Shui Ruolan’s eyes widened and a smile appeared on her face.
Mother, since this is our only chance, let’s take it from Nanny Zhou.
It’ll be the price of a store at most! It’s still not enough!
Old Grandma had yet to figure it out.
Mother, keep an eye on Nanny Zhou and see who she’s dealing with. Find a way to make them pay on the same day,
Shui Ruolan said.
Her words finally convinced Old Grandma, who nodded after pondering over it. She thought that this idea was feasible.
Since they must snatch the money out of Nanny Zhou’s hands without Madam Di’s knowledge, they must snatch everything at one go. They must find a way to arrange to get the money on the same day Madam Di would be selling hers.
If they took the money this time, there would be no more money left to be taken!
Considering the influence of the Ningyuan Army General’s Mansion, it wouldn’t be a problem for them to arrange for the culprit who ordered the Jiangzhou Prefecture to sell Madam Di’s store to take out the money on the same day.
Since it was the Ningyuan Army General’s Manor that wanted to sell the store, the others wouldn’t haggle excessively. It would be easy to find buyers and name a price. The possibility of a successful business transaction was also high!
Grandmother, did you keep some of the previous receipts? It’d be great if you did; at least there’ll be some evidence if Madam asks about it!
Qin Wanru asked in a childish voice, with her head tilted.
Old Grandma looked like she was smiling. She shot Qin Wanru a pensive glance and agreed, saying,
Ruolan, go and find the evidence with Nanny Duan later!
Shui Ruolan and Nanny Duan acknowledged the order!
Qin Wanru stayed with them for a while longer before walking out of Old Grandma’s courtyard. Instead of returning to her courtyard, she went to the swing near the wall and sat down.
Out of habit, Qing Yue walked over to give her a push.
However, Yujie gave her a gentle nudge, indicating for Qing Yue to step aside. She had always been strong, so the task was more suitable for her.
Qing Yue nodded and stepped aside.
Yujie walked up and pushed the frame of the swing. Qin Wanru’s figure started to sway, rising and falling with the movement. Yujie was indeed much stronger than Qing Yue, allowing her to push Qin Wanru far higher than before, even higher than the time Qin Wanru leaped over the wall.
The wind carried the young lady high. Under her beautiful jet-black hair was a pair of glistening eyes that were as dark as they were unfathomable. Her mischievous charm carried a hint of yet-to-be-fully-revealed loveliness. Her enchantingly red lips were curled in the corners, making this young girl look even purer and prettier.
Inside a pavilion adjacent to the General’s Mansion were two youngsters. One was elder than the other. Both had unconventional looks. Their clothing, even more so, was a sign that they weren’t ordinary people. They might be rich or noble.
Oh my, there’s such an adorable little thing in the Ningyuan Army General’s Mansion!
The younger one of the two looked curiously at Qin Wanru, who would swing upward every so often, and clicked his tongue in admiration. He then turned to the grim-faced youngster and said,
Is she the Second Miss of the Ningyuan Army General’s Mansion?
The grim-faced youngster put down the document in his hand and turned his head for a look. He looked away and said with disinterest,
The General only has two daughters. Since this one is so young, you’re probably right.
Or is it the older one? I heard the older one is so gorgeous that attracted not just the eldest son of the Jiangzhou Prefectural Magistrate and even had an affair with Di Yan. Di Yan loves beautiful women the most. When this one grows up, she’ll surely be a woman whose beauty can overthrow empires!
The younger one laughed heartily as if he had recalled something good, mocking Di Yan without the slightest hesitation.
This was their second day in Jiangzhou Prefecture, after all. They had learned what they had to set out to find out. The younger one was particularly interested in the strange marriage between the Ningyuan Army General’s Mansion and the Jiangzhou Prefectural Magistrate’s Mansion.
That was far more interesting than their disorderly files. The weather was so nice too; how could they waste it cooped inside the manor? Even an unmarried girl knew how to play on the swing and yet they had to stay here! The more he thought about it, the more bored he became.
This one looks young. She’s just a child,
the grim-faced youngster said dispiritedly as he picked up the document again.
No matter how good their eyesight was, they could only tell that it was a young child. It was an exaggeration to call her a young lady.
Even though the Ningyuan Army General has no son, his daughters are both as beautiful as flowers. He is so lucky!
The younger one was convinced that Qin Yuru was a great beauty after hearing the rumors. He pinched his chin, leaned over the window, and kept watching.
He was rather interested in the swing. He decided to install one in his rear courtyard for his amusement once he got home. Once the rest were free, they could come over to play too. They could even have a little competition among themselves.
The younger one was rather listless during his two days in Jiangzhou. He was ready to go home. He turned his head and looked his grim-faced older brother and asked impatiently,
Brother, when are we going back?
Tomorrow!
The grim-faced youngster put down the document in his hand and pinched his forehead. He didn’t look too well.
If one took a careful look at him, one would realize that he wasn’t born with a grim expression. He just had a poor complexion. Coupled with his aloofness, he just looked like a cold, unfeeling person.
So soon? That’s great! But aren’t we looking for Chu Liuchen anymore?
