Wu Long returned to the inn in the company of Fen Baihu and the two twins.
The look in Hong Yue's eyes was distant, lost in thought, while her younger sister had a mysterious look in hers as she glanced at the former.
Fen Baihu's expression was a mixture of amusement and curiosity.
"How'd it go, Boss?", Kwon Qianhong hurried to greet Wu Long, having also returned from doing his own work not long ago.
"Asking questions can wait, Mr. Kwon", Butler Bang's voice was a bit stern as he reprimanded Kwon Qianhong, and then proceeded to more formally greet the returning party, "Welcome back, Young Master, Lady Hong Ye, Lady Hong Yue, Lady Fen"
"Good work", Wu Long nodded to Butler Bang, adding with a smile "Don't be too harsh on Qian though, you know I'm not that fond of formalities"
"This old man will do so, Young Master", Butler Bang chuckled, turning a wry gaze to Kwon Qianhong who scratched the back of his head with a slightly awkward expression, making light bows to both Butler Bang and Wu Long.
"As for your question, you know how it went for the most part. There are few merchants who achieved any degree of success, who would deliberately let go of a chance to profit when a fickle and capricious nephew's hurt feelings is all that sits on the other side of the scales", Wu Long shrugged with a calm expression, the inner courtyard they were in already filling with his ladies who came out to greet him.
"So we've got the Rou family on our side...", Kwon Qianhong nodded.
However, Wu Long shook his head, "We reached a temporary agreement, is all. It's best to not see him or his family as an ally. As soon as he gobbles up the benefits we offered, or if we're unable to deliver, if there's no more merit to gain from us and if he sees an opportunity, I'm fairly certain he'll bare fangs"
"What a willy old fox-...", Wu Mengqi reacted, but froze as her eyes darted to Fen Baihu.
As smiles involuntarily appeared on the faces of the beauties around, Wu Mengqi added "Ah, no offense..."
The latter's fox ears twitched, but she seemingly decided not to focus on it, just lightly nodding in response.
"So... he wasn't reasonable after all?", Hong Yue asked, seemingly awoken from her thoughts by the conversation, or more specifically, by Wu Long's answer.
"You could say that, though I'd say he's reasonable, just to the extent that's acceptable, not to the extent of what's desirable", Wu Long replied, "Overall, I'd say my bet still paid off"
"Because you're planning to establish ties with the fifth prince?", Nie Xiwang asked, since connections to the Imperial Family, especially with one of the candidates to the throne, was enough of an asset for the Elder of the Ruo Family to not sour his relations with Wu Long later on.
"Yes, though I can't say we'll really support any of the princes, for now it's not really our business who of them wins", Wu Long nodded, not planning to get dragged into the struggle of Imperial succession since there were no incentives to do so, "But it wouldn't hurt having at least some ties with the Wei Dynasty just in case, especially if it'll resolve annoying situations like with the Rou Family"
"Your new Imperial Guard friend would be sad to hear that", Fen Baihu chuckled.
"He already knows", Wu Long shook his head with a smile, "The question is, what kind of person is the prince he serves"
"At least one thing is certain by now, he's not a decisive one", Nie Xiwang said, prompting Wu Long to wryly smile at the harsh, but fair in his own opinion judgment of the prince's character.
"Isn't there a chance that the report's been caught in red tape? It might be the reason for the delay...", Cai Yin asked trying a more charitable outlook.
"If that's true he's even worse than indecisive, but incompetent", Nie Xiwang shook her head.
"In any case if he's this slow to react, we might be approached by another candidate for the throne first", Song Lingfei added.
"Judging by the circumstances, it's actually quite likely", Wu Long noted.
"Ah, so that's who those guys trying to trail you were, is that why you didn't let me get rid of them?", Hong Ye realized, prompting a nod from him as the group proceeded to the second inner courtyard with a garden, Butler Bang and Kwon Qianhong staying back.
Toward the late evening, Wu Long and Wu Mengqi sat at the edge of an open platform atop the waterfall, gazing at the scenery. She was leaning her head onto his shoulder, as they quietly talked with occasional chuckle, both enjoying this peaceful moment.
"... It's so frustrating ...", at some point, Wu Mengqi sighed as their discussion turned to her sword style.
"Being on the verge of progress often is", Wu Long calmly spoke with a peaceful smile.
"Uuuh~", she grumbled as she slid past his forearm and plopped her head down onto his lap, seemingly seeking to be comforted and pampered, which he gladly obliged, his hand reaching out to start gently patting her head.
"It's just... I feel like I am about to grasp something... and yet it slips away every time I try...", she pouted.
"It's like that even when you tread the path someone already created, following someone's steps, did you really expect it to be easier when you blaze your own?", Wu Long shrugged.
"...", her blue eyes turned up to look at him with a slightly sulking light in them, "You can say that and sound so calm only because you've already gone through it many times... It's the first time I feel this way"
"I guess I lacked consideration, though believe me, it doesn't get any less frustrating no matter how many times you experience it", he spoke proceeding to remove a lock of hair that started sliding onto her face and tuck it behind her ear.
"Great... just great... you're great at encouraging", she rolled her eyes with an exaggerated sigh as he chuckled.
"I can give you a kiss if it'll make you feel better", he then offered, her eyes instantly becoming sparkly.
"Now we're talking!", she eagerly raised her upper body with both hands in one swift move, twisting her waist to face him, presenting her face to him. Her eyes closed as her lips were curled up in a smile.
What she got was a peck on her cheek.
She opened her eyes, and then narrowed them, realizing by his playful smile that she was being teased, pouting her lips.
His hands gently wrapped around her face as he gave her another peck on her other cheek, softer one just above the one before, another one at the tip of her nose. Soon she forgot all about having any frustrations at all, or what they were talking about, closing her eyes again as he started covering her face with gentle, loving kisses, culminating in a long, very tender kiss on her lips that made her melt inside.
She didn't realize, nor did she care, how or when she ended up on her back, as he half-hovered over her, half laid by her side, and continued to seal her lips with a hot and yet very soft and slow kiss.