Chapter 40: Blades Have No Eyes

Shen Shurong tied the pendant and looked up. “Don’t you like the gift I gave you?”

Xie Yunzhao stared at the jade pendant. “I like it,” he said, feeling like he was going crazy with affection.

“Shopkeeper, go settle the final payment at the Grand Princess’s mansion.”

“Yes.” The shopkeeper was envious; he also wanted a little lady to gift him things.

“What are you looking at? Aren’t you going to tie it on for me?”

Xie Yunzhao came back to his senses. Would he brush against her dress if he did that?

Qingzhu and Suihan turned their backs to block the view. Xie Yunzhao crouched down to tie it around her waist, his face gradually turning red.

“Can you tell it’s a pair?”

“I can.” The shopkeeper assured them.

Shen Shurong looked at Xie Yunzhao, silently communicating that she wasn’t asking him.

“I can.” A silly smile spread across his face.

Shen Shurong laughed at him. That was good.

The two then went to Yunshang Pavilion, the best clothing store in the capital.

The shopkeeper had been waiting outside, smiling brightly as he came to greet them and led them inside.

Shen Shurong chose several pieces of fine fabric in various colors.

As the shopkeeper praised the colors, he asked what style they wanted.

Shen Shurong stood beside Xie Yunzhao. “Just make it so that when the two of us wear it out together, others can tell it’s a matching set.”

The shopkeeper clapped his hands in congratulations, having understood.

Qingzhu and Qingying turned away, wanting to laugh and cry at the same time. It was obvious that the Junzhu had planned this well in advance, and it wasn’t just because the second master was helping with the clothing business.

The second master had finally found his happiness.

Xie Yunzhao pulled Shen Shurong to the carriage, signaling that they were done shopping.

Shen Shurong still wanted to go to the next shop…

Why were they going back to the carriage? She had ordered a dagger that could cut through iron; he liked it.

Completely blocking all gazes, she was tightly embraced by the man, feeling warmth in her neck. Shen Shurong started to reflect.

Was it possible to give too much confidence at once?

“You… don’t get too excited. You know this amount of money means a lot to me…”

Xie Yunzhao shook his head. It wasn’t about the money.

It was that she had him in her heart, that she was willing to let others know he was her fiancé, even wanting to let people know on purpose.

In Rongrong’s eyes, he wasn’t the useless person Xie Yunzheng described.

Everyone else lamented her loss after losing Xie Yunzheng, even her parents.

Only she didn’t; she didn’t think he was unworthy!!!

The carriage had stopped for quite a while, and the four close servants were smiling as they waited.

…

In a private room of a teahouse, two men were kneeling on the ground.

The man in yellow looked at the contract in his hands and laughed, “250 wen?”

“You dare to come meet me!”

“It’s all, it’s all the Duke of Lu’s Mansion, the second young master. I wouldn’t dare threaten my whole family’s lives!”

The man gestured to the person behind him, who did not let up.

The person at the table stopped him. “Don’t blame him; we underestimated his shamelessness.” The contract had been signed; what was the point of killing him now?

“Are we just going to let them do business this easily?”

“Why not? As long as it can be sold, that’s enough.”

Oh! That made sense. Why was he in such a hurry? “Let’s supply them more; the more, the better!”

“I understand now. Thank you for your mercy.” He crawled out, having saved his life…

…

At noon, the Duke of Lu went out to meet friends. When he returned, he dozed off in the carriage but suddenly heard something about a “pawn.” He was wide awake…

Back at the mansion, he roared for his eldest son to come see him.

The Duchess hurriedly covered Li Shuang’s ears. “Husband, you scared Shuangshuang!”

The Duke of Lu softened in an instant, forgetting that there was a pampered girl at home. “Sorry, Shuangshuang. Your uncle is just too angry.”

Li Shuang shook her head, shrinking her neck and not daring to speak.

“What happened with Yunzhao?”

“Once he comes over, you’ll understand,” the Duke of Lu said, sitting down to sip some tea to calm his anger.

“Came by at noon to change the medicine and left.”

