Emperor Ying squinted his eyes.

Minister Yang heard this and broke out into a cold sweat, kneeling down as well.

"I am terrified."

"Holy Emperor, I am honest and incorruptible!"

Emperor Ying did not place blame or direct his anger. His eyes flickered with light and shadow as he thumbed his Buddha beads. The atmosphere in the hall instantly became somber, overwhelmed by his intimidating presence.

Suddenly, Emperor Ying laughed.

Look at them, each one has grown their own wings.

Unlike in the past when they could be manipulated, now they resist his authority.

He was full of implications.

"Speaking of which, Gui Zhi and Fu Ju are now in-laws. My left and right arms have become family, it must be destiny,"

Emperor Ying said, "I am very relieved."

Anyone could tell how false it sounded.

He asked, "In your opinion, Fu Ju, how should this matter be handled?"

Regarding the dam issue, during annual discussions, Gu Fuju was always present but never spoke.

After all, Wei Zhao was his most valued student.

He understood that Wei Zhao was willing to give.

Yang Changzheng vigorously promoted this; how could Emperor Ying not know he pocketed kickbacks to some extent? How could he not know that those executing it below were exploiting it layer by layer?

It was nothing more than closing one eye. As long as there were people putting in money and effort, why wouldn’t he be happy?

Emperor Ying wasn’t afraid of officials below not being greedy. As long as they didn’t go too far, he could tolerate them. Yang Changzheng was also a capable person, so he became a trusted confidant.

Gu Fuju saw no need to put in the effort for no gain, so he didn’t intervene much.

But now things were different... Wei Zhao’s attitude was clear.

"In the early years, a total of this amount was spent on water conservancy projects."

Gu Fuju made a gesture.

"This is no small amount; everyone here knows it."

"The focus is on Jiangnan, Yiling, Yuzhou, and Pingyang."

"Plains are easier to build on than complex mountainous terrain, and the progress of the projects is faster. Irrigation channels, small dams, etc., can be built year after year. But canals and large reservoirs take years to complete."

Gu Fuju: "I’d like to ask Mr. Yang, how much have you built? And how much has collapsed?"

Ying Yin’s glance flickered, he lowered his head without a sound.

Duke Zhongyong: ??!!

No, why bring up something everyone silently acknowledged in the past?

Is this a slap in the face for Minister Yang or for His Majesty himself?!

Who doesn’t know how much tribute Minister Yang sends into the palace each year with his flattery?

Gu Fuju: "Regarding the engineering, I’m not as knowledgeable as Mr. Yang, but I do remember when the founder was still around, many projects were built that needed annual repairs, yet far fewer."

"Shouldn’t Mr. Yang give an explanation? Is it your incompetence, not paying enough attention because it’s not your money, or is it the people below with too many schemes?"

Just short of pointing at Yang Changzheng and scolding him.

Gu Fuju: "Wei Zhao is tight on resources, yet key ministers of the nation all share responsibility. I’ve served in office for many years and am willing to contribute my part."

"Mr. Yang, being such a conscientious official, has tirelessly worked for the people’s welfare all these years, surely wouldn’t mind. Whatever he contributes, I’ll scrape together the same amount—even selling what I have or borrowing money, I’ll contribute."

Duke Zhongyong wasn’t sure how things got to this point.

But he felt he should show his stance, right?

After all, he won’t go wrong siding with Wei Zhao and Gu Fuju!

He hesitated.

"Then I’ll try... to follow along?"

————

Rumors outside were going wild.

Yu Tingwan didn’t know.

Because she was in a teahouse.

The Yang family lived nearby, so when Mrs. Yang heard the news, she knew things were going south faster than Jiasan and Ning Suxuan.

It was said the street wasn’t a place to talk. She booked the entire teahouse, cleared all the guests, and invited Yu Tingwan over.

At this time, the atmosphere was rather tense.

Mrs. Yang brewed tea with a cold and stern face, not saying a word.

Her demeanor was oppressive.

Mrs. Yang did it on purpose, just to see how capable Yu Tingwan was to have caused Jingshu to trip up so badly.

She had only been in Shangjing for a few months; though of noble status, her reputation should falter under pressure.

