"You made a good choice, young lady. All three of them are excellent cooks. You won't regret choosing them."

The middle-aged man, still wearing a smile, spoke to Cen Xi.

Cen Xi gave him a deep look, then felt that her decision was somewhat biased, but she was still wavering in her heart and couldn't guess what that dog was thinking.

But what's done is done. At worst, those three old women will only serve her well; they'll cook for themselves at the training ground on the back mountain.

Moreover, given Wen Qixi's experience, she didn't believe that the scoundrel would deliberately send someone up for her to kill.

Having figured this out, Cen Xi waved lazily at the middle-aged man:

"Keep those three old women here, and take the rest of you."

"Alright, if you need anyone in the future, just send someone to Shangyang City to let me know. My people are absolutely capable."

The middle-aged man smiled and nodded. After speaking, he bowed to Cen Xi and then led him out of the side hall.

After everyone left, Wen Qihe brought in another cup of tea right on time, and without saying a word, placed it directly in front of Zhu Yanniang.

Cen Xi glanced at her, handed the bowl of tea that Wen Qihe had spat out to her, and said:

"Go and make me another cup of tea."

"yes!"

This time, Wen Qihe was extremely proper. He accepted the teacup, bowed, and left.

"The more docile she is, the more I feel there's something wrong with her."

Zhu Yanniang stared intently at Wen Qihe's retreating figure, murmuring to herself.

"Since we can't get rid of her, let's leave it at that for now and see how things go. I, Cen Xi, am not so easily fooled. As soon as she makes a move, I will make her know what it means to reap what you sow."

Cen Xi naturally knew Zhu Yanniang's worries, but she was the kind of person who would deal with anyone who dared to defy her. As long as Wen Qihe dared to make a move, she would definitely let her know the price of courting death.

"You've gotten such a great deal this morning. I wonder if you'll still be able to remain chaste when you see that scoundrel next time."

Seeing Cen Xi leave the side hall and instruct the people at the door to take the three old women to the kitchen, Zhu Yanniang followed and couldn't help but tease her again. Yesterday she was still worried about money, but today it's like several pies have suddenly fallen into her lap. She wondered if Cen Xi would choke to death.

Do you think Zhenxiulou and Chunhualou combined are worth 100,000 taels of gold?

Cen Xi waited at the door for Zhu Yanniang to accompany her.

“It’s worth it. One hundred thousand taels of gold is enough for one Zhenxiulou restaurant. Why would we need to add another Chunhualou restaurant?”

Zhu Yanniang estimated for a moment and then replied.

"Then next time that jerk comes looking for me, I won't run away. Anyway, he's good-looking and has a decent background. I might as well have a one-night stand with him. Do you have any birth control pills?"

Cen Xi spoke casually, but after several encounters, she realized that she was quite lustful herself. With that figure, sleeping with someone would definitely be a good deal, and the key point was that she wouldn't be able to escape either.

“I have a technique that, once practiced, will completely expel all of a man’s semen from his body after sex. I’ll teach you. You’ve really figured it out? I told you, that kind of thing is addictive. If you sleep with Chen Xiang and aren’t satisfied, you can find other men. I’ll help you find one.”

Zhu Yanniang had an expression that said, "I knew I had good taste, I knew I wasn't wrong."

"No, I still think that doing that kind of thing too much is bad for me. Besides, I only like doing that kind of thing with handsome men with great bodies. I find other people disgusting."

Cen Xi would never admit that it was the aftereffects of that bastard man frequently hanging around in front of her naked last time, and the fact that she didn't get to eat him. In fact, she really didn't like getting involved with men.

"Alright, what do we do now? Go to Shangyang City?"

Zhu Yanniang pouted, looking unhappy.

"When will your Su Nu Sect girl arrive?"

Cen Xi thought for a moment and realized that she had to go to Chunhualou and Zhenxiulou in person.

Now that it's been given to her, she'll definitely want to take the token and look after it, but she has to go to both places, so she's a bit overwhelmed.

And that person from Qingshan Academy, the one who influenced her fate, she should go and see him, or at least test the waters.

The previous times, he was always eager to kill her, but this time she made thorough preparations and waited for him to come. He did come, but he didn't kill her. What's going on? I don't understand.

"We'll arrive tonight, or we could go to Chunhua Tower to make some arrangements first."

Zhu Yanniang suggested.

"Alright, let's go down the mountain first. Have you remembered the disguise technique I taught you?"

"Of course, I'm incredibly smart. Those cultivation techniques are as easy for me as drinking water. By the way, should I teach you the kind of cultivation technique that prevents pregnancy? It's a unique secret technique of our Su Nu Sect, you know?"

Zhu Yanniang raised an eyebrow, looking smug.

"Alright, let's learn first. Anyway, some things can't be rushed, we have to take it slowly. Once your Su Nu Sect girls arrive tonight, we'll go down the mountain tomorrow."

Cen Xi originally wanted to go down the mountain to take a look today, but she was afraid of running into that scoundrel. She would have a hard time resisting his acupressure techniques.

If she loses her virginity and gets pregnant, she'll be devastated.

"Okay, let's go back inside."

Seeing that she agreed, Zhu Yanniang pulled her and walked back.

Wen Qihe brought a cup of tea to the side hall and happened to see this scene. Her emotions changed repeatedly.

Seeing this, Qiaoying beside her frowned more and more deeply, and finally couldn't help but speak up:

"Miss, what are you thinking? Why do you accept being a maid just because someone asks you to? Although our Wen family is a merchant family, we are not without connections in the imperial court. Why are you doing this to yourself?"

"Because as long as I leave the Wen family, my marriage will no longer be controlled by others, nor will it be used by the family for trade. Do you think my brother was just joking when he said those things?"

"The last time I threw the embroidered ball to choose a husband was my last chance, but unfortunately I couldn't get what I wanted. So no matter what, I can never leave Cen Xi."

It was rare for Wen Qihe to explain the pros and cons to Qiaoying in such a serious manner.

"Oh, then Miss should explain things clearly to Miss Cen, and she won't be in such a difficult position. Miss, seeing that you were slapped for no reason today, aren't you a little... a little..."

Qiaoying responded with a sudden realization, but then felt that she had brought it upon herself. However, as a maid, she dared not openly slap her mistress in the face, so she kept quiet.

"Isn't this just asking for trouble?"

Wen Qihe continued her words.

"That's somewhat true."

Qiaoying pouted and nodded. Since Miss had already said it herself, there was nothing wrong with her saying it too.

"That woman, don't be fooled by her cheerful demeanor all day long, she's actually quite cold-hearted. For her to trust me, I have to hone myself over time and fully demonstrate my intentions before she'll even begin to believe me. So I'm destined to suffer this hardship."

Wen Qihe put away her usual willfulness, and her expression was calmer than she had ever shown before.

"Alright, since you have your own plans, Miss, I have nothing more to say. Now that you've become a maid, what will become of me? The young master hasn't made any arrangements for me. Where should I go?"