“Someone, go out and look for him! Go to the Grand Princess’s mansion!”

Li Shuang was scared and clutched her aunt’s clothes. Had her second cousin made another mistake?

Xie Yunzhao was pushing Shen Shurong on a swing, his mind occupied with finding a suitable atmosphere where he could kiss her.

Yesterday, his cousin had ruined things, and today, his father had summoned him. His mood was not good. “Father, what do you need me for?”

“Unfilial son, kneel!” The Duke of Lu glared at him with wide eyes.

Xie Yunzhao remained seated in his chair. “You should speak first; my cousin is still here. Kneeling would be too embarrassing.”

The Duke pointed at him for a long time, finally nodding. “What did you promise when you took the token?”

Xie Yunzhao thought for a moment. “Not to take it out easily?”

“Do you think I don’t know that you still wield it and dare to bully others? What should be done about it?”

Xie Yunzhao looked at the housekeeper He, who was shrinking by the door, and asked, “Old He, has anyone come to complain?”

Housekeeper He shook his head. “No, Second Master, no one has.”

Xie Yunzhao looked at his father, shrugging his shoulders.

The Duke of Lu straightened his back. “Just because no one complains, you think you can use the Duke of Lu’s name to bully others?”

“Father, if no one is complaining, how can you punish me? It doesn’t make sense! I helped the Junzhu close a deal; that shows I’m useful to the treasury.”

“If you’re not happy, then you can resign from being with the duke starting tomorrow.”

“You…” The Duke of Lu felt a pang in his heart. “Resign? That’s not allowed.”

Xie Yunzhao smiled. “Then what do you suggest?”

“Consider this a warning.”

“Understood. You just like to get angry. No one lost a limb or a leg, and no one came looking for trouble, yet you’re furious.” Xie Yunzhao stood up to help him. “Come on, it’s been a while since we had a sparring match to release some of that anger.”

“Are you sure… you want to help me vent my anger?” It didn’t sound like it was against your father.

“Of course, but… blades have no eyes.”

The Duke of Lu drew back his arm. “You have an injury on your back; it wouldn’t be fair for me to fight you. Let’s go to your courtyard instead.” Out of sight, out of mind.

“Thank you for your concern, Father.” Xie Yunzhao left, pleased that his father understood quickly.

The Duke of Lu still felt a knot in his chest when a soft voice cut through, “Uncle, the second cousin won’t listen.”

The Duke turned to look at her. “Does Shuangshuang have a plan?”

“Shuangshuang hasn’t been to the capital for a while. I’d like to have my second cousin take me around.”

“Right, your family must be bored. Let your second cousin take you out; with the Junzhu along, no one can say anything. Most importantly, keep an eye on him; don’t let him cause trouble.”

“Shuangshuang will.”

The Duchess patted her hand. “You need to take care of yourself. Your cousin is like a monkey; if he goes out to play, he won’t stop until he’s exhausted.”

“It’s fine, Aunt. With the Junzhu, I can handle it.”

“Alright then, if you can’t take it, come back early.”

…

The manager San looked as if he were scared out of his wits today; he had a bit of a headache, and the mistress had pressed a warm cloth to his forehead.

The other managers arrived and, seeing him like this, sighed. “You seem stressed too?”

“I heard you’re getting a large shipment; why are you messing around with the Junzhu?”

“Yeah, you still don’t have a market for it. Old San, you should persuade the Junzhu.”

The manager San ripped off the cloth and sat up. “These are all minor matters.”

What?

This is considered a minor matter? Is the inventory going to sit and mold?

Even if the prices are low…

“If Xie Yunzhao follows along, I won’t go anymore.”

“For a silk business, if you don’t go, who will?”

The manager San pondered. If it continued like this, he feared he might fall in love with using power to bully others and oppress the common people, relying on connections…

Pfft!

“Let him go; that’s enough.”

“Nonsense, what does he know? Just because he closed one deal doesn’t mean he can close countless others.”

The manager San couldn’t communicate with them. “You’ll understand once you’ve experienced it.”

After finishing, he picked up the cloth again and lay back down to rest.