First signs
As night fell, Wang Pan'er, as usual, scooped the last scraps from the large pot of braised food and pushed her cart home.
The wooden wheels rolled over the stone road, making a soft creaking sound.
As soon as the cart turned into the alley, Wang Pan'er saw a person sitting on her doorstep, dressed in a dark outfit that almost blended into the night.
She was startled and stopped in her tracks, only to see Mu Chuan put down the stroller and hurried past her, stirring up a gust of night wind.
"Mo Feng!"
As Mu Chuan called out, the person on the threshold looked up, and upon recognizing their familiar companion, their tense posture suddenly relaxed considerably.
He quickly stood up, holding his sword, and bowed deeply: "Your subordinate is late!"
"It's good that you're alive." Mu Chuan shook his head, raised his hand to touch the fresh wound on the newcomer's face, his voice hoarse: "It's been so long, I thought you..."
"The brothers got separated during the chase, but they have now reunited and set up a new base in Jinzhou Prefecture. They have also faked that everyone is dead to ensure their safety before daring to come out and find you."
"Thank you for your hard work..." Mu Chuan turned around and said to Wang Pan'er, who was pushing the car into the courtyard, "This is my attendant, named Mo Feng. Please prepare some wine and dishes. I would like to host a welcome dinner for him."
Since they were from Muchuan, Wang Pan'er didn't stand on ceremony. She responded, put down the cart, and led Wang Xiaoyao into the kitchen.
A woman appeared beside Mu Chuan, and Mo Feng, as his attendant, couldn't help but be curious. He glanced at the kitchen a few more times, which earned him a disgruntled tap on the table from Mu Chuan.
"And who is this young lady?"
“She’s my savior, and I’ve been relying on her care all this time to avoid ending up on the streets.” Mu Chuan poured Mo Feng a cup of tea. “Those who fought me last time are all dead. I’ve been recuperating from my injuries and don’t know your whereabouts, so I haven’t dared to make any rash moves. Have you found any new clues?”
"We do have some clues." Mo Feng glanced in the direction of the kitchen.
“Miss Wang is of upright character, so please feel free to speak.”
"Xianying and his team captured several people alive. After interrogating them separately, their testimonies and evidence all pointed to the Liuyun Chamber of Commerce."
"The Liuyun Chamber of Commerce?" Mu Chuan frowned and swirled his cup. "They are currently preparing to establish a copper mine in Da'an Town, and they have an excellent reputation among the people."
Mo Feng seized on the key phrase: "A mine? Could it be such a coincidence?"
"No conclusion can be drawn." Mu Chuan pondered for a moment. "Developing the copper mine is a government project they undertook, so there must have been government officials supervising the work. Moreover, undertaking such a project already makes them a target. If they could pull some tricks under these circumstances, I'm afraid..."
Upon hearing this, Mo Feng's expression also became serious: "Although they act arrogantly, their methods are very secretive. If it weren't for Xianying and the others catching them alive, we would still be at a loss."
Mu Chuan sighed: "If things were simpler, we wouldn't have ended up in this situation."
Upon hearing this, Mo Feng surveyed the surrounding environment.
There were two bedrooms, a kitchen, and a room that had been converted into a latrine. The toiletries were all provided, but even with the living room where they were, it was still not as big as the young master's residence.
Moreover, the rent didn't even include a courtyard, which was quite shabby for Mu Chuan, who had been pampered since childhood and enjoyed tending to flowers and plants.
Mo Feng, his eyes brimming with tears of heartache, pulled out all the silver notes from his pocket: "Young master, you've suffered. It's a pity I didn't bring much valuables with me. I only have five hundred taels on me. After thanking Miss Wang, we'll leave here."
Mu Chuan took the silver note and said seriously, "I want to take her with me."
With a clatter, the cup in Mo Feng's hand fell to the ground. He picked at his ear, incredulous. "Young Master, are you serious?! You didn't even fancy any of the many noble ladies in the capital. Is she trying to repay a debt of gratitude?"
Mu Chuan picked up the teacup and rearranged it with displeasure: "Show some respect. And this cup, don't break it. She's a young lady, it's not easy for her to make a living, don't treat these little things so casually."
