When Young Master Wan and Manager Qiu reached the first floor, the main hall was bustling with voices, guests toasting each other. A glance around showed no sign of the person who had conducted business with them, demonstrating the Lu family’s cautious approach.

The two hurriedly left to rush back and prepare the silver.

Outside the restaurant, Huzi craned his neck to watch them depart, then returned to the building and went to a private room on the second floor.

“My lord, they’ve left.”

“Mm.” Pang Xiao grabbed a handful of peanuts, tossing them one by one to chew. “Their story matched my fabrication closely, so I used Young Master Lu’s approach from that day to deflect. In the end, we settled on five million taels of silver. I told them to send it to Manager Zhao at Guangqing Grain Store.”

Qin Yining was drinking tea when she paused slightly upon hearing this: “Guangqing County?”

“Yes. Didn’t the Azure Sky Alliance tell you they opened a grain store in Guangqing County? The store is newly opened with shallow roots. Thinking it over, if we need a location to receive this silver, we can only sacrifice one place. This time I’m afraid we’ll have to trouble them to relocate and reopen.”

When the Qiu family sends the silver, they’ll inevitably discover the imperial inspector candidate is wrong and might come looking.

Qin Yining considered: “In that case, I’ll explain to them. But I don’t have Jingzhe and the others with me. Like this—I’ll write a letter for you to have a trusted person deliver.”

Pang Xiao nodded: “You can dispose of that silver.”

Qin Yining paused, then understood. Pang Xiao was worried that having alliance members close their hard-established grain store on a whim was too overbearing and might not convince everyone. So he was letting her freely allocate the silver to compensate for the store’s losses.

“Compensating them is appropriate. But it needn’t come from this. This silver is substantial—store it well for military pay. Feeding soldiers and horses, every big and small matter requires silver. If we could find Great Yan’s treasure…”

Previously, though Qin Yining had thoughts about the treasure, she wasn’t obsessed. She just felt it couldn’t fall into Li Qitian’s hands. But after experiencing so much and seeing Li Qitian’s attitude toward them, Qin Yining no longer hoped for a peaceful life. The treasure would naturally be safest in their own hands.

Pang Xiao also fell silent for a moment. Thinking of brothers who had once sworn brotherhood with shared aspirations, now reduced to such circumstances, his inner desolation was beyond ordinary understanding. But in the blink of an eye, he suppressed these negative emotions, showing only a smile when facing Qin Yining.

“Good. Our affairs have gone smoothly. Now we just wait for news.”

Qin Yining nodded with a smile, had someone bring paper and brush, wrote a secret letter, used the special folding method and seal unique to Azure Sky Alliance correspondence, and finally handed it to Pang Xiao.

Pang Xiao immediately had Huzi arrange for a trustworthy person to deliver the letter.

“We’ve been out so long—we should return.”

Pang Xiao embraced Qin Yining’s shoulder, holding her as they left and boarded a carriage back to the Lu family guest quarters.

They had just sat down to rest briefly when Lu Xi arrived.

“Young Master Wan has returned. I came by earlier, but you weren’t here.”

“Oh, today is my beauty’s birthday. This young master made a grand gesture with a banquet at Prosperity Restaurant. Hey, why didn’t I see you come eat?”

Would he care about one meal?

Lu Xi’s mouth twitched as he bowed: “Thank you for Young Master Wan’s kind intentions. This servant must attend my eldest young master and truly couldn’t get away.” Remembering his master’s feelings toward Lady Ning, he added: “This servant congratulates Lady Ning on her longevity and well-being.”

“Thank you.” Qin Yining smiled charmingly, truly with red lips, white teeth, and bright, charming eyes.

Lu Xi couldn’t help thinking privately that if the eldest young master saw this appearance, his recently calmed feelings might ignite again.

“Young Master Wan, my young master will be receiving guests in the front hall shortly and has invited you both to attend.”

Again?

Pang Xiao and Qin Yining had attended many Lu family business sessions these days. Sometimes Young Master Lu treated them as friends of subordinates, sometimes only having them listen behind screens.

Whether or not they showed their faces, the purpose was always the same—to demonstrate the magnitude of the Lu family’s business and that they truly could take or leave the Guangtong Company deal.

He had thought the showing off these past days was sufficient, but it was to continue?

Seeing “Young Master Wan’s” expression, Lu Xi felt somewhat helpless.

In his opinion, everything should stop at the right point. The young master had originally thought so too. But Lady Ning’s birthday had Young Master Wan acting so ostentatiously—just booking a banquet made him so arrogant, making all the previous demonstrations seem wasted.

The eldest young master wanted Lady Ning to see his power and this wastrel Young Master Wan to see the gap between them. But such demonstrations not only went unnoticed by the wastrel, Lady Ning remained unmoved, completely failing to throw herself at him as expected.

The more she acted this way, the deeper the eldest young master’s feelings became.

Lu Xi smiled: “Young Master Wan, Lady Ning, please.”

Qin Yining feigned displeasure: “I’ve been busy most of the day and am quite tired—I really don’t want to go. Besides, business matters—what would a housewife understand…”

“The eldest young master specifically invited you both.” Lu Xi hurriedly interjected.

This was no joke—the young master hadn’t seen her for days and was thinking of her again. Even if Young Master Wan didn’t go, Lady Ning couldn’t not go.

Pang Xiao snorted. He understood Lu Zheng’s petty thoughts perfectly. Only because the plan was at a critical juncture and Lu Zheng couldn’t really do anything could he endure this. Otherwise, he would have long since gouged out the eyes of that death-seeking fool!

“Let’s go.”

Pang Xiao embraced Qin Yining: “My beauty is tired. We can rest just as well sitting there for a while. Young Master Lu’s kind intentions—we can’t disappoint him.”

Qin Yining pouted and said coquettishly: “Fine. I’ll listen to you, my lord.”

Pang Xiao was made weak-kneed by her soft, sweet voice, tightening his embrace.

They went all the way to the front hall. Pang Xiao entered familiarly, cupped his hands and smiled: “Young Master Lu is truly hospitable.”

Lu Zheng sat in the main seat drinking tea. Hearing Pang Xiao’s voice immediately annoyed him—the previously fragrant tea lost all flavor, leaving only bitterness.

“Young Master Wan is an honored guest of this humble residence. I should naturally fulfill my duties as host.” Standing up, Lu Zheng looked at Qin Yining and smiled: “I heard today is Lady Ning’s birthday? I’ve prepared a small gift and hope Lady Ning will accept it.”

As he spoke, a maid presented the exquisite brocade box—the same jadeite jewelry set Qin Yining had refused.

Lu Zheng only stared at the person before him. When he had sent it previously, she said she couldn’t accept unearned rewards. He later thought that without reason, she indeed couldn’t properly accept his things. Today provided the perfect excuse—what beauty wouldn’t love jewelry?

Pang Xiao smiled on the surface but his eyes seemed frosty.

Seeing Pang Xiao on the verge of explosive anger, Qin Yining quickly spoke first: “Thank you, Young Master Lu. But I truly lack nothing. Young Master Wan has given me much, and for jewelry, I only want to wear what my own man gives me.”

Pang Xiao lowered his gaze, slowly relaxing his clenched fist.

Lu Zheng was furious.

This was the first time a woman had refused him so directly in public. If not for retaining some rationality and knowing that continued entanglement would only be more embarrassing, he would have demanded to know exactly how he was inferior to that wastrel.

Lu Zheng waved his hand. The maid carefully held the brocade box, head lowered as she fled.

“In that case, it was my inconsideration.” Lu Zheng stiffly changed the subject: “Today I’m conducting a business deal. I thought since you had nothing to do, you might find it interesting to listen. Shortly you can have tea behind the screen in the side room.”

Seeing Lu Zheng’s face nearly green with anger, Pang Xiao was in excellent spirits and laughed heartily: “Good! And bring a couple plates of snacks.” After speaking, he grabbed Qin Yining’s hand and headed for the side room.

Was he being treated like a servant?

Lu Zheng’s face darkened. Seeing the appointed time had arrived and it being inappropriate to argue with that fool now, he could only swallow his anger and wave at Lu Xi.

Lu Xi immediately went to instruct the small kitchen to prepare snacks.

Before the refreshments arrived, Lu Zheng sat in the main hall, refusing to say another word to Pang Xiao—clearly furious.

Soon, a maid brought tea and snacks.

Lu Xi simultaneously announced: “Eldest young master, the guest has arrived.”

Lu Zheng grunted acknowledgment.

Lu Xi went out to escort the person in.

Qin Yining and Pang Xiao sat behind a wooden screen carved with a gnarled plum tree but without any openwork—they couldn’t see outside and could only listen.

They heard the visitor exchange pleasantries with Lu Zheng, quite courteously.

Lu Zheng maintained his usual coolness, cutting straight to business and asking what official position the other wanted to buy.

The visitor had a hoarse voice, as if scraped by sandpaper.

“I want to buy the position of magistrate of Huichuan County north of the capital.”

Lu Zheng raised an eyebrow: “Huichuan magistrate? Do you know what kind of place Huichuan is?”

“Naturally I know.” The person laughed, the sound carrying a throaty rasp.

Lu Zheng nodded: “Since you’ve chosen the location, I won’t say more. This amount. Show me the silver and I’ll get to work. You wait for news.”

The person readily agreed.

With the deal concluded, the man chatted idly with Lu Zheng, full of flattery toward the Lu family and Lu Zheng, praising him as incomparable in heaven and earth.

On this side of the screen, Qin Yining fell silent.

Seeing Qin Yining’s expression was off, Pang Xiao worriedly grasped her hand across the small table, even beginning to suspect there might be something unclean in the refreshments Lu Zheng had served.

Qin Yining came to her senses and smiled at Pang Xiao to indicate she was fine.

Outside, the official-buyer had taken his leave.

After the person left, Qin Yining said to Pang Xiao: “Young master, I’m quite tired. Why don’t we return to rest?”

Knowing she had something to discuss, Pang Xiao immediately nodded: “Darling, look how pale you’ve become—it’s young master’s fault. Come, let’s return.”

Pang Xiao embraced Qin Yining’s shoulder, went to the front to tell Lu Zheng, then boldly took his leave directly, making Lu Zheng grind his teeth in fury.

Back at the guest quarters, Qin Yining immediately asked quietly: “Look carefully—is it convenient for us to speak now?”

Pang Xiao nodded: “Don’t worry. What’s wrong?”

Qin Yining frowned and said quietly: “I recognize that official-buyer’s voice.”

“That’s someone you know?”

Qin Yining nodded: “Do you remember when Madam Liao and two alliance members were captured with me by Si Qin, and because they wouldn’t reveal the treasure’s location, Si Qin abandoned the three of them in the desert?”