Favoring a concubine and destroying the wife? I'll abandon my husband and children and wipe out

Ye Ruyue was in a hurry to return to the manor to tell Zhao Ye the good news that she had obtained the money, and did not notice the meaningful look in the steward's eyes.

After the manager saw her off, he returned to find a young man in the original private room. It was Chen Wang!

“Young master, I have done as you instructed,” the steward said.

Chen Wang took out a thick purse from his pocket and handed it over, smiling as he said, "The promised payment will be exactly what you asked for. Please take a look."

The steward weighed the money in his hand, then felt for the paper banknotes inside and smiled with satisfaction.

“No need to look closely. In business, integrity is paramount, and I trust you to keep your word. But—” He put away the purse and asked, puzzled, “I really don’t understand what you’re trying to do, young master?”

They lend money at exorbitant interest rates using his name, but they themselves are the ones paying for it.

Moreover, don't give him a single penny of the principal plus interest that he returns afterward. Just let him turn a blind eye and not investigate where the girl's token came from. Just go through the motions and sign the contract.

Guan Shi really couldn't understand why the other party would be willing to do something that would result in such a loss.

Let alone managing things, Chen Wang couldn't understand what his wife meant either!

But both Qingdai and Jianlan said that the lady has her own plans, and following her instructions will surely be correct!

Chen Wang coughed twice, feigning mystery: "I'm sorry, I can't tell you. I don't need to repeat the saying that curiosity killed the cat, do I?"

The manager seemed thoughtful, then forced a smile and said, "Then I'll wait patiently to receive the money."

On the other side, Ye Ruyue returned to the Zhao family through a side gate instead of the main gate, where she found Qian Yidong waiting to meet her.

"Miss Ye, how did things go?" Qian Yidong hurriedly stepped forward.

Ye Ruyue raised her chin. "The money is all in the carriage. Have someone carefully carry it into the mansion, and don't let anyone—especially Cheng Nanzhi—find out."

Qian Yidong walked past her, and Sanmei immediately lifted the carriage curtain to let him in.

A moment later, Qian Yidong emerged, his face filled with shock: "Miss Ye, you actually managed to acquire so much in such a short time?! Is it safe??"

"You don't need to worry about that. Just deal with the money first. Where's Ye Lang? I need to see him." Knowing that Zhao Ye was in the study, Ye Ruyue told Qian Yidong to stay and count the money, and also told Sanmei to go back to her residence, while she went to see Zhao Ye herself.

Zhao Ye had just returned from court when he learned that Ye Ruyue was no longer in the mansion. He had been waiting absentmindedly ever since, wondering whether Ye Ruyue could really get so much money, and regretting that he had given Ye Ruyue the plaque and private seal.

If anything goes wrong, it could affect his promotion!

Upon finally meeting Ye Ruyue, Zhao Ye hurriedly asked how it went.

Ye Ruyue said with a charming smile, "Ye Lang, don't you believe me? The money is with Qian Yidong right now. Go back and change your clothes. Qian Yidong will finish counting it, and then you can go to Xiangchun Tower to find someone to switch seats with!"

Zhao Ye was still a little skeptical: "Really? How did you do that?"

Ye Ruyue gently leaned into his arms, her warm and soft body making Zhao Ye relax a little.

"Of course I found someone I'd met by chance before and borrowed money in his name at exorbitant interest rates. I also repaid it in his name afterwards, without mentioning you. So don't worry, even if it gets discovered later, no one will suspect you."

Zhao Ye was delighted and asked, "Who did you find? Are they reliable?"

"He's reliable, he owes me a favor. As for who it is, Ye Lang, don't ask. Can't Yue'er have her own little secrets and friends? Yue'er hasn't asked Ye Lang about his friends in officialdom." Ye Ruyue pouted and acted coquettishly.

Zhao Ye chuckled, pinched her nose and agreed, but was still a little worried.

How will you repay this money afterwards?

"I've thought about that too!"

Ye Ruyue sat up straight and said, "Before the poetry gathering starts tomorrow, let's make some noise for Ze Ge'er, and secretly set up a betting pool between Ze Ge'er and others, so that everyone bets on Ze Ge'er losing. If Ze Ge'er wins unexpectedly, then we'll have money!"

As for how much they can earn, it depends on how much buzz they generate and how many people they can attract to place bets!

Zhao Ye's eyes lit up: "This method is feasible!"

As the saying goes, fortune favors the bold, so they secretly set up a scheme! This was much safer than engaging in usury! If they made even more money, it would all be the Zhao family's money.

Moreover, after this bet, more people will definitely know the name of Zege'er, killing two birds with one stone!

Zhao Ye knew the poems Ye Ruyue had prepared for Zhao Shize, and was certain that they would make Zhao Shize shine. Therefore, this bet was a sure thing!

Zhao Ye excitedly kissed Ye Ruyue and said happily, "Yue'er, you are truly my darling!"

Ye Ruyue was overjoyed by his flattery and said coquettishly, "Then what are you still doing here? Hurry up and do it."

Zhao Ye laughed heartily, spent some time with Ye Ruyue, and then left the study.

Ye Ruyue breathed a sigh of relief on her way back to Shou'an Hall.

Fortunately, Zhao Ye was so happy that he didn't ask for the private seal and plaque back first.

She still has a use for it, hoping to use Zhao Ye's private seal to place bets and make some money to save up!

She used Zhao Ye's personal seal, so no one would suspect her, and it would be convenient for her to act. If Zhao Ye found out and asked about it later, she would just say it was for Ze Ge'er.

As long as Zhao Ye doesn't know how much money she bet, the extra money is all her private savings!

Thinking of this, Ye Ruyue became happy. As soon as she got back, she went to find Old Madam Zhao to talk about getting the location of Xiangchun Tower settled, and emphasized that it was her idea, but did not explain in detail how it was done.

Unlike Zhao Ye, Old Madam Zhao is shrewd when it comes to money. If she were discovered, she wouldn't get a single penny.

Fortunately, in her pleasant surprise, Madam Zhao did not think much of it and praised her with a beaming smile. She then asked Zhang Mama to find Zhao Shize and tell him about the matter.

Ye Ruyue didn't miss the chance to show off and told Zhao Shize that she was the one who helped him.

Zhao Shize said sweetly, "Thank you, Aunt Ye. I knew Aunt Ye was the best to me, and the best person I could be!"

Ye Ruyue said gently, "Aunt Ye can do anything you want."

After Zhao Shize left, Ye Ruyue tried to sow discord among Old Madam Zhao, saying, "Old Madam, how happy Ze'er must be to know this! But Madam is heartless. She'd rather disappoint Ze'er than spend money to resolve this matter! I think she doesn't respect Ze'er at all!"

Madam Zhao wholeheartedly agreed: "She's not your biological daughter after all; she couldn't have put in the same amount of effort as you."

She took Ye Ruyue's hand, patted the back of her hand, and said earnestly, "Ze-ge'er will return to your side sooner or later, and then you will be the rightful mistress of the Zhao family. So you must help him even more and relieve his worries."

Ye Ruyue smiled: "Of course, Ye Lang is my everything, and I hope he rises to great heights!"

Madam Zhao thought with satisfaction that although Cheng Nanzhi was born into a high-class family, Ye Ruyue was the more suitable and virtuous wife for Zhao Ye.