The younger one turned around in surprise. To be honest, he was bored of Jiangzhou. He would rather return to the capital soon.
He must have returned!
The grim-faced youngster leaned back on his chair and closed his eyes. They hadn’t garnered a lot of information, but they learned that Chu Liuchen seemed to have left a long time ago. However, it also seemed like he left just a few days ago. For now, it was difficult for them to track him.
That’s great! Let’s just go back to the capital! There’s no shortage of opportunities there. Why did we even bother finding him in Jiangzhou?
Even though the young one was muttering to himself, he seemed to be in a good mood. He was wearing a wide smile on his face as his gaze fell on that figure.
Brother, I heard Ningyuan Army General is being transferred back to the capital.
I think it’ll be soon.
The grim-faced youngster nodded and tugged the corner of his mouth. He seemed incapable of smiling. Even this movement of his mouth lacked the intent of a smile.
Will his two daughters return with him?
the younger one asked, overjoyed.
This young girl looks like a lively one! Not bad!
What are you trying to do? Ningyuan Army General is someone our Imperial Father has his eye on. Don’t make a reckless move!
the grim-faced youngster warned the younger one.
What am I trying to do? What can I do? I just think this little girl is pretty fun. That swing of hers looks pretty nice!
The younger one narrowed his eyes.
He was determined to install a swing that could reach that high once he returns to his mansion, the kind that could carry him taller than the wall and make his clothing flutter in the air. It would make him look particularly dashing. He could wear a crimson robe then. Billowing red sleeves would look even better. He would look just like this little girl before him.
Brother, do you have any crimson-colored clothing?
The younger one’s sudden request caught his older brother off guard. Briefly stunned, the grim-faced one turned his head to look at him.
What do you need it for?
I think wearing red will make me look good. Look at the girl. Not only is she pretty, but the red makes her look good too. She doesn’t look gaudy at all!
the younger one said, smiling. His eyes were bright and lent him a vivacious air.
You won’t look as good as Chu Liuchen even if you wear red,
the grim-faced youngster said impatiently. He walked toward the imperial bodyguard in the corner and handed him the document in his hand. He quietly gave him some orders.
His younger brother curled his lips when he saw that he was being ignored. He turned to look at Qin Wanru and scoffed. Chu Liuchen, that devil, would look good in everything, not just in red. Chu Liuchen owned quite a few red clothing. Didn’t he know how pale he looked? How could a man with such pale lips look so extraordinary in red?
More annoying was the fact that the young ladies from influential families would turn bashful whenever they saw him. They didn’t think that Chu Liuchen might just die anytime and they could very well become a widow before marrying him! What was so good about marrying him?
Such poor taste indeed!
Brother, I’m bored. I’ll go out for a walk. Even if someone notices and suspects us, it’ll be too late for them to do anything. We’re leaving tomorrow anyway!
the younger one said loudly. He had been keeping his older brother company here since yesterday. The more he thought about it, the more smothered he felt. Even though Jiangzhou was boring, he should still take a look around. Otherwise, he would have come here in vain!
There’s nowhere fun in Jiangzhou,
the grim-faced one said.
Brother, I’m just taking a walk. I’ll be back soon! Who knows if there’ll be a surprise?
the younger one had already expected such a response from his older brother. He made eyes at him with a bright smile, looking like a rascal.
There’s nowhere fun in Jiangzhou!
Brother, you know it’s not easy for me to travel! Just let me go out and have my fun!
The grim-faced youngster was impatient to have his younger brother pester him. He rubbed his forehead and reminded him,
Don’t take too long!
Yes, yes, yes… Don’t worry, Brother. I’ll be back soon!
The younger one climbed out of the window and disappeared downstairs in the blink of an eye. It wasn’t easy to get his brother to agree. He should leave as soon as possible. His brother might not let him go after!
Qin Wanru didn’t know that someone was stealing a look at her. She was still thinking about the matter earlier. The swing carried her upward and when she landed on the ground, her mood was serene.
Her mother and grandmother were on the right track during their discussion earlier but Qin Wanru thought that some of the details had to be reinforced. So, when her swing carried her downward, she said,
Yujie, stop for a bit. I have something to tell you.
Yujie stopped pushing her.
What are your orders, Miss?
She had swiftly settled in her new role. She didn’t put up the slightest bit of resistance against being Qin Wanru’s maid.
To a girl like her, it would be difficult for her to do anything if she directly departs from Jingxin Monastery. It was best for her to seek shelter from a wealthy family. Moreover, she had grown to admire this Second Miss who was even younger than her during the several days they spent at the monastery. It wasn’t just Qin Wanru’s medical expertise but her conduct too. She was happy to serve Qin Wanru.
The agreement she signed wasn’t a lifetime one. When she was capable enough in the future and desired to leave, Qin Wanru had promised to let her go.
Yujie, tell Nanny Duan to try her best to stop Nanny Zhou from leaving the mansion in the next few days. Tell her to create some trouble so that Nanny Zhou couldn’t leave. Give her the chance to leave only after stopping her for two or three times.
