fence-sitter

Having retrieved the land deed, Zhu Qinghe returned to the shop in a good mood.

However, Shen Wumei wasn't as cold and ruthless as she had imagined; she was actually quite reliable.

It seemed that Song wouldn't dare to cause her any more trouble in the short term. At this moment, Zhu Qinghe realized how wonderful it was to have a powerful backer.

Unfortunately, Shen Wumei's support can only last this long; there probably won't be another chance to see her again.

Over the next few days, Zhu Qinghe reorganized the shop, running around to various places, and finally got it almost done. Her fortune-telling business could continue.

This time she reformed the model. Queuing up for fortune telling like before was too time-consuming and the money earned was limited.

Zhu Qinghe was determined to make fortune telling a daily activity for the people of this dynasty. She launched a lottery system in each of her branches, where one could draw a lot for just one coin and draw a lot every day to predict good or bad fortune.

If it's auspicious, that's good; if it's inauspicious, you can choose to buy a peace charm to ward off misfortune and avoid financial loss.

If you have an important matter that you cannot decide, register it, and Mr. Sai will randomly select a question each day to answer it. If you have a very urgent and pressing matter that requires an immediate result, you will need to pay one hundred taels of silver to come to "Master Sai" in person for a solution.

Zhu Qinghe nodded in satisfaction as she looked at the posted notice. Ruyi, standing to the side, tilted her head and asked with some concern, "Miss, isn't one hundred taels of silver too expensive? Will anyone even come?"

Zhu Qinghe didn't take it seriously: "A hundred taels of silver is nothing to the rich. Besides, this measure also targets the poor. It can be said that it benefits everyone and is appreciated by all."

This way, we can both open up the market and meet everyone's needs. Isn't that wonderful?

Ruyi simply couldn't keep up with her young mistress's thought process. Ever since her mistress fainted three months ago and then woke up, she seemed to have become a completely different person, decisive and sharp-tongued, with one trick after another.

However, seeing the joyful smile on Zhu Qinghe's face, Ruyi couldn't help but smile as well. Since her mistress was so happy now, this change must be a good thing.

The case at the Ministry of Rites was quite sensational. Even though Zhu Qinghe was extremely busy these past few days, she could still hear all sorts of discussions about it.

"I heard those two brothel girls are going to be executed. Tsk tsk tsk, that's really tragic."

Zhu Qinghe paused slightly, unconsciously pricking up her ears to listen carefully.

"Didn't we say before that it would be reported to the Dali Temple for review?" someone asked in confusion.

“Oh dear, that’s too much trouble,” the man replied. “The deceased is the son of the Minister’s family. The people handling the case have to be eager to punish the murderer severely in order not to offend the Minister’s family.”

"That's the Minister! If this isn't handled properly, his future career could be ruined."

"But Chen Shikun is indeed hateful."

"Shh, you can't say things like that. Although everyone knows the truth, that's why we can't report it to the Court of Judicial Review. Not only would the Minister's Mansion lose face, but those two courtesans might also have a chance to survive. But think about it, would the Minister be happy about that?"

"Anyone with a brain would probably hand the murderer over to the Ministry of Justice for punishment, and wouldn't care about the truth coming out."

"Sigh, aren't all officials like this? What can we do when we're just ordinary people?"

The group walked away, still talking amongst themselves, but Zhu Qinghe remained rooted to the spot. Just then, a light spring rain began to fall. The stall owner, who had put down his tarpaulin-made shelter, asked her in bewilderment, "Girl, are you going to buy anything or not?"

Zhu Qinghe snapped out of her daze and said, "Boss, give me an umbrella."

Zhu Qinghe stood outside the government office holding an oil-paper umbrella, but was blocked by the people at the gate who said rudely, "Who are you? This is the government office. Unauthorized persons should leave immediately."

Zhu Qinghe, holding up her umbrella, said, "I'm looking for Lord Shen Wumei."

The two men exchanged a glance, their expressions growing even colder: "Nonsense! How could Lord Shen possibly know you? You woman, leave at once. This is not a place for you to run amok."

Although Lord Shen has not been in their government office for long, they know a little about his personality. He is always busy with cases, so how could he possibly know any girls? This is probably another young lady who has fallen for him at first sight and is relentlessly pursuing him.

If they are let in, they will definitely not have an easy time.

Unable to reason with them, Zhu Qinghe, in a fit of stubbornness, simply stood aside and waited, determined not to believe that Shen Wumei wouldn't come out.

The spring rain continued for a long time. Today, Shen Wumei was escorting a wanted criminal to the Dali Temple. He ordered his men to fetch the man, and then he walked out slowly.

As he walked into the courtyard, his exceptional eyesight allowed him to spot a slender figure at the entrance, who appeared to be a young woman.

Just as he was wondering, the person raised their umbrella and looked over. A small face, no bigger than a palm, had watery eyes and a light green dress that made her skin look as white as snow. With familiar eyebrows and features, Shen Wumei unconsciously quickened his pace.

Why is she here?

Shen Wumei stood in front of Zhu Qinghe, frowning as she asked, "Why are you here? Is there something you need?"

