Chapter 78: Eavesdropping
"Okay, okay," Yu Wan agreed with a smile. "What are you doing?"
Xue Xiujun said, "I wasn't doing anything, just strolling around. When I saw you standing here so mysteriously, I thought you had discovered something, so I came over to check."
"I wasn't being secretive at all. I was just openly strolling in the garden, okay?" Yu Wan retorted.
The two boys had serious expressions, as if they were looking at her with strange eyes, a sign of unprecedented vigilance.
She wanted to clarify that she hadn't heard anything, but then she felt it was a blatant lie, since no one had asked.
If she didn't say anything, wouldn't the two of them also suspect that she had discovered something?
It's her damned curiosity that led her to eavesdrop on other people's conversations.
Little did she know, the two boys standing opposite her were also feeling uneasy.
How much did she actually hear?
She's so intelligent that even if she only hears a few words, she can fill in the rest in her mind.
Will she keep the secret?
Will we treat them the same way as before?
Why isn't she saying anything? What is she thinking?
The three of them remained still and dared not speak, each afraid that speaking would shatter their previous relationship.
Until a fourth person appeared and saved them.
Zhu Zhifeng asked, "What are you all doing? You're all just standing there, not chatting. Are you playing some kind of game?"
When Xue Xiujun saw her appear at just the right time, he suddenly looked at her with great gratitude.
"Miss Zhu, you're out for a walk too? Why aren't you fiddling with your bottles and jars?"
Zhu Zhifeng was deeply moved to hear others showing concern for her career, and then sighed.
"I recently researched something really useful, and I feel it's even better than what you buy at the cosmetics shop, but no one is here to help me test it."
Xue Xiujun asked, "Didn't you try it yourself?"
Zhu Zhifeng said, "I tried it, and I think it's pretty good. But my skin is already very good, so there's not much difference between using it and not using it. I'm worried about finding someone to help me try it out."
Xue Xiujun looked at Yu Wan, but spoke to Zhu Zhifeng, "You don't want to use the boss's wife as your guinea pig, do you?"
"How could that be? Awan's face is a million times more precious than mine. Unless I can verify that what I developed is indeed very effective, I will not give it to her rashly."
"Then what do you want?" Xue Xiujun asked.
Zhu Zhifeng frowned and said, "I was just planning to find the maids in the manor. Of course, I won't let them test me for nothing. I will pay them. If they are unwilling, I will not force them. If all else fails, I can go to the street to find someone. I don't believe that no one can resist the temptation of money."
Xue Xiujun nodded in agreement, saying, "That's one way. Are you going out now? I'll go with you."
He could take this opportunity to slip away.
Zhu Zhifeng looked him over. "I've changed my mind now."
Xue Xiujun suddenly had a bad feeling and took two steps back. "Why are you looking at me like that?"
“Young Master Xue…” Zhu Zhifeng smiled and slowly approached.
Xue Xiujun was so frightened that he backed away repeatedly, "W-what are you going to do?"
Zhu Zhifeng spoke softly, unlike her usual self, "Young Master Xue, would you please help me? Help me with the experiment."
“But I’m a man, and I don’t need these things. You should go find a woman. Men and women have the same constitution.” Xue Xiujun had no trust in her at all. He had seen what kind of person this young lady was before.
Who knows if the things she's been tinkering with all day are poisonous? What if she ruins his face? Will he ever be able to face anyone again?
"Haven't you heard? Even the most handsome man can't withstand the ravages of time. Look at you, always staying up late and going out, you even have dark circles under your eyes."
Xue Xiujun subconsciously touched his face. "Really?"
Just then, Zhu Zhifeng grabbed his arm and dragged him away.
Two people remained in the garden, and neither of them spoke.
Yu Wan knew she shouldn't ask anything, and knew she wouldn't get any answers, so she tried to leave, but the boy called her back.
"Do you believe me?" the boy asked.
Yu Wan looked at him in surprise, not understanding why.
She thought the other person would ask her if she had heard anything, or warn her not to tell anyone what she heard.
"What do you mean?" she asked, staring at him curiously.
If this person wanted to silence her, no one would notice a single trace. The fact that they haven't made a move yet probably means they don't want to do anything to her, which has emboldened her.
He Jing pursed his lips. "No matter what you hear, I can assure you that I have not done anything immoral."
Yu Wan smiled slightly. "Do whatever you want. You don't need to promise me anything. I couldn't possibly control you anyway. You're different from Xue Xiujun; he signed a contract with me. Even so, I didn't interfere too much with him. Besides, didn't I already return your contract to you? You're free now."
When the boy heard her completely sever ties with them, he felt a tightness in his chest and even some annoyance.
"So I'm nothing to you, completely unimportant? It doesn't matter whether I'm here or not?" His voice was cold, his eyes filled with suppressed disappointment.
Yu Wan smiled and said, "Of course not. You are outstanding in every way. To me, you are a great help."
He Jing gritted his teeth, the phrase "You are outstanding, outstanding in every way" echoing in his mind. Did this mean that she was still paying attention to him?
He always felt that the girl had no interest in him and would never pay attention to him.
