Chapter 98: with translation of chapter title

He acts generously and is rather mysterious.

Besides, I heard he's recently been getting quite close to Mr. Jiang.

Oh? With Jiang Xiaomu?

Zhao's face showed a teasing smile.

Looks like this kid has stirred up something again; go, call him over!

Soon after, Jiang Xiaomu arrived at the Governor's Mansion.

Mr. Jiang, do you know the owner of the Western Regions Treasure Pavilion?

Zhao got straight to the point, his tone carrying scrutiny.

Jiang Xiaomu cupped his hands in salute and replied calmly:

Sir, I know him.

The owner of the Treasure Pavilion is named Hawei, and he and his brother Haidi were originally officers in the Undying Army.

After their defeat, they went into business.

After hearing this, Zhao's plump face showed no joy or anger.

He merely rubbed the tea cup in his hand, remaining silent.

"Sir," Jiang Xiaomu broke the silence.

Although the Hawei brothers came from the Undying Army, they now have nowhere else to go and just want to make a living in Wangjiang Cheng.

I have warned them repeatedly that if they dare commit wrongdoing in Wangjiang Cheng, they will not be let off lightly.

I will also closely monitor their every move to ensure the safety of Wangjiang Cheng.

Zhao gave Jiang Xiaomu a meaningful look, then slowly said:

Mr. Jiang, I have always been at ease with your work.

But in these troubled times, people's hearts are hard to read; one must not be careless.

I understand.

Jiang Xiaomu replied respectfully.

Hmm! You may go.

Zhao waved his hand.

Jiang Xiaomu bowed and took his leave, though inwardly he let out a sigh of relief.

Zhao's words were actually a warning to him, reminding him not to play with fire and burn himself.

But at the same time, Zhao did not stop his cooperation with the Hawei brothers, which means he tacitly allowed Jiang Xia

Jiang Xiaomu's approach.

Returning to the manor, Jiang Xiaomu saw his younger sister Jiang Xiaoyu playing with a dagger.

Xiao Yu, do you want to go out for a stroll?

Jiang Xiaomu walked to Jiang Xiaoyu's side and ruffled her hair.

Jiang Xiaoyu lifted her head, a flash of surprise in her eyes, and said:

Really? Brother!

Of course it's true; when have I ever lied to you, brother?

Jiang Xiaomu said with a smile:

Come on, brother will take you to see the prosperity of Wangjiang Cheng.

The siblings walked side by side down the street; Jiang Xiaoyu curiously took in everything around her—the dazzling array of goods, the bustling crowds—leaving her dazzled.

Wow, brother, look, what is that?

Jiang Xiaoyu pointed at a sugar figurine on a street stall, her eyes sparkling.

Jiang Xiaomu smiled indulgently.

If you want to eat it, just buy it.

Hehe.

Jiang Xiaoyu happily took the sugar figurine, licked it, and her face showed a satisfied smile.

Since crossing over, Jiang Xiaomu has been busy with various affairs, rarely having time to accompany Jiang Xiaoyu; now seeing his sister's long‑absent smile, he also felt relieved.

Brother, let's go over there and have a look!

Jiang Xiaoyu pulled Jiang Xiaomu's hand, pointing to a lavishly decorated shop not far away.

That was precisely Hawei's Western Regions Treasure Pavilion.

At the shop entrance, two attendants in exotic attire warmly greeted customers.

Inside the shop, the dazzling array of rare treasures was even more overwhelming.

Welcome to the Western Regions Treasure Pavilion!

Hawei immediately recognized Jiang Xiaomu and hurried forward to greet him.

Lord Jiang, what a rare visitor!

Boss Hawei, your business is thriving!

Jiang Xiaomu said with a smile.

Thanks to Lord Jiang's blessings, thanks to Lord Jiang's blessings. Hawei beamed.

This young lady is…

This is my younger sister, Jiang Xiaoyu.

Jiang Xiaomu introduced.

Miss Xiao Yu, you're truly beautiful! Hawei exclaimed.

Miss Xiao Yu, like whatever you want—go ahead and pick, today Jiang Xiaomu's bill, I'll cover it all!

Jiang Xiaoyu looked at the dazzling array of goods, and for a moment her eyes were dazzled.

"Brother, do you think this looks good?"

Jiang Xiaoyu picked up a gemstone-inlaid hairpin and held it up to her head.

"Looks good, Xiao Yu looks good in anything."

Jiang Xiaomu said indulgently.

"Then this one!"

Jiang Xiaoyu said happily.

"Okay, that one." Jiang Xiaomu turned his head to look at Hawei.

"Boss Hawei, how much is this hairpin?"

"Jiang Xiaomu, why be polite with me? Miss Xiao Yu likes it—just take it."

Hawei said generously.

"That won't do—you get what you pay for."

Jiang Xiaomu insisted on paying.

"Since Jiang Xiaomu insists, let's give him the cost price."

Hawei said helplessly.

In the end, Jiang Xiaomu bought the hairpin at a relatively reasonable price.

"Xiao Yu, do you like it?"

Jiang Xiaomu placed the hairpin on Jiang Xiaoyu's head and asked softly.

"I like it!"

Jiang Xiaoyu touched the hairpin on her head, her face breaking into a happy smile.

"Good that you like it." Jiang Xiaomu also smiled.

Watching the siblings' warm interaction, Hawei couldn't help but feel that although Jiang Xiaomu seemed cold and unfeeling on the surface, deep down he was a person who valued loyalty and righteousness.

Jiang Xiaomu leaned close to Hawei and asked in a low voice:

"Any recent news in the city?"

Hawei said with a gossipy expression:

"Oh! Of course there is!"

"The intellectually disabled son of Assistant Official Zhang's paternal uncle's family in the east city is getting married next month; I heard the bride is a prostitute...."

"The third concubine of the Wang landlord at the west gate gave him a green hat and is out looking for a pretty boy...."

"Also, the Liu family on North Street, Old Master Liu wants to take a concubine, and that concubine is about the same age as his daughter...."

"Just ahead, Aunt Zhang's family's sow...."

"Enough, enough!"

Jiang Xiaomu rubbed his slightly throbbing temples and quickly interrupted Hawei's words.

"From now on, don't bother with these trivial matters; pay attention to major events in the city."

Hawei immediately nodded in agreement.

Jiang Xiaoyu's slender fingers lingered on a string of red coral bracelets, her eyes shining with affection.

Suddenly, a sharp cry for help shattered the tranquil atmosphere inside the Treasure Pavilion.

"Help! Help!"

Jiang Xiaoyu suddenly lifted her head and looked in the direction of the sound.

All I saw was on the street, a richly dressed young nobleman was pushing a woman into a corner, his face wearing a lecherous smile.

Before Jiang Xiaomu and Hawei could react, Jiang Xiaoyu's red coral bracelet snapped with a "pa" and fell to the ground as she rushed out.

Two daggers were already in her hands at some point.

"Stop!"

Jiang Xiaoyu gave a coquettish shout, her body swift, and in the blink of an eye she was behind the young nobleman.

Before the young nobleman could turn around, hearing only a few "si-la" sounds, his expensive robe was torn into several rags, revealing the embroidered mandarin-duck-playing-in-water undergarments underneath—ridiculous and disheveled.

The young nobleman was so frightened his soul left his body; he plopped onto the ground and couldn't speak for a while.

Jiang Xiaoyu coldly stared at him, dagger at his throat, and said in a cold voice:

"In broad daylight, you dare to be so reckless! If you dare to act rashly again, I'll take your dog's life!"