Lian Ji had thought her plan for the day was foolproof. However, she never expected that she would end up in a situation where she had no choice but to sacrifice Feng Yuan to take the blame and save herself. Gritting her teeth in hatred, she knew only too well that with this matter having caused such a stir, it would be impossible to hide it from the big boss.
Just as she was in a gloomy mood, the maid who usually served her came over cautiously with a cup of tea in her hand, looking hesitant to speak.
"Madam... My mother has arranged a marriage for me back in my hometown. I've served you for several years. Could you please let me go back home to get married?"
Lian Ji's hand holding the teacup paused slightly, and a thin layer of anger immediately appeared on her face.
Such a disloyal thing!
Ever since Imperial Commissioner Lin punished Li Ying, she had heard the servants around her whispering to each other in groups, saying that she was ungrateful and not a good master. They thought it would be better to leave the mansion early and find a better place.
She never thought that the first one to have the audacity to ask for resignation would be her own personal maid!
She sized up the trembling young maid in front of her and said coldly, "What good man could your mother, a vulgar village woman, find for you? Stay by my side for a while longer. I'll personally choose a capable young servant from the master's side to be your husband!"
For days, no matter what she had secretly done, the master had remained indifferent. Lian Ji felt something was amiss and thought to herself that she really should arrange some people close to the master.
The maid pleaded in vain and had no choice but to obediently leave. Lian Ji finally felt a bit more at ease. Leaning against the window, she saw from afar a majestic eagle flying across the sky. It landed on a branch not far away to rest.
Lian Ji had long heard about Li Ying taming the eagle. Without even guessing, she knew that this beast must have been deliberately sent by that little wench to annoy her.
Filled with anger, she casually threw the teacup at the eagle.
The eagle flapped its feathers, took off, and gradually turned into a tiny black dot in her sight.
Lian Ji was in a foul mood. Suddenly, she remembered that if she wasn't mistaken, the leg - strap tied to the eagle's claw was polished smooth and proper, clearly made by Old Zheng!
Lian Ji's face changed drastically. She quickly ordered the carriage to be prepared and rushed straight to the donkey stable north of the town.
"Zheng Ji, you two - faced and deceitful old thing!"
As soon as she got off the carriage, unable to hide her anger, she shouted furiously.
Old Zheng carefully tucked his bamboo pipe into his bosom, then frowned and looked at Lian Ji unhappily.
"Lian Ji, you're becoming more and more out of line. You don't look like the legitimate wife of a noble family at all."
Lian Ji ignored his veiled sarcasm and directly questioned him, "Zheng Ji, what on earth are you up to? You know I'm in a fight with that little wench Li Ying, but you've helped her several times and even trained her eagle?"
"Have I been too lenient with you, allowing you, a turncoat, to act in defiance without any scruples?"
Old Zheng slowly stood up from the bamboo rocking chair - this chair was sent by Li Ying. Lying on it to bask in the sun was very beneficial for his lame leg.
"Lian Ji, what are you barking about? As you've aged and lost your beauty, have you also lost your wits? Do you know what Li Ying intends to do with this tamed eagle?"
Lian Ji snorted - of course she knew.
After the two faced each other in court and Feng Yuan was punished, Li Ying had already taken the opportunity to tell all the villagers that "blood swallows" were rare and that they should never be deceived again in the future.
Seeing that the villagers were still in fear and seemed reluctant to eat bird's nests again, she calmly announced that she had arranged an artificial swiftlet house in a neighboring village. In time, it would produce a large amount of cleaner bird's nests.
By then, there would also be various types of bird's nests such as swiftlet corners, strips, threads, and cakes at different prices for everyone to choose from. Before leaving the factory, each one would be affixed with a special anti - counterfeiting label indicating which swiftlet house it came from, the date, and the person in charge, truly making every bird's nest traceable.
Such an open and honest approach naturally won the villagers' trust, and they were even more looking forward to the upcoming artificial bird's nests.
Seeing Lian Ji lost in thought, Old Zheng continued to sneer on his own, "Lian Ji, I know you best. You won't let go of this lucrative bird's nest business so easily."
"This eagle was prepared by Li Ying to guard the swiftlet house. If I hadn't intercepted it first and tamed it, how would you know where Li Ying had set up the artificial swiftlet house? How could you take it for yourself?"
He said it calmly and handed a square piece of paper to Lian Ji. It was clearly a map of Swiftlet Island.
A look of surprise flashed in Lian Ji's eyes. She looked at Old Zheng in disbelief, "You... You actually..."
But Old Zheng was already too lazy to talk to her. He lay back on the bamboo chair on his own.
"We're on the same side. I remember this clearly. Lian Ji, it's time for you to open your eyes and distinguish between friend and foe."
After a pause, he added, "The acquisition of the artificial swiftlet house is extremely important and can't be taken lightly. Lian Ji, if I'm not wrong, your confidants around you have already turned against you. To ensure everything goes smoothly, it's better for you to go to Swiftlet Island in person."
Only then did Lian Ji restrain the angry look on her face. She thought to herself that Zheng Ji, the former leader of the horse caravan, was truly resourceful and crafty.
She smiled and said, "Thank you, Brother Zheng, for your advice. I understand."
Following the navigation map given by Old Zheng, Lian Ji really had no trouble reaching Swiftlet Island smoothly.
The villagers knew Li Ying's capabilities. Since she said the bird's nest business would succeed, they all took her words as gospel.
A nest of swiftlets saved by Li Ying had already moved into the swiftlet house to build nests and had even invited many other swiftlets to live together.
Seeing the neatly arranged white bird's nests in the swiftlet house and the baby birds chirping merrily, the villagers on Swiftlet Island all had expectant smiles on their faces.
It seemed that their good days were really coming this time.
As soon as Lian Ji landed on the island, she saw the imposing eagle standing guard in front of a strange - looking white building, extremely vigilant.
She cleared her throat and walked over gracefully, swaying her hips.
"Who's in charge here? I'm the legitimate wife of the big boss of Ping'an Bank. Now I'm in charge of all the industries under Ping'an Bank. I'm here to take over your swiftlet house!"
Lian Ji straightforwardly mentioned the name of Ping'an Bank, but the villagers on Swiftlet Island all looked at each other in confusion, as if they didn't understand what she was talking about.
Ping'an Bank was indeed well - known throughout the world, but what did it have to do with Boss Li?
Lian Ji never expected that her self - assured words would have no effect at all. She couldn't help but frown tightly.
"You all follow Li Ying, right? She's relying on our Ping'an Bank to survive! Today, I'm here to buy your land and swiftlet house. From now on, you'll be under the protection of our Ping'an Bank. Hurry up and present your house deeds and land deeds!"
It's easier to seek shelter under a big tree. Although the name of Ping'an Bank was no longer as prestigious as it was a few years ago, it was still more than enough to intimidate these ordinary people.
Lian Ji thought that after she offered the deal, these lowly villagers on Swiftlet Island would flock to her and beg to be taken under her wing. However, the villagers just stood there stupidly, looking at her as if she were a strange person.
She felt embarrassed and said coldly, "I've condescended to come here in person. Our Ping'an Bank is so sincere. What are you still standing there for? Do you want me to beg you?"