Chapter 111
"You really don’t know? Surely Prince An has some way?" Xiao Guozhi eyed Li Tianyou suspiciously, thinking that since Prince An was his future son-in-law, he must have some means to help him.
"Lord Xiao, you’d better go back and think of a solution yourself. The Emperor hasn’t given us much time. Besides, Lord Tang has given each of us a separate list. Enough talk—I still need to figure out where those officials’ mansions are located." With that, Li Tianyou hurried off, not bothering with Xiao Guozhi’s sour expression.
"Hmph, how stingy! Why is he the Left Vice Minister while I’m only the Right Vice Minister?" Xiao Guozhi grumbled in dissatisfaction.
If it had been any other official appointed as Left Vice Minister, he wouldn’t have been so resentful. But this newcomer had no connections at all—he only got the position because his daughter donated a dowry to the imperial treasury.
The more Xiao Guozhi thought about it, the angrier he became.
Yet there was nothing he could do now. After all, the Emperor trusted Li Tianyou, and he even had Prince An as his future son-in-law.
Li Tianyou arrived at East Third Alley, not far from West Willow Lane. The person he sought this time was his longtime rival—yet also someone he deeply admired.
His name was Huo Yunxuan, a mere twenty years old but already a formidable eagle in the business world, a sharp and ruthless opponent.
This man was a master of calculations, able to spot discrepancies in accounts at a glance. His keen eye would surely meet the Emperor’s needs.
The only problem was his arrogance. Li Tianyou wasn’t sure if he’d be willing to involve himself in court affairs.
That was why Li Tianyou hadn’t immediately promised the Emperor, only saying he’d try. Fortunately, the Emperor was magnanimous and didn’t take offense at his presumptuous request.
"Master Li?" Laifu, Huo Yunxuan’s personal attendant, was startled to see Li Tianyou. He hadn’t expected to run into him in the capital.
"So it’s Laifu! Zhou Tong mentioned a few days ago that he’d spotted you and your master. I didn’t believe it at first." Li Tianyou relaxed upon seeing Laifu. At least the man was still here. He smiled warmly.
"Master Li is also in the capital? What a coincidence! Please, come in." Laifu quickly ushered him inside, though he couldn’t shake the feeling that Li Tianyou’s visit boded no good for his master.
He suddenly remembered how Li Tianyou had once suggested that Huo Yunxuan become a live-in son-in-law for his family. Regret washed over him for letting the man in.
"Young Master, Master Li is here!" Laifu called into the house.
This was Huo Yunxuan’s temporary residence in the capital, usually tended by only an old maid. Huo Yunxuan disliked crowds, so he traveled with few attendants, leaving most daily matters to Laifu.
Huo Yunxuan paused at the mention of "Master Li." Which Master Li?
Peering outside, he saw Li Tianyou and couldn’t help but smirk.
"Well, well, if it isn’t Lord Li? What brings you to my humble abode today?" Huo Yunxuan had already heard that Li Tianyou had somehow landed an official post in the Ministry of Revenue, though he didn’t know the specifics.
Still, he was surprised Li Tianyou would seek him out.
"Lord Li, have you finally come around to marrying your precious daughter to me?" Huo Yunxuan teased.
Back then, when he had sincerely sought Li Zhiwei’s hand, this old fox had insisted his family only accepted sons-in-law who married into them.
As the young master of Jiyun Manor, how could he possibly become someone’s live-in son-in-law?
That said, he had seen the Li family’s young lady once—a beauty who could outshine the moon and shame flowers.
If Li Tianyou had agreed to let her marry him, he wouldn’t have minded taking her as his wife. After all, who didn’t appreciate a lovely woman?
But Li Tianyou’s words had infuriated him.
"You jest, Young Master Huo. Even if you wanted to marry her now, I’m afraid it’s too late!" Li Tianyou now regretted not agreeing to Huo Yunxuan’s proposal back then. If he had, the Ruan Marquis Residence wouldn’t have gotten involved.
This young man might seem unreliable, but he was honest—unlike the scheming Lin family.
Had the Lin family not already fallen from power by the time he arrived in the capital, Li Tianyou would have sought retribution.
"Why is it too late? If you agree now, it’s settled." Huo Yunxuan’s lips curled, unaware that his informants hadn’t yet told him about Li Zhiwei’s recent fate—rejected by the Ruan Marquis Residence, taken to Prince An’s estate, and now betrothed to the prince by imperial decree.
Li Zhiwei was now the undisputed future Princess An.
"I’m afraid this matter is no longer mine to decide without the Emperor’s permission!" Li Tianyou feigned distress.
"Enough. If you don’t want to, just say so. No need to drag the Emperor into it. I know you’re an official now!" Huo Yunxuan scoffed, stepping out of the room.
"Young Master Huo, I’ve come today to discuss an important matter. Is it safe to speak here?" Li Tianyou glanced around the house.
"Lord Li, after you." Huo Yunxuan didn’t know what Li Tianyou wanted, but if he called it "important," it must be significant.
Was he still concerned about making money even as an official? Or did he plan to continue his business ventures?
Wasn’t he afraid of arousing the Emperor’s suspicion?
Li Tianyou took a seat and explained his purpose.
"So, the Emperor wants someone skilled in calculations, and you’re recommending me?" Huo Yunxuan took a sip of water, speaking leisurely.
"Yes, but I didn’t mention your name to the Emperor. I only said I’d ask for your opinion first."
"And if I agree, what’s in it for you?" Huo Yunxuan smirked, watching Li Tianyou.
"What do you want, Young Master Huo? If it’s within my power, I’ll do it."
"Isn’t it obvious? I’ve always wanted you as my father-in-law." Huo Yunxuan took another sip of tea.
"Young Master Huo, if you insist… perhaps I should go home and discuss with my wife about having another daughter? Though I’m not sure if you’d be willing to wait." Li Tianyou stared at him for a long moment before delivering this line.
"Lord Li, becoming an official has really changed you. Even your rejections are more creative now. What, am I no longer worthy of your eldest daughter?" Huo Yunxuan nearly spat out his tea.
What kind of nonsense was this?
Asking his wife to bear another child?
What if she couldn’t? Would he have to wait indefinitely—ten years, twenty?
Was this a joke?
"Young Master Huo, haven’t you heard? My daughter has already been betrothed to Prince An by imperial decree. Unless… you plan to steal her away?" Li Tianyou’s lips twitched. Had this man not done his homework in the capital?
Where was the decisiveness he was known for in business?
