, I’ll just sell it again, okay?”

“Fine, fine!” Bai Ruzhu sighed. “As long as you’re happy.”

Li Zhiyue boldly held out her hand. “I’ve spent all my personal savings. Mom, give me some silver for my dowry?”

Though the Bai family had once been poor and Bai Ruzhu didn’t have much of a dowry herself, after marrying into the marquis’ household, she and her husband had spent lavishly, accumulating quite a bit of wealth privately.

She turned to Madam Zhou. “Take out half the silver notes from my jewelry box and give them to Yue Niang.”

“Only half?” Li Zhiyue teased. “Mom, just give it all to me—I’ll pay you back double! And Dad, how much do you have in savings? Let me borrow some!”

Li Suifeng stiffened. “Your father hands over all his salary every month to your mother. What savings?”

“Really?” Li Zhiyue blinked. “But I remember that vase in your study…”

“You got me!” Li Suifeng quickly covered her mouth. “Fine, fine, take it all, okay?”

Li Zhiyue managed to collect a total of 8,500 taels from her parents.

Together with the Duke’s gifts, she had 20,000 taels in total, which she gave to Li Qingsong to continue purchasing silk.

Li Qingsong was stunned.

Previously, the young lady had given him 50,000 taels to buy silk, filling every storage room they had, even forcing them to rent extra ones.

Now another 20,000 taels for silk—surely this wasn’t all for a dowry?

He wanted to ask but had heard from Moyu that both the marquis and his wife were aware of the funds, so he said nothing.

Silk merchants across the capital caught wind that the Marquis of Xiangyang was buying up silk without bargaining.

They flocked in like sharks to blood.

By evening, Li Qingsong returned with news: the entire 20,000 taels had been spent in half a day.

Li Zhiyue began to worry.

Money really did fly too fast.

“Take all the rare items from the estate’s storage, except for those gifted by the emperor, and sell them,” she ordered. “And sell all the estates outside the city too.”

Li Qingsong was shocked. “Those are ancestral lands passed down for generations. You really want to sell them?”

Li Zhiyue nodded. “They’re barren and unproductive. No need to keep them.”

Li Qingsong opened his mouth but could only nod and obey.

The estates, totaling over 1,000 mu, were poor lands—only worth about one tael per mu. Including the vacation villas on the land, they managed to fetch around 3,000 taels.

The antiques in storage, though numerous, were mostly decades old and deteriorated. Many had lost their luster and value, bringing in just 8,000 taels combined.

Together, they totaled a little over 10,000 taels.

Li Zhiyue looked around her room. “Moyu, this tea set was a unique piece from an official kiln—I remember paying 500 taels for it. Pawn it. This screen looks valuable too, and the huanghuali wood furniture should be worth something…”

Moyu was shaken. “Miss, if you sell all these, what will you use?”

Li Zhiyue was about to reply when the nursemaid rushed in.

“Miss, bad news! The old marquis is furious and throwing a fit! You must come quickly!”

Li Zhiyue was startled.

Her grandfather was old and usually indulged in food and drink without getting angry.

Something serious must have happened.

She hurried out.

Just before reaching the main hall, she ran into Li Muyun, also rushing over after hearing the news.

Li Muyun said, “Fu’an said Grandfather beat Father badly. Looks like Father caused some serious trouble outside.”