Chapter 202

He Jinglan blinked, then brightened: "You mean… turn their scheme against them?"

Gu Xixi smiled, "Or maybe it's a long line to catch a big fish."

He Jinglan unhappily said, "So we were basically worrying for nothing."

Gu Xixi said, "Not entirely for nothing."

She looked at Meng Daniangzi, "At least we confirmed with Elder Sister Meng that those people aren't ordinary bandits out for profit."

"If that's the case, the rest isn't our concern; someone else will worry about it."

Zhenyu Workshop had been open in the county town for two years, business thriving, finances ample.

Even if they hide their talents in the city, their methods are sufficiently clever.

But they are up against Huo Jiang and the Northwest Army.

Since the previous magistrate died, the whole Northwest appears calm on the surface, but in reality it's already an iron barrel.

Those eyeing He Jinglan may already have been spotted first by the Northwest Army.

In the end, who is the mantis and who is the sparrow?

As for this struggle, Gu Xixi would rather not be involved at all.

She laughed and said, "So doing nothing is actually the best."

"Lest we mess up someone else's plan and add chaos."

He Jinglan nodded and said, "You mean… we might have been used?"

"Unknowingly turned into bait??"

Gu Xixi's face showed difficulty, "This…"

Right now there's no chance to verify it, so we can only treat ourselves as bait.

Rather than guessing and causing ourselves trouble, we might as well devote this energy to something useful.

Gu Xixi cleared her throat, changed the subject, "Later we'll go shopping; it's your first time in Qing Tian County—what do you want to buy, where do you want to go?"

He Jinglan, who loves to play, indeed began to think seriously.

"First, let's stroll the streets; I heard Shitou say this main street in the county is very lively."

"I also want to buy tasty snacks!"

"I haven't bought new clothes in ages; made-to-order would take too long now, so let's hit the ready‑made shop!"

……

Meng Daniangzi sipped her tea calmly, smiling at the two girls.

Earlier, after Gu Xixi and He Jinglan wrapped up their conversation, Meng Daniangzi only half‑understood, but she had no desire to dig deeper.

She only needed to confirm two points: first, the premeditated kidnapping posed no threat to Gu Xixi and He Jinglan.

Second, someone seated at the top will handle it.

The rest is none of her concern; as an ordinary merchant she needn't worry about it.

Gu Xixi has many things to purchase on this trip; after returning to the village today, she and her family won't leave Flower Pool Ford Village for a short while.

Because of her close ties with Meng Daniangzi, after leaving the teahouse and walking onto the street, Gu Xixi still gave a solemn reminder:

"Elder Sister Meng, please quickly inventory the shop over the next two days and bring the valuable goods back home."

"Better yet, don't open the shop; stock up enough food, drink, and necessities for the whole family."

"If you hear any disturbance outside, be sure to shut the doors tightly and keep everyone inside."

Meng Daniangzi said she had never heard any special rumors about Zhenyu Workshop.

If this place is a hidden stronghold, it suggests it had been lying low beforehand.

Their sudden action now also indirectly proves that great turmoil is imminent.

Yet what surprised Gu Xixi was that when Meng Daniangzi looked at her, her expression seemed utterly unsurprised.

"Don't hide it from you—earlier, Chengping wrote me saying I must close Zhenbaoge in ten days, take Qinger back to our ancestral home in the countryside to lie low."

"Although I don't know why, Chengping specifically said so; there must be her reason."

"So I've readied the home and shop, and the servants will each return to their own families; we're just waiting till tomorrow morning to leave."

Gu Xixi and He Jinglan exchanged a glance.

Gu Xixi invited, "Since Meng Daniangzi is already prepared, why not come with me today to stay at my home for a few days?"

Meng Daniangzi, who dislikes causing trouble, politely declined, "No need; someone's looking after the old country house, and everything we need is already there."

He Jinglan also said, "Elder Sister Meng, we're not at ease with you taking the child back to the countryside alone."

"It would be better if we all stayed together at Xixi's home, so we can look out for each other."

Meng Daniangzi, thinking of her daughter's safety, was still persuaded.

"All right, then Qinger and I will impose on you."

So Meng Daniangzi went back to pack her things, while Gu Xixi and He Jinglan went shopping.

They agreed that later Gu Xixi would drive the cart to the Meng residence to pick them up.

Gu Xixi skillfully drove the mule cart, and He Jinglan leaned against her back to speak, "Now our household will be even livelier; Qinger can play with Shitou."

Gu Xixi chuckled, "Those two have known each other for a while; the two little ones haven't seen each other in ages—they're surely delighted."

He Jinglan lamented again, "It's all Mu Nan Zhao's fault for insisting on locking a door! Otherwise the west wing would be perfect for Meng Daniangzi and her daughter."

Lately, whenever the word "lock" is mentioned, Gu Xixi can't help but grit her teeth.

She paused, then said, "No problem; tonight let Zhang Shen bring Shitou to sleep in my room."

"Me, you, Elder Sister Meng, and Qinger—we'll sleep on the big kang in the main hall."

Heh heh, does that mutt think locking a door can stump her?

Anyway, there are always more solutions than difficulties!

He Jinglan thought for a moment, then said, "The matter of Zhenyu Workshop, we also cannot rely entirely on others."

"I'll go back and send a message to the Shadow Guards, letting them enter the village to stand guard."

Gu Xixi said, "Mm, I was also about to tell you this."

"But tonight let me first greet Master Liu,"

"Otherwise your people might not be able to enter the village, and then we could end up fighting among ourselves first."

He Jinglan blinked, "Master Liu? One of our own?"

Both being teachers at the village school, she sees Master Liu every day and often discusses teaching and educating; they are quite old acquaintances.

After a moment, He Jinglan finally reacted, "You mean Master Liu is a Mu…"

Gu Xixi said, "Exactly what you're thinking."

He Jinglan frowned, "This Master Liu hides himself quite deeply."

"I treated him as half a teacher, truly not enough loyalty!"

Gu Xixi laughed, "He's also doing work for others, having no choice; try to understand."

Now Gu Xixi's household, which originally consisted of just her and Zhang Shen, has grown to eight people.

The household's grain stores are more than sufficient, and vegetables and fruits can be self-sufficient.

But other supplies must be stocked up more.

Side foods, seasonings, snack snacks, plus necessities like needle, thread, tooth powder, flour, and grease.

The donkey cart went half a street, loading half a cart's worth of goods.

Finally, with time left, Gu Xixi stopped the cart outside the clothing store.

Upon entering the clothing store, He Jinglan's bearing as a young lady immediately showed.

"This one, this one, and also this…"

"This set of traditional Chinese dress, Xixi, you'll definitely look good in it; the fabric is also cool, and this color suits you…"

"Zhang Shen and Lao Langzhong's summer clothes also need two new sets."

"Shitou is growing; do you have children's clothing?"

The shopkeeper followed behind He Jinglan, smiling so wide he couldn't close his mouth, and even called over the assistants.

Several people held in their arms full of the clothing He Jinglan had selected.