Yu Wan was filled with anxiety. She didn't want to upset the other person. When this person first appeared in her life, it must have been because of some coincidence, or for some unspeakable reason.
"I'll say it again: you can do whatever you want, I won't interfere."
All she wanted was to provide a good life for her family; she didn't want to get involved in any of the messy stuff.
The boy's face paled further. He turned and walked away, his back view shrouded in gloom.
Yu Wan stared at his back for a long time, really not knowing what she had said wrong.
In the evening, Yi Hongchang sent someone to pick them up.
Yu Wan boarded the carriage alone, but did not see He Jing even after entering a large mansion.
It seems that person is really angry, and may have gone to do something he considers more important.
It's alright. As long as she has enough defensive treasures, she can easily handle ten or eight men on her own.
She was led to a small courtyard, and standing outside the door, she heard a woman laughing inside.
"General, you're so biased! You've already drunk three cups of her wine, why haven't you drunk mine yet? I'm going to get angry."
"General, there's still my wine. You said yesterday that I was your favorite."
The women vied to urge the men to drink, while the men laughed triumphantly.
"Hahaha, you little devils, what's the rush? The revelry tonight has only just begun. Let this general drink slowly."
When the door opened, Yu Wan saw several beautiful women surrounding a young man.
The man was half-drunk, staring unsteadily at the doorway.
"Oh, another beauty has arrived. Come and sit down."
Yu Wan then knew that this man was Yi Hongchang, the son of the Prime Minister.
"Young Master Yi, what brings you here?"
Yi Hongchang looked up and sized her up, a keen interest playing on his lips. "I heard a young lady came from Sui County. She's beautiful and has a fiery personality. I've met her today, and she certainly has some looks, and quite a temper. I am a great general, can't I summon you for no reason? Come and have a drink with me."
Yu Wan stood there motionless, indicating that this was not the person who wrote the letter to Lord Zhu.
The capital city is full of beautiful women, and Yi Hongchang is a womanizer; he would never go to such lengths for a woman from a small border town.
"My wife, now that you're here, don't leave. Let's all have some fun together," Yi Hongchang said with a smile and a wave.
"Goodbye." Yu Wan turned and left.
"Stop right there!" Yi Hongchang shouted. "Guards! Let's see who dares to let her out."
In an instant, five people rushed out and quickly surrounded Yu Wan.
Just as Yu Wan was about to sprinkle the medicinal powder, she heard someone shout.
"stop!"
Yu Wan looked in the direction of the voice and saw a man over fifty years old walking slowly towards her, dressed in fine clothes and exuding an air of grandeur.
He first ordered the guards to leave, then put on a smile and greeted Yu Wan.
“Madam Yu, I am the current Prime Minister. My son spoke recklessly while drunk. I apologize to you on his behalf.”
Yu Wan sized him up. "You're the Prime Minister?"
Yi Huan said with a pleasant expression, "It is indeed I. Please wait a moment, I will go and teach him a lesson."
He went inside, chased the women away, and scolded his son.
"You unfilial son! Get back to your room right now and reflect on your actions!"
After giving his son a mild reprimand, Yi Huan invited Yu Wan to come back inside and sit down.
"My apologies, my son is spoiled. Madam Yu, please have some tea to calm your nerves."
Yu Wan smiled faintly, wanting to see what this person's purpose was, and waited for him to continue.
"I've heard that Madam Yu opened a food court in Sui County, and in just a few months, it has become famous throughout the land. How did Madam Yu achieve such success?" Yi Huan asked.
"I'm just begging for food. Your Excellency, what brings you here?" Yu Wan asked directly.
Yi Huan laughed and said, "Do you know that the battlefield is not far from Sui County?"
"I understand," Yu Wan replied.
"Do you know about General He Jing's disappearance?" Yi Huan asked again.
“Of course,” Yu Wan said with a smile.
"You're in Sui County, do you know anything about General He's current situation?" Yi Huan asked.
"This humble woman does not know. Your Excellency, you have asked the wrong person," Yu Wan said.
Yi Huan squinted at her, “What General He means to Jin Kingdom is something Madam Yu probably doesn’t know. Without him, this battle couldn’t have been won. Now that he’s gone missing, he’s likely seriously injured. The most likely place he was at the time was Sui County, because it’s very close to the battlefield. Wherever he wanted to go, Sui County was a place he had to pass through. Several months ago, I had the magistrate of Sui County search for General He’s whereabouts, but to no avail. So I wanted to ask you if you know any clues. If you can provide any information, I and the court will reward you.”
Yu Wan smiled and said, "I'm sorry to disappoint you, Prime Minister, I really didn't know."
"If you can help us find General He, you'll have done a great service. You really don't know anything? Haven't you heard a single word?" Yi Huan was still probing.
"I really don't know," Yu Wan said.
Yi Huan finally stopped asking questions, and after a burst of laughter, he brought up her food court again.
"I've heard you're an excellent cook and a good manager. My son-in-law also runs a restaurant, but business is terrible. I wonder if you could offer some advice?"
"I am honored by the Prime Minister's high regard. I am but a woman of limited knowledge and learning, and I am afraid I cannot offer any guidance," Yu Wan replied.
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