Chapter 446

The evening mountain breeze brushed past, and the courtyard fell into complete silence.

Lv Jing shifted her gaze left to look at Gu Xixi, then turned right to look at Zhang Shen.

On the way home, Gu Xixi said that once they got back she would lay everything out, and told Lv Jing to cooperate according to the situation.

Especially if Zhang Shen got angry, she should help by saying more nice things.

Lv Jing naturally agreed earnestly.

But what is this situation before her eyes?

Zhang Shen said nothing, showed no anger, just stared blankly at Gu Xixi, as if she hadn't understood a word of what she said.

This left Lv Jing feeling uncertain, and for a moment she dared not speak to break the silence.

And Gu Xixi, having concealed this for so long, was naturally guilty.

She cleared her throat, about to admit her mistake voluntarily.

Then she heard Zhang Shen burst out laughing loudly, 'What? That Gu family up there is you?'

She slapped her thigh, laughing until she doubled over, and said, 'If you want to amuse Aunt, you need a more plausible story!'

'Although our Xixi is worthy of that enviable Miss Gu, can our little Mu possibly be the Regent Prince?'

'How could that be! We've never taken in another little Mu, hahaha...'

Gu Xixi grew a bit anxious, 'Aunt, I'm not teasing you, I'm telling the truth!'

Zhang Shen looked at Gu Xixi, paused for a moment, then couldn't hold back and burst out laughing.

'My good girl, don't make trouble.'

She thought perhaps she had been too hard on the child, and spoke with indulgence and heartache:

'I know you don't want to marry right now; Aunt promises not to press you anymore.'

'But don't use this excuse to coax me, ah.'

Having said that, Zhang Shen couldn't help laughing again, turned and walked while saying:

'You two rest; I'll go knead the risen dough again—hand‑pulled noodles need to be kneaded until risen to be chewy and delicious!'

Gu Xixi and Lv Jing silently watched Zhang Shen laugh until her stomach hurt, one hand supporting her lower back, she walked into the kitchen groaning 'ouch, ouch'.

The two turned to look at each other, their expressions complex.

Gu Xixi said, 'Why, even though I've told the truth, do you still not believe me?'

She frowned in confusion, 'Lv Jing, am I really that bad in Aunt's eyes?'

'Why won't you believe I am that Gu family?'

Lv Jing said softly, 'No, I think in Zhang Shen's eyes you are more than worthy of any heavenly immortal.'

'What she meant just now, I heard… was that the unworthy one is… the Regent Prince.'

Gu Xixi's mouth twitched, her eyes devoid of hope.

Considering she could not prove to Zhang Shen that Mu Nan Zhao was the Regent Prince himself, Gu Xixi reluctantly gave up.

'Forget it, we'll take things one step at a time; we'll surely get to know each other properly later.'

Border, west side of Dependents Village.

Mu Nan Zhao and Huo Jiang entered a somewhat dilapidated little house.

The door was already open; an elderly woman stood inside with hands crossed, bowing her head in salute.

Looking further behind her, Yina sat upright on a bamboo-and-wooden cool bench.

Her abdomen was noticeably swollen, yet it in no way diminished her present bearing.

Huo Jiang laughed, he spoke to Mu Nan Zhao while his eyes fixed on Yina:

'It seems they anticipated our visit and have prepared everything.'

Seeing the guests, Yina had no intention of rising to greet them.

'You two are honored guests, but unfortunately, in this place I cannot presently offer anything for hospitality.'

'Please have a seat.'

On the ground were two notched square stools, a bit wobbly but still usable.

Mu Nan Zhao and Huo Jiang sat down without hesitation.

Huo Jiang, who always liked to keep the initiative, spoke up directly, 'Since everything is out in the open.'

'Why not talk about cooperation directly?'

……

Qing Tian County, fields outside the city.

Chen Dafu and the others were helping to transport the grain, while Tao Aunt and Wu Niangzi were in charge of overseeing the grain shop clerks' process and checking the weight.

Lv Jing took the ledger and brush to do the accounting and record.

Shopkeeper Liao came to collect the grain as agreed, bringing his own assistants, carters, and ten large wagons.

He grabbed a handful of the newly threshed wheat, pinched it in his hand and gave it a twist, first looking, then smelling.

Then he picked up a grain of wheat, tossed it into his mouth, and chewed for a moment.

After such an inspection, Shopkeeper Liao broke into a satisfied smile and said cheerfully:

'I trust Boss Gu; there's no need to check the rest.'

'Although we've had a bumper year and grain prices are trending downward, we're old friends—let's stick to the price we previously agreed on, how about that?'

Since Gu Xixi was shipping a large batch today, she naturally knew the current grain prices in her mind.

Although the Imperial Court had reduced taxes, it still needed to purchase military grain locally in the northwest to supply the Northwest Army.

With such huge demand, grain—especially fine grain—could not possibly drop in price in the short term.

Fortunately, Gu Xixi had dealt with Shopkeeper Liao for a long time, knowing he harbored no ill intent, at most being a merchant with a smooth tongue.

She didn't let it bother her, saying half-jokingly, "If you find the price difficult, Shopkeeper Liao, there's no need to insist."

"Then I'll unload my wheat from the cart and find another buyer."

Shopkeeper Liao startled, felt bitter inside, put on an apologetic smile, and said, "Gu Xixi just loves to joke!"

"Thirty bags are already loaded on the cart; unloading them now would be, even if I, old Shopkeeper Liao, deserve it for my sharp tongue, and Boss Gu Xixi is kind-hearted, seeing how hard my workers have worked, it wouldn't be right to really make them unload again."

Gu Xixi, seeing it was good enough, smiled and said nothing.

Shopkeeper Liao hastily waved his hand, urging his workers and the carters to load the cart a bit faster, as if afraid Gu Xixi might change her mind and not sell.

This batch of wheat was fully loaded onto the cart.

Shopkeeper Liao's accounts recorded the weight and number of bags, which matched exactly with the ledger in Lv Jing's hands, without the slightest discrepancy.

Gu Xixi took the banknote from Shopkeeper Liao, checked the seal and anti-counterfeit marks—all correct—smiled, put it away, and cupped her hands, saying:

"Thank you, Shopkeeper Liao, for patronizing my business."

Shopkeeper Liao returned the salute with a chuckle, "Each to each, we look after one another and support each other."

The purchasing trip was settled; Shopkeeper Liao relaxed and wanted to chat with Gu Xixi to get closer.

"In such a short time, Boss Gu Xixi's development speed far surpasses mine."

"Looking back, when I first met Boss Gu, he himself drove the cart, selling grain in small amounts."

"Now, in the blink of an eye, you've become a major grain producer, and we merchants come to your door to purchase."

Gu Xixi smiled, "I have no choice, how can I compare to Shopkeeper Liao's great family and business?"

"With so much labor and so many transport vehicles, I couldn't produce them."

Lv Jing watched on, fascinated, thinking, "Is this what Xixi meant by 'mutual business praise'?"

Study, study, note the key points.

Shopkeeper Liao laughed heartily a few times, "Ah! It's the skill of the helpers that matters, not their number."

"Gu Xixi's former female strategist by her side was already formidable, and now this one—"

He looked at Lv Jing, "I've never seen her before; is she a new hire of Boss Gu?"

Lv Jing cupped her hands openly, "Lv Jing, I am indeed the new hire of the host; sometimes Boss Liao hasn't seen me before."

Shopkeeper Liao's eyes showed admiration, "Impressive!"

"Not long after arriving, she can keep accounts quickly and well, without mistakes."