To the outsider, this conversation might not make much sense, but Lai Fu understood. The madam’s words obviously meant that she saw him as reliable. He just needed to work diligently, and better opportunities would surely come in the future!
Moreover, given their madam’s capabilities, who knows what the future may hold? Could this little Qinghe Shop be just the beginning?
The more successful the madam gets, the greater their opportunities could be. They eagerly awaited to ride the wave of her success.
Lai Fu’s eyes lit up as he asserted earnestly, "Don’t worry, madam! I will give my best efforts!"
Xin He nodded and smiled, "That’s good. Seeing that I’ve given you this opportunity, you should cherish it. That’s all for now. You may leave."
"Yes, madam."
Just as Lai Fu was about to leave, he paused, remembering something, "There’s one more thing."
"What is it?" Xin He asked.
"This morning, Ah Lian from Wanhua Tower specially visited my shop to express her gratitude towards you," Lai Fu said.
Xin He was surprised, "Why didn’t she come to me directly?"
Lai Fu sheepishly explained, "She said she can’t easily enter a place like the Prime Minister’s Mansion. So, she came to the shop to leave a message. She said she always repays her debts. If you ever need her in the future, she is bound to agree."
Xin He chuckled, "Tell her that the matter from last time was mutually beneficial. It wasn’t about debt or gratitude -- this isn’t necessary."
"But, Ah Lian insisted that you helped her more. After all, you only wanted a conspicuous signboard, but what she acquired is nothing short of a second life," Lai Fu explained.
Xin He, still smiling, shook her head: "It’s alright. If she wants to remember it that way, let her."
Once she leaves for Lanshan City, it’s unlikely she would remember someone named Ah Lian back in the capital—much less have use for her gratitude.
"Yes."
After dismissing Lai Fu, Xin He suddenly couldn’t sleep. Perhaps, Lai Fu’s visit had reinforced the reality of her impending departure. She began to reflect. What did the capital truly mean to her?
Ever since she arrived, her life had been filled with turmoil and fear. However, now that she’s about to leave, she feels a hint of nostalgia.
Xin He smiled lightly. Isn’t nostalgia expected? Since she had come this far, she might as well continue. Besides, no matter what, as long as he is with her, isn’t everything manageable?
---
It was dusk when Marquis Mu Houchu arrived home, dusty and tired.
"Where’s the madam? Did she go out today?" As he strode into the premises, Mu Houchu asked the servant trailing respectfully behind him.
"The madam has been in her room all day. Only a man named Lai Fu came to visit," the servant respectfully replied.
"No need to follow further," instructed Mu Houchu, heading straight for their wedding room.
Upon his command, the servant immediately halted.
Ling Feng rushed up to him and said, "Master, everything has been arranged in the capital."
Even though he was leaving the capital, he couldn’t be careless about its affairs. The surveillance within the capital was re-distributed under the leadership of Chen Hanliang, and each of the courtiers had been given new orders.
Mu Houchu stopped abruptly and turned to look at him, "As for Elder Duan, deploy more covert agents, preferably ones who will become his close confidantes."
Ling Feng was puzzled, "Master, there’s no direct conflict between you and Elder Duan. Is such a precaution necessary?"
"There may not be any conflict now, but it doesn’t mean there won’t be in the future," Mu Houchu replied coldly.
"Yes, sir!" Ling Feng didn’t question any further, aware that his master must have his reasons.
"What about Duan Lan?" Mu Houchu asked.
"Young Master Duan is recuperating in the mansion," Ling Feng replied cautiously. "Yesterday, he barely withstood a blow from you, master. He was severely injured."
Mu Houchu’s face darkened and he snorted, "Hmm."
Unable to resist, Ling Feng asked, "Master, if you are so wary of Young Master Duan, why didn’t you kill him yesterday?"
Ling Feng had been with Mu Houchu for several years and understood his abilities well. On the surface, it might have appeared that the madam had convinced him to spare Duan Lan. However, the truth was, Mu Houchu had never intended to kill him.
If he truly planned to murder Duan Lan, he wouldn’t have waited for the madam to plead for him. Duan Lan would have been dead immediately.
How could he possibly be alive and well now?
Mu Houchu glanced sharply at him, "When have I ever been wary of him? Do I need to be cautious?!"
Ling Feng stumbled in shock. Realizing he had misspoke, he quickly added, "Of course not! The madam is unquestionably loyal to you. In comparison, Duan Lan is quite negligible!"
Mu Houchu snorted coldly before turning to leave.
Ling Feng stood there, tousled by the wind, looking at the retreating figure of his master and he couldn’t help but tear up. Ever since the madam came, she had been both a strength and a weakness for his master.
As Mu Houchu reached the door, he saw Shulan and Xiaoyu standing guard.
The two bowed deeply, "Minister, the madam is sleeping."
Mu Houchu quietly pushed the door and said, "You may leave now."
"Yes, sir."
He tread lightly into the room, pulled aside the curtain, and there she was, a tiny woman curled up on the soft couch. Her blanket, which was lightly draped over her, had been kicked to the side. Even in sleep, she seemed restless.
Mu Houchu sat beside her, covered her with the blanket, and sighed while shaking his head as he looked at her peaceful face. 𝑓𝘳𝑒𝑒𝓌𝘦𝘣𝘯ℴ𝑣𝘦𝑙.𝘤𝑜𝑚
Why didn’t he kill Duan Lan?
Because he was wary.
He wasn’t wary of the Duan Family or the powerful Elder Duan, so why would he fear a son who had no power?
The only person he was wary of was her.
Regardless of what past Duan Lan may share with her, he had never been her enemy. If Mu Houchu had killed him, he would’ve become a thorn in her heart. On the other hand, if he spared Duan Lan, he would become an insignificant person whom she would rarely remember in the years to come.
He was not willing to give her the chance to remember Duan Lan.
More importantly, he couldn’t bear to expose her to his cruelty.
Though many had told her that he was cruel and barbaric, having climbed his way to power over countless bodies, the fact that she wasn’t bothered made him secretly pleased. But hearing about something isn’t the same as witnessing it. What would she do if she saw his deep-seated cold-bloodedness and brutality one day?
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