The next day, on the return journey.

As the carriage entered the city gate, a Wei Family Army soldier hurriedly came to report.

"General, during the morning court, Minister Yang once again raised the issue of frequent floods in various regions during the flood season. To prevent disasters, water conservancy projects, such as building canals and dikes, should be initiated in advance."

"After the court session, the Holy Emperor retained several ministers to discuss the issue further and has also summoned you."

Yu Tingwan was baffled.

"If it were about a battle at the border, strengthening military defenses, or increasing military provisions, having you go for discussions would make sense, but why involve you in water conservancy?"

Yu Tingwan sighed deeply: "Is it just to make up the numbers?"

Wei Zhao had a calm expression.

"Floods occur frequently, but water conservancy is a massive project that takes time, effort, and money. Moreover, many officials tend to fill their pockets with some amount; layer by layer, the money reduces, leading to poor quality materials. Every year, only a few projects get built, and some collapse due to poor quality, resulting in even more needing repair."

"Why involve me?"

Yu Tingwan, hearing this: ???

She got annoyed instantly.

"For your..."

Wrong.

She quickly turned her words, irritated: "For my money!"

Truly outrageous!!!

Yu Tingwan looked at Wei Zhao.

"Why do you attract so much attention, husband?"

And all from men!!

It’s fine that Xiao Huaian and Ying Fuyan are on our side.

But even Emperor Ying is vile, and Minister Yang is no better!

Wei Zhao had made it so clear; she couldn’t believe Minister Yang wasn’t involved in embezzlement.

"Over the years, the national treasury is not exactly empty."

Wei Zhao sipped the tea Yu Tingwan had half-finished: "The Royal Family allocates the least grain and military wages to the Wei Family Army, yet the treatment within the Wei Family Army is the best."

The true extent of his assets was unknown to outsiders, but that didn’t stop them from coveting them. But since the palace had summoned him, Wei Zhao couldn’t not go.

"Let’s take you home first."

Yu Tingwan lifted the curtain and looked out.

She saw a teahouse ahead, a place she had visited on the day the Zhou Family was executed, and they had some delicious pastries there.

"Stop in front for a bit." 𝓯𝓻𝒆𝙚𝒘𝓮𝙗𝓷𝒐𝓿𝙚𝒍.𝙘𝓸𝙢

Yu Tingwan: "Let’s buy some pastries to take back."

"Always thinking about mother-in-law even when out."

Yu Tingwan: "Have to keep her in good spirits."

Wei Zhao: ...

Once the carriage stopped, Yu Tingwan walked into the teahouse with Tan Jiang.

Soon, she came out dejected and empty-handed.

How unfortunate.

The shopkeeper said the pastries she wanted were sold out.

Yu Tingwan decided not to buy anything else, as the other pastries in the teahouse weren’t any good. Just as she was about to leave, she saw Lu Shiyin coming down from the second floor, holding a curled-up lop-eared rabbit.

The delicate Lu Shiyin naturally recognized her and hurried over to pay her respects.

This teahouse was quite tucked away, and the shop wasn’t large. Lu Shiyin disliked going to bigger teahouses where she might encounter troublesome female guests, so she often visited here.

"General’s wife, you’re here for tea as well?"

Yu Tingwan nodded and looked at her.

To be fair, Lu Shiyin’s delicate and timid demeanor was quite pleasing to her.

If Zhou Yurou acted like this, she’d think it was all an act.

Lu Shiyin dared not meet Yu Tingwan’s gaze directly and wasn’t good at conversing, leaving her unsure whether to stay or leave.

Afraid of offending Yu Tingwan, she stammered.

"This teahouse isn’t bad, except it doesn’t have a young performer singing opera."

"I heard that Mingxiang Pavilion is the most famous teahouse in Shangjing. Not only is their tea good, but they also hire young performers to play the pipa and sing songs."

Yu Tingwan recalled that the pastries at Mingxiang Pavilion were also tasty. After leaving the teahouse, she told Wei Zhao, who was waiting outside, that he didn’t need to take her home.

Yu Tingwan walked briskly in the direction of Lu Shiyin, who was lifting her skirt to return home.

"Let’s go then."

Lu Shiyin was confused: "Huh?"

Yu Tingwan prepared to get on the Lu Family’s carriage. Hearing this, she furrowed her brows: "Weren’t you inviting me to listen to music?"

Otherwise, why mention it to her?

Yu Tingwan declared, "I accept."

Lu Shiyin: ???

Tan Jiang: ???

So that’s what it meant.

Lu Shiyin worried that the place would be crowded, and surely the private rooms upstairs would be gone, and even the main hall on the first floor might have no vacancies.

She couldn’t help but feel anxious.

She couldn’t let the General’s wife be left standing.

Clutching her handkerchief, she stuttered, "Then... shall we go now?"

Yu Tingwan indicated that was agreeable.

Tan Jiang looked towards Lu Shiyin’s maid, who was stunned: "Your lady sure is hospitable."

Maid: ..."Yes... yes."

————

The vendors shouted loudly, and pedestrians and tourists came and went.

Yang Jingshu had just returned to the capital, and her schedule was especially full these few days.

Being a person adept at maintaining appearances, she prepared small gifts and was headed to the Second Prince Mansion to see the little prince.

Firstly, the emperor thought highly of the little prince.

Secondly, she was already designated the Fourth Prince Consort by the Royal Family, so she couldn’t ignore the interactions between sisters-in-law.

However, Yang Jingshu was slightly regretful. What she really wanted was to visit the young madam of the Duke Shun Mansion. Unfortunately, the General’s wife was away these days.

Once she was back, she definitely intended to build a good relationship with her.

During a narrow passage, the Yang Family’s splendid carriage with carved red lacquer and the Lu Family’s blue cloth-roofed carriage found it difficult to pass each other.

In fact, if each moved to one side, they could pass by.

But what kind of family was the Yang Family? Why should they yield to fallen gentry?

The Yang Family’s driver said, "Miss, the carriage in front is blocking our way without looking."

Yang Jingshu asked, "Which family?"

"The Lu Family."

Upon hearing it was the Lu Family, a cold gleam flashed in Yang Jingshu’s eyes as she signaled to the woman behind her.

The older woman approached; Yu Tingwan slightly lifted the corner of the curtain, catching a glimpse of the woman’s vile face.

The woman could only see Yu Tingwan’s beautiful, slender hand, her fair chin, and the clothes made by Hui Niang.

"So it’s Miss Lu. The old servant thought it was someone blind. Since you just arrived in Shangjing, you may not know the local rules."

"Hurry and back up, our young lady is in a rush. There’s urgent business, and if delayed, you’ll be held accountable."

Such arrogance.

Lu Shiyin trembled, her rabbit shivering along: "So...sorry, I’ll back up right away."

But it was difficult to retreat since their carriage had just turned the corner.

However, Yu Tingwan had no objection.

She didn’t mind; she was quite Zen.

Always with a good temper, not looking for trouble.

As the driver prepared to back up, Yu Tingwan was just about to ask the anxious Lu Shiyin beside her if she was at odds with those people.

When she heard the woman persistently sneer.

"Back then, our young master intended to take you as a favored concubine, which could be seen as elevating your status, yet your Lu Family drove the matchmaker away. Such airs you held."

"The Lu Family is truly down and out now; as a legitimate daughter, how can you dress so poorly, worse than a servant in our Yang Family Mansion?"

Yu Tingwan: ???

How dare they insult the clothes Hui Niang made!

Where is the shabbiness!

She felt so warm wearing them!

Yu Tingwan turned her head: "Which Yang Family?"

Lu Shiyin’s face was pale: "The Yang Minister Mansion."

Truly old and new grudges combined.

Yu Tingwan smiled.

"Amazing indeed."

"Almost scared me to death."

She suddenly leaned forward, poking her head out, and instructed the driver.

"Why back up?"

Driver: "Huh?"

Yu Tingwan stared intently at the carriage in front of her, hearing her own soft voice, she enunciated.

"Run. Them. Over."