Perhaps even Hua Rongjian couldn’t clearly define his intentions. If it was to gain power and avenge Chu Dingjiang, how could he reconcile that with all he had enjoyed as part of the Hua family in recent years? His father had treated him as a legitimate son, and whether his stepmother was aware or not, reflecting on their interactions, Hua Rongjian couldn’t deny her genuine care for him.
Changing his current good fortune for the sake of a concubine mother would be unwise. However, she was still his birth mother, and he couldn’t simply ignore this fact.
Understanding Hua Rongjian’s feelings, Chu Dingjiang couldn’t accurately answer An Jiu’s question. He only said, “As long as there are common interests, even enemies can become allies.”
An Jiu asked, “What if he wants to take revenge on you?”
So that was her concern! Chu Dingjiang smiled and asked, “If he seeks revenge, how do you plan to respond?”
An Jiu’s usually expressionless face slowly crumpled.
“I won’t let you face that day,” Chu Dingjiang patted her head. “Go find Wu Lingyuan.”
He knew An Jiu didn’t have many friends. Though she often verbally mocked others, appearing arrogant, she valued and cherished relationships deeply. If Hua Rongjian truly sought revenge against Chu Dingjiang, although she would certainly choose Chu Dingjiang’s side, she wouldn’t be able to harm Hua Rongjian.
“What do you mean?” An Jiu asked, still worried. “You can’t control whether he seeks revenge or not.”
“Do I seem like someone who’s easily killed?” Chu Dingjiang fiddled with the narcissus he had recently started growing. “Go quickly and come back soon.”
“Alright, I’ll be back later,” An Jiu waved the human-faced pendant, indicating she had to deal with the bounty list matter that evening.
“Mm.” Chu Dingjiang appeared unconcerned, adding a fur coat for her before seeing her off from the porch.
Once she was out of sight, Chu Dingjiang returned inside, sat cross-legged on the low couch, and began stroking Da Jiu’s fur.
Da Jiu fawningly approached, gently resting its large head on Chu Dingjiang’s knee, eyes narrowed in apparent bliss. In its mind, this man was its meal ticket, and it had to stay close!
“Hmm…” Chu Dingjiang pondered for a moment, then suddenly rose to retrieve his dark cloak from behind the screen.
His sudden movement caused his knee to bump Da Jiu’s chin, leaving the tiger momentarily dazed.
“Let’s go,” Chu Dingjiang said, already wrapped up tightly, bending down to pat Da Jiu’s head.
An Jiu had gone far, and Chu Dingjiang couldn’t track her, but Da Jiu could accurately locate her position no matter where she was.
Uncle Chu felt conflicted. He thought he had become a man without ambition. He couldn’t become a clingy shadow, never leaving An Jiu’s side. However, after much deliberation, he still couldn’t rest easy with An Jiu going out alone. Surely there was no problem in secretly following her!
Dragging the dazed Da Jiu along, man and tiger followed her off the island.
Not knowing Wu Lingyuan’s residence, An Jiu first went to the Hua mansion to find Hua Rongjian.
Their departure by letter had left Hua Rongjian dejected for quite some time. Seeing her return to seek him out, he suppressed his excitement. Sipping wine in the warm pavilion, he said coolly, “So you do have some conscience after all.”
An Jiu automatically ignored this meaningless remark and sat down unceremoniously. She got straight to the point, “I’m here mainly to ask about Wu Lingyuan’s whereabouts.”
“Wu Lingyuan?” Hua Rongjian snorted. “What do you want with him?”
An Jiu considered for a moment and decided to share her plan. After all, Hua Rongjian was the one behind Wu Lingyuan. He would find out sooner or later. “I heard he’s been troubled recently. I have a mutually beneficial proposal I’d like to discuss with him.”
Hua Rongjian raised an eyebrow with interest. An Jiu wasn’t one for scheming. This “mutually beneficial” plan was likely the idea of that cunning Chu Dingjiang by her side. He had to be cautious. “Well, let’s hear it.”
An Jiu nodded, “You and Wu Lingyuan are birds of a feather. I might as well tell you.”
Hua Rongjian frowned, “That’s not how you use that phrase! We’re good friends!”
“It’s pretty much the same meaning. As a man, don’t nitpick over small details. It’s not good,” An Jiu advised sincerely. Without giving him a chance to retort, she continued, “Have him request to be sent to Hejian Prefecture. I’ll bring people to protect him. In return, once he’s in office, he’ll provide some positions for city guards.”
Hua Rongjian’s expression turned serious. “You want to create an army? Is this your idea or Chu Dingjiang’s?”
“He’s planning to retire at home. Of course, it’s my idea,” An Jiu said.
“Retire?” Hua Rongjian didn’t believe it. “He’s only in his twenties. What retirement? He’s just fooling you!”
As he said this, he completely forgot that he had just mentally labeled Chu Dingjiang as “cunning and crafty.”
An Jiu frowned, “Can’t you think more positively? He’s at home playing with birds and walking tigers. How could he have time for these matters!”
“Pfft!” Hua Rongjian couldn’t help but laugh loudly. “Playing with birds?”
“Let’s be serious,” An Jiu said sternly.
“Alright, alright! Let’s be serious!” Hearing that Chu Dingjiang was at home playing with birds inexplicably improved Hua Rongjian’s mood. “I’ve thought about it, and it is indeed a good plan. Come on, I’ll take you to meet him!”
Jokes aside, Hua Rongjian was efficient in handling serious matters. He immediately ordered a carriage to be prepared.
The carriage stopped at the second gate. Hua Rongjian boarded first, then turned back to offer his hand to help An Jiu up.
An Jiu looked up at his handsome profile, his smile was as dazzling as sunlight, yet as cold as early spring. She no longer yearned for this version of Hua Rongjian. “I can get up myself.”
“Alright,” he withdrew his hand and entered the carriage first, showing no sign of embarrassment.
They had shared a carriage several times before. “Riding with you always makes me a bit uneasy,” he said.
An Jiu looked at him, silently questioning.
“Don’t you remember how we fought?” Hua Rongjian reminisced, feeling nostalgic about his mindset back then.
“Hmph,” An Jiu sighed and educated him on the correct worldview. “You, a fourth-rank martial artist, fighting with a woman without internal energy – what’s there to be uneasy about? Your psychology has become a bit warped recently. Don’t doubt me; I’m very experienced in this area.”
Hua Rongjian was left speechless for a moment.
“Also, Chu Dingjiang isn’t as bad as you think. How much do you know about what happened back then?” An Jiu asked.
Hua Rongjian’s expression turned cold. “He killed someone. What else is there to understand?”
“From what I know, he only went to talk with your birth mother about your future. Your mother chose to pave a bright future for you,” An Jiu said.
It had happened over a decade ago, and very few clues remained. Hua Rongjian had spent considerable effort to uncover just a bit of information. This was the first time he had heard this version. “So she… chose to commit suicide herself?”