Sheng Huaijin looked down upon those petty individuals who hid away when the family was in trouble, leaving a vulnerable young woman to hold up the household, and who fawned over high officials and nobles at the first opportunity. He paid them no attention whatsoever, striding directly through the central gate into the main hall.
“Please take the seat of honor, Shizi,” Yu Sheng said as she followed him into the main hall, then instructed the maid, “Bring tea.”
Sheng Huaijin naturally took the seat of honor.
Shiziye was born with sword-like eyebrows and starry eyes, his every movement exuding nobility.
Even as he sat down casually, it seemed as if the surrounding vases, incense burners, tables, chairs, and furnishings became several times more valuable.
Yet, as soon as he opened his mouth, he asked, “I’ve taken care of Xu Liu for you. Where’s the ten thousand taels of gold you promised?”
Upon hearing this, Yu Sheng couldn’t help but think:
This Shiziye gives off a feeling… that’s somewhat indescribable.
Why is he so fixated on money?
“The gold has naturally been prepared long ago,” Yu Sheng said without showing any expression on her face. As she spoke, she immersed her hands in the warm water brought by the maid, washing them carefully twice, then took a towel and dried her hands bit by bit.
She sat in the host’s seat, raised her eyes to look at Sheng Huaijin, and said with utmost sincerity, “However, seeing that Shizi has personally come to Lizhou for the sake of my Yujia’s affairs today, I suddenly feel that a mere ten thousand taels of gold is insufficient to express the gratitude in my heart.”
Sheng Huaijin took a shallow sip of tea, and upon hearing this, the curve of his lips faded considerably. “Let’s not talk about gratitude; it hurts the money.”
Yu Sheng truly couldn’t understand how such an esteemed Shizi could be so obsessed with money.
She replied quickly, “I have no intention of reneging on the debt. You can rest assured of that.”
“Good that you’re not reneging,” Sheng Huaijin said, taking a letter from his sleeve and slapping it on the table.
On the paper were the four large characters “Ten Thousand Taels of Gold” written in Yu Sheng’s own hand, signed below with “Yu Sheng of Lizhou” and stamped with a red personal seal.
Shiziye’s slender, jade-like fingers lightly tapped the letter. “Young Lady Yu plays a clever game. What is this move called? ‘Empty-handed catching a wolf’? Or ‘not releasing the hawk until the rabbit is in sight’?”
When traveling outside, Yu Sheng naturally couldn’t carry ten thousand taels of gold with her.
At the time she received the family letter, the situation was urgent. Sending someone to withdraw the gold from the bank and then deliver it to Zhenguogong at the border would have caused delays—that was the first reason.
Secondly, she was also worried that the other party might take the money but not handle the matter.
Moreover, Yu Sheng had sought help from several families simultaneously. No matter how wealthy Yujia was, it couldn’t withstand giving such large sums to every family. So, when she sent someone to seek help from Zhenguogong, there was only a plea letter and a “Ten Thousand Taels of Gold” note stamped with her personal seal.
If Zhenguogong or any of the other families were willing to uphold justice for Yujia, they could naturally send a trusted aide to help suppress Liyanghou and resolve the matter, then take the reward.
If not, Yu Sheng wouldn’t suffer any loss.
She had indeed played a clever game; the only thing she miscalculated was that Zhenguogong didn’t send just any deputy general but instead sent this great Buddha—the Shizi.
There was no need to explain this clearly to Sheng Huaijin; Shiziye understood it perfectly well.
“Shizi jests,” Yu Sheng said with a composed expression. “The incident happened suddenly; I merely acted according to the urgency of the situation.”
Sheng Huaijin looked at Yu Sheng with star-like eyes, as if he could see right through her at a glance.
It seemed any attempt at concealment or careful calculation was futile in his presence.
The two of them sat in the main hall, one on the left, one on the right.
Separated by a distance wide enough for two people, neither too far nor too close.
The tall and imposing personal guards of the Shizi stood alongside the beautiful maidservants of Yujia.
A gentle spring breeze swept through the hall, casting the delicate shadows of blooming flowers upon the windows.
