164 Hidden Weapon Parts

After some thought, Su Binglan designed some cold weapons. These cold weapons were fully armed, allowing one to unleash tremendous power.

After that, she told Lin Zheng to watch the shop while she went to the best blacksmith in town to forge the cold weapons. However, she did not know how much it would cost to forge them.

Although Su Binglan still had some extra money, she needed to buy an ox and save money to buy land and build a house. She could not bear to spend too much money.

Still, she needed silver needles to treat her father’s foot and money to forge those needles, so she planned to go to the blacksmith to inquire about his prices.

Su Binglan was thinking about money while walking when she coincidentally bumped into Chen Zhuzhu.

When the little girl saw Su Binglan, she said excitedly, “Binglan?”

“Is that you, Miss Chen?” Su Binglan asked.

Chen Zhuzhu walked over enthusiastically and said, “You can just call me Zhuzhu. You saved my life, and I don’t even know how to thank you.”

“That was nothing,” Su Binglan said smilingly.

She was telling the truth, after all. If the little girl had not collapsed in front of the tofu shop, Su Binglan might not have gotten involved.

Chen Zhuzhu said thoughtfully, “It was you who saved me. When I returned to the manor, I cleaned the room and slept well last night. Also, Little Cui, my servant girl, is indeed a problem.

“During the interrogation last night, I found out that my father’s current wife wanted to harm me. Despite that, I could sleep well last night and feel much better without problems.”

Chen Zhuzhu was genuinely grateful to Su Binglan.

Su Binglan said, “Schemes will always happen in more prominent families. You just need to learn to protect yourself.”

Chen Zhuzhu nodded and handed two 100 silver taels to Su Binglan. “Here’s 200 silver taels as thanks for saving me. I know it’s not much, but I will save more and give them to you after I return to the capital.”

Su Binglan did not expect Chen Zhuzhu to give her money, but she did not argue and took the 200 silver taels. “This is more than enough, so just save more money for yourself in the future. It’s always good to have some for a rainy day.”

“Yes, thank you, Binglan. When I return to the capital, I don’t know when I will be able to see you again.”

Chen Zhuzhu had experienced many deceitful people but knew Su Binglan was not like them. Still, she was about to return to the capital because she would be in danger if she stayed in Tenghe town.

Su Binglan gave Chen Zhuzhu some advice because she received 200 silver taels from her. “What rank is your father’s new wife?”

Chen Zhuzhu was shocked. “W-What rank?”

“What’s her identity? What are her means?”

Although the little girl did not know why Su Binglan asked those questions, she answered, “My father’s wife is the Grand Tutor’s granddaughter. She’s quite talented and has a good reputation in the capital.

“My parents and grandmother lived in this town back then. My family was not doing very well then, so my grandfather joined the army. During those years, my mother, brother, and grandmother relied on each other for survival.

“Later on, my father did a commendable service, and the officials gave him a title. Then he took us to the capital, but we met some bandits on the way, and my mother and brother died protecting my grandmother.

“After that, my grandmother dared not take me with her to the capital and told me to stay here. She went to the capital to settle down before telling me to move there.”

Chen Zhuzhu started to cry as she spoke of this. She was typically carefree, but it was only a ruse to hide the pain in her heart.

Su Binglan patted Chen Zhuzhu’s shoulder and said, “Your grandmother is a sensible person. She wanted to establish herself in the manor before taking you back.”

After a pause, she continued, “If my guess is correct, your father remarried not long after your brother and mother died, right?”

Chen Zhuzhu wiped her tears and nodded. “Yeah, I was still a child then, and my stepmother birthed a boy for my father.”

Su Binglan understood that men were more important than women in that era and that a son would always inherit his family’s assets and business. Also, only when a woman had brothers would she feel she had someone to support her.

However, Su Binglan had heard from Lin Zheng that the major-general’s family got wiped out and that it was related to the Grand Tutor. The Grand Tutor had used his identity to make his students say many unfavorable things to the major-general. He wanted to add to the blame, but there was no reason to say anything.

For that reason, Su Binglan felt that Chen Zhuzhu’s stepmother was not a good person, even though she was quite capable, because she was the Grand Tutor’s granddaughter.

After some thought, Su Binglan said, “How about you think of a way to find out what kind of woman your father likes and then find someone like that for your use? That woman must come from some means and ambitions, but you must control her.

“Then allow her to enter the manor, seduce your father, and birth a younger brother for you. In the future, you can support your younger brother to rise to a significant position and have a firm foothold in the manor.

“If your father and stepmother try to stop that woman from entering the manor, you can spread some rumors. Since your stepmother is the Grand Tutor’s granddaughter, she will care about her reputation.

“You can hire people to spread rumors, saying your stepmother had caused your mother and brother’s deaths and that you almost died in the process. Even though you don’t have any evidence to prove that, I’m sure your stepmother must be guilty of something.

If she wants to protect her reputation, she must retaliate. I don’t have any more advice for you, but you should know what to do now.”

Chen Zhuzhu widened her eyes when she heard that. She was extremely shocked as she excitedly grabbed Su Binglan’s hand and said, “You’re amazing, Binglan! If only you could come to the capital with me! It would be even better if you were my biological sister.”

Chen Zhuzhu liked Su Binglan’s personality and sometimes thought others would not be able to bully her if she were like Su Binglan.

Su Binglan said earnestly, “You must learn to become strong and independent. Do you understand?”

“I understand. My grandmother will send someone to pick me up in two days, and I will be safe with them. Binglan, if you ever come to the capital and need my help, please do not hesitate to look for me. I will repay your kindness.”

Su Binglan looked at the little girl and said thoughtfully, “Then you must protect yourself. You can only do more when you’re alive, after all.”

“I understand.”

…

When Chen Zhuzhu left, Su Binglan took the 200 silver taels she received to the blacksmith shop. This time, she was willing to forge her designs.

When she showed her blueprints to the blacksmith, the blacksmith immediately became excited. “Miss, which expert drew these exquisite and detailed designs?!”

‘Expert.’

Su Binglan said, “I drew them myself. Can you make these for me?”

“Y-Yes, of course! It’s just that these things are pretty complicated to forge, and they will be costly.”

Su Binglan only designed the parts for a hidden weapon. If the blacksmith could make them, she would assemble the weapon herself.

Even if she lost this blueprint, it would be pointless for others to find it because they would not know how to assemble the weapons. Moreover, Su Binglan had designed such a sophisticated weapon herself, and only she knew how to assemble it.

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