"poison."

He Jingyan smiled knowingly, looking into Song Xizhi's bright eyes, signaling her to continue.

So Song Xizhi said, "Peanuts are for drinking with wine, while this poison is for spice and control. Zhao Qingshu is too cautious, so all the transactions in his restaurant are done under code names."

He Jingyan nodded in agreement: "That's what I was thinking too, so as long as we incorporate the important components of the restaurant, we can decipher his code."

"It's actually quite easy to explain. The fat pig, which there are usually only one or two, is like those officials who secretly exchange favors, while the chicken, which comes in and goes in large numbers and suffers great losses, probably represents the women in the restaurant."

Song Xi continued in one go, "Then the cabbage and yellow croaker are actually easy to explain. They probably represent the value of the transaction. The cabbage represents silver and the yellow croaker represents gold."

After saying this, she paused slightly again: "These are all details of the transaction, and also our speculations. Given Zhao Qingshu's heightened vigilance, where is the counterparty in this transaction?"

Upon hearing this, He Jingyan remained silent for a moment: "Yes, this ledger cannot be used as evidence, and no officials can be found to be involved."

"While he doesn't know we've discovered his secret, we should hurry and get another ledger that records the trading partners. He'll definitely use these things as leverage to control the officials."

Song Xizhi rested his head on his arm, one hand on the square table, and suddenly remembered something else:

"Hei Yin was following Madam Zhao, but was killed by Zhao Qingshu. It is very likely that Madam Zhao sent her out to investigate, and she discovered the affair between Zhao Qingshu and Zhao Qianlan, which is why she was dealt with."

"In that case, we should think about how to get to Zhao Qianlan and see if we can find the other ledger."

Upon hearing the name Zhao Qianlan, He Jingyan raised an eyebrow slightly: "Coincidentally, Zhao Qianlan is currently at the Marquis's residence."

Song Xizhi was surprised to hear this.

Zhao Qianlan came to the Marquis's residence again today. Is she here to see Song Ruoan?

But Song Ruoan hasn't been punished or beaten recently.

Actually, Zhao Qianlan came to the Marquis's residence today not to find Song Ruoan, but to find He Yunce.

He Yunze had earnestly pleaded with her before, insisting that she handle the matter properly. Now that she had finally persuaded Zhao Qingshu, she came over in person to have him take charge.

The three of them were sitting inside the house. Zhao Qianlan spoke to He Yunce very solemnly: "Yunce, I swallowed my pride and begged for this matter for you. The Zhao family's ancestor has now agreed. Tell your mother quickly, what good idea is it?"

"I won't feel at ease if I can't hear your explanation."

Hearing this, He Yunze was overjoyed and hurriedly explained the key to Zhao Qianlan:

"Mother, you can rest assured. I didn't speak without reason. I knew the Empress Dowager's preferences, so I specifically asked you to persuade the Zhao family's ancestor. This is a win-win situation!"

He kept calling her "Mother" so affectionately that Zhao Qianlan listened with narrowed eyes and a kind expression as he continued.

Song Ruoan, who was standing to the side, waited expectantly for him to continue, listening attentively: "Husband, tell me what exactly happened?"

The mistakes of the past have made Song Ruoan determined that there should be no secrets between husband and wife!

She would never lie to He Yunze again, which caused things to go wrong and ultimately allowed Song Xizhi to gain power.

This time, she will definitely work together with her husband to ensure that things are absolutely successful; failure is not an option!

She'd had enough of that slut Song Xizhi!

When He Yunze heard this, he simply explained, "The Empress Dowager is a Buddhist and likes Buddhist statues. I discovered a type of Buddhist statue with a very rare craftsmanship. As long as it is presented on the day of its creation, everyone will see the Buddhist beads appear in person."

When He Yunze said this, he was also careful and kept the specifics to himself.

He no longer tells Song Ruoan everything in detail as he used to.

Because the matter was carried out in secrecy, and could only be known to Heaven, Earth, and He Yuance would never let his guard down again, lest Song Ruoan or other variables obstruct his path to success.

"Buddha himself is here?" Zhao Qianlan's eyes widened upon hearing this incredible statement. "It's so difficult, are you sure you can accomplish this?"

“I am but a concubine’s daughter of the Zhao family. I fought tooth and nail to get this opportunity. If I lose face in front of the Empress Dowager, the consequences will be beyond what you and I can bear.”

He Yunze nodded firmly: "I will handle it personally to ensure that everything goes smoothly."

This birthday gift also appeared at the Empress Dowager's birthday banquet in his previous life, and it was a great success. Now that he's handling this matter secretly, there won't be any more unexpected changes.

Seeing He Jingyan nod confidently, Zhao Qianlan finally breathed a sigh of relief: "The glory of Prince Yu and the Zhao family is your glory."

"If Prince Yu can win the Empress Dowager's favor and turn the current situation around, then you and Juncai can be transferred directly to the Ministry of Works."

He Jingyan nodded happily. He simply couldn't stand staying in the Ministry of Rites anymore; there was no hope in sight.

He was thinking when he suddenly looked up, his gaze fixed intently on Zhao Qianlan: "Mother... I need silver, not expensive... just a thousand taels."

In my previous life, this birthday gift wasn't expensive; it was auctioned off for about six hundred taels of silver.

She has already contacted the restaurant and will be able to participate in the auction in three days.

Moreover, when he arrived, there were only a few spots left, so he specifically asked the restaurant manager about the people who had participated in the bidding. It was likely that none of them knew the wonders of that thing.

With the money, receiving the birthday gift was a certainty.

"Another thousand taels of silver?" Zhao Qianlan frowned, looking somewhat troubled.

However, seeing that Song Ruoan and He Yunze both looked expectant, she gritted her teeth and agreed.

"Alright, I'll help you raise the money. Yun Ce, you must make sure you get things done for your mother."

He Yunze nodded heavily, his heart certain: "Mother, as long as there is money, it will definitely be done."

Not long after Zhao Qianlan left the Marquis's residence, Song Xizhi secretly called Alian over and asked her what Zhao Qianlan had come to the Marquis's residence for that day.