Mo Feng now felt that it wasn't just an auditory hallucination; he almost suspected that it was all an illusion, until Wang Pan'er brought the bowls and plates to the table one by one.
The dishes were exquisite, with perfect color, aroma, and taste. With such an unfamiliar meal laid out before him, Mo Feng suddenly realized that his young master had not suffered at all.
So what if the house is a little small? These delicacies are more than what the gods in heaven would eat.
"Adenophora and Polygonatum Soup for Nourishing and Moistening, Poria and Fish Soup, Plantain and Red Bean Stew with Pork Tripe, Steamed Egg with Minced Meat, and Stir-fried Bok Choy. There's no wine at home, but we have some chilled plum juice. A cup of it on this hot summer day is much more refreshing than wine. If you don't mind, brother, give it a try."
"No, no!" Since Mu Chuan had already said that much, how could Mo Feng dare to show the slightest disrespect? He accepted the bowl and chopsticks handed to him by Wang Pan'er with both hands, "Thank you for your trouble, Miss Wang."
Wang Xiaoyao washed his hands, picked up his own bowl and chopsticks, and casually took his seat: "No trouble at all. The most important things in life are eating and drinking. Even if this brother doesn't come, we still need to treat ourselves to a good meal after a hard day's work. It's just a matter of adding an extra pair of chopsticks."
"This is Wang Xiaoyao," Mu Chuan introduced. "He is now studying under me and is considered my last disciple."
Mo Feng's hand trembled, and he almost dropped the chopsticks again. He carefully picked them up again, thinking to himself: It's been several months since I last saw my master, and he's changed so much. I can't be intimidated by anything he does. I have to handle every single thing that Miss Wang picks up with utmost care.
"Greetings, Second Miss." He greeted her formally, though his teeth ached with a sour feeling.
Once Wang Pan'er and Mu Chuan had finished eating and put down their chopsticks, Mo Feng no longer cared about the discomfort in his teeth. After exclaiming "Delicious!", he devoured the entire table like a whirlwind.
Mu Chuan couldn't bear to look at him and tapped the rim of his bowl: "Mind your manners!"
Mo Feng looked up and said indistinctly, "Young Master, I haven't eaten all day. Miss Wang's dishes are even more exquisite than those of the imperial chefs in the manor. How can a mere mortal like me resist them!"
Mu Chuan was so shocked he felt like he had no will to live. He said to Wang Pan'er, "I lost my composure. Please forgive me."
“Your brother is a true man of character. There’s no need for forgiveness. I’m just afraid there isn’t enough food.” Seeing that Wang Xiaoyao had almost finished eating, Wang Pan’er instructed, “Go cook some more noodles, and bring up the leftover scraps as well.”
"Yes, yes!" Mo Feng nodded emphatically and gave Wang Pan'er a thumbs up. "Miss Wang is also a straightforward person. Thank you for your hospitality. If you need anything in the future, please feel free to contact me."
Mu Chuan couldn't take it anymore: "There's rice, soup, and vegetables, and you still can't shut up? Where did you learn your manners? You shouldn't talk while eating!"
Mo Feng made a shushing gesture, obediently shut up, and continued eating.
Wang Pan'er ate much slower than Wang Xiaoyao. She picked out the fish bones slowly and carefully, chewing her food. She heard Mu Chuan speak leisurely beside her: "Miss Wang, I don't have much time left in Da'an Town. Would you... would you be willing to come with me to Jinzhou Prefecture?"
Mu Chuan's eyes were bright, and he spoke earnestly.
Wang Pan'er's hand holding the rice bowl trembled slightly.
Saying you don't want to is against your conscience.
But she and Wang Xiaoyao were the ones who stayed together all the time.
Mu Chuan comes from an extraordinary family and likely owns considerable assets in the capital. His presence in the Northwest must be for important business. Once this is settled, he will eventually return home.
The larger the city, the more difficult it is for a lone woman to settle down and make a living without any roots.
Without sufficient capital to rely on, the biggest fear is making a mistake.
Wang Pan'er never dared to overestimate herself.
In modern society, she was just an ordinary girl with average grades, no background, and no family wealth. After graduating, she recklessly ran into a wall in the big city and could only return to her hometown in disgrace, guarding the small, dilapidated shop left by her grandfather.
