Chapter 1248

Zhao Kang not only barked orders at her, he abused her; Tian Yulan hated this man with all her heart.

"I absolutely will not let you destroy my happiness!" Tian Yulan clenched her fists and snarled inwardly.

Tian Jiao rented a courtyard near the government office and visited the office every other day.

She did not know about the affairs of the Guogong Prefecture.

She had only heard that Zhao Kang had taken another concubine—a seductive fox—who spent her days luring her father.

Her mother had vanished somewhere, always out of sight.

Tian Jiao worried about her mother, but she dared not search for her, lest she anger Zhao Kang.

Today, she came as usual to the government office to handle duties.

In the main hall of the office, Tian Jiao sat upright, carefully reviewing the Juan Sect records.

Suddenly, she heard footsteps beside her.

"Lady Tian," came a respectful, soft voice.

Tian Jiao looked up and saw Ximen Wudi bowing to her.

Tian Jiao froze: "What are you doing here?"

Ximen Wudi smiled: "I've come to report the progress of the case to Lady Tian."

Tian Jiao frowned: "You've already reported everything you needed to."

Implicitly: there's nothing more to report—please leave.

But Ximen Wudi said: "I've uncovered something interesting—let me share it with you, my lord."

Tian Jiao raised an eyebrow: "For example?"

Ximen Wudi said: "Surely you know who my maternal great-uncle is?"

Tian Jiao nodded: "I've heard of him."

Ximen Wudi continued: "Five years ago, my maternal great-uncle passed away. Before his death, he wrote a letter, entrusting it to my father to deliver to you, urging you to care for his orphaned descendants."

Tian Jiao blinked: "You mean Ximen Wudi's uncle?"

Ximen Wudi: "Yes."

Tian Jiao frowned: "But Ximen Wudi's uncle already…"

Ximen Wudi: "Yes, my uncle is dead—but the relics he left behind are still usable."

Tian Jiao fell silent for a moment: "How many children did your uncle have?"

Ximen Wudi thought: "About seven or eight. My uncle had four legitimate sons and three illegitimate sons. The rest were nephews and cousins—male and female."

"So many?" Tian Jiao found it strange.

Ximen Wudi nodded: "Because the Qin family's fortune was immense, and the cousins all harbored ulterior motives, fighting over the inheritance."

Tian Jiao asked: "How can you be sure the relics your great-uncle left will help you? What if they're traps?"

Ximen Wudi smiled faintly: "I've already stepped into the traps—I'm just waiting for those beasts to jump in."

Hearing this, Tian Jiao's lips twitched briefly: "If you're aware, then find the relics quickly. I'm leaving."

She rose, picked up her medicine chest, and walked out.

"Wait," Ximen Wudi called after her. "My lord, my maternal great-uncle once asked me to look after you. I have something private I wish to tell you."

Tian Jiao hesitated, then nodded.

The two entered the side room, sat down, and Ximen Wudi pulled two tokens from his sleeve and handed them to Tian Jiao.

Tian Jiao blinked: "What are these?"

Ximen Wudi said: "These are the keys to the Qin family's trading houses. They were a gift from your late maternal great-uncle."

"For me?" Tian Jiao stared blankly—she had no memory of ever knowing Ximen Wudi's maternal great-uncle. And she didn't need money; she didn't need gifts.

Ximen Wudi smiled: "Don't you remember? My mother, on her deathbed, told me to treat you with utmost respect. You are my magistrate, my superior—how could I ever neglect you? If you refuse, you're saying I, this poor scholar, lack sincerity—and deliberately tormenting me!"

His words rang with righteous conviction, leaving Tian Jiao no way to refuse.

After a moment's hesitation, Tian Jiao reached out and took the keys: "Fine. But I don't owe you anything."

Ximen Wudi's smile was clear: "No rush—we'll take our time."

Tian Jiao nodded and left the government office.

She returned home, washed up, and rested.

As she lay down, a system voice suddenly echoed in her mind: "Host, you shouldn't have accepted this token—it contradicts the plot progression."

"What's wrong?" Tian Jiao asked.

The system said: "Shouldn't the world's mission be to change Tian Jiao's fate? Now that you've accepted her gift, the mission has changed."

Tian Jiao frowned: "What should I do?"

"You can return the token to Tian Yulan, letting her continue the mission—or alter the plot to prevent Tian Yulan from being with Ximen Wudi."

Tian Jiao sighed: "Why go far when it's this simple?"

The system was puzzled: "Do you have a better method?"

Tian Jiao shook her head.

Though the world's mission was simple, it involved several key NPCs from the original novel—these bosses must be eliminated, or Tian Jiao could never complete the task.

So this time, she decided to handle it herself.

She planned to ask Tian Yulan directly about the token.

Tian Yulan had just pretended ignorance, insisting she knew nothing of Ximen Wudi's identity.

Then she'd force her to confess the truth!

At noon the next day, Tian Yulan came deliberately beneath Tian Jiao's eaves.

"Ninth Sister, how are you feeling today?"

Tian Yulan asked with concern.

Tian Jiao glanced at her and said indifferently, "I'm fine. You don't need to come visit me."

Tian Yulan smiled awkwardly.

She pressed her lips together in a smile and said, "Ninth Sister, what's wrong with you today? Didn't you used to quite enjoy talking with me?"

"If you have something to say, say it straight out. I don't have time to chat with you." Tian Jiao was impatient.

Where is the 1067 account book?

Tian Yulan laughed awkwardly and said, "Ninth Sister, I didn't collect this month's regular allowance…"

Tian Jiao said, "If I remember correctly, your monthly allowance is thirty taels. Where is your account book? Take it out and let me have a look."

Tian Yulan hurriedly took out the account book.

"Here, this is your monthly allowance." Tian Yulan handed a thick stack of silver notes to Tian Jiao.

Tian Jiao took them, examined them carefully, and discovered that silver notes were actually mixed in among them.

"How could this be?" Tian Jiao frowned.

Tian Yulan lowered her head, her eyes darting: "I… my memory isn't very good. I remember clearly that every silver note had a different denomination. But now, I can only recall three hundred and sixty wen."

Ninth Sister, I must have remembered wrong. I'll go check it again…"

Having said that, she turned and ran.

Tian Jiao immediately chased after her: "Stop! I've told you to stay, don't even think about getting away!"

Tian Yulan stopped, looking at her timidly: "Ninth Sister, wh-what's wrong?"

Tian Jiao stared at her, her gaze sharp.

Tian Yulan was so frightened by her that her legs went weak. Thud—she dropped to her knees, trembling: "Ninth Sister, I'm sorry, I-I really didn't do it on purpose. I just couldn't remember clearly, that's why I mixed up the silver denominations…"

Tian Jiao said coldly, "I'm not blaming you, just reminding you to have a better memory in the future."

Tian Yulan breathed a sigh of relief: "Thank you, Ninth Sister. I'll definitely pay attention in the future."

Tian Jiao nodded: "Mm. I still have things to do, so I'll head back to my room first."

Tian Yulan hurriedly stood up, stepped back a few paces, and bowed.

Tian Jiao returned to her room. She placed the token into her bosom, preparing to bring it back to Tian Fu and hand it to Old Lady Tian.

——