Unpaid debts

In the file room, Wen Ruo had just placed the files on his desk when Cen Boxi yelled, "Wen Ruo, you're cheating!"

"It's just for show; we can't just let him sit there doing nothing."

Qi Guanlan chose a seat by the window, saying, "I'll collect the bills."

"Collect debts?" The three looked at Wen Ruo in confusion. Wen Ruo shrugged. "In short, it means looking at me until you get tired of it, and then the debt is settled."

He An asked doubtfully, "What if it never happens?"

Qi Guanlan looked over, and the others immediately lowered their heads. Lü Shaoming pulled He An away.

We can't afford to get involved in this.

"See!"

Wen Ruo was a little awkward at first, but after a while she buried herself in her work and only remembered that Qi Guanlan was still there after a long time.

"It's time to go home. How about you come back tomorrow?"

Qi Guanlan hesitated for a moment, then finally agreed, "Okay."

Wen Ruo glanced at the Xuan paper on the table; it turned out to be a scripture.

Um? !

The next day, as soon as Wen Ruo arrived at Dali Temple, she saw Qi Guanlan's carriage parked at the gate, and Xiao Shunge carrying a bunch of things walked into the gate without anyone stopping him.

Wen Ruo followed them all the way to the files room. "What's going on here?"

"The young master said that officials work hard, and on behalf of His Majesty, he showed compassion for his subjects by sending them cushions, tea, and snacks."

Qi Guanlan, wearing a cloak, slowly emerged from the files room. "Everyone gets a share."

"They're really rich."

Upon entering, the room was no longer as gloomy as before. The several bookshelves that used to be an eyesore were gone. Even though they blocked the light to the point that candles were needed, the people were still just getting by. They were talking about the oldest person in the file room, and what was she, a newcomer, talking about?

Its position was as secure as Mount Tai, yet it was moved away overnight.

The doors and windows were open, and the marble floorboards had been freshly polished, almost reflecting people's images.

Leaving aside the fact that they were often so busy that they were unkempt and poorly dressed, the group of people sat upright at the table in brand-new robes.

As usual, Wen Ruo passed by the group, and the sour smell of ink residue that had settled over the years transformed into a delicate scent of soapberry.

She glanced at the group with a half-smile, then looked at Qi Guanlan.

The ill-fitting tables and chairs from yesterday have all been replaced. The writing brushes, ink, paper, and inkstones are clearly very valuable. The scrolls on them have been cleared away, and several jade slips gleam with a lustrous sheen. Next to them is a blue-green gilded tea set, with steam still rising from the spout of the teapot.

Wen Ruo recalled the scriptures from yesterday and suddenly felt that it made a lot of sense.

That's just how Young Master Qi is. What ascetic? Young Master Qi wants to enjoy the best wherever he goes.

Wen Ruo walked to her old spot. Although the style was the same, she could tell at a glance that it was a new chair, and the stone she used to stand on was nowhere to be found.

Wen Ruo sat there with an expression of normalcy, but the corners of her mouth unconsciously curled up as she sorted through the files. The stone was indeed useless.

She glanced at him, and perhaps because the timing was too perfect, Qi Guanlan happened to be looking down when she looked at him.

Golden light shone on his brow bone, his expression focused with a hint of calm, and the veins on his wrists, which were slightly strained, were visible, as if he had never stopped.

"So what does he mean?"

Wen Ruo absentmindedly brushed the scallions off her noodles, frowned as she looked at Zhou Xuanyan across from her. Occasionally, Miss Zhou would come over to chat with her. Miss Zhou was married and her child was already a month old.

Unfortunately, she often bickers with her husband. I don't know if it's their way of arguing, but whenever they quarrel, he comes to her to confide in her. Wen Ruo is getting annoyed listening to him. Why don't the young couple just argue behind closed doors?

Zhou Xuanyan said angrily, "He's just looking for trouble. If I back down first this time, I'm not a Zhou."

Wen Ruo: "Changing your surname is illegal. You don't want Sisi to be without a mother, do you? Go back and let him sleep on the cold bench for one night. That's fine."

Zhou Xuanyan glanced at her, looking hurt, and said, "Wen Ruo, you've changed."

