Qiao Xin exited the alley, made several turns, and arrived in front of a tightly shut courtyard gate.

She glanced around, then, with a light push off the ground, she vaulted over the wall and landed inside.

Inside the courtyard, Zhang Yun and his men were in the middle of discussing how to report the situation to Heng Wen when they felt a sudden chill down their spines.

Before they could react, they saw someone fly into the courtyard.

Who else could it be but Qiao Xin?

Ignoring the wary gazes of the surrounding guards, she strolled forward as if she were taking a leisurely walk in her own garden.

Upon spotting Zhang Yun, she waved with a smile. “Young man, we meet again!”

Zhang Yun: …

“You took the people from the small courtyard, didn’t you?”

Zhang Yun feigned ignorance. “I have no idea what you’re talking about. I don’t know you. You must have the wrong place. Please leave immediately!”

“Tsk, tsk, tsk. How unfriendly. Weren’t you the one standing beside the carriage when Steward Zhu came to pick up your young master last time?”

Zhang Yun’s heart trembled.

He hadn’t expected that, after just one brief encounter, Qiao Xin would remember him.

He had deliberately kept a low profile!

“How did you find this place?” Zhang Yun asked the most critical question.

“Naturally, I followed you here.”

“Impossible!”

“I’m here, aren’t I? That proves everything. I have no intention of making trouble with you. I just want to know—was the person who ordered Rong Guang to target me in your custody?”

“Yes, but I can’t hand him over to you. The young master will deal with him personally. This person will never trouble you again.”

Qiao Xin narrowed her eyes. “So, he belongs to your Marquis’s household? The Madam’s people? Or the Marquis’s? Coming and going as they please—do they think my home is their backyard?”

Zhang Yun pressed his lips together, remaining silent.

He had already learned not to underestimate Qiao Xin.

The more you say, the more mistakes you make.

Since he didn’t answer, Qiao Xin continued analyzing. “Your Marquis is a military man—he wouldn’t be so petty. Even if he dislikes me, at most, he’d cut ties and ignore me. But that stepmother of his… now that’s a different story. As long as Heng Wen is alive, her son will never inherit the title. Blocking someone’s future is like killing their father—this kind of grudge doesn’t just go away.”

“Madam Qiao, be careful with your words!”

Qiao Xin raised an eyebrow and gave him a sidelong glance. “Alright, alright, I’ll be careful. No need to get nervous. I have no interest in prying into the Marquis’s household drama. You can fight to the death for all I care. But if you think you can use me as an easy target, you’ve picked the wrong person!”

Zhang Yun recalled his young master’s instructions before he left.

After a moment of hesitation, he turned back into the house.

When he came out again, he was holding a piece of paper, which he handed to Qiao Xin.

“This is a record of the private properties that Steward Hua recently purchased in Wei Prefecture. No one else in the household knows about them. He offended you—consider this his compensation.”

Qiao Xin took a glance.

It was the deed to the small courtyard and a storefront—still unregistered at the government office.

So this man had planned to settle down here and harass her family long-term?

But before he could even get started, Zhang Yun had wiped him out.

If she didn’t take it, it would go to waste!

No reason to suffer without getting something in return.

Without a word of courtesy, Qiao Xin stuffed the deeds into her sleeve pocket.

Only then did she feel a little better, and her tone softened slightly.

“Send a message to your master—handle your own household affairs. If any more random troublemakers come bothering my family, don’t blame me for being ruthless. Also, you might want to change your secret signals.” With that, she flicked her sleeve and left gracefully.

The guards gathered around. “Captain, are we just letting her leave like that?”

Zhang Yun looked at them disdainfully. “What else? Invite her for dinner? The young master respects her—what can you do about it? Hurry up and report this to him!”

..

Niu Dali and his older brother, Niu Dabao, had been squatting by the city wall for over an hour.

“Dabao, maybe that person isn’t coming after all. What if she was just tricking you? If she was really as capable as you said, wouldn’t she already have enough workers?”

Niu Dabao was silent for a moment, then shook his head. “No, brother. That lady even gave me twenty copper coins earlier to buy food. She’ll come back.”

Niu Dabao coughed a few times, his face turning red.

He wanted to argue, but he was afraid of hurting his brother’s fragile hope.

They had been deceived too many times along the way.

It was hard to believe in someone’s kindness without suspecting ulterior motives.

But what did they have to lose?

Their lives were cheap.

He might as well take a gamble for his foolish brother.

“You’re still here? Must have been a long wait.”

Qiao Xin approached and handed them a basket.

Niu Dabao lifted the cloth covering the basket and was stunned to see a stack of steamed buns and a perfectly roasted chicken.

He looked up, eyes wide in shock. “Is… is this for us?”

Qiao Xin nodded. “What? Not enough? Or have you changed your mind about working for me?”

“It’s enough! More than enough! I just can’t believe this is real!” Niu Dabao’s voice trembled with emotion.

Qiao Xin laughed. “Haha! Work hard. I can’t promise you a whole roast chicken every meal, but I can guarantee you’ll have plenty of steamed buns. Find a place to eat first—when I finish my errands, you can come with me.”

She had spent half the day gathering workers.

Spring planting waits for no one—she needed at least ten people today to keep up with the schedule.

If they missed this timing, the entire season’s planting would be delayed.

After putting up another hiring notice in the usual spot, she sat down to rest—only for a shadow to fall over her.

Looking up, she saw a crowd of refugees gathering around her stall.

“Madam, if I work for you, will I really get enough to eat?” A young man at the front asked eagerly. “I don’t ask for much—just four buns per meal and a place to sleep.”

Seeing Qiao Xin eyeing his outstretched fingers, the young man hesitated, then quickly retracted two of them. “Actually… two would be fine.”

Qiao Xin glanced at the crowd. “Food and lodging included. Ten copper coins a day. If you have special skills—like farming, bamboo weaving, carpentry, composting, literacy, or math—you’ll be given priority. Wages will be adjusted based on your role and contributions.

I’m in a hurry and need hard workers. If you’re weak, lazy, or just looking to waste time, don’t bother. And if you don’t like my terms, consider whether your scrawny frame can withstand my punches first.”

At her words, a number of people quietly backed away.

But the young man’s eyes shone with excitement. “I’ve grafted trees before! My father and brother used to manage orchards for our old employer. Would you consider hiring my family?”

Qiao Xin thought of the thousand acres of woodland on North Mountain that needed tending. She nodded. “Come over. Let’s talk.”

“Next! Name?”

“Zhang Yun.”

Qiao Xin’s hand froze.

Looking up, she saw the same young man she had just met earlier that morning.

“Get lost! What are you doing here?”

The hiring process was almost done, and she was eager to wrap up and go home.

She had no time for games!