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Furthermore, Qu Qiuyan was mentioned, and given her changed identity, it was normal for her to pay a visit.

Regarding County Lady Jingyu, Ji Youran had already made it clear to the Crown Prince that this person was not to be underestimated. There was suspicion that County Lady Jingyu had bullied Qu Moying.

Now, with this information, it seemed there might be some connection between Liu Jingyu and Qu Moying.

Pei Luo’an remained silent but felt an increasing sense of annoyance. He looked at Ji Youran, noticing her similarity to Liu Jingyu—both gentle, considerate, and seemingly willing to sacrifice their own interests for others.

But was it really true?

His hand fell heavily on the table, and Ji Youran was startled by the gesture, becoming more cautious and uneasy.

“You may leave. I’m aware of this matter.” the Crown Prince’s cold voice came from above after a long pause.

“Yes, Your Highness. I’ll take my leave.” Ji Youran dared not say more and retreated carefully. Once outside, she felt a cold sweat on her back. The Crown Prince was genuinely angry just now.

Was it because she reported on Liu Jingyu, or was it because of something related to Liu Jingyu that angered the Crown Prince?

It probably wasn’t her fault. After all, the Crown Prince wanted her to take care of Qu Moying, right? It was just a facade for others, considering Ji Hanyue was already dead.

In that case, she could do even better. Ji Hanyue was a deceased person and wouldn’t come back from the grave seeking revenge. What was the point of mourning as if it were real?

However, the main adversary now is Liu Jingyu. Even if Liu Jingyu will enter the Crown Prince’s Mansion for sure, Ji Youran must prevent Liu Jingyu from gaining favor. She must create suspicion between the Crown Prince and Liu Jingyu. If the Crown Prince doesn’t care about Liu Jingyu, even if she married into the Eastern Palace, her final outcome won’t be favorable.

Just see what happened to Ji Hanyue.

The Crown Prince needed Liu Jingyu now, but in the future, she would end up just like Ji Hanyue did.

When Ji Hanyue married into the palace, didn’t she also think that the Crown Prince loved her deeply? But in the end, she died anyway.

As Ji Youran thought about this, she felt relieved. The words had already been said, and she couldn’t believe that the Crown Prince wouldn’t care about Liu Jingyu’s matter, especially since it was something that violated the rules of the women’s quarters.

“Where is Xie Feng?” Ji Youran asked her maid in a hushed tone, as she continued walking to the side.

“In the past few days, Xie Feng hasn’t been feeling well, Your Highness…” The maid hesitated to speak.

“What’s wrong?” Ji Youran asked casually.

“I think… Could it be that Xie Feng is pregnant?” The maid glanced around before cautiously leaning close to Ji Youran’s ear.

“What?” Ji Youran’s face changed dramatically, and she abruptly stopped walking.

After Ji Youran left, Qu Moying asked the old lady for permission to visit her Yue’s Clothing Pavilion and the newly acquired Yue’s Gold Pavilion. She knew that things were still unsettled there, so she agreed.

Qu Moying got on a carriage and headed towards Yue’s Gold Pavilion, as she had already arranged to go there today. In the end, she kept the meeting location at Yue’s Gold Pavilion.

When she arrived, Shopkeeper Zhang welcomed her. Now that Qu Moying was the true owner, Shopkeeper Zhang naturally tried to please her.

Qu Moying still wore her veil and brought Yu Dong along as she went to the room upstairs, facing the street.

Shopkeeper Zhang had tea brought to them, and after taking a sip, Qu Moying put it down and saw a servant come to report that Master Zhao had arrived.

Qu Moying nodded to Shopkeeper Zhang, indicating for him to bring Master Zhao over. This outing was to resolve this matter.

Shopkeeper Zhang went down and led Master Zhao to Qu Moying.

The two sat facing each other, and the servant brought them tea. The others retreated, leaving only Shopkeeper Zhang to accompany them.

“Master Zhao, let’s get to the point!” Qu Moying put down the teacup in her hand, raising her eyes to look directly at Master Zhao.

Master Zhao didn’t rush to look up. He turned the cup in his hand twice, but not a single drop of tea spilled out. He didn’t seem to be in a hurry.

“Forth Lady Qu, you seem too anxious!” For Qu Moying to find out his identity, Master Zhao was not surprised. It wasn’t difficult to inquire about someone’s identity in the capital.

Moreover, Master Zhao seemed to be a thoughtful person. He had also sent people to inquire about her through Steward Xiao, not just once. Steward Xiao had revealed everything.

“I’m not in a hurry; it’s you who are.” Qu Moying calmly replied.

“Why would you say that?” Master Zhao put down the teacup and lazily leaned back, looking weary.

