Second Madam Zhan pinned the blame on the shopkeeper and demanded that he pay compensation.
But how could the shopkeeper possibly afford it?
That very night, he hanged himself.
His family surrounded Prince Zhan’s residence, wailing and making a scene. Old Madam Zhan gave them a large sum of money before they finally quieted down, but the Zhan family’s reputation suffered a devastating blow as a result.
Second Madam Zhan was also forced to kneel in the ancestral hall.
Three days later, news arrived that the ship carrying the Shu brocade had caught fire. Overnight, the price of Shu brocade in the capital soared several times over.
Cheng Yao seized the opportunity and sold the Shu brocade at a premium, making an enormous profit.
But she donated one hundred thousand taels of silver to the disaster-stricken regions, an act that caused a sensation throughout the capital.
When Old Madam Zhan heard about it, she was so furious that she spat up three mouthfuls of blood and extended Second Madam Zhan’s punishment in the ancestral hall by another three days.
In the end, both mother-in-law and daughter-in-law fell ill.
Cheng Yao secretly laughed until her sides hurt.
Their cleverness had only outsmarted themselves. That was exactly what had happened to the pair.
In truth, everyone had underestimated how much Shu brocade she had managed to acquire. They all assumed that the hundred thousand taels she donated represented all the money she had made from selling it.
In reality, she had sold only a third of it, and that hundred thousand taels amounted to merely a tenth of her total earnings.
Why had she donated it?
It was nothing more than a smokescreen.
She had more and more confidence now, and Cheng Ling had done exactly as she instructed—selling the Shu brocade before quietly leaving the capital with her entire family.
Hopefully, the fate of Cheng Ling’s family would change from that moment onward.
Cheng Yao then began planning how to liquidate the rest of Zhan Haoting’s businesses and turn them into the capital he would need to rise again in the future.
She had been thinking about it constantly over the past few days. Once she had a rough plan, she went to find Zhan Haoting.
The study door was half open. She knocked twice, and when she heard Zhan Haoting’s deep voice say, “Come in,” she pushed the door open.
Inside, Zhan Haoting was seated in his wheelchair, studying the account books spread across the desk. His brows were slightly furrowed, and his expression was grave. The afterglow of the setting sun slanted through the window, gilding his resolute profile with a golden edge.
Cheng Yao called out to him. “My lord.”
Zhan Haoting raised his head. When he saw that it was Cheng Yao, the sternness in his expression instantly softened. “Come in.”
He pointed to the chair opposite him, a hint of inquiry in his eyes.
Cheng Yao walked over and sat down. Getting straight to the point, she said, “My lord, I’ve heard that the residence still has quite a few businesses that haven’t been touched. The situation is critical now, but it would be a pity to abandon those businesses altogether. If they’re handled properly, they might help resolve the residence’s current financial troubles and provide us with a way forward in the future.”
Zhan Haoting frowned slightly. “It isn’t that I don’t want to deal with them. It’s just that the emperor is watching me like a hawk. The slightest mistake could backfire and bring disaster upon the entire residence.”
His voice was deep and steady, carrying a trace of helplessness.
Cheng Yao thought to herself, Even if you do nothing, disaster will still find you.
She bit her lip and pondered for a moment before saying, “My lord, could we secretly transfer or sell off some of the businesses without arousing the emperor’s suspicions? We could leave a few visible businesses behind as a front. That way, we could bolster the residence’s finances while secretly building up our strength in preparation for whatever may come.”
Zhan Haoting looked at Cheng Yao, admiration flickering in his eyes.
From her words, he keenly sensed just how mercilessly the emperor was suppressing him.
That emperor was deeply wary of him. Any disturbance, no matter how slight, could become an excuse for him to move against the residence. Yet Cheng Yao’s suggestion was not without merit. The residence truly needed to prepare for a rainy day.
He fell silent for a while before slowly saying, “You’re right. However, the risks are extremely high. We must proceed carefully and cannot act rashly.”
Cheng Yao nodded. “I think we can first arrange for someone reliable to quietly deal with the businesses that are relatively discreet but highly profitable.”
Zhan Haoting looked at the intelligent and courageous woman before him, and his admiration for her deepened. “The princess consort is meticulous and thorough. I’ve already begun making arrangements for this matter.”
They had discussed everything that needed to be said, and Zhan Haoting was already taking action, so Cheng Yao decided not to stay any longer.
“My lord, you should get back to work. I won’t disturb you.”
With that, she rose and left in a great hurry.
Zhan Haoting watched her retreating figure, his gaze growing deep and unreadable.
It was evening now. The sunset was ablaze across the horizon, painting the gardens of the residence in a scene straight out of a poem.
Dressed in a pale pink gown, Cheng Yao strolled along the garden path. A breeze brushed past, sending her hair drifting lightly in the air. A faint smile rested on her face as she enjoyed this rare moment of peace.
Not far away, Zhan Haoting followed slowly in his wheelchair, pushed by a servant.
The moment he saw Cheng Yao among the flowers, his gaze was drawn to her and could no longer move away.
“Stop here,” he said softly to the servant.
The servant understood and quietly withdrew.
“Princess Consort.”
Zhan Haoting’s clear, resonant voice carried a hint of tenderness.
Cheng Yao turned around. When she saw Zhan Haoting, confusion flashed through her eyes. “My lord? Did you need me for something?”
She took small, graceful steps toward him.
“Nothing.” Zhan Haoting’s voice held a trace of weariness. “Would you take a walk with me?”
Cheng Yao was startled, then readily agreed. “All right.”
To be able to stroll with the God of War was an honor, after all.
The afterglow of the setting sun bathed them both, stretching their shadows long across the ground.
Zhan Haoting looked up at Cheng Yao, his eyes filled with deep affection. Slowly, he reached out and gently took her hand.
Cheng Yao stiffened slightly and instinctively tried to pull away. “My lord, this…”
But Zhan Haoting held on firmly, refusing to let go. His gaze burned as he looked at her. “Yao’er, I’ve seen all the effort you’ve put in for me. I’ve kept it all in my heart.”
Meeting the emotion hidden deep in Zhan Haoting’s eyes, Cheng Yao’s heart inexplicably began to panic. She wrenched her hand free with too much force.
She lost her balance and stumbled backward.
Zhan Haoting caught her by the wrist. With a tug and a pull, he drew her helplessly into his arms.
Her face was nearly pressed against Zhan Haoting’s chest. She could clearly feel the steady vibration of his chest, and every breath filled her senses with the cool, crisp scent of pine.
Her heart pounded wildly, gradually falling into the same rhythm as Zhan Haoting’s.
How had this happened?
Oh no!
Cheng Yao’s face flushed scarlet. She tried to stand, only to discover that Zhan Haoting was holding her so tightly that she could not move at all. “My lord, I…I’m fine.”
Zhan Haoting’s hands were locked around her waist, holding her close with an irresistible strength. He lowered his head, and the warmth of his breath brushed over the crown of her hair. Her heart hammered against her ribs, and even her fingertips began to tingle.
She wanted to retreat, but the arm around her waist only tightened.
“Why are you hiding from me?”
His voice was lower than usual, carrying a husky hint of amusement. His fingertips even slid half an inch upward along the curve of her waist.
Her body went rigid. The tips of her ears burned as she clutched at his robe, wrinkling the fabric beneath her fingers.
“Let me go first…”
Her voice came out soft and weak. Even she could hear how lacking in confidence it sounded.
Yet he acted as though he hadn’t heard her. Instead, he tilted his head slightly, the tip of his nose brushing against her hairline as his breath swept over her sensitive neck.
“What if I don’t?”
