"Liang Rui, show some respect. If you continue speaking nonsense, don’t blame me for being rude!"

Liang Rui laughed.

"Why so angry?"

He leaned back: "Otherwise, why would I ignore Ying Yin and seek you out instead?"

"The Da Jin Emperor won’t die easily. Your lameness is the most fatal injury. It happened because you saved him, but look, does he care about you?"

"Even in this fire disaster, someone saved him, which shows that he has people protecting him. If you hadn’t intervened back then, he wouldn’t have had any trouble."

"Look at yourself, a jumping clown. What emperor is ever crippled? Unless you can silence the court’s officials and the people of Da Jin, you’ll never be destined for that position. But how old is your legitimate son?"

While he grows up, what else will happen?

Don’t mention Ying Yin.

"Even if you’re capable, you should know that in a few more years, once Ying Cheng marries Minister Yang’s daughter, you won’t even compare to him."

"You are the one who can least afford to wait."

"Liang Yue’s development over the years hasn’t been bad, but my older brothers are eyeing fiercely, and the troops I can deploy are limited. With some adjustments, they can attack at any time. Now that Wei Zhao’s body is ruined, and the Wei Family Army is scattered, but even Duke Zhongyong cannot be underestimated. However, if you’re willing to help, the outcome could be uncertain."

He smiled: "My father is seriously ill, so I need to achieve some feats. I don’t want Da Jin’s territories, I want Wei Zhao’s head. I want to place it in front of my father to pay tribute to the good generals of Liang Yue whom he harmed!"

"It’s said your father-in-law, the Minister of the Ministry of Justice, doesn’t support you and is a part of the Fifth Prince Faction."

"You need Liang Yue’s assistance, but Ying Zhi, you should be clear, you’re not my only choice."

As he spoke, he stood up.

Walking over to the opposite side, he sat on the table and pinched Ying Zhi’s chin, lifting it slightly to make him face directly at him.

"Regardless, you are useless now, inadequate in bed, burdened with troubles, unable to showcase your ambitions, so pitiful. If you want to achieve something, you have to be ruthless with yourself."

"I won’t stay in Shangjing for long, can’t give you much time to consider."

Ying Zhi, infuriated, pushed away with a hand.

"Presumptuous!"

Liang Rui: "Interesting."

"I enjoy forcing good people into corners the most."

He laid his cards on the table with candor: "Many were unwilling to serve me before, but they all ended up obeying. What kind of hard bone are you?"

"It’s just a transaction, each serving their needs. I’m comfortable, and so are you. Isn’t that good?"

Ying Zhi’s face turned red with anger.

"Get out!"

Yu Tingwan: ...

She was so shocked that she forgot to eat.

Even after sitting in the carriage heading back to the mansion, she was still in shock.

Ah.

This Liang Rui is clearly working for Wei Zhao, pretending to get along with Ying Zhi. Now, in order to obtain Ying Zhi, he’s this treacherous.

Ying Zhi ultimately didn’t gain anything and probably lost his dignity too.

"Do you think... Liang Rui will succeed?"

Wei Zhao: ...

He replied tactfully: "Ying Zhi is always unscrupulous."

"Back then, if it weren’t for his lame leg, leading to depression and a violent temper, exiling himself for many years, Ying Yin might not compare to him."

Ying Zhi is the most like Emperor Ying.

To achieve his goals, he can use any trick.

Oh.

Yu Tingwan understood.

Though lost now, there will be a day of clarity.

————

In the following few days, Yu Tingwan took over two more shops.

No major incidents occurred.

But Yu Tingwan knew, under the dual torment of poisoning and witchcraft, Emperor Ying’s headache worsened. The Imperial Physicians in the palace couldn’t make sense of it.

Many court officials scoured everywhere for skilled civilian doctors to enter the palace, but it was to no avail.

Yu Tingwan didn’t pay much attention to this matter and the undercurrents stirring in secret.

She ate and drank as usual. Until six days later, she dressed up on a rare occasion and went out.

This day was when the Marquis Zhongyong Mansion went to the Ministry of the Imperial Household to propose marriage.

Many nobles rushed to the Shen Family.

Mr. Shen stood at the door welcoming guests, the smile never left his face.

