Chapter 14.

The salt merchants of Tianjin, known as the "Eight Families," were the Cao, Liu, Xie, Wang, Sun, Wu, Wei, and Jiang clans. Alongside them operated three major transport guilds: the Situo Guild of Tianjin Left Guard, the Xingwu Guild of Tianjin Right Guard, and the Luosheng Guild of Tianjin Wei.

Bound by ties of marriage and mutual interest, these "Eight Families and Three Guilds" wielded influence that stretched across Hejian Prefecture and even Northern Zhili. Their deep entanglement in the illegal salt trade meant their fortunes—and lives—were tightly interwoven, fostering unity. Yet, when someone threatened their interests, their ruthlessness knew no bounds.

Take the Zhao family as a grim example. Once prominent in the Four-Head Guild, the Zhaos fell victim to annihilation after attempting to leave the fold.

The Zhao patriarch, founder and leader of the guild, dedicated years to building its power, establishing it as the dominant force among the Tianjin Left Guard. His achievements caught the eye of the Cao family, leading to a strategic marriage alliance. The partnership secured dozens of ships for smuggling salt, granting the Caos access to vast, lucrative markets in the South despite official restrictions confining the sale of Changlu salt to Northern Zhili and Henan.

But the stakes were high, and no one was allowed to back out. When the Zhaos hesitated, their annihilation served as a chilling warning.

In Tianjin Wei, the salt merchants' power was absolute. Even storytellers in teahouses dared not utter the word "salt," a testament to their reach. Cracking this ironclad network of interests was no easy feat.

In a previous life, Yin Chengyu spent years finding a way in. This time, experience had streamlined the process. Dipping his brush into ink, he wrote the character "Wei" on rice paper.

“Keep a close eye on the Wei family,” he ordered. “Pay particular attention to Wei Xihe. Report any developments immediately.”

The Wei family would be the entry point—just as it had been in his past life.

Five years from now, the Wei family would cease to exist, replaced by the Ke family. The downfall began with the late Wei patriarch, who, having only a daughter, brought in an ambitious son-in-law, Ke Shouxin, to secure the lineage. What followed was betrayal.

First, patriarch Wei died of illness. A few years later, Ke Shouxin and Wei's only son Wei Xihe was attacked by bandits on his way to school. Although he escaped, his lower body and legs were trampled by horses. The Wei family sought medical treatment everywhere, but in the end they only saved one leg.

After the patriarch’s death, Ke Shouxin seized control, first feigning loyalty, then revealing his ambitions. He took new wives and fathered children under his name, while the legitimate heir, Wei Xihe, was left crippled, marginalized, and abandoned in a side courtyard.

Yet Wei Xihe, despite his shattered body and ruined prospects, endured ten years of suffering, quietly biding his time. Eventually, he obtained evidence of Ke Shouxin’s illegal salt dealings and handed it over to Yin Chengyu, leading to the Ke family’s downfall.

Recalling the events of his past life, Yin Chengyu felt a pang of regret. If not for his hardships, Wei Xihe would have been a rare talent.

Now, arriving in Tianjin five years earlier, he wondered about Wei Xihe's current state. Setting down his brush, he gave a final order to Zhao Lin.

“Make sure nothing happens to Wei Xihe.”

With that, he dismissed Zhao Lin and resumed his plans.

Seeing that Xue Shu was still nowhere in sight, Yin Chengyu furrowed his brows, displeased. "Where is Xue Shu?"

Zheng Duobao entered from outside and explained, "Xue Supervisor drank a bit too much at a banquet and just returned to the residence. Worried the smell of alcohol might offend Your Highness, he went to change clothes first."

"Wan Youliang has certainly gone all out trying to win him over," Yin Chengyu remarked casually as he resumed practicing calligraphy, his tone unhurried. "Have the kitchen prepare some hangover soup and send it to him. Let him sober up before coming over—there's no rush."

With a quick acknowledgment, Zheng Duobao left to arrange for the hangover soup.

However, when Zheng Duobao brought the soup to find Xue Shu, the man was already gone. A nearby guard informed him that Xue Shu had gone straight to the main hall after changing.

By this time, Xue Shu had already arrived at the main hall.

The eunuch on duty guided him into a side room. Before he even stepped through the door, he spotted the figure seated behind the desk.

Yin Chengyu looked strikingly different today.

He wore a crimson long robe with wide sleeves, exuding the refined air of a scholar. His long hair, usually tied neatly, was loosely styled, half-pinned with a jade hairpin at the back. A few strands fell casually over his chest as he lowered his head.

Hearing the eunuch announce his arrival, Yin Chengyu lifted his gaze. The dimly lit room seemed to amplify his presence—his crimson robe, dark hair, and pale skin combined into an almost otherworldly allure, like a mythical being emerging at dusk, mesmerizing and impossible to resist.

Xue Shu paused mid-step, staring for several moments before lowering his head respectfully.

