Blossom

Wei Tingyu stepped out of Cuizhen Pavilion.

Upon hearing that Song Mo had invited Wei Tingyu to participate in the canal dredging project, Wei Tingzhen was overjoyed as if the heavens had dropped a pie into her lap. "Is this true? How did Song Mo approach you? What exactly did he say? How much silver is needed? Which section will be assigned to you?" She dismissed the maidservants in the room and pulled Wei Tingyu to sit with her on the heated brick bed by the window.

Wei Tingyu excitedly recounted their conversation to Wei Tingzhen in detail.

Wei Tingzhen's mind began racing rapidly.

For river engineering projects, the pricing was set by the Ministry of Works, the funds were allocated by the Ministry of Revenue, and the labor was provided through corvée from various prefectures and counties. The most they could do was subcontract some stone materials. Since they weren't accustomed to the stone trade, they would naturally need to find a highly capable merchant. The four river sections represented a business worth over a million taels of silver. If they asked merchants to advance some funds, there would surely be fierce competition. Even if they only profited from the price difference, though the gains would be smaller, it would be stable and require little effort...

She seemed to see piles upon piles of silver continuously flowing into her pockets and became extremely excited. "Brother, you must hold onto this opportunity. If we can secure this deal, our family will have capital. Whether opening shops or engaging in the Ten Warehouses trade, we'll have the funds. Even if you later want to distance yourself from Song Mo, it won't matter..."

Mentioning this was like having a ladle of icy water poured over his head, cooling Wei Tingyu's fervor considerably. "This... this doesn't seem right, does it? To kick away the ladder after crossing the river... He was kind enough to invite me to invest..."

"Didn't you say Song Mo was ruthless and not a good person?" Wei Tingzhen, having her true intentions exposed, felt embarrassed and couldn't help but snap. "You say one thing, then another—what exactly do you want?"

"I... I didn't say much," Wei Tingyu muttered, recalling Song Mo's cold, piercing eyes. A sudden chill ran through his heart. "Perhaps... we shouldn't get involved in this business after all... I've heard that river projects can easily lead to corruption cases. Many high-ranking officials have been dismissed or executed for this... It's truly not a good venture! Otherwise, why would Gu Yu and Song Mo, neither of whom lack silver, think to bring me in..." The more he spoke, the more convinced he became, and his tone grew firmer. "We should keep our distance from Song Mo. Mother always says peace and safety are true blessings. What isn't ours, we shouldn't force..."

Wei Tingyu's words cooled Wei Tingzhen's enthusiasm as well, and she began to seriously reconsider the matter.

Her brother had a point—why would such a coveted opportunity suddenly fall into his lap?

Unless... something was about to go wrong, and Song Mo wanted her brother to take the blame?

Otherwise, there was no explaining why Song Mo would actively seek his friendship...

The more she thought about it, the more suspicious the situation seemed.

Had Song Mo planned this from the very beginning of their acquaintance?"You're right!" Wei Tingzhen frowned at Wei Tingyu. "This matter..." She had initially intended to say "let's just drop it," but the thought of all that money flowing into someone else's pockets made her heart ache. Her words changed mid-sentence. "We need to plan carefully... It's best to discuss this with your brother-in-law... Meanwhile, you should discreetly gather more information... What if Song Mo actually intends to help you? We might miss a golden opportunity! Such chances are rare... We might not get another like this... We must think it through carefully..."

Discussing it with her husband seemed like a good idea to Wei Tingyu, and he urged Wei Tingzhen to summon Zhang Yuanming immediately.

But Wei Tingzhen had a sudden thought and smiled. "Why the rush? Your brother-in-law is currently busy settling accounts with the household stewards. Didn’t Song Mo also say this matter is still uncertain? Do you really want to announce it to everyone now? Naturally, I’ll talk to him properly once he’s finished." She then instructed Wei Tingyu, "This is a serious matter. You mustn’t breathe a word to anyone, not even Wang Qinghai. Keep it absolutely secret. Understood?"

"But... isn’t that a bit unfair?"

"You blockhead!" The Wang family had built their fortune through river engineering projects under the Ministry of Works, and Wang Qinghai couldn’t keep secrets. If he accidentally let something slip, someone as shrewd as Wang Qinghuai might muscle in. Even Song Mo and Gu Yu might find it troublesome. But Wei Tingzhen couldn’t explain it this way to Wei Tingyu—he took friendships too sincerely.

Wei Tingzhen took a deep breath before continuing, "If this falls through, how will you explain it to Wang Qinghai later? What will the Wang family think of you? Can’t you act more prudently?"

"Oh, right!" Wei Tingyu scratched his head sheepishly, made a few promises to his sister, and then rambled about his hopes and worries, torn between excitement and anxiety. As dinnertime approached, he remembered his mother was alone at home and declined his sister’s invitation to stay, returning instead to the Marquis of Jining's Mansion.

Zhang Yuanming had been detained by his father for dinner in the outer courtyard, so Wei Tingzhen ate hastily and then reclined on the heated bed, mulling over the matter.