With a serious expression, Yu Sheng said, “As long as the Shizi helps me settle matters with Liyang Houfu, whether you demand ten thousand taels of gold or resources such as grain and winter clothing from me—worth far more than ten thousand taels of gold—it is entirely up to you.”
“Grain and winter clothing?” Sheng Huaijin’s interest was piqued upon hearing these two items.
For marching and waging war, the most crucial things were provisions and supplies.
Even when he raised military funds and obtained gold and silver, he would still need to exchange them for supplies.
Seeing his reaction, Yu Sheng immediately explained, “My Yujia has been in business for many years, with numerous grain stores, cloth shops, and pharmacies under its name that can provide the supplies the Shizi needs. To demonstrate my sincerity, the first batch of goods will be calculated at cost price and used to offset the reward for this matter. As for the future…”
She skipped over industries like gold and silver shops and cosmetics stores, which held little appeal for this Shiziye, and directly selected several trades closely related to the military to discuss with him.
Meeting Sheng Huaijin’s gaze, Yu Sheng assured him, “I also guarantee that the prices Yujia offers the Shizi will never be higher than others, and the quality of the goods will only be better.”
“Are you planning to do long-term business with Ben Shizi?” Sheng Huaijin was somewhat surprised.
He hadn’t expected that after Yujia lost its pillar, this young lady who stepped up to support the family still had such foresight.
It seemed she was determined to seek the backing of Zhenguogongfu, even willing to offer such favorable terms by using the cost price of supplies to offset the reward of ten thousand taels of gold.
In truth… Father Yu had an old debt of gratitude—a life-saving favor—to his father, Zhenguogong. Even if Yu Sheng didn’t offer money or such favorable terms, he would still make this trip for Yujia.
However, at this moment, Sheng Huaijin wanted to hear just how shrewd Yu Sheng’s calculations could be.
“Of course,” Yu Sheng said with a candid expression. “If the business between the Shizi and me can be sustained, it will undoubtedly be mutually beneficial. Why not take advantage of such an opportunity?”
She had already been thinking that if she could secure Zhenguogongfu as a backing through this, what would there be to fear from Liyang Houfu?
In the business world, the path ahead would be even broader, offering immense returns with minimal investment.
Sheng Huaijin was almost convinced on the spot by her matter-of-fact attitude.
“Three days,” he suddenly felt that this might indeed be a mutually beneficial deal. “Within three days, I will definitely have someone investigate the matter between Xu Liu and Yujia and give you and Yujia an explanation.”
The Shizi lifted the lid of his teacup, skimmed off the floating tea leaves, and glanced at Yu Sheng. “And you?”
“Then I shall first thank the Shizi,” Yu Sheng stood up and bowed to Sheng Huaijin, saying solemnly, “I also only need three days. Within three days, I will surely reorganize Yujia and, as promised, deliver what the Shizi desires.”
Sheng Huaijin hinted meaningfully, “I hope the young lady honors her word.”
Yu Sheng also emphasized, “The Shiziye is sure to be as good as his word.”
As they spoke, they both looked up at each other simultaneously.
As their eyes met, the spring breeze outside the curtain rippled the pond’s surface.
Yu Sheng blinked naturally.
Sheng Huaijin raised an eyebrow, stood up, and took his leave.
A group of personal guards followed him out.
Yu Sheng rose and, accompanied by her servants and maids, escorted Shiziye to the main gate.
She watched as Sheng Huaijin mounted his horse, galloped down the long street, and disappeared around the corner before turning back to enter the residence.
As she walked inside, Yu Sheng pondered just what Sheng Huaijin would do with Xu Liu.
If the Guiyi that Father sent for while he still had a breath left can arrive today, there might still be a chance to save him!
How to firmly and decisively restrain a few uncles and aunts from causing more trouble, and quickly restore order within Yujia…
As she was sorting through her thoughts, Feihong, who had originally been sent to her mother’s courtyard, hurriedly ran toward her, “Miss, the Madam coughed up blood as soon as she woke up!”