This woman had asked him to safeguard her money, and though he could not say why, Nanmen Xu felt his mood lift, just a tiny bit.

“You’re giving all your money to me, and you’re not afraid I’ll simply take it and never return it?”

There was no promissory note or any such thing. If he walked off with it, it would be truly gone — even if she went to the authorities, she would have no evidence.

“With a character like yours, too upright to steal even from a manure bucket — why would I be afraid of you?”

Feng Jiu’er pressed her lips together, looking entirely unimpressed.

Nanmen Xu shot her a glare. He had thought she would say something about trusting him — who could have known that from a dog’s mouth, one cannot expect ivory tusks.

“Try stealing from a manure bucket yourself!” He snorted coldly.

Feng Jiu’er was taken aback. She had not expected this thick-headed fellow to actually talk back. My, my — there was hope for him yet.

But then again… who would ever steal from a manure bucket? How revolting.

Truly, whoever invented that expression to describe someone being honest — what honest person would steal from a manure bucket while carrying it?

The more she thought about it, the more revolting it became! She would never use that expression again!

“All right, all right — I trust you, is that good enough?”

Nanmen Xu did not want to dwell on it either. Looking at how scatter-brained and penniless the young woman was, she was indeed not suited to managing money.

With money on her, it could vanish at any moment. Come to think of it, it was better for him to keep it safe for her.

Kept with him, it was more secure — at least it would not be lost or casually spent.

“I’ve more or less settled on a location, and I’ve lined up quite a number of people as well. Now that there’s a bit of money, we can even aim for a better location.”

When it came to serious matters, Nanmen Xu was truly a capable person.

“You have a friend named Xing Zizhou? I’ve met with him a few times and talked about various things. His intelligence network is remarkably capable, but due to funding limitations, its scale is not very large.”

“You’ve even set your sights on Xing Zizhou?” Jiu’er was somewhat surprised.

“It is simply a matter of mutual benefit.” And it was only because Xing Zizhou was her friend. Had that connection not existed, Nanmen Xu would not have been quick to trust anyone enough to discuss such matters with them.

“Xing Zizhou is also very interested and wants to come along with me to select people. I only wanted to ask you — is this person trustworthy?”

Since Xing Zizhou was Feng Jiu’er’s friend, Nanmen Xu did not know him well. Jiu’er should know him better.

Feng Jiu’er nodded: “The Xing family followed the Long family with complete loyalty in those years. I trust Xing Zizhou’s character, and besides, though he is short on funds right now, his network of connections is very extensive. He would make an excellent partner for cooperation.”

“Understood. I’ll handle this myself. I’ll finalize the location and personnel as soon as possible, and when the time comes, you can come to do the final review.”

Feng Jiu’er was suddenly touched. Having a partner like this was simply effortless.

He had thought of everything and handled everything, leaving only the single most critical matter for her to review in person — just like having an all-round capable assistant!

“I’ll be in touch again soon. I’ll go first.” Nanmen Xu said his goodbye and turned to leave.

“Wait — have you eaten breakfast?” Just now he had clearly been walking quickly when he arrived, as though he had just come back from outside.

Nanmen Xu paused slightly, and shook his head: “I’ll eat the evening meal and noon meal together.”

“No wonder you’ve grown so thin.” Jiu’er felt a pang of conscience. He had truly worked hard for her sake.

“I brought some pastries back from outside. If you don’t mind, have some first.”

…

Under the gazebo, Nanmen Xu sat at the stone table, washing the pastries down with the little water left in his canteen.

Though they were packed to go, the pastries were very delicately made — far superior to what he usually ate.

Seeing how well Feng Jiu’er usually ate and how finely she lived, Nanmen Xu felt at ease.

He truly did not know what was in his own heart. Originally, he should have disliked her, yet she was to be his future wife.

Having spent this time around her, he no longer disliked her. But to say he had feelings for her — that too was likely not the case.

The current Feng Jiu’er was like a responsibility to Nanmen Xu. She had not yet officially entered his household, and yet — she was decided upon, and decided was decided.

Regardless of feelings, it was a responsibility. Since it was a responsibility, one who would be her future husband naturally hoped she ate well, dressed well, and lived well.

Only when she was well could Nanmen Xu feel he had fulfilled his duty.

“Right — about the Emperor’s recent deposition of the Empress…” Feng Jiu’er paused, then continued: “Has that affair had much of an impact on the Nanmen family? Has it affected you?”

Nanmen Xu glanced sideways at her, aware she was showing concern for him. A small warmth stirred in his heart.

“There has been some impact, but I have never held much standing within the Nanmen family, so the effect is not great. At most, those above are in a poor mood, and daily life has to be lived a bit more carefully.”

He swallowed down a piece of pastry, took a few casual sips of water, then continued: “Don’t worry. Even though I have no accomplishments to speak of yet, I won’t let you suffer hardship.”

“…” This thick-headed fellow — how many times had she said it, and still he couldn’t get it straight.

“We are only friends — right now, business partners. As for that betrothal, I have truly never taken it seriously.”

Feng Jiu’er’s words, Nanmen Xu did not take seriously either. She was still young and did not understand the sanctity of marriage.

Once he made up his mind, he would never change it — he would not take another wife, nor would he take concubines.

A union should be for one lifetime, two people alone. If there were others added to that, there would inevitably be someone destined to be hurt — just as his own mother had been.

His mother had spent her entire life shrouded in melancholy. That loneliness and pain — Nanmen Xu would never allow his wife to endure the same.

And so, once they were married, he would be forever faithful to his wife. He would never be of two hearts!

Not wishing to continue the topic, Nanmen Xu redirected: “The deposition of the Empress has had considerable impact on the Nanmen family. My father and my grandfather seem to have had some disagreements recently.”

“Disagreements?” Feng Jiu’er twirled the fallen petal that had drifted onto her hand.

“My father is unwilling to follow the arrangements my aunt has made. He has his own plans. But grandfather has always indulged my aunt, so the two of them argue from time to time.”

Normally, such matters should not be spoken to outsiders. But Feng Jiu’er was to be his wife in the future — in other words, she would become one of the Nanmen family.

Since they were one family, there was nothing between husband and wife that needed to be kept secret.

Jiu’er, of course, had no idea what he was thinking. Her brows furrowed lightly as her thoughts turned to Nanmen Ye and his eldest son Nanmen Ding.

From the looks of things, Nanmen Ding had his own ideas, while Nanmen Ye cared only about doting on his daughter.

But this Nanmen Ye was quite a peculiar person. In this era, most families would favor their own legitimate eldest son — yet Nanmen Ye seemed to care only about protecting his daughter.

No wonder Nanmen Ding had his own ideas. It would be strange if he did not.

Jiu’er looked at Nanmen Xu, opening her mouth as though to speak, then hesitating.

“Since I have opened this topic with you, ask whatever you wish to know.” Nanmen Xu looked at her with composure. “Though I hold little standing and carry little weight within the Nanmen family, so I may not be able to answer all your questions.”