When she had married, her parents had strained their resources to prepare a dowry of 120 trunks. Though it looked impressive on the surface, it couldn’t withstand scrutiny—among her sisters-in-law, her financial foundation was the weakest. If not for her father-in-law’s occasional financial support, even routine social obligations would have left them strapped. If this venture succeeded, she wouldn’t have to worry so much about money. But if Zong Yao found out, he would surely inform her father-in-law. The allure of wealth was strong—if her father-in-law intervened, what would be left for the Wei family? What would become of Wei Tingyu then?

Wei Tingzhen decided not to tell Zhang Yuanming about this.

If she paid close attention, she might still uncover the necessary information!

Once they profited, she and her brother could split the earnings—no, he should take the larger share, and she’d be content with a smaller portion. She only needed enough personal savings to manage social obligations; the rest could go to her brother.

This train of thought led Wei Tingzhen to consider Wei Tingyu’s marriage.

Husband and wife were one entity—she understood that humiliating Dou Zhao would also disgrace her brother. The real reason for hastening the wedding within a hundred days was to gauge Dou Zhao’s standing within the Dou family.Second Madam personally stepped forward to reject the proposal, showing that Dou Zhao was still quite valued within the Dou family.

I wonder how much dowry Dou Zhao will have when the time comes?

For a prominent family like the Dou, though it sounds impressive, with so many descendants, the share each individual gets is quite limited. Moreover, Dou Zhao’s mother came from an ordinary background, and her stepmother, Wang Shi, might not wholeheartedly support her...

At this thought, she sighed deeply again.

Before exchanging the marriage matching cards with the Dou family, Father should have discussed it properly with her.

Though the Wei Family couldn’t be called illustrious, their household affairs were simple. And now that her younger brother had smoothly inherited the title, finding someone with outstanding background and looks shouldn’t have been difficult.

In the end, it all came down to Father being too hasty in this matter.

Wei Tingzhen sighed helplessly when suddenly her husband Zhang Yuanming’s voice came from inside the room: “What’s wrong? You look so troubled.” Having heard that Wei Tingyu had visited, he smiled and asked, “Is it something about Tingyu?”

“What could possibly trouble him?” Wei Tingzhen replied with a smile, brushing it off. “I’m just worrying about what comes after his mourning period ends.”

This was something Zhang Yuanming couldn’t help with either.

After a moment’s thought, he said, “How about asking Song Mo for help? I’ve noticed he holds your brother in high regard.”

Wei Tingzhen shared Wei Tingyu’s reservations about Song Mo with Zhang Yuanming, adding, “That boy is just being a bit foolish.”

Zhang Yuanming chuckled. “Your brother is indeed overthinking things—think about it. If the Duke of Yingguo had the moral high ground, and Song Mo killed his own guards while putting on such a defiant front, the Duke would have long taken the matter to the Emperor. Why would he endure it in silence? Tell your brother not to worry. Song Mo is someone worth befriending.”

Wei Tingzhen’s eyes gleamed with calculation.

So, the river works project was feasible after all!

It was as if she could already see silver flowing like water into her scented sachet.

Unable to suppress her smile, she personally poured Zhang Yuanming a cup of tea.

Meanwhile, in the Hall of Cultivating Will at the Duke of England's Mansion, Gu Yu was pouring Song Mo a cup of tea.

Song Mo teased him with a playful “Thank you.”

“No need!” Gu Yu grinned dismissively, then asked, “Are you really planning to let that Wei Tingyu get involved? We don’t lack funds, and Wei Tingyu isn’t exactly a capable man…”

“Hogging all the profit isn’t a good habit,” Song Mo replied with a smile. “Besides, how could one ever earn all the silver in the world?”

Gu Yu was puzzled. “But you’re in need of funds right now…”

Just as provisions must precede troops in war, Song Mo’s conflict with Song Yichun couldn’t be fought without money.

That was why Song Mo had decided to participate in the river works project.

“Let him take a small share,” Song Mo said. “Consider it an extra expense for dealing with the Ministry of Works and the Ministry of Revenue.”

Gu Yu said nothing more.

Song Mo then asked him, “After I killed my own guards, did your friends all start thinking of me as a cruel and tyrannical man?”

Gu Yu was taken aback.

Song Mo smiled. “Just speak the truth. I only want to hear honesty.”

Gu Yu had always believed Song Mo to be strong.

He nodded. “Not all of them. Some were just surprised.”

Song Mo let out a thoughtful “Hmm” and fell silent for a moment.

Gu Yu asked, “What’s wrong?”“Nothing,” Song Mo replied vaguely, his mind once again conjuring Dou Zhao’s composed and serene face. “Just asking!” An inexplicable emotion surged uncontrollably within him.

Dou Zhao’s guards had been involved in the incident, so she must have known the details from the start.

Yet, from beginning to end, she had not shown the slightest hint of shock or fear.

What was she thinking?

And how did she view the matter?

Song Mo really wanted to ask Dou Zhao.

Meanwhile, after officially securing the four river construction projects, Gu Yu consulted Wei Tingyu, who contributed a symbolic sum of silver. Gu Yu then traveled to Jining, wining and dining with the prefect and county magistrates for several days before finalizing the river works. Afterward, he hurried to Xuzhou… By the time Gu Yu returned from the south, the Laba Festival had already passed.

After freshening up, he headed straight for the Duke of Yingguo’s Mansion.