Cao Yang frowned. "Yes. Although I strictly prohibited it, you know how quickly this method generates wealth. With members of the imperial family also involved, it’s been impossible to eradicate."
Loan sharking—the practice of lending silver at exorbitant interest rates and demanding repayment in multiples—had been banned in the previous dynasty. However, with industries in decline during this reign, the restrictions were lifted to stimulate financial circulation.
Chu Jing sighed. "Since even officials are engaging in it, do you think Sun Mao would pass up such a lucrative opportunity?"
Cao Yang immediately grasped her implication.
The silver Sun Mao had embezzled must have been funneled into loan sharking. If he were truly apprehended, recovering those vast sums would be impossible.
"Moreover, after all these years without merit or fault, and given his ties to Mother’s family… You know how the elderly grow nostalgic with age. There’s no need to upset her over such matters. Let’s make a show of severity but handle it lightly—consider it the first act of this new madam’s tenure. What do you think, my lord?"
Cao Yang couldn’t help but smile. This would also earn her a reputation for magnanimity and kindness, winning hearts in the process.
He sighed in admiration. "When it comes to household affairs, I’m no match for you, my lady. From now on, you have full authority."
"Then I thank you, my lord." As she spoke, Chu Jing felt a pang of melancholy.
Her talent for household management was renowned throughout the capital.
When she first arrived at the Marquis of Chengen's Mansion, the grand estate could barely scrape together a few hundred taels of silver. By the time she left, it had become one of the wealthiest households in the city.
Yet had anyone ever thanked her? There had only been endless demands and interrogations. Old Madam Xue had repeatedly warned her not to funnel the marquis’s silver back to her own family…
Chu Jing shook her head, dispelling those bitter memories. When she looked up, she found Cao Yang watching her.
"My lord, is there something on my face?"
Caught off guard, Cao Yang averted his gaze awkwardly before hastily changing the subject. "N-no, I was just thinking… You’ve never shown much interest in household matters before. Why the sudden involvement?"
Chu Jing smiled. "It’s all thanks to my dear niece. She insisted on organizing a family banquet. Since I’ve married into the Cao family, I couldn’t very well host it at my maiden home, could I? So I approached Steward Sun to discuss arrangements—only to discover the household coffers are nearly empty…"
At the mention of her niece, Cao Yang’s expression turned peculiar. "The Chu family’s legitimate daughter?"
"Yes. I won’t hide it from you, my lord—of all the girls in our household, she’s the one I favor most. Clever, resilient, sharp-witted, and resourceful. If you speak with her someday, you’ll surely come to like her too."
Cao Yang reacted as if facing a dire threat. "Absolutely not!"
He knew all too well the extent of that girl’s schemes. From their first meeting, when she’d threatened him using his mother, to later dragging him into aiding the Yan family—every encounter with her spelled trouble. These days, he thanked the heavens whenever he didn’t have to see her. A friendly chat?
That was out of the question.
Chu Jing found his reaction amusing. She’d never seen Cao Yang fear anyone—why was he so wary of a mere girl?
Before she could inquire, the maid Zhu'er hurried in. "Madam, your elder niece has arrived and requests an audience."
Cao Yang stood immediately. "You two talk. I have official business to attend to."
Soon after, Chu Ruoyan was ushered in.
She glanced around the room the moment she entered. "Aunt, where’s Uncle?"
Chu Jing chuckled. "He fled the moment he heard you were coming. Do you need him for something?"
Chu Ruoyan nodded, and Chu Jing instructed a maid to escort her to the study. Zhu'er couldn’t resist whispering, "Madam, the young mistress is a woman—and a divorced one at that. For her to be alone with the master might invite gossip…"
Chu Jing’s expression turned icy. "What gossip? Are you the one spreading it?"
Never in all her years of service had Zhu'er heard such harsh words from her mistress. She dropped to her knees at once.
