Zu An explained, "Does Madam think Sang Qian will bring troops?"
"Of course he..." Halfway through his sentence, Qin Wanru suddenly realized the subtext of his words. These salt certificates nominally belonged to the Chu family and the Wang family. If Sang Qian led troops to suppress them, the salt certificates should theoretically be returned to their rightful owners.
In that way, the Chu family would overcome this crisis without lifting a finger, and how could the Sang family possibly allow such a thing to happen?
However, if they did nothing, the Sang family worried that the salt permits would fall into the hands of the Chu family, and they were unwilling to see that happen.
Then there's only one possibility left: they feel most at ease keeping these salt permits in their own hands, and since they can't openly mobilize troops, they'll most likely choose some trusted confidants to handle them quietly.
Qin Wanru couldn't help but glance at Zu An a few more times. Was this guy still the good-for-nothing hoodlum she remembered?
"Why are you looking at me like that, Madam? Even though I'm handsome, I still feel embarrassed being stared at like that." Zu'an touched his face with a "shy" expression.
Qin Wanru: "..."
This guy is still as annoying as ever!
Anger from Qin Wanru +123!
Worried that he might really anger her, Zu An hurriedly said, "Madam, please go in and leave a message for Sang Qian, otherwise Sang Qian probably won't know about the existence of this batch of salt permits. My cultivation level is too low, and I'm likely to be discovered if I go in."
After being flattered by him, Qin Wanru's expression softened considerably. She took the envelope and gave a smug snort: "Watch this!"
After saying that, he flashed away and found a secluded spot to sneak into the river defense camp's office.
Her heart was pounding. In fact, she had done quite a few adventurous things when she was young, but after becoming a duchess, she became more and more pampered and didn't need to do many things herself. She even neglected her cultivation.
Now, secretly infiltrating the river defense camp, constantly fearing being discovered, the thrill of that experience made her feel as if she had returned to her teenage years...
Zu An waited outside for about the time it takes for an incense stick to burn before finally seeing Qin Wanru come out.
He hurriedly went to greet him: "How did it go? Did you successfully send the message?"
"How could something so simple fail?" Qin Wanru snorted, appearing calm on the surface, but her heart was pounding. She had been discovered several times inside, but fortunately, the soldiers in the river defense camp weren't very elite, otherwise she probably wouldn't have been able to get out.
Zuan couldn't help but give a thumbs up: "Madam is indeed amazing..."
Hearing the flattery pouring in as if it were free, Qin Wanru's face flushed: "Alright, alright, where do we go next?"
“Go to the auction.” Zu An pulled out an invitation, which Qiu Honglei had given him earlier.
Qin Wanru took it and examined it several times before finally asking, "Where did you get this?"
Zuan shook his head: "I naturally have my own methods, but I promised that person that I wouldn't reveal her identity."
Seeing that he said that, Qin Wanru didn't press him any further and snorted, "Looks like you know quite a lot of people."
Zuan chuckled: "There's nothing I can do about it, I'm just very approachable, and I've attracted a bunch of friends without even realizing it."
Qin Wanru: "..."
Why is this guy always so annoying?
The auction was held in a secluded courtyard in the north of the city, but it was far from deserted tonight. From a distance, one could see that it was brightly lit and filled with people.
Qin Wanru was about to walk over when Zu An grabbed her arm.
"What?" Qin Wanru glanced at his hand holding hers, somewhat displeased.
"Is Madam really going to just let this go?" Zu An asked with a wry smile.
"Is there a problem?" Qin Wanru asked, puzzled.
“Although you’ve changed your clothes, your appearance hasn’t changed. As the Duchess, you are the most famous person in Brightmoon City. Plus, you’re so beautiful. Even in simple clothes, you’ll still be the center of attention in a crowd.” Zuan explained carefully, choosing his words carefully. “What if someone recognizes you? Wouldn’t that ruin our plans?”
Qin Wanru felt very comfortable from his blatant flattery, and since she was genuinely concerned about the success or failure of the mission, she hurriedly asked, "Then what should we do?"
Zuan thought for a moment, then took out a mask from his pocket and handed it to her: "Put on this mask, it will turn you into an ordinary person."
These were taken from Chen Xuan's body last time. He was able to evade capture for so many years despite the joint search by the Chu family and Mingyue City by using these masks to change his identity at any time.
Holding the mask, which was as thin as a cicada's wing, Qin Wanru couldn't help but exclaim in amazement, "Only the most skilled rune masters can create this mask. Where did you get it from?"
Zuan shrugged: "I've said it before, I have a lot of friends."
Qin Wanru didn't say anything this time. To be honest, even she was a little curious. Where did this guy get so many connections?
Even she and Chu Zhongtian might not have been able to get their hands on an invitation to this auction, or such an exquisite mask.
As she put the mask on, a cool sensation washed over her, and the blue runes on it began to appear and disappear. Then, it automatically adjusted to fit her face shape and finally adhered tightly to her face.
Qin Wanru hurriedly took out a mirror and saw the unfamiliar woman in it, and was both surprised and amazed.
Zuan, standing to the side, muttered to himself, "These women always carry mirrors with them, no matter what. I'm sorry, Madam, your appearance is a bit ordinary now, but our main goal is to keep a low profile, so this is better."
He was somewhat impressed by Chen Xuan's masks; they wouldn't make you look beautiful, nor would they make you look ugly, because even if you looked ugly, you would still attract attention.
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