Although the renovation of Prince Li's main residence was nearing completion, it wasn't finished yet—so Zhige would have to wait a little longer to witness the true extent of Gu Yanshu's "grand extravagance."
Before that, however, Gu Yanshu had an even more ambitious plan in mind.
Upon returning to the estate from the teahouse, he wasted no time in ordering Zhige to investigate the Zhou family's silk trade and the specific assets they were currently auctioning off.
Thanks to the efficiency of Prince Li's household and the Zhou family's urgency to sell (without hiding anything), Zhige delivered the requested information within a single day.
It had to be said—the Zhou family's ability to build their business to this scale was no accident.
Their silk trade was a fully integrated operation, covering everything from mulberry fields to textile workshops and retail stores.
Their determination to salvage Yun Cizhai was evident—they had bundled their entire silk business together for sale, leaving nothing behind.
This was a mature, end-to-end supply chain.
Mature enough that, with sufficient capital, the buyer could start turning a profit within a year.
But "sufficient capital" was easier said than done.
The Zhou family had listed their silk business for over half a month, yet it remained unsold—even attracting little interest—simply because very few could scrape together such a massive sum in such a short time.
"Does the Princess Consort intend to take over the Zhou family's business?"
Qin Lu didn't need to think hard to guess Gu Yanshu's intentions.
Gu Yanshu admitted without hesitation:
"Who wouldn't want a profitable venture?"
Zhige's investigation had been thorough—not only detailing the Zhou family's silk trade but also identifying four or five potential buyers who were interested but lacked the liquidity to act.
Gu Yanshu was certain that if the Zhou family ever became desperate enough to sell their assets piecemeal, these buyers would swoop in like vultures to carve up the business.
Qin Lu's response was immediate:
"If the Princess Consort wants it, then buy it."
"So Your Highness supports this purchase?" Gu Yanshu raised an eyebrow.
"Why wouldn't I?"
Qin Lu countered. While he knew little about business, he trusted Gu Yanshu's judgment implicitly.
"And what if I don't have enough money?" Gu Yanshu pressed further.
"How much is missing?" Qin Lu pondered briefly before adding, "I still have over 300,000 taels on hand—would that suffice?"
Of this sum, 200,000 taels came from Gu Yanshu's earlier split of the gambling house winnings, while the rest was Qin Lu's personal savings.
Despite Qin Lu's outwardly ascetic lifestyle, maintaining three armies was a colossal financial drain—far exceeding Gu Yanshu's expenditures.
This winter had been particularly harsh, forcing Qin Lu to provide additional winter uniforms and meat rations to keep his soldiers warm—all funded from his own pocket, since the national treasury was depleted and the Ministry of Revenue was under the First Prince's control.
Gu Yanshu understood the weight of Qin Lu's responsibilities.
That Qin Lu was willing to offer his remaining funds—despite his own financial burdens—touched Gu Yanshu deeply.
Yet, moved as he was, Gu Yanshu ultimately declined:
"I have enough money—I was just teasing Your Highness. How could you be so easily fooled?"
"Aside from the Princess Consort, who would dare try?"
Qin Lu shot him a sidelong glance, neither confirming nor denying.
Arrogant as the statement sounded, it was undeniably true.
Most people trembled in Qin Lu's presence—let alone attempted deception.
And even if they dared, this "gullible" version of Qin Lu existed solely for Gu Yanshu's benefit.
Though Gu Yanshu had declined Qin Lu's initial offer of financial support, the prince still insisted on contributing 100,000 taels after learning the Zhou family's asking price for their silk trade.
The entire business was listed at 580,000 taels—an inflated figure.
Gu Yanshu estimated the final negotiated price would hover around 500,000 taels.
While this sum strained his current reserves, it wasn't insurmountable.
Thus, when Qin Lu presented the banknotes, Gu Yanshu initially refused—
Only to be disarmed by Qin Lu's logic:
"If the Princess Consort won't accept my support today, how can I in good conscience accept your gifts tomorrow?"
In the end, he relented and took the money.
With funds secured, the next step was negotiating with the Zhou family.
After recalling Second Young Master Zhou, the family had dispatched two replacements to manage Yun Cizhai:
Fourth Young Master Zhou Maoyuan (legitimate son)First Young Master Zhou Maojie (eldest but illegitimate)
Though nominally co-managers, actual authority rested solely with Zhou Maoyuan, relegating Zhou Maojie to an advisory role.
Gu Yanshu cared little about their internal hierarchy—
So long as one could authorize the sale.
The meeting was arranged without subterfuge.