Even though Shen Zhiyi was quite annoying lately, he had never been so glorious.

Xiao Huaian was a wastrel, not an ideal son-in-law, but he couldn’t resist his father’s hold on military power.

It was said that Wei Zhao was invited to accompany when the betrothal gifts were given. The general’s body wasn’t well, yet he would help out this time, which showed great honor!

The General’s wife also got along well with Zhiyi, causing even Princess Jiasan to come! Not to mention, the Empress Dowager in the palace also sent a gift.

Who else has such a grand wedding for their daughter!

Mr. Shen was full of pride.

Many people coming to witness the ceremony today were those he had tried to be courteous to before, but they always looked down on him, treating him with indifference.

He instructed Mrs. Shen beside him: "Has Yi dressed up? Go check on her, nothing can go wrong on her big day. And don’t offend the noble guests."

Saying this, his eye twitched.

"You’re her birth mother. Once Yi’s marriage is settled, you should start looking at suitors for the household’s illegitimate daughters."

"Many madams have come today, pay attention."

Nowadays, Mrs. Shen had gained confidence, unlike her past servile self.

"You must be joking, my lord, do I need to do anything? The two illegitimate daughters have already dressed up beautifully, embarrassing themselves in the garden where guests pass by."

"You!"

"Isn’t it what you tacitly agreed on, my lord?"

Mrs. Shen: "My lord should know Yi’s temperament. If she’s unhappy that those two hussies are stealing her luck, you’ll be the one to deal with the ruckus."

Yu Tingwan arrived at that moment. 𝒇𝒓𝒆𝒆𝙬𝒆𝒃𝓷𝒐𝓿𝙚𝙡.𝒄𝓸𝒎

Her presence wasn’t grand, but the White Tiger in her family insisted on accompanying her.

After getting off the carriage, she didn’t forget to poke the head of the tiger.

"Remember, no trouble at the wedding feast."

Fu Meng dignifiedly nodded its tiger head.

It was very reasonable.

Human and tiger walked forward.

Mr. Shen was both scared and anxious, fearing a scene was about to unfold. He hurriedly approached: "Madam, welcome, please come inside."

Yu Tingwan walked past, ignoring him, only stopping when passing by Mrs. Shen, then smiled.

"Could you trouble the madam to find a servant to guide me to Zhiyi?"

Mrs. Shen, flattered, quickly gestured: "I’ll lead you, please mind the steps."

When they passed through the garden, the courteous Fu Meng started acting mischievously.

It suddenly leaped out.

Yu Tingwan frowned.

Mrs. Shen: "Excuse the disturbance, madam."

Yu Tingwan: ???

No, no, no, it’s the tiger that disturbed your guests.

The girl on the swing turned pale, screaming repeatedly. The girl pushing the swing was so frightened that she ran off.

Fu Meng stared wide-eyed, directly staring. Unable to speak, it could only dig furiously.

Mrs. Shen said: "Those two are illegitimate daughters of the household, sorry to have embarrassed you."

Yu Tingwan squinted, understanding.

She walked over and patted the tiger’s head: "Rebel?"

"Roar!"

Fu Meng pointed a finger at the illegitimate daughter on the swing.

Yu Tingwan negotiated with it: "Know your limits, understand your own weight."

Fu Meng shook its head, showing it wouldn’t listen.

Yu Tingwan: "You’ll make a fool of yourself."

Fu Meng sneered.

Who would dare laugh at it? It would smack them away!

Yu Tingwan: "Really going to do this? Isn’t it unethical?"

Fu Meng covered its ears.

Ethical Yu Tingwan turned to the illegitimate daughter.

The illegitimate daughter trembled, looking so pitiful.

"Madam, it’s okay. I was just startled because I’m timid."

She wanted to leave a good impression.

"Please don’t blame this White Tiger. It is majestic, and it has proven its worth on the battlefield."

Yu Tingwan, annoyed: "Then get down."

"If you want to attract the attention of other madams and young lords, fine, but why are you attracting Fu Meng?"

Causing unnecessary trouble.

Illegitimate daughter: ???

Yu Tingwan patted the tiger’s head: "Move over."

"It wants to swing!"