"Finished, he sneered again, "So she took it upon herself to look for me? Such a woman is not as tactful as her brother."
"Young Master, she is but a woman, how can she be compared to a county magistrate?"
"Tsk, tsk, don’t underestimate women." Mu Shaoling tapped the servant on the head, chiding, "Just look at Yang Chuxia, she’s also a woman, yet look what she has accomplished? Even a man might not be able to amass as much wealth. And take a look at the items she produces, could you mold the small arrows you wear on your person?"
With Mu Shaoling’s comparison, the servant bowed his head. It seemed he couldn’t. He did like those small arrows, they were handy and versatile.
Seeing that he agreed with his point, Mu Shaoling continued, "Although sometimes her manners may be a bit crude, and her temper fiery, have you not noticed her crudeness is selective? When have you seen her truly rude to others? I quite appreciate her approach, dealing with each type of person in their own way, meeting rudeness with equal rudeness, but returning politeness with politeness."
"It’s a shame, she’s married," muttered the young servant after listening to his long ramble.
His voice was quiet, but Mu Shaoling heard him, and kicked him, "Scram! You’ve got nerve, one more word and I’ll send you back to the Capital City."
The servant grew pale with fear upon hearing this, bent down quickly, not daring to say another word.
Just as this servant was retreating, another person hurried into Mu Shaoling’s room.
"Young Master, there’s a letter from the prefecture."
Mu Shaoling took the letter from the gravely serious courier, his expression slightly altered as he read it.
"He really isn’t there?"
"Indeed he isn’t, my men and I have gone through hundreds of people from head to toe carefully, more than ten times over, he truly isn’t there."
Mu Shaoling appeared dumbfounded at this news, after a moment he asked, "And what of Mr. Luo? Do you know where he is now?"
"Mr. Luo has already rushed to Yangshu Village, he and I parted ways in the county."
"In that case, we will head to Yangshu Village first thing tomorrow."
At this moment, the mentioned Mr. Luo was, in fact, on his way to Yangshu Village without delay.
By the time he reached Yangshu Village, it was already quite late. After much thought, Mr. Luo decided to deal with the matter the next day.
He didn’t even bother Yang Chuxia and Ye Zi’an, but instead spent the night at the Yang residence.
Hence, Yang Chuxia was greatly surprised when she saw Mr. Luo downstairs the next day.
"Mr. Luo, when did you return? Why didn’t anyone notify us?"
"I arrived last night and stayed at your mother’s house."
"Huh?" Yang Chuxia was somewhat confused. Why didn’t he stay at his own home, but went to her mother’s instead? Mr. Luo’s bedding and clothes were all here at the tower.
Ignoring Yang Chuxia’s surprise, he asked at once, "Where’s Brother An?"
"He will be down shortly."
As she spoke, Ye Zi’an came down from upstairs. Seeing Mr. Luo, he was pleased, "Mr. Luo, you came early?"
Mr. Luo nodded, his face grave.
"Let’s talk in the study."
Ye Zi’an saw his serious expression and felt a sense of foreboding. Once in the study, he quickly asked, "Mr. Luo, has something happened?"
"Let me ask you first, are you certain you wrote this!"
Mr. Luo pulled out a scroll from his robes and handed it to Ye Zi’an. Ye Zi’an looked it over and nodded, "Of course, I wrote this. What’s the matter?"