Wen Ruo swallowed her noodles and said helplessly, "I'm cold-hearted, I've said it eight hundred times, my young lady."

The first time he met her, he accused her of being disloyal, and that Xi You hadn't told her.

The second time, she brought her daughter and said she wanted to come and stay with her, and asked her to go back to her old profession.

Please, she retired from that business a long time ago.

Besides, since you didn't look anxiously towards the door, I can still believe you one more time.

"Wenruo, your mother is injured."

Zhao Heng suddenly appeared beside the noodle stall, looking hesitant and indecisive.

During the years she was away, she and Zhao Heng acted as intermediaries. She gave money to Cao Xi, and Zhao Heng secretly looked after Hong Shiliu. In recent years, Hong Shiliu and Aunt Juan partnered to act as matchmakers, and the business was quite good. Occasionally, she would ask Zhao Heng to send her money.

"Go ahead and tell me, I can handle it."

Wen Ruo put down her chopsticks. She seemed to have gotten used to being suddenly called out or summoned to the scene.

“Some people said you were shameless and frequented brothels. They even said it to your mother. Your mother couldn’t stand it and started fighting with them. Luckily, Gu Ying arrived in time, otherwise nothing serious would have happened.”

Gu Ying?

He turned slightly to the side. "They're here."

Across from her stood a slender man, gazing at her intently, slowly walking towards her, seemingly wanting to say something but holding back.

He bent slightly, a gentle breeze rustling through his hair, and petals falling from the sky onto their heads, an indescribable affection drawing them together.

It was clearly premeditated. Wen Ruo took it off her shoulder and stepped on it. "Who are you?"

The mute man lowered his head in disappointment, clutching his sleeve, unsure of what to do.

"He probably won't be able to come back to you."

An unfamiliar face appeared before her. More striking than his plain appearance was the way the white robe looked bulky on him. His face was full of wrinkles as he raised his hands in a bowing gesture. "He's mute! Lord Wen, have you seen too much and forgotten your old flame?"

Wen Ruo couldn't help but cover her nose, her eyes full of disgust. "It stinks. Stay away from me when you talk."

The man's face stiffened. "Lord Wen is joking."

Wen Ruo frowned, looking annoyed, and said, "I was just telling the truth, but you took it as a joke."

Out of the corner of her eye, she glanced at the street, where everyone was scrambling around, avoiding her gaze. Wen Ruo could only look at Zhao Heng, asking curiously, "What do you think? He's already clinging to me?"

Zhao Heng chuckled: "I think so."

"Lord Wen, even after parting ways with Qingguan, his devotion to you remains unchanged!"

Wen Ruo clicked her tongue and shook her head. "When others tell lies, you come up to me and say that I am unrestrained and dissolute."

"However, I have a kind heart, and there is something I want to say to you."

The man leaned forward slightly. "Would you like to hear the details?"

"None of your business!"

The soup was only slightly warm, and it was slowly poured over his head. The man wiped his face, which was covered in grime, and looked down to see a piece of scallion still hanging on his chest. He immediately flew into a rage, "Are you crazy?"

Wen Ruo raised the corners of her lips, a half-smile on her face, and said, "Three men can make a tiger. There are already fifty people on this street, inside and out. Fabricating and framing court officials will at least result in caning. Either hand over the evidence, or you'll have to take fifty strokes first. If I'm in a better mood, maybe I'll have time to talk to you about it."

"Wen Ruo, what are you dawdling for? The Dali Temple is already swamped with work."

Wen Ruo responded, put down the copper coin, and left.

The audience was left wanting more, but the grand performance ended abruptly.

Curious, scrutinizing gazes followed me like a shadow. No matter what their intentions were, these people were like a persistent leech, equally annoying.

Wen Ruo suddenly turned around, wiped away her tears, and said sadly, "The rumors about me and Zhao Heng in the capital have all been seen by you."

"Rumors stop with the wise."

The spectators looked at each other in disbelief; who could have imagined this?

"Five years! I've been working tirelessly day and night, never leaving the mountain, and only now do I have this meager reputation. If I were to take the blame for this fabricated crime, I would be letting down my nearly blind eyes and the cold showers I've taken."

