Chapter 80: Conflict

Chapter 80

Conflict

Song Qilin spent the entire morning playing with the children while Nie Shuang reviewed the accounts and listened to reports from Da Shi beside him. The people from Shen Nong Protection Agency quietly returned to the city without drawing attention—some joining merchant caravans entering the city, others blending in with the townspeople. Another group was sent to observe any movements at Baihua Brothel. Song Qilin, overhearing snippets of conversation, quickly pieced together what had happened. After Da Shi left, he turned to his wife and asked:

"Did you send people to deal with Baihua Brothel?"

"Deal with them? I only helped someone get out."

The young man reached up to grab Bao Bao, who was climbing onto his head, his small hands tangling in his father’s carefully tied-up hair, leaving it in disarray.

"Baihua Brothel belongs to Fourth Prince Rui Wang, and he’s backed by the Pei family, the Empress’s family. If they find out you interfered with their plans, just tell me. Don’t put yourself at risk, alright?"

Song Qilin said this while holding the chubby little boy, who was now no longer sulking. Nie Shuang nodded, feeling warmth in her heart, knowing her husband wasn’t scolding her but was ready to step in to protect her.

"And about the tea-for-horses deal—aren’t you curious? Since I got back, you haven’t even asked once."

The General’s voice was tinged with mock disappointment, as though eager to boast about his accomplishment. Nie Shuang couldn’t help but smile at his tone.

"So, how did the negotiations go? How many jin of tea did you trade for the thousand horses?"

She asked to please him. He leaned in, still holding Bao Bao on his lap, his lips grazing her ear intentionally, making Nie Shuang’s heart flutter.

"One thousand horses, five thousand jin of tea!"

"You’re joking! How is that possible? Five jin of tea for one horse?"

Even Nie Shuang, a seasoned businesswoman, found this hard to believe. Originally, she had set her target at ten jin per horse, thinking that eight jin would be lucky.

"Didn’t you say it yourself? Lü Cui tea is top-grade, and aside from Xiangyun Tea House, there’s nowhere else in the world you can find it. I brought samples for them to taste, and I told them that even the royal palace can order only a hundred jin. Even if they went to Huangjing to buy the tea themselves, they’d only be able to buy two boxes per person. Each year, we only produce two hundred jin. But to supply them, Xiangyun Tea House had to push production this year, and we could only produce five thousand jin. Anything more would lower the quality. I told them it was a great challenge to convince Xiangyun Tea House to part with the Lü Cui tea at this price. The merchants recognized that Lü Cui tea is rare and limited, but the fact that it can be stored for a long time made them agree to the trade."

As he finished, he looked at her like he was expecting a compliment, his eyes sparkling as if waiting for a pat on his head or giving a bone as his reward. Nie Shuang couldn’t help but burst out laughing.

"My husband is truly remarkable. You deserve a handsome reward for this."

"Yes, yes, you should reward me ‘heavily’,"

He repeated her words in a low voice. For some reason, when those words came from his mouth, they seemed to have a hidden meaning. The sparkle in the General’s eyes was so suggestive that Nie Shuang’s face heated up. This man could turn any conversation in that direction.

In the afternoon, Nie Shuang sent for Young Miss Mu. When she arrived, she didn’t seem surprised at all to see the General. After all, with his wife here, it was only natural for him to follow. Mu Rongying greeted him with the proper etiquette, then cheerfully turned to Nie Shuang. That morning, she had spoken with the maid sent by the butler and learned about the many impressive feats of the Young Furen. Mu Rongying admired and envied her—though they weren’t far apart in age, Nie Shuang possessed abilities and courage that she could never compare to.

When Mu Rongying saw the triplets, she couldn’t help but adore them. They had inherited the beauty of their parents and were clearly well-cared for, plump and cheerful. She played with the children, thoroughly enjoying herself.

"Young Miss Mu, do you plan on returning with your family?"

Nie Shuang asked. Mu Rongying paused for a moment before replying sadly.

"Even if I don’t want to return, what choice do I have? I should just be grateful to have escaped Baihua Brothel. How could I ask for more? I must thank you deeply, Young Furen. I, Rongying, will never forget your kindness for the rest of my life."

