Chapter 53: Ning Xiaoxiu's Submission and Loyalty (Seeking Follows!)

Now, the two sisters, Chunzhi and Xia Chan, have gradually formed a customary rule.

Chunzhi tends more toward attending to Ning Mu's daily life, such as his meals and living arrangements.

Xia Chan, on the other hand, is responsible for the miscellaneous tasks Ning Mu assigns, such as packing luggage, liaising with Steward Zhang in the backyard and the two maids Yuzan and Yuhuan, managing the brewing progress ordered by the young master, collecting the monthly stipend issued by the accounting office, or negotiating with other courtyards, and so on.

As for Ning Xiaoxiu, there is no need to even mention her.

She is completely just a toy.

At least, that is how it is for now.

"There is no need to bring these tools. Once we arrive in Yonghang, we will acquire a residence and then purchase new ones on the market; we will make the scale larger and the quality better."

Ning Mu glanced at the list and directly crossed out the series of tools for brewing wine and Perfume.

Not only were they not worth much money, but they also wasted manpower and resources.

"Understood!"

Xia Chan nodded respectfully, but then she said with some difficulty: "However, Young Master, I am afraid there is not enough money to acquire a residence... There are only twenty-some taels left in the Qiyun Tower account..."

Every month, each courtyard belonging to the Ye Family members receives a monthly stipend based on their different status, whether they are direct or collateral, and how close their relation is.

Depending on the level of status, the amount of the monthly stipend naturally varies.

The monthly stipend includes silver, Dragon Blood Rice, Dragon Bone Fragrant Leaf, and other cultivation resources.

As for the Qiyun Tower where Ning Mu resides, because he is only a Personal Disciple—and Liu Qingmei's disciple at that, rather than a member of the Ye Family or a direct descendant of the Ye Family—he is respectfully called Young Master on the surface, but in reality, his monthly stipend is no more than thirty-five taels.

The Dragon Blood Rice and Dragon Bone Fragrant Leaf amount to a mere eight taels, which is only six jin for the whole year.

Other cultivation resources are naturally pitifully scarce as well.

However, apart from the silver, Liu Qingmei had instructed Liu Xiaoya to allocate a portion of the materials, Dragon Blood Rice, and Dragon Bone Fragrant Leaf directly from the Wenshui Residence's share to Qiyun Tower.

Hearing Xia Chan's words, Ning Mu was taken aback.

Then, he asked: "Then how much would it cost to rent a residence?"

Xia Chan thought for a moment and replied: "Replying to Young Master, it depends on the specific situation. For example, South City is a relatively poor area with little commerce or entertainment, so it is very cheap there; one could rent a place for three qian of silver per month, which is only about four taels a year. The bustling areas of East City and North City are different; some luxury residences might cost nearly ten taels a month..."

Speaking of this, Xia Chan tilted her head and asked in confusion: "But Young Master, why don't we live in the Ye Family Residence? It is wide and large, with small courtyards, pavilions, and gardens, and we don't have to pay for it ourselves."

Ning Mu smiled and said: "Isn't it better if only our own people live together?"

It was not that he lacked the money to act wealthy, but he felt that staying in the Ye Family Residence was, after all, not quite right in name or status.

He was neither a disciple of Cangjian Villa nor a member of the Ye Family.

Even if the Ye Family members said nothing out of respect for Liu Qingmei, it would ultimately have a negative impact on Liu Qingmei behind her back!

Moreover, the Ye Family Residence is so large that most Ye Family members go there to stay temporarily when they come to Yonghang on business.

Not to mention the trouble of receiving guests.

When encountering Ye Family members in the residence, one would still have to put on a smiling face.

Given the conditions, it is of course better to live in a separate courtyard! "It is good, but we don't have enough money on hand right now..."

Hearing Ning Mu say it would just be our own people, Xia Chan was also somewhat moved, her eyes shimmering, but then she immediately made a bitter face, looking dejected.

"Don't worry. We will just rent for a few months for now. In a while, Young Master will let you count money until your hands cramp, and then we will buy a big one."

Ning Mu reached out and pinched Xia Chan's chubby cheeks, smiling as he said this to her.

"Mm~ This servant believes in Young Master, but how could counting money make one's hands cramp? I would be too happy to feel that~" Xia Chan nodded firmly, filled with complete trust in Ning Mu.

It was not blind trust. She knew that the wine and Perfume that the Young Master had been tinkering with in the backyard were definitely good things that could make a lot of money.

As long as they found a way to open up sales channels, the money would surely come quickly! But how to find those channels was not something she could solve.

At this moment.

Ning Xiaoxiu, who was under the dining table, suddenly poked her little head out. Her eyes were alluring, her face filled with obsequiousness, and she took the initiative to say: "Master, if you do not mind, this servant does have a residence in the Shunping Ward of East City in Yonghang. Although it cannot compare to Qiyun Tower, it is a small courtyard with two entrances. If Master does not have a good place to stay for the time being, you could stay there temporarily. Is that alright?"

After finishing, Ning Xiaoxiu looked at Ning Mu with an expectant expression.

"Hm?"

Ning Mu was stunned. He looked down at the fawning Ning Xiaoxiu, frowned slightly, and said: "Does anyone know about this residence of yours?"

His gaze was filled with suspicion.

Ning Xiaoxiu's initiative gave him reason to suspect that she wanted to leave him and be rescued by the Blood Lotus Sect!

After all.

As a Saintess of the Blood Lotus Sect, could the people of the Blood Lotus Sect be unaware if she purchased property in Yonghang City?

And as long as he took her, Chunzhi, and the others to live there, the Blood Lotus Sect would sooner or later find that residence.

Clearly.

Seeing Ning Mu's gaze, Ning Xiaoxiu also woke up to the situation.

She hurriedly waved her hands and explained with a bitter expression: "It is not like that, Master, please do not misunderstand!"

"This residence was bought a few years ago when I was with Fifth Uncle... pui, no! It was that Pusa Tuo."

"I bought it when the two of us went to Yonghang for training. At that time, he went to manage Hua Man Ge, so he did not know about me purchasing this small residence. After all, it was just a small residence, and I bought it on a whim, thinking that when I had nothing to do, I could stay there alone for a day or two, so I never told him."

"And since he has already died at the hands of Master's Master, it is absolutely impossible for the people of the Blood Lotus Sect to know about this residence!"

"If Master is worried, you can imprison this servant in a dungeon; this servant only hopes to be cared for by Master a little every day~"

Ning Xiaoxiu raised her little hand and swore an oath.

In her heart, she already regretted being so talkative.

If she had known, she should not have said it.

She should have waited to explain it in detail to Master later.

Having just established basic trust and friendliness with Master, it was very likely that this one sentence would ruin all the effort she had put in over these past few days! She had truly submitted sincerely.

It was out of enthusiasm and an inability to bear seeing Master in a difficult position that she had laid out her property.

She had only been thinking of contributing a little to Master.

Yet she had not expected that this deeper layer would bring about her master's suspicion of her! But since the words were already out, she could only find a way to make amends.

Ning Mu stared at Ning Xiaoxiu.

Seeing that what she said was sincere and earnest, and that her expression and eyes showed she was truly anxious.

Even those apricot eyes, which had originally held deep affection, were now brimming with aggrieved tears.

She was also a person with normal thoughts.

To be suspected after doing a good deed, she would also feel aggrieved!

Moreover, over these past few days, her usual conduct was enough to show her loyalty.

If she truly had ulterior motives, then her acting skills were simply too good! (End of chapter)