Mao Zhongcai stared into Feng Jiu’er’s eyes, his whole being seeming to sink into them.

Mao Linye, however, took a light sip of tea and said calmly, “No need to clean up. Come here and serve.”

His tone was light, his volume low, yet it carried a sense of absolute authority that left no room for argument.

Indeed — the elder brother really was the more formidable of the two.

Just now, outside, Feng Jiu’er had already gathered roughly this much: though these two brothers shared the same father, they’d been treated very differently.

Mao Zhongcai had inherited the family’s entire fortune — the kind of wealth that, so long as he didn’t ruin himself through his own foolishness, would last him a lifetime.

As for Mao Linye, likely lacking any formal standing, he had been exiled to this once-godforsaken place after his mother’s death.

Would anyone still call Sealed Harbor Town a godforsaken backwater now?

For a mere town to rival a full city — this was the only place where that held true.

Rumor had it that Mao Linye had built brothels, sold illicit drugs, and even took money to have people killed — there seemed to be nothing he wouldn’t do for profit.

No matter how clever or capable a person might be, if they didn’t walk a righteous path, they didn’t deserve respect.

Feng Jiu’er turned her head slightly, and in her lowered eyes was a look of wary fear mixed with deep respect.

Such an expression had been entirely absent when she looked at Mao Zhongcai.

Mao Zhongcai frowned, and the hand gripping her arm withdrew on its own.

As Feng Jiu’er stood and walked toward Mao Linye, she clearly sensed something off in the energy of the person behind her.

“Come, you serve the boss — and serve him well, understand?” The Madam placed the wine jug in her hand into Feng Jiu’er’s grip.

Feng Jiu’er walked around and knelt down on the other side of Mao Linye.

Directly across from her sat Mao Zhongcai.

“Boss, good day to you!” Feng Jiu’er looked up at Mao Linye.

“Afraid of me?” Mao Linye reached out and rubbed Feng Jiu’er’s head.

Feng Jiu’er shrank back slightly, then straightened her small back again. “The Madam said the boss would treat me well. I’m not afraid.”

As soon as she finished speaking, the corners of Feng Jiu’er’s mouth curved into a faint smile as she raised the jug and poured wine for Mao Linye.

Was it just her imagination, or did it feel like Mao Linye was doing this deliberately, for Mao Zhongcai to see?

So — was it because Mao Linye knew Mao Zhongcai had taken a liking to her that he was willing to pay such a heavy price to buy her, and had even unconditionally agreed to the seven-day arrangement?

Feng Jiu’er finished pouring a full cup, her peripheral vision sweeping briefly over Mao Zhongcai, and when she looked up at Mao Linye, her eyes were filled with admiration.

“Boss, will you treat Xiaoxiao well?” she asked, with a touch of fear and a touch of longing.

“You go by Xiaoxiao?” Mao Linye rubbed Feng Jiu’er’s head again.

Seated in his chair, he only needed to raise a hand to easily reach the top of Feng Jiu’er’s head.

“Mm-hm.” Feng Jiu’er nodded. “Boss, the Madam said that if I’m very clean, you’ll make me your concubine, is that right?”

“Xiaoxiao is very clean — no man has ever even touched my hand. Seven days from now will be Xiaoxiao’s sixteenth birthday. Will the boss take me in then?”

Part of what Feng Jiu’er said was, of course, meant for Mao Linye to hear — the seven days had been promised, and she hoped this man wouldn’t renege!

Otherwise, she certainly wouldn’t sit idly and wait for whatever came.

As for the claim about her hand never having been touched by a man — that was her deliberately provoking Mao Zhongcai, this beast who wouldn’t even spare a twelve-year-old girl.

Mao Linye’s lips curved slightly as he extended a slender finger toward Feng Jiu’er’s upturned little face.

Feng Jiu’er stared at the man’s hand, finding it thoroughly disgusting.

Just as she was thinking of a way to dodge it, the man across from her suddenly stood up.

“This girl — I want her!” Mao Zhongcai declared, as though announcing something momentous.

Mao Linye glanced up at him and withdrew his long arm.

The faint, fleeting smile that flashed across his face was still caught by Feng Jiu’er.

Indeed — Mao Linye hadn’t actually taken a liking to her. Keeping her here was probably just so he could use her to bargain with Mao Zhongcai.

Feng Jiu’er had no idea whether what came next would work in her favor or against it.

But she was very certain of one thing: the discord between Mao Linye and Mao Zhongcai would definitely work in their favor when it came to attacking Sealed Harbor Town.

“Second Brother, do you understand what you’re saying?” Mao Linye asked in a low voice.

There was a hint of displeasure in his tone.

But whether it was genuine displeasure or simply an act, only the man himself truly knew.

“Elder Brother, I’ll give you ten thousand taels — let this girl go to me.” Mao Zhongcai stared unblinkingly at Feng Jiu’er’s lowered head.

The Madam’s heart gave a lurch.

A thousand taels had just changed hands, and now suddenly ten thousand — she’d made nine thousand taels in the blink of an eye. Was she really this lucky today?

Mao Linye’s lips curved slightly as he raised three fingers.

Mao Zhongcai happened to catch sight of the gesture, and his gaze immediately fixed on it.

He looked at the three fingers Mao Linye had raised and clenched his teeth hard. “Thirty thousand taels, then! I’ll take her tonight!”

Hearing Mao Zhongcai’s words, Feng Jiu’er couldn’t help but frown.

Wait a minute — she’d never said she’d go with him.

And saying he “wanted” her — had this pig even bothered to ask for her opinion?

Feng Jiu’er didn’t look up, her head nearly pressed against her chest.

“Thirty thousand troops.” Mao Linye said flatly.

“Thirty thousand troops?” Mao Zhongcai stared at Mao Linye, his eyes going wide.

Not just him — no one else in the room had expected this either.

Feng Jiu’er quietly swallowed. Thirty thousand troops — was she really worth that much?

Well! She was, actually. For her sake, the Ninth Imperial Uncle had given up an entire empire — she was plenty valuable.

Qiao Mu and Gong Xinyue exchanged a glance, both startled.

Though, they weren’t truly that startled — they were just putting on an act.

Hearing that their “little sister” was worth so much, if they’d shown absolutely no reaction at all, that would have looked far too suspicious.

“Elder Brother, you’re not joking with me, are you?” Mao Zhongcai’s brow furrowed tightly.

“I never joke.” Mao Linye withdrew his gaze and picked up his wine cup again, drinking.

He finished the wine in his cup and set it down on the table. “Xiaoxiao.”

Feng Jiu’er snapped back to attention and straightened her back once more.

But she looked at no one, and even the hands pouring the wine trembled slightly.

For a mere girl to hear she was worth so much — such a reaction was only natural.

Mao Linye seemed quite satisfied with Feng Jiu’er’s reaction, his large hand gently landing on the back of hers, patting it.

Feng Jiu’er’s hands stiffened, but she took a deep breath and continued lifting the wine jug slightly, filling the cup.

“Th—that’s enough.” She weakly forced out a few words, stepped back, lowered her head, and knelt there without moving.

Of course, Mao Zhongcai hadn’t missed the exchange between Feng Jiu’er and Mao Linye either. He stared at the hand Mao Linye had used to touch hers, his brow furrowing even tighter.

“Elder Brother, I really do like this girl. I’ve already lowered myself to beg you like this — can’t you just let her go to me?”

When Mao Linye looked up, his large hand naturally reached over to rub Feng Jiu’er’s small head.

He looked at Mao Zhongcai and said, “Give up thirty thousand troops, and I’ll consider it.”

—