The drizzle was light, but it still soaked Shen Wumei, who wasn't holding an umbrella. The fabric on his shoulders was a slightly darker color. Zhu Qinghe took a step closer, raised the umbrella over his head, hesitated for a moment, and then asked, "What are you going to do with Linlang and Yingluo?"

Shen Wumei's expression was cold and stern: "This is a secret, don't ask any more questions."

Hearing him say that, Zhu Qinghe felt even more uncertain. She looked up at him, as if trying to find the answer in his deep and indifferent eyes: "You don't really mean to send them to the Minister's mansion, do you?"

"Then they're doomed!" Zhu Qinghe exclaimed anxiously.

“Murder is a capital offense.” Shen Wumei remained unmoved. “Besides, Yingluo kidnapped you and almost killed you. You still have time to worry about them.”

“One thing at a time.” Zhu Qinghe gripped the umbrella handle tightly. “You clearly know the inside story, yet you betray your conscience and act out of personal gain for your own career advancement. Do you deserve this official uniform you wear?”

Shen Wumei looked at her and suddenly sneered: "If you came here today to tell me this, then you can leave now. I have a mission to complete, so I cannot keep you company."

Zhu Qinghe was now utterly disappointed in him. She thought he was a good official who cared for the country and its people, and had even helped him a few days ago. But it turned out that he was just like those corrupt officials who were willing to disregard the laws and regulations for their own benefit.

The two people standing at the door were stunned. They couldn't believe their eyes. Lord Shen had actually been talking to a girl for so long. Although they couldn't hear what they were saying, the atmosphere didn't seem too good.

After saying a few words, Shen Wumei turned and left, and her subordinates from the government office brought Linlang and the others out.

Zhu Qinghe stood to the side with an umbrella, watching Linlang and the others being led into the carriage. Feeling anxious, she couldn't help but ask, "Are we going to the Minister's residence to hand them over?"

Mo Wu approached and overheard her words, then asked in surprise, "What Minister's Mansion? We're handing the person over to the Court of Judicial Review."

Where did Miss Zhu get this false information? Didn't the boss explain it to her?

Zhu Qinghe was completely dumbfounded: "Huh?"

Oh no, she'd been prejudiced from the start; she'd actually wronged Shen Wumei. But why didn't he explain things clearly in the first place? And she said so many hurtful things.

What should we do? Shen Wumei must be angry.

Zhu Qinghe, holding the umbrella, moved over in embarrassment and fawned over Shen Wumei, saying, "Lord Shen, don't get wet in the rain; you'll catch a cold."

Shen Wumei pushed the umbrella away without hesitation: "No, I can't afford that. I'm just a corrupt official."

"..." She's quite vengeful.

Zhu Qinghe tried to salvage the situation: "How could that be? Lord Shen is a good official who cares for the country and its people and has a strong sense of justice. He has a bright future ahead of him. If anyone dares to call Lord Shen a corrupt official, I'll be the first to beat him to death."

Shen Wumei snorted coldly: "You change your tune so quickly, you're like a weather vane."

Zhu Qinghe wasn't angry at all, and said with a smile, "Even if I'm a weather vane, I'm still growing on Lord Shen's wall, and I'll always support Lord Shen."

Shen Wumei glanced at her with disdain, but her expression seemed to have softened considerably; her anger should have subsided by now.

Zhu Qinghe looked at him cautiously, which he noticed. "Just say what you have to say. Don't look like you're constipated."

"..." Zhu Qinghe dared not speak her anger, and asked, "If you really send the person to the Dali Temple, wouldn't that be officially offending the Minister? Wouldn't you be targeted by him in everything from now on? What will happen to your official career?"

Shen Wumei remained calm and unconcerned: "Even if you didn't say it, I still have to live up to my official robes."

“Besides,” Shen Wumei revealed a somewhat arrogant and flamboyant smile, “I already had a grudge against that old man Chen, so one more won’t make a difference.”

"Lord Shen is mighty!" Zhu Qinghe flattered him at the opportune moment.

“But you, fortune teller, are really meddling a bit too much.” Shen Wumei looked at her, only to be met with a wide-eyed glare from her.

"Shh—Lord Shen, this matter cannot be told to anyone. I still need this to make a living."

"Tsk, what a hassle." Shen Wumei frowned. "Didn't anyone ask you to tell fortunes after you became a woman?"

“Of course not.” Zhu Qinghe sighed sadly. “Think about it, those monks and Taoist priests who tell fortunes are all men. If everyone knew that Ms. Science was a woman, they definitely wouldn’t come to me for fortune telling anymore.”

"Alright," Shen Wumei agreed. "I won't tell anyone. You can go back now; we're leaving."

Zhu Qinghe fawned over him and shoved her umbrella into his hand: "Here, take this umbrella as an apology for my misunderstanding of you before. You mustn't be angry anymore."

Her soft, boneless hand rested on the back of his hand, touching briefly before separating, but it still made him pause for a moment.

By the time he came to his senses, the green figure had already run quite a distance, her soft skirt swaying in the fine drizzle, so hazy that it was difficult to see clearly.

Shen Wumei turned his head, still holding the umbrella handle which was still warm. The team was ready to go. He walked over slowly and said in a deep voice, "Let's go to Dali Temple."