"The Qin Mansion has such a high threshold. I waited so long but didn't get the servant's announcement. I was so anxious that I had to come uninvited. I hope the young master won't blame me, right?"
Lian Ji took off her hood and smiled coquettishly. She was only a few years older than Qin Jin. With such gentle words, it was really pleasing to the ear.
Qin Jin restrained the anger on his face and sized up her gorgeous clothes. "I've long heard that Lady Lian Ji is extremely beautiful. Now that I've seen her, it's really true."
"However, I wonder what advice Lady has for me today?"
Seeing that his expression was really unhappy, Lian Ji didn't beat around the bush anymore. She got straight to the point. "Young master, are you really willing to swallow this humiliation?"
"Miss Li and the county magistrate are one after another seeking wealth and official position. They've hit it off. Now they're like grasshoppers on the same rope. If the young master still continues to cherish the old feelings and keep giving in, I'm afraid that within three months, there will be no place for the Qin family in this town!"
Qin Jin pondered in silence. It was Qin Shao who sneered sarcastically. "It's easy to say! That girl is doing so well now. Isn't it all thanks to your husband who came from afar to give her a hand? I think you're probably here today to show off and watch the show!"
Qin Jin stopped him. "Brother Shao, don't be rude!"
A flash of anger passed across Lian Ji's face, but then she replaced it with a calm smile.
"Why does the second young master of the Qin family say such things? Because of that woman, my husband has become colder and colder to me. We're in the same boat now. We both hope to make things difficult for Li Ying. Otherwise, why would I rush here today to give you some advice?"
She paused for a moment and then continued. "Now the opportunity to punish that woman is in the young master's hands. As long as the young master takes the potatoes to the prefect first, this great achievement will become the Qin family's. This is exactly what is called turning adversity into prosperity."
Qin Shao was impatient. Hearing her say it so easily, he snorted disdainfully.
"Do you think my brother and I are idiots? Yes, my elder brother has indeed hidden all the remaining potatoes in the cellar of the estate. But this thing is not exclusive to our Qin family. The county magistrate has already sent people to dig them elsewhere. They're using the good horses from the posthouse to travel day and night. Our Qin family is a family of scholars. Are we supposed to intercept the horses from the posthouse?"
Lian Ji said confidently with a smile. "I, Lian Ji, know I'm not a female Zhuge Liang who can plan strategies. But I've managed my husband's shops, big and small, for many years. I've heard that when the young master of the Qin family took the prefectural examination, the prefect who was in charge of the examination thought highly of you. If the young master is willing, why don't we cooperate?"
"I'll arrange the good horses that can travel a thousand li a day. I only hope that the young master can put in a good word for me in front of the prefect."
Qin Jin pondered for a moment and really thought Lian Ji's words were feasible.
In recent years, the Ping'an Bank has long lost its former prestige. Not to mention the other shops under the big boss's name. They've all been at the end of their strength. Now they're just barely holding on thanks to the patronage of their old customers over the years.
He had long seen that the county magistrate was wavering between him and Li Ying. He was not a reliable backer. Lian Ji, on the other hand, was eager to ride on the prefect's coattails to revive her family business and gain favor in front of the big boss.
This cooperation was a win - win situation for both sides. It was not a bad deal.
After just a moment of hesitation, he handed a basket of potatoes he had prepared to Lian Ji. He also promised to "redeem himself" in front of the county magistrate. He volunteered to be responsible for harvesting all the potatoes near the estate to buy some time.
After leaving the Qin Mansion, Lian Ji finally felt relieved and rushed straight to the donkey stable.
Sure enough, Zheng Ji was still leaning against the bluestone, smoking his pipe as usual.
Lian Ji threw a basket of potatoes at him and ordered. "Brother Zheng, I'm sure it's very depressing for you to deal with these ordinary donkeys and mules every day. I've found you a good job that will make you feel proud."
"I want you to go personally and deliver these potatoes to the prefect as quickly as possible. You must beat the county magistrate and Li Ying to it. The former leader of the horse caravan was so heroic back then. This small request shouldn't be too much to ask, right?"
Lian Ji said it as if it were a matter of course. Zheng Ji put down his pipe and sized her up, pondering in silence.
Half of his face was hidden in the darkness of the night. His expression couldn't be seen clearly. He just seemed unfathomable.
"Lian Ji, I, Lao Zheng, have said that I'm not your lackey."
The words were not polite, but Lian Ji was not in a hurry. She just fixed her sharp gaze on his lame leg.
"Brother Zheng, don't be so angry. Even my husband used to respect you back then. How could I dare to order you around? I just saw that your old age was so desolate and thought I'd help you get some revenge."
"Miss Li discussed with my husband the other day about making some convenient 'instant sweet potato noodles'. My husband really appreciated it and even asserted that this food would surely be a hit and help him make a comeback."
Her gaze was like a sharp blade, firmly fixed on Zheng Ji's leg.
"Brother Zheng, when you broke your leg back then, you cut off all ties with my husband. You even swore that you had no other desires in the rest of your life but to see him lose all his wealth and be penniless. How could you just sit back and watch him ride on Li Ying's coattails and rise to success?"
Zheng Ji rubbed his leg and took a deep breath. Then, as if he had made up his mind, he knocked on his pipe.
"Okay, I'll agree to you."
He paused for a moment and then asked. "Lian Ji, you seem so obedient to the big boss. I never thought you'd be so vicious behind his back?"
Lian Ji just smiled coquettishly without caring.
"Those who chase the sun will inevitably have their eyes burned by the strong light. I don't want him to attract too much attention. I don't want him to be the big boss of everyone in the world. I just want him to have only me by his side."
She murmured to herself, then turned around and left, completely ignoring Zheng Ji frowning tightly behind her.
After a long time, he managed to support his body and staggered a few steps. He whistled sharply.
In a moment, there came the sound of hooves.
A red - maned horse galloped through the night. Its long mane fluttered in the wind, showing that it was a rare good horse.
It nuzzled affectionately against Zheng Ji's face and snorted.
Old Zheng quickly wrote a short note, stuffed it into the basket of potatoes, and slapped the shiny horse's back. The red - maned horse was very intelligent. It neighed loudly and galloped away into the distance.
Lian Ji sneaked back to her room in her cloak. Just as she entered, a servant came to inform her.
"Madam, are you resting? The master invites you to enjoy the moon and have tea. He's been waiting for you for a long time!"
Lian Ji was slightly startled. Could it be that she had leaked her whereabouts?
Over the years, the old man had become more and more obedient to her. He rarely asked about the trivial matters in the shops. He seemed to be living a leisurely life. He shouldn't be suspicious of her at this critical moment, right?
Lian Ji changed her clothes and pretended to be sleepy. She followed the servant who had come to deliver the message and rushed away in a hurry.
The big boss was wearing a cloak and staring at the small reflection of the moon in the teacup, deep in thought. When he saw her coming, he calmly asked, "Where did you go so late?"