Sunlight poured in through the window, and he squinted his eyes slightly, exuding a sense of laziness. Indeed, he didn’t seem to be in a rush.

Qu Moying smiled faintly as her gaze passed over his face. Then, she spoke with a smile, “Master Zhao, are you really not anxious? It’s said that businessmen are always after profits. After all the effort you put into this futile endeavor, and now that you’ve gained nothing, aren’t you in a hurry?”

“Where did you get this idea, Forth Lady Qu?” Master Zhao asked in surprise.

“Let’s not beat around the bush, Master Zhao. It’s better to be straightforward.” Qu Moying said, her eyes peering through the light veil as she continued, “I heard that you have a close relationship with one of the stewards at Earl Ling’an’s Mansion.”

Master Zhao’s heart skipped a beat, and for the first time, he looked closely at Qu Moying before him.

He had heard rumors about the unremarkable appearance and lack of talent of her. She was also said to have an eye condition and had been abandoned by her own father in the estate from a young age. She was considered a pitiful person. However, upon her return to the capital, she seemed to have transformed into a different person, defying the rumors.

Even though she seemed slightly exceptional, Master Zhao didn’t take her seriously. He believed he was dealing with a weak and fragile girl, and he thought it was an overkill. But in this situation, he needed to cut to the chase, and the faster, the better.

These days of delays had already frustrated him. If it weren’t for the inconvenience of a lady of her status going out, he would have suspected that she intentionally dragged things out.

Master Zhao had sent people to interact with the steward of Earl Ling’an’s Mansion and had offered many gifts to the second madam. The subsequent dealings were facilitated through the second madam. How could this reclusive Forth Lady Qu possibly know about it?

“What are you trying to convey?” Master Zhao asked sternly.

“I’m not trying to convey anything. I just want to tell you that this shop is now mine, not the property of the Earl Ling’an’s Mansion. Master Zhao, even if you try to leverage your connection with one of the stewards or even get involved with the second madam of the mansion, it won’t work.” Qu Moying said, her smile full of confidence.

Her words weren’t friendly, but upon closer examination, they seemed to hold more significance, even giving Master Zhao a sense of being seen through.

Was this the same Forth Lady Qu, the pitiful young lady from the rumors?

“The steward came into contact with me later, and it just happened that this situation occurred. Of course, I needed to make some connections. As a businessman, just as you said, profit is our goal. If I suffer a loss, it won’t be acceptable.” Master Zhao laughed, not hiding the fact.

The pursuit of profit was a valid reason.

“Since you value profit, I can compensate for your losses, but this shop can’t be given to you. Although your rubies are precious, they aren’t enough to acquire the shop. Do you think I’m wrong?” Qu Moying said with a calm expression.

Since she had broached the subject, she might as well make her stance clear.

Master Zhao fell silent for a moment before slowly looking up at Qu Moying. “What’s your suggestion?”

Did he imply some room for negotiation? Yu Dong’s face showed a hint of a smile, and she quickly lowered his head, relieved.

“Of course, I’ll compensate you at a fair price.” Qu Moying said firmly.

“But my gems are priceless.” Master Zhao said, his gaze carrying a hint of disdain and a veiled threat, “As far as I know, these gems are the hardest to put a price on, and they hold other meanings as well. I wonder what price you have in mind. If that’s not acceptable, I’d rather have the authorities seal off this shop. If I can’t have it, neither can you!”

In other words, neither party should benefit.

“What do you suggest? If you really want this shop, I can also give you an answer. You won’t be able to get this shop, even if it’s sealed off. I won’t hand over the property of my maternal family. My mother is from the Yue Family, and my cousin’s mother is from the same family. This shop is an ancestral property of our maternal side, and I will defend it. If I can’t keep it, I’d rather destroy it.”

Qu Moying said quietly, her gaze peering gently through the delicate veil, fixed upon the young gentleman before her. Her voice remained composed, but the undertone carried no trace of placidity.

One could say she was resolute, displaying not a shred of hesitation.

To her, this establishment was more than just a shop; it embodied the cherished memory of her birth mother. If she couldn’t safeguard it, then it would be utterly ruined.

Her determination surpassed even that of this Master Zhao.

For him, this establishment was never truly his own, and if it fell into ruin, so be it. However, for Qu Moying, this shop now belonged to her. Her ability to assert herself to such an extent revealed her unwavering resolve. It was her bottom line, and she would not yield even a fraction. She would rather see it ruined than compromise.

Such fierceness seemed out of place coming from a sheltered and delicate young lady of a prominent family in the capital.

But there she stood, looking fragile, draped in light, white attire, which only accentuated her slender figure.

The room suddenly hushed, and the tension hung heavily in the air…