Chapter 100: Two Boys, One Older and One Younger
Shui Ruolan’s eyes suddenly widened, a smile blossoming on her face. “Mother, since there’s only one chance, then we should get it once from Aunt Zhou.”
“That one time at most yields the price of a single shop, still not enough!” The matriarch remained somewhat unconvinced.
“Mother, have Fa watch Aunt Zhou closely, observe who deals with her, and have Fa arrange for them to gather and pay on the same day,” Shui Ruolan suggested.
This remark sparked an idea in the matriarch’s mind. After some thought, she nodded repeatedly, finding the plan feasible.
Since they could only seize the money once from Aunt Zhou’s hands while the Di family was unaware, it was crucial to gather all the funds at once. Therefore, the key was to ensure that the payments for the shops sold by the Di family would be collected on the same day.
Once this one opportunity was taken, there would be no other money to acquire!
As for compelling the buyers from Jiangzhou Prefecture who had purchased the Di family’s shops to pay on the same day, with the influence of General Ningyuan’s residence, it would be no trouble at all to have the steward make a discreet arrangement.
Since General Ningyuan’s household was offloading the shops, others wouldn’t drive the price too low. These customers were easy to find, prices could be negotiated, and the sale was likely to succeed!
“Grandmother, do we still have any old receipts left? If so, that would be wonderful—at least the lady would have some evidence to refer to!” Qin Wanru tilted her head in a somewhat childish manner and asked.
“Ruolan, you and Aunt Duan go find some proof!” The matriarch’s brows lifted in a faint smile. She glanced thoughtfully at Qin Wanru and nodded in approval.
Shui Ruolan and Aunt Duan responded with a unified “Yes!”
Qin Wanru stayed with them for a while longer before leaving the matriarch’s courtyard. Instead of returning to her own quarters, she went to sit on the swing near the garden wall.
Qing Yue instinctively moved to push her but was gently nudged aside by Yu Jie, signaling her to step back since Yu Jie was stronger and would do it.
Qing Yue nodded and withdrew to the side.
Yu Jie gave the swing a push, and Qin Wanru’s body rose and fell, higher and higher. Indeed, Yu Jie’s strength surpassed Qing Yue’s by a good margin, sending Qin Wanru soaring even higher than when she had once jumped over the wall before.
The wind lifted the figure of the young girl as she swung high—her jet-black hair framing a pair of clear, penetrating eyes like rippling water, deep and mysterious. Her playful gaze carried a breathtaking beauty and charm only partially revealed by a girl her age. Her lips curved slightly, vibrant and alluring, accentuating the pure and exquisite innocence of the small girl.
In a pavilion adjacent to the General’s residence sat two young men, one slightly older than the other. Both were strikingly handsome, dressed in splendid robes that plainly marked them as scions of wealthy and noble families—not common folk.
“Oh? There’s such a lovely little beauty inside General Ningyuan’s household!” The younger one’s curious eyes rested on Qin Wanru, who swung back and forth. He clicked his tongue twice in admiration, then turned to the other, whose face was cold and gloomy. “Could this be the second young lady of General Ningyuan’s residence?”
The cold-faced youth put down the documents he was reading, turned to glance briefly, then averted his gaze with little interest. “There are only two daughters in General Ningyuan’s family. This little one should be the younger, right?”
“Could it be the elder? They say the elder is breathtakingly beautiful—she even caught the eye of the eldest son of Prefect Jiang here, and has some kind of relationship with Di Yan. Di Yan has a penchant for beauties, and this little one certainly qualifies as one too. If she grows up, she could be a beauty that captivates a nation!”
The younger youth seemed to think he had stumbled upon something amusing and laughed heartily, urging Di Yan to reveal more.
They had been in Jiangzhou for two days, gathering information. The peculiar marriage ties between General Ningyuan’s household and Prefect Jiang’s family intrigued the younger youth far more than the mundane files they had been poring over. On such a fine day, why stay cooped up inside? Even girls from deep within their chambers knew to enjoy a swing. Yet here they were, stuck indoors—how dull!
“This looks like a mere child, really,” the cold youth said, picking up a document again without much interest.
Even with their keen eyesight, they only skimmed the records, noticing only that the girl was quite young; calling her a young lady was somewhat of a stretch.
“General Ningyuan has no sons, but his two daughters are both exceptionally beautiful. He certainly knows how to have daughters!” The younger youth, having heard rumors, was convinced Qin Wanru was a breathtaking beauty. He rested his chin on his hands, leaning toward the window to watch outside.
He found the swing set rather nice. When he returned home, he intended to install a few in his own backyard, so that when others were free, they could come play together, perhaps even organize a competition.
