“I see.” Qin Yining smiled and said, “Since Master Adachi is the first warrior beside the Daimyo, how could you fear such a minor character? Just give him a proper lesson and be done with it, to prevent him from always coming to bother you in the future.”

Adachi Manba laughed heartily, “You don’t know—I’m much older than him, and besides, I’m the first warrior. If I agreed to compete with him, wouldn’t that be bullying the weak? I don’t want to stoop to his level. Using your Southern Yan saying, this is called ‘a prime minister’s belly can punt a boat.'”

Qin Yining couldn’t help but admire him, “Master Adachi is truly learned and broad-minded. This humble woman admires you greatly.”

“Haha! You flatter me.”

Receiving the beauty’s praise, Adachi Manba became even more excited.

During this meal, Qin Yining didn’t eat much or say much, but Adachi Manba chattered endlessly to please the beauty, telling many true and false stories about matters big and small in Mizusawa Country.

After the meal, Adachi Manba simply took Qin Yining to personally conduct business, smoothly helping Qin Yining negotiate several deals both large and small. Of course, even though they didn’t speak the same language, Qin Yining could see that Adachi Manba was using his power to pressure people. Small merchants generally dared to be angry but not speak out.

Qin Yining grasped Adachi Manba’s vanity and gave timely praise. Later, when Qin Yining had grown impatient with playing false with this person but still had to patiently endure his company, she spoke very little, only casting adoring glances at appropriate moments.

But Adachi Manba felt they had made tremendous progress together, and he automatically interpreted Qin Yining’s looks as “tender and affectionate.”

When night fell, Adachi Manba smiled and asked, “It’s getting late. Why don’t Madam Yao stay temporarily at my mansion?”

As he made this invitation, his eyes burned as he looked at Qin Yining, filled with anticipation and excited, heated light.

The several people behind Qin Yining had long seen through Adachi Manba’s improper thoughts. Hearing him speak this way wasn’t surprising, but they still felt extremely angry.

Ji Yun cursed inwardly: If the Prince were here, would this fellow be allowed to chatter away? His head would have been twisted off and kicked like a ball long ago!

Qin Yining had also reached the end of her patience. She put on a tired expression and smiled, “Thank you for Master Adachi’s kind intention, but it would truly be inconvenient to disturb your mansion. This humble woman plans to return to the ship to rest.”

As she spoke, her lively eyes blinked once, and Adachi Manba immediately noticed the servants following behind her, feeling he had grasped the crux of the matter.

They had only met today for the first time, and she had so many people with her—it wasn’t convenient.

Adachi Manba didn’t persist, smiling and saying, “Then I’ll escort you back.”

“Sir has also been tired all day. How could I trouble you further?”

“It’s no trouble. You’re so beautiful—what if you encounter danger walking at night? I can only feel at ease with me by your side.”

Qin Yining ground her back teeth, but her face bloomed with a shy smile, “Actually, this humble woman doesn’t truly wish to show her face in public, but it’s for business, driven by life’s necessities. If I could sell off the silk I brought quickly, I could also relax and enjoy myself leisurely in this place.”

“Silk?” Adachi Manba instinctively responded. Silk was not something ordinary common people could afford. Even the most noble aristocrats might not be able to wear several sets of Yan Dynasty silk.

Qin Yining smiled, “Yes, among all the things I brought, silk is the most important. If I can’t sell the silk too, I won’t be at ease, and I’ll have no way to account to my husband when I return home.”

So this was her worry.

Adachi Manba felt their relationship had already made rapid progress, and the beauty throwing herself into his arms was just around the corner. Even if it was to gain more time to spend with her before she returned to her country, he should find a way to help her sell the silk.

Thinking of this, Adachi Manba said proudly, “Don’t worry. Tomorrow I’ll go see the Daimyo. The Daimyo has many beautiful concubines around him, and there are quite a few noble ladies in our Mizusawa Country. I’m sure they’ll all like the silk you brought. Of course, the prerequisite is that the price must be fair.”

Qin Yining stopped walking and looked at Adachi Manba with admiration, “That’s natural—the price will certainly be fair. Master Adachi, thank you so much.”

“Not at all, not at all.” Adachi Manba waved his hand smugly, “I’m the first warrior beside the Daimyo. These things are just a matter of one sentence from me. You can rest assured.”

Adachi Manba escorted Qin Yining back to the dock, and the two had another “reluctant parting” before Qin Yining returned to the tower ship.

Adachi Manba even turned back to instruct the port guards, “None of you may offend Madam Yao. Give her the greatest convenience.”

Fearing Qin Yining couldn’t understand, he turned around and told Qin Yining in Yan Dynasty language that he had arranged everything properly, earning another grateful smile from the beauty.

Only after Adachi Manba left contentedly did Qin Yining return to the ship’s cabin with an unchanged expression.

As soon as she entered, her expression immediately darkened as she spat, “A toad wanting to eat swan meat.”

“Exactly! That fellow’s thoughts are written all over his face. With just that, he still wants to court the Princess Consort—it’s simply wishful thinking!” Ji Yun angrily spat several times in succession.

Qin Yining said, “But fortunately, it’s exactly such a lecherous and bold creature that allowed our affairs to proceed so smoothly. If it were someone else, I couldn’t possibly have had the opportunity to meet the Daimyo so quickly.”

“So when the Princess Consort mentioned selling silk, it was to entice him to actively introduce you to the nobles?”

“Yes.” Qin Yining nodded.

Ji Dashun scratched his head, “But why didn’t the Princess Consort directly reveal her Southern Yan noble identity and directly request an audience with the Daimyo?”

“Analyzing the Daimyo’s past actions, this person should be sinister and cunning, having offended quite a few people. When encountering strangers from foreign countries requesting an audience, how would he immediately agree? Even if they met, his guard would be extremely heavy. Perhaps the moment I mentioned Sakurai, it would immediately provoke an attack from everyone.

“Moreover, I originally wanted to investigate what happened to Sakurai back then, but now I can see that what Master Liao investigated that day has been confirmed without error—he didn’t wrongly accuse Ishikawa Daimyo. Furthermore, seeing how Hirasawa Na hated Adachi Manba today, perhaps Adachi Manba also had his ‘contribution’ in this matter. I want to see Ishikawa Daimyo with my own eyes, confirm with him what his current thoughts are, then discuss Sakurai’s matter. At least when his guard isn’t so heavy, he won’t immediately resort to violence.”

Everyone nodded in understanding upon hearing this.

Gao Delai said, “That Hirasawa Na recognized me today.”

“Since he didn’t expose us on the spot, he probably wants to observe us. I think he’ll find an opportunity to come see you and inquire clearly.”

“What does the Alliance Leader mean?”

“Just tell the truth, except for my identity.”

Gao Delai immediately agreed, nodding, “I understand.”

Qin Yining, tired from the long day, washed up and went to rest.

When night fell deep and even the guards at the dock were snoring in their sleep, a black shadow quietly approached the tower ship.