In the Graceful Cloud Pavilion, a wooden-faced waiter with a pockmarked complexion caught up with Madame Fengchi on the stairs.
She gave a knowing nod and quickly turned into a nearby corridor, pushing open a vacant room's door and entering.
Once the door was shut, the waiter handed her a note.
Madame Fengchi opened it and let out a small gasp. “Just came out from the Exile Lands? Shi Chun, wait, not that Si Chun…” She pondered with a frown. “This is hard to confirm indeed. Exile Lands are not easy to enter or leave for information gathering, apart from those at Bowang Pavilion and the Eternal Dawn City's guards who have easier access.” She shook her head. “Never mind, I’ll find a way to verify this myself.”
With that, the waiter left silently...
Outside the Bowang Pavilion, Shi Chun glanced at Wu Jinliang, who was following him in low spirits, understanding that this guy was dwelling on a feeling of defeat in his choices.
Because this man had once made such unwise selections, Shi Chun had entrusted him with the secret of the purple sparkling nebula within, teaching him the method to counter the immobilization talisman in case of emergencies.
The prerequisite was that Wu Jinliang already knew about the purple glow.
Around him were three of his old brothers from Eastern Nine Plains, but some secrets he wouldn’t share with Old Dong and Big Stone.
He knew that when faced with the type of choice that just occurred, Old Dong and Big Stone would indeed choose a good tree to perch on.
He didn’t see anything wrong with their choice.
If you can’t offer someone better, who’s to blame if they seek it elsewhere?
When not faced with such choices, the old brothers from Eastern Nine Plains were generally more reliable than outsiders, like right now.
Old Dong soon caught up with Shi Chun, tugging his sleeve seriously, "If you can earn those fifty thousand gold or double it up to a hundred thousand from Bian Weikang, that would be great.
But Miss Miao was right too; in Sky-Illuminating City, no one dares to mess with Lu Taizhen’s woman, not even the city master would do such a thing. News like this has probably reached Lu Taizhen by now, and you two should not roam around; it's dangerous.
This place is unlike Eternal Dawn City, even though there are rules, it's hard to suppress those with power and influence. They truly dare to make a move in the city quietly."
Shi Chun found it odd, "Who said I was after Bian Weikang's money? He's so poor he needs a woman to support him, what money does he have for me?"
Old Dong and Big Stone were taken aback, while Wu Jinliang couldn’t help but chuckle at that.
Shi Chun continued, "Rest assured, for now, Lu Taizhen doesn’t dare to touch me."
These words left the two Bowang Pavilion attendants behind in sighs, Big Stone sighed, "Boss, forgive me for saying this, but in their eyes, you’re nothing, they would dare to move against you!"
"For now, they wouldn’t dare."
Shi Chun ran a finger across the silver-threaded "Bo" character on his collar.
"Simply because I have two men from Bowang Pavilion with me. If Lu Taizhen's people truly have eyes on me, they should know I've been upstairs at Bowang Pavilion. Not knowing my background, they wouldn’t act rashly. Those with power are indeed bolder, but sometimes… they’re even more cautious than us."
The reason he set aside urgent matters pertaining to Bian Weikang was also to visit Bowang Pavilion once, as a courtesy and for gratitude, but also to create the impression he was speaking of for others to see.
He hadn't expected to meet Miao Yilan and Old Dong there, but since they had crossed paths, he wouldn’t miss the chance; it saved him many complications.
In a strange land, being small and weak, snatching food from the tiger's den wasn’t easy.
Besides courage, one needed prudence.
“Alas.” Old Dong couldn’t help but sigh, “Boss, what you say makes sense, but it's only a temporary bluff…”
“Bluffing a little is enough."
Shi Chun waved a big hand past the topic, and glancing at the bustling crowd, he led the three to a quieter spot by the lakeside, starting the accounts, “Old Dong, Big Stone, how do we settle that previous forty thousand silver?”
At this, the two Bowang Pavilion attendants felt embarrassed, even Old Dong could only mumble, "It’s what Miss Miao lent you, so it's known, it doesn’t matter to mention it again. Come, let’s have a good meal."
Shi Chun blocked his inviting arm, “Eating can wait, brothers after all, once things succeed, I can’t give you each half, I’ll give each a thousand, is that fine?”
The two awkward ones immediately had their eyes lit up, and then put on a smiling face, Old Dong said, "Okay, let’s talk once you’ve earned it."