Chu Jing’s voice was steely. "Ruoyan has important matters to discuss with the master. If any of you can’t control your tongues, you won’t need them anymore!"
"Yes! This servant was wrong! This servant begs forgiveness!"
—
In Cao Yang’s study:
Cao Yi entered, barely suppressing a grin. "My lord, the Chu young lady is here. She said Madam directed her to you."
Cao Yang’s eyelid twitched. The words "haunting spirit" flashed through his mind. "First, she used my mother as leverage, and now her aunt? Fine, let her in. I’ll see what fresh mischief she’s brewing!"
Cao Yi privately thought that without such tactics, his master might never have married—but he dared not voice this. He quickly ushered the visitor inside.
"Ruoyan greets Uncle."
The young woman dipped into a flawless curtsy.
Cao Yang maintained a stern expression. "Speak plainly. What do you want?"
Chu Ruoyan nearly laughed at his wary, traumatized expression—but her mood darkened as she broached her purpose. "Uncle, have you heard about the mastermind behind the military supplies embezzlement case?"
Cao Yang straightened. "Prince Bao. The Emperor has publicly stripped him of his title, reducing him to a commoner with no chance of pardon. You handled this brilliantly!"
Prince Bao’s criminal record at the Ministry of Justice could fill a mountain. Countless victims had suffered under him over the years. Cao Yang had long wanted to bring him to justice, but the Emperor’s protection had been unshakable. His downfall was a blessing for the capital!
"Though it’s a pity—Yan Zheng gifted this achievement to your father. The ‘acting’ before Vice Minister will remain, and the Emperor used his three-year mourning period and leg injury as pretexts to revoke his actual authority. Young lady, you’ll need to comfort him."
Chu Ruoyan smiled bitterly.
She knew Yan Zheng had done this to topple Prince Bao—to avenge her humiliation at the polo field.
But the cost had been too steep…
"I understand. But I came today about another matter. Did you know the provisions sent to Hangu Pass were tampered with?"
Cao Yang’s face drained of color. "What did you say?!"
Military provisions—especially grain—were matters he personally oversaw!
Only this time, overwhelmed by flood relief efforts in Jiangnan, he’d made an exception and delegated the task to former Vice Minister Yuan Peng…
A terrible realization struck him. His voice turned strained. "You can’t possibly suspect Second Brother?"
Yuan Peng was Cao Dong’s man—a fact she knew well.
Chu Ruoyan pressed her lips together, offering no denial.
Cao Yang rejected the idea vehemently. "Impossible! Second Brother may be foolish, but he’d never dare this! When he sent Yuan Peng to silence those veterans’ families, it was only to prevent the scandal from affecting my career. I disciplined him harshly afterward—he wouldn’t dare act recklessly!"
Instead of arguing, Chu Ruoyan simply asked, "Then what about Vice Minister Yuan?"
"Yuan Peng abetted wrongdoing. I petitioned to demote him to the lowest rank of constable in Shuntian Prefecture!"
"Where is he now? Summon him, Uncle. One interrogation will reveal the truth."
At her words, Cao Yang whirled around. "Cao Yi!"
Cao Yi didn’t move. His expression was troubled. "My lord…"
The hesitation made Cao Yang’s heart sink. Sure enough, Cao Yi spoke with difficulty. "When Vice Minister Ji assumed office days ago, he inquired about Yuan Peng’s whereabouts. I overheard… that on the very day of his return, Yuan Peng hanged himself at Shuntian Prefecture. They say he couldn’t bear the disgrace of demotion…"
Cao Yang staggered as if struck by lightning, nearly overturning his desk.
The implication was unmistakable—a silenced witness. Yuan Peng had become another victim of elimination.
But how could it be the second son—how could it be him?
That same Cao Dong, the ever-gentle and soft-spoken imperial son-in-law who used to blush at the slightest remark—how could he have the audacity to commit such a monstrous crime? This is an offense punishable by the extermination of one’s entire clan!!