Having experienced her own tragic circumstances, and seeing countless examples among her relatives and friends of how relationships were defeated by reality and sincerity was trampled on by self-interest, Wang Pan'er had no choice but to carefully calculate sunk costs.
It's already difficult for her to make a living in this town of Da'an, so there's no need for her to move here for the sake of this relationship that may not last long.
Even though Mu Chuan looked earnest, she still shook her head: "I appreciate your kindness, but Da'an Town is very good. The people are simple and honest, and they live and work in peace and contentment. Brother Mang is also protecting the market. Everyone likes my food. I'm thinking of opening a shop in a while and settling down completely."
Mo Feng also spoke up to remind him, "Young Master, our journey is fraught with danger."
Mu Chuan bit her lip and looked at Wang Pan'er. She spoke with conviction, clearly having made up her mind.
Over the course of several months, Wang Pan'er completely rejuvenated herself from head to toe.
The thin country girl in her red wedding dress has transformed into a radiant young woman.
This woman, who has undergone a complete transformation, has never easily changed her mind.
Mu Chuan knew in his heart that parting ways with the two sisters was probably a foregone conclusion.
Unable to offer any other assistance, he could only pull out the silver notes that Mo Feng had just brought: "It's not easy for you two to make a living. It just so happens that Mo Feng brought five hundred taels to find me. You can find a better shop in Da'an Town, so you don't have to continue living this life of braving the wind and rain. It will put people's minds at ease."
Wang Pan'er pushed Mu Chuan's hand holding the silver note away: "Come with me."
Mu Chuan had never set foot in the sisters' private room before, but now that he had followed her in, it was time to say goodbye.
He saw Wang Pan'er take a wooden box out of the wardrobe, open it, and place it in front of him.
The entire wooden box was filled with gleaming silver fragments, and at the bottom of the box was a separate compartment in which a gold ingot was placed.
"I've almost got two hundred taels of silver. In this small town, it shouldn't be a problem to open a small shop. I didn't even want to pay back the hundred taels of silver I took from you, and you're giving me another five hundred taels?"
Mu Chuan stood there, stunned. He had underestimated Wang Pan'er's survival skills. He pouted, looking at her with pleading eyes, before finally retorting weakly, "How can you use the word 'unworthy'? You saved my life and took care of me for months. A mere hundred taels..."
Having said this, Wang Pan'er finally understood Mu Chuan's intentions completely. Although she knew that the difference in their social status was like an insurmountable chasm, she couldn't help but want to test him: "Wealth is but an external thing. The best way to repay a debt of gratitude is to repay it with one's body. Young Master Mu, are you really not going to consider it?"
"Marriage is a major event, and the words of the matchmaker are crucial. I am entrusted by my clan, and I cannot make a promise at this time."
In this way, one loses control.
Wang Pan'er chuckled: "Just kidding. I save people entirely out of my conscience. As long as they are not criminals, I will not let them fend for themselves."
"Don't joke around." Mu Chuan's eyes were already moist. "This five hundred taels, consider it... consider it my investment. I value your quick wit and skills, and I also believe in Xiao Yao's talent. It's definitely a profitable deal."
The beauty was about to shed tears, and Wang Pan'er couldn't bear it. She reached out and cupped Mu Chuan's cheeks in her hands: "Young Master Mu is so determined, what if you lose money?"
As if afraid that Wang Pan'er would refuse, he interrupted her with a quick reply: "If we lose, it's on me; if we make a profit, you get seven and I get three!"
"How can you do business like this, giving money away?" Wang Pan'er said, amused.
However, with this investment relationship in place, the two wouldn't completely lose contact. She'd heard that Mu Chuan's family also had considerable assets in the capital. With such character and family background, even if they couldn't be partners, they would be excellent friends and business associates. In any case, she had gotten a great deal.
"Let's split it 50/50. You provide the money, and we'll provide the labor. If Young Master Mu is still not satisfied, then we'll have to give up."
"Then I have one more condition."
"Um?"
"Could you open a shop in Jinzhou Prefecture as soon as possible? You could open a branch there, or even in the capital. As long as you're willing to open one, I'll invest unconditionally!"
"In business, the worst thing is to be overly ambitious. You can't get fat in one bite. I'll take it one step at a time and make steady progress."
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