"You have important matters to discuss as well?"

Chen Mo was taken aback, as everything seemed to be happening at once.

"Does the Marquis have important matters to handle? I am not in a hurry here, we can discuss this later in the evening." Ning Wan softly said.

"Hmm... alright." Chen Mo thought for a moment and said, "Then I'll come find you once I'm done."

"Then the Marquis should attend to his matters first, I shall take my leave." Seeing that Chen Mo's gaze did not linger on her, Ning Wan pursed her pink lips, suppressed a hint of strange thoughts, lightly bowed, and stepped back.

After Ning Wan withdrew, Chen Mo sent a reply to Zuo Lianglun, informing him that he was currently occupied with matters in Qingzhou and had no time to go to Linzhou to meet with the young master of the Wu Family. He instructed Zuo Lianglun to tell the Wu Family's young master to come to Yu State to meet him.

Afterward, Chen Mo instructed Sun Meng to pass down the order to reorganize military affairs; if the conflict in Fengzhou were to affect Qingzhou, it would inevitably cause some disturbances, and order must not be disrupted at that time.

By the time Chen Mo finished his tasks, the sky had already darkened.

The night was deep, the stars few.

In the rear courtyard, Ning Wan realized that it was already so dark, and he probably wouldn't be coming. So, with Qing Dance's assistance, she bathed again. It was hot, and she had a tendency to sweat easily; just sitting in the room for a while made her feel sticky.

Ning Wan changed into a simple white nightgown and sat at the dressing table, while Qing Dance stood behind her, using a towel to dry her wet hair.

"Is everything settled at the new shop?" Ning Wan used her slender fingers to pick up a piece of Osmanthus Cake, gently biting into it and then lightly brushed away the crumbs from the corner of her mouth with her little finger, her demeanor graceful.

"I've already arranged for people to go over, just like in Longmen County, ensuring that everyone in the city knows on the opening day." Qing Dance said, then continued, "Mistress, at each family's restaurant, sliced mutton sells the best. But as far as I know, the mutton we get from the slaughterhouse is still too expensive. If we were to buy sheep directly, slaughter and slice it ourselves, it could save a lot.

So, my suggestion is, how about we get some lambs to raise ourselves."

Upon hearing this, Ning Wan put the bitten Osmanthus Cake back on the plate, picked up a handkerchief to wipe her hands, turned slightly with a smile, and said, "Qing Dance, business isn't done that way, don't think about making all the money yourself."

Qing Dance did not understand; wouldn't it be good to earn more money?

Seeing Qing Dance didn't understand, Ning Wan followed her suggestion and said, "Just as you said, raising sheep ourselves would surely require hiring specialized people to manage them, paying workers' wages, and if the sheep get ill, wouldn't you have to treat them? That would be another expense; and you'd need to build a barn.

Moreover, how long would it take for lambs to grow until they can be eaten, and how much money would be needed in this period?

Admittedly, if you solve all these issues, shouldn't you also wonder if the people selling feed to us are making money? You might think the feed doesn't have to be so expensive; then would you also go specifically to harvest the feed, not allowing anyone to profit from it."

Ning Wan smiled, holding Qing Dance's hand, "The money in this world is endless, don't think about interfering in everything; it will offend people."

Qing Dance seemed half understanding, slightly naive, and said, "Don't we have the Marquis to back us up in the Three States; why should we worry about offending anyone?"

"It seems you still don't understand the essence of being a merchant. Business is business, and there's an ancient saying: 'Harmony brings wealth,' emphasizing mutual benefits and win-win situations. This principle is not discovered or imagined by anyone, but rather a consensus formed by merchants through navigating hardships and thorns in the business world, becoming a lasting and durable business way.

Even though in the Three States we have the Marquis to back us, rendering us unafraid to offend others, King Yama is easy to meet, but little ghosts are troublesome; if you think about making all the money for yourself, then this road is closed."

Seeing Qing Dance still somewhat unsure, Ning Wan smiled and released her hand, "These principles you will understand eventually. It's getting late, go and rest."

"Yes."

Qing Dance bowed and withdrew.

Watching Qing Dance leave the room, Ning Wan picked up the bitten piece of Osmanthus Cake and brought it to her lips; at this moment, a voice sounded from outside the house.

"Marquis."

"Is Aunt Ning inside?"

"Yes, Marquis, she is."

"Okay, you may go."

"Yes."

The familiar voice reached her ears, Ning Wan's heart skipped a beat; she hurriedly put down the Osmanthus Cake, scrambled to grab the outer robe she had worn, draping it over herself, anxiously wondering, "He... why is he coming at this time?"

Ning Wan had thought Chen Mo wouldn't be coming.

Just as she finished dressing, the door was pushed open, and a tall figure walked in. Ning Wan's heart was startled, she turned her body sideways to fasten the buttons of her robe, with some irritation said, "You... why didn't you knock before coming in."

"It's my own home, why knock?" Chen Mo glanced around, and sat down where Ning Wan had just been sitting, saying, "Didn't Aunt Ning have important matters to discuss with me? Once I finished, I came."

"..."

Ning Wan lowered her eyes, unable to find a rebuttal; after all, the entire Old Government Office was his.

But there is still a distinction between males and females, and it's better to pay attention to such matters.