Seeing the pair lack motivation wouldn’t do, since things still needed doing, Shi Chun tilted his head at Wu Jinliang, “Jinliang, these two have been away from Eastern Nine Plains for so long, they even look down on us now. Go on, show them what we’re planning to make this money.”
“Hehe, fine, let them see. Listen up, that head card from Graceful Cloud Pavilion, it doesn’t matter who sells her, it’ll be a sale…” With a mischievous grin, Wu Jinliang elaborated on the plan to sell Xiang Lan'er cheaply to Lu Taizhen.
“Hiss…”
Both attendants had a look of sudden realization, startled and wide-eyed, before exchanging glances, ending in a simultaneous exclamation, “Twenty thousand gold?”
Shi Chun, looking like he was dusting his clothes, feigned humility, “No choice, new here, unfamiliar with the outside. Let’s just try with a dozen thousand first, we’ll make do.” “Hehe…” Wu Jinliang enjoyed this shameless act, it gave him hope.
“……” The two attendants were speechless for a moment, their minds calculating, faces variously changing, not lacking regret.
Having achieved his aim, Shi Chun dropped the act, adopting his usual boss demeanor, “Two things I need you to handle. Get us a place to stay at the Carefree Pavilion, your expense. Whatever you spend counts as your input, I promise, once we profit, you get twice back.”
“Alright.”
“No problem.”
Old Dong and Big Stone nodded, faces beaming.
After they had laughed enough, Old Dong asked, “Fifty-thousand worth, selling for twenty-thousand, isn’t it too cheap? I think trying for thirty or forty thousand might be possible to earn more, and everyone can…” He glanced around and chuckled.
The intent was clear, if the boss didn’t care, they didn’t mind more share.
This instantly gained Wu Jinliang and Big Stone’s agreement, nodding approvingly.
But Shi Chun firmly dismissed it, “This isn’t Eastern Nine Plains, we are nobodies here, we’re too weak; our appetite and teeth can’t handle it. Too much could choke us. Only what we can comfortably swallow counts as truly ours. Twenty thousand is our limit; even a grain more wouldn’t be right. Secondly, although this deal is with Lu Taizhen, I don’t want to speak with him. I need you to find someone suitable from his side to talk to me."
They all looked puzzled.
Wu Jinliang asked, “Why?”
Shi Chun: “There’s no why, it’s obvious. Lu Taizhen in Sky-Illuminating City is a significant figure, he wouldn’t look at me, even if I offered a bargain. Someone willing to spend fifty thousand gold for a beauty might not care much for a discount. If someone turns up offering benefits for no reason, would you not be suspicious? Would you dare accept outright?”
“That makes sense…” Wu Jinliang murmured, rubbing his chin.
For his own benefit, Old Dong also asked, “What kind of person are you looking for?”
Shi Chun: “Someone closer to Lu Taizhen, who can help me sell Xiang Lan'er to him, and who can be swayed with money. Don’t say you’ve been here this long and haven’t heard about the city’s notable figures.”
Big Stone, with a thoughtful look, spoke up, "Could Cen Futong, nephew of Cao Puqing, do?"
“Cen Futong…” Old Dong pondered and slightly nodded.
Shi Chun asked, “What kind of person?”
Old Dong explained, "Cao Puqing is Lu Taizhen’s steward, and Cen Futong is his nephew. Benefitting from his uncle’s influence, he lives fairly well in the city but is somewhat idle and unreliable. I doubt he minds money."
“Another nephew…” Wu Jinliang muttered.
Shi Chun, however, grinned, “Good, let’s go with him. Tell him someone is willing to give him ten thousand gold, just to make a friend. Don’t disclose who the giver is. Have him meet me at Carefree Pavilion. Don’t reveal yourself directly; as you’re Bowang Pavilion men, it’s unsuitable to involve directly in this. Spend a little to hire a runner, keep an eye from afar. If anything happens, stay clear.”
“Alright, should I go now?” Old Dong sought confirmation and, seeing no objections, promptly went for it—money had to be earned after all.
Shi Chun and the others headed towards the Carefree Pavilion.
Che Si, who had changed his attire and was stealthily watching, saw the group split in two, feeling puzzled, tempted to see where Old Dong would go, but ultimately chose to continue tracking Shi Chun, the primary target.
(End of Chapter)