Hua Rong had no idea what Wu Banyao was planning. After returning, she left Wu Banyao behind and went to the study, which only the heads of the Wu family could enter on their own initiative.

Wu Bantao was reading a letter inside. When he saw her come in, he put the letter on the desk, then walked to the low couch by the window and sat down opposite Hua Rong.

Neither of them spoke first. Wu Bantao's eyes were clear and sharp, and when he looked at Hua Rong, he made no attempt to hide his scrutinizing gaze.

Hua Rong, however, remained aloof and showed no sign of being scrutinized.

Finally, Wu Bantao stroked the ring on his finger and said calmly, "You're right, Second Uncle does indeed have ulterior motives towards the Wu family. Moreover, over the years, his power has grown considerably, and even if I wanted to deal with him, it wouldn't be so easy."

Upon hearing this, Hua Rong looked up at him, her tone equally flat: "So, young master, are you willing to grant this servant's request?"

She spoke the words "slave" very fluently.

However, Wu Bantao did not hear the slightest hint of humility in Hua Rong's tone.

Wu Bantao still doubted himself, wondering why he had misjudged the situation all these years.

If Hua Rong knew the doubts in Wu Bantao's heart, she could only remain silent.

She can impersonate anyone she wants.

If you have to say, perhaps this is an instinct inherent in her soul.

"Why do you want to take them away? Wouldn't it be better to leave them in the Wu family? If you don't want to be a concubine, I can let A Yao marry you."

As he spoke, a sharp yet complex light flashed in his eyes.

"Perhaps you have greater ambitions... and I'm not incapable of fulfilling them."

Upon hearing this meaningful remark, Hua Rong was momentarily at a loss for words.

This eldest son of the Wu family—the current head of the Wu family—appears cold and indifferent on the outside, but is actually quite sly on the inside.

Does this mean he thinks she has a crush on him?

"First of all, the four major families of Nanxi are not at peace right now. Ayao has been spoiled by you since childhood and lacks the ability to weather storms—"

“I don’t think Nanxi is unstable,” Wu Bantao interrupted Hua Rong.

Hua Rong raised an eyebrow. "Hasn't the eldest young master seen the storm brewing ahead?"

Wu Bantao frowned, his handsome face carrying a hint of coldness: "Although the Zhou family consists of a widow and an orphan, they have now adopted Zhou Ruonan, a son from the clan. Zhou Ruonan is exceptionally capable, and the Zhou family's porcelain business remains the industry leader."

"The Wang family runs a cloth business and has an heir, Wang Zi. Although the current head of the Wang family and his wife have a chaotic private life, with Wang Zi around, no one can affect the Wang family."

"The Zheng family runs a business dealing in fruits, vegetables, and grains, and they are on good terms with my Wu family. Although the heir, Zheng Peiyu, has a leg ailment, he is exceptionally capable. Master Zheng is in good health and will live another twenty years without worry."

“As for my Wu family…” Wu Bantao frowned, then relaxed, “If I had known about Wu Linlian’s matter later, there might have been trouble. But now that I know, I will not let him become a parasite on the Wu family.”

“Therefore,” Wu Bantao said confidently, “Nanxi won’t descend into chaos.”

Hua Rong did not interrupt Wu Bantao while he was speaking.

After listening to his words, I realized that this person was indeed very capable.

Otherwise, in his previous life, he wouldn't have persevered despite being attacked from both sides, allowing Wu Banyao and the original owner to enjoy wealth and honor for many years.

This is why she was willing to remind him of this important reason before leaving.

After all, if she wanted to, she could easily take Wu Banyao and Cuiliu away.

However, she chose the path of obtaining Wu Bantao's consent.

Hua Rong picked up the tea that Tudou had just served, nodded to Tudou, and then said calmly, "If what the eldest young master said is true, Nanxi can indeed remain peaceful for at least another twenty years. But sometimes, it can't withstand people's ambitions."

"Ambition?"

Hua Rong was taken aback for a moment before explaining, "Ambition, desire."

Wu Bantao fell silent. As a businessman, he naturally knew the allure of these two things.

Some people spend their entire lives striving for nothing more than these two things.

What do you know?

Wu Bantao looked at Hua Rong with a sharp glint in his eyes.

Hua Rong didn't care. The Wu family had protected her for ten years, so she was willing to reveal some things to Wu Bantao.

“Young Master, if the Zhou family truly has male heirs, and if the former head of the Zhou family and his wife truly died at the hands of the bandit leader, then the Zhou family will naturally be fine.”

"If Wang Zi of the Wang family is truly as kind and innocent as outsiders perceive him, then the Wang family will naturally not cause trouble."

"If the current head of the Zheng family and his wife are truly as loving as outsiders perceive them, the Zheng family will naturally not participate in this chaotic struggle."

"Similarly, if the Wu family is stable internally, it will naturally be able to ride the waves and make further progress in the upcoming storms."

Hua Rong raised his eyes, his gaze indifferent: "But, young master, that's just a hypothetical."

After saying this, Hua Rong ignored Wu Bantao's silence, stood up, and left.

After a long silence, Wu Bantao stood up, walked to the window, looked at the misty rain outside, and chuckled softly.

"If you're not so simple, perhaps I..."

He closed his eyes slightly, and what he said next was almost a murmur, so that no one could hear him.

When he opened his eyes again, all that remained was indifference.

"Wu Da, Wu Er."

A gust of wind blew by, and two people silently landed in the room.

They were dressed in all black, and if you didn't look closely, you would hardly be able to spot them.

That aura, seemingly blending into the air, added to their mystique.

"Three tasks."

Wu Bantao did not turn around, his tone serious.

"First, conduct an in-depth investigation of Zhou Ruonan of the Zhou family, Wang Zi of the Wang family, and the head of the Zheng family and his wife."

"Second, gather your men and, before dawn, at any cost, eradicate Wu Linlian's forces one by one."

"third……"

Wu Bantao turned his head and looked at the two men with a cold gaze: "Send twenty men to follow the second young master and protect his safety."

Wu Bantao finally agreed to Hua Rong's request.

If what Hua Rong said is true, then Nanxi will probably not be very peaceful for many years to come.

The waves were too big, and he was afraid he wouldn't be able to protect Wu Banyao.

Their parents died early, leaving behind only the three siblings, among whom he loved Wu Banyao the most.

He couldn't explain why he favored her.

Perhaps he lacked the means to lead a different life, which is why he wanted his younger brother to live a carefree life.

"Yes, Master."

Another gust of wind blew, and the two men in black disappeared from the study.

"Potato."

"Master, what are your orders?"

A boy dressed in blue children's clothing walked in respectfully, stood with his head bowed, and waited for Wu Bantao's instructions.

Wu Bantao said, "Go to the old lady's place."

"This servant will arrange it immediately."

The old lady couldn't stand the cold, so she lived in the warmer eastern part of the Wu residence.

Wu Banyao wanted to leave, but he still needed his grandmother to talk to him.

Fortunately, he knew that his grandmother was different from other women; she was more courageous.

Therefore, she could better understand his arrangements.

Sending Ayao away from the eye of the storm would allow the two of them to face all the turmoil ahead without any worries.