Ning Wan looked at the young man, her mood inexplicably brightened a few degrees, pursed her pink lips, ultimately deciding not to speak, took the already gathered evidence from the table beside her and handed it to Chen Mo.

"What's this?" Chen Mo took it and started flipping through.

```

"The fake account book at the Qin City Fu Ze Hot Pot Restaurant was made by the shopkeeper of the Qin City shop." Ning Wan brought over a chair and sat down next to Chen Mo.

Upon hearing this, Chen Mo looked at it seriously, and after reading, he said, "Ning Aunt can handle these matters herself, I trust you and there's no need to specially report to me."

Chen Mo felt that the small matter of the restaurant making fake accounts didn't require his intervention.

"The shopkeeper is an uncle of one of the Centurions in the Divine Brave Guard, and last year, that Centurion received your reward, raised from Centurion to Centurion, then promoted by you to Centurion." Ning Wan said.

"Luo Yong?" Chen Mo quickly spoke the name, as he had some impression of Luo Yong, who gained the honor of Xian Deng last year.

"That's right, using this relationship, his uncle Luo Qin became the shopkeeper of the Qin City shop. But just two months after opening, Luo Qin made fake accounts, pocketing three hundred taels of silver. Marquis, in your hands are the evidences of Luo Qin's fake accounts. Because it involves a warrior with merits, I thought it's better to tell you." Ning Wan said slowly.

Upon hearing this, Chen Mo's brow furrowed slightly, then he pondered and said, "Did Luo Yong get involved in this matter?"

"These evidences were secretly collected by my people, yet we haven't questioned him." Ning Wan shook her head.

Perhaps having just bathed, her plump, snow-like cheeks carried a few traces of redness, she dared not look directly at Chen Mo, slightly bowing, revealing a more delicate figure.

Seemingly aware that Chen Mo was stealing glances at her again, her slender fingers, with crimson nails, twisted together, glowing full and lustrous.

Chen Mo's heart stirred as he leaned closer, naturally holding that slender and soft hand, feeling it warm like jade, with delicate skin.

Chen Mo spoke softly, "Like I said, since the restaurant's matters are entrusted to Aunt Ning, just rest assured and go ahead. If it's found that Luo Yong is involved too, just pass them to the Inspector."

Ning Wan's delicate body trembled fiercely, this person was getting more and more outrageous, her heart unable to stop trembling, she subconsciously tried to break free, shamefully annoyed, "You... don't get ahead of yourself."

"I miss you, Aunt Ning."

Ning Wan: "..."

Listening to those direct and fervent words, Ning Wan's cheeks felt burning hot like fire, her heart pounding rapidly, what does this person mean by that?

Miss her, so he can touch her...

She thought of the last time the young man held her hand, gently stroking the back of her hand.

"I... I am Xue'Er's aunt, you can't say that to me, you, uh~"

Ning Wan was about to speak but saw that person leaning forward, holding her shoulders and pressing against her crimson lips.

"Mm..." Ning Wan's eyes widened, her nostrils instinctively snorted softly, she pushed against the young man, waves of shock surged in her heart, he actually kissed her, he couldn't hold back from making a move on her.

No matter how she pushed away, she couldn't escape, instead held tighter by the young man, she dared not make a scene, and already having some preparation in her heart, seeing she couldn't resist, she sighed gently from the depths of her heart, closing her eyes, letting him do as he wished.

Just a moment, Ning Wan's face was flushed all the way to her earlobes, glowing and dewy.

Luckily, before too long, the intrusion stopped.

Ning Wan thought he had gotten enough advantage, her graceful brows furrowed, her eyes gently opened, with a hint of mist, her lips moist, she raised her hand to hit Chen Mo but was caught by him.

Ning Wan whispered angrily, "I... am your elder, how can you be so reckless with me."

"What elder, he no longer wants you, and in a sense, Ning Wan is dead."

Chen Mo looked at Ning Wan's face as beautiful as a peony, feeling the sweetness between their lips, his heart filled with inexplicable joy.

For some reason, at this moment, when he saw Ning Wan, he felt she surpassed An Niang and the others.

Indeed, what you can't have is always unsettling.

Seemingly uncomfortable with the profound gaze, Ning Wan's ears and cheeks flushed, she pressed her tender lips nervously, voice trembling, "That... I used to be your elder, and I've... been married, I'm not some virgin maiden..."

"If you hadn't been married, I wouldn't want you..."

Chen Mo's mind, for no reason, conjured up this sentence.

He directly picked up Ning Wan, let her sit on his lap, looking down at her flushed face, speaking firmly, "Don't worry, I don't mind you..."

Ning Wan: "..."

For some reason, listening to his words, the depths of Ning Wan's heart felt a bit of unspeakable anger, I want you to mind or not...

With a hint of displeasure on her face, she struggled, "I am already old and fading, half old Xu Niang."

Chen Mo looked into Ning Wan's eyes and said, "Wan'Er is in the time of blooming flowers, like national beauty, not old at all. Besides, I just like someone like you."

Hearing Chen Mo's words, Ning Wan, filled with shame and anger, simultaneously felt waves of sweetness in her heart, regardless, being liked by a handsome young man several years younger, who was also capable, was indeed an indescribable joy.

It's just like a divorced middle-aged man being liked by a college girl.

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