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Lady Zhushan, concealing her identity, had sent a subordinate with past dealings with Ruyi Commerce Chamber to knock on the grand doors of the An Residence, and then came to see the master of the house under that subordinate's name.

Miss An hurriedly welcomed the guest from Thousand Treasures Pavilion into the reception room when she heard it was an acquaintance. As she was about to exchange pleasantries, she saw the acquaintance pay a respectful bow to a plump-faced woman wearing an earthy robe before cautiously retreating.

Just as Miss An was filled with surprise and uncertainty, the plump-faced woman said, "They call me Lady Zhushan."

An Chenyu was startled, a sense of alarm rising in her heart at the name - one of the three giants of Hanping Prefecture, and the most mysterious of them all. Thus, she quickly responded with respect, "An Chenyu pays respect to the senior."

No one would associate this woman with Lady Zhushan, for no one outside had ever spread any rumors about what Lady Zhushan looked like...

Could it be that this was the Lady Zhushan, appearing unexceptional and full of pockmarks?

An Chenyu pondered with doubts in her heart, yet waited patiently.

One does not visit the Treasured Hall without a purpose.

Moreover, Lady Zhushan had "disappeared" for quite some time, to the extent that even Shanhe Martial Arts Hall and White Camel Estate could not invite her. Suddenly appearing today, and making her way to the An Residence, there must be a significant matter.

Lady Zhushan said, "Call Tong Jia here as well."

An Chenyu's perplexity deepened, yet still, she went out to summon Ying to call for Tong Jia.

A short while later, Madam Tong also entered the room.

Lady Zhushan commanded, "Close the door."

Her voice carried a certain power, and Madam Tong obediently shut the door.

Only three women remained in the room.

Just as An Chenyu was about to make introductions, Lady Zhushan suddenly said, "President An, Miss Tong, I would like to propose a deal with you.

I wish for you to order Song Cheng to be my partner.

In return..."

She looked directly at An Chenyu, "Ruyi Commerce Chamber can establish a channel relationship with Thousand Treasures Pavilion to sell goods from the first floor of the pavilion."

She then fixed her gaze on Tong Jia, "I will teach you medical skills. For as long as Song Cheng partners with me, I will teach you."

Their bizarre proposal left both women utterly astonished.

In truth, Song Cheng had already discussed this matter with them, mentioning that he had been keeping an eye on Lady Zhushan recently, intending to use her to scout the south of the city and find an emergent escape route for the An Family, if necessary.

But the course of events was completely unexpected.

Song Cheng had not yet visited Lady Zhushan.

Yet Lady Zhushan had sought him out.

And her request was... peculiar.

Lady Zhushan, known for her lack of patience, saw the silence and asked coldly, "Not willing?"

An Chenyu was the first to recover and hurriedly replied before Tong Jia could speak, with reverence, "Senior, we are certainly willing; it's just that we don't understand what partnership means, and how to partner."

Tong Jia inwardly sighed with relief, glad that Sister An had spoken first.

If she had been the one to speak, she surely would have skipped this and directly asked why they were being ordered. In doing so, it might have given Lady Zhushan the impression that they were prepared for her.

Lady Zhushan elaborated on the idea of "partnership" before concluding, "Only a blind Form Realm Warrior whose eyes see nothing can be my partner. While I control the enemy with my Illusionary Realm, they must strike swiftly, slaying my foes for me."

"I had been gradually seeking a Force Realm and even a Power Realm blind individual, and even had a few I was cultivating myself.

But a blind person practicing martial arts is extremely difficult, and even with my pouring of Pill resources and effort, it's hard to cultivate a Form Realm blind person in a short span."

"Moreover, I want a formidable partner in the Form Realm.

But those that were cultivated were merely... not even as good as an ordinary Form Realm fighter."

"Due to personal reasons, I prefer not to have any dealings with men. A stranger is already the limit of my tolerance.

Therefore, I hope that you two can order Song Cheng to be my partner.

He will obey the order and become a suitable partner.

And between him and me, we will still essentially remain uninvolved strangers."

An Chenyu:...

Tong Jia:...

Lady Zhushan continued, "I have my ways, so I can see that outside, you two may appear utterly compliant to Song Cheng.

But in fact...

You... are his true masters."

An Chenyu:...

Tong Jia:...

An Chenyu was the first to speak, "Senior, please give us some time; we will order Little Song to partner with you."

Little Song, indeed...

Lady Zhushan nodded, her belief further confirmed.

In the presence of his mistress, the fiercely powerful Blind Song was reduced to Little Song.

"I will wait."

She settled herself on one side, still wrapped in her earthy robe.

Despite the heat of the day, her robe was thick and shaded.

Anyone wearing such attire would be dripping with sweat.

Yet there was not a single drop on Lady Zhushan.

She was like a delicately crafted jade, cool and fragrant.

An Chenyu called for Ling, the best at tea art in the residence, to serve fine tea to Lady Zhushan, then hurriedly went with Tong Jia to find Song Cheng.

...

...

Song Cheng was psychologically prepared.

After listening to the descriptions from Sister An and Madam Tong, he immediately understood that Lady Zhushan was indeed mentally unstable.

However, her willingness to come personally was also a sign of significant regard for her potential partner.

And this was precisely his intention.

Beyond that, "the establishment of a channel relationship between Ruyi Commerce Chamber and Thousand Treasures Pavilion" and "Lady Zhushan's intention to take Tong Jia as her disciple" were unexpected bonuses.

If Lady Zhushan had a favorability system, she surely would have seen an increase in Song Cheng's regard for her.

Song Cheng sorted through his thoughts and proceeded to the reception room, only to see a gray silhouette sitting upright on a wooden chair in the center of the room.

The silhouette was of a plump-faced woman dressed in a thick coat.

As for the color, it was quite peculiar.

Forbidden color is red.

Dead object is black.

Living person is white.

Gray... It was his first encounter with such a color.

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