“Brother, when are we leaving?” The younger youth, bored with their stay in Jiangzhou, looked back at his cold-faced elder brother with impatience.
“Tomorrow,” the cold brother replied, setting down the documents and rubbing his forehead. His complexion was not good.
On closer inspection, his naturally stern features were not truly cold; it was the pallor of his complexion and the persistent chill in his expression that made him seem so.
“That soon? Wonderful! We’re not looking for Chu Liuchen anymore?” the younger brother asked excitedly, frankly finding Jiangzhou uninteresting and eager to return to the capital.
“Presumably, yes,” the cold youth leaned back in his chair with closed eyes. The information was scant, but it seemed they would leave soon, making it hard to track his movements.
“That’s great. Let’s head back to the capital. There are plenty of opportunities there. Why bother sticking around Jiangzhou?” The younger brother muttered but wore a bright smile, his gaze drifting again to the figure outside.
“Brother, I heard General Ningyuan is also being transferred back to the capital?”
“Probably soon,” the cold brother nodded, a slight twitch at the corner of his lips—though he hardly seemed one to smile.
“So his two daughters will return to the capital together?” the younger brother said happily. “The younger one looks lively and quite nice!”
“What are you planning? General Ningyuan is favored by the Emperor. Don’t act rashly!” the cold brother warned.
“What am I planning? What else? I just find the little girl amusing. Look at her swinging, it’s quite impressive!” The younger brother narrowed his eyes thoughtfully.
He resolved to have his own swings soar just as high when he returned home, so that when they peeked over the wall, their robes would flutter beautifully—especially if he had a bright red robe like hers. A red garment billowing in the breeze would be much more striking—just like that little girl.
“Brother, do you have a bright red robe?”
The sudden question left the elder brother momentarily stunned. After a pause, he turned to look at him. “Why?”
“I just think red robes look good. Look at this girl—pretty, and wearing red, yet not gaudy at all!” The younger brother smiled energetically, full of youthful exuberance.
“You still don’t look as good as Chu Liuchen in red!” The cold brother retorted impatiently, standing to hand the documents to a nearby guard, quietly giving some instructions.
Seeing no reply, the younger brother pouted, glancing again at Qin Wanru’s figure outside, grumbling discontentedly. Chu Liuchen was a prodigy; he looked good in anything, not just red. Yet Chu Liuchen’s pale, almost lifeless complexion somehow made the red robes glow differently.
Most annoying were the young ladies from noble families who blushed shyly around him, never considering that Chu Liuchen might die young, possibly ending up a widow before even marrying—what was the point of marrying him?
Truly lacking in foresight!
“Brother, I’m bored. I’m going out for a walk. We’re leaving tomorrow anyway; even if someone suspects us, they won’t have time to investigate!” The younger brother raised his voice. He had been cooped up with his elder brother since yesterday, growing increasingly restless. Although Jiangzhou was dull, he had to at least see something or it would all have been for nothing.
“There’s nothing fun in Jiangzhou!” the cold brother said flatly.
“Brother, just a quick walk. I might even find a pleasant surprise!” The younger brother winked and grinned mischievously, looking quite shameless.
“There’s nothing fun in Jiangzhou!”
“Brother, I’m just stepping out for a bit. Give me a chance!”
“Don’t be too long!” The cold brother rubbed his temples, irritated by his persistence.
“Okay, okay... don’t worry, I’ll be right back!” The younger brother slid down from the window and dashed downstairs. Now that his brother had agreed, he had to hurry before the mood changed.
Qin Wanru was unaware she was being watched. Lost in thought about earlier matters, she soared high on the swing and descended calmly. She felt the discussion between her mother and grandmother was wise but thought some details needed strengthening. As the swing swung down again, she said, “Yu Jie, stop pushing for a moment. I need to talk to you.”
Yu Jie’s hands halted. “Miss, what would you have me do?”
She quickly assumed her role wholeheartedly. Serving as a maid to Miss Qin was never a burden. Girls like her would find it very difficult to survive once they left the Quiet Mind Nunnery. Being under the protection of a prominent household was the best option. Moreover, during her days at the nunnery, Yu Jie had come to admire this younger Miss Qin—not just her medical skills but also her manner and dealings with others. She was happy to follow her.
Their bond was not one of strict servitude. If Yu Jie ever wished to leave upon gaining strength, Qin Wanru had already promised she would be free.
“Yu Jie, go tell Aunt Duan to try not to let Aunt Zhou leave the house these next few days. Find a chance to make things difficult for her so she can’t go out. After two or three times of this, only then give her the chance to leave.”