Drip, drip, one slow, one fast.

Water droplets on the eaves teetered on the brink of falling, gathered sufficient weight, and then shattered with a crisp sound upon the moss-covered steps, creating a fleeting bloom. The water accumulated in the courtyard reflected fragmented clouds, which, once disturbed, became a blurred expanse of sky light.

Inside, the light was far from bright.

The dim light fell on half of Wei Zhao’s side face, one half illuminated, the other adrift in shadow, as if a tumultuous emotion lay dormant within.

Wei Zhao half-reclined by the bedside, as if her sobs still echoed by his ears, soothing her slender back with just the right amount of strength.

The girl in his arms, perhaps from exhaustion, had been coaxed into slumber, though traces of tears still lingered.

The emotion in Wei Zhao’s eyes gradually faded to nothingness.

He gently wiped her face with a damp cloth and then tucked the blanket around her.

Gazing at the girl’s sleeping face, Wei Zhao let his thoughts drift.

He sighed after an indefinite period, bent down to press his lips gently against her fair forehead, then slowly rose to light the calming incense in the room before heading outside.

He opened and closed the door.

Wei Zhao looked towards the direction of the Imperial Palace, his fingers slowly clenching beneath his sleeves. His jaw tightened like chiseled stone, eyes seemed as if steeped in ice, causing the surrounding air to freeze somewhat, yet he remained oblivious.

"Take care of the lady."

Tan Jiang: "Yes."

Wei Zhao stood in place for a while, finally remembering someone was still waiting for him in the study.

He steadied himself and walked away.

The study was a place of importance, scarcely allowing entry to others. Servants of the Duke Mansion wouldn’t approach unless for urgent matters, and even then they avoided this place.

Gu Fuju, being a civil servant, could not perceive how much the atmosphere of the Wei Family Army permeated both inside and outside the courtyard.

Since his arrival, he hadn’t encountered a single shadow. All were hidden in the darkness, ready to spring forth with swords unsheathed at the slightest disturbance.

But one could guess that the stricter it was, the more severe it seemed.

After leading him into the study, Rong Di served tea and went outside to stand guard.

Gu Fuju did not glance around scrutinizingly, much less attempt to peruse the secret letters on the desk.

Though Wei Zhao had never once called him father-in-law, he treated him with respect. There was no hint of intending to guard against him.

But Gu Fuju’s face did not look particularly pleased.

Why guard against him? Wei Zhao needed him to intervene in many matters, also requiring his influence.

Gu Fuju sat in the chair, holding a cup of tea in his hands, only lifting his head to gaze at the calligraphy and paintings hanging on the wall.

The calligraphy was excellent, and the paintings were superb. One look and it’s clear whose handiwork they were.

Gu Fuju still remembered the first time he saw Wei Zhao’s calligraphy, he had praised it unabashedly for its spirit, admired the budding strength and latent sharpness in one so young, believing that over time, with countless strokes, it would condense into a spirited vigor.

He was quite appreciative.

Back when Wei Zhao studied under him, the essays he wrote were still kept even at present.

After Wei Zhao began leading troops into battle, Gu Fuju rarely saw his calligraphy again.

The seal on the wall’s calligraphy and paintings indicated they were done three years prior.

In these years, he had not slackened the least.

Gu Fuju nodded imperceptibly.

"General."

Rong Di’s respectful voice came from outside.

Gu Fuju looked over, only to see Wei Zhao stepping inside.

His demeanor carried the elegance of a scholar, the dignity of an aristocrat, combined with the calm and authoritative presence of a military general.

The mixture was exceptionally harmonious.

The corners of his lips even held a faint smile, yet it did not reach his eyes, casting a sinister tint under the flickering candlelight in the study.

"What happened?"

Gu Fuju furrowed his brows.

Wei Zhao took large strides, retrieving an already opened letter from the desk before sitting opposite him. The chair scraped against the floor with a grating sound.

He handed the letter to Gu Fuju,

Gu Fuju lowered his head to open the letter, scanning it swiftly.

Its lines carried the whiff of a complaining woman.

If not for the flamboyant handwriting clearly that of a man, Gu Fuju might have thought Wei Zhao had a mistress outside!

The letter was simple.

Brazenly so.

——"You’ve taken over and managed all those poorly operated, half-dead shops under Ying Fuyan’s name, and last month’s profits surged several folds, while he counts money in front of me! That smug look is insufferable. He’s now sponsored by that spendthrift Ying Yin, sometimes even scrounging from you, does he lack money?"

——"I’m about to get married, I’ll need to support a wife in the future, I’m the one who needs money! Why didn’t you take over my shops too?"

——"Managing one person is management, managing two is the same. Favoring one over the other is unjust!"

The handwriting looked somewhat familiar, yet exuded an unfamiliar boldness.

Gu Fuju abruptly looked at Wei Zhao.

Reading the name out loud one by one.

"Ying Fuyan?"

Wei Zhao remained silent.

Gu Fuju went through the letter carefully again from beginning to end.

Then, he reached an unfathomable conclusion.

"The adviser by Ying Yin’s side is...?"

He stood up suddenly: "You all are too audacious!"

Wei Zhao: "Master, please calm yourself."

Gu Fuju rubbed his temples, digesting this fact: "Who wrote the letter?"

There was no need to wait for Wei Zhao to speak.

Gu Fuju: "The one from the Xiao Family?"

Wei Zhao raised an eyebrow: "Seems he isn’t mediocre in the master’s eyes."

Gu Fuju sneered.

"Years ago at the Imperial College exam, I helped proctor. I’ve seen his answers, the handwriting askew and all off-topic."

"Later, his father invited me and a few gentlemen to his mansion as guests. During the visit, upon learning he was causing trouble again, he left us purposely to go and scold him."

"Fearing something might happen, I intentionally went to dissuade."

He saw Xiao Huaian darting around with his head cradled, pursued by Duke Zhongyong.

At this, Gu Fuju smiled.

"While they were engrossed in their act, I saw a piece of paper blown off the desk amidst random books."

What a discovery it was!

"It was all the answers from the Imperial College exam."

"The handwriting was good, the answers excellent."

"I realized then, it was a show for us, for the Holy Emperor."

At that time, he said nothing, even helping to tuck the paper back into the stack.

He kept silent the whole time.

Never exposed it.

Wei Zhao lowered his eyes.

Uncertain if he heard it or not.

He glanced at the brewed tea, poured himself a cup leisurely.

Wei Zhao raised it, clinking it against the teacup in Gu Fuju’s hand.

A crisp sound echoed.

Wei Zhao: "I am grateful, Master."

"For whatever they do in the future, I’ll need your help to facilitate."

Gu Fuju: ...

He just knew.

Now that Wei Zhao brought up these two, it also settled his perplexity.

Both were clever, leading him to surmise the next steps Wei Zhao might take.

The questions he had when he came were now answered.

Gu Fuju drank his tea.

Expressing his agreement.

Wei Zhao also intended to drink.

But he was suddenly struck by an inexplicable agitation.

His thumb slowly stroked the rim of the teacup, when suddenly a crack echoed, a fine line appeared on the cup’s edge, yet the tea inside remained undisturbed.

Gu Fuju: ??

Wei Zhao put it down.

Casually picked up a knife beside him.

It had been sent from the blacksmith for his inspection. If approved, they planned to make more for weaponry.

It was thin.

Yet exceptionally hard.

But Wei Zhao bent it forcefully with sheer strength.