Chapter Fifteen: Business

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“念念, do not worry. Even if I have to stake this old life of mine, Grandmother will protect you.”

The Old Madam reached out, intending to draw Su Zhinian into her arms.

“Cough, cough!” Su Zhinian suddenly coughed twice, tightening the hearts of everyone who heard her.

“Old Madam, Miss has not taken her medicine today...” Yushu ventured.

“In that case, Zhinian, hurry back and rest. Once you have recovered, come and keep me company again.”

“Grandmother, please do not worry. Zhinian will come to pay her respects tomorrow. I shall take my leave for today.”

Su Zhinian dabbed at the corner of her eye, rose, and bowed gracefully.

“Very well...”

The Old Madam had a bellyful of things to say, but in the end, none of them passed her lips.

As she watched Su Zhinian disappear, a flicker passed through the Old Madam’s eyes.

Su Zhinian had taken barely two steps out of Pine Crane Residence when Gu Lingxuan blocked her path. Pointing arrogantly at her nose, she cursed, “Su Zhinian, how dare you remain in the General’s Residence? Big Brother has already said that Xixi is the only woman he will ever have. Don’t you have any shame?”

Why remain here? Naturally, so that she could send them all to their deaths more thoroughly...

Su Zhinian had no desire to argue with her. She simply turned aside and walked away as though she had heard nothing.

It felt as though Gu Lingxuan had thrown a punch at a mass of cotton—utterly powerless.

She was furious. For the first time in her life, she had been confined to her quarters by Grandmother, and Su Zhinian had offended her yet again!

“Su Zhinian, I will never let you off!”

Hearing the enraged voice behind her, Su Zhinian did not slow her steps. Yushu glanced back in alarm.

The Second Miss became reckless whenever she lost her temper. She had bullied their Miss many times before and was truly vicious.

Still, Miss had been incredible today. She had actually convinced the Old Madam to confine the Second Miss.

Yushu could not help feeling that Miss was becoming more and more different from the way she had been before.

The bluestone paving beneath their feet basked in the sunlight, dusted with a thin golden sheen like a veil of gold.

“Miss, why are the Second Miss and Madam always setting themselves against you? Thankfully, the Old Madam is protecting us. But what are we going to do in the future?”

Yushu shook her head miserably as she followed behind Su Zhinian, twisting the handkerchief in her hands until it was nearly in tatters.

Once General Gu found Ren Xixi and brought her back, their Miss’s situation would become even more desperate.

She could only hope that General Gu would be a little slower in finding Ren Xixi.

Hearing Yushu’s words, Su Zhinian smiled and tapped her on the head.

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“You little fool!”

“Miss, I was foolish to begin with. After you tap me like that, I’ll be even more foolish!” Yushu rubbed the spot she had been struck and pouted as she grumbled.

She might not be clever, but she was Miss’s most capable assistant—the best anyone could ask for!

Thinking this, Yushu straightened her back and grew proud again.

“All right. There is something important we need to take care of, and we must hurry.” Su Zhinian glanced at the sky and frowned.

By this hour, the escort agency had probably already set out. It was likely too late to stop them now, but perhaps there was still a chance to rescue the person.

“I’ll have Youqing prepare the carriage!” At once, Yushu grew serious and hurried off to make the arrangements.

The carriage entered the main thoroughfare, but when it reached a deserted and remote spot, someone stopped it.

Youqing watched the man before him with a grave expression, poised for danger.

“Miss Su, my master has a business proposition to discuss with you.”

Mu Dong wore an inconspicuous mustard-yellow homespun robe, his hair simply tied back with a black ribbon. Yet the moment he stood there, an imposing air seemed to rise from him.

Prince Yu?

Su Zhinian suddenly recalled the refined, jade-like man she had encountered in the carriage that day. Although she had been unable to see his face clearly, those eyes alone had been enough to make anyone lose themselves in them.

“Miss...”

Prince Yu was not someone to provoke. It was said that after injuring his leg, his temperament had become increasingly violent and unpredictable.

At the thought of this, Yushu’s heart rose into her throat.

Youqing immediately stepped in front of Su Zhinian, as though Mu Dong were some irredeemably wicked villain.

“Do not worry.”

Su Zhinian remembered Helian Yu telling her that the Su family had once done him a kindness.

She had been delayed after returning that day and had forgotten to ask her parents about it.

Still, deep down, she felt that Helian Yu would not harm her.

“Please lead the way.”

Su Zhinian made an inviting gesture.

Mu Dong nodded and turned to guide them.

From the wary look in that maid’s eyes, one would think their master intended to devour her young mistress.

Mu Dong felt compelled to defend his master.

Rumors were merely rumors. His master was the most generous and benevolent of men. The stories about a ghost-faced crippled prince had been spread by people with ulterior motives, all to tarnish his master’s reputation.

The moment they left, an utterly ordinary-looking man appeared in the place they had just vacated.

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“I must inform the General as quickly as possible!”

The man muttered to himself, then soon vanished into the sea of people.

Mu Dong led them through a narrow alley. Since the carriage could go no farther, Su Zhinian asked Youqing to wait outside.

At first, Youqing refused. His duty was to protect Miss’s safety, after all, and with Prince Yu’s notorious reputation, he was deeply concerned.

But Su Zhinian reassured him with a few words before entering through a small wooden door with Yushu and Mu Dong.

Beyond it lay a courtyard. A luxuriant camphor tree grew at its center. They crossed the courtyard and followed a staircase around the corner until they reached a private room on the second floor.

They did not encounter a single person along the way.

The place was unnervingly quiet.

Yushu nervously tightened her grip on Su Zhinian’s sleeve.

The door opened, and Mu Dong respectfully addressed the person inside.

“Master, Miss Su has arrived.”

“Come in.”

The voice was as warm and clear as ever, instantly bringing a sense of clarity to the mind.

Su Zhinian stepped inside. A man dressed in black sat beside the table.

“Greetings, Your Highness.”

Su Zhinian did not dare look at him for long and calmly offered a formal bow.

“There is no need for such courtesy. Miss Su, please take a seat.”

Helian Yu raised a hand. When he saw Su Zhinian in a long jade-green dress, his eyes brightened.

In the past, Su Zhinian had dressed mostly in dark colors to observe widowhood for Gu Shijin. Though she was clearly in the bloom of youth, her entire person had been weighed down by a bleak, lifeless air.

Now she wore a jade-green gown patterned with flowers. Paired with a simple jade hairpin and two celadon earrings, she was as beautiful as a lotus emerging from clear water.

“May I ask what business Your Highness wishes to discuss with me?”

Su Zhinian did not waste words and asked directly about his intentions.

After all, she had nothing of value on her at present that should have attracted Prince Yu’s attention.

Only then did Su Zhinian raise her eyes to Helian Yu once more.

He sat in a specially made wheelchair, both hands resting on its back as he repeatedly rubbed the jade thumb ring on his thumb.

A silver-white mask decorated with a mandala pattern concealed his face. His eyes were as dark and unfathomable as a deep pool.

The corners of Helian Yu’s lips lifted, but instead of answering, he questioned her in return.

“I believe I should be asking Miss Su that. Is there anything you need my help with?”