"Back then, I was harmed by the Yue family. If it weren't for the divine doctor, I would probably have become a handful of yellow earth in the backyard of the Sun family long ago."

Her gaze swept across the street, taking in rows of mediocre, menacing, gaping maws. She merely thought for a moment, then a smile crept onto her face.

"At that time, I secretly vowed that I would never let the villains do my bidding! I may be insignificant, but I will never let myself be slaughtered. One day, I will make those arrogant people bow down before me."

Why should a woman's hard work and dedication only earn her the excuse that she did it voluntarily?

What does a man's gratitude even mean?

"What right do they have to control my life?"

"Well said!"

"Yeah, once they become officials, they really think they're superior to everyone else. Pah!"

"Exactly, they put on such airs that even their own fathers wouldn't recognize them. You'd think the emperor himself was here."

"You're wrong. Even His Majesty isn't as arrogant as they are."

"You know Gu Ying, right? Those usually arrogant officials are like mice in front of a cat when they see him. They don't dare to raise their heads. It's really satisfying to watch."

......

human nature!

Gu Ying is truly a love-hate figure; he can even steal her thunder at a time like this.

Seeing that the time was right, Wen Ruo clasped his fists and said, "Thank you all for your support. His Majesty is working hard to govern the country, selecting virtuous and capable officials, and is determined to give our people a peaceful and prosperous world."

"Although I am of low rank, I have a duty to do so. If any of you have any grievances, you can come to the Dali Temple to find me at any time. I assure you that I will absolutely uphold justice."

"Well said, Lord Wen. Rest assured, I will definitely support you."

Zhao Heng tilted his head and raised his voice, "Aren't you the one on the wall?"

She rolled up her sleeves and slapped the man, saying, "You're just jealous of Lord Wen."

"With the Prince Zhuyu as a precedent, what kind of man can't Lord Wen have? If you want to spread rumors, you'll have to find someone better."

Wen Ruowei paused: "The way you put it, it seems even more confusing."

Zhao Heng unconsciously slumped his shoulders and smiled silently.

"You're so stubborn. I wonder if you'll still be able to laugh when Prince Anping finds out."

Wen Ruo looked into the distance, her expression suddenly turning serious, and her voice, cold as a whisper, said, "You're the one who can't laugh."

"I seem to recall saying that I will not let any of those who gossip get away with it."

Qi Guanlan suddenly appeared.

He hadn't changed his clothes and his hands were empty. Didn't he say he forgot something and needed to go home? Did he run into Gu Ying on the way and bring Hong Shiliu along?

Hong Shiliu followed anxiously beside him, her face covered in bruises, her gait unsteady, her figure no longer as bloated as before, and a few strands of gray hair at her temples.

He glanced at her briefly, then lowered his head in shame, his hands instinctively reaching for his purse as if weighing something.

"The Prince of Anping has reformed, but his reputation isn't what it used to be." Wen Ruoruo casually shifted her gaze, looking regretful. "Where's your good brother, Gu Ying?"

Qi Guanlan kicked him to the ground, gritting his teeth as he said, "Your colleagues are still waiting for you."

Wen Ruo pouted.

As he passed by Hong Shiliu, he stopped and said softly, "I won't accept the money, for fear people will say I'm taking a bribe. But Yuejian Lane is indeed lacking a manager."

"Think it over whether you want to do it or not."

"I'll do it."

The cold, hard voice rang out again. Gu Ying's mask remained firmly pressed against his face, perfectly sealed. Wen Ruo wondered, what was it that he was hiding? Was he hideously ugly? Or was he afraid of retaliation?

That shouldn't be the case. I heard he's highly skilled in martial arts, a true disciple of General Gu, and always the most fearless one in the camp.

"This is the list we have compiled. We would appreciate it if you could make a private trip for us, Mr. Gu."

“I naturally have no right to refuse the request of the Prince of Anping.”

Wen Ruo sensed a hint of dissatisfaction. Tsk tsk, a true brother who'd go to great lengths for you? A second Yang Cong?

Could Qi Guanlan have been scammed again?