“Sister, please don’t say that. I grew up in the Right Prime Minister’s residence. The Madam, the Right Prime Minister, and the Master have all treated me very well, like family.”

"Sister Chunqin, Xia Qiqiu, and Zhao Wu, I grew up with them, and they are all trustworthy!"

Donghua grasped Yang Cai'e's hand and said, "You are my own sister. I know it hasn't been easy for you all these years wandering. Your experiences have made you hesitant to trust people easily. So I want to solemnly tell you that in the Right Prime Minister's residence, you can completely let your guard down, because no one will harm you. Really, sister, you must believe me!"

Yang Cai'e stared at Dong Hua for a while, then asked, "So, what's your stance on your relationship with A-Cheng?"

Dong Hua frankly said, "I think my master and I are in a very good state right now. My master's business is on the rise, and we are both very busy. I don't want to disrupt the rhythm because of my own reasons."

Yang Cai'e frowned, sighed, and said, "Donghua, I think you've changed."

“Whether it changes or not isn’t important.” Donghua leaned closer to Yang Cai’e, hugged her tightly, and said softly, “What’s important is that we make the right decision…”

Yang Cai'e trembled, closed her eyes, hugged Dong Hua tightly, and then turned and left.

As Donghua watched Yang Cai'e's retreating figure, a mix of emotions welled up inside her.

As Donghua watched, she felt as if Yang Cai'e's silhouette was swaying.

She thought it was her imagination, so she closed her eyes, shook her head, and then opened them again.

Yang Cai'e had already collapsed.

"Sister!!!" Dong Hua ran towards Yang Cai'e.

...

The inner courtyard of the Right Prime Minister's residence.

Below Zhao Cheng's room.

The tinderbox was lit, illuminating the dark, secret room.

In an instant, gold and silver clashed, startling Zhao Cheng so much that he quickly turned his head away.

"Oh dear, oh dear..." Zhao Cheng squinted and slowly looked at the mountains of gold and silver in front of him, muttering to himself, "How did these two mountains become so high without me noticing?"

After gradually adjusting to the glaring light, Zhao Cheng walked to a silver mountain and raised his hand to touch the top.

"Oh no, I can't reach it, it's so high!"

Then, Zhao Cheng went around to the back and looked at the two silver mountains behind him, saying, "Tsk tsk tsk, there are two more behind here, how annoying!"

Zhao Cheng hasn't told anyone about this vault yet, and with no one around, he can only show it off to himself.

After returning to his residence, he spent three to five days secretly transporting the gold and silver down, then patiently stacking them and enjoying counting them.

All the goals set for heading south have been achieved.

With the goal of capturing territory, take over Jiangyang County and Yunjing County.

With profit as the goal, let's start by earning 100 million.

At this time, the gold and silver in the treasury, converted into silver, amounted to hundreds of millions of taels of silver!

It's inappropriate to say that Zhao Cheng is now richer than a country. His wealth is not only less than that of the wealthy merchants in the Northwest and Southwest who have been around for hundreds of years, but it also cannot compare to that of the Xiao family.

After all, their businesses are too large and numerous; if they were all converted into cash, Zhao Cheng's treasury probably wouldn't be able to hold them all.

But Zhao Cheng was full of confidence. Now that the foundation of the Oriental Chamber of Commerce was solid, in time, its wealth would only grow exponentially like a snowball.

The future is promising!

Looking at the gold and silver in front of him, Zhao Cheng had already figured out his next plan.

Yuan Yun is currently in postpartum confinement. We'll spend more time with her this month, and once she finishes her confinement, we'll start pushing forward the second phase of the Chamber of Commerce's development!

"Master! Master!!"

Hearing Zhao Wu's shout from above, Zhao Cheng snapped out of his thoughts and quickly went up through the secret passage.

"What are you shouting about!" Zhao Cheng stepped out from behind Zhao Wu.

Zhao Wu said, "The Right Chancellor is looking for you!"

Zhao Cheng followed Zhao Wu to the Fish-Viewing Pavilion and saw Zhao Huan drinking with Lian Zhongyi. Six empty wine bottles were placed in the corner of the table.

"Wow, old man, I haven't seen you drink this much in ages!"

Zhao Cheng walked over, poured himself a glass, and said, "I'll have a drink with you."

Zhao Huan wasn't drunk, but her eyes were glazed over, and her already languid posture made her look even more tired.

He pointed to Lian Zhongyi and said, "Respectfully, sir."

Zhao Cheng turned to Lian Zhongyi and said, "Sir, I respect you."

"Please." Lian Zhongyi smiled slightly.

Zhao Cheng asked in confusion, "What's wrong? Why are you so happy?"

Lian Zhongyi said, "What else could it be? He's a grandfather now."

"Hahaha!!" Zhao Huan put one foot on the stone bench and danced around, saying, "This is just the beginning! Since Cheng'er can have children, it means he's fine. If he marries a few more, he can give me a big, fat grandson every year!"

Zhao Cheng shouted, "Do you think I'm a stud?!"

Zhao Huan said, "Our Zhao family must prosper! Your father only married your mother, and even with all my efforts, I only managed to have four sons like you. You have to make me proud!"

Zhao Cheng said, "Dad, you sound very regretful? How about I talk to Mom and ask her to find you a younger one? You can try harder then?"

"Don't try to trick me, kid!" Zhao Huan said smugly. "I have four sons. Do I really need to do things like carrying on the family line myself?"

Zhao Cheng said, "Then don't expect me to be the only one causing trouble! Second brother, third brother, go and wreak havoc on them!"

Zhao Huan glared at Zhao Cheng and said, "Did you think my father was drunk? The second brother's situation... let's not even talk about it! And the third brother's woman? There's not even a trace of her!"

"Dad, you're really out of the loop." Zhao Cheng chuckled. "Third Brother has his eye on a fiery chili pepper."

"Oh?" Zhao Huan asked curiously, "Which family's daughter is she?"

Zhao Cheng said, "Maoshan Sect, Yang Huanyun."

Upon hearing this, Zhao Huan was taken aback and immediately looked at Lian Zhongyi.

Lian Zhongyi, however, remained calm and stroked his beard, saying, "I have heard a little about this girl, Yang Huanyun. I heard that she is exceptionally talented and has unparalleled marksmanship. If the Five Fiends of the Left Prime Minister's Mansion were re-ranked, she should be second only to Xu Qingshan."

Zhao Huan said, "But she is from the Left Prime Minister's residence."

“Isn’t this perfect?” Zhao Cheng and Lian Zhongyi said at the same time.

Zhao Huan immediately understood. He looked at Zhao Cheng, then pointed at Lian Zhongyi, and said, "You two foxes, one old and one young, are really wicked!"

Zhao Cheng said, "Whether this matter can be accomplished depends on the third brother's abilities."

Zhao Huan nodded and said, "Third brother is honest and simple-minded. If he had half of your cleverness when it comes to matters between men and women, I would be at ease."

Zhao Cheng pouted and said, "Dad, don't worry. Third brother isn't as dull as you think. When he gets serious and flamboyant, I admire him greatly."

Zhao Huan exclaimed in surprise, "Even you admire him? It seems the third brother has grown up quite a bit!"

With that, Zhao Huan raised his glass and drank with Zhao Cheng.

As soon as he put down his wine glass, Zhao Huan changed the subject and immediately said, "Cheng'er, A-Yun has spoken with your mother."

I don't know if I can get rid of the third brother's fiery chili pepper.

"But it's time to pluck that fiery chili pepper from your head."