457, So That’s How It Is (2nd Update)
But moved as she was, Xie Zhinuan remained highly rational.
“May I ask where your home is? Who’s in your family? Where is your daughter now?”
“My family name is Mu. We live in Yangjiang Prefecture; our ancestors started with the timber business!”
Xie Zhinuan raised an eyebrow, “Yangjiang Prefecture? Could it be that the person interested in your daughter is a son from the Marquis Xuanping Residence?”
“Indeed, the eldest son. He used to be the Princely Heir, but last year for some reason, he was stripped of his title and became the eldest son of the marquis’s family!”
Xie Zhinuan looked at the timber merchant.
She smelled a conspiracy.
If this timber merchant’s identity was true, then it’s very likely that Gu Yichen came for revenge.
With the King of Han absent, she had been wielding power in his name.
She hadn’t expected Gu Yichen to be stripped of his Princely Heir title, Li Hengyi had really made a bold move.
“Did anything happen last year to the family of the Prefectural Governor of Yangjiang Prefecture? Like… a death?”
The timber merchant’s eyes widened, “How… How did you know someone died in the Prefectural Governor’s family last year?”
“Oh? Who died?” Xie Zhinuan was surprised.
She had merely made a random guess, yet it turned out to be correct.
The timber merchant really hoped that Xie Zhinuan could help him, so his daughter could marry decently instead of becoming a concubine, thus he said, “It was one of the governor’s concubines. They say she died a wretched death, and her son went mad and was locked up in the manor!”
“…”
Xie Zhinuan fell silent.
Now she was certain that this conspiracy was targeted at her.
The Marquis Xuanping Residence and the Prefectural Governor’s Office had been biding their time previously because they hadn’t had a handle on her, nor had they figured out a plan. But now that she had purchased the mountainous land to cultivate, there would definitely be timber.
If someone came knocking, she would surely sell.
She might ignore the timber merchant’s plea, but if it involved the Marquis Xuanping Residence, she would retaliate if she bore a grudge.
Perhaps these two families had prepared many tricks and schemes, just waiting for her to fall into the trap.
“I see…” Xie Zhinuan murmured, pondering, and after a moment, continued, “How may I assist you?”
“It won’t be too troublesome for you, Miss Xie. It’s just to let my daughter stay at your place for some time. After a few days, once I’ve handled everything, I will come to pick her up myself!”
“You’ll come to pick her up personally?” Xie Zhinuan asked to confirm.
“Yes, I will come personally. During this time, I will not send anyone to fetch her, whether it’s servants from the house or her mother. Only I will come in person!”
“In that case, let your daughter stay at my home for a while. It’s just that my home is rather humble, and she might feel slighted,” Xie Zhinuan spoke softly.
Her eyes twinkled.
She pursed her lips slightly.
Those familiar with her would know that she was certainly calculating something.
The timber merchant quickly thanked her and joyfully sent someone to the inn to fetch the person.
When Xie Zhinuan first saw Mu Rourou, she was astounded by her stunning beauty. As her name suggested, she was gentle like water, and every move she made was filled with heart-stirring grace.
“I have the honor to meet Sister Xie!” Mu Rourou greeted with a bow, her voice delicate but not pretentious.
“…”
Xie Zhinuan smiled, “No need for such formality!”
She asked Nini, the dimwit, to arrange a courtyard and let Mu Rourou move in with two maids and two matrons.
Father and daughter spoke on the side.
Mostly, it was Mr. Mu admonishing his daughter to stay inside the courtyard, not to go out, and to let the servants handle any needs. He also gave her a substantial sum of money.
“…” Watching them, Xie Zhinuan’s eyelids twitched, and her suspicions became clearer and clearer.
Chapter 459