Yao Zhi and Ling Shijiu continued their journey and reached the General’s mansion 20 minutes later. Since she was a regular visitor, the moment the guards saw her horse carriage coming from a distance, one of them went to inform Steward Han.

When she came down from the carriage, Steward Han was already standing at the main entrance, waiting for her. Seeing him, Yao Zhi cupped her fists and said, "Greetings, Steward Han."

Steward Han returned her greetings and smiled. "Young Master Lei, the Madam has been waiting for you. This way, please."

Hearing this, Yao Zhi raised her eyebrows. A tycoon was indeed different. They could predict her next move without even a hint.

Although she felt that it was dangerous to have a complex relationship with cunning and shrewd people, it was not without its benefits. As long as her value was high and she was able to give them benefits, these people would be her best cards.

When they arrived at the main hall, Xue Ya’er and the Xue family’s elders were all present. This time, the elders no longer dared to look at Yao Zhi directly.

Noticing this, Yao Zhi smiled and cupped her fists. "Greetings, Madam. Greetings, Elders."

"Greetings, Young Master Lei." Xue Ya’er and the elders returned her greetings and took their seats.

After Yao Zhi took her seat, the maidservants entered the hall to serve tea and refreshments to everyone before they retreated.

Inside the hall, there was only Steward Han to serve them. As for Ling Shijiu, he stood behind Yao Zhi while he observed the surroundings and everyone.

Yao Zhi took a sip of tea before she said, "Madam, today I come to discuss something with you."

The moment she finished her words, everyone’s eyes lit up. But before they could feel happy, they saw her take out a blood jade pendant from her sleeve and place it on the table.

"This... Isn’t it the family head’s token? How did you get it, Young Master Lei?" the First Elder asked.

Hearing this, Yao Zhi was taken aback by the Xue family’s generosity, but she showed nothing on her face.

She only wanted them to pay a hefty sum to dispel their suspicions and make them aware that her kindness was not to be taken for granted. She never thought that the Xue family would be more decisive than she expected.

Instead of answering the First Elder’s question, she looked at Xue Ya’er and said, "Madam, my requirement is half of the Xue family’s wealth. I have no interest in your Xue family’s family head position."

Hearing this, Xue Ya’er was embarrassed.

She gave the token to her not only because the Xue family had no way to liquidate half of their assets in less than a day, but also because she wanted to use this chance to pledge the Xue family’s loyalty to the Lei family.

Holding the family head’s jade token, it proved that Lei Feng was responsible for the Xue family’s survival. In exchange, she would be able to access all of the Xue family’s forces and resources. She would be able to take however much money she wanted.

She thought that this offer showed the Xue family’s sincerity and that it would be able to move the Lei family’s heir. Unexpectedly, Lei Feng was not moved at all.

Fearing that her scheming would offend the Lei family, she quickly explained, "Young Master Lei, please don’t misunderstand. I have no other intentions when I gave you this jade token."

Raising her eyebrows, Yao Zhi asked calmly, "Madam, if you have no other intentions, then why did you give me this token?"

Xue Ya’er thought for a moment before she replied, "Young Master Lei, the Xue family is willing to pledge our allegiance to the Lei family. This jade token is our sincerity."

"As long as you show this jade token, you can withdraw money from all of the Xue family’s stores. Besides that, you can also command all of the private guards of the Xue family."

"Madam, as business people, it’s impossible for us to do something without benefits. What do you want in exchange?" Yao Zhi asked.

"Young Master Lei is indeed wise. The Xue family only hopes that Young Master Lei will be willing to protect us in case we are caught in a dangerous situation."

Thinking about the General’s tense relationship with the imperial court, Yao Zhi understood the Xue family’s reason for looking for another backer.

They couldn’t put all their eggs in one basket. Therefore, they tried to split their eggs between her and the General.

Yao Zhi neither agreed nor refused her request and considered the pros and cons.

Although she was able to withdraw any amount of money from the Xue family’s stores, she had to have a life to enjoy the wealth. Even with the Xue family’s and her own private guards, compared to the imperial guards, their strength was nothing.

When the Emperor decided to annihilate Lu Qianxuan, the Xue family would be implicated. If she accepted this token today, she must save them by then and go against the imperial family head on.

Yao Zhi understood her own strength and knew that she couldn’t do anything when facing imperial power. Rather than exposing her weakness for momentary greed, it was better to play safe.

After she made up her mind, she smiled. "Madam, I have no intention of interfering with the mortal world. Whether your Xue family is able to survive your calamity will depend on your family’s capability and also your fate."

"If you want the explosives, you must exchange them for half of your Xue family’s and the General’s wealth. I won’t accept anything except that."

When she finished her words, she glanced at Steward Han and added, "Also, I only want gold ingots, not banknotes." As soon as she finished her words, she took out the wooden box from her sleeve and placed it on the table.