Initially reluctant (blaming Prince Li's household for their current predicament),
The Zhou brothers ultimately agreed—recognizing this as purely business.
Yun Cizhai had instigated the porcelain war; losing was their own miscalculation.
Moreover, few besides Gu Yanshu could muster such liquidity.
Rejecting him risked necessitating a piecemeal sale at further discounts.
Dispensing with pleasantries, Gu Yanshu opened bluntly:
"Let's be direct—we've no shared history to reminisce over."
Zhou Maoyuan maintained composure despite mixed feelings:
"Your Highness may speak freely."
"Your silk trade is well-established, but 580,000 taels is excessive."
Gu Yanshu tapped a detailed inventory list on the table—
Every asset (mulberry fields, textile mills, storefronts) alongside current market valuations.
Total worth: 400,000 taels at most.
Even accounting for the convenience of a bundled sale, the 180,000-tael premium was unjustifiable.
Recognizing Gu Yanshu's preparedness, Zhou Maoyuan conceded internally before countering:
"What would Your Highness consider fair?"
"480,000 taels. Final offer."
Zhou Maoyuan stiffened—a 100,000-tael slash was brutal.
Gu Yanshu's smile remained razor-edged:
"Who else can pay this sum upfront? Wait longer, and dismantling the business might fetch less than 480,000."
The truth stung, but Zhou Maoyuan couldn't refute it.
As he wavered, Zhou Maojie—silent until now—intervened:
"Might Your Highness grant us two days to consult our elders?"
Zhou Maoyuan, catching some unspoken cue, echoed the request.
Gu Yanshu's fingers stilled on the table.
After a weighted pause, he acquiesced:
"Very well. Deliberate with your family."
The meeting adjourned without resolution.
After leaving the teahouse, Gu Yanshu glanced back at the room where he had negotiated with the two Zhou brothers.
"Zhige."
"Princess Consort."
"Go and listen to what they're saying now."
Gu Yanshu tilted his chin toward the room they had just left.
"Understood."
Eavesdropping wasn't new to Zhige. With a swift, practiced motion, he vanished into the shadows.
Gu Yanshu didn't leave immediately. Instead, he returned to the carriage to await Zhige's report.
Given the earlier tension, he expected quick results—
And sure enough, within the time it took to burn a stick of incense, Zhige lightly rapped on the carriage door.
"Report," Gu Yanshu said, a faint smile playing on his lips.
Zhige bowed slightly before recounting the scene that had unfolded after their departure:
Zhou Maoyuan (Fourth Young Master Zhou) had indeed been inclined to accept Gu Yanshu's offer—
And was visibly irritated by Zhou Maojie's (First Young Master Zhou) unexpected interference.
The moment Gu Yanshu left, Zhou Maoyuan confronted his half-brother:
"Why did you speak out of turn?"
Zhou Maojie countered that 480,000 taels was beyond Zhou Maoyuan's authority to approve unilaterally.
More critically, he warned that Prince Li's household might not leave Yun Cizhai any room to recover.
"If we sell them our silk trade, we should reconsider whether abandoning silk to save porcelain is even the right strategy."
"One misstep could doom us all."
Zhou Maoyuan dismissed this as baseless paranoia:
"The elders already agreed to this plan. The First Prince has promised to make Yun Cizhai a royal supplier next year—how is that 'doom'?"
Zhou Maojie held firm:
"Even so, 480,000 taels requires the elders' approval."
The argument ended in a stalemate, with both parting in displeasure.
"Zhou Maojie..."
Gu Yanshu murmured the name, mildly surprised that the Zhou family had at least one clear-eyed member.
"Princess Consort, shall I take any action?"
Zhige knew better than most how Gu Yanshu operated.
With Zhou Maojie seeing through 80-90% of their strategy—and potentially thwarting it—he felt urgency.
"Unnecessary."
Gu Yanshu shook his head, a cryptic smile forming.
"The Zhou family will agree."
Though puzzled, Zhige knew better than to question. He withdrew silently.
Alone, Gu Yanshu studied the Zhou family's inventory list, his smile deepening.
Zhou Maojie is indeed sharp.
A shame such insight belongs to an illegitimate son with no real authority.
The Zhou family, intoxicated by the First Prince's promises, would never heed his warnings.
As predicted:
Despite Zhou Maojie's objections, the Zhou elders finalized the sale the very next day—
Transferring their entire silk trade to Gu Yanshu for 480,000 taels.
Yet before Gu Yanshu could survey his new empire, a flood of visiting cards from various factions pinned him down at the estate.