Furthermore, this is a crucial stage for tax collection. The attempt to make an example of someone failed to establish its authority, and instead, the people forced it to apologize, causing it to lose all credibility. How can taxes be collected under such circumstances?

What a brilliant strategy of "besieging Wei to rescue Zhao"!

The more Yao Zhijie thought about it, the colder his heart became.

Just then, an elderly man with gray hair walked in, surrounded by a crowd outside.

"I think it's Lord Liu who accidentally bumped into Lord Pei."

"Lord Yun?"

"This humble official greets Your Excellency the Grand Secretary!"

The person who came in was Madam Pei's elder brother, the current Grand Secretary Yun.

This old man was very powerful, and everyone immediately bowed to him upon entering.

Pei Yanzhi and Yao Zhijie also bowed in prayer.

Lord Yun glanced at them, especially Pei Yanzhi, before turning his gaze to the Vice Minister of the Court of Imperial Sacrifices, "Tell me who bumped into you."

"I...I...I..." The old man spoke softly, but it frightened the Vice Minister of the Court of Imperial Sacrifices so much that he stammered.

With a soft snort, Elder Yun ignored him and turned to look at the others.

"Who else saw it?"

"..."

The witnesses looked at each other, passing the buck, and no one dared to step forward.

"Since you've made a mistake, let's just let it go. What do you think, Vice Minister Liu of the Court of Imperial Sacrifices?"

"I'll do as the elders say."

The Vice Minister of the Court of Imperial Sacrifices quickly lowered his head, and as soon as Lord Yun left, the group of them surrounded him.

"What happened?"

"Didn't they say that the old master rarely interacts with the Marquis's residence?"

"And last time someone saw Pei Yanzhi and the old master parting on bad terms at the palace gate, why did the old master come to rescue him?"

"Heh, he's still one of our own nephews. They may not get along on the surface, but when it really matters, they'll side with him."

"What's wrong with you guys? Why were you all so cowardly? The boss only said one sentence and you all went quiet?"

"You're asking me, but aren't you the same?"

"They're all cowards."

They harbored resentment towards each other, and their expressions were unpleasant.

On the other side, Elder Yun specifically called Pei Yanzhi over to speak.

"Did you not listen to me at all when I told you not to be too aggressive in your actions?"

“Cutting off someone’s livelihood is like killing their parents. Even I can’t help you every time.”

With his hands tucked into the sleeves of his official robes, Lord Yun said calmly, "Turn a blind eye to the commercial tax. Here's a list of the merchants behind them. Just collect a token amount."

"A symbolic collection? Does Your Excellency know that if commercial taxes aren't collected, His Majesty will increase land taxes?"

"You still won't call me 'Uncle'?"

"Speaking frankly and impartially, I dare not involve relatives."

With his eyes narrowed, Elder Yun suppressed his anger.

"It's good that young people are ambitious, but they also need to know what they can and cannot do. Do you really think no one has ever tried to take advantage of commercial taxes over the years? But have you ever seen anyone dare to bring it up?"

"So the old man also knows that the tax that should be increased is not the land tax, but the commercial tax?"

"I'm teaching you to protect yourself wisely. Don't think that you're safe just because His Majesty is protecting you. His Majesty is only letting you act recklessly now because he's desperate for money. Once His Majesty loosens his grip, he'll sacrifice you to keep most of the court officials at peace. Let's see what His Majesty will do then. Throughout history, no official who implements new laws has ever had a good ending!"

These words are utterly treasonous and brimming with murderous intent.

Pei Yanzhi will likely realize the gravity of the situation and choose to back down to protect himself.

As the old man was thinking this, he saw the young man smile faintly at him.

"Thank you for the reminder, sir, but with me around, His Majesty will find it difficult to loosen his grip."

"..."

What's the meaning?

Lord Yun was puzzled, for Pei Yanzhi had already taken his leave.

It was already time for court, so there was no way to ask further questions; we had to leave it at that.

As he mingled among the court officials and walked toward the Golden Hall, there was a three-step-wide no-man's-land around Pei Yanzhi because he was disliked by everyone. Yao Zhijie squeezed through the crowd.

"What did your great-uncle say to you? I never thought of letting you get closer to the old man. You are relatives. If the old man protects you, even the Vice Minister of the Court of Imperial Sacrifices or the Junior Tutor to the Crown Prince would have to give him face."

“My father commands the Imperial Guards, and my maternal uncle is the head of the civil officials. Do you think His Majesty would tolerate our close relationship?”

"...But we're working for His Majesty! We're doing this for His Majesty!"

"If you don't want to die, don't bring this up again. Besides, I just had a falling out with my great-uncle, and he won't care about me anymore."

"Heavens above! How could you have offended such a powerful figure? Why don't we go and burn incense for the Crown Prince? At least if something happens, the Crown Prince can protect us."

"With the heir apparent yet to be decided and His Majesty not having given any instructions, I will not associate with any princes."

"Then hand over your wife?"

Pei Yanzhi glanced at him sideways, then looked at him with a glare. "Didn't you say yesterday that you didn't want to talk about this?"

"Hehe, I was just kidding!"

Yao Zhijie said with a grin, ignoring Pei Yanzhi's displeasure, he put his arm around Pei Yanzhi's shoulder and entered the Golden Hall, where he shared Pei Yanzhi's hatred of the enemy in the court.

Privately, they no longer discussed handing over Jiang Shuwan or getting Pei Yanzhi and Jiang Shuwan to divorce.

Privately, he ordered people to investigate Jiang Shuwan's whereabouts.

"Young master, the young mistress of the Marquis's mansion has been attending banquets hosted by ladies of various mansions recently, and I heard that she is looking for marriage partners for her sons."

"Attending a banquet? That's great, it'll be easier to make a move since you're not at home."

"Tell me, what banquets have been held in Beijing recently?" Yao Zhijie asked casually.

"The New Year is approaching, and there are many banquets being held. There will be one in the middle of the month, hosted by the Princess of Nan'an from the palace. I heard that the young mistress of the Marquis's mansion has already accepted the invitation."

"Princess of Nan'an? This is truly heaven's help! Rivals are always eyeing each other with intense hatred. He's unwilling to hand her over, nor does he want a divorce, so I'll have to resort to my own methods!"

"I want to make her feel ashamed and humiliated, so that she will take the initiative to divorce me."

Yao Zhijie spoke with a deep gaze, then called a servant over and whispered, "Go and tell Princess Nan'an... this and that... her weakness... start from here..."

The Marquis's Residence.

As soon as Jiang Shuwan returned, she was summoned by the old lady.

"Is Yun'er still not better?"

"Yes, madam."

Jiang Shuwan answered with her head lowered. Ever since Liu Yunyan fell ill from the cold last time, she had not gotten up.

Saying she was unwell was actually a way of refusing to see him.

After all, the old lady said that once she recovered from her illness, she would have Jiang Shuwan take her out to socialize and meet potential partners.

Liu Yunyan lies in bed all day; you can't just force her to get up.

"You good-for-nothing!"

Madam Pei was clearly not satisfied with this, but there was nothing she could do about it.

She glanced at Jiang Shuwan, "Has Yanzhi visited Yun'er recently?"

"..."

How did she know this? She's busy socializing every day.

"Replying to the old lady, the young master goes there almost every day whenever he has free time." Mama Chang said in a low voice while serving tea to Jiang Shuwan, and at the same time she was secretly watching Jiang Shuwan's expression.

After all, this was not good news for Jiang Shuwan.

"Wan, what do you think?"

"The granddaughter-in-law listens to the old lady."

"You..."