Hadn’t they seen the Little White Lotus sitting there breathless, nervous, and not daring to sit at all?

Then.

The crunching sound was heard.

Yu Tingwan not only showed no fear, she was even eating melon seeds to pass the time.

Mrs. Yang: ...

She glanced at Lu Shiyin.

"What’s Miss Lu afraid of? Just inviting you for a cup of tea—no need to be so petty. The Lu Family unwilling to let you into the Yang Family can’t force you."

"No need to make the General’s wife misunderstand, thinking our Yang Family has become a bandit den."

If it weren’t for Lu Shiyin, none of this would have happened!

Would Mrs. Yang tolerate her?

Lu Shiyin was terrified: "I... I..."

Yu Tingwan: "Miss Lu."

She shoved a handful of melon seeds into her hand, giving her something to do: "Help shell these."

She was leisurely: "If Mrs. Yang has any issues, direct them at me."

Mrs. Yang smiled slightly.

"Listen to you."

"Did today’s events wrong you? Outside they say you’re being bullied to death by my Jingshu."

"Inviting you up here is to clear this up."

"This incident began with our witless maid as the source. But madam, you shouldn’t go crashing into people."

She poured a cup of brewed tea.

"Jingshu meeting with trouble is one thing, but if your esteemed body falls ill, how should our Yang Family explain to the Wei Family?"

Sounded like genuine concern for Yu Tingwan.

Yet all were sarcastic remarks.

Yu Tingwan pretended not to notice.

She nodded.

"Mrs. Yang knows how to behave; your words are comforting."

Mrs. Yang: ...

Truly no decorum.

She continued: "If you’re feeling displeased, you can take away that foolish woman, whether to beat or kill her, whatever eases your anger, is negotiable."

Just a servant anyway.

After speaking, she glanced at Yang Jingshu behind her.

Mrs. Yang patted Yang Jingshu’s hand: "Look at your pitiful state, I can’t even bear to scold you heavily usually, must’ve been frightened."

With someone backing her, Yang Jingshu’s confidence was bolstered.

"Yes, I really..."

"Lost all face today."

Yang Jingshu tearfully wiped her eyes with a handkerchief: "But it doesn’t matter, the General’s wife wasn’t intentional."

Mrs. Yang nodded, mother and daughter in harmony: "Then quickly deliver the tea to the lady to apologize."

"And this matter will be over, in the future..."

Mrs. Yang paused, looking at Yu Tingwan amiably.

"The lady has just come to Shangjing and is newly wed; she may not understand the social ways here. It is said to be magnanimous where one can. This time we’ll admit our wrongs as the Yang Family. We concede."

"In the future, we may end up being more connected. After all, my husband is a close minister to the emperor, and minor quarrels among us women are easy to resolve. But if it becomes a rift between our families, if brought before the men, it will be a sin. It may not be good for you either."

Mrs. Yang: "Don’t you agree?"

Yu Tingwan listened and understood.

Afraid of her status causing public uproar, so bowing to seek reconciliation, but with anger in her heart, she thought young Yu Tingwan could be subdued through intimidation alone.

She let out a cold laugh, fully unleashing her aura.

Just as she was about to speak.

With a bang, the door was kicked open, and someone strode inside.

Ning Suxuan with a cold face, ignoring the Yang family, swiftly approached Yu Tingwan, pulled her up, scrutinizing her up and down, seeing no injuries, let out a heavy sigh of relief.

Yet still uneasy.

"How are you?"

"Is there anywhere you feel unwell?"

Yu Tingwan was unexpectedly surprised by Ning Suxuan’s presence; Yang Jingshu has support, so does she.

She blinked wide-eyed.

Jiasan rushed in from outside just then.

As she entered, she heard Yu Tingwan’s particularly aggrieved voice.

"Mother-in-law! Glad you’re finally here."

"I’m so fragile; I’d break at a touch. If someone says harsh words, I get flustered."

Yu Tingwan wanted to cry tearfully, yet she tried hard, but couldn’t cry out.

Finally, she buried her head in Ning Suxuan’s arms, pressing against her heart, wistfully uttering a line.

"So afraid, so helpless."

Ning Suxuan stiffened: ...

Jiasan: !!

Her heart almost shattered hearing it.