Ji Xinhe was momentarily absent-minded, and the unfamiliar man before her suddenly seemed somewhat familiar. The forced smile on his face combined with the pained look in his eyes reminded her of the day of her wedding, when he offered to escort her but was rejected.
He had looked the same back then, as pitiful and helpless as a child.
Years had passed and Ji Xinhe had worn away most of her past friendship with him, yet the one thing she could not erase was a tad of guilt. Such a look in his eyes made Ji Xinhe feel for the first time as though she were a criminal, and then came the news of Duan Lan’s transformation. For his interests, he pulled no punches, even sacrificing his own marriage, prepared to spend the rest of his life in the cage-like struggle for power he once despised the most.
Outsiders all claimed that Duan Family’s third son had finally come to his senses, achieved remarkable success, and now stood as one of the top powerful ministers, prosperous in his career and power.
Yet, she knew that he had lost too much now.
Sometimes she would wonder if his transformation was due to her, if she might have played a role in it, hence she felt guilt. This bit of guilt and regret lay hidden in her heart, almost forgotten even by her.
However, seeing him now, Ji Xinhe couldn’t help but recall it.
Little Firewood seemed to understand something from hearing this conversation, and his gaze towards Duan Lan intensified with hostility.
Yet, Ji Xinhe’s absent-mindedness vanished in an instant, pulled back by rationality. No matter what, she could not afford to have any entanglement with him at this point, given they were now completely on opposing sides. This relationship could not be mended, and she certainly was not foolish enough to sit down and share old times with an enemy.
"Minister Duan, I don’t dare accept the title of ’old friend.’ Furthermore, I presume your visit to Yu State is not merely to reminisce with me? Since you made it clear earlier that we should speak candidly, let’s not beat around the bush. Regarding today’s matter, let’s put it all on the table; are you going to return my goods or not?" Ji Xinhe watched him keenly.
Duan Lan had anticipated such a response and smiled somewhat self-mockingly. "Of course, if it’s your property, I will naturally return it."
He looked at her deeply, his words carrying a clear underlying meaning.
Ji Xinhe, however, simply turned around and walked away: "Thank you."
She then instructed Little Firewood, "Arrange for the goods to be collected. We’re going back now."
Little Firewood nodded slightly, "Yes."
Ji Xinhe had already returned to the carriage. Little Firewood ordered the servants at Flower Full Tower to move the goods and then swiftly followed her. Before leaving, he turned and glanced back at Duan Lan, his hostility blatantly apparent like a little wolf ready to attack at any moment.
Little Firewood boarded the carriage, cracked the whip, and they sped away.
As the carriage slowly vanished from Duan Lan’s sight, he still stood there, lost in thought while staring in the direction it had gone.
One of his men bowed and asked, "Sir, are we really going to let them take away these goods? Won’t we be giving them an easy win?"
Duan Lan replied with an indifferent tone, "It’s fine."
"Yes." His subordinate did not dare to say anything further and simply bowed in agreement.
Duan Lan wore a faint smile, his tone laced with a hint of mockery, "We intended to come in secret, yet we were discovered almost at once. Could this be considered as a sort of fate between us?"
"Sir, if I’m not mistaken, that lady is the wife of Marquis Mu Houchu, isn’t she? No wonder, she actually owns Winding Pavilion and Flower Full Tower. This woman is really something else. With such a support, it’s no surprise Marquis Mu has thrived these years."
Duan Lan simply pursed his lips and did not respond, his hand inside his sleeve clenching slightly.
His subordinate cautiously continued, "This woman is so capable, and moreover, she’s Marquis Mu Houchu’s woman. If we let her be, won’t she become our biggest obstacle? Perhaps we should, erm... "
Before he could finish his sentence, Duan Lan’s gaze suddenly became intense. He shot a look so chilling that it felt like it could pierce through anything.
Caught off guard, his subordinate was frightened, his knees trembling, almost causing him to kneel down.
With an icy tone, Duan Lan ordered, "She is not to be touched, not even a hair."
His subordinate repeatedly nodded, "Yes, yes, I understand!"
Duan Lan continued to look at him coldly, "Not a word about today’s events must be leaked, or else..."
Duan Lan weighed the shiny hidden weapon in his hand, his eyes cold and ruthless.
The group of subordinates quickly understood and one by one knelt to the ground, "We dare not!"
Duan Lan grunted and put away the hidden weapon, turning around to leave, "Let’s go."
"Yes!" His men didn’t dare delay, hurriedly scrambling up from the ground to follow him.
Working with Duan Lan required not only quick wits, but also formidable skill in reading moods, because apart from his reputation for power, status, and appearance, Duan Lan was also known for his unpredictability. You would never know what might set him off or drive him into a rage.
And what you had to do was to be very careful in reading his mood and try as much as possible not to cross him, else the consequences could be very unpleasant.
——
The carriage trundled along, Ji Xinhe leaning against the carriage wall, eyes half-closed, sorting through the events of the day in her mind.
The current situation couldn’t be considered bad. She had revealed her identity in front of Duan Lan, but she also discovered Duan Lan’s presence. They were effectively now out in the open with each other.
Although her identity as the owner of Winding Pavilion being exposed might carry risks, she was in Yu State, and Marquis Mu Houchu’s power in Yu State was becoming increasingly stable. It wouldn’t be easy for people from the imperial court to harm her, and besides, she wouldn’t be an easy target either.
With these thoughts, they didn’t lose out today, at least now they knew Duan Lan had arrived in Yu State, and could alert Marquis Mu Houchu to be on high alert. Otherwise, if Duan Lan successfully delivered a sneak attack, that would be real bad luck!
Now, the main problem was how to deal with Duan Lan.
Ji Xinhe pondered, her thoughts gradually drifting away.
Until Little Firewood suddenly broke the silence, "Madam, are you very familiar with this man?"
Ji Xinhe slightly opened her eyes, "I suppose, we were familiar before, but now... I don’t know him that well anymore."
Little Firewood seemed to understand something, feeling a bit gloomy, "Oh."
Ji Xinhe found it amusing, this child hardly ever showed any emotions, never behaving like a kid. He was already sixteen but suddenly started to exhibit a bit of childlike behavior.
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