"If you truly don’t wish to enter the palace, there may still be a way, but it would require a small sacrifice. As long as you don’t mind what people might say, there shouldn’t be a problem."

Mu Rongying’s face lit up with joy, and she quickly asked with enthusiasm,

"I’m willing! I don’t wish to fight for favor with the women of the inner palace. I just want a peaceful life where I can follow my heart."

Before Nie Shuang could respond, the butler came to report that Kang Wang had arrived. He had just heard about how a group of nearly a hundred men had stormed Baihua Brothel the previous night, almost resulting in a confrontation. Nan Fang province was under his jurisdiction. Kang Wang had always remained neutral, avoiding the power struggles between the princes. Even when Rui Wang, the Empress’s son, set up a branch of Baihua Brothel in his territory, he had remained indifferent.

However, this recent incident needed to be addressed. Right now, maintaining the balance within the royal court was essential. Rui Wang and Jun Wang were key figures in their respective factions, with other princes and many officials that had pledged their loyalty to either side. On the surface, things seemed calm, but beneath it all, the political waters were turbulent. A clash between factions at this moment would be disastrous. After summoning Master He for an inquiry, he learned that the men in black last night were under Nie Shuang’s command.

When he entered the room and saw his dear friend together with his wife and children, Kang Wang raised his eyebrows in surprise. After exchanging pleasantries, he was about to ask but his gaze shifted to the beautiful woman sitting beside the triplets. His brows furrowed slightly as he immediately turned his attention to Song Qilin.

Did he go to the Xi Region and brought a woman back with him? If that’s the case, he wouldn’t entrust Nie Shuang to an irresponsible man like him! The two exchanged a glance before Nie Shuang introduced the newcomer.

"Your Highness, this is Young Miss Mu. I suppose you’re here to discuss last night’s incident with me. I must apologize for acting without informing you. Nie Shuang only wanted to help, but didn’t wish to trouble you, Your Highness. Please forgive me."

Nie Shuang could guess Kang Wang’s purpose without him needing to say a word. He cleared his throat lightly before inquiring further. In truth, when he learned that the unfamiliar woman was Young Miss Mu, he became increasingly concerned. Who wouldn’t know that the three powerful women of the inner palace—Empress Pei, Mu Guifei, and Zheng Xian Fei—were all rivals? Why, then, had someone connected to these three women appeared in Huangjing at this very moment...? Kang Wang could only lament inwardly.

Young Miss Mu had never seen Kang Wang before. When he left the palace to govern his city, she was still very young. She had only just learned that he was such a dignified and graceful man, though the look in his eyes toward her was somewhat hostile.

That wasn’t surprising. Empress Pei, Mu Guifei, and Zheng Xian Fei had been vying for the Emperor’s favor since their youth. Now, each of them had a son with a legitimate claim to the throne, making their rivalry even more apparent. Mu Guifei was her aunt, and Jun Wang was her cousin. It would indeed be strange if Kang Wang didn’t see her as an enemy...

"Your Highness, since Young Miss Mu is safe now, the Mu family will decide what to do with Baihua Brothel. Let’s leave the matter in their hands. However, Young Miss Mu doesn’t wish to return, so I’m helping her think of a solution..."

"Go back!"

Kang Wang interrupted, his tone harsh and cold, completely unlike his usual demeanor.

"Isn’t the chaos caused by your escape enough? If you insist on staying here, have you thought about how much more trouble you’ll bring upon others?!"

Mu Rongying was both shocked and ashamed, her eyes welling with tears. She never intended to trouble anyone. She simply couldn’t stand the dirty schemes of the inner court. She knew all too well that if she offered herself up, she would inevitably become a pawn in her aunt’s battle against Empress Pei.

"Yes, Your Highness..."

She accepted his words with a trembling voice, and her long, expressive eyes lowered, revealing her thick, curled lashes. Kang Wang’s words reminded her of the death of Uncle Shen, who had been as close to her as a family elder. Lowering her head, Mu Rongying wept, as beautiful as a pear blossom in the rain, even prompting Nie Shuang to admire her. Only Song Qilin remained uninterested, playing with his daughter, ignoring everyone else.

"If the Mu family sends someone, I will return with them immediately," Mu Rongying said softly.