Yet his fingers, hanging loosely at his sides, couldn't help but twitch slightly, recalling the sensation of holding that soft, smooth hair in his grasp.

Addictive. Mesmerizing.

"Why are you here already?" Yin Chengyu's tone carried mild reproach as he noticed Xue Shu standing still and silent. Assuming the man was still drunk, he continued, "Didn't Zheng Duobao tell you? You should have come after sobering up. It must have been tiring, keeping up with Wan Youliang these past days."

From past experience, Yin Chengyu knew Xue Shu lacked the patience for politicking or negotiation. In his eyes, Xue Shu’s way was simple: obey or perish.

Annoyance? Eliminate it.

Compromise? That was a game for the weak.

Yet now, Xue Shu had managed to keep Wan Youliang in check while extracting a steady stream of silver from him. That unexpected finesse surprised Yin Chengyu.

Such cooperation deserved a reward, and Yin Chengyu was never stingy with rewards.

"Serving Your Highness is no hardship," Xue Shu replied, lifting his gaze once more. His eyes held a dark intensity, a mix of drunkenness and something else—something stirred by Yin Chengyu’s almost bewitching appearance today.

Unable to resist, he stepped closer. Now, only the desk separated them.

The distance between them these past days had stoked a yearning that Xue Shu could no longer suppress.

Leaning forward slightly, his wolfish gaze locked onto Yin Chengyu. His voice, bold and tinged with urgency, broke the silence.

"Why hasn’t Your Highness summoned me these past days?"

His directness carried both a question and a plea, as though he would not rest until he got an answer.

Yin Chengyu met his gaze, his expression turning cold.

This boldness—this presumption!

Who was Xue Shu to question his decisions?

His rare patience finally ran out. With a sharp snap, he flung the brush onto the table and warned coldly, “Xue Shu, you’ve overstepped!”

Xue Shu, however, wasn’t ready to back down. He stared intently at Yin Chengyu, his tone firm and unyielding. “Aren’t I more useful than Zheng Duobao and Zhao Lin? Whoever you want dead, I’ll take care of it.”

Yin Chengyu, still seething, nearly broke into a laugh at the audacity of his words.

This Xue Shu was different from the one in his past life.

Back then, their relationship had been a tangled mess of clashing ambitions. Though they could trust each other in battle, their alliance crumbled once external threats were eliminated.

As crown prince—and future emperor—Yin Chengyu sought to rule without interference. But Xue Shu, the all-powerful eunuch who wielded immense influence at court, was a force impossible to ignore.

Their paths were destined to collide. Both had always known it, but until the day of reckoning, they maintained a fragile façade of camaraderie. Sometimes, even Yin Chengyu found himself momentarily deceived by the illusion, softening his resolve.

To this day, he couldn’t quite decipher his feelings toward Xue Shu.

The same was likely true for Xue Shu.

Yet tonight was the first time Xue Shu had ever expressed himself so bluntly. Usually, his words were laced with sarcasm, calculated to frustrate rather than satisfy.

But now, despite the irritation in his tone, his sincerity was oddly disarming. Perhaps it was his youth that made him somewhat endearing.

Yin Chengyu’s anger ebbed, replaced by a calm amusement. Leaning forward, he grasped Xue Shu’s chin, studying him closely. To his surprise, there was a flicker of grievance in those sharp eyes.

Dog temper, indeed.

“You are, of course, more capable than them,” he admitted, releasing his grip. 'Why else would I let you stay by my side after starting over in this life?'

Yin Chengyu gestured lazily to the fallen brush, a faint smirk playing on his lips. “Pick that up for me.”

Xue Shu obediently retrieved the brush and presented it with both hands, his gaze fixed on the prince, as if awaiting further instruction.

But Yin Chengyu had no intention of indulging him further. Instead, he ordered, “Tomorrow, you’re coming with me somewhere.”

Though disappointed at the lack of praise, Xue Shu perked up at the thought of accompanying him. His lips curved ever so slightly. “Yes!”

“Good. Now leave. You reek of wine,” Yin Chengyu said, casting a disdainful glance at him.

Xue Shu hesitated. “It’s late. Let me see you to bed before I go.”

His offer only reignited Yin Chengyu’s annoyance. He scowled, pointing to the door. “If you’re so free, go to the kitchen and chop some wood!”

Realizing he’d crossed the line, Xue Shu kept silent and left to carry out the punishment.

By dawn, the entire household knew that Xue Shu had angered the prince and been sent to chop firewood.

When the news reached Wan Youliang, he nodded in satisfaction, turning to General Guan. “See? Didn’t I tell you? The emperor and the crown prince have always been at odds. Xue Shu is only there to spy on him. There’s no way he’d side with the crown prince.”

General Guan considered this for a moment before agreeing. “You’re right. I overthought it. Let’s proceed as planned.”

———Author’s note: Prince: If you don’t behave, I’ll make you fetch water, too. Puppy: … If I chop wood and fetch water, can I sleep in your chambers? Prince: …