From slave trader to the Immortal Lord of Ten Thousand Laws

"You jest, young lady."

"My father raised me with the kindness of his parents; how could I have committed such an immoral and heinous act?"

Zhao Jiaren smiled slightly.

Faced with Shen Nianci's seemingly unintentional probing questions, he answered with great ease, then glanced at Shen Nianci and said:

"As for you, young lady... since you have already entered the Buddhist order, it would be better for you to live in a nunnery. As for all matters at home, I will take care of them all, so you don't need to worry about them."

Shen Nianci remained silent upon hearing this.

Cihang Nunnery had long been bought by Zhao Jiaren.

The nuns in this temple have probably already been bribed by him and become his spies.

Shen Nianci was unconsciously stern.

She slightly raised her head, calmly meeting Zhao Jiaren's piercing gaze, and said with a forced smile:

"Jiaren is mistaken."

"Since you are so keen to manage the household affairs, how could I possibly interfere? I have returned only to ask you to show leniency, unlock the boudoir, and let Qiaoling come and go freely."

Ok?

Beg me?

Zhao Jiaren's lips curled slightly, clearly pleased by those words, but despite his pleasure, he remained firm in his statement:

"Young lady, this is not good."

"How is it bad?"

"Qiaoling is unruly by nature. I am doing this to teach her a lesson on behalf of her father, so that she will not make the same mistake again."

"..."

Shen Nianci lowered her eyebrows and remained silent.

She knew what Zhao Jiaren meant; he was using this as an excuse to see how she would choose her side.

If we go along with Zhao Jiaren's wishes at this moment and stand on his side, everyone will be happy.

But if we don't choose his side, it's tantamount to going against him. From then on, the nunnery will be under constant surveillance, and the mansion will be like a prison. We'll have to speak two different languages ​​from now on.

"well...."

Shen Nianci pondered for a while.

Just as he was about to speak, a male voice came from outside the door:

"Young Master Zhao, you are mistaken about that."

Ok?

who?!

Upon seeing someone expose him, Zhao Jiaren's eyes immediately turned cold. He looked in the direction of the voice and saw a young Taoist priest dressed in white standing outside the door.

"Master Dong?"

Zhao Jiaren was taken aback.

Dong Yunqi did not bow to him, but instead walked to the center of the hall, cupped his hands in a salute to the man at the head of the table, and said:

"Just now, I overheard some conversation inside the hall. In my humble opinion, your daughter's behavior is typical of a young girl, and it is normal for her to be a little mischievous. Young Master Zhao, confining your sister to her boudoir and keeping her indoors is not a long-term solution."

"How about... we do as you say, Madam, and untie the embroidered chamber, so that your younger sister can go free?"

"Why make such a fuss over something so trivial?"

The room fell silent the moment he said that.

Shen Nianci's eyes flickered slightly, but her face remained calm.

Zhao Jiaren was suddenly taken aback.

His eyes widened, his gaze shifting back and forth between Dong Yunqi and Shen Nianci, his eyes filled with astonishment and confusion.

Mr. Dong...why are you suddenly interfering in my family's affairs?

And... he even spoke up for this woman!

He clearly remembered that Dong Yunqi and Shen Nianci had no relationship; in fact, this was their first meeting.

But....

Why would Mr. Dong step forward to help her out of this predicament? And why did he speak with such certainty, seemingly offering protection?

What... what is the reason for this?

Zhao Jiaren was completely baffled.

But he dared not offend Dong Yunqi.

This Master Dong is Zhao Jiaren's greatest asset now. He is the key to solidifying his position as the mountain god's messenger, helping him suppress the Xu family, and even plotting something bigger!

We can't afford to offend them.

We can't afford to offend them...

With this thought in mind, in a flash, Zhao Jiaren had already weighed the pros and cons.

The look of surprise on his face quickly vanished, replaced by a stiff smile. He hurriedly stood up from the armchair, bowed to Dong Yunqi, and said with a forced smile:

"Mr. Dong is absolutely right!"

"It was Zhao who did not think things through."

"My younger sister is still quite young, so we should indeed be more lenient with her. Since Mr. Dong agrees with this..."

Zhao Jiaren paused, then turned and shouted towards the door, "Someone! Go to the embroidery tower immediately and unlock the door! Tell them my message: from now on, Miss... will no longer be confined."

"Yes, Master!"

The young servant in blue robes, who was kneeling on the ground outside the door and dared not raise his head, quickly responded upon hearing this and took the opportunity to retreat.

"Tap tap tap—"

The footsteps gradually faded into the distance.

Not long after...

"Click!"

With a crisp snap of the spring, the heavy brass lock fell to the ground.

The door hinges creaked as they turned.

The vermilion doors were slowly pushed open from the outside.

inside the house.

Zhao Qiaoling was barefoot, with her legs curled up, sitting cross-legged on the embroidered couch by the window, her hands wrapped around her knees, her chin resting on her knees, her face puffed up with anger, staring blankly out the window.

Suddenly, she heard the sound of a lock being opened.

Then the lock clicked shut, and then the door was pushed open.

Turning his head, he saw a group of maids standing outside the door.

It was Xing'er, Ju'er, and a few others.

"Miss."

"Miss!"

The maids lifted their skirts slightly and curtsied.

Zhao Qiaoling was slightly taken aback.

The grievances of being imprisoned for many days and the joy of regaining her freedom intertwined, causing her nose to tingle and her eyes to redden slightly.

But she quickly sniffed, suppressing her tears, then puffed out her chest and resumed her usual charming and spoiled demeanor, playfully scolding:

"Hmph! At least you still have a conscience, knowing to rescue me!"

Ju'er smiled, already holding the shoes and socks, squatted down, looked up, and said with a grin:

"Miss, please put on your shoes! The ground is cold, be careful not to catch a cold!"

"Um."

Zhao Qiaoling nodded, sat down lightly on the edge of the couch, and let Ju'er help her put on her silk stockings and embroidered shoes.

Suddenly, she asked in a clear voice:

"Where is Mother?"

"Madam... has returned to Cihang Nunnery."

"oh."

Zhao Qiaoling responded with an "oh," her eyes glistening with tears.

...

...

After reading about this matter, Jiang She still couldn't find any clue about the visualization diagram in Shen Nianci's possession.

Just as he was thinking about whether to control Dong Yunqi's body and force himself on her at Cihang Nunnery, he heard a knocking sound outside the door.

"Knock knock knock!"

Someone knocked on the door.

Who is it?

Jiang She asked a question, while simultaneously spreading his divine sense.

"Alas! Young Master Jiang, you're finally here."

A woman's voice rang out.

Through the crack in the door, a pink dress could be seen; the person who came was Qiao'er, Xu Qingyue's personal maid.

"Qiao'er, what brings you here?"

Jiang She pushed open the door.

Qiao'er took the opportunity to glance inside, only to find Jiang She alone. She then looked away and teased, "..."

"Young Master Jiang, you closed the door in broad daylight. I thought you were hiding a vixen in your room!"

"Haha, how could that be?"

Jiang She smiled, feeling that this woman's words sounded like she'd been shot, so he changed the subject and asked:

"May I ask what brings Miss Qiao'er here?"

"Oh dear! I almost forgot."

His words reminded Qiao'er of her important matter, and she said softly, "Miss called for the young master, but he is not in the room. This is the third time I have come to invite him."

"But what urgent matter is it?"

"Alas! How could this servant possibly know?"

"My lord, why aren't you going yet?"

"...Okay, I'll go with you now."

Jiang She nodded.

He then closed the door and followed Qiao'er straight to the Third Courtyard.

The roadside is lined with lush flowers and trees, and the pillars of the corridor are dark red.

Before long, they arrived outside the three courtyards.

Inside the study.

Xu Qingyue was sitting upright behind her desk, her brows slightly furrowed.

On the table before him lay several thick ledgers, their pages covered with neat and elegant small characters, recording all the expenses incurred in building the high platform and preparing for the religious ceremony:

Wood, stone, bricks, tiles, craftsmen's wages, incense, candles, and other offerings, as well as numerous "gifts" to bribe officials in various government offices and high-ranking officials in the capital.

The sheer number is staggering.

"well...."

Xu Qingyue sighed softly, slowly put down her brush, raised her jade hand, and rubbed her sore brow with her fingertips.

Before the ritual even began, the water in the tent was already gushing out like a flood.

Xu Qingyue sighed deeply, her brows furrowed in worry, when suddenly a soft knock came from outside the door.

"Knock knock knock..."

"Miss, Young Master Jiang has arrived."

Ok?

Upon hearing this, Xu Qingyue's eyes flickered slightly, and the weariness on her face caused by the accounting work faded a little.

She smoothed the stray hairs at her temples, glanced down at her clothes, cleared her throat, and her voice regained some of the steady quality she possessed when managing household affairs:

"Let him in."

"Yes."

"Wait! Let him in alone."

"?...Yes, Miss."

Qiao'er responded, gently pushed open the door, gestured "please" to Jiang She, and then curtsied and retreated to the side of the corridor without following him into the house.

Seeing this, Jiang She could not refuse.

He stepped over the threshold and entered the study.

A quick glance revealed a spacious and bright study with wide-open windows, allowing the afternoon sunlight to stream in and illuminate the entire room. Several rows of bookshelves stood against the wall, reaching up to the ceiling, displaying books, account books, and scrolls, all neatly arranged and categorized, exuding a faint scent of ink and camphor wood.

In the center is a large huanghuali wood desk with a smooth, mirror-like surface, and the Four Treasures of the Study are arranged in an orderly manner.

Xu Qingyue then sat upright behind the desk.

She wore a waist-length ruqun (a type of traditional Chinese dress), with a dark red cross-collar blouse covering her heavy chest, and a moon-white pleated skirt made of fine material, tied with a silk sash that made her waist so slender it could be encircled with one hand. Her hair was as beautiful as clouds, with a jade hairpin inserted at an angle, and her swan-like neck was as white as jade in the light and shadow.

"Miss."

Jiang She bowed and raised his hand in a salute.

Xu Qingyue didn't look up; her gaze remained fixed on the account book in her hands. Her fingertips twirled a page, and she casually asked, as if making small talk:

"Young Master Jiang... how was the chicken soup last time?"

"Um?"

Jiang She paused, clearly not expecting Xu Qingyue to ask such a question. After a moment of silence, he cupped his hands in a respectful gesture and said:

"Miss, the chicken soup was so delicious... I still can't forget it."

What he said is true; that chicken soup was so salty and savory, how could it not be unforgettable?

Xu Qingyue was pleased by his flattery, taking it as a compliment to her cooking skills. She put down the account book, looked up at Jiang She, a faint blush rising on her face, and said shyly:

"Since...since you think it tastes good, then...then that's perfect."

As he spoke, he bent down somewhat flusteredly, took a mahogany food box from the small table under the desk, and placed it on the desk.

"Click!"

Xu Qingyue opened the box.

He carefully lifted out a white porcelain soup bowl, with wisps of steam rising from its rim.

"Today...today, I also made chicken soup."

Her voice grew softer and softer, tinged with girlish shyness, as she served Jiang She a bowl.

The broth is thick and white, with a wonderful aroma.

"You...you should try it."

Xu Qingyue pushed the bowl towards Jiang She, but her gaze darted left and right, not daring to look Jiang She in the eye.

Out of the corner of my eye, I noticed Jiang She's gaze fixed on the soup bowl, his expression seemingly hesitant.

Xu Qingyue's cheeks flushed even more, and she quickly explained:

"You...you mustn't misunderstand!"

"I was planning to make chicken soup for my father to help him recover after he got better. Giving it to you now is just... just using you as practice."

"You're not allowed to have any wild thoughts!"

After saying that, Xu Qingyue turned her head away, pretending to continue flipping through the account books, but her ears were already bright red.

Jiang She picked up the soup bowl and took a small sip.

The taste was still excessively salty.

But fearing Xu Qingyue would ask too many questions, he calmly put down the soup bowl and changed the subject:

"Miss, regarding the mountain god's messenger healing the master's illness, has the Zhao family taken the opportunity... to bring up any other schemes to make things difficult for you?"

Upon hearing this, Xu Qingyue pursed her lips, seemingly considering her words, but found it difficult to speak of the martial arts contest to choose a husband after curing her father. She could only lower her voice and say:

"I originally intended to give all the profits of 'Fushou Ointment' in the capital to the Zhao family as a reward."

"But the Zhao family doesn't want it."

don't want?

Jiang She frowned slightly. The medicated oil was a hot potato; it was better to throw it away as soon as possible than to hold it in his hands.

But how can one find a legitimate way to persuade a young lady?

Jiang She pondered for a moment, then spoke:

"Miss, have you forgotten that the Wangyue Trading Company... is not solely owned by the Zhao family?"

"Um?"

Xu Qingyue raised an eyebrow: "What do you mean?"

Jiang She remained calm and said solemnly:

"As far as I know, the Wangyue Trading Company is jointly owned by the Zhao, Liu, and Wei families. The Zhao family doesn't want the profits from this 'longevity elixir,' but what about the Liu family? What about the Wei family?"

"Don't they... want it either?"

"The market for 'Fushou Ointment' is quite profitable, and all merchants want a piece of the pie. However, the Zhao family, who usually likes to follow suit, is now avoiding it like the plague. This is really strange. Miss... in my humble opinion, it would be better to relinquish the business rights of this 'Fushou Ointment' as soon as possible."

Upon hearing this, Xu Qingyue was so startled that she abruptly looked up.

A hint of surprise flashed in a pair of beautiful almond-shaped eyes, which then gradually brightened, as if a ray of light had suddenly shone through the thick fog, allowing people to see reality clearly.

yes......

How could I not have thought of the Zhao family's unusual behavior?

She had previously focused only on Zhao Jiaren, but had never considered this layer of interests.

If it weren't for Jiang Langjun's reminder...

If it weren't for Jiang Langjun's reminder...

hiss....

Xu Qingyue gasped.

She dared not think any further, nodded, and said:

"What Young Master Jiang said is quite right. The Wangyue Trading Company is not a monolithic entity. Just because the Zhao family doesn't want it doesn't necessarily mean that the Liu and Wei families are also uninterested!"

This "Longevity Ointment" is currently extremely popular in the capital, generating astonishing profits. It's rather strange that Zhao Jiaren doesn't want a share of the profits; it would be best to get rid of it as soon as possible.

"Qiao'er!"

"This servant is here."

"Prepare a carriage; I'm going to the Liu and Wei families to sell the trading rights and supply of this 'longevity ointment'."

After saying that, he gave Jiang She another deep look.

That look in his eyes held both admiration and affection.

It's as if she's saying: My family almost suffered a